Barcelona - Mac Industries

A ludicrously early flight from Gatwick at around 7am saw us arrive in Barcelona at around 10am local time. Reaching the city centre from the airport was relatively simple thanks to the superb train link available, at undrr a bargain 3 euros. Once in the city, we instantly headed to a pub for food. Shortly after, we explored Las Ramblas, one of the main streets in the centre, and promptly found ourselves in the middle of an animal rights march. After joining in this protest for around 15 minutes, it was time to get into the local culture - namely with a siesta back at the hotel.

With Witham having visited Barcelona back in the summer, McCarthy and Rumble were left to explore Camp Nou while he went off and did things he didn't do last time. Unfortunately, due to the game in the evening, the ground tour was not on, so instead we settled down for beer and omelets in a cafe near the ground. It was soon game time, and an 82,000 crowd, 16,000 short of capacity, witnessed Barca destroy Valencia 4-0, with Thierry Henry grabbing a hat-trick.

Camp Nou was easily one of the best football ground I have attended, for its sheer size, colour and history. The fact that Barcelona put on a vintage performance was an added bonus. After the game, it was time for more beer and more omelets, before retiring to the Hotel Ronda.


The sunrises above the clouds as we fly to Barcelona	Witham with the excellent public transport link that would take us to the city centre

Rumble is aptly sat under a sign that says 'prat'	We arrive in Barcelona

Hotel Ronda, hopefully named after the famous Welsh valley	McCarthy was sorely tempted to purchase a turkey from this excellent street kiosk

Rumble talks to some sort of bird	Its beer time

McCarthy and Witham get involved with an animal rights march	Yes, this women is wearing a giraffe mask

All that protesting is tiresome, as McCarthy enjoys a well deserved pint	The big question here was, how did this women come to get stuck between this anti-theft fence and the shop, and was she even aware of the fact she is stuck?

Pre-game hotdog time	This larger-than-life poster of Carles Puyol was simply arrousing

Iniesta Xavi	The novel concept of putting an omelet into a baguette is enjoyed by Rumble

Excitement grows as kick off time approaches	Fit

McCarthy prepares to enter Camp Nou	Inside this fine arena

This stand was ludicrously large	The main stand

The stadium seats just under 100,000	Looking towards the other goal

McCarthy poses inside Camp Nou	Despite being in a home section, he was braving it by wearing a Valencia shirt

Camp Nou in all her glory

Valencia warm up for the big game	Victor Valdes prepares for action

Thierry Henry's bottom	Barcelona complete their warm up

The fans appear to be looking forward to the game	The teams enter the arena

What an intimidating site	Henry was leading the line

This man enjoys a cigar, a sight that is all too rare at English games these days due to the smoking ban	Thierry makes his way forward

And prepares to get onto the end of a free kick	He soon puts Barcelona 1-0 up

And then makes it 2-0	Lionel Messi had a quiet evening by his high standards

Barca come forward again	Carles Puyol and his excellent head of hair

Its soon 3-0, and a flair moment as right back Alves gets the goal	Inspired by McCarthy throwing a paper airplane into the tier below, this young chap decides to get involved

David Villa is in trouble with the ref	An excellent invention that should be bought into English football, the golf cart stretcher

Alexander Hleb makes his way from the field	A good day at the office for Barca

McCarthy enjoys a Spanish omelet after the game, that was more like a cheesecake in appearance