We leave work around 2pm on the Friday, pack quickly and head to Liverpool Airport; we've booked two return flights for under £70 with Easyjet. I'm impressed that within about half an hour of leaving home, we're sitting in the departure lounge, with a great view over the Mersey. I'm less impressed that the 5.30 flight is delayed an hour for staff changes. We finally arrive at 9pm, and help some confused Scouse women on the bus, who don't seem to know the first thing about coping in a foreign country. We wonder how they'll manage the rest of the weekend.

There's a frequent bus from the airport that takes us within five minutes walk of our hostel, where we've booked into Residencia Australia. At less than £40/night for a very central location, it's a bargain. The hostel is basic but clean and okay, though we have to swap rooms after one night to get the en-suite we've requested. We're not very tired, and haven't eaten, so we head out to the nearest large square, Plaça de Catalunya, for tapas at 11pm. The weather is mild, and the area is busy; lots of people meeting, talking, eating. A big difference to the UK, though: we don't see anyone drunk.