A little side trip to Spain

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I never like to have things hanging about in my ‘Drafts folder’.  I’m not an organised, scheduling sort of person though, heaven knows, it would be an improvement!   But this little side trip keeps smiling sadly at me from it’s lonely position in there.  Unfinished, until now.  So, with a flourish, let me present Ayamonte.

Remember my kings, strolling through the streets of Vila Real de S. Antonio on the Algarve’s eastern edge?  They were smiling and throwing sweets to their loyal subjects, as any good king should at Epiphany.  And then they boarded the ferry for Ayamonte, in Spain.  Just 10 minutes on the ferry, but a lifetime apart culturally and in temperament.

Ayamonte, seen from the ferry, is a simple whitewashed Spanish town.  At close quarters it reveals its medieval side in narrow streets and historical buildings.  This is Huelva province, and there is no shortage of Andalucian flamboyance.

The approach, by ferry

The approach, by ferry

Such pretty tiles around the fountain

Such pretty tiles around the fountain

And on the seating
This little girl caught her jumper on the iron rails- but I missed the shot!
The pigeons weren’t impressed
But the flamenco goes on!
Life is so colourful

Life is so colourful

Even under a cloudy January sky

Even under a cloudy January sky

The bronze dome pierces the clouds

The bronze dome pierces the clouds

I love the colour and the tiles yet it always surprises me how very different Ayamonte feels from Portugal, just a wave away, across the water.  The road bridge over the River Guadiana now links the two, for speedy access, but I prefer a gentler approach to the culture change.

The dome towers over the winding streets
Narrow to keep out the summer heat
Full of religious imagery
And a very distinctive style
Terribly smart for just a bank!
Does he look like he’d take care of your money?
Or maybe his friend is more reliable

A canal runs away from the Guadiana, around the old side of town and past a park at which I don’t look too closely.  There are animals caged there in an environment I would never choose for them.  A new boardwalk has been laid and there is an air that the town is thriving.  Not the case in much of Spain, nor Portugal, for that matter.

Beyond the canal, the older side of town

Beyond the canal, in the distance, the older side of town

And so I’ve had my little flirt with flamenco.  Back on the ferry now, and home to Portugal (and those crazy, likeable kings).

 

 

83 comments

    1. Ah-ha! Was just wondering if you were about, Gem 🙂 I haven’t seen you around. You ok?
      And, you just never know… I might tempt you to the Portuguese place some day.

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  4. So lovely Jo! I adore those tiles around the fountain and that bronze church dome. I really like the Andalusian architecture. Must do more travelling in Europe!!

    And if you feel like more spring cleaning I have a very dusty house for you 🙂
    J xx

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    1. The tiles and patios are gorgeous. Funny that I don’t like it much as a town though, Jude.
      I tried to put borders on in ‘text’ as you advised but it wasn’t happy with me and just wiped the photo out completely! I’ll try again when I’m not posting so many shots. I used galleries instead. That first shot with a border was done before the system changed. 🙂

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      1. Ah, I had that problem Jo. Just put a space in after the size and then paste in the code and put in another space after it. Took me a while to figure out what was happening! Such a nuisance.

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  5. Oh wow! What a beautiful little place Jo and I am glad it didn’t stay in your drafts folder. I love that fountain and you’ve captured the beauty so well! Those tiles are gorgeous! Thanks for another lovely and enjoyable tour hon. 😀 ♥ Big Hugs ♥

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    1. Such a miserable week of weather, Sonel, so I’ve had time to play indoors 🙂 I’d forgotten how pretty these photos are. Lost in the fog again this morning. Thanks, hon. Hugs!

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      1. Yes, luckily we have more than enough to do indoors when the weather is miserable. Guess it has moods like us as well..hahahaha. I love foggy weather. Take care and have a great weekend sweetness. 😀 xxx

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      1. Strangely enough we also didn’t have any sun today. Guess the weather on both sides are pairing up. LOL!

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  7. Very special little gem tucked under your arm, Jo! So glad you posted it, so we could see how Portuguese this border town looks. Must say that bronze dome is magnificent – very Baroque – and the most beautiful patina.

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      2. I’m no good at holding onto things, Meredith! Once I start a post I can’t wait to get it out there and have everyone cluster round and admire. I’m a vain child and the applause is what keeps me going. 🙂 I’m in Poland at the end of the month for a wedding, and I have an exciting day trip tomorrow which will probably need a few posts. My photo albums are full of thoughts- it’s just finding time to use them.

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  9. Wow. I get so excited about a little art gallery in a small Virginia town, and a spire from the courthouse who knows how I would act if I got to see art and architecture like this!
    Thanks for sharing these gorgeous images Jo.
    Signed
    ~ An organised, scheduling sort of person aka Dawn 😉

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  10. 10 minutes away and such a difference, and yet I enjoy both tours with you. How are you this evening? I hope the forecast is good for the weekend and that Zumba is on for Saturday 🙂 My compliments for the captures, especially the tower one!

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  12. I would always prefer the more gentle approach too Jo . I do love those tiles .. would never look quite the same back here though .. one just *knows they are from the mediterranean.
    Glad you pulled out a draught !

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  13. Stunningly beautiful post – your photos are magical … you like me have fetish for beautiful house details, windows and doors. Your tile images – your eye for details, exquisite. What a beautiful ending you gave my pretty good day, Jo!

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      1. Sitting in my be without an ass on fire … and try to work a little with “Readers” – never know what tomorrow brings.
        I have loads in Draft too – have to start publish. *smile
        Sweet dreams to you too …

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    1. I don’t know why I kept it under wraps so long, Jo! I had over 600 photos when I came back from the Algarve in January and it just got sidelined. Glad you liked it 🙂

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  15. Such amazing tile work Jo. Some of it reminded me of both Lisbon and Bilbao. Understandable i guess that the artisans style and work would flow along the miles.

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    1. It’s all Moorish influenced, Sue. Strange that in our more northerly world, where we could really use the injection of colour- no tiles! Perhaps I should contact a tiler immediately? Is Hartlepool ready for this? 🙂

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      3. Jo we are truly beginning to wonder. The forecast says plus 18 by next week. Do we dare hope? Send me some tiles to be on the safe side. 🙂

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  17. Fascinating that you can feel a culture difference in places so close geographically. How wonderful to have that opportunity on your doorstep.

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    1. Trouble is, there’s so much of Portugal I want to see too, Debbie 🙂 We did make it to Cordoba and Granada one year, but Mick’s not so keen on driving distances and I always want to go that little bit further! It’s a lovely bit of the world, though- the Eastern Algarve.

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    1. I don’t know why I sat on this one, Ad. After I got back from the Algarve in January I had lots to post, then I got diverted into English stuff. Anyway, it’s done now, and I rather like it (her as shouldn’t say so!) The cupboard is empty again 🙂

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