Postcards from Spain: March 2012

Sunday, March 25, 2012

León Cathedral

León Cathedral - photo: Nacho Traseira

The Catedral de Santa María de Regla is the most famous monument in León. It is an impressive building made even more outstanding by its stained-glass windows known as the Pulchra Leonina.

Other blogs by Robert Bovington:

"Photographs of Spain"	http://bovingtonphotosofspain.blogspot.com/
"Spanish Impressions"	http://bobbovington.blogspot.com/
"you couldn't make it up!"	http://bovingtonycmitup.blogspot.com/
"a grumpy old man in Spain"	http://grumpybobbov.blogspot.com/
"bits and bobs"	http://bovingtonbitsandblogs.blogspot.com/
"Spanish Expressions"	http://spanishsayingsbovington.blogspot.com/
"Spanish Art"	http://bovingtonspanishart.blogspot.com/
"Books About Spain"	http://bovingtonbooks.blogspot.com/

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Cartagena - Peral submarine © Robert Bovington...

Peral submarine © Robert Bovington

According to local tourist information, Isaac Peral invented the submarine in 1889. Whilst Señor Peral undoubtedly designed the fine specimen of a U-boat that is on display, the locals are wrong to allege that he invented the submarine - a Dutchman, Cornelis Drebbel, built the first one in 1620! Submarines were also used during the American Civil War (1861-65).

Robert Bovington author of "Spanish Matters" & "Spanish Impressions"

Spanish Impressions Web Site

Robert Bovington's books on Lulu

more blogs by Robert Bovington...

SPANISH IMPRESSIONS
PHOTOGRAPHS OF SPAIN
POSTCARDS FROM SPAIN
YOU COULDN'T MAKE IT UP!
A GRUMPY OLD MAN IN SPAIN
BITS & BOBS
SPANISH EXPRESSIONS
SPANISH ART
BOOKS ABOUT SPAIN

Cabo de Gata - Las Salinas © Robert Bovington...

The Cabo de Gata natural park is really rather splendid. It is one of my favourite areas in the province of Almería. High temperatures and the lowest rainfall in the Iberian Peninsula have created a large semi-desert area but, despite its aridity, it is a nature lover's delight. There are thousands of different species there including the pink flamingo and the rare Italian wall lizard. There are storks, cormorants and kestrels, puffins, oystercatchers and eagles. The extraordinary wealth of wildlife is unbelievable. There are many native species that are unique to the park including the pink snapdragon (antirrhinum charidemi), known locally as the dragoncillo del Cabo, which flowers all year round. Dwarf fan palms are to be found here. They are Europe's only native palms. In the sea, there are grouper, bream, squid and prawn. There are also 260 species of seaweed, which are home to many varieties of crustacean, mollusc and fish.

Las Salinas © Robert Bovington

Robert Bovington author of "Spanish Matters" & "Spanish Impressions"

Spanish Impressions Web Site

Robert Bovington's books on Lulu

more blogs by Robert Bovington...

SPANISH IMPRESSIONS
PHOTOGRAPHS OF SPAIN
POSTCARDS FROM SPAIN
YOU COULDN'T MAKE IT UP!
A GRUMPY OLD MAN IN SPAIN
BITS & BOBS
SPANISH EXPRESSIONS
SPANISH ART
BOOKS ABOUT SPAIN

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Cabo de Gata - La Isleta del Moro © Robert Bovington

La Isleta del Moro is made up of a small group of white houses where simple people who have earned their livelihood fishing have lived since time immemorial.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Sorbas - Plaza de la Constitución

The Town Square or 'Plaza de la Constitución' is really rather splendid. On one side is the former residence of the Duke of Alba. There are many mansions in this ancient town. In bygone days, a number of Castilian noblemen lived here. They not only owned these large houses but between them most of the surrounding land as well. Today, these houses are still privately owned. Many of them have attractive red façades.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Some more blogs

If you like my "Postcards from Spain" blog, you may like to view some of my other blogs:-

"Photographs of Spain"	http://bovingtonphotosofspain.blogspot.com/
"Spanish Impressions"	http://bobbovington.blogspot.com/
"you couldn't make it up!"	http://bovingtonycmitup.blogspot.com/
"a grumpy old man in Spain"	http://grumpybobbov.blogspot.com/
"bits and bobs"	http://bovingtonbitsandblogs.blogspot.com/
"Spanish Expressions"	http://spanishsayingsbovington.blogspot.com/
"Spanish Art"	http://bovingtonspanishart.blogspot.com/
"Books About Spain"	http://bovingtonbooks.blogspot.com/

You may also like to view my WordPress blogs:-

"Spanish Impressions"	http://bovingtoninspain.wordpress.com/
"postcards from Spain"	http://postcardsofspain.wordpress.com/
"Books About Spain"	http://bovingtonbooksaboutspain.wordpress.com/
"bits and bobs"	http://bitsandbobbovington.wordpress.com/
"Spanish Expressions"	http://spanishexpressions.wordpress.com/
"Photographs of Spain"	http://bovingtonphotosofspain.wordpress.com/
"Spanish Art"	http://bovingtonspanishart.wordpress.com/
"a grumpy old man inSpain"	http://grumpyoldbobinspain.wordpress.com/
"you couldn't make it up!"	http://bovingtonycmitup.wordpress.com/

Robert Bovington
March 2012

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

The Alcazaba Almería © Robert Bovington...

