With no real respite to catch breath in Morocco, the ‘Ks’ are starting to catch up with us. We need to slow down. Chill out. Take some horizontal time out. Become beach bums for a few days. With luck that’s next week-end.
The non days 59 & 61 are not typical. Most journeys have at least one sparkle in them. A sprinkling of hundreds and thousands to brighten the dull. But dull they are. Our own fault in one way. Set our distant sights too far. Beastie bouncing more than 300K in one day not really our cup of tea. But needs must. So we do it.
Cordoba, nestling between layers of travel, causes us to stay at El Brillante. Our first municipal stopover. The only MOHO place in close proximity to town. We check the online reviews beforehand. Just to make sure. Thumbs down given on the basis that the site has poor wi-fi signal. This is not unusual. On many a site folk huddle near to reception. Signal seekers. Heads down, eyes straining. i-pad, i-phone – no signal? i-moan. Some people need to get real. Or get a decent data contract. Or learn how to create their own hot-spot. We want to know the important stuff – do the showers work? – is there hot water? – are the pitches level? – how big are they? Can we buy croissants for breakfast!?
As it turns out, this huge site (200 pitches) is great. Masses of hot water for showers and wash-up. Flat pitch. Within walking distance of Cordoba old town. We walk.
We head for the unusual Mosque-Cathedral – ‘Mezquita’. Unusual because its architecture combines Islamic with Christian. Ancient mosque, taken over by Catholic Spain when the muslims were expelled. Usual trick to knock it down and rebuild a Christian church on top ignored. Not here. Combined both. The result is unusual and interesting.
Next port of call the Museo Julio Romero de Torres. Famous Spanish portrait painter. We loved his work. Photos forbidden. Don’t know why – there’s thousands on line. Then we walk the back alleys in search of the Royal Palace gardens. Get there at 2.15pm. Closes for the day at 2pm! We need to remember to look at the fine print when doing our homework. Still, some of the back alleys are pretty.
The main square, or to be precise, rectangle, gives testimony to the fact that big is not always beautiful. Big and boring we thinks. Cordoba offers us nothing to recommend a return. So we turn and walk away.
Before we can exit, this local witch-doctor thinks Mary-Ann is in need of attention. A quick brain scan and simultaneous pulse check ensues. It’s a sixty second consultation. Crosses Mary-Ann’s palm with a sprig of Rosemary. Expects Mary-Ann to cross hers with a five euro note. Settles for one euro.
