SpainMadridLavapiésCasino De La Reina Park40°24’28” N 3°42’16” W May 30, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
Tomorrow we fly back to the US via Paris and JFK, so that makes today our last day in Spain and this our last entry in this journal. We’ve had a great 82 days. The Ruta del Argar took us to placesRead more
SpainMadridLavapiésCasino De La Reina Park40°24’28” N 3°42’16” W
May 29, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F
On previous stopovers in Madrid, we’ve visited the Prado and Parque del Retiro, so this time we just wandered the streets trying to get a feel for some of the neighborhoods. Lavapies has small shopsRead more
Traveler Olive heaven, from the look of it. Last I went in there was ages ago, maybe 10 years? I bet there is a bit more vegetarian selection now than there was then.
Traveler I think you are right! The olive area is a big draw. I wanted a sample from every tub.
mary louise adams Definitely more vegetarian and vegan things now! When I was there in April, it was shoulder to shoulder! But it was a good place to find dinner!
SpainMadridLavapiésCasino De La Reina Park40°24’28” N 3°42’16” W May 28, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
Ned loves trains, so riding on the brand new Iryo high-speed train from Córdoba to Madrid was a real treat. The train covered the 400 km trip in 2 hours, compared to the 4 hours it would take by car.Read more
SpainAndalusiaCordovaPlaza de la Corredera37°52’46” N 4°46’30” W May 27, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F
We haven’t been to Spain for four years, so there was lot to catch up on when we met Fran, Ana, María, Celia, and Carmen for dinner. By pure chance, it was also the last day of the fair inRead more
SpainAndalusiaCordovaPlaza de la Corredera37°52’56” N 4°46’22” W
May 26, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
Our 2.5 hour bus ride from Úbeda to Córdoba gave us plenty of time to reflect on what has and has not worked for us on this trip. A quick summary:
Worked well:
- The Tenacious Tape I brought in ourRead more
Traveler I had multi focal prescription glasses 9 years ago (I am short sighted), and I got rid of them after a year. I couldn't deal with walking up or down stairs, as looking down without bending my head forward meant the steps were out of focus. I have single focus glasses, and I take them off when I need to focus on close items.
Traveler That’s quite interesting. I never would have connected the two issues since the multi-focal lenses haven’t been an issue for me in the past, but Clare pointed me to a forum discussion about it after my third fall in our first few weeks here. Now I walk without my glasses, and have had no more falls!
Traveler It’s a tricky decision. Safer without - but your distance views (in my case) suffers when not wearing the multi focals. I think though ., that your decision was the right one Elaine.
SpainAndalusiaÚbedaClock Tower38°0’38” N 3°22’15” W
May 25, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
We thought getting an early start this morning would guarantee us quiet, deserted streets for admiring the Renaissance buildings on the second half of our Wikiloc route around the city. But we endedRead more
Traveler When we left Jaén, last year, at the roundabout where the cars arrive on the Carretera de Córdoba, we saw the big sign: Jaén, Capital Mundial del Aceite de Oliva. In Baena, which made its wealth thanks to olive oil, we were looking for a little bottle of oil. The shopkeeper, who had an impressive array of olive oil bottles spanning many shelves, said: "in Jaén, they have quantity. Here in Baena, we have quality" 😊
SpainAndalusiaÚbedaClock Tower38°0’38” N 3°22’15” W May 24, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
We’ve been to Úbeda three times before on various trips and seen only the totally uninspiring polígono industrial as we’ve rushed from the EuropeCar rental office (to return the car we’veRead more
SpainAndalusiaHornosHornos el Viejo38°11’13” N 2°43’57” W May 23, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 59 °F
Today was the first day in 75 days of walking in Andalucia that we had to change course to step around a puddle! It rained all night long and well into the morning, by far the longest-lasting rainRead more
mary louise adams What a brilliant way to end your walking. I hope there is more rain in the forecast!
Laurie Reynolds So glad to hear you’ve had some good rain. I’m sure much more is still needed, but it’s a start! For the last couple of days, there have been dark clouds and predictions of rain where we are, but nothing has fallen.
mary louise adams A friend is on his way to Sevilla to start the vdlp - he says there is predicted rain every day for the next week! fingers crossed!
SpainAndalusiaHornosHornos el Viejo38°11’13” N 2°43’57” W May 22, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F
It’s cloudy today and every once in awhile, there are a few droplets that meander down from the sky, but there isn’t any outpouring of the kind that would nourish plants and animals. The frogs inRead more
Traveler
You show so much joy in all things. ❤️. I had to watch a couple of times. At first I thought Elaine was watching a barking dog but then I heard your voice Ned.. ‘frog city ‘? I think. You’d mentioned earlier that the frogs had welcomed the few drops of rain. 💦. We’ll timed.
SpainAndalusiaHornosHornos el Viejo38°11’13” N 2°43’57” W May 21, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
We woke up this morning to drops of rain on the plants in the arbor, small puddles on the flagstones, and thick fog hiding the surrounding hills, but now, after a day of sunshine, everything is driedRead more
Traveler
Absolutely stunningly beautiful! Sorry for no comments as of late. I have been at hamfest for the end of the week. Ned, Bill KZ3I passes a huge hello to you and Elaine. Spent about 45 minutes talking with Bill and listening to his fantastic stories. He looks forward to your return.
Traveler Wishing you both a safe trip home! Thank you for sharing your journey!
Traveler It was great to be walking at the same time as you!
Traveler 😊🤗