Askari Sailing: Shall we learn to play golf?? oh no Seville is more fun

With the prospect of spending a further few weeks on the Algarve while we waited for Askari to be fixed up, we came to the conclusion we had two choices 1) learn to play golf or 2) get out and go on an adventure so it was decided - off to Spain! Before we went we had a few days of socialising with four nights in a row of drinks and meals with other cruisers - English, Canadian, Australian and Belgian's which just gives an idea of how multicultural it is in Lagos it was alot of fun but we were excited to be heading in land.

We hopped on the train to Faro, got a great deal on a hire car and drove to Seville where we spent two fabulous days seeing the sights and eating alot of Jamon Iberico. We were last in Seville when we were storm bound in Barbate on our last boat more than 10 years ago, we thought it would be fun to take the same photos we had posted on our blog back then......

Crossing the river from Portugal into Spain

Andrew in Seville 2005

Andrew in Seville 2016

Carolyn in Seville 2005

Carolyn in Seville 2016

We had a really long day and walked miles; we went to places we had been before and enjoyed reminiscing but we mostly enjoyed the area where we were staying - San Lorenzo. It is an area of really narrow streets, not far from the city centre but it has a lovely feel to it with many locals sitting out in the squares eating tapas and talking on corners.

We went out to eat locally and had two of the best, if not contrasting meals we have had in Spain. First night at this local place hung with hams, under the gaze of the virgin mary we were fed by Ramon; in what can only be described as part of the kitchen in his restaurant. If you ever get the chance to be in Seville you just have to try out Abaceria de San Lorenzo for a real local experience and great laughs - the highlight was beef cheeks which were just delicious.

Our quirky apartment in San Lorenzo, Seville

Andrew and Ramon - now that's tapas

Our table at Ramon's

Ham's over the bar

Seville was very hot and so much busy than we remember - the queues for the castle and cathedral were unbelievably long, but we found some shady parks and just enjoyed wandering for a day stopping for tapas at a small restaurant next to the bull ring.

Seville - trams are new since we were last there

Long queues for the Alcazar - palace of the Moorish Muslim Kings

Seville Cathedral

Plaza se Espana built for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929

Bull Ring Seville opened 1749

Guadalquivir river view

Lunch with a bull!

After dark Seville comes alive with the sound of flamenco and jazz bars, monuments lit up and stylish people all over town - fabulous. We went our for another amazing meal, although walking for the first time in months in heels on cobblestones was interesting but I coped (moaned a lot- AB) !!

In San Lorenzo at night

Hercules pillars at night

Our street

Fabulous dinner at Az Zait - this was slow cooked egg with octopus and truffle

Next day we had our fav Spanish simple breakfast - cortado and tostada with tomato and ham - about 2 euro - then headed to Rhonda. We liked Rhonda but a few hours was enough to check out the views and the gorge. We then zoomed on to Almerimar were we had arranged to meet Andrew and Lee and spend the night on the Katherine before heading to Granada with them.