Alhambra

Today we found ourselves making the trip to Granada, we'd not anticipated that tickets for the Alhambra would be sold out weeks ago, but some of the grounds were accessible without a ticket. Having looked around the non pay areas and being satisfied we wandered late afternoon past the ticket office to see a dozen tickets just become available we bought 4 promptly - so a late afternoon wander around the palaces was a marvellous bonus. My brother in law Ian suggested that Cordoba and the Mezquita was more impressive - I beg to differ, I will return here again, and again with a guide.

Mostly Moorish in design and function, it is principally castle and palace, built on mostly rectagonal courtyards which seem to be added on in a somewhat haphazard fashion each with it's own character and beauty. The ambience of each made you want to linger and rest, the detail of the arabesque and ceilings were engaging and the sweet smell of the orange blossom and wisteria only added to the sensual experience. The views of the snow topped Sierra Nevada range in the background would have been enough on its own.
Beneath the surface one can only wonder at the level of accomplishment in terms of mathematics, art, calligraphy, architecture, building, and engineering that were required to bring this together.

Parts of complex are rather poorly reconstructed but this succeeds in showing off the better parts of it as somewhat transcendent. If you ever get the chance - pre purchase tickets online weeks in advance - don't risk disappointment.

Todays blip is inside the Charles V palace, a post reconquistidor addition, a building on the outside having all the charm of the worst of soviet architecture but inside an oasis of calm and curves and light and shade.

We finished off the day by driving back through the hills and stopping in a small town for late drinks and tapas in such a fabulous bar. The tapas was excellent, aubergine with honey and serano ham with rocquofort were my favourites. The place was full of life, in the corner a fire heated up the rose wood which was then placed in a large bowl and placed in the base of the table designed to accommodate the bowl, the table then draped with a heavy table cloth - all to keep you legs warm as the heat of the day dissipated into the mountain air.

For the bored or interested a few from my flickr pages