Saturday 20th October 2018

Hooray K&V are here and with their car…… it has only taken more than 2 weeks to get it fixed! They have made it to Granada in time to meet the rest of their family later in the day. Their plan is to leave the caravan here with us whilst they spend the half term week in a rented villa with their sons, daughter-in-laws and grandchildren.

We had visited Granada on our first long trip to Spain, at the beginning of our adventure last year.  On that visit we managed to get tickets for the Alhambra and fully enjoyed its beautiful buildings and stunning gardens. This time we had a chance to explore a little further afield and walk down some of the narrow cobbled streets, trying to avoid the many gift shops……..

When the sunshine bounces of the white-washed walls  and lights up the purple bougainvillea it is hard to think that it’s the end of October and getting cold at home!

Although we were dressed in shorts and T-shirts the locals were finding it a little chilly and most of them had their long trousers and jumpers on  Many were even wearing coats and scarves!

Occasionally the narrow streets opened up to a balcony from where you could get a great view of the modern city below.

And of course the majestic Alhambra dominated the skyline on the opposite hill!

These peaceful little garden balconies were a great place to sit and catch your breath……

And to take in your surroundings …………

We had started this trip into the city from the Albaicin Quarter and made our way to the Mirador de San Nicolás so we could enjoy all the views as we walked down into the old part of the city………

The only problem with walking all that way down was eventually we were going to have to walk back up again!

Well anyhow that would be for us to worry about later…….we found this lovely square and decided to try a set menu of mixed tapas for 2.  This always works out alright for me as Jane doesn’t have a big appetite and I always end up with slightly over half of the meal! Our favourite dish was the black rice with squid.

Whilst we we wandering around the back streets Jane noticed a Turkish baths that she had been reading about so it seemed like a great idea to book up a visit. Jane decided not to go but encouraged me to try it out. It was brilliant, steam rooms, hot water baths, plunge pools, warm water pools, tepid water pools, hot stones, followed by a traditional Turkish massage. After all that I was good for nothing apart from sleeping!

There is far more to Granada than just the Alhambra.  This is a great city to spend a long weekend exploring, try it, you won’t be disappointed!