tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90369621006062237722024-03-18T10:10:27.052+01:00Andalucia Explorer<br>Writings from Jaen, Andalucia. Travel, Food, Wine, Living, Musing, Reviewing, Tapas Tasting, Trip Planning......Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comBlogger663125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-78282543627993627142024-02-19T08:00:00.002+01:002024-02-28T14:52:26.535+01:00Monday Morning Photo - Málaga Port and Muelle Uno From Gibralfaro CastleView from the Castillo de Gibralfaro with stunning city and mountain views to the side and behind and the port and Muello Uno shopping area along the side of the port of Málaga.Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-3130707739729407592024-02-12T18:22:00.004+01:002024-02-28T14:53:50.337+01:00The River It´s a while since I posted here. This is an old post I came across, a writing prompt I did a long time ago. I´ve been reading it again and again trying to understand that state of mind I was in when I wrote it. I cannot envision the turmoil. I so wish I had dated it. Just to know. Life moves on. I´m a tranquil stream right now.The River
Sometimes I rage, at others I'm calm and trickle, Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-89817374593545098092024-01-15T08:00:00.002+01:002024-02-28T14:54:28.524+01:00Monday Morning Photo - Guggenheim Museum and Mamen Spider at Fog Art time, BilbaoFinally I got to visit Bilbao. I´d driven pretty near, got the ferry back to there once but had never stayed in the city. Last week I flew from Malaga to Bilbao for a two night, three (ish) day trip and it only happened because I won the trip via an Instagram giveaway. Bilbao not so easy to get to within Spain, most flights I looked at were not direct, which meant going via Barcelona, from Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-8715029723002808862023-12-09T21:31:00.002+01:002024-02-28T14:56:50.735+01:00A Weekend Exploring (a tiny part of) Jaén Province - Andújar, Arjona, Baeza, Baños de la Encina and UbedaJaén, probably the least known province in Andalucía, has ninety-seven towns within its border. I visited five one weekend and bring you a snapshot of the culture and incredible history of this inland paradise. Jaén is home to over 66 million olive trees, containing the largest man-made forest on the planet - the Sea of Olives.It is also home to more castles, fortifications and watchtowers than Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-77789744090371827542023-10-30T08:00:00.003+01:002023-11-04T19:55:23.614+01:00Monday Morning Photo - Hacienda Zorita Wine Hotel, Spa and Organic Farm At the end of August we took a six hour drive north-west to Salamanca and the fabulous Hacienda Zorita. Once a monastery where Christopher Colombus stayed while trying to get backing for his travels.See the Monday Morning Photo List.Read my review about Hacienda Zorita on Be Seeing You. World or my article on my Luxury Spain Travel site Hacienda Zorita Wine Hotel, Spa & Organic Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-76291561767068050722023-10-27T20:30:00.003+02:002023-10-28T13:43:23.917+02:00Boob Squashing Mammograms and Thoughts I was on time - a first for - my two- yearly appointment for a boob squashing in Spain. Arriving at 12pm I recognised many faces from my little town in the waiting area. Husbands had driven their (probably non-driving) wives to the nearby larger town to find themselves having a chinwag with mates in the corridor and the wives all knowing each and chatting while sitting in the waiting room.I was Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-28615951896400222812023-10-09T08:00:00.002+02:002024-02-28T14:57:27.308+01:00Monday Morning Photo - Ceramic Plaque of Jaén TownsGreat ceramic plaque in Arjona showing some of the historical sites in the nearby towns - Jaén is so much more than its 66 million olive trees.See the Monday Morning Photo list.See the jewels of Arjona that make it a town to visit.Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-57671567905309908512023-09-25T21:44:00.001+02:002024-02-28T14:57:59.692+01:00Monday Morning Photo - Castillo de Burgalimar or Bury al Hammam in Baños de la Encina, JaénBaños de la Encina has long been a favourite of mine, a charming little town filled with an amazingly intact tenth century castle, sandstone mansions and more surprises for family and friends. Over the years it has ´matured´ into itself, becoming accepted into the association of Spain´s Most Beautiful Towns and learning how to promote its splendour. The addition of great place to eat means Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-48779559057750429042023-09-02T18:38:00.002+02:002024-03-06T17:26:26.659+01:00Archidona - Where to Stay? Almohalla 51 Archidona is a lively agricultural