Brilliant start

All the arrangements worked perfectly and we are here safely. The taxi arrived on time at 3.30 and got us to the airport on time despite the M11 being closed and needing a long detour around theLeer más
Settling in

After the journey yesterday, a long good nights sleep last night was very welcome. Today a trip to the supermarket to get stocked up, but first breakfast in a cafe next to the market. Last year it wasLeer más
Sunday football

Went to buy my Sunday paper and was delighted to find that my paper stand has discovered the Sunday times. A couple hours in the sun doing the crossword then off to the football. Previously I wouldLeer más
Climate change?

Yesterday and today it's been hot - 23-24C in the shade and really hot in the sun - too hot for us! The locals say it is unusual just like spring weather in February. We only brought a small amount ofLeer más
Quiet couple of days

The last two days we've pretty much stayed in and just enjoyed being here. It's been 23 or 24 degrees and beautifully sunny although a chill wind got up yesterday and through the night last night, andLeer más
Janet arrived for the weekend

Janet came on the morning flight ( it was an hour and a half late) for the weekend. The weather changed yesterday afternoon so this morning it was heavy black cloud and quite chilly. Thankfully by midLeer más
Tasting at Diez Merito

The morning started with thick fog, and it looked like it had rained. Breakfast on chorros and chocolate , followed by a tasting a at a bodega called Diez Merito, that we haven't been to before. TheLeer más
Lunch in the sun at Fundador

The day started a little overcast but brightened up and I walked down down to buy a paper. By lunchtime it was nice and warm and sunny and we walked across the city to have lunch in the courtyard ofLeer más
Oranges

The amount of walking that I'm doing here is certainly helping my foot. Today I walked for a hour and a half inside most of the walls of the medieval city. It gets swollen and sore afterwards but atLeer más
Night out in Jerez

We went out to eat at a very old favourite restaurant and on the way back stopped for some sherries and flamenco. Jerez at night can be very pretty, I'm not sure why , maybe it's the colour of theLeer más
Day trip to El Puerto de Santa Maria

We took the train to El Puerto (de Santa Maria) and for once didn't go there to visit our favourite sherry bodega. The bullring there is famous, it's the third biggest in all Spain, and in the seasonLeer más
El Puerto 2

After the bullring we wanted to see the castle. It's not big but a very good looking castle and we've never found it open. Today there was supposed to be an English tour (and sherry tasting) at 11.30,Leer más
Sunday

Lynette went to mass in the cathedral today so I went with her to remember what it was like. We've been many times before of course but last year the bell tower was covered in scaffolding so it wasLeer más
Semana Santa

They are truly insane here with their preparations for Semana Santa - the big processions carrying statues of saints through the streets in Holy week. At 11.30 tonight, after Tim had gone to bed, weLeer más
We are on holiday

Yesterday morning we woke up to thick fog all over Jerez. It lasted till late morning but then it was gone. Today we took the bus to Rota, a small town with an incredible beach (and Spanish/AmericanLeer más
Rota

Sailing into Cadiz

This morning started bright but with a sea mist so strong we couldn't even see Cadiz. After a lazy morning we caught the midday catamaran from Rota to Cadiz, and by the time we were half way acrossLeer más
Back to Jerez

This morning we had a quick visit to the old cathedral in Cadiz, which was left in place when the current cathedral was built and is now a rather nice parish church for the city. Then a walk to theLeer más
Saturday

It's starting to get really hot here, and it's a beautiful morning and perfect for chorros and chocolate for breakfast. Over the last couple of days the flowers of the orange trees have opened and theLeer más
Sunday and monday

Sunday evening I went to a football match at the minor club in Jerez. They are two divisions below the other club , but are at the top of the table and could go up. When we first came to stay in JerezLeer más
Oranges

I'm going to miss the fresh orange juice here. Juicing oranges are 3 kg for 3 euros, 40p per pound!
The Alcazar

The fortified central part of the city inside the moorish walls is the Alcazar (castle) and although extensively modified after the Christian reconquest, is still an interesting and beautifulLeer más
Flamenco festival

This week is the annual flamenco festival and the city is heaving. It's full of flamenco fans from all over the world, so you can hear English, American, German accents as well as lots of people fromLeer más
Carnival de Jerez

This weekend is also Jerez carnival weekend. It's unusual, I think, that it coincides with flamenco week. We will the main events, but today was the children's parade, followed by a competition forLeer más
Going home

We sat out in the plaza last night for a goodbye meal. It was quite balmy and the restaurant tables outside were packed. Today it will be 25 degrees and sunny here. There was snow in wendoverLeer más
Great start! Hope the rest is as good. I'm off to see the Troy exhibition tomorrow taking advantage of my new location! Davina xx