Orkney to the Hansa Worlds

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Orkney to the Hansa Worlds
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Day 35
Monday, October 9, 2023
☀️ 27 °C
Altitude: 72 m
Spain el Baix Guinardó 41.409754, 2.17226541°24’35” N 2°10’20” E
Train from Nimes, and a traverse Spain
October 9, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
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Day 35
Monday, October 9, 2023
☀️ 30 °C
Altitude: 25 m
Spain Iglesia de Santa Catalina 37.39338, -5.98829137°23’36” N 5°59’18” W
The famed El Riconcillio
October 9, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
We walked to the famed El Riconcillio, it wasn't open when we arrived we tried Los Claveles diagonally opposite it was most enjoyable. As we left El Rinconcillo was opening up. They date back to 1670, the interior has reflects the history. We had wonderful Jamon and wines.

From their website, https://www.elrinconcillo.es/en/history/
"El Rinconcillo, founded in 1670, holds the title of the most ancient bar of Seville. In 1858, the De Rueda family (the current owners of this magical place) acquired the property located at n.40 of Gerona Street, which originally was an old tavern. Years later, in 1897, the De Rueda family bought a new house at n.2 of Alhóndiga Street, linked to the other one. The current shape of El Rinconcillo arises from these two linked houses. The first house kept serving as a tavern and the second one is used as a corner shop. This arrangement remained unchanged until the 1960’s, when corner shops started disappearing, and both houses start serving as the tavern that we know nowadays."

John walked the local features. Margy loaded up the washing. Later we took a delightful carriage ride through the highlights.

Courtyard dinner beside the Alcazar wall and later drinks.

Great service at the drinks at Orion.Read more
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Day 36
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
☀️ 30 °C
Altitude: 229 m
Spain Puerta de Sevilla 37.471788, -5.64129137°28’18” N 5°38’29” W
Caroma, five thousand year history
October 10, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Top morning coffee stop. The cafes were busy with lots of locals out and about.

Caroma is a five thousand years old hilltop town one of the oldest in Europe. Initially built and occupied by the Carthaginians, then the Romans, Moors,... With history back before the Phoenicians. There are still lots of remaining Roman and Moorish influences.

Tiled entrances, glimpses of flower full patios. Impressive entrance and exit gates, Puerta del Seville and Puerta de Cordoba at either end of the town.Read more
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Day 37
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
☀️ 28 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Spain Plaza de España 37.376977, -5.98693637°22’37” N 5°59’13” W
Seville, Plaza de Spain
October 11, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Nice walk to the Plaza de Spain. Passed an interesting festival/rally where kids and adults were practicing CPR.

The Plaza is very impressive. From Wikipedia; "Many tiled alcoves were built around the plaza, each representing a different province of Spain.[4] The Plaza's tiled Alcoves of the Provinces are frequent backdrops for visitors' portrait photographs, taken in their own home province."

We then tracked across the river to Triana. We stopped for coffee and a Tapas snack of anchovies and olives. Later we lunched at "El Balcón de Rio Grande", where people go to be seen. Food was excellent. Tuna tartare on avocado, tomatoes in the worlds best oil, and dogfish bites. Desserts of local variations on custard and French toast.Read more
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Day 37
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
☀️ 28 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Spain Plaza de España 37.376977, -5.98693637°22’37” N 5°59’13” W
Seville, Plaza de Spain, Flamenco
October 11, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Delightful Flamenco performance.
TravelerNice video Sando, but, do you know the difference between a Spanish dance and a large wading bird?
12/25/23Reply
Traveler2 letters
12/26/23Reply
TravelerI plead auto correct 😉
12/26/23Reply
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Day 37
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
☀️ 28 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Spain Plaza de España 37.376977, -5.98693637°22’37” N 5°59’13” W
Seville, Plaza de Spain, pan
October 11, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
The plaza is a spectacular tribute to the provenances of Spain.
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Day 38
Thursday, October 12, 2023
☀️ 30 °C
Altitude: 33 m
Spain Catedral de Sevilla 37.385899, -5.99315537°23’9” N 5°59’35” W
Seville
October 12, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Cathedral and the Royal Alcazar guided tour. Carmon was very good guide through both these monuments.

