An arch, in Arcos

This morning, after an immense and amazing breakfast at our B and B, we set off for the nearby town of Arcos de la Frontera. We found a free parking place, and walked up the 'slope of Bethlehem' to the tourist office. Everywhere in the old town is on a slope, everywhere there is an amazing church or ancient building, or a viewpoint over the cliff-edge to the river valley and fertile plains far below (they are fertile because they are watered by sprinklers round the clock). The streets are narrow and winding, but cars, minibuses and motorbikes often appear out of nowhere, causing us to flatten ourselves against the wall...

When we'd taken around three million photos, including some of 'tame' birds of prey up by the castle walls, we went for a beer in a non-touristy bar. It was filled with locals, drinking tumblers of red wine. Flamenco music played, and the walls were decorated with paintings. The TV screen showed silent images of bullfighting, which no one was watching, except me. I found it horribly fascinating.

As we were about to leave, a man came in with a blue and yellow parrot on his shoulder. Everyone admired it. Being very young, it wasn't much of a talker, but the plumage was beautiful.

We moved on to the second viewpoint and found this arch, leading to a view over the valley and the reservoir. I've actually shot it with my back to the view, because I wanted to show something of the tumble of streets of the old town.

After walking back towards the car park, I was annoyed to discover I'd left my cash card behind, so we could not take out any money from the machines in the bank quarter! Never mind, we've found a good looking tapas bar that our host recommended, so we will be back later this evening. Our entire visit this morning only cost us the price of two beers, an ice lolly, and some postage stamps (which are, incidentally, highly expensive).

The temperature was 41 degrees at half past four this afternoon.