Spain via cruise - days 4 to 6

This photo is back in Vigo, taken as we left and after I lost mobile coverage. It's the three outer islands protecting the city and port from the wild Atlantic and is the main tourist draw to the area. The island on the left is uninhabited and a nature reserve but the right two islands are actually linked together by a beach, stretching across with sea either side. By zooming in we could see yachts and many people on the beach. Only trouble is the cold sea temperature

Spain days 4-6

Another sea day, not everyone's favourite, but I love them. I don't know where this one went though. We somehow missed the dance session with the ship band, but it was probably very crowded!

Steaming down the Atlantic on a sea day

We didn't fancy the comedian much as the evening entertainment, so we actually left dinner earlier than usual (still after most others) and went to the top deck for the stargazing session. We really enjoyed it, but we'd managed to get closer to the astronomer than Karen and Mark two of our table mates who didn't enjoy it nearly as much as we did. I don't think there are any photos though, Brian's phone seems to have lots of blackness to look at.

Not very good I know and you may laugh! If you look carefully you may see some stars as squiggles (due to the movement of the ship) and maybe even what looks like a cloud. That's the Milky Way. Others may just see black!

Cadiz was our second port, and our second free tour. According to the blog we have been before, in 2019, didn't manage to pick up a tour but walked 17km. 

A giant fig tree in Cadiz. They are surprisingly young, I guessed 500 years old, in fact they are 120 years.

Neither of us can remember any of it! He was a nice lad, with a very good presentation style, but it was a short tour. 

Our guide telling us about the 4 stages of Cadiz history. It's estimated to have been founded by the Phonecians 3000 years ago. Out of sight to the right is the Roman amphitheatre, the next history chapter, directly above his head is an old mosque, now a church from the days of the Moors and, left, is the cathederal. Another interesting snippet of information was told to use when we were standing by the cathedral on the left there. The James Bond film, Die Another Day, with Pierce Brosnan was filmed here, using Cadiz as Havana in Cuba. Apparently it was cheaper and more accessible then the real thing. Halle Berry walked out of this very sea in one of the scenes

Not helped because it was a Monday so lots of things were shut. This was possibly just as well, we both felt a bit odd. I felt lightheaded and vague (no change there then) and we both felt hungry. We were far too early to try and eat in town so we returned to the shop for lunch. 

The front of the cathedral, built in three stages. At the bottom, it was started with marble, but they ran out of money. The middle part is local oyster stone but work stopped again when they ran out of money during Napoleon's occupation. The top part is soft limestone which apparently erodes very quickly in the salty sea air

We'd also signed up to a 16.00 Baila beats class so we had to be back anyway. As classes go though it was disappointing, only 15 minutes and dominated by a woman who is qualified to teach Zumba and quite took over.

A Camino to Santiago de Compostela starts from this point in Cadiz and continues for over 1000km

The evening show wasn't the advertised male singer we had already seen as he has lost his voice. We didn't consider this much of a loss, but were slightly dubious about the filler by Corey, the cruise director. He was really good, had a great voice, and some very funny chat. Just goes to show you should never judge a book by its cover. 

Cadiz has something like 140 old cannons from the Napoleonic era that are now used to protect the corners of buildings. The one on the right is as it was, but the one on the left has been melted down to create a more ornate street corner

I have been slightly disappointed with the entertainment this week. Not because it has been bad, but because it's a long cruise the entertainment team and their routines get spread out much more than they do on a shorter cruise. Apart from the introduction show on the first night we have only had one other team show, which was very good. The rest of the nights have been people who are flown in to do a show or two before being flown out again.

Jackie is very happy that teddy has been so well looked after by the cabin crew! He's also getting his own chocolate, so we have three between us each night

Málaga was the next stop, and it was raining. We never actually had to put the raincoats on but it was very hot and humid, despite not being as warm as yesterday 

Malaga and Jackie is sitting next to a statue of Hans Christian Andersen. He stayed in Málaga in 1862 and wrote his book 'In Spain' while here

We hadn't booked a tour here as we spent a few days here a few years ago with Jean and Jimmy who we met on our first repositioning cruise back from Panama. That was just before Christmas, so it was cooler than today though I don't remember any rain.

Another city, another cathedral. This one, however was really quite nice, despite still not being finished. You might be able to see the tower on the right stops just before the bell tower, unlike the one on the left that is finished

We went to the cathedral which looked much more impressive than the one in Cadiz and paid the money to go inside. It was very impressive, though I do still have a problem with paying to go into a church. 

Its very impressive inside

We found a watch shop which had become quite important. As a took my day watch off yesterday I noticed the strap had almost gone through. I got my evening watch out to discover that the battery had gone! €10 sorted out both of these things.

Walking up the steep road past the Alcazabar on the left, towards the higher Gibralfaro castle up there in the distance

We didn't go into the Alcazabar as we could both remember it a little, so we walked up and past to the high point of the Gibralfaro castle. That was a good bit of exercise, though we didn't actually go in. We were about to pay at the self-service entrance machine only for the assistant to tell us that the senior or retired discount was for EU citizens only, so therefore we should pay full price. Now I know she is right, but it just seemed a little unnecessary. 

Very nice views of Málaga on the way up

Further round we also had a view of the harbour and bullring. Our ship is partly in view, partly obscured by the yellow building

We took the scenic route down which was a lot steeper, but apart from one dog walker had no other people. It suited us.

The scenic route down on the other side of the castle. No other tourists in sight

It got a bit difficult to follow in places, but the Organic Maps app on my phone showed a walking route all the way down, and it worked out

Glimpses through the trees to Málaga below. The blue roof is the cathedral that looks to be under repair. Perhaps it's as well they charge an entrance fee to cover such repairs.You can see it's single bell tower and the other lower one. I wonder if they'll ever finish it!

