Casa Rosales

Casa Rosales

Sunday 9 December 2012

A perfect Sunday

The sun was out and the sky blue when we got up this morning and I had just managed to drag the children away from 'Anastastia' which was on Disney channel so that we could take Darwin out for a walk all together, when some friends phoned to ask if we wanted to go out with them.

We did and we've had the most beautiful walk from Alcalá la Real to nearby Fuente del Rey. 
I had my camera with me. 


Ready to go - leaving Alcala with La Mota in the background. 

Juan Carlos took us to this quarry - and told us that it ships its stone to China...
Sierra Nevada in the distance - looking very beautiful today.

Here at 1000m above sea level, the stones are made almost entirely from creatures that once settled on the sea floor.

In memory of those killed by the Republicans during the Civil War.

La Mota, looking deceptively close by, taken from the quarry.

Might be my imagination, but the chalet and the mountains look almost Alpine to me.


Fuente del Rey is a little village close to Alcala la Real with an important history. In the 14th century, Alcala was under Moorish rule. In 1341, Alfonso XI, King of Castile, Leon and Galicia (there was no 'Spain' at this time) put the castle under siege and had his base here in Fuente del Rey. He had a busy and successful year in 1341 so I'm not sure if he spent all the eight months of siege it took to force a surrender, but Alfonso is credited with taking the castle from the Moors and at this point, Alcalá Benzaide changed its name Alcalá 'la Real' - or the Royal. This little hermitage was built to house the statue of the Virgin that travelled with Alfonso XI and his army at the time. It was opened for us today by a lovely old lady who lives nearby and who has the key - she of the turquoise dressing gown and cotton flowery hat. Bless.

Caquis - soft orange globes against the blue.
We managed to liberate a couple but I've eaten one from the tree once before and will not be tempted to do it ever again. 

An atalaya - or watch tower. There are many in this area, both Arab and Roman design. This one has crenellations which I believe makes it Roman. The Arab ones are unadorned simple towers.

On our way back, the Sierra Nevada behind us. 

Another little treasure to investigate on our way back to Alcala la Real.

Celia, Romy and Tere strike a pose for Mario in the sunshine.

Mario and Romy are in the same class and get on so well together. They play beautifully together - especially with