Wednesday 11th July 2018
Left Javea at 10.00 am
AP7 to Caravaca de la Cruz which is a city in Murcia province, southeast Spain. A major pilgrimage site, home to the Basilica Shrine of Vera Cruz, with its distinctive Caravaca Cross and Baroque facade. Nearby, the Museo Arqueológico Municipal de la Soledad is housed inside an old church and shows Neolithic, Roman and medieval finds. On the town’s outskirts, Fuentes Del Marqués park has natural springs and a nature centre.
Then 57 kms more on the RM730 to Puebla de Don Fadrique
Puebla de Don Fadrique has been described as the most beautiful village in the whole of Andalusia and it must surely be one of the most unspoiled and is one of six villages that make up the area of Huescar, and is approximately 185 kms from the City of Granada.
We stopped for lunch in this pretty village in a bar then travelled on to Cuevas La Atalaya Caves, Huescar just another 23 km being a total for the day of just over 300 kms.
Arrived at the caves at 2.30. Met up with Angel the owner who had the keys. He gave us two good maps Altiplano de Granada and a map of Huescar (See paper file)
Also met and fell in love with a little dog. More of this later
The cave house was lovely with a bedroom, living room kitchenette and bathroom Very well converted.
Went into Huescar
but as it was busy and very hot returned to the cool of the cave.
There is a video if you want to know more about this town or even this
In the evening went to Restaurant Cuevas Alkadima (see leaflet) up the road and watched the England/Croatia football world cup game. Only one other table at the restaurant with an English family (in fact the only English on our whole holiday) Meal of Garlic Prawns and Calamaras with chips €30. Disappointing as it was recommended
Thursday 12th July
Left caves at 9.30 on road to Santiago de la Espada
Promised to return for the little dog!!
Beautiful twisting mountain road through forest and farmland to the top of the mountain
Arrived at Santiago de la Espada after a slow drive of 35 kms in two hours
No snow when we were there, but we had a drink in a quiet bar and then carried on through Pantones (a lovely village with lots of flowers).
57 kms. after leaving Santiago de Espada we arrived in Hornos (beware it translates as ‘ovens’) at mid-day. Amazing view as we approached.
Hornos is a municipality located in the province of Jaén, Spain. According to the 2005 census, the city has a population of 657 inhabitants.
Despite some recent construction around the village, the view of Hornos del Segura from afar remains spectacular. The ancient wall of this former Arab fortress stands almost intact, and the village is crowned by a castle with a tower.
Places of interest are the castle and the 16th Century Iglesia de la Asunción, the latter showcasing a fascinating mixture of romantic, gothic and renaissance architecture. There are numerous fantastic viewpoints overlooking the surrounding Natural Park (Parque Natural de las sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas).
You can get a good idea of the great views of the town and the landscape with this video and this video
Visited the castle (€3) (see photos and leaflet) which also included the planetarium then visited the 16th-century church
Had tapas and beers in Bar Raisa near the castle
Continued journey round reservoir to the other side and still followed a twisty road but spectacular reservoir views
Cañada Morales is a district of the Jiennense municipality of Hornos , located in the Natural Park of the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas.
This Natural Park is the largest protected area in Spain and the second largest in Europe. It is located in the vicinity of the Pantano del Tranco, which can be accessed by a path from the A-319 road that crosses this town, as well as the Cortijo “El Chorreón”, right on the shore of the reservoir and close to the village.
If you want a meal on this stretch of road we have been recommended Hotel Mirasierra near Coto Rios
The Cazorla Sierra is a fabulous area and on this stretch of road is a deer park and a train trip which we didn’t have time to explore
Arrived at Hotel Balneario Parque de Cazorla in Arroyo Frio at 3.30 p.m. being 142 kms from leaving the caves at 9.30 a.m.
See hotel leaflet including a plan of Parque Natural de la Sierra de Cazorla and booking form. View from our room
Went out for a walk around the village after a rest. The town is small and touristy made up mainly of restaurants and bars. Had an excellent buffet dinner in the hotel Fresh Dorada cooked on the grill Superb waiter Price of the Buffet €14!
Friday 13th July
Had breakfast in the hotel on my own as Tony not feeling well. Then we drove a very slow twisty mountain road for 30 kms to Cazorla, purchasing our first petrol just before we got to the town
Parked in the Multi-story car park in the centre of town. Had a short walk around the town Plaza Constitution and San Fransisco Church.
Cazorla is a city located in the province of Jaén, Spain. According to the 2006 census, the city had a population of 8,173 inhabitants. It lies at an elevation of 836 metres on the western slope of the Sierra de Cazorla. It is the entry point and base for visits to the Natural Park of Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park, a vast protected area of magnificent river gorges and forests. Spain’s second-longest river, the Guadalquivir, has its source in the mountains to the south of the settlement.
Distances to nearby cities are Jaén, 121 km.; Granada, 205 km.; and Linares, 71 km.
The town is constructed around three main squares, the Plaza de la Constitución, the Plaza de la Corredera (or de Huevo, “of the Egg”, because of its shape), and the Plaza Santa Maria. This last square is the oldest and is connected to the other two by narrow, twisting streets. It takes its name from the old cathedral which, damaged by floods in the seventeenth century, was later burnt by French troops. It is now in ruin. Above the square sits an austere, reconstructed Moorish castle tower called La Yedra. Still higher up on the rocky escarpment lie the ruins of still yet another ruined fortress.