town, just 40 minutes from Málaga airport and within easy reach of a number of historical cities. Granada is a one hour drive, Córdoba about one hour twenty minutes, Sevilla just over an hour and a half. There are also plenty of other whitewashed towns such as Comares, Iznájar, Osuna and Antequera not so far away but equally interesting. Where to Stay in Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-22151716032015653912023-08-28T08:09:00.002+02:002024-03-09T17:49:06.348+01:00Monday Morning Photo - Casa de las Conchas, House of Shells in Salamanca A quick escape from Andalucia up to Salamanca at the weekend saw us exploring this fascinating city - keep posted there are posts to come!Casa de las Conchas, SalamancaSee the Monday Morning Photo List.Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-35103286104667777122023-07-22T12:27:00.004+02:002024-02-28T15:00:11.766+01:00Cazorla Town - Rocks and RuinsA dilapidated Moorish hilltop fortress, reminder of a bloody
past, looks down on the reconstructed Castillo de la Yedra, also known as the
castle of four corners, its 30-metre tower not as impressive from below as
within. The giant steps an assault course. ¨Why are the steps so high? ¨ I ask
Pablo the guide, having hauled myself up. ´ Because the Moors were short and
when wearing armour it made Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-43162752898467317752023-07-06T11:00:00.014+02:002024-03-09T17:55:24.620+01:00Hotels in Cazorla National ParkLast weekend we did an away night. I´d spent ages trawling through my notes, lists of hotels and hotel sites. I wanted to go somewhere for my Only Spain Boutique Hotel portfolio and as it was just a one night escape, not more two hours away, preferably less. It wasn´t easy. I spent most of Friday evening on the search then decided and booked Saturday morning and off we set to get there by Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-76223822526222712042023-07-03T08:00:00.001+02:002023-07-03T08:00:00.133+02:00Monday Morning Photo - Plaza Santa Maria, Cazorla Dramatically located Cazorla town, gateway to the Sierra, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park. Cazorla Town and La Yedra CastleSee the Monday Morning Photo list.Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-17382865735037734732023-06-26T08:00:00.003+02:002023-07-22T12:37:22.023+02:00Monday Morning Photo - Tranco Reservoir, Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas National ParkTranco Reservoir, rather low in June 2023, looking towards the town of Hornos. Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas is Spain´s largest Natural Park and is in the province of Jaén.See the Monday Morning Photo list.Read my Hotels in Cazorla and Cazorla Town - Rocks and Ruins post.Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-72840802335267773812023-06-19T08:00:00.007+02:002024-03-09T17:55:59.477+01:00Monday Morning Photo - Street Art in Alcaudete, Jaén - Times Gone ByFrom a dusty corner for parking to a peaceful, pleasant park. This great piece of street art in Alcaudete portrays times before TVs and gadgets when social interaction was alive - chatting on the streets.Street Art in Alcaudete, Jaén - the Art of TalkingRachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-36264706729507218742023-06-12T10:27:00.003+02:002024-03-09T18:31:41.995+01:00Monday Morning Photo - Esparto Craft at the Botanical Garden of Cacti and Succulents, CasarabonelaThe Jardin Botánico de Cactus y Suculentes ¨Mora i Bravard or The Botanical Garden of Cacti and Succulent Plants in Casarabonela contains one of the best collections of cacti and succulent plants in Europe.It always has Esparto crafts and demonstrations of this once necessary, now dying, skill.
Locally Weaved Esparto Crafts
Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-56502591667025882522023-06-05T08:00:00.002+02:002024-02-28T15:02:35.087+01:00Monday Morning Photo - Castillo de Santa Catalina - Jaén CastleJaén castle sits on top of the hill of the same name - Santa Catalina, which is also the location of the Parador and large monumental white cross. Pop into the parador for a drink, stroll along the walkway for views over the city and mountains beyond and go into the castle, betweeen the two, for more stunning views. Santa Catalina Castle, Jaén Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-17196417112565181542023-06-02T18:40:00.007+02:002023-06-23T10:49:56.125+02:00New Lonely Planet Andalucia GuideWell, it´s finally here, book release time! The new Lonely Planet Andalucia Guide is due out on 9th June. I´ve just had an email on how to order my free author copies and wasted no time in doing that. It seems a long time ago I had books, papers, leaflets and lists strewn across the table while trying to understand the format to the new guide layout.
