It is going to be another very hot day in Badajoz of over
100 F but only 79F in Huelva on the Atlantic Ocean so we are looking forward to
the change today. Off to the NH breakfast room where the pleasant young chap made
us coffee again and we chatted. He wanted to know where and why we were
exploring Spain. His novia is from Leon and he beamed when we told him that we
have been to Leon several times.
Carmen Garmin gave us some issues again, trying to impose
her will again! We knew that we wanted the N-435 all the way to Hulvea. Carmen
Garmin had us turn off towards Olivenza again versus staying on the N-435 . Paul
went 2K and turned around to the main highway again and Garmin was OK with it
and said nothing yet again. We headed towards Jerez de Los Caballeros that had
3 towers reminding us of Teruel in the SE of Spain. Another historically important
town though again, given short shrift by the tour books. It is only 12 miles from Portugal
founded by Alonso IX in 1229. It is surrounded by Moorish walls, was given to
the knights Templar and was the birthplace of de Soto and Balboa! Though important in his home town Soto ended
up badly, an impoverished man, and he died at the headwaters of the Arkansas
River. Balboa you all know about, right? First European to reach the Pacific
Ocean. So many incredible explorers from this one region of Spain, amazing!
We stopped for a
bitter Kas and directions to the first tower, the chap said just drive up hill
you will run into the first one without trouble, (Yeah, except the one-way roads
will stop your venture quickly.) We persevered and got some good pics but as it
was a long trip we did not dally there for long and pressed on to Huelva.
Drove all the way to Hulvea without a stop, all the time
looking for a place to eat. Drove into the city and past the Hotel again
looking for a stopping point, we went to a resendential neighborhood and
stopped for Menu of the Day. Pez, potatoes (yellow) , after an ensalada mixta. We have found on this trip that if we don’t
eat before about 3.30, places are closing their kitchens until abour 8.30 or 9
pm!
Back to find the hotel which is located in a pedestrian
area. Pulled up out front told to move the car to the side street because in
front is the pedestrian walkway. Bags
dragged into lobby, actually a very nice young man helped me. I am playing this
age card for all it is worth! Carted
everything up to the room, we will move the car to the garage later.
Nairada , the super sweet receptionist accompanied Paul to
the garage which took nearly 2 miles to drive to the garage which actually turned out to be less than a block from the Hotel!
Car is secured for the time being and Paul walked back to the hotel. After
short rest we walked the Gran Via and found the tourist office for maps, Paul
sat with a beer waiting for Jane to return. The map said that the tourist train
started in front of the congress building just up the street from our hotel. We
saw a sheet posted about the train but NO ticket office, no timetable, no definitive
schedule and NO train in all the time we sat in the shade and waited for it.
Never saw it from the starting point; however we did see the train several
times when we were out and about exploring but never, ever had a chance to hop
on!!! It is a lovely city center. All pedestrian and very restricted traffic. There
are about 3 or 4 main streets that all intersect with shopping, bars, coffee,
chocolate and ice cream shops with arched walkways.
There was a tapas bar opposite the hotel where we ate and
enjoyed the people watching. Ensalada, risotto with mushrooms and parmesan
cheese….OMG awesome! capriccio de kangaroo( ! seriously), desert and called it
a night. Another long interesting day. It was lovely and cool In Huelva, a
pleasant change.
I am still having issues with certain aseos (toilets) and
hotel showers! La Ermita that I mention the other day was quite splendid until
you walked into the loo and there is no toilet seat or paper! Small annoyances
I know, but enough to tick me off. Showers? Don’t get me started! The 2ft of
glass that is supposed to act as a barrier to flooding the bathroom does not
work people! Time to fix it!
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