A little later than planned due to the need to wait for my film to come back from development... but nonetheless, the February edition is here! After a slow start to the month I was concerned that I wasn't going to have many photos to pull together for this edition, but a trip to Spain in late February provided some welcome sun and outdoor adventures for me to capture. I hope you enjoy this month's selection from climbing trips on the Catalonian Coast to explorations around the ancient streets of Segovia.
PART I: RURAL RETREATS IN LA FLORESTA
February is never one of my favourite months, particularly when it comes to photography. The streets of Edinburgh remain dark and rainy and any potential inspiration such scenes of bleakness bring has long since passed, left to the earlier winter months. Any excuse then to get away was welcome and I decided it was about time to go and pay my sister a visit in her rural paradise on the outskirts of Barcelona. Arriving into the city over the Mediterranean sea I could instantly tell I was going to like this place. I couldn't wait to explore both the city and its natural surroundings but it was already dark by the time I had left the airport and so we headed out to one of the best Mexican restaurants in the city, leaving the adventures for morning.
A short train ride out of the centre of Barcelona and up into the foothills that surround it lies La Floresta. It was no surprise to me that Jenny had managed to find a slice of rural paradise so close to the city, it was just a shame it had taken me 2 years to come and visit this gem! The usual morning chores of watering the garden, planting some seeds and having a coffee in the sun seemed much more desirable than putting on thirteen layers to trudge to the library in the rain and I was quickly remembering what the warmth of the sun felt like again.
Following a morning hike around the forest, we headed down to the square for some breakfast and picked up some fruit and veg for a picnic to be had later whilst we climbed further down the coast.
PART II: CLIMBING ON THE COAST
I was somewhat apprehensive heading out climbing again with my sister, the last time we were out climbing together i broke my ankle and was in crutches and in a cast foe 12 weeks. In spite of only just recovering, the quality of climbing and scenery that Barcelona had to offer was too much to resist.
I stuck to seconding and simple routes and was mainly just there for the views, managing to take my trusty point and shoot up some of the routes and get some interesting angles...
We had a colourful picnic with a pretty spectacular view and managed to make the most out of a baguette and avocado in spite of not bringing a knife.
As the sun began to set we finished off our last few routes before heading down to the beach for a quick twilight swim and catching the train back to the city.
The following day was my final day in Barcelona and it consisted of a nice walk around the city and a trip to the beach for another quick dip. We finished off the trip with a gig from Curtis Harding at Razmataz on the Sunday night and I was off to Madrid on the train the next morning.
PART III: SEGOVIA
A short train, or as we found out an alternatively very long bus journey, outside of Madrid lies Segovia - an ancient city that is home to one of Europe's most magnificent Roman aqueducts. I was only able to stay around Madrid for one night so it was a brief trip but a perfect day out not too far from Madrid.
Following a final breakfast in what has become one of my favourite areas of Madrid, I was back off home to Edinburgh and the cold British winter.
Thanks to all those who have signed up to the mailing list. Drop me a message if you would like to be added. Still selling prints if anyone is interested and wants to help fund the ever increasing cost of film! - see you all in the next one, hopefully a bit more punctual than this months!
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