Tuna
Tuesday 13 May 2014
Last night we did a quick wander down to the bridge for a look at night. Stunning!
We are enjoying having the space of an apartment and also the ability to cook. So we had eggs and chorizo for breaky and had a coffee once we left the apartment. Two espressos for €2.40, that is the price coffee should be!
Our plan for the day was a simple one, no riving, wander around the sights in the morning, lunch somewhere cool and then hide from the sun for about 4 hours. All went to plan.
First stop was to find the path that lead down the gorge to get a good look at the Puente Neuvo, the new bridge completed in 1783. It is a stunning bit of architecture that spans the gorge and joins the old Islamic town to the new town.
A wander further along we came to the Palacio de Mondragon in a gorgeous 14th century building. It was an excellent and informative museum which provided the archaeological history of the region. It also had some dodgy looking wax displays.
Second coffee time, oh look there is a beautiful shaded plaza with shops that sell coffee, beer and food. Revived with a sit down and a coffee, we meandered off again, keeping to the small cobbled streets and out of the blistering sun. Although it is probably only about 28C, the sun has some whack in it.
We chose to skips the Bandit Museum (sounded really bad) and the Hunting Museum (full of stuffed animal heads).
Our next stop was the Arab Baths, which are supposed to be the best preserved in the country. We found them, but before we can walk down the slippery cobbled steps, we got accosted by an old bloke. He was really intent on telling us stuff, in Spanish. Nodding politely and looking the other way didn’t work, he just came closer. I don’t think he understand the concept of personal space. The Albatross, the ever supportive husband, wandered away whilst I was talked at. Thanks for that darling! (A note by The A.: he had no interest in me, as he only wanted to chat with the ladies, and I didn’t go more than a couple of metres away as I enjoyed watching Tuna squirm). Eventually saying I don’t speak Spanish, thank you and walking away worked. He then accosted the next group of people. I suppose he was having fun.
The Arab Baths were sensational and only €3 each to get in. They are 14th century and still intact. There is a really nice 10 minute video in Spanish and English which describes the baths history. Stunning, a must see!
A stroll back along the gorge for a view of the Puente Neuvo from the other side, we were just a couple of blocks from the apartment.
Dumping the bag we headed out to lunch back at the Plaza Duquesa de Parcent, where we had coffee this morning. The plaza was reasonably quiet , not on main road so not too many cars, a few horse and carriage tours clopping along, trees, shade, a church and beer.
The Albatross finally found a new hat to keep the sun off his nose and didn’t bake his head. He is now a suave looking bloke.
By now it was nearly 2.30pm and hot. We escaped back to the apartment for a few hours whilst the hottest part of the day past.
Our late afternoon activity was the Bull Ring. The Bull Ring is still in use and they have an event every September. I don’t agree with the bull fighting, but getting to look at it was really cool.
We found a nice little art gallery that did engraving/lithograph pictures. All their stuff was gorgeous, so we bought a couple. I am not sure where we will put it, maybe we will have to extend the house.
Dinner was delicious. Rabbit fricassee, with eggplant, carrot and mascarpone on a al dente bed of penne pasta.
Sensational, and cooked by The Albatross!!