Spain 2016 - boat excursion.

Mum, Dad and Nicky went into the market this morning leaving me to shop at El Jamon, in Punta del Moral for white wine and to put out the laundry. I also asked Belen at Isla Canela Tours to book us on the 1pm boat excursion from the marina.

We had seen this sign on the wharf and inquired, a couple of days ago.

When the others got back we went and waited at the gate to the 2nd dock.

He backed the boat in, we (and another couple) paid and climbed on board.

Over the side of the boat we saw what we have since identified as a Sea Slug. It was black, about a foot long and had undulating "wings" that moved a bit like a rays. I didn't get a good picture of it but Nicola did and is going to send it to me. I'll post it then.

Out of the marina past this huge sail boat that is the last one on that dock.

Across to Isla Christina passed now and then by fishing boats.

He took us along by the wharves of Isla Christina, an area we had not been able to see when we drove over there.

Salt is not kind to the bottoms of sailboats and a group were up "on the hard" probably for some tlc.

The fishing boats that I have been posting pictures of are trawlers that go out and come in during the day but on this trip we also saw a lot of fishing boats with huge lights on top. I didn't find much on the internet during a short search but it seems that lights are used in fishing for sardines and for squid.

Our skipper pulled the boat over to this man who showed us his catch.

Squid

The commercial fishing wharf and warehouse. We were too early for boats to be off loading their catch.

The refrigerator trucks were ready and waiting though.

Boat yards for building and repairs.

Old boats

Really old boats

After the harbour we went up into the marismas a little and could see gulls, cormorants and an amazing number of egrets just hanging out on the fishing boats.

We pulled up at a raft that they use to harvest mussels and tied up. Our skipper served us small glasses of white wine and packets of shrimp. The freshest shrimp!

Little tables flipped up and had holes for the little plastic cups to fit into.

This Turnstone ran around on the nets and ropes on the barge. Nicky called him our "floor show".

Great for pictures and for birdwatching.

Our skipper. He spoke very little English, just enough to say "Atlantic", "Isla Christina", "Mussels", "Wine?"

After our little snack we returned to the dock. It cost 9 Euro and took about an hour and was a very pleasant outing. It was nice to see the area from a different perspective. I just wish we could have asked questions about what we were seeing especially the fishing techniques and culture.
After lunch, Nicky and I went for a walk around Punta del Moral and into the marshes.

Mending his nets.

We have seen the fisherman use these little tiny dingys to get out to their boats. Who needs oars when a couple of planks of wood will do.

Pile of pots in Punta. Crabs? We're not sure.

Black-necked grebes on the marshes.

Back to the apartment and I started the blog. We had decided to celebrate Nicky's visit by going out to dinner. The restaurants on this side of the harbour were all closed so we went over to Punta del Moral and went to Casa Miguel  Angel y Micaela.

The restaurant was full of local people but the waiter (maybe owner) spoke excellent English and we basically had everything that he recommended.

;

First; tomatoes sprinkled with chopped garlic and sea salt. Served with homemade sauce (we asked as it was delicious - olive oil infused with chopped garlic for 4 days, mayonnaise, sprinkle of paprika, dribble of balsamic vinegar reduction.)

Dad and I had the grilled Sea Bass

Nicola and Mum had the grilled Sole

We had a bottle of red and a bottle of white, house wine. A local winery bottles them for the restaurant.

Mum and I had dessert, a triple chocolate flan.

We all had the orange wine he recommended which was light and delicious.

I took a picture of the box it came out of.

Nicola and I walked home (there was a little staggering involved). It was an absolutely delicious meal and we decided we would have to give them a review on TripAdvisor.

Full moon on the way home.

Spain 2016 - Italica, Roman ruins near Seville

Two of the things Nicky wanted to do while she was here were; visit a castle and see Roman ruins. The first happened yesterday and today we were off to do the second. She found this site while searching on the internet and Google maps said it was an hour and 40 minutes away. Once we got to Santiponce, North of Seville (near the airport) we got a little off track and stumbled on the Roman Theatre. Unfortunately it was closed to the public so we wandered around the outside taking pictures.

We were taking pictures through the fences.

It would have been lovely to walk through.

Instead we walked through some picturesque narrow streets to find our way around the outside of it.

From a a distance we thought this was a viaduct but it was the facade of the theatre.

They obviously haven't finished with it yet as there are piles of marble columns yet to be erected and a partially uncovered Roman road.

Back in the car and we found the entrance to the main site. Spain is not making a lot of money from their archaeological sites. Mum and Dad were free (due to EU passports, not age) and Nicola and I were E1.50 each (just over $2).
After the washroom, we went in to the audio visual presentation which was very good, with English subtitles.

Coming out of the AV presentation. It was a warm (20 deg), sunny day and the site is beautifully laid out and treed.

First; fortification. We had bought ham and cheese sandwiches, olives, apples and a bottle of white wine. Ready to take on the Romans now.

Directly in front of the entrance is the Amphitheatre. Mum and Dad started with that. Nicky and I ended there. We headed up the hill first.

The city had wide roads with curbs and drainage.

Italica was established as a military post in 206 BC. The Emperor Trajan was born here and he and Hadrian (who spent time as a child here) contributed to its expansion and establishment as an important city.

Reproduction of the statue of the Emperor Trajan. The original is in the Seville Archaeological Museum.

I understand the need to protect and preserve but he is so much more impressive in situ.

Then my camera battery died. But I had a spare. When I put it in the camera, it was "exhausted" to. Swear words!!!!! The rest of the pictures are taken with my phone and with Nicky's help I figured out how to put them on my computer for the blog. Always good to learn something new.

I love mosaics. Maybe because I love tiles. Maybe because they remind me of the rugs we make. Whatever, I find them fascinating. The best I ever saw where in Cyprus but these were a close second, though it surprised me that they were not covered or protected in any way.

I saw rug patterns in these and Nicola saw quilts. Each to their own hobby.

Not all the mosaics have been restored. We saw a bucket of little tiles ready to be put back on a floor.

I can see the quilt patterns in this one.

Patterns are impressive, but even more impressive, are pictures.

Pictures of the Gods with Venus in the centre.

There were an amazing number of mosaics at this site but I think I have to move on.

We saw Mum walking up the hill, directed her to the mosaics and she went back to get Dad so he could see them. Lots of walking, uneven ground, uphill but he loves this kind of thing. We walked over to the baths but they are not completely excavated yet and not that impressive so back down to the amphitheatre. Wow.

Its huge, oval, and although in ruins you get a real sense of the place.

The estimated capacity is 20 to 25 thousand. Seating divided into 3 levels (just like today's bullrings)

A small portion has been restored with some of the ornate stonework.

A central pit (covered) to hold the animals and equipment used for the games.

Passage between the arena and the gallery (under the stands)

We could walk around the gallery and see the various areas for entrance, access to the stands and rooms for the competitors.

It is a truly magnificent site.

There are fields, laid out into the road grid pattern, waiting to be excavated. The forum and some other public buildings are under the town of Santiponce and may never be uncovered.
We were desperate for the coffee we had just outside the entrance and then drove home for supper. Exhausted but a great day.