Andalucia Day Two

A strange group meal last night, but we learned the names of six people. Then forgot them, of course. So this morning I sidled up to one of each couple and admitted I'd forgotten their names. Get it over with. They're all a jolly lot.

The view over the valley from our hotel this morning was fantastic - low clouds and mist sitting on the tops of the hills. Did I have a camera with me? No.

A walking tour of the town after breakfast. Ronda gets over 1 million visitors, and I think they were all here today! The tour was more than two hours, and if I'd had a coffee break in the middle, I would have been more attentive...

The predicted rain arrived just as we finished the tour at the bullring. Everyone got out their stowaway raincoats or put up their umbrellas. Except me. I had left the free poncho (which I'd acquired in the Festival when I bought a newspaper) at the hotel, believing it would not rain.

We popped in to a bar for a coffee as soon as the tour finished, and when we came out there was even more rain. Nothing for it but to buy an umbrella.

As we came back up the road we looked in our favourite wee tapas bar from yesterday it was jam packed as usual. But there was a spare table! Beers, tapas and a red wine followed until the rain went off. We chose well again - it was easy, we pointed to chicken, lamb and 'bull'. The 'bull burgers' were great, little 'sliders' they seem to be called in our bars. We'd like to go back for dinner, but I asked when they opened in the evening, they said 9pm. I indicated that I would be asleep then! But we'll make an effort. Those small sharing paellas look delicious.

And so, a restful afternoon watching the rugby! What a bonus.

On the tour we came to a lovely wee church, and they were just preparing for a wedding. I would have loved to have waited to see it...

The chap taking photos (on their cameras) of tourists on his horse must do quite well...

The Bullring shot is stitched, but not very well. I think bull fighting is grotesque, but years ago we saw the spectacular (and humane) French version - Course Landaise - where the bulls don't get hurt, and the men are terrific athletes - standing still while the bull charged at them, then at the last minute, somersaulting over it. The aim was to grab the ribbon off the bull's horns. Now, that was spectacular. And the price of the ticket included a meal, so we found ourselves sitting at huge long tables with hundreds of folk, wondering what it was we were eating...

Wish I had been blipping then...

PS We've had more photos today of Archie looking relaxed and happy.