Having never worked with a system like thatRachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-1060005287539358672023-05-11T22:36:00.002+02:002024-02-28T15:03:45.206+01:00Fun and Games on the Road - When Your Car Horn Won´t Stop and Peace is RuinedI spend quite a lot of time driving around the quiet, windy country lanes and not busy main roads enjoying the mountainous scenery of Jaén province and beyond. Sometimes with clients, often with them following behing in their car, leaving my mind free to wander and wonder where it will. Today my head did no wandering but a lot of wondering. The car horn got stuck. It got stuck on, loudly shoutingRachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-75831525424257973662023-05-01T11:06:00.003+02:002024-02-28T15:04:31.752+01:00Monday Morning Photo - Balcony View from Baños de la EncinaWith the majestic Castillo de Baños de la Encina (also known as the Castillo de Burgalimar) behind it´s easy to see why it was built here. The vast plains stretch into the horizon. Today we see marching rows of olive trees rather than the enemy approaching.Viewpoint and Balcony in Baños de la EncinaSee the Monday Morning Photo Page. Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-77799265410124623532023-04-15T08:00:00.002+02:002023-06-05T22:17:52.969+02:00Estate Agent Martos, Andalucia Staying, Not Much Exploring,Wow, half way through April, already. Spring sprung with a heatwave which has dipped a bit now with that lovely cool breeze of spring that becomes warm air in summer. It´s been in the mid 20s - too much, too soon. Especially when we haven´t had any rain. Here there´s a saying ´En abril, hay aguas mil.´ Literally in ´April there´s a thousand waters/rain´ I don´t think we´ve had one drop yet this Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-81832509664616608482023-04-10T07:00:00.013+02:002023-04-10T07:00:00.187+02:00Monday Morning Photo - Mercado de Abastos in ArjonillaThe gorgeously tiled Mercado de Abastos in the pretty town of Arjonilla, famous for its ceramic works. Arjonilla and its big brother Arjona are in Jaén province almost on the border with Córdoba province and worthy of a detour to take in there historical buildings. See the Monday Morning Photo list. Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-31575026389085874142023-03-13T08:00:00.008+01:002024-02-28T15:05:22.613+01:00Monday Morning Photo - Olive Oil Mill, Almazara La ErillaAlmazara La Erillas, housed in a Nasrid building dating back to the 12th - 14th century, is one of the oldest olive oil mills in the country. A fascinating visit in the charming town of Nigúelas in the Lecrin Valley, halfway between Granada´s city and coast.Almazara La Erilla, Olive Oil MillWhere to stay? The lovely, historical Rural Hotel La Alqueria de los Lentos just on the edge of town. Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-51038654770483960352023-02-27T08:00:00.010+01:002024-03-09T17:56:40.640+01:00Monday Morning Photo - Winery Alvear Visit, MontillaWinery Alvaer in Montilla is a great visit. Go at the end of the harvest and there´s often concerts in the grounds. We watched a Jazz band drinking Fino after our tour of the bodega, and will be checking out the events for this year too. Bodega Alvaer, MontillaSee the Monday Morning Photos pageRachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036962100606223772.post-45782206355088030172023-02-25T18:07:00.007+01:002024-03-09T17:57:56.203+01:00Weather in Spain - To Spring or Not to Spring!Wednesday was a short sleeves day. A spring-like joy of blue sky and the promise of winter behind us. Today it´s snowing!In my estate agent role, Wednesday saw me driving through the rocky wilderness of the Sierra Subbeticas towards the charming town of Rute. Windows rolled down (can I say that now it´s a button press?) Hair blowing in the wind, layers removed. Such glorious scenery took me back Rachel Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577817934117093679noreply@blogger.com