After finally selling El Garroferet and moving permanently to the port we had decided to take a short holiday taking Angel (our dog) back to his roots where we found him in the summer of 2018.
Here he is back then as a puppy of three months mostly living under a car and being fed by the cleaner Ana
Sunday, March 8th
We left Javea at 10.15 and took the motorway E15/A7 towards Alicante and then Murcia/Torrevieja then taking the exit 1578A towards C415/Mula/Caravaca merging onto RM730 merging onto the A330 where we stopped for lunch on the road at a simple restaurant called Casa Blanca near the town of Casa Blanca where we had a lunch of Emperador for Tony and Chulletas de Cordero for me
We set off again and arrived at the Atalaya Caves in Huescar Granada Province at 4.15 where we stayed in No.2 this time. and the owner Angel had left the door open for us. He arrived a little later and, as in the previous holiday there, tried to persuade us to buy a cave house!! We went for a short drive to Huescar looking for the musical celebrations that were going on but without success – returning to the cave at 7.45 where we met up with Ana (who previously looked after Angel as a pup) with her daughter, and she was so pleased to see Angel and he was equally excited to see her again.
Total journey 325k
Photos of the Cave House and importantly Ana
Monday, March 9th
We left the following morning at 10.15 after paying Angel (the owner) €65. And heading for Jaen, on the way stopping at Castril, a lovely small village (where Estrella of Pepe & Estrella) came from. We walked around the village – had a coffee then took a special gorge walk.
Photos of Castril and the walk below
but here is a video which is better – BUT NOTE it takes a while to load but is worth it
We took a cross country route through Pozo Alcon, Huesa, El Cerillo and Jodar arriving in Jaen around midday. We had some difficulty finding the Hotel Condestable Iranzo in the centre as many roads converging on each other. Luckily there was parking below the hotel. We went for a walk around the city stopping for a drink at one of the outside bars near the Cathedral.
Unfortunately, as the restaurant in the hotel was not open until 8.30 we visited the cafeteria of the hotel and had a snack of Iberican Jamon – then an early night Hotel Bill €134
Total journey 168k
Tuesday, March 10th
We left for Cordoba travelling by the main road across rolling hills of almond trees and found Hotel Oasis which is on the opposite side of the river to the main city. We had a salad lunch (with Angel) outside on the terrace of the hotel and then took a taxi into the city (with Angel) and walked around the Cathedral Mesquita area (which is now even more touristy than our previous visit). We walked back over the river and found a really nice bar to have our evening drinks. The walk from the city to the hotel took 30 mins In the evening we stayed and had a meal in the hotel.
Total journey 187k
To give you a good idea of this wonderful city of Cordoba which we love – in Spanish but no matter
Wednesday, March 11th
Took a taxi to the shopping district of Cordoba and whilst Tony took Angel for a walk into Jardines de Colon I visited Corte Ingles and bought earrings, shoes and a T-shirt. We then walked back, stopping and having lunch near the Jewish Quarter afterwards crossing the river again and having an evening drink in our favourite bar, eating for the second evening in the hotel
Paid the bill for 2 nights and 3 meals 227euros
Thursday, March 12th
Left Cordoba for Ubeda travelling on motorways. Finally arriving in Ubeda where we had a really difficult time finding La Caseria de Tito (unusual website – navigate top left)- This hotel was in a strange area called San Bartolome
A pleasant small rural hotel owned by Tito and Macarena. Took Angel for a walk around the ruins and then headed into Ubeda and had a late lunch at Llamame Lola recommended by Tito near the Parador Hotel. Came back to a lovely drink served by Macarena in their delightful garden.
Total journey 126 k
Photos of San Bartolome but better photos of the hotel on their website above
Friday March 13th
Had a lovely homemade breakfast of cakes, fresh orange juice, jams etc thanks to Macarena.
Paid Hotel bill of €98
Left at 10.00 and headed back to Javea via Albacete and Gandia arriving home at 4.30 pm to find Javea in lockdown due to Corona Virus and all restaurants etc. closing for 2 weeks from midnight
Journey for day 418k
Total journey 1,224 k