Monday, April 25, 2011

SEVILLA!

Yes, that great city of Sevilla, and we have spent 3 days here, after coming down from Merida on our round trip.

It was too early for the jacaranda trees to be flowering yet but there was the wonderful pungent aroma of orange blossom and jasmine in the air as we made our way into the Santa Cruz area to stay at the Casas de la Juderia.

We took a ride on their silently gliding trams and took the river cruise up the Guardalquivir, past the Torre de Oro where the galleons off-loaded their golden treasures and paid a large proportion of it to the king. It was a lovely day for it and well worth the trip.

The Alcazar was amazing and in many ways like a smaller version of the Alhambra as it was easier to take in and absorb. The trick is to get there at bang-on 10 o'clock and get in before the mass of tourists. We managed to get an almost private tour of the upper apartments, with only 1 other foreigner, just before they closed them off for the day. As it's still used as a royal residence Charles and Camilla were visiting later that day.


We really must try and spend more timer in this vibrant city 

                                      Until next time

                                      Love to you all

                                      Lari and Mike 




Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Toledo, Sharpe's rifles and Roman Spain

Hello again
We've just come back from a week away on a little round trip.

First up we had 3 lovely days in the wonderful fortified city of Toledo, with a side trip to the palace of Arranjuez, and this time we went to the beautiful Casa del Labrador. You have to get an appointment to go round this marvellous, very user-friendly hunting lodge or 'country getaway for the Royals'. We were the only ones there on this occasion and we were shown round by a very enthusiastic custodian


On our way from Toledo to Merida we stopped by the city of Talavera to see some of their very distinctive blue and yellow ceramics.
While I was waiting with no place to park while Lari slipped away to see a great pottery store I looked around at the enormously thick city walls.I noticed the signs of an old building which abutted the castle walls.  I could see the lines where some stairs used to go up, and the jagged ends of some wooden rafters jutting out, with a few old disfigured tiles on the wall, and it didn't take much of a stretch of the imagination to see Sharpe and his riflemen, and their real-life equivalent storming this massively important stronghold back in the Pensinsula War around 1812. Unfortunately I didn't have the camera to hand.

On the same theme, as we drove across the undulating plains of the Extramadura we wondered how it was possible to march across the great country with cannons, carts, and all the paraphenalia of war in the searing heat, as well as having the odd battle or two. I don't think they imagined that, one day, it would be a lot quicker on the motorways!


 Arriving in Merida, the Roman capital of Iberia BC and in the first millenium, the modern town itself was not very imposing, but the Roman remains were astonishing, with a large amphitheatre and by its side a theatre with seating for 5 thousand. All over there are still many remains of the Roman city, to be found dotted around the town, together with a wonderful museum, where, amongst many of the fine displays, there were several almost perfectly preserved samples of mosaic flooring, some measuring about 20 feet by 60 feet. Statues, baths, and a large forum, as well as aqueducts and the general layout showed the skills of Roman engineers, using concrete and stone on buildings that were meant to last. Quite different times.
Off to Sevilla, so that's coming next.


Hasta pronto

Lari and Mike