Mike and Wendy's holiday blog

Friday 31 July

Bus to Bury then tram to Manchester.

Lunch at a little Greek place as we had plenty of time.

Walk up to Piccadilly in the sunshine then got on the train to the airport. Total cost.. nil.. apart from lunch.. 😁

A good early evening flight then straight into a taxi to Madrid city centre and the hotel for the night.

A quick drink at a nearby bar and then bed - it was well after midnight - long day travelling but nice to know it can be done without a car.

Saturday 1 August

Up early and out for a walk in the Retiro park just over the road.

Nice and cool (well in the shade before the sun got too hot - mid 20s) and not too busy.

Got tickets for the 2.30 AVE train then went to a nearby bar for breakfast.

Nice easy train ride across to Cuenca - once we'd worked out where the platform was!.. 🤣

Picked up by Miguel and taken to the flat - lovely views.

Luca helped Mike with his exercises

View of the brown front door (we are on the third floor) and the street.

View the other way with a lovely fountain.

Convent at the end of the street - a closed order of nuns.

Tinto de verano (bit like sangria) and the boys.

They both ate really well - chicken, little sausages, fish and even squid - I've never seen them eat so much! Probably helped by Miguel telling them that this is what Aquaman eats to get strong.. 🤣

Luca took my phone - everything altered.. 🙄

He took loads of selfies and I now seem have his face as my screen saver.. 🙄

Balcony view at night. How beautiful is that?.. 😍

Sunday 2 August

A hot night still in the 20s - but helped by the air con units which at least cool the air a bit. No idea what our was set at - the boys had fiddled with it.. 🙄😁

An early morning walk up to the castle while it was still relatively cool.

Empty streets at nearly 8am.

Out later with Luca to walk up to the Plaza Mayor. Met up with Luisa and Nico while Miguel went to meet friends.

Small local group were playing in the Plaza when we stopped for a drink.

Moving very slowly at 35⁰ with several drinks stops.

Back down to the playground then a slow wander home.

Quiet afternoon as everyone was tired.

Luca helped Mike with his exercises again.

Out in the evening for a little wander and a couple of drinks.

Monday 3 August

Quite overcast when we got up and slightly cooler. Miguel took his mum for an appointment and the rest of us went out to the toy shop as I'd promised the boys a treat.

Breakfast after the toy shop.

Everywhere was quite busy as it seemed that everyone was making the most of the relative cool.

Back to the flat and then Mike and I took Luca up to the Plaza Mayor for lunch.

Luca asked for his second bottle of mosto tinto (sort of a grape juice).

Cathedral.

Castle area.

Looking back and down to the Casas Colgadas and Puente San Pablo.

Walk back down through the side streets.

The church my friend's son belongs to - he helps to carry the huge floats in the Easter processions.

Luca was befriended by one of the Cuenca tour guides.

Casas Colgadas.

Brave boy with grandad on the bridge!

Photo taken by grandad on the far side of the bridge.

Back to the accommodation.

Luca did more chair Tai Chi with Mike - he's really into it!

Meal in tonight. Luca and Nico tried their hands at group selfies - only got themselves in.. 🤣🤣🤣

Deboning the fish.

Beautiful sun set.

We realised that we could see the balcony of the order of enclosed Carmelite nuns. We only realised this when we saw three nuns walking laps around their rooftop courtyard.

Once they enter the order they never leave their convent again. The three nuns became five and they sat around the perimeter of their balcony to enjoy the sunshine and slight breeze.

It seemed a bit intrusive be taking their photos.

Another lovely day.

Tuesday 4 August

Early walk to the weekly rastro (flea market). They were just setting up but already busy. Queues already forming for meat and vegetables.. 😁

Back to the flat - and two boys and their toys in our room.. 🤣🤣🤣

Out to the frozen yoghurt shop for breakfast. Disaster!. it was closed!

Then no churros to go with the hot chocolate.. so it was cake for breakfast!.. 😋

Playing nicely together.. 🥰

A trip to the park and then back to the bar with the nice chicken wings (good Luca and Nico ratings!.. 👍) for tapas.

.. and finally the FroYos.

.. and back to the flat in the over 30⁰ heat for a sit down in the air con.

Out in the evening to walk round to see Amparo and Bernardo. Maria Isabel came round with Piero (dog). Lovely catch up.

Friends for 50 years 🥰

Wednesday 6 August

Walk to Las Angustias but didn't go down to the river - looped round back up to the castle.

Watched the early morning street cleaners at work - best views in the world for them!

More pavement works being carried out next to the convent - they seem to be all over atm!

The hermitage of the Virgin of Las Angustias was open so I popped in. So peaceful.

Then I walked back up rather than continuing down.

Back past the castle and past the car park to look at where the zip wire was situated.

Only been open a couple of years but actually quite unobtrusive. I'm sure the views looking right towards Cuenca must be lovely - but I don't intend to find out.. 🤣