Bye bye Portugal, hello Seville

Sat 31^st

We awoke to a nice sunny day so after breakfast we prepared to go for a wander along the beach. We walked across the boardwalk where back in December a Swedish motorhome had tried to drive a cross it and crashed through it becoming stuck overnight. There were several patches of new boards, bet that cost their insurance a packet.

Just as we were approaching the official aire we heard somebody shout “you not speaking then?” sat on bench was Colin & Jill whom we had met at Falesia over Xmas. How nice to see them and the “very active” Millie their golden retriever. We caught up with them over a coffee in the by now hot sunshine. We chatted for ages and agreed to meet again for dinner that evening in the nearby restaurant. Jill has been following the blog and remembered all sorts of facts.

We were the only folk in the restaurant that evening, and enjoyed a very nice meal for all of €10 each including a drink and coffee. Great value.

Sun 1st Feb

2 hour drive to Peurto Gelves just south west of central Seville, first thing we did when parked up was do the laundry. Sometimes we just have to do the more mundane domestic things instead of relaxing. The port is on the river and offers secure parking and very easy access to the sights of central Seville.

Gelves - marina aire

Mon 2^nd Feb

We had to set the alarm clock for 8am as we had lost an hour coming back into Spain. It felt terrible waking up and it was still dark outside! It was also bitterly cold at 3 deg C, we had become used to nice warm days in Portugal. Warm clothes on, we caught the 10.15am bus from just outside the port. 15 mins later we were walking into Seville centre, first stop the tourist info office. We elected to buy a ticket for the cathedral and the bus tour as we noticed that the Alcazar was free between 4 & 5pm.

cathedral main door

The cathedral was our first stop, big from the outside the sheer size of it inside was amazing. Huge columns and a very high roof, it is in fact it is the biggest cathedral by volume in Europe. Its Gothic architecture is very impressive with surprises round every corner. The sheer number of the chapels and altars make a quick whizz round impossible. Again whilst I found them impressive for the fantastic craftsmanship and the beautiful materials used, I also find them OTT and a bit vulgar especially as there was so much hardship and poverty when all these religious monuments were being constructed.

The main altar - Capilla Mayor was literally dripping in gold leaf with over 1000 carved figures. It of course is fenced & gated to stop the peasants knicking it all!

all that glitters is gold!

keep out!

The Giraida tower is the only part of the mosque that was knocked down to build the cathedral - it was my favourite part. There are 33 ramps to ascend it, all numbered. The effort was well worth it as the views were fab. Clearly visible is the modern electric motors, cables and chain system that now chime the bells. Great views for 360 deg.

bell chiming - modern style

amazing gothic roof

orangery

tower

After a snack we got on the bus tour, sitting inside as it was very cold and showery. The city was impressive in parts, scruffy and dirty in others. The 1929 expo colonial style houses were very good, the modern expo park from 1992 looked very run down and distinctly overgrown! Shame.

Next up was the Alcazar, the queue for the free visit was big but soon moved. We literally had a whistlestop tour of the rooms only. Wow! The Islamic influenced rooms are stunning, the detail of the mosaics and stone carvings are exquisite. Built and consequently expanded / modified since 913 right through until the gardens from the 19^th century. This is one place we could visit again at a more leisurely pace to take it all in.