A few days in DIMA

Escaping heat and back in Basque country I camped in the garden of Ruth and Jose's for a few days.  Peace and birdsong.  Lovely.  We went to a local sheep shearing festival, just a small one for the neighbourhood.  The festivals in the area mainly include BBQ of port and bacon served with lots of red wine of course and sometimes beer.  They also have an excellent Rose.

Even a woman shearer

Sunday lunch

LA RIOJA

I spent a lovely day driving around many of the little towns of this famous wine region.  Laguardia was especially quiet and built of a warm brick colour.  Of course this area is covered with vineyards and there are Bodegas everywhere on the wine street.  Almost all of them need a reservation to go on a tour and have a tasting.  The wine is excellent.

Laguardia

My lunch spot

Spanish men chatting

Later I went over to the famous Bodega of Marques de Riscal.  The architect was Frank Gehry and it is like a mini Guggenheim.  They produce an extraordinary volume of excellent Rioja wines.  Of course the tour included a tasting.

a few of the vineyards

the oldest part of the vineyard

BURGOS

I found Burgos to be a really lovely city.  Clear flowing river with gardens and walks along side.  It is renowned for the immense Cathedral

There is a most impressive museum on evolution of humanities with nice water features and sculptures.  

ARANQUEZ

Last night I cycled around the city of Rodrigo having played his wonderful music on the drive.  It is one of the few cities that seems to have more gardens, rivers, green pathways and spaces than it has urban buildings and sprawl.
Just a few views along my way.

HEAT WAVE

Sorry to say the long heat wave struck and did away with all my intentions of going to sightsee in Seville, Toledo, Cordoba, Segovia etc.  I've been making as quick a dash as possible from south to the north of Spain to leave behind those awful temperatures of 46 to 48 degrees.  Impossible to walk around cities with broad streets with sweat stinging the eyes.
I'm now north of Madrid and plan on going back in to those northern Basque mountains.  This time I'll see more of Rioja and Victoria Gasteig.


These are a few views of Ronda, the lovely city perched right on a very deep gorge - this view is from the well known miracle of a bridge

TRIP THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS TO RONDA

Left Marbella today and off in the direction of Ronda.  There's a heatwave hitting Spain and the temps today are over 38 degrees.  I decided to not go to Sevilla after all, I've long wanted to go there but just don't do well trying to walk and sight see in the heat so after this will head steadily north.
The road from Algeciras to Ronda is spectacular with several of those white villages hanging on to the hillside like Caseras and Gaicin

Ronda is amazing built as it is on a gorge with the most amazing bridge, walks and gulleys.  A very attractive town with many little alleys and steps to explore.  It is full of fun looking restaurants and bars.

See how deep it is in next pic

Marbella Family Celebrations

My nephew Brendan, his wife Noele and their two lovely girls live in Marbella most of the year and this week there were two events hosted by them.  One on St John's Eve (St Juan) where the Spaniards light the traditional bonfires on the beach and the other a celebration of Bren's 50th birthday.

St. John's Eve

The Bonfire on the beach

 Many of the family came over from Ireland.
They live in a lovely area beside the beach with huge lovely swimming pools and exotic plants.  Very little contact with the very touristy scene in the centre of town.

Amy left and Laura right

Two lovely girls

Not a good pic but all the family together