A Short Break.

Calpe is a place I´ve been visiting for quite a few years now. a friend has a flat there and when she comes out from England I usually visit her.

The huge rock in the photo is called the Peñon de Ifach and it dominates Calpe. The first time I went there I knew nothing about Calpe at all and, as I arrived in the middle of the night, I didn´t see the rock until I went onto the balcony the next morning. I was totally gobsmacked and I´ve never got over that feeling, although I´ve seen it many times by now.

The town is full of expats, mostly British but a fair number of Belgians, Germans and Dutch. However, there are also many Spaniards living and working there and in the summer months there is a veritable invasion from Madrid and other large towns.

I always go to the Wednesday Rastro, and the Saturday market, which is on a hill and requires a certain level of fitness! There are stacks of places to eat and masses of bars doing tapas and then of course there´s the obvious attraction - the beach. The old town up on the hill and the port with its fish market and fish restaurants are two more of my favourite places.

All in all, another lovely visit chalked up.
Here´s to the next time, Calpe!

Caravaca The Wine Horses.

May 2, a lovely pre-summer day. Caravaca was packed to capacity for the annual Wine Horses race. For those who don´t know:

During the period when the Christians and the Moors were battling for control of southern Spain, Caravaca was under siege. The beleagured Christians had no more water left and men and horses were sent out to find supplies. No water could be found but plenty of wine was available and they raced back through enemy lines to reach the safety of Caravaca.The re-enactment of this event takes place annually when beautifully decorated horses, each accompanied by four men running alongside them, are raced up the final slope leading to the church at the top of the battlements in Caravaca. Sixty horses race up the slope one after another and are timed and prizes are given for the fastest and the most beautifully decorated.
Before the race,the Moorish and the Christian Kings and Queens parade through the towns with their followers and make their way up to the church, where a ceremony takes place.

The town was bursting at its seams with thousands of Spaniards as well as tourists and ex-pats and everyone was in a very happy mood. No bad temper, violence or drunkenness to be seen anywhere. A terrific day out and a spectacular event. Highly recommended!!