Here we are in Cadiz, just in time for the afternoon rain, which, so we are told, the whole of Andalusia was been waiting months for. I’m so happy to have been able to assist.

Founded by the Tyrians, then occupied by the Phoenicians, Romans, Berbers, Byzantines, Visigoths, Berbers for a second time, and finally the Castilians from the North of Spain, the “old city” in which we are staying is an eclectic mix of narrow streets, some with cars and others not, both big and small plazas and a scattering of monumental buildings, mostly churches. The streets are lined with 4 storey buildings, typical of the medieval cities of that time. At street level there are retail shops of every kind and what I assume is residential or maybe commercial properties on the upper levels, most with small iron clad and often decorative balconies overlooking the street.

Having checked in to our hotel, we went out in search of somewhere to eat tonight, which at first wasn’t easy as it was siesta time and with an almost deserted streetscape and most doorways closed, there was little indication of which closed and shuttered doorway was a restaurant, and then, those that did have menu boards in place, they were all in Spanish. So here we were, in the tapas capital of the world, and with little interest in further exploring, we opted for pizzas.

Day 2 and a light drizzle forecast for the day. Yesterday, after much searching and subsequent rejection, Jean had finally found a suitable umbrella which we put to good use today. With a number of set places marked on our map, we were off. First to the main market where every conceivable aquatic creature other than sea borne mammals, was on display. Fish I had never seen before or have any desire to encounter in their natural habitat. Then a couple more stops and somewhere in the midst of the day we found a tapas bar that served whole, ie., entire, sardines. At last, and when washed down with a glass of San Miguel beer, they were delicious.

A quick panni with Iberian prosciutto to take back to the hotel and a couple of irresistible pastries to get us through our siesta. No need for dinner tonight instead it was a wander through the shops, a new pair of shoes 👟 and
we called it a night.

Day 3 and the sun was out so what else to do other than circumnavigate the city. Walking around the sea wall, we could see large stone blocks in the water that could well have been the remnants of and earlier wall or building brought down in the great Lisbon earthquake that devastated this area in 1755.

What must have be 10GB of photos later, and with her iPhone (and me) approaching meltdown, we found a quiet bar and enjoyed a plate of Iberian ham, otherwise referred to as prosciutto and a cold drink. Then more walking to the Torre Tavira, the highest former watch tower in Cadiz. It wasn’t enough for Jean to want to go there, it had to have 173 steps up a narrow and in places spiral staircase, and to top it off, the steps were made of glass!!