Last time we came to Cádiz, we drove - it’s a spur like Sandbanks in Dorset, connected by just a strip of sand to the mainland, plus a splendid bridge we can see from our veranda.
Cádiz is one of the oldest cities in Europe, indeed the World, having been continuously occupied since 1200BC. This walled city is remarkably intact, in many places the wall and it’s forts are well preserved.
Outside, there are beaches to two sides and port to one other, the final side links to the newer part of the city. Inside, the streets are tiny and hap-hazard like a mosaic, absolutely wonderful for wandering in random directions without fear of getting lost - not that Mr Google allows that anyway these days.
We start by doing a complete circumnavigation of the old city, adding on a small amount of beach-front halfway.
We find a museum of puppetry which is fascinating, before heading to the crumbling cathedral next. It’s a great find to discover Manuel de Falla’s grave in the crypt - he of Ritual Fire Dance and many others, who was born here.
The ticket also includes the adjacent tower, which is curious as it’s only the second time we’ve seen a spiral incline that is not a staircase - is this so one can remain on one’s steed to the top?
Next we wander across the city, pop into the market, and then past the theatre onwards to Parque Genovés, here there’s a delightful cascade which today is being cleaned, and numerous fountains. In fact if Cádiz doesn’t have a strap line already, it really should be “city of a thousand fountains” they are everywhere and quite beautiful.
We stop off in a shopping centre to buy new shorts - I’m embarrassed to admit I ripped mine yet this is not a fatness situation I hasten to add, just a last-century challenge - they were well overdue for replacement.
Finally we return to Sojourn in plenty of time for lunch, when I somehow manage to consume Cæsar salad, pizza, seabream and wienerschnitzel all in one session! It was all good, maybe there’s more to the “short problem” than I’m willing to admit?
The afternoon is spent working, swimming and chatting, plus finalising our Amazon jolly for March 2023 - now all we have to do is add in Macchu Picchu and some other bits.
We opt for dining in the grill, to make an alfresco hat-trick having already done breakfast and lunch here today. Unfortunately I don’t want the main course so arrange with our waiter for the MDR to send up their veal. Happily the staff are so accommodating.
Dinner constitutes meatball pasta, tuna ceviche, tandoori chicken, veal fillet, baked apple and baked Camembert.
The turn tonight is a flautist, she’s very good, playing a whole mixture of classical and popular pieces. Unfortunately just toward the end of the show, someone sets fire to Thomas Keller Grill, and the general alarm is sounded. Captain Hamish stops play several times until the situation is contained, and eventually everything is back on an even keel. Our flautist is a true professional in handling the situation and we conclude with a medley of It’s a Wonderful World and We Are the Champions.
We depart Cádiz around 23:00 and we watch from our balcony as the pilot is disgorged once we’re safely out of the harbour.
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