Our journey south continues to the town of Caceres in Extremadura. We stay in a campsite a short bus journey from the town. It is always part of the experience to take local transport and see where and how people live not just the sights. Our site is next to the football stadium of the mighty Club Polideportivo Cacereno of the Spanish 3rd Division. They are a bit like the Rochdale of Spain as every time (few) they are promoted they are relegated the next season. A major difference is that their stadium contains as part of the stand's structure 6 stained glass windows. I doubt Rochdale or many other clubs can say that. They also have a Caceres Ultra following unlikely as it may seem. Their crowds would struggle to make four figures.
Caceres itself has a fascinating, rambling medieval centre one of the highlights being the Museum. The underground Arabian cistern was certainly impressive.
Views were great although the weather was bit hazy.
The museum shown below was housed on several floors in an old palace. It has an historical section, ethnographical and belles artes. All interesting although I'm sure a mathematician somewhere has calculated the number of flint axe heads you need to see before you reach saturation point. I'm pretty sure we reached it in about 1986! The ethnographic section was surprisingly good considering it displayed loads of costumes which are usually a bit of a turnoff and the modern art was eclectic containing some fine modern sculpture as well as paintings by 20th Century Spanish artists, including Joan Miro who is definitely not a favourite of mine.
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A peacock was resident in one of the old buildings.
The streets were narrow but surprisingly open for traffic.
A view to the main square.
The cathedral was interesting but sadly, Nighy free.
And good views from the top of its tower. Weather still a bit ropy but promise of better to come.
A puzzle. The small bird below would not keep still but I cannot identify it. Jet black head, white collar, grey body and deep blue tail. Any ideas?
On our way next to El Puerto de Santa Maria on the Bay of Cadiz. More news at the weekend.
Hasta La Vista,
J&P
Hi,
ReplyDeleteJust back from the Rhone/Saone Valleys (Tarascon to Chalon-sur-Saone) and catching up on the Blog. Had fantastic cheese and charcuterie, especially in and around Lyon. Steak tartare on every menu! Wine a bit variable but some excellent Beaujolais at a chateau near Villefranche. (France is outrageously expensive!) Good to see the weather is improving. Onward with our best wishes!