Granada

Cold but lovely day at the Palace.

Granada: Views from the GeneralLife gardens across the Alhambra and the city of Granada.

Nerja: Hmmm. Not good weather for holiday makers.

Nerja: Dad, Bear, Alfonso XII and Liz on the Balcon. And Monkey.

Nerja: Minnie Mouse.

Competa

View from our hotel room

Nerja: One small step for man.

Malaga: Francisco, on his way back from Madrid, looks for a bus that will take foxes.

Job Wanted

I will be arriving back in Ramsgate on 8th April and need a long-term local job. Will take £7.50 an hour upwards and consider everything except sales, phone-based work and wiping old people's bottoms.

Nerja: Thursday was a lovely day weather-wise and the ladies do love the ice-creams.

Madrid: Wicked pintxos a la Plaza Nueva in Bilbao. Bar Lastres Manolas close to the Palacio Real.

Madrid: Museo del Prado. Managed to keep my visit to about 40 minutes and saw what I wanted to see. Goya's dark paintings are fantastically depressing and I was also impressed by the religious works of Zubarán. There was a nice Caravaggio and a dainty Poussin. The Velázquez work "Las Meninas" is impressive in real life however the other Spanish art left me completely unmoved. Not sure how El Greco managed to convince so many but his paintings are total bollocks.

Madrid: Banco de España. No money but what a building.

Madrid: Plaza Mayor.

Madrid: A lovely dress made from paper bags. Austerity kicking-in.

Madrid: Palacio Real. Very nice. Like Buckingham Palace but in Spain. No corgis.

Málaga: The Madrid Express. Built for speed (like myself) and with a oversized nose (hmmm).

Madrid

I am off to see my friend/intercambio Juan in Madrid this lunchtime. The only other times I have visited Madrid before have been on a drinking weekend (J.C.) and a 2 hour shopping trip so I haven't really experienced the delights of this big city. I will only be staying for one night so will need to get busy this afternoon with some sightseeing. Top of the list is the Museo del Prado and a good walk por el centro. Photos will be posted. Barnacles out.

Lake Viñuela: What an unexpected jewel to find! Lots of great walking around this man-made lake and it is easy to get to from our apartment. Also good flora and fauna for the naturist (not nudey).

Nerja: Parkes and Granny B celebrate finding the best paella in town. Chiringuito El Breine serves up fine fare although you may have to wait a while to receive it.

Nerja: Granny B tucking into paella.

January - first day of term

Beth went back to school today, parkes back to the gym and Strings back to the kitchen.

Cómpeta: Panorama.

Córdoba

Today is our last day in the city and we have had a great time. The hotel has been fine (if a little warm) and the weather has just about held fair. We visited the Mezquita today and I found it slightly disappointing. The Moors had built this beautiful Mosque which had subsequently been defaced by Spanish Catholics. Still, it was worth he entry fee. We also visited the Alcazaba gardens which were pretty. Tomorrow we venture back to Nerja via somewhere for lunch - probably Antequera. And then Parkes and I have a hotel night out in the mountains.

Córdoba: Alcazaba 1

Córdoba: Alcazaba 2

Córdoba: Mezquita 1

Córdoba: Mezquita 2

Córdoba: Mezquita 3

Córdoba: Concentration.

Nerja: Freshly made crisps hand-made on the Balcon. Keeping Nerja's population happy and chunky.

Nerja: Beth, Parkes and Granny B queue up to deliver Beth's letter to the three Kings in the hope she will receive gifts on 6th Jan. I think she probably will...

Beth the builder

Nerja: La iglesia de San Salvidor.

New Years Eve

Making robots