Friday 2nd November 2018
We rose, not too early on our departure day from Seville. I went across the road to the small Cafe Orly and bought some pastries for us to have for breakfast.
After showering and dressing we had some breakfast, tidied up the apartment and set off for Jerez. The drive, which took about one hour or so, was uneventful. After passing through the rather drab outskirts of Jerez, we arrived at the Bodega Gonzales Byass Tio Pepe one of the main sherry producers in the city which has given its name to the once very popular drink but which has now somewhat fallen out of favor. Unfortunately, the city has suffered due to the reduction in production and consumption of sherry which is the single largest employer and economic driver of the city.
We parked in an underground car park. We exited near the Jerez Alcazar and walked to the cathedral which was close by. After paying the entrance fee, we entered this more modest, smaller but quite pleasing cathedral which reflects the slightly down-at-heel nature of the city. There is a lot of statues of the Apostles and Saints in the nave, some of whom are carrying craftsmen's tools, such as axes and saws. Behind the main altar, there was an exhibition of treasures from the Cathedral including a small painting which is labeled Virgin Child and there was some discussion among our group as to whether this was indeed Mary or just an unnamed child who happened to be intact.
Leaving the cathedral we walked into the center of the town. We found a quiet square where there was a small restaurant and decided to stop there for a coffee which turned into lunch of kidneys in sherry and a strange-looking tomato soup.
After lunch we walked further into town and found another, more crowded, square with many more restaurants and shops including a bar called the Gorilla Bar which had its own micro-brewery inside.
We carried on through more small plazas and in the main shopping concourse where quite a number of the shops were empty and for rent. There was evidence that the city is not as economically healthy as, say, Seville. Coming into a main square where there was an old two-tiered carousel we came eventually to the car park and rejoined the car.
We decided to visit the small town of Medina Sidonia on the way back to Estepona and were soon there. We walked through the narrow streets to the main square and returned a short distance to stop for coffee at a small cafe.
After a short walk through the town, we rejoined the car and returned back to Estepona. On the way we called at the supermarket to stock up on some groceries and then home.
Deciding not to cook at home, we walked to a local pub called the 'Flying Squirrel' which is named after a vintage motor cycle. Here we sat outside and had some tapas and beer for dinner. This is a popular place and it was quite full and new customers had to go elsewhere. It had only been open since August 2018 and was in a small courtyard surrounded by several other food and drink establishments. During dinner the lights repeatedly went out and the landlord told us that although he had requested more power from the power company, they had not yet got around to supplying it.
We walked home and it was not long before we were in bed.
After showering and dressing we had some breakfast, tidied up the apartment and set off for Jerez. The drive, which took about one hour or so, was uneventful. After passing through the rather drab outskirts of Jerez, we arrived at the Bodega Gonzales Byass Tio Pepe one of the main sherry producers in the city which has given its name to the once very popular drink but which has now somewhat fallen out of favor. Unfortunately, the city has suffered due to the reduction in production and consumption of sherry which is the single largest employer and economic driver of the city.
We parked in an underground car park. We exited near the Jerez Alcazar and walked to the cathedral which was close by. After paying the entrance fee, we entered this more modest, smaller but quite pleasing cathedral which reflects the slightly down-at-heel nature of the city. There is a lot of statues of the Apostles and Saints in the nave, some of whom are carrying craftsmen's tools, such as axes and saws. Behind the main altar, there was an exhibition of treasures from the Cathedral including a small painting which is labeled Virgin Child and there was some discussion among our group as to whether this was indeed Mary or just an unnamed child who happened to be intact.
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| Bodgea Gonzales Byass and Pedro Domeq. |
Leaving the cathedral we walked into the center of the town. We found a quiet square where there was a small restaurant and decided to stop there for a coffee which turned into lunch of kidneys in sherry and a strange-looking tomato soup.
After lunch we walked further into town and found another, more crowded, square with many more restaurants and shops including a bar called the Gorilla Bar which had its own micro-brewery inside.
We carried on through more small plazas and in the main shopping concourse where quite a number of the shops were empty and for rent. There was evidence that the city is not as economically healthy as, say, Seville. Coming into a main square where there was an old two-tiered carousel we came eventually to the car park and rejoined the car.
We decided to visit the small town of Medina Sidonia on the way back to Estepona and were soon there. We walked through the narrow streets to the main square and returned a short distance to stop for coffee at a small cafe.
After a short walk through the town, we rejoined the car and returned back to Estepona. On the way we called at the supermarket to stock up on some groceries and then home.
Deciding not to cook at home, we walked to a local pub called the 'Flying Squirrel' which is named after a vintage motor cycle. Here we sat outside and had some tapas and beer for dinner. This is a popular place and it was quite full and new customers had to go elsewhere. It had only been open since August 2018 and was in a small courtyard surrounded by several other food and drink establishments. During dinner the lights repeatedly went out and the landlord told us that although he had requested more power from the power company, they had not yet got around to supplying it.
We walked home and it was not long before we were in bed.
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