It's holiday time again! (6) The garden tour.

The gardens here at Doña Lola are maturing and there is always something to look at. 

Today the Strelizia Nicolai, or Giant White Bird of Paradise flowers are doing well.

We've even got the moon on the top of one of the Araucaria Araucana, or Monkey Puzzle, trees.

The normal sized Birds of Paradise are abundant too.

These agaves don't have those dangerous sharp points...

...and these Aloes are really small trees from Africa.

The flower above and the one about to open this afternoon in the photo below are related to the potato plant.

The Hibiscus is a favourite.

There are very decorative plates on the walls.

Above is the flower of the Cycas Revoluta, this is the male plant...

...and nearby is the female plant bearing red fruit similar to eggs!

Meanwhile the Bougainvillea provides a colourful display.

And to finish it all off, a full English breakfast at a local restaurant.

It's holiday time again! (5) Córdoba

Córdoba is famous for 2 things. The main one is the Cathedral which was built in 1523 on the site of the Muslim Mosque after Córdoba had been reconquered in 1236. The Mosque had been built in stages from 785 and was in actual fact on the site of the San Vicente Basilica dating from occupation by the Visigoths and built in the 6th century only to be destroyed to make way for the Mosque.

The Mosque was considered the most important sanctuary of Western Islam and Córdoba was the capital of territory extending as far north as the Duero River.

The arches are constructed from red brick and beige stone.

The second thing that Córdoba is famous for is the festival of the patios where private homes open to display their inner courtyards decorated with an abundance of pot plants.

Lunch is at the Rincón de Carmen restaurant. Primero, the first course, is a speciality dish, Salmorejo, which is a "cream of gazpacho", a purée of tomatoes, bread, oil, vinegar and garlic served cold and topped with diced hard boiled egg and jamón de serrano, serrano ham

For segunda, the second course, we have another speciality of Córdoba, a Flamenquín garnished with chips, salad and mayonnaise.

A Flamenquín is pieces of pork loin rolled with serrano ham, coated with egg and breadcrumbs then deep fried. A formidable dish but delicious.

 To see my video of Córdoba, click HERE.

It's holiday time again! (4)

We arrived on the Costa del Sol and this is the view we have from our apartment of the Mediterranean. 

And this is the only thing to eat for lunch on a Sunday. It's roast beef and Yorkshire Pudding.

It's good to see the same plants as we saw in previous years doing so well.

So here is the traditional photo of "Margaret in the window". That fig tree is even bigger this year and somehow that window opening appears smaller. Check previous entries at the same time each year if you don't believe me. Click HERE to see the same photo from 1990.

The pine trees are bursting forth...

...and the flowers are blooming. Who put that red one in there? 

This morning we visited Mijas. Here's Margaret doing her best Sancho Panza impression...

...while who should we find sitting in a shop doorway?

Everywhere there are beautiful Strelitzia flowers just waiting to be admired.

It's holiday time again! (3)

This is the view from our room window this morning. It's delightful.

And this is our neighbour. Every high perch has a nest with a family of herons living there.



The local chemist/perfumery is very well decorated too.

Our first port of call today is Freganal de la Sierra which has a castle appearance which actually houses a bullring - very Spanish.



Poppies will grow anywhere and look particularly attractive on tiled roofs.

You don't see many cinemas like this! I wonder if it is a multi-screen?

Even the plasterwork on the wall of one of the churches is most artistic.

Next, it's to Jerez de los Caballeros and there's one of the caballeros, (knights), guarding the gateway.

The towers are even more ornate...

...and the castle at the top has wonderful views.

The tower to the right hand side of the photo above is called the "Bloody Tower" and is where the last of the Knights Templar were finished off by the King's soldiers as they were thought to have become a bit too much!

Isn't it wonderful to see plants thriving on other plants?

Finally, on our return we drive through Burguillos del Cerro which boasts yet another hilltop castle.

A great day out with spectacular places to visit.