Sun as promised

Friday, 18 September 2009 11:27

Spain, the land of sun and sangria

Or so they say!

We have just returned from a fabulous 10 days in the Murcia region of the Costa Calida area of Spain. It is a very un-touristy area - unless you are a golfer - and the heart of the fruit growing area of Spain. Those Spanish strawberries you buy before the English season starts are probably grown there, as are Spanish peaches, oranges and melons!

We stayed in a small Spanish village near the Mar Menor - San Cayetano, where our friends have an apartment. It is about 15 minutes from the sea and right in the countryside. I have marked it below, just north of San Javier.

Map of the areaignore the arrow!

We bought peaches, melons and oranges in the markets - all of which had just been "in season". The fields were just being replanted and the trees were bare of fruit. The weather was a pleasant 30 degrees centigrade most of the time. The only rain we saw was a brief shower - enough to clean the windscreen on our way to Murcia the capital of the region. Murcia is NW off the map!

The weather changed the day before we left with thunder storms and rain in the evening and it was still unsettled as we left.

Some highlights of our trip included a visit to Murcia, eating traditional Spanish paella in restaurants on the beach, swimming in the Mar Menor (the inland sea separated from the Mediterranean by a spit of land called La Manga, see map above) and exploring the mountain passes with their narrow, hair-raising bends and going off-road in the mountains!

Murcia Cathedral

Murcia Cathedral was built in the 14th century by a Christian king - James I the Conqueror. Until his victory, the city (and region) was Muslim and Muslim churches dominated the city. The Cathedral continued to grow until the 18th century and is very ornate inside. Unfortunately we were unable to go inside as it closes from 1 - 5 during the day. This is normal for Spain, as the Spanish have lunch and a long siesta during these hours, before going back to work until about 8 pm.

Murcia Town Hall

We had lunch in the gardens (Galetia) in front of the Town Hall. The building was built in 1848 over the site of a Muslim Palace. It was very hot but the flowers and fountains looked wonderful

Gardens in front of Murcia Town Hall

We crossed "The Old Bridge of Dangers"

On the other side is a shrine to the "Virgin of Dangers"

This shrine was designed by Cayetano Ballester in 1839. Now I wonder if the village we were staying in - San Cayetano, was named after him? I think not as I am fairly sure that the Saint Cayetano came first!

The River Segura flows through the city of Murcia, the Cathedral and the mountains can both be seen from here.

River view

and mountain view

The churches in Murcia vary in style and some were once Muslim Mosques or built on destroyed Mosque sites. They vary in style from the simple to the ornate.

St BotolemeSt Domingo

The churches and streets are interspersed by plazas - often cool places to sit or find a small cafe or bar. There is also a large selection of "high street" type shops, boutiques and small shops tucked away in the narrow streets, which are lined with high old terraced buildings. Some of the city still has a "Moorish" feel to it and the new buildings still retain the Moorish style.

Plaza de Domingo

Buildings and cafes along the "Grande Via"

Finally, I must mention the University - again the buildings are a mix of old and new, and the Festival Plaza is situated at the heart of the buildings. The Festival started last week but we did not have time to return to see any of the events. John managed to catch the parade of Christians and Moors late one night on Spanish TV which he found interesting.

Murcia University and Festival Plazza

It was hot hot hot

Mmmmm!