069 Spain: Rota

Spain:  Jerez & Rota

As we leave Cadiz for Rota we spot a new bridge that is being built. I've never seen a bridge under construction. It is a magnificent sight. I wonder how many car crashes have happened as people slow down to take pictures? (We are not the only ones)

We spend a wonderful few hours in Jerez, which in Spanish means Sherry. Their 'brand name' of Sherry is protected by the EU in the same way that Champagne is.
This is one of the founding fathers and Tio Pepe is one of the bigger brands,

We visit the Bodega for Harveys Bristol Cream as both of our mothers were very fond of a drop. According to the guide the bottle should be consumed within a month and kept in the fridge. I think one bottle used to last Ann at least 6 months, without any thought of putting it in the fridge. However there is a major temperature difference between the south of England and the South of Spain :)

They have celebrities sign barrels and for special events create and retain labelled barrels - spot the Alexander Fleming (1948) and the Charlton Heston barrels but Frank was more interested in the Bo Derek barrel.

So at the end of the tour we have sampling.

First they put a bottle of dry sherry on the table and tell you to help yourself. This stuff retails at E1 per glass, so not a big outlay but then they bring a tumbler of Harveys with ice and a slice of Orange, it is delicious. Then they put the brandy on the table, with chocolate and tell you to help yourself: now that is generous. If you knew this beforehand you could have quite a party!

We meet up in Rota with my good friend Lois and her travelling companion Francine. We spend two wonderful (if hot) evenings with them. The fish here is so varied and so fresh but we are surprised when that is all that is on the plate. Fortunately Lois had also ordered a plate of Tomato.

There is a large beach by the hotel where the tidal range is enormous. The Moors built these containing walls, enclosing an area a bit bigger than a football stadium. As the tide goes out the fish are fooled by the depth of the water and are trapped in the pool.  The water is also warmer and becomes a breeding ground for little shrimps.

Can you see the dolphin?

Art for the girls or for the boys?

We are now in the final weeks of the European part of our trip but due to reduced time in Portugal we have a week up our sleeves, unplanned. We  have decided to head to the white villages of Andalusia.