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
Latest Posts
The Owl House in Nieu Bethesda
Nieu Bethesda is hidden in the Great Karoo and perhaps best known for The Owl House so I planned a circular drive from Graaff Reinet. Google Maps said 119 kms and 2.25 hours but did not mention the potholed dirt road and almost complete lack of signposts!
Flowers & Trees in Graaff Reinet
The streets in Graaff Reinet are lined with trees and the gardens are beautiful – a startling contrast to the surrounding austerity of the Karoo. A description of the town in 1889 says: ‘…By bringing into it the waters of a small … Continued
Wanderings in Graaff Reinet
In the mornings and evenings I wandered through the streets of Graaff Reinet – it was quiet and I loved the white walls of the houses, and the dark green doors and shutters. We stayed in one of the listed buildings, Mossievale, no.7 … Continued
Historic Buildings in Graaff Reinet
There are three buildings of which Graaff Reinet is particularly proud: The Drostdy, The Town Hall, and the Dutch Reformed Church. Just remember the town has over 200 historic buildings! The Drostdy Hotel was designed by Louis Michel Thibault and built 1804-06. … Continued
The Art Museum, Graaff Reinet
The Hester Rupert Art Museum (1821) is a beautiful building on the main road in Graaff Reinet, with some wonderful works of art. Do not miss this museum if you are in the town. Dr Anton Rupert (1916-2006), an extraordinary man, was born in … Continued
The Old Library, Graaff Reinet
The Old Library is the fourth building in the Graaff Reinet Museum Complex.
The Old Residency, Graaff Reinet
The land on which The Old Residency stands was first bought by Willem Janssens in 1801 and the house was built in 1819 by Johannes Gerber. The house changed hands several times and was eventually bought by the Rubidge family in 1855. It … Continued
Urquhart House, Graaff Reinet
Urquhart House was built sometime between 1806-21 on land belonging to Johan Hendrik Greyling in the Cape Dutch style, with a prominent anchor and stars on the front gable. Incredibly, the reason for these decorations is unknown. The building became the … Continued
Reinet House, Graaff Reinet
On our first day in Graaff Reinet we launched ourselves into The Graaff Reinet Museum which is housed in four historic buildings: Reinet House, Urquhart House, The Old Library, and The Old Residency. Reinet House, built in 1812 on an H-plan, … Continued
Graaff Reinet in the Karoo
Graaff Reinet is named after Cornelis van de Graaff, the then-Governor of the Cape Colony, and his wife whose maiden name was ‘Reinet’. It was founded in 1786 and is the fourth oldest town in South Africa (after Cape Town, Stellenbosch, and Swellendam). … Continued