Barcelona - 20 September 2011 (1)

I slept really well but did get up to check the time at 4.00 as I could see a light reflected on the ceiling which came through the curtains.  It would have been a disaster if it had been daylight because it was still quite dark when we pulled the curtains at 7.00.

We left for the station at Passeig de Gracias and arrived well in time for the train.  The return tickets to Tarragona cost €24 in total, which was quite good.  We went through the ticket barrier and I had a moment’s panic because our train did not appear on the screen.  There was no one to help, so we continued and followed the signs to Tarragona.  Once on a platform, we stopped a grey haired man to check and he confirmed that this was the correct platform.  Eventually our train arrived and he looked back to make sure we were getting on.

The train was nearly empty, so we took over four seats.  At first, the train went underground.  Barcelona Sants station reminded me of Sunderland Station, but with more platforms and no diesel trains.

Eventually we broke through into fresh air, but the scenery was not that good with it being the industrial suburbs.  Things improved later when we reached the sea.  The train ran along with the sea to our left and hills to our right.  Ten minutes before we reached Tarragona, we stopped at a station but could not see its name.  Fortunately, I put my trust in the timetable and we stayed on.  Eventually, when we were moving again, we saw the name on a station building and were very glad we hadn't got off.