We decide to walk the old part of the town today. Once again the weather is perfect, even though the temp says 30 and 31 degrees, it is still very pleasant to walk about the township. We wander about, headed in the vague direction of the Ancient part of town, and we find an optometrist, as Bob has been wanting to get some prescription sunglasses made up for when he is driving. Previous to this Bob has made a couple of phone calls to other optometists, but they don't seem to speak the same language we do. We go inside, and are attended to by a man who has limited English, but with patience and determination, we manage to understand each other, and get the message across of what is desired. The man looks at Bob reading glasses, and determines what the prescription is that he needs for his long distance sight. At this point we then hit a bit of a barrier, and the man says that his collegue speaks better English will help us further when he is finished with the people he is serving. While we wait, this man takes bob over to decide which sort of frames he would like and a decision is made. Then the other genteman comes over and finalizes everything and tells us the glasses will be here at the end of the week, or on monday of next week as Bob is getting his sunglasses polorized, it will take a little longer. This works for us, so a deposit is made, and we leave the shop. Bob tells me that the glasses are fairly cheap compared to Australian prices. So this is a bonus. We continue on our way up the narrow streets, and pass lots of eating places. The streets keep getting narrower, and I think that it is only for people to walk on now, but no, I was wrong. There is the occassional car that journeys past us, even though there is just enough room for the car only, as any pedistrains have to eaither find a door way to get into or squash themselves against the wall as the car goes by. And looking at the buildings round, they are residendents, so I guess they drive here all the time.
We have some lunch and continue on our merry way, and get to the sandstone castle, which is owned privately, so access to it is not possible. At one end of the outlook there is a man with Birds of Prey, that one could get a picture with if they so chose, alas we did not, although I did wander over to have a look at the birds. There were a couple of species of owls and hawks and a Rapture.
The old town, was declared a National historic-artistic monument in 1962 due to its impressive location and architecture. The church and the buildings around this area are built on a sheer cliff face, which has an amazing view of the land all around. At every corner turn there is a cafe or resturant, and eventually there is a car park for the vehicles that travel up. We did read in the house literture that it is best to walk up. And that seems to have been good advice, as the car park was full. We wander into the half dozen gift and ceramic shops that are situated up here, and admire some of the things that are for sale. One shop had their own artwork and ceramics, with the daughter and son making most of the things there. It was wonderful looking at these items, and one could spend a great deal of money here, as it would be all athentic, and not made anywhere else.
We get to the point where we have to turn around because if we go ahead further, it is a lot of steps and probably a long way back to where we have to be. We notice that some of the cafes have closed, and the further we get back into the town center, a lot of shops have closed and will reopen again at 5. It is very different business hours here in Spain.
Tuesday, 8th October 2019
This morning was relaxing, and very quite. Just before lunch time, Bob decided we would go for a drive to the shops. I just presumed he meant to the ones here in Arcos, as we needed a few food items. So I didn't bother to change or do much of anything else. Only when we we are in the car and headed out of town, did I question him as to where we were going. He said to the shops in Jerez. Hmmm ok. It got us both out of the house and the place was bigger than Arcos, so why not.
We get to Jerez, and I decide on a shopping centre to go to, but as we were on route to this one, we passed another one that seemed to be quite large. So we decided that this one would be good enough. It even had its own car park, which was a bonus. Once inside this place, it is just one huge store, but with individual brand names being sold. Much like a David Jones I guess. We wandered around just looking, and I found a postal place, so I was going to post a couple of post cards I had been carrying around for some time in my bag. There was a bit of a line up, so I decided to come back later. Bob and I then went and had some lunch, and continued to look about, but after I had been to the postal place. You see, I had post cards from Portugal, that I had stamped, but didn't get around to posting before I left Portugal. This meant, that was I going to have to put new stamps on them and post them, but the young man behind the counter said it was ok and he put them in the mail. All this with no English being spoken, plus I bought 5 international stamps too.
