Granada - Alhambra Palace

I have had Alhambra on my list of places to visit from the moment I learned of it, oh so many years ago. So when we planned a road trip in Spain this was my number One. Then when we had a plan and found out all tickets were completely sold out, including all tours I don't mind admitting there was a bit of a sulk! Andrew, my hero, would not give up so easily and spent an hour searching all avenues until he found a tour a night - omg so excited we booked 4 tickets even before we had a hotel or confirmation Lee & Andrew were coming too. Now I just want to explain my honey does not do tours, any tour I have done is on my own, so seeing him in line complete with ear piece was quite something; although that did not compare to the beauty of the Palacios Nazaries at night - seriously special.

Very happy to be in Granada with a view of Alhambra

View of Alhambra from Albaicin

Lonely Planet describes Alhambra as "Granada’s – and Europe’s – love letter to Moorish culture, a place where fountains trickle, leaves rustle, and ancient spirits seem to mysteriously linger. Part palace, part fort, part World Heritage site, part lesson in medieval architecture, the Alhambra has long enchanted a never-ending line of expectant visitors. As a historic monument, it is unlikely it will ever be surpassed – at least not in the lifetime of anyone reading this."

I can't beat that in my own words or pictures but it was just wonderful, despite the amount of tourists.

Alhambra - Convent of San Francisco

Sunset from Alhambra

 

After our tour we went for an fabulous Moroccan meal; although post tour the boys were a bit sad that it was Alcohol free - ooops but the tagine was just yum. Next day we took in the other sites to Granada, including a glass of sangria and shopping for spices galore....

Carolyn & Lee enjoy Sangria in Granada

Granada was so much fun, seeking out the historical sights and then finding local places for snacks along the way.

Plaza Nueva Granada

Maybe these two took the bath concept a bit seriously at the arab baths

11th century Arab Baths

Our lovely hotel in Granada courtyard

GnTs in Pink - just another favourite drink with my bestie

Seriously the best steak in Spain - Argentinian restaurant just near our hotel - perfect after a long day

Steaks all round in Granada

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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.

Bull ring Rhonda

Bull Statue Rhonda

Impressive gorge in Ronda

Bridge in Ronda that separates old and new towns

Gorge in Ronda

Main square new town Ronda

Port Velcro....

When we arrived in Lagos (I think about 4 weeks ago), we heard from about 3 or 4 different people that it was referred to as 'Port Velcro' as people come here and then never leave - seriously we have already met 3 couples here who now own an apartment here and keep their boat in the marina, who were originally enroute to the Med.

We went to Faro with Andrew's son James and had a great time there, we were joined by the Katharine with Kathy & Jim onboard and we all enjoyed a couple of fun nights anchored out in the peaceful waters of Ria Formosa. Andrew's parents, Ed & Sylvia, then arrived in the Algarve and came down to Faro for a family lunch before James flew home. We had one last night, where we shared a few too many gin and tonics with Paul & Babs from Lyra Magma, who are also heading to Madeira....

Dinner aboard 'the Katherine'

Askooby went on a trip of her own - who tied her up??

Beautiful Ria Formosa

Boys speeding around Ria Formosa

Last night with 'the Katherine' crew onboard Askari

The next day we sailed down to Vilamoura where Andrew's parents had checked in to a resort. We went in to this marina with a bit of trepidation as we knew it was a resort marina, surrounded by bars and restaurants; right in the centre of the 'British Algarve'..... We were therefore not surprised to find we were one of only a few yachts in 'SlumSeeker' paradise, however we got a great berth right in the centre away from the hustle and bustle. We actually quite enjoyed it there, the beach is lovely and we found a couple of nice restaurants - a favourite was in the older part of town Quarteira.

Bellamy's in Faro

Lunch at Tico Tico in Quarteria - just fabulous!

We had a flat calm day, perfect for Ed & Sylvia to join us for a motorsail down the coast back to Lagos - bacon sarnies and some close inspection of the beautiful pinnacles along the coast made for a fun day. For a final day with Ed & Sylvia we drove back down to Vilamoura and went out for lunch in the hills. Then it was back to work.

Algarve Coastline is stunning

Ed & Andrew - relax on the trip down to Faro

Andrew fitted the accumulator tank and also ran new wiring but still the water pump wasn't working as we thought it should; then it died - oh my gosh this was not funny any longer as this was our third plus the chinese one we bought in France. There was a lot of bad language onboard Askari before Andrew stormed off to the chandlers to buy another new water pump! This one sounds like a pneumatic drill when you run the tap but it works, so far....

Meanwhile, we had been trying to track down the guys who were going to install the replacement aircon unit. Then they just arrived without notice - brilliant! At least they were here. We were totally impressed with their work and how tidy they were - wrapping up all the areas they were working in with clear plastic and in just half a day all was done and we were back to full aircon onboard - relief as most days it was still 30 plus degrees in Lagos.

The next few days we anxiously watched the weather and provisioned the boat to the max. I spent two days cooking and freezing food for the trip to Madeira, with about 6 trips to the Pingo Doce supermarket. Andrew was servicing everything and checking all the systems. We had the lifelines on, a new gas canister, had stowed all loose items, got out our harnesses and were all set for the following day. The last job was to clean the log when Andrew noticed a crack in the joinery. We quickly made a call to Oyster and sent some pictures - they were amazing and got straight back to us, however they asked if we'd stay so they can make this fix in Lagos where there is good infrastructure - 'Port Velcro' strikes again!

This seemed like a good opportunity to go back to our beloved Spain, so we headed in land for a bit of culture and mountain time.