Day 132
Time to move on to our next destination to continue along the sherry trail. Just 35kms away from the coast to Jerez de la Frontera. Part of the sherry triangle from El Puerto de Santa Maria, to Jerez de la Frontera to Sanlucar de Barrameda on the Costa de la Luz (Coast of light). So named because of the winds that blow along the coast and more than 300 days of sunshine a year. We did not know that.
We were welcomed into the camper stopover by Pablo and a large glass of sherry of our choice!!!! I love this place already.
A quick ride on our bikes (sober this time….. well, almost!) with the sun high in the sky and temperature in the mid 20s, got us orientated with the layout of the town. Then back to Kaya for supper and an early night.
Tomorrow is going to be an exciting day!
Day 133
I’ve woken up early today…and discretely (??) kept turning over in bed till the gorgeous Mr T finally woke up too! We’re off to the Fundación Real Escuela Andaluza Del Arte Ecuestre. In short, we’re off to the equestrian school to see the the Andalucian horses dance – a ballet set to Spanish music created of a mix of classical dressage, country style riding (Doma Vaquera) all while dressed in 18th Century costume. It is quite as fabulous as it sounds.
We have had the privilege to have seen the Lipizzaners in Vienna, Austria as well. We were entranced by that and truly, I don’t think there’s a cigarette paper between them and the magnificent Andalucian horses. But value for money, this is the show to watch. I’m glad (and enough of a fan) that I’ve seen both. Given the opportunity, I’d do them again. I’ve never quite got over my schoolgirl crush on horses. I gave up the sport in 2010 after my last fall while riding a demon stallion in South Africa, when I came to the realisation that I was starting to take longer and longer to recover from my injuries. This last time, thankfully, they were just some minor bruises, oh and the start of arthritis in my hip! After 30 years of riding and only 2 major falls (no broken bones only torn ligaments!) I think that’s good going…… don’t you????? HAAHAHA
Anyway, so here we were with tickets to not only see the show but have access to the museum AND to be able to photograph them practising, I was like the proverbial dog with 2 dicks (too much???? naaaaaaahhhhh)
We spent an hour wondering around the museum and in the grounds and another hour feeding my addiction (the gorgeous Mr T patiently waiting around) whilst we watched the riders and carriages practising and warming up before the show. *Lots* of pictures of that!!!
Unfortunately, no photos were allowed during the shows. But actually, I’m not too perturbed about that as it gave us the time and concentration to just focus on the horses, the riders, the precision, the communication between man and horse, the wonderful music and the glorious display in front of us. #HorseCrush
We came out into the sunshine from the freezing cold arena. We had wondered for a moment as we were waiting to enter the arena, why people were carrying blankets….now we know!!! In summer I can imagine that it’s blissfully cool – not so, even on a fairly warmish winter’s day.
A brisk bike ride into town would sort that out, along with a laze in the sunshine, jumpers off, whilst sipping on several cool glasses of sherry and nibbling on a variety of delicious tapas. #SpainInWinter
An Indecent Proposal !!!
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