A recommended excursion is to the nearby village of La Iruela, which has a ruined Moorish fortress perched on a daunting rock peak. A number of battles were fought here during the Reconquista until Don Rodrigo Jimenez de Rada, archbishop of Toledo, reconquered it in 1231 and made it the seat of his archbishopric.
Its primitive structure is relatively intact. The principal defences consist of a crumbling principal tower and two separate enclosures, with some of its battlements still intact, connected by a long curtain wall. These walls also protected the monastery, whose remains are still visible nearby. See Castles
The history of Cazorla goes back more than two thousand years. Under the Romans, the town had the name, Cartagena. Not only were there significant Iberian and Roman settlements here, but this was also the see of one of the first bishoprics of early Christian Spain. Under the Moors, it was a strategic stronghold and one of the dozens of fortresses and watchtowers guarding the mountains. Taken after a bitter struggle in 1235, during the Reconquista, the town then acted as an outpost for Christian troops.
Today Cazorla is heavily dependent on tourism and hosts events such as the Cazorla Blues Festival each July. There is also the production of high-quality olive oil from the one-third of municipal land planted in olive trees. Sierra de Cazorla is the Denomination of Origen for this olive oil. See Sierra de Cazorla. The town celebrates its annual fair in mid-September.
Have a look at this video
Took some photos including some walking musicians as the jazz festival was on.
Another 50-minute drive back to the hotel. Very hot.
Rested in the afternoon at the hotel. Had a swim in the pool and later a buffet dinner at the hotel Total price for the hotel and meals as mentioned is €274 for 2 days
Saturday 14th July
We left the hotel at 10.00 a.m.
Back to Cazorla on the twisty road, Tony took a picture of the view at the top looking down to Arroyo Frio. Found our way through Cazorla then a long straight flat drive through Olive Groves as far as the eye could see.
On the way to visit Ubeda arrived at 11.30 and walked around Had coffee and pastry and bought a collar & lead for “Angel” our new dog!! Also 2 tins of special olive oil.
Spent time here but difficult to park, Good food/good shops
Left Ubeda at lunchtime for 15 minutes drive to Baeza at 1.30 p..m.
Info for Ubeda and Baeza
It was a total drive for the day of 70 kms.
Our Tom Tom came up trumps and got us to HOTEL PALACIO DE LOS SALCEDO slap in the middle of the town. See Booking leaflet and map of the town.
After settling into this beautifully restored Palace we went for a walk and had a tapas lunch and then returned to the hotel for a siesta Unfortunately the aircon did not work and was still not working when we left 2 days later!
Went for a stroll at 6.00 p.m. and visited the amazing cathedral and obviously had our evening drink Lots of weddings going on in various churches.
Concert in the evening near the cathedral with Pablo Lopez but we chose to go to the singing concert in Casino Nuevo next door to the hotel. Had a meal whilst watching and joined by many Socios (members and pensionistas) This lovely evening of song ended, with five different artists ended at 1.00 a.m.and was free except for food and drink
Sunday 15th July
At 10.30 we walked to Inglesia Santa Ignacia arrived there to find Mass was 11.30, not 11.00 as advised by the hotel.
Tony went off for a walk and I entered the church which was much more beautiful inside than out. The mass turned out to be a celebration of 50 years of marriage of Maria and Fredrick with all the congregation family and friends and grandchildren playing music
Service was held by a black priest with very clear Spanish and I found the sermon in Spanish quite clear to follow – very amusing – and their 3 daughters gave separate speeches.
Met up with Tony at a nearby bar/restaurant where we found the celebration party met for lunch
We walked back to the hotel via Restaurante Palacio de Gallego and booked our evening meal for 8.30 – went back to the hotel for a rest and at 6.00 out for our usual G & T & V & T Watched football at the bar at the same time.
Walked to the restaurant at 8.15 and when we arrived found it a little cold so they supplied a stole. Tomato salad shared a little boring – my barbequed lamb chops were good Tony ordered Morcello from the menu which they did not have so had a large plate of Chorizo instead!
Cost of meal €57 Walked back to the hotel where we had to have the window open as a/c still not working and was very noisy outside with people at midnight and lots of church bells ringing.
Many other photos of Baeza
But better still watch this
Monday 16th July
Left Baeza at 9.30 a.m. after coffee, churros, and Roybos in the square Photo of Tony from a hotel balcony.
Change of planned route as we now were returning to Huescar to collect our little dog Drove back to Ubeda then route to Cazorla but turned off before on the A315 to Quesada.
Arrived at Pozo Alcon and had coffee and cake and shopped in the small supermarket next door on the outskirts of the village as it was market day in Pozo
Left Pozo at 12,20 p.m.and bought Olive oil in Rosario on the way at a factory-direct from a lovely lady bought for thanking Val & Geoff for watering our plants
Arrived back in Huescar at the caves at 1.00 p.m.after a drive of a little less than 150 kms and met up with Anna (the cleaner) – (Tel 627738278 Email franciscana 20408 gmail.com ) and visited the local vet with her at 5.30 p.m. and found Angel (our dog) had no chip. The vet gave him injections and later shampooed him for fleas and nits and stayed in the cave and watched TV Angel slept through the night in our cave!
Tuesday 17th July
Left cave with Angel at 8.40 a,m.
Took direct route down to Galera and Cullar and onto A 92N back to Murcia.
Angel was extremely good in the car.
Arrived home at 12.40 p.m. – a drive of almost exactly 300 kms which took 4 hours including a couple of quick stops.
We took views of the amazing mountains and lakes but in fact, those on the internet are better
