To Carmona by way of Córdoba

After a quiet and comfortable night, and a good hearty parador breakfast, we set off for our next stop, Carmona, just short of Seville. We planned the day so that we would have a good length of time to explore Córdoba on the way. The intention was to avoid motorways, but it didn’t really work out that way. The GPS is generally determined to make you conform.

Anyway, after a few sharp showers en route, we arrived in Córdoba in the dry, and found a central multistory car park, only a short stroll from the Mezquita, which is the main reason for visiting the town. It is a magical mosque, converted later into a Christian cathedral - rather crudely, to tell the truth.

It attracts hordes of visitors, mostly in guided tours, but it is so enormous that it swallows them all up, and only occasionally does one have to do battle with the selfy sticks. Some of our photos may give a feel for the place.

After our visit we decided we were in need of refreshment, so we headed for a bar recommended by the Lonely Planet guide. But it was not inviting when we found it, so we went on to another where we were able to sit outside. We ordered the famous Córdoba dish, salmorejo - a cold soup, rather like gazpacho. It was excellent, and we followed up by sharing a plate of croquettes. Washed down with a couple of glasses of good red wine, that made for a most satisfactory lunch.

From lunch we walked back along the river towards the ancient Roman bridge, which still stands firm over the swollen river Guadalquivir. A fine entry gate guards the old city at one end.

Then it was on to to the Alcazar, the fortress of the christian rulers of the city after the moors had been driven out of Spain in the 15th century.

The fortress itself was not very attractive, but its gardens were delightful - laid out on the moorish model, with pools and fountains, but dating from much later. Quite a lot of plants in flower, and statues here and there including one which we guessed was Columbus reporting to Ferdinand and Isabella, Los Reyes Catholicos, who lived in the Alcazar sometimes.

The car park was close by, so we decided it was time to hit the road again, and it was lucky timing, because a lashing rain storm set in just as we were leaving. It continued all the way to Carmona, where the parador is once again established in a magnificent fortress overlooking the plains below. We have a sumptuous room with a great view - or rather, the makings of a great view when the rain stops and the mist clears!

Tomorrow we move into Seville to stay for three nights in an apartment belonging to Maria, a Sevillana former colleague and friend from FAO days. It will be good to leave the car parked for a few days!