Observer Viewfinder competition 30.1.11

[chokkie]

Am completely bamboozled by today's "Viewfinder" competition. The written clue is:

Stags and hens might misbehave in its bigger neighbour, but people in this city get down and dirty with a vegetable in January. Gladiators and lions used to provide the entertainment, now families ride out of town w hen they're looking for some thrills. A herb should give you a bit of a clue. Name the city.

There are the four usual pictures .... a row of what looks like leeks (or large spring onions), some men dressed in red and white forming what seems to be a human pyramid, a flume ride, and the ruins of a Roman amphitheatre. At first glance it could be a NE city like Newcastle, but there is a beach and palm-trees in the picture of the Roman amphitheatre.

Can someone help, please? Many thanks, Chox.

[noodles]

Tarragona, Spain?

The vegetables are calçots, a sort of spring onion served roasted in the locality. The human pyramid are the Castellers de Barcelona, one of a number of teams that perform at a festival inTarragona in September. The Roman Amphitheatre shown is in Tarragona. The water splash is slightly confusing - it is not in Tarragona, but in Portaventura, Salou which is a couple of miles from Tarragona. Salou is probably where "stags and hens might misbehave". The herb which should give us a bit of a clue is tarragon.

[chokkie]

Thanks so much noodles, appreciate your help. Had another go at it last night, but still no joy - until I looked at your answer this morning. Have a good Monday! Chox.