July 23: flight from Amsterdam

There was a lot to see on the flight back.

2745

The engineered Dutch landscape is a wonder to behold from the air. I'm confused as to what all these rectangles that look like computer chips are — greenhouses? factories?

2755

The subtle lighter streak running from upper center to lower right is in fact, I think, a cloud rainbow.

2768

We were actually served a meal! A cutely packaged one, no less.

2771

A wing takes dream.

2773

Whoa, could this be a particle collider?

2775

The same circle is still in view here, halfway up at far left. If I knew my French geography better, I might be able to identify it and that distinctive gridded settlement at lower left. Or at least I assume this is France, given that most of the flight occurred over it.

2780

How was I able to look straight down? That's disconcerting.

2782

So much ecotone.

2784

In the lower center: it's Narbonne! Whaaat!

2785

The backwater lakes near Narbonne. The city of Gruissan is at upper left and of Port-la-Nouvelle at upper right.

2786

Oh my goodness it's a wind turbine array!

2788

The Étang de Leucate ou des Salses; Leucate itself is on the barrier islands.

2794

Aww yeah, the Pyrenees. I think the town directly up from the ridge is probably Banyuls-sur-Mer.

2798

Back in Catalonia, the land looked distinctly browner, and smoggier? Note the column of smoke and its shadow, near the middle of the shot. I... don't think that was supposed to be happening.

2800

A distant cruise ship suspended in a Tanguyan unworld. A huge Tanguyan unworld.

2802

Safely back on the ground at the Barcelona airport. Thanks, plane. Thlane.

2803

Now just a hop, schlepp and a jump back to the apartment. First: a long walk over to the train.

2807

Looking a little scorchy out over the fields of El Prat de Llobregat.

2811

Tower sunset in the Bellvitge area of Hospitalet de Llobregat.

2817

Last sun on a motley crue of Hospitalet buildings.

2822

On the walk back from the Metro: the triangularity of this paving at the tiny Plaça Dubte (at the ends of Carrer del Princep de Viana and Carrer de la Cendra at Carrer de la Riera Alta) extends to three trees planted in each of the corners. Which you'll have to take my word on, or look it up for yourself on Street View.

2823

And finally, back to good ol' Bisbe Laguarda just one block further on Riera Alta.