Trip to Zaragoza

At 7:30am a group of 17 of us from Torre del Compte set off on a coach to Zaragoza...


...to the Aragón TV studios to be more precise.


The representatives of the village were given their "make-up" - L to R, Antonio, the mayor, Mercedes and Fernando. Carmen just looked so nice she had to be in the photo.

We were in the audience...

...but Margaret and Rosi were chosen to demonstrate some exercises being discussed during the programme.

The group photo outside the studios.

The Plaza del Pilar just in front of the cathedral has been turned into a campsite by young protesters.


After a superb lunch we had time for a coffee outside then a stroll around the streets before having a guided tour around the new Museum of Religious Art.

It certainly was a very different day out.

Holiday on the Costa del Sol

We decided to take it easy on the way down the country and take 2 overnight stops. First was Albacete.


Our room was very large and modestly furnished with 2 double beds!



Albacete is famous for being the dagger, scissor and knife centre of Spain - hence the statue of the knife seller above. You have to look twice at these statues to see if they move as human statues have become so commonplace.


Also from this region of Castile-La Mancha is Don Quixote with his sidekick Sancho Panza, real statues again.

Margaret can't resist posing in the hotel corridor.

Second stop was at Alcalá la Real with it's own Moorish fortress...


...and then a very fine paella in the restaurant for the evening meal.

Topiary in it's early stages on a roundabout.

It's good to see the familiar view of the Mediterranean from the balcony of our apartment...

...and out the back the pine trees are flourishing.

On a walk along the beach we discover a sea urchin, (notice the fivefold symmetry - although you wouldn't be too bothered about that if you stood on one barefoot.)

As usual the food is great...

...as is the entertainment from this young lady, Lourdes,

On the way back we have an overnight stop at Almansa with it's 14th century castle.


Lunch the following day is at Peñiscola at a rather nice hotel although the 2 characters behind Margaret look a bit dodgy!

Another great holiday!

Jamón

As La Presidenta de Amas de Casa Margaret was invited to attend a presentation to promote Jamón de Teruel held in Valderrobres. Pigs are big business around here.

The tour started at the secondary school where they have a specialist course for aspiring chefs.

There were around 6 different local restaurants represented, each of which had stepped up to the plate and produced a dish containing jamón. These ranged from a delicious sea food platter with trufas and jamón to...

...breads with jamón in the form of various creatures.

Jamón and artichokes,...

...delicious bite-size pieces of jamón...

...and for the sweet course, a sort of swiss roll encased in jamón.

After the 2 hour lunch which consisted of eating all of the dishes above, a visit to 2 local factories which actually produce the jamón.

Jamóns are cured for several months.

Other products include fuet, seen here hanging up, (or rather down),...

...and lomo which is a tasty pork meat which has been marinated.

 After the tour, we went to the headquarters of the Comarca to sample more, you've guessed it, jamón and to share ideas on how the products and tourism could be promoted in a more dynamic manner. Another great day out, (unless you happen to be a vegetarian.)

Teruel

Teruel is a very nice city but it's a pity it is so far away. It is the capital of this province and although there are a couple of provincial capital cities closer, they are not the capital of our province. Teruel is over 170 kms away, a 2½ hour drive through lovely countryside and  mountains.

We had to go there to renew our "residency" - our previous card had just expired, (after 5 years!) and this cannot be done by any other means other than actually going there with all necessary documents, their photocopies and a photo.

We arived just before 9am which gave us time for breakfast before the 9:40 appointment.

When everything had been sorted out, it was time for another coffee in a sunny spot at a bar in the main square and then a wander around the city centre. We now have certificates of residency which do not have to be renewed so we will never have to go to Teruel again.

The architecture is interesting.

There's a (model) bull on the top of this column.

The narrow streets lead to interesting buildings.

Even the "Residencia de Pensionistas" fitted in well...

...as does the Ayuntamiento.

The 13th century cathedral, is a fine example of Mudéjar achitecture.

The north entrance is just off a small, quiet square.

Inside, the cathedral is cool and surpringly well lit considering the lack of windows.

There is a splendid wooden ceiling...

...and some fascinating side chapels...

...lit by a window in the top of their domed roofs.

Brilliant design and we thought roof lights were so modern.

It's all in very good condition.

I hope these statues on a platform are lighter than they look for when they go out around the streets.




Across the little square is a museum of sacred ornaments and paintings...

...collected from various churches across the region...

...and presented here for posterity.

It all made the trip worthwhile.