Gijon to Santander
Our time in Spain had come to an end and we had to drive from Gijon to Santander to take the Ferry back to the UK. It was sad to leave but at... READ MORE
The Parador in Gijon
The Parador in Gijon is on the edge of the town, at the far end of the San Lorenzo Beach from the old town. I’ve talked a lot about it so a separate... READ MORE
Isabel la Catolica Park in Gijon
The Parador of Gijon overlooks the Isabel la Catolica Park in Gijon, in fact you might say it is situated in the park. It was a joy to stroll here at some point... READ MORE
Wandering in Gijon
On this day we decided wandering in Gijon would be a good idea, so we took a taxi to the town centre again. We were also on a hunt for wine! The harbour... READ MORE
Cimadevilla of Gijon
The old town is the Cimadevilla of Gijon, situated on and around the Santa Catalina Hill in Gijon. We took a taxi into the town – I was still on somewhat ‘go-slow’ –... READ MORE
The Museum in Gijon
The Museum of the Asturian People in Gijon is situated close to the Parador. We visited twice because there was just too much to take in at one time. Spain is very proud... READ MORE
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Docklands Gardens north of the Thames, Open Garden Squares Weekend
London’s Open Garden Squares Weekend is this weekend, 9 and 10 June, and I have been visiting some of the gardens which will be open. If you are in London, or within reasonable travelling distance of London do visit – … Continued
A visit to Mertola, Portugal
Mertola is a small, walled town on a hillside next to the River Guadiana at the edge of the Algarve, and topped with a castle. This was the most northerly trading town on the river, used by the Phoenicians and … Continued
Pisoes Roman site near Beja, Alentejo, Portugal
The remains of a substantial Roman countryside villa were found by accident at Pisðes, a few miles west of Beja, in 1967. The villa apparently included over 40 rooms and was occupied between 1C-4C.
Serpa in the Alentejo, Portugal
Serpa is another of those towns in the east of Portugal’s Alentejo which is relatively unknown to tourists – people travel to the Algarve, or Porto, or Lisbon, but the Alentejo remains hidden and undiscovered. Restless Jo wrote a marvellous post on … Continued
Moura in the Alentejo, Portugal
We were in Beja, which was new to us, staying in the wonderful Pousada Sao Francisco there, and set off to explore the surrounding areas as well. It was an easy and attractive drive to Moura, another of those sites … Continued
Walking at Azinhal, PR6 in Guadiana Natural Park
The PR6 in the Guadiana Natural Park begins at Azinhal, a small village on the IC27 about thirty minutes south of Beja. (A map of the walk can be downloaded here.) We chose this walk, which is along tracks, chosen … Continued
The Regional Museum in Beja
The Regional Museum in Beja was established in 1927 in the Convent of Our Lady of Conception. The building is rich and beautiful, and very feminine after the austerity of the Pousada, and I returned daily while staying in Beja.
A walk through Beja in Portugal
Visiting an area or town for the first time usually means seeing the ‘obvious’ sights first, returning if there is time and I particularly enjoyed something, then I move on to the ‘secondary’ sights, and after that I am free … Continued
Pousada Sao Francisco in Beja, Portugal
Beja was a surprise after the northern part of the Alentejo! We had been staying in the Pousada at Flor de Rosa and drove down to the south of the Alentejo via Estremoz. It was a rainy day and I … Continued
Border Castles in Portugal
I love the wideness and openness of the beautiful Alentejo countryside – rolling hills, olive and cork oak trees, and myriads of flowers in the springtime. In the east there are also numerous castles on top of the hills, protecting the border … Continued