So we wander about some more, and I note that there is an Optical place, and I have been looking for a glasses holder that I had seen sometime before that was magnetic, but didn't get it at the time, so hence, I was trying to find the same sort of thing, but no luck so far. We go into the shop, and Bob suggests I get my eyes tested, as at the moment I use just magnifing glasses for my readinng and needle work. He tells me how much better it will be with proper glasses. Previously, I had been to the optometerist back home and they said my +1 glasses were ok. So I make an appointment for 30 mins later. Agian, all done with limited languges. We fill in time looking around this shopping place, then go back to get my eyes checked. End result, is I still need glasses for reading which I already knew, but with a bit of a nudge, I order some glasses. Bobs glasses that he is getting worked out cheap, so he said, and mine, I am not sure about, as I have never priced it all out. So now I have to wait for a few days for them to get in.
Wednesday, 9th October 2019
This morning was a quite morning, with not a lot done. I did a little needle work, and some relaxing. Just before lunch time we get ourselves together, as we are going to go to the lake that is here, and have a picnic lunch there. So we get our food stuffs together in an esky, add a couple of drinks and we are set.
We can see the lake, but getting there is not as easy as one would think, it's a bit like just follow your nose and you will get there, and we did.
The lake has a beach of sand, with a couple of table and chairs set up with beach type umberella covers over them, but instead of fabric, it is a straw covering, and there are lots of them with out tables. All set up for people to laze under while relaxing and enjoying the day. There were a few people around, but mostly taking their dogs for a walk. We had our lunch there, and watched the fish in the water close to the edge.
We pack up our things and then go for a drive, not sure where too, but end up in a little place not far away, but it is nestled at the beginning of the mountains that we can see in the distance from Arcos. Then back home.
Thursday, 10th October 2019
Today is planned out. We want to go to the French Consulate re our French Visa, and Bob has a Chiropractor appointment at 12.
We are going to Seville, as Bob has made an appointment with a chiropractor to get his regular adjustments done. So we travel for an hour to Seville, and I happen to check up on the French Consulate, ie where it is and office hours, and how far away it is from where we have to go for Bobs appointment. The Consulate is only open from 9am to 1pm daily. So we need to make a decision as to which is more important, and the choice is made to go to the consulate first. We arrive at the said destination, only to find it is a no entry street, only for residents. So we think we will go around the block and see if we can find a park somewhere. Well, around the block is not possible, and we take the said directions given to us by Karen,( gps) and arrive at the same place, only to find the parking is limited hours. So we chance it, and park the car and walk into where the Consulate is. There are many people about, as there are Gardens around that are historic, and we arrive at our said point of interest, only to find it doesn't appear to be there. Bob has a look at my phone, as this is what we have been using to get us to where we are at this time. After he walks about a bit, and then enters a shop, as to enquire where the consulate is, only to be told that it used to be here, but are no longer there. Welllll. Someone needs to update informatioin online. So by this stage, Bob has already messaged his said chiropractor to say he will be late. So now we head back to the car to find the Chiropractor. Driving is Seville is one of the most difficult cities we have driven through so far. There are directioins that say to bear right or left, and then some you have to turn right or left, and quite often it is the same thing, although on the road it is very different as there are two or three options. You have to have one eye on the road, and one on the gps. Anyhow, after a couple of missed turns and uncertainty, we get to the vacinity of where this guy is supposed to be. We are advised by our gps that " You have reached your destination" and we look intensly for the signage for the Chiro and also looking for a park. As I have mentioned before, parking is very difficult for those who don't know the area, and we drive onwards looking and serching for anything that is remotely possible to park in. But alas, we couldn't find such a thing, so we decide to not bother and head into the centre of Seville. We find a parking station, and a park is found easily, as a car leaves just as we arrive. Bingo.
We go upstairs and look about to see where we are, and Bob takes bearings of where we are, so we can come back easily. We walk along the street, watching the traffic and the horses and carriages past us by. I comment we should go in a carriage to look about, to at least make our day a little worth while. We get to the bull ring, which I mentioned in a post a week ago, as it being the second oldest Bull Ring. Our direction changes, as it is lunch time and we head away from the bustling street of traffic and head down a street in search of a quiet place to have lunch. One is found, and we make our selection and watch the world pass. After we have eaten, we head back to the main road.