The cathedral is the world's largest Gothic one and the third largest church. It is a converted mosque and as a result is square. Lots of history and treasures. Includes a tomb for the finger of Christopher Columbus. The bell tower ex minaret doesn't have steps it has a ramp wrapping around the side of the four walls. They mention this allowed donkeys to carry whoever up through the 36 levels.

The Royal Alcazar is just as impressive. Lots of wonderful moorish ceramics and architecture. The gardens are fantastic a little short of water at present. Highly organised, sections for roses, large trees, numerous fountains, a maze, islamic irrigation channels, specific high points and areas for viewing.

Went out late to shop for lunch materials for the bus trip to Portamao tomorrow and got to see some of the Spanish National Day celebrations outside the Archive building. Our hostel/apartment looks over the Archivo de India to the cathedral.

Dinner at Orio.Read more
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Day 38
Thursday, October 12, 2023
☀️ 30 °C
Altitude: 17 m
Spain La Giralda 37.384559, -5.99291537°23’4” N 5°59’34” W
Seville, Archivo General de Indias
October 12, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
John checked out the national archives 'Archivo General de Indias,'. On display there was a chart from 1512 by Juan Vespucci. Amazingly detailed for a five hundred year old chart.

A rooftop drink watching the sunset prior to a great dinner at Pelayo Tapas bar; Tomato soup ( Salmorejo), Baby eels with artichoke, spinach and chickpeas, pork cheeks and mushrooms, and nice wines.Read more
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Day 39
Friday, October 13, 2023
☁️ 25 °C
Altitude: 14 m
Spain Arroyo Pedreza 37.237642, -7.41919137°14’16” N 7°25’9” W
13/10 Friday Seville to Portimao
October 13, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Bus an hour late, terminals at either end weren't attractive. Great Anzac bridge into Portugal. Dodgy Bolt ride into town.

Accommodation excellent, local indian dinner very good, location a little far from the sailing but closer to the real Portamao and away from the tourist beaches. Turns out to be a beaut location.Read more
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Day 40
Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 3:00 PM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 9 m
Portugal Visconde Bívar 37.139569, -8.53260537°8’22” N 8°31’57” W
14/10 Saturday, lazy walk around Portima
October 14, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
After registration I had a lazy walk around the old town to get my bearings. This was a revelation, numerously squares, alleyways with cute glimpses of the the river, cafe's, restaurants, history and ancient churches.

I wanted to find the location of the opening ceremony, this ended up being the square in front of the tourist information centre, on the riverside just beside the blue bridge. Very sensible location, easy wheelchair access and parking.

When I visited on Saturday afternoon the cafe at the other end of the building was buzzing, dance DJ and the locals all up and dancing. The centre was also hosting a poignant photo journalist exhibition, so similar to home; huge walls of flame, highly distressed old people, exhausted fire fightes and as a differentiation photos from crumbling buildings in Ukraine.

The old town was delightful, the locals were out and about and more into piccolo coffees and local pastries.

Found some great dinner options on the way back to out guesthouse.Read more
TravelerWow, at this rate you'll still be sailing at Christmas.
11/9/23Reply
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Day 45–48
October 19, 2023 - October 22, 2023
3 nights
🌧 22 °C
Altitude: 9 m
Portugal Miradouro dos Três Castelos 37.117337, -8.54304237°7’2” N 8°32’35” W
19-21 Thursday to Sunday Portamao
Oct 19–22, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌧 22 °C
No sailing, steady 28 knots gusting over 40, with regular rain squalls.

Margy started the day with a long massage, a service supplied by our accommodation. A guesthouse, yoga, Pilates and wellbeing centre. We are very pleased we are staying here they are wonderful hosts. We are also close to the old town of Portamao and away from the touristy beach suburbs.

