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 Ok so hopefully it is our last night in Spain before we head off to Algeria tomorrow night. We left Ronda at midday and headed South to Marbella, before following the coast to Almeria. Quite a long drive as the journey to Marbs which is a very windy and dramatic road, especially in the rain and driving in and out of the clouds. But I have to say great fun. On reaching the coast Martin was keen to have lunch on the beach so, as you do, we stopped off at Puerto Banus. However once we saw the prices for a simple lunch on the harbour front we quickly moved on.😁😁.   The rest of the journey to Almeria was actually very tiring with pouring rain and standing water on the motorway making for more concentration than normal. As usual parking is available close by but Betsy is not small and requires careful handling in the under ground car parks. We have stayed at another air BNB, in the town centre and close to the port, meaning tomorrow we only have to worry about last minute su...
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 So on to Ronda, a couple of hours drive South of Cordoba, mainly on non motorway roads.  Another chance to see some of the beautiful countryside in this part of Spain. As with almost everywhere we have been on this trip it was raining. However, unlike elsewhere this was dirty rain, which we believe is a result of the weather bringing dust from North Africa.  We've have a lovely little hotel in the old town, who would have guessed, and ignoring the elements went to see wha t I came hear to see, the Puente Nuevo. It did not disappoint. I said earlier that it was dirty rain here at the moment but only realised how dirty it was when we were wa lking around the town and seeing the bridge.  Hey ho 😁😁
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 Off to Cordoba. Not by any recommendation but because we can. For the first time the entire journey, about 3 hours, was on A roads which has pluses and minuses. You get to see a lot more of the country and on this journey that means vineyards, olive groves and working farms. However its much slower. OK, Cordoba centre is fantastic with a very Moorish feel. We have a lovely little hotel opposite Mezquita-Catedral De Cordoba. Now I've said before how many of the buildings we have seen have been truly amazing but nothing prepared me for this. The Mezquita-Catedral is truly one of the worlds best ancient buildings. Originally built by the Moors as a Mosque in 785 AD it was converted to a Cathedral  by the Catholic Church in 1236. OK enough of the history, check out the pictures and google it. A MUST SEE.
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 Ok this is going to be a very short post. We left Pete Lewis's house around midday. heading for Badajoz, as it was a sensible distance and on route for our target of reaching Marseille on the 26th. I can't tell you much apart from it has some historical history, presumably linked to Wellington, but that is as much as know or care to. For the first time we stayed in an air B&B and it was amazing to have more space to and be able to cook our own food.  Anyway that is it for Badajoz.😁 PS. Martin left his shoes at Pete's house. Well it was a late night.😕
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 We left Porto quite early as it was a 3 hour drive to Cascais south of Lisbon, where we visited our good friend Pete Lewis. Suffice to say we had lunch, drinks, more drinks, even more drinks and then some dinner with, as you may have guessed more drinks. We also met up with Martyn and Nadine who also live there now. A wonderful time had by all.
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 Our second and last day in Porto, so time to see the what we can of the city and to the compulsory Port tasting. After a leisurely start we ventured back into the older part of the city, did a little shopping and took in a few historic sites. What stands out is how many of the beautiful old properties are dilapidated and in need of TLC. For those that have noticed the similarity of construction of the bridge crossing the river to the Eiffel Tower, it is because this was constructed by a student of Gustavav Eiffel. Interesting fact of the day. We then took on the Port houses, starting with Taylors, followed by Quevedo, who interestingly Martin has met in London. My last Port house was Ramos Tintos and then I had had enough. Martin took on 3 more. Suffice to say I slept very well and apparently so Martin did to. 
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 We arrived in the city of Porto late morning and found the hotel with some ease. For once we are not in the old town but close to St James Anglican Church in Oporto Road. I should explain the sole reason for coming to Porto is to visit my grandfathers grave, who was buried here in 1957. Apart from my uncle, who had the awful duty of sorting out the arrangements for his fathers death, I am only the 2nd grandchild to visit. Suffice to say I am glad I came. Where we are staying is not very attractive and so for the afternoon we headed over to the Ouro area of the city. Waterfront, old buildings and lively bars. Personally I have to admit to being disappointed, as it was very crowded, over priced and not nearly as attractive as I had hoped for. Anyway, a few litres of Sangria later and little bit of evening sun, well ........... 😁. To finish the day we had Porto's favourite dish, Francesinha, and then headed back to the hotel to watch the 6 nations and whether France would be crowned...
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