The undoubted jewel in the crown is the 'Alcazaba'. This enormous fortress dominates the city, standing as it does on a hill overlooking the town and the sea. It was built in the tenth century but, over the centuries, it had further enhancements added such as a Moorish palace and, in the time of the Catholic Kings, a Christian palace.

I do admire the colourful houses with their intricate wrought-iron window grilles, the old-fashioned lampposts and the mimosa trees. These trees provide welcome relief from the fierce Almerian sun, especially in Calle Trajano where one can sit in the shade with a drink outside one of the little cafes.

Robert Bovington author of "Spanish Matters" & "Spanish Impressions"

Spanish Impressions Web Site

Robert Bovington's books on Lulu

more blogs by Robert Bovington...

SPANISH IMPRESSIONS
PHOTOGRAPHS OF SPAIN
POSTCARDS FROM SPAIN
YOU COULDN'T MAKE IT UP!
A GRUMPY OLD MAN IN SPAIN
BITS & BOBS
SPANISH EXPRESSIONS
SPANISH ART
BOOKS ABOUT SPAIN

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Almería - 'Convento de las Puras'

Almería - 'Convento de las Puras'. This 17th century church was formerly a convent.

Opposite the Cathedral is the 'Palacio Episcopal' or Archbishop's Palace. It was built in the nineteenth century when the upper classes started erecting grand stately homes and palaces outside the old walled city of Muslim Almería.

Robert Bovington author of "Spanish Matters" & "Spanish Impressions"

Spanish Impressions Web Site

Robert Bovington's books on Lulu

more blogs by Robert Bovington...

SPANISH IMPRESSIONS
PHOTOGRAPHS OF SPAIN
POSTCARDS FROM SPAIN
YOU COULDN'T MAKE IT UP!
A GRUMPY OLD MAN IN SPAIN
BITS & BOBS
SPANISH EXPRESSIONS
SPANISH ART
BOOKS ABOUT SPAIN

Monday, March 5, 2012

The pottery making tradition of the Alfarería de Sorbas goes back to the times of the Moors. This photo shows an example of one of their ovens. (el horno árabe)

In the 'Torre de la Pólvora' — the tower of gunpowder — there are cannon. One of them points seaward. Pirates do not invade Almería anymore but the province does get its fair share of illegal immigrants especially from Morocco!

Robert Bovington author of "Spanish Matters" & "Spanish Impressions"

Spanish Impressions Web Site

Robert Bovington's books on Lulu

more blogs by Robert Bovington...

SPANISH IMPRESSIONS
PHOTOGRAPHS OF SPAIN
POSTCARDS FROM SPAIN
YOU COULDN'T MAKE IT UP!
A GRUMPY OLD MAN IN SPAIN
BITS & BOBS
SPANISH EXPRESSIONS
SPANISH ART
BOOKS ABOUT SPAIN

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Mudéjar towers of Teruel (photos: Robert Bovington)

The towers of Teruel are quite splendid and UNESCO think so too - they have included them in the Mudéjar Architecture of Aragón World Heritage site. They include the Belfry-Tower of the Cathedral of Santa María, the towers of the churches of San Pedro, San Salvador and San Martín.

Robert Bovington author of "Spanish Matters" & "Spanish Impressions"

Spanish Impressions Web Site

Robert Bovington's books on Lulu

more blogs by Robert Bovington...

SPANISH IMPRESSIONS
PHOTOGRAPHS OF SPAIN
POSTCARDS FROM SPAIN
YOU COULDN'T MAKE IT UP!
A GRUMPY OLD MAN IN SPAIN
BITS & BOBS
SPANISH EXPRESSIONS
SPANISH ART
BOOKS ABOUT SPAIN

Postcards from Spain

Sunday, March 25, 2012

León Cathedral

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Cartagena - Peral submarine © Robert Bovington...

Cabo de Gata - Las Salinas © Robert Bovington...

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Cabo de Gata - La Isleta del Moro © Robert Bovington

Monday, March 12, 2012

Sorbas - Plaza de la Constitución

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Some more blogs

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

The Alcazaba Almería © Robert Bovington...

Almería Alcazaba - Torre de Homenaje

Almería - view from Alcazaba

Almería - Sol de Portocarrero

Almería - monument to the Immaculate Conception

Almería - mimosa trees © Robert Bovington...

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Almería - 'Convento de las Puras'

Almería - Bishop's Palace © Robert Bovington...

Monday, March 5, 2012

Alfarería de Sorbas © Robert Bovington...

Almería Alcazaba - Torre de la Pólvora © Robert Bovington...

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Mudéjar Architecture in Teruel © Robert Bovington