Last Updated on 17 April 2023 by gerry

Today we left the Maresme coast line to spend a few days in a different part of Catalunya. On my first visit here in July 2018, I was invited to Igualada for a couple of days at the end of my trip. Pep has since become a dear friend and musical collaborator over the intervening years and he has organised a gig for me in his home town on Fri 24 March.

We can catch a FGC train from Barcelona to Igualada, so our trip today requires about a 3 hour journey, first by Renfe train on the R1 line to Plaça de Catalunya in Barcelona, then a quick Metro hop to the FGC station at Plaça d’Espanya, where we catch the train to Igualada. FGC is Catalonia’s national train operator, so a different operator means we can’t use our magic “abonament” tickets. The single fare is €8.55 each, so not too bad after all this effectively free rail travel we’ve been able to take advantage of. Our journey passes quickly and a highlight of the trip comes as we approach Igualada and start to see Montserrat in all its glory through the window of the train.

On arrival in Igualada, I reckon we have a 20 minute walk from the station to Pep’s house, coincidentally the same as what we are used to at home in Stirling. However Al has a urgent need for some food and we stop off at the nearest cafe/bar for a quick bite to eat. It’s called Cal Jaume and before we know what we’re doing we are having another menú del dia. Three courses for €12. A bit more food than we bargained for, but we have absolutely no regrets as every course was delicious.