My deepest apologies, if this posts is all chopped up. I was able to fix it on the draft but when it posts it’s all hacked up. I can’t find a way to fix it. SO SORRY!
Jan. 26th, Sat. This was not our best day. I think both Bill and I were tired from the big day on The Rock, but didn’t realize it until we both snapped at each other while out walking and discussing which direction to take. Later, Bill did say that he was over tired and pushing himself. We would also find out later he was coming down with a cold. Anyway, there is a “park” just down the street from here that lies on the ocean. A great place to take your dogs to run, etc. A nice view of the harbor as well. We found it and checked it out. While we should have stopped at that point and gone back to the flat we continued on to the beach area. A nice little place with loads of condos, and a few shops and restaurants. We got a little refreshment and watched people for a while before going back to the flat for a much deserved rest. We picked up a few groceries and later I made a nice chicken breast with fresh veggies. Taste really good. Felt even better to cook again. Looking forward to the next place. We have full kitchen privileges here, but if just feels funny using someone else’s stuff while they are home.
view from Garcia Park 
Beach community 
Jan. 27th Sunday- Church day in a new destination. There is a “nursing” home about 10 minutes up the street and hill from us that Bill heard had a church service. We sought the church out the night before to make sure. Then walked up today for service. Needless to say I think I was the youngest there by at least 20 years! A lot of mostly men in wheelchairs. I nice service considering all in Spanish. The stained glass windows were not the standard large pane but all small individual pieces. Nice little place.
A lunch our host family asked us if we wanted to join them for a trip to the hills to the Castle of the Frontera. A cool old place on top of the highest vantage point. I was unable to find any info in English to add to the pics. We had a coffee up there and you can now actually stay in rooms on the top floor. How about booking a room in an old castle?
our host family 
After touring the grounds of the castle Galina wanted to stop off at the market for fresh oranges and avocados.
There is an area where storks have nets and a breeding ground along the way. Some trees had three nests in one.
Next stop was for ice cream for Marke. Kathy had to have some too, as she hasn’t had any since her birthday. This was down to the beach where we had walked to yesterday. Getare. Our host family also has another property there. Back to the flat for a little sandwich.
Jan. 28th Mon. Today we decided to hop a bus and go about 30 minutes south to the Southern most point in Europe Tarifa. Tarifa is an old fishing port and now a ferry port to Tangiers Morocco.We were hoping to visit Tangiers, but it isn’t looking too good at this point. From all accounts we have heard, it the getting there and back. The Ferry lines are very unreliable, time charts don’t mean anything, and all of the customs and immigration is handled on the ships. Crossings may be canceled at any time due to a number of things. Not really a chance I think we are willing to take alone. Perhaps another time from another place.
Anyway, we crossed a little mountain range and saw dozens of windmills. A lot of cattle ranches. The little town is very quaint as is most seaports. Several castles, a marina, beach, church, you get the picture. We walked most of it along the side streets and the marina district. It was cool to see men at fishing boats doing what fisherman have done for centuries. Mending their lines, etc. It was cool and very windy today otherwise we would have made our way out to the light house.
cleaning nets 
mending his net 
my favorite 
Jan. 29th Tues.- off to the bull ring to see the market. We found a way to take the bus up instead of walking it all. Once a week in the parking lot of the bull ring is a huge market. Not unlike all of the other markets we have seen, just bigger. Same stuff, belts, shoes, socks, olives, etc. Made for a nice walk. We passed through Christina Park which we hadn’t seen yet but had previously been only a couple of blocks away. Next time for a coffee con leche in the Plaza Alta. So nice to be able to sit in the sun and watch the people Taking the bus back was nice as after a month of just walking it gets kind of daunting. I suppose if we had been thinking we could have been doing that all along. But at first walking is the way to see the most. Bill feeling under the weather, took rest time while I read. I cooked a chicken breast with veggies again trying to use up what is left in the frig. We went for a nice walk and had our little toddy afterwards. I think Bill is liking his beer! HA!
who wants candy? 
man in statue to the left 
one row at market 
plaza Alta
Jan. 30th. Wed- The rainy mist held off long enough for us to take one last walk down to the beach, Getares. We walked a little past the boardwalk this time as Michael kept talking about the “dunes”. Well, by golly, there were some small dunes. It reminded me a lot of Grand Haven. We loaded up our suitcases, and took one last drink and tapas at our local watering hole.
