November is the time to be heading to a winter harbour where you can stay snug and safe until April. Our preference was for a berth in the downtown of big cities. Lots to see, lots to do. With advanced planning and a bit of luck we secured some real beauties.

Winter Ports

          

      Barcelona

          

Champagne toast to our safe arrival.
Champagne toast to our safe arrival.
Theres our mooring for the winter !
Theres our mooring for the winter !
Barcelona Port Building where our bridge entered the city.
Barcelona Port Building where our bridge entered the city.
A cable car took us to Monjtuic and the fabulous Museu National d'Art de Catalunia.
A cable car took us to Monjtuic and the fabulous Museu National d'Art de Catalunia.
View from the foot bridge.
View from the foot bridge.
Replica of a wooden submarine built in 1864. It spent days with a crew, 30 metres down in Barcelona harbour.
Replica of a wooden submarine built in 1864. It spent days with a crew, 30 metres down in Barcelona harbour.
The Ramblas.
The Ramblas.
View of or mooring, Rambla pedestrian bridge, and Maremagnum Centre from the city quay.
View of or mooring, Rambla pedestrian bridge, and Maremagnum Centre from the city quay.
Beautiful engineering model used by Gaudi in the building of the Sagrada Familia.
Beautiful engineering model used by Gaudi in the building of the Sagrada Familia.
The Sagrada Familia.
The Sagrada Familia.
Another engineering model of the church.
Another engineering model of the church.
Gaudi's chimneys inspired the Star Wars Storm Troopers
Gaudi's chimneys inspired the Star Wars Storm Troopers
In Barcelona Santa is a "second storey man".
In Barcelona Santa is a "second storey man".
The Christmas Day swim race greeted us on Christmas morning. Very cold.
The Christmas Day swim race greeted us on Christmas morning. Very cold.
Christmas aboard.
Christmas aboard.
Exploring Gaudi's garden with friends.
Exploring Gaudi's garden with friends.
Exploring wineries with friends.
Exploring wineries with friends.
Our neighbourhood market.
Our neighbourhood market.
So much choice !
So much choice !
The Palau de la Musica Catalana. We heard Carmina Burana performed there.
The Palau de la Musica Catalana. We heard Carmina Burana performed there.

Our second winter we landed a place at the beautiful  Club Real Maritimo de Barcelona. Their very reasonable restaurant overlooked all of Barcelona harbour. The club is right at the base of the famous main street the Ramblas. Our boat was under the walking bridge to the island. The bridge opened at midnight stopping foot traffic and quiet came to us. An easy walk took us to most of the sites of old Barcelona. Their great bus service took us to all the others.  We made several car trips to explore the coast.