Warm and windy; Cadiz. Saturday 7th August.
Island Wanderer
Peter and Avril Brookes
Sat 7 Aug 2010 18:50
The easterly wind arrived yesterday morning. We
decided to abandon sailing for Gibraltar before Monday and will take Vicky
to the airport by car. As winds topped 30knots today in the shelter of the
marina, we feel we made the right decision!
Instead we are enjoying a mini break in the
beautiful Bay of Cadiz. Despite the wind it is extremely hot and so yesterday
all but Pete went to the beach and cooled off in the sea. Peter and Avril then
took the bikes into El Puerto de Santa Maria, the nearby town. We couldn't
locate the town centre, and it was too hot to try for too long, but we were
pleasantly suprised by the lovely cycle route all the way into town. Bordered by
oleander and hybiscus, all in flower, it was very attractive, and completely
traffic free. Part of the route skirted round the edge of a large pine forest
with shaded walkways and picnic areas. We finished the day with cocktails on the
marina edge in a very plush cocktail bar!
Today we decided to go into Cadiz on the ferry.
Like the rest of the Spanish/Portuguese public transport that we have tried, the
ferry was spot on time, very convenient and very cheap.
Looking
towards Cadiz across the Bay of
Cadiz
Looking back to the marina
Cadiz was a brilliant! It was a mixture of very old
and more modern. There was shopping a plenty for the girls, and shaded
Italianate walk ways and gardens which thoroughly appealed to Avril. Cadiz
occupies the very edge of a peninsula, which Pete and Avril walked
around.
Cooling down in the
shade
Walkway out the the northern most part of the peninsula
On the one side, exposed to the
Atlantic, are the castles and fortifications which couldn't prevent Nelson from
wiping out the combined Spanish and French fleets.
On the other side, great for afternoon walks, the
marble and stone walkways with ornate gardens looking over the Bay of Cadiz.
Cadiz offers a variety of opportunities to observe
the wildlife!
Perfect for keeping cool in the heat of the
afternoon.