Apr 15: Our European tour: Cuenca, Villanueva, Villar - Apr 6 - 12

Monday 6 April

We met Bernardo and Amparo to go and spend the day in the village of Villanueva de Guadamejud where Bernardo was born and where the family house is situated.

Another lovely day and the house (about 200 years old) was beautiful with so many rooms and so many old family heirlooms...

Bernardo’s father was the blacksmith in the village and the forge is still there...

We walked up to look at the caves all built into the hillside.  This is where the wine is pressed and put into the huge containers - it was very amusing to see the men sitting up there gathered round a table having a glass of wine, a chat and a tin of sardines.  I suppose it’s the equivalent of a man having a cup of tea and a biscuit in his shed on his allotment in England!!..

So of course we had to try the wine...  It was lovely.  We walked down the hill feeling slightly tipsy as every time we put our glasses down they were refilled!...

Rodrigo and Laura’s two children are so cute...

Another great meal prepared by Amparo and Laura with help from Rodrigo...

Although the village is only about 40 minutes’ drive away from Cuenca the family don’t really go there much and they said that it was the first time that they had all been there together so quite an occasion for the Gomez family really!...

More family pics...

Auntie teaching the kids card games with a Spanish deck of cards...

Tuesday 7 April

A trip to the market – Lola had her shopping list written on her arm (as you do)...

Lovely to see Miguel again...

And then a great evening with Carmen, Deo and one of their daughters Marlen and her husband Ruben and their little daughter Lyra.  Lots of reminiscing about mum and dad as they spent many holidays time with them – and quite a few happy tears between us all!...

Wednesday 8 April

The frantic pace (actually the late nights and walking around constantly!) were starting to get to everyone now so it was a much slower day.  Luckily we had already emailed across to Isabel in Madrid to say that we had changed our minds and that we wouldn't be coming across there to stay with her as previously planned - too much packing, unpacking, arranging, chivvying etc etc.  And she was quite ok about it and she had already spent all her Easter holiday running around after us so she was probably ready for a rest too - even though a rest for her meant being back at school!

And so quite a lazy day.  A wander down to our local bar for a bit of internet and a few coffees.  We then decided to stay for lunch - good decision as the food was lovely.  So our local Bar Cristal ticks all the boxes - it has internet, good food - and most importantly for Lola - ice cream after the meal!!

Luisa, Ema and the children went to meet friends in the afternoon and Mike and I went for a walk up to the old part to see the Casas Colgadas...

Thursday 9 April

Another lazy day.  It rained on and off so we managed to get as far as Bar Cristal – and we stayed there!  The children were quite happy as they had internet, we were able to chat and check our FB so everyone was quite content.  We decided to eat there again and Jaime (our friend the waiter) said that the cook was making a paella so we ordered a small one – delicious!  And when we had finished he came back with the small ice creams and then with some bottles of shots!  The children were most impressed with their non alcoholic blackberry juices and would have finished the whole bottle!...

By late afternoon the rain had stopped so we went for a walk up to the Plaza Mayor.  The Casas Cogadas and all the beautiful views are still quite impressive with grey skies but they look much better with the sunshine and blue skies!... 

I walked up one side by the Casas Colgadas and the rest of them walked up the other way so that they could cross over the Puente San Pablo to join me.  Too high for me – I think I can count on one hand the number of times that I have crossed that bridge over 40 years (and that is probably after a drink or with no one else at all on it and me hanging onto someone’s coat tails and not stopping or looking at all) – I would still rather walk all the way round (a long walk!) rather than cross it!

I just took a few photos and hoped for the best...

And Mike took one of me from the other side...  




A look round the shops...

We walked up as far as Agustin and Justina’s doorway and then came back down, calling in at the Semana Santa museum on the way back down into town...

Friday 10 April

When we walked onto our local bar for breakfast Javi was in there with some of his work mates having some breakfast – I don’t know who was more surprised!  He works in the area and knows our waiter Jaime too...


We popped in to see Bernardo and Amparo but ended up walking down the road with Auntie and then had lunch in the middle of the main street in the sunshine. Another plate of ajoarriero - but none of it is as good as the stuff Julia's mum makes!...

Luisa and Ema went out in the evening to see friends and we took the bus up to the castle for a look at the view...

Bit of owling as a change from planking...

And a bit of tree climbing...

Saturday 11 March

Shopping day and then a picnic in the park was planned.  Just as the food was prepared the heavens opened and it didn’t just rain – it hailed!  So the picnic stayed indoors and then Callum and Molly were given beer money to go and sit in the wifi bar.  

A walk down from the castle when the rain stopped...

And a fascinating glimpse into the convent...

Sunday 12 April

Our last day in Cuenca - lunch with Amparo and family - paella!...

And then a trip out to the village to see Rodrigo, Laura and the children at the home of Laura's parents in Villar de Olalla (I think!)...

... and Callum propping up the bar later on...

Grandad corner...

Some liked the acorn liqueur more than others...

So - time to say goodbye to all our friends in Cuenca - but not for long as Mike and I were invited to Laura and Rodrigo's wedding in a few weeks!!

Yay!...

So on to our next adventure...