THE RAIN IN SPAIN........

Rex Harrison, or more correctly 'Enry 'Iggins, was correct - the rain in Spain DOES fall on the plains. Last weekend we copped a decent dose of it when we made a trip to the magnificent walled city of Avila (over 1100 metres above seas level).  It's only and hour from home on the tollway, or 2 hours for cheapskates who take the long route and get held up in traffic jams on the single lane road! It happened to be a weekend of celebration in the ancient city - medieval festival celebrating the 3 religions that helped shape the city, namely Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. It was fantastic wandering around seeing literally hundreds of people all dressed up as knights, damsels, monks, jesters, etc. Unfortunately the weather put a dampener on the jousting and archery contests as well as the falconry displays while we were there....maybe next year.

The rain on distant plains

Avila's Plaza De Toros

 

Mighty big steps for a little hombre

There are 88 towers

Pretty amazing...

Just so you know, the city of Avila now spreads way beyond the confines of the walls, and has the largest number of Romanesque and Gothic churches in Spain - religion is a serious business over here, so that translates into a LOT of churches!

 

Cathedral of Avila - 1107

Basilica de San Vicente - C12

 

The old city wall is fabulous; it's one of  - if not THE - finest in Europe, dating back to 1090, over 2.5km in total length, is 12 metres high, has 88 towers and 9 entry gates, and the cathedral within its walls dates back to 1107. At night it becomes the largest fully illuminated monument in the world; needless to say, the whole city of Avila is a UNESCO World Heritage site (there's a few of them in Spain I gotta tell you!).



 

6 statues

Puerto de Alcazar

Not sure what the tent's for!!

Mine host - note the Iberica ham bone

Merry monks

Guess who's been eating his vegies!!

 

Market in the Plaza Mayor

Singing for ye olde supper....

And here it is - yummm.....

Anyone for cerdo???

I thought Liam was going to vomit!!! But....

 

...the finished product - superb.

Not a prawn in sight!

Los Cuatro Postes - 1566

 It's a remarkable place and we shall return in more pleasant weather conditions and when there aren't festive markets and thousands of tourists to get in the way. Besides, it's only two hours away!!!