Friday/Saturday 13/14 March 2015

Hello, we’re  back! We seem to have had a little problem with the data sim card we bought to keep us in touch, so there may have been a few days since we were able to update.Sorry!

Friday was a late start, for once we had nothing and nobody else to think about, and after breakfast Bren got on with a few loads of washing, also using the dryer as we didn’t have much room to hang things out. Got it (almost) all dry too due to the hot sun and pleasant breeze. We also spent a little time giving Bertie a clean out too – we’re still picking up sand! Afterwards was just general nothing!

We came here last year to visit Seville and one of our intentions this year was to return, so after breakfast on Saturday morning we walked round to the bus stop for the 25 min run into the city, at the princely cost of €1.55 each. Scrounging a map from the tour bus stall, we walked up to and around the cathedral, said to be the third largest in Europe. We had thought about visiting but as it was Saturday it was very crowded and there was also actually a wedding taking place, rather posh with a special horse and carriage.

Wedding Cart

Having a devil of a time!

Waiting at the church?

From there we walked across to the Real Alcazar, the Royal Palace, now open to the public which was our target as we didn’t have time last year. We’re glad we put aside most of the day because there was a lot to see; no furnishings of course, we've yet to see it in any of the old buildings we like to mooch around. Definitely not National Trust/English Heritage, these places are usually supported by the local town council. A feature we loved was the number of small shaded courtyards, or patios as they were called, which were everywhere providing cool relief from the sun, not so bad now but in high summer it must have been very welcome.

There was also a large area of gardens which we briefly explored before stopping off at the café for a drink and quick bite to eat.

A visit to the obligatory souvenir shop then back onto the streets of Seville and the bus stop, via an ice cream shop! The bus was again on time and we were whisked back to Gelves for a welcome cuppa, only to find that Barry had caught us up. So after tea we repaired to the café/bar across the way. And so ended another pleasant day.