Homeward bound - Cordoba

Monday 9^th April

Weather forecast not good again for whole week……thunder, heavy rain etc.. I got up early to juice the oranges and pack, which took a couple of hours, and then packed the car, whilst J cleaned through the house. We had planned to leave by 10.30, but it rained throughout morning, and it was 11.30 before we left. After a couple of miles, J unsure if she had turned tap on for reticulation system…..not on checklist. As it was off last time I saw it yesterday, I suggested we turned back …against J’s wishes…..and sure enough it was off, so turned it on.

It was now 11.50 as we set off fully laden, and stopped at petrol station at Cartama to pump up car tyres. On to Campillos through the mountains, stopping at Teba Gorge to have lunch……rewarded by seeing about 10 Black Kites soaring above the gorge.

Drove on in the rain until hit the main Cordoba road, which is being upgraded to motorway,which was a bit slow, and then got to an upgraded section and made good time @ 130 km per hour, getting to Cordoba about 2.15 in the rush-hour. Found the old City quite quickly, but difficult to park, so found an underground car park, and walked through the narrow streets of the old City to find Tourist Information and a hostal..

We found the Mezquita, Cordoba’s magnificent Cathedral, which was originally built as a grand mosque, as Cordoba was capital of Muslim Spain in the 8^th Century. Before visiting the Mezquita, we found a Hostal by its Southern corner and got our stuff from the car, so it was 4.30 pm by the time we got there.

The Mezquita is truly spectacular, built in the style of the great mosques and palaces of Istanbul, but with a 16^th Century Christian Cathedral right in the middle. The outside courtyard contains the Patio de los Naranjos (Orange trees), which were in full bloom, the smell of the blossom hanging heavy in the air. Beside the Puerta del Perdon is a 16^th Century tower which replaced the original minaret.

Inside, one is confronted with 12 aisles and a forest of pillars and arches, beyond which are the main Christian structures.At the southern end of the building is the mihrab, which is claimed to be the most beautiful of all Islamic prayer rooms. Mosaic domes abound, together with more pillars and arches, lit by yellow and red oil lamps.

Afterwards, we wandered around for a couple of hours in the rain, looking for a corkscrew, and taking in the elegant shops of the fashionable banking district. Ate at a tapas bodega bar 20 metres from our hostal which was excellent …..5 tapas and a bottle of wine for 22.50 €

Still raining, so back to Hostal for an early night, as long drive tomorrow.