Arrival

We arrived yesterday after a long but uneventful journey. Flight from Heathrow to Madrid at 10.30 was not too early and easy. Madrid airport, as always, was dreadful. We had allowed 2 hours connectionLeggi altro
First day

We went down the road to get chorros and chocolate for breakfast and then a bit of basic shopping, and spent some time in the sun on our terrace. Wonderful! In the afternoon we went out for some lunchLeggi altro
Resting in the sunshine

After a bit more shopping this morning, I had lunch out on the terrace in the sun. Its 21 degrees today and clear blue skies. Next door is a music college and over lunch someone was playing beautifulLeggi altro
Day trip to Sanlucar

We took the bus this morning from Jerez to Sanlucar de Barrameda. The buses in andalucia are brilliant, always on time and this 45 minute journey cost just 2 euros each. Sanlucar is a small city atLeggi altro
Jerez cathedral

It's still sunny every day although today there is high hazy cloud all over, and tomorrow we could get some showers. This morning before it got too hot I walked across town to the alcazar (castle) andLeggi altro
Covid and technology

When we arrived it was a legal requirement in Spain to wear a face mask not only indoors public places but outdoors as well - and virtually 100% complied. People on the streets all wore masks all theLeggi altro
The cloisters next door

There used be a monastery attached to the church in the next square and a few years ago the cloisters were in bad state of repair. They were taken over by the city council, refurbished and are now aLeggi altro
A football day

First I went to the lunchtime match at Jerez Industrial , the third team in Jerez, came back for lunch and to get the bus across the city to the stadium which is shared by the other two teams, XerexLeggi altro
Alcazar

I spent some time walking through the alcazar (castle). It's a place I enjoy, and I wanted to check it before the kids arrive next weekend. Mostly it's only the walls that remain but they can walkLeggi altro
Moon set over Jerez

This morning when woke up there was a wonderful sunrise in the East of reds and purples, and in the west the overnight full moon was just setting over the palm trees in the next Plaza.
. . . And sunset . . .

And at the end of the day, another sunset!
Getting ready for the kids

Last night it was warm enough after dinner to sit outside on the terrace with a glass of sherry. Bliss!
This morning we got the train out of jerez to the airport to pick up a hire car ready to getLeggi altro
Yay! The kids are here!

All the travel arrangements worked well and we met Natalie, Finlay and Emily at seville Airport this morning. After an afternoon on the terrace we all went out for dinner in the Square.
Churros and flamenco

Out in the market square for choros and chocolate for breakfast. In the evening we went to a Flamenco show which the kids enjoyed so much. I think there are now two Flamenco fans.
A day at the beach

We drove 30 minutes to go to Rota which is on the Atlantic coast and has spectacular beaches. The kids had a great time even though the water was cold.
Chorros and fish market

So first thing breakfast of chorros and chocolate followed by a wander through the fish market. I thought the kids would be a bit put off by the pong but they were fascinated, especially by the prawnsLeggi altro
Afternoon doing crosswords and shopping

A Flamenco dress for Emily and a smart hat for Finlay.
More flamenco

This evening we went to another Flamenco show, this time with the kids in their new flamenco clothes.
Kids on stage!

At the end of the show they invited all the kids in the audience up onto the stage for the finale. Much to my surprise ours happily went up, but then would only stand at the back. Still ,they were onLeggi altro
Clams

A few days ago I had clams for lunch and finlay tried them and loved them so yesterday he and I went to the fish market and bought some. We cooked them and had them as a starter for dinner. I had aLeggi altro
Kids leaving tomorrow. Boohoo!

Lunch in the main square in the sun for the last time as we have to drive to seville airport first thing tomorrow. Finlay tried mussels and said he liked them but there were lots left at the end, so ILeggi altro
Italica

Having taken Natalie and the kids to seville airport and seen them off, we drove northwest of seville to visit the remains of the roman city of Italica. We were here over 20 years ago and remember theLeggi altro
Bacchus and Ariadne

As I'm currently reading the myth of Bacchus and Ariande, I was pleased to find a huge mosaic telling the story.
Ariadne was the eldest daughter of King Minos of Crete. Every year Athens had to sendLeggi altro
Carmona

We stayed overnight in a really pleasant town to the east of seville, Carmona. Turns out this is quite a well-off town, and has been from before roman times, a local civilisation known as Turdetani,Leggi altro
Carmona museum

It seems that every town and city here has its own little museum about its history and heritage, and the Carmona museum, like the others, is very good.