When we get to the place were a few horses and carriages are parked we decide to select one and go for a tour around the sights. It is a lovely way to see things, with the rythum of the hores hooves on the road, at a nice gentle pace. This is the first time Bob has been in a horse and carriage, so he tells me. We pass by some of the sights, and go into the palace gardens, stopping a couple of times so our horse can have a drink at the designated points. Our driver tells us what things are, but his English is not so good, so we show our interest anyhow. The tour goes for about 45 mins, and it meanders through some small streets where no cars go. It was very nice.
We get back to our point and thank our driver and horse, and go on our merry away again back to our car. So, the day was not exactly as we had planned, but, it wasn't to bad.
Friday, 11th October 2019
Not exactly a very busy day today, but we did venture out in the afternoon for a walk. Bobs sunglasses arrived today, so we picked them up on our walk. He is pleased with them. All good.
Saturday, 12th October 2019
Today, we went to Cadiz, a city that is 70 kms away from Arcos.
When we arrive in the city, we look for some parking for the car, and the place seems to be somewhat busy, so we pull into the first public car park we find, and circle about the lot, to no avail, so we go through the boomgate, and collect our ticket. This parking appears to be for the Trian station, but we will take what we can, so we find spot and exit the car. We head into the train station to have a look inside, and we find trains, and also a city sightseeing information booth, so we make a bee line to there after a pit stop. We get the required information, and tickets and head outside to explore this city that is over 3000 years old. We were given directions to where one of the walking tours leaves from, as this is included in our ticket purchases, and we decide this would be an interesting thing to do, as it is only an hour tour. While we wait for the departure time, there is a puppet show running and it is quite interesting. There are 7 puppets working electrically, and the main male puppet, is being operated by the owner. Anyhow the time arrives for us to leave on our tour, and the guide talks in two languages, Spanish and English. We wander down little streets, and as always marvel at the narrow streets, and how the cars get down them. We see a couple of old churches, which you wouldn't know they were there.We go into a Cistern, that was used by Monks and Nuns in the past, and we are told, that the city of Cadiz, has still got so much history to be uncovered, but it is difficult to find, as it is all determined by who owns what. Be it private, Government, or some other enterprise, so there are many archaeological finds waiting to be discovered here.
After our tour finished, we walked to where we thought the hop on hop off bus stop was, that was closest to us. After some time waiting and checking out the surrounding area for other places the stop might be, the bus eventually arrived. As it was a perfect day weather wise, we elected to go and sit upstairs, and watche and listene to the city of Cadiz and its history. This place has a few nice beaches, and again is a city that has got some of the original stone wall. After our tour finishes, we needed to get some lunch, so we head to where the people are, and find a nice quiet cafe, called the Monkey Cafe. We ordered a toasted sandwich and I told Bob, I would just have a white coffee. When our food came, it was good. This man that was making the coffees took a lot of pride in his work as we watched him making other coffee orders, it was great to observe. As I was eating my food, my coffee arrived, and it was not just a white coffee, but it had four layers. It looked amazing. But not olny that, it tasted wonderful. It had condensed milk on the bottom, followed by Baileys, then coffee, then whipped cream. I am definately going to try and recreate this when I get home.
After we have finished consuming our lunch, we wander around for awhile, as we are filling in a bit of time, because, we are going to do the other walking tour , of the Old part of the town.This tour is an hour and a half. We gather ourselves at the designated departure point, and we have the same tour guide as we had in the morning. We again wander through tiny streets, and see important historical buildinng, that are tucked away out of the main area, and one would never know the importance of them, if you were strolling about doing your own thing. An interesting fact, was that when the wars were finished, Cadiz had many cannons left over, so the cannons were used to protect the building edges, by placing them on the corners of buildings as they were built.
Our tour finishes, and instead of retracing our steps, we all catch the hop on hopp off bus back to tour point one.
We now head back to our car, and try to validate our ticket, and we can't seem to find where to do this, so we head for the boom gate, and nothing happens when we present the ticket, only telling us of the amount that is owed, and there is no card or money accepting thing at this point. So we pull a park and Bob goes to investigate, and eventually asks and gets the ticket validated and fees paid, we head out, present the ticket, and we are out of there.
It has been an interesting day, and we have achieved many steps today.
Sunday, 13th October 2019
Not a lot happened today, just a quiet sunday.
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