I think we are all in a sensitive mental state after the last two weeks. It seems indulgent to say that – after all, this is a paid holiday, but sometimes the extent to which constant physical tiredness has nearly driven me round the twist, has been a surprise. And I thought I was laid back! These reflections are possible now because the three of us are relaxing in the pretty French village of Russan, near Nimes, with our parents who have met us here and are feeding us and treating us like Kings. We are resting for a few days after finishing filming episode two. I have returned to normal (I think), so I can see my angry, exaggerated responses for what they were.  On the road they did seem justified! At times a mere gesture from Ben or Sam, was enough to make me see red. But both brothers have helped me through, both demonstrating wisdom and tolerance. For example, Sam’s knowledge from his previous long cycle trips, patiently explaining to me that this quick to anger mental state is normal and that you learn to have extra tolerance for people on a cycle trip, including yourself.  And Ben, who at times has been kindly and motherly towards me, which has helped too.  I have been lucky to have them along to support me but I know I have pushed them! But I do feel a bit wiser myself and I know I wont be as quick to anger on the next leg – I hope.

Adam prepares to debowl his pig as Wood Brothers look on…

So! Here we are in the pretty French village of Russan!  But pigs on spits and Barcelona are the subject of this blog. Even though we had rode over the Pyrenees, to keep to the filming schedule we returned to our beachside campsite in Ampurias in our support vehicle to film a Carthaginian feast on the beach. Our location manager Jason had done a great job getting a colleague of his to actually manufacture an iron spit for us and our chef Adam Melonas had spent a considerable amount of time researching the topic of what the Carthaginians ate and he didnt disappoint. Like a well oiled machine he set to work preparing our three course meal with some help from his trusty assistant Mark. The result was very impressive – a whole pig sizzling on a spit on a beach, which has a very peculiar ambience to it and attracted some attention from at least one passing beach goer. But I felt very alone when I was sampling a leg of this beast. It was fantasically authentic – and with its belly full of local sausages which our chef ‘debowled’ in front of us, there was no need for the studio to add any special effects afterwards. Adam’s effort was a tour de force: from suckling pig, to massive oysters and then the fabulous fruit of figs, peaches and plums – but Carthaginian style food is probably not for me!

Adam slices for the camera…

Then we piled into our vehicle for a drive back to Barcelona to attend the big football clash between Barcelona FC and Atletico Madrid. We wanted to test if  Barcelona fans knew that the chant they sing at games: ‘Barca! Barca!’ is also the nickname for Hannibal’s family – according to most translations it means ‘Thunderbolt’.  Ben charmed about a dozen fans as we all waited for the big game to start and very few of them knew about this link, but Ben managed to get them to sing and dance for the camera.

Ben talks to a Barcelona fan…

Morning saw us visiting some of the tourist sites in Barcelona – it was quite a shock to be competing with busloads of tourists after our solitary riding in countryside.  We visited the incomplete Gaudi Cathedral and also Casa Batlo and even rode our bikes down the Rambla which was a real challenge because the promenade was wall to wall with live acts, locals and visitors taking a stroll.

But now it is time to have a beer and relax with la famille in this pretty French village, with les enfants playing in the background and a kindly hostess who has just brought us a round of drinks.

Antoni Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia Cathedral…