Mark
had been waiting two days to play cards, so tonight was his lucky night. I mean lucky. We played Uno and I couldn’t even beat a seven year old. UGHG! Off to the next stop.
Jan. 31. Thurs. MOVING DAY 3- Off on the bus for another adventure. An hour and a half ride to the town of Jerez. Pronounced Har Es. This town is not a port city. Here are the famous Andalusian horses, and the home to Sherry wine. From what we have seen so far, a bit more cosmopolitan than Algeciras which is just fine by me. Also a bit larger at about 200,000 people.
So, a five minute cab ride from the main station brought us to our residence. Having no way to get inside main door Bill texted the owner to see what was up. He was unable to meet us as his grandmother is in failing health and he had to go up north. Ivan our landlord opened the door via electronic door lock from his phone. Great. Now we had to get inside the flat. We found the lock box next to the door but couldn’t figure out how to get inside of it. Ivan kept saying there was no code to punch in, just turn the number tumbler. Couldn’t figure out how to get to the tumbler. We tried lifting the lid, etc. to no avail. Just about when Bill was getting frustrated I slide the door panel down and bingo! The tumblers. Now we aren’t what I would call stupid people by any means but holy crap. Sure made us feel stupid. New flat pics below.
Once inside we RAN to the washing machine! Threw a load in, takes only about three pairs of pants for a load by the way, and headed for the grocery store. When getting ready to go out the main door I suggested we try it first before both of us going out. You know, just in case. Well, good thing we did, as we couldn’t figure out how to get out. Crazy electronic lock. Just before Bill blew his gasket he said, “Ivan sent me this link in an email and I had no idea what it was for.” Surprise! It was a link for the auto lock. Well, we didn’t know. And what if we didn’t have data or a sims card? You’d be screwed. Anyway, we got it all figured out and and all is well with the world now.
After returning from the short jaunt to the store I made spaghetti for dinner. Then it was time to walk it off. Just a couple of blocks around the corner is a former convent now turned into a venue and a church. The convent by night was beautiful and peaceful. The church just another stunner in my book. Bill sez the one in Seville is Bigger? Can’t wait!
convent 
convent 
convent halls 
silver 
used for Santa Semana 
my favorite 
ceiling 
FEB. 1st Fri. Not a good night for me last night. I think the barista slipped me a mickey. He must have given me caffeinated instead of decaf. The wind and rain was horrific and I thought the large canopy was going to fly right off the roof! I sat up and texted my neighbor back home. Thank you once AGAIN Sarah, sat on the web,etc. I was worried that a reading lamp would bother Bill so I just laid there for hours. Finally around 4:00 a.m. getting a little rest after all, then slept in.
First quest of the day would be to find Frank and Wendy’s place and see how far of a walk it is going to be. It will be much easier for us to go to them than the other way around at first. With all of the short cuts, side streets. etc. It can be very confusing without google maps. Though I found it with a paper map! Google didn’t have their street on it. HA! One for me! So, F&W will only be about 12 minutes walking or so. Then found the closes grocery store to them also. There is NO WAY they would have found that! Stumbled across the local Mercado of fish, veggies, etc. I love those places. Always so much and something different to see. By now it was 12:40 and churros and coffee time. Geez, I wonder how I am going to get those up on the river in April? Definitely getting to be a BAD habit. HEEHEEHEE. Below are pics from this mornings walk. Check out the price of the tuna, and the poor rabbits being sold under their cute little counter friends.
heads up 
chompers 
big teeth 
atun 
atun 
Lunch time and a nice home made sandwich. Bill took a little rest. Still has the cold. Four o clock and everything would be open again so time for after noon drinks. $2.70 for a beer and a nice glass of tinto de verano. We had a late dinner, burgers in, after having a wonderful face time chat with Dani. She has had the whole week off with pay due to the weather. She said she wishes she was here. She misses it every day. It was now 7:30 and we didn’t take an evening walk.
The Lauers Travel 