Seventy Two

Parc Güell, Barcelona

I would like to apologise for my behaviour the other night when I said I did not want to come to Barcelona Pips. I like it very much and I am thrilled to be here. I am having a terrific time.
‘OK George stay there. I want to take a photo of you on the bench….. stay there……………. Smile’.
I’m smiling Pips. I’m smiling. How do I look against the mosaic?
‘That was a great shot. The whole of Barcelona was spread out behind you’.
I want to walk all the way round the bench now….
‘Oops! Careful George. People are sit/.. sorry, I’m sorry… perdon..’
George coming round. George coming round. George com/
‘George don’t step on everyone. They’re trying to enjoy the view. I’m really sorry…..’
This bench is terrific Pips. Look at all the pretty patterns!
‘OK come down now George. I think everyone has had enough of being trodden on’.
I’m feeling a bit sick ….. the bench is very winding….. the patterns are moving... ‘
That’s it George. Come on. I want to go to the Gaudi Museum….’


‘Let’s tie you up here George where I’ll be able to see you. Be good while I’m inside won’t you?’
Have a tremendous time in the Museum Pips.
‘I won’t be long. Practice your Spanish!’
Si si Pips, you know me…


Hola bonita.
‘Hola’.
I’m George. What’s your name?
‘De dónde eres? Eres Inglés?’
Inglés, si. English. Yes.
‘No hablo Inglés’.
Yes of course.
‘Soy Conchita’.
Conchita? Exactly. I couldn’t agree more.
‘Cual es su nombre?’
Nombre? No I don’t have a number. In England we give each other names. And my name is George.
‘George. Soy Conchita’.
Good. Oh is that your name? Conchita?
‘Conchita. Si’.
Well that is a very beautiful name. A very beautiful name for a very beautiful girl.
‘Es esta tu primera vez en Barcelona George?’
Barcelona? Yes it is wonderful, thank you.
‘Te gusta?’
Si si si si si si si si si si si si si. You have very pretty eyes Conchita if I may say so.
‘Por cuanto tiempo estaras aqui?’
I couldn’t help but notice how twinkly they are. Can I ask you something Conchita? How do you feel about stationery? Is it something you feel you could be enthusiastic about? I ask because I am something of a stationery guru in the office where I work in London.
‘Londres?’
In London. Londres, si.
‘Oh, me encantaría viajar allí! Siempre he querido ir allí!’
It’s nothing. I don’t like to boast Conchita. It’s easy to be a guru when you have a passion for something…. and if I might say so, I am beginning to have a passion for you.
‘Desde que era pequeña he tenido sueños en los que camino junto al Támesis. A veces es verano y otras veces es invierno y camino por la nieve. Es un sueño muy romántico pero también triste, porque nunca he estado allí’.
Really? Well that’s terrific. Unfortunately I don’t speak Spanish – I am but a humble English dog – but there is one language we both understand isn’t there Conchita? So how about coming into the bushes with me? Oh no wait, I’m tied up. In that case there is nothing wrong with right here. As long as Pips doesn’t see us because she doesn’t like me having any fun. It’s because she doesn’t have any fun. Pips is my owner. So…… how about it?..... I very much believe in spontaneity….. I can see you do too…… you really are a very, very lovely girl Conchita/
‘QUITA CHUCHO! Déjala en paz! Pobre Conchita. Por dos minutos que la dejo y ya se la echan encima…..!
……..?


‘Here I am George. It was such an interesting museum. I’ve learnt so much today. How is your Spanish coming along?’
I met a very lovely girl Pips and we were getting on tremendously but then her owner came along and I think there was a misunderstanding between him and me. Unless he is like you and doesn’t want anyone to have any fun. It would be very helpful actually if the Spanish would speak English.


Later, in the Barri Gòtic


Pips I have composed a song to the one I love…

Mi Conchita bonita
Mi bonita Conchita
There in Park Güell
You wagged your tail
And my lonely heart sighed
For those Spanish eyes
Mi Conchita bonita
My Barcelona señorita

What do you think Pips?