South of France, Barcelona, Pelvis Pain and a Dead Dog...

My last night in Rome was a lot of fun - ended up staying up till silly-o'clock drinking with Ash, Dom, Diego, Adam and a group of boys from Liverpool (turns out I have the same sense of humour as a 19 year old boy. obviously).

Head off on a late afternoon train bound for Nice, which stops at Genova for a few hours - another not-so-blissful attempt at sleeping in the train station. At 5 am I decide I need a chocolate fix (sleep is overrated!) and a cute old man buys it for me. I must look homeless.

Arrive in Nice around 10 the next day, having had to fend off an inappropriate Frenchman who keeps stroking my leg (a swift slap soon puts a stop to this...), and find a hostel close to the train station. I check in early, meet my German roommates Max and Mark (hilarious doesn't even describe these boys!) and head down to the beach to laze/sunbathe/sleep/read. After a few hours baking in the heat, I head to an Art Museum, then back to the hostel. Bizarrely, I find out that Lorraine Edgar - a university friend - is in Monaco and will be visiting Nice this week, so we arrange to meet up. Barely any use at meeting up with her in Scotland, so an impromptu hook-up in the South of France is going to be strange...

We have a lovely afternoon, sitting in a bar by the ocean, drinking carafes of red wine in the sun. Total bliss.

Over the next few days, myself, Max and Mark hang out a lot, going to the beach, a day trip to Cannes to visit their friend, lots of trips to the supermarket for booze, and midnight walks to take picture of Nice by night. Had such a relaxing time in the South of France - albeit expensive - but spending most of my time at the beach or drinking has been a welcome change from the craziness of Rome.

Next (and sadly last) stop is Barcelona. I am down to my last 30 euros, and anticipate that this is going to be difficult. 2 days and 3 nights in Barcelona on 30 euros. Can it be done?

Arrive late to my hostel, near the Sagrada Familia, and head straight for a shower and bed, ready for an action-packed day of exploring. Get up at 7 am (I know!) and head off, though I'm so unbelievably tired and confused that I walk smack-bang in to a metal bollard, which just happens to be at front-bum-height. Cue agonising pain, breathlessness and total and utter embarrassment. Find the nearest cafe/bar to inspect the damage (ironically called Bar Fanny...) and am horrified to discover extensive pelvic cuts and bruising. Ability to bear children rapidly depleting...

Mange to get my act together and see a most of Barcelona - cathedrals, churches, markets, parks, Gaudi architecture, and (my personal highlight), a dead dog being eaten by bluebottles... Mega efficient day.

And I still have money left.....here's hoping I can afford to eat/drink for the rest of my stay...