We could win the prize today for cramming in as much as possible... it certainly has been a big one and thankfully it has all worked out really well!
It was an earlier start to enable us to walk about 800 metres through the labyrinth of Seville alleys to the carpark with our luggage. Still plenty of time for
coffee before dropping Roh at the airport - only about 10kms away. Always sad to say goodbye especially after such a great and experience packed two weeks - but it will only be a few months until he is home and we all have so much so experience and look forward to in the meantime! Bring on October!
Not long after 1030am and Raym and I were on our own heading south to Jerez. We set our sights on the Alcazar and managed to find an underground parking station nearby (for £1.65!)
We strolled around the exterior of the Alcazar and nearby cathedral - with their very obvious Moorish Heritage - then into the town plaza area. All quite vibrant and interesting especially being the original worldwide home of Sherry. We passed many Sherry houses/businesses but was particularly significant for Raym as he sold Tio Pepe sherry 30 years ago in his original Wynns days. Too early for sherry for us, but we enjoyed an iced coffee before getting back on the road.
Next stop was only about 40kms away in Cadiz. Again I aimed for the old town area and after crossing an incredibly spectacular bridge we were virtually on an elongated island encased by rocky outcrops, port area and sandy beaches - along with the castle of San Sebastián perched on one headland, a distinctive Moorish mosque-like cathedral and a maze of narrow shop and cafe filled streets. Another interesting stroll and sandwich before our next stop.
Countryside was predominantly farming - cattle, masses of sunflowers, wheat and corn plus oranges. Also great numbers of wind turbine “farms”. Rolling hills varied from quite arid to more green and forested, mixed with some rivers and lake and marsh areas.
It was then about and hour and a half on to Gibraltar. With passports ready we
decided to risk it and try and drive as far as possible over the border - across the airstrip - and park as close to the cable car as possible. Leaving it till later in the afternoon probably worked to our advantage as no problem parking just below the departure point of the cable car. It was relatively expensive - £31 for both of us return to “the top of the rock” - but the views are sensational and it is certainly another bucket list tick! Despite some haze we could see across to Morocco, back to Algeciras where are staying tonight, as well as the sights of various points of Gibraltar’s town and port; not to mention mingling with the resident (not so attractive...) little apes!
Overall a worthwhile experience seeing as much as we wanted!
Top day ! Then just a 30 minute or so drive to Algeciras to our hotel - the Reina Cristina. Proved a little hard to find initially but what a gem - considering I only booked it two days ago! Great price - overlooking the port so not the most salubrious outlook but really more an older style resort! Lovely pool, great spacious room and terrific atmosphere - with brekkie included! Too tired to venture anywhere else so after beers by the pool the 3 x course dinner for €16 was more than just good value ! Topped off a great day!