Another glimpse through the trees of our ship out in the harbour

To the market then. Unusually for Spain we had to be there early. The market closed at 14.00 so for the two hours before the tapas bars were absolutely rammed. The first one we sat at looked nice, and was a bit quieter, but had no baby squid, which as that was the main aim of the exercise was no good. We left. At one of the very busy places I saw a plate of what I wanted, calimaritos here, as opposed to chopitos elsewhere, but that was what we wanted. Fortunately we didn't have to wait long for a table. A glass of wine, a beer, a plate of calimaritos and a half plate (which was plenty) of boquerones, Brian's favourite fried anchovies bread and aioli and we were both very happy. We know it's not healthy but it's exactly what we wanted, all for €24.50.

Walking through the fish market. Look at those fabulous prawn and mussels! €6 per kilo - now that's a bargain!

Quite a long retrace of our steps, just so I could sit on the bench, next to the statue of Picasso, as I'd done last time, and then back to the ship. Formal night tonight so get the blog published and go and get togged up.

Jackie with the statue of Picasso in the Plaza de la Mercad. As I'd only thought about this at the end, we had to deviate back a long way. Had I thought about it on our walk down from the castle it would only have been a 100m out of our way, as it was it added another couple of kilometres to our walk. Just think of the step count I told her! 10km and 15000 steps today!

Back on the ship looking back at the hill with the Alcazabar and Gibralfaro castle that we'd walked up. It's directly behind that yellow building, the same one that partly obscured the ship in one of the above photos. That's it for now, time to get on our best togs and go and do some ballroom dancing ...

Spain via cruise days -1 to 3

On board our ship, The Balmoral

A relaxing start on Tuesday found us on a lunchtime train to New Street where we treated ourselves to a pasty from the pasty shop (well a super large one between us) before boarding our train to Southampton. 

We arrived just before 17.00 walked to the Ibis budget, which was very budget, but it is only a bed for the night, with a continental breakfast, which is fine as we'll be onboard by lunchtime.

Jackie with Paddington Bear in Southampton

We had a little walk around Southampton before a drink and crossword to fill in time before we could reasonably go to dinner. I'd found a Thai restaurant online which had some great reviews. By the time we got back it was rammed with only one table available. That was fine, we only wanted one! We can thoroughly recommend Thaikun Thai for the great food and lovely service.

The town gate into Southampton old town

Wednesday morning was spent searching the charity shops of Southampton for a book Elizabeth has a yen to re-read. No joy, but amazingly it was one of the two John Grisham Waterstones had in stock! 

Oh no! Jackie's only just onboard and has started on the alcohol already!

To the cruise port to collect luggage labels. We booked so late they hadn't had time to send them. Embarkation was still very smooth with just a short wait to be allowed onboard. Lunch and unpack before going to the pool deck for the sail away party. The only table we could find was right by where they were creating the sangria and woowoo cocktails. That's a shame! These seemed to be very generously mixed and a good start to the trip. Along with the canapes, hurrah.

Our inside cabin for 8 days. We don't have a window but, the solution is to turn on the TV where they have a bridge cam looking out front. We can watch sunrise!

Two sea days followed, which I like, though I'm not sure everyone did, the Bay of Biscay was a little lumpy for some. Some relaxing, lectures, dancing, eating,  drinking and the captain's welcome party and formal night. We came joint first in one of the quizzes, but lost in the tie breaker with the height of the Eiffel tower. A circuits class in the gym yesterday was jolly hard work which makes us feel better about the eating and drinking.

Teddy has been looked after exceptionally well - a chocolate each night!

Saturday Vigo

Crew readying the ship for our arrival in Vigo

A port we'd never even heard of, on the NW coast of Spain. The largest city in Gallicia. Lovely weather and a scenic city with lots of history from sunken treasure to Jules Verne and Earnest Hemmingway. 

Our first proper view of our ship in beautiful sunshine

We disembarked and obviously had to walk to the highest point the Fort of Santa Maria of Castro. Half way up (we went via another little castle, so not the direct route) we came upon travellator running up the centre of the pavement. You don't see that every day! 

View from the castle halfway up

When we returned to the Old town we saw the escalators running up the centre of the old cobbled streets. Looks odd, but makes perfect sense. We got to the Fort before the crowds which was good before making our way back down to the meeting place of our free walking tour.

We decided to use the moving walkways up this part of the hill climb

We like the Guru walks, led by a local who you pay what you think they were worth. We found ourselves with two of our four table mates, Karen and Mark, so that was pleasant. A good, informative, two hour walk finishing perfectly for a 13.00 lunch, or so we thought, forgetting this is Spain and eating is always late. We did find somewhere the guide had recommended however for chiperones (baby fried squid), my favourite and steamed mussels. Bread and aioli and a glass of wine. How splendid. 

Three anchors and cannons from Spanish treasure galleons sunk by the British in Vigo harbour. 1 ship carrying gold has never been found, but could be 1500m down

Back on board for an ice-cream before our early departure at 16.00. See if he can get the blog out before we lose the WiFi!

At the fort on top of the hill

Us at the fort with our ship behind

On our walking tour

With Jules Verne on a octopus in the harbour. Apparently Vigo inspired him to write chapter 8 in 20000 leagues under the sea

The cathedral. Not the original, apparently that was burned when Francis Drake sacked the city. However the olive tree survived and is now the emblem of the city. Unfortunately this tree isn't the original, but was grown from a branch of it. It's still over 200 years old

An old street in the city

The old opera house, built along with many other buildings in an effort to compare the city to Paris