I walked to the touristy Praia da Rocha, Margy joined me later. We really enjoyed a walk around looking at the dramatic sea mounts in the approaching gale. Luckily the rain waited till lunchtime. We enjoyed a beaut lunch running into Bob Schahinger. Fish soup, and swordfish and very good house wines.

A little drama when we returned to our hostel, which was recovered by the delightful Rachel. Again we loved our hosts.

21/10 Finals and Presentation
Wonderful presentation and closing ceremony. A great end to an excellent regatta. It was very well run both on and off the water. The Portuguese are very welcoming, well organised and a lot of fun. Louis the race director did a fantastic job, always approachable, solving issues large and small, with a smile, a true gentleman.

A relaxed dinner in the Sweet and Salt cafe, across the road, fresh, simple food, most enjoyable. Tomorrow we collect a rental car and head to Loulé then Faro airport to fly home.

Photos on a separate footprint.Read more
TravelerSounds like it all exceeded expectations! 👏👏
11/7/23Reply
TravelerLove the Portuguese, delightful organised people. Keen to go back and see a lot more of the country.
11/7/23Reply
Traveler👌
11/7/23Reply
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Day 45–48
October 19, 2023 - October 22, 2023
3 nights
🌧 22 °C
Altitude: 6 m
Portugal Miradouro dos Três Castelos 37.117296, -8.54288237°7’2” N 8°32’34” W
19-21 Thursday to Sunday Portimao
Oct 19–22, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌧 22 °C
Praia da Rocha photos
See translation
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Day 45–48
October 19, 2023 - October 22, 2023
3 nights
🌧 22 °C
Altitude: 6 m
Portugal Marina De Portimão 37.121772, -8.52708137°7’18” N 8°31’37” W
Portimao
Oct 19–22, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌧 22 °C
No sailing, steady 28 knots gusting over 40, with rain squalls.

Margy started the day with a long massage, a service supplied by our accommodation. A guesthouse, yoga, Pilates and wellbeing centre. We are very pleased we are staying here they are wonderful hosts. We are also close to Portamao and away from the touristy beach suburbs.

I walked to the Praia da Rocha, Margy joined me later. We really enjoyed a walk around looking at the dramatic sea mounts in the approaching gale. Luckily the rain waited till lunchtime. We enjoyed a beaut lunch running into Bob Schahinger. Fish soup, and swordfish and a very good house wines.

A little drama when we returned to our hostel, which was recovered by the delightful Rachel. Again we loved our hosts.

21/10 Finals and Presentation
Wonderful presentation and closing ceremony. A wonderful end to an excellent regatta. It was very well run both on and off the water. The Portuguese are very welcoming, well organised and a lot of fun. Louis the race director did a fantastic job, always approachable, solving issues large and small, with a smile, a true gentleman.

A relaxed dinner in the Sweet and Salt cafe, across the road, fresh, simple food, most enjoyable. Tomorrow we collect a rental car and head to Loulé then Faro airport to fly home.Read more
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Day 48
Sunday, October 22, 2023
🌧 15 °C
Altitude: 181 m
Portugal Mercado Municipal de Loulé 37.138007, -8.02285437°8’17” N 8°1’22” W
Lovely Loulé
October 22, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
Loulé is a very historically significant moorish town with roots going back before this to Romans and Visigoths.

Today is it an active market town and a significant hub away from the coast of the Algarve. It has active scene for arts/crafts, musical performance and festivals.

It was bucketing down when we arrived from Portimao in a rental car. As it was a Sunday we were able to park beside the market overnight opposite our hotel's front door. I went out in the rain and walked the main sights. There are three towers of the castle still in place. A immaculate Market building with moorish design influences. St Clements church with a islamic minaret now the bell tower.

We had a delightful dinner near the castle's museum, Restaurante 11 da Villa. Duck in a local speciality sauce, prawns , stuffed mushrooms, a crumble dessert with a vintage port.Read more
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Trip end
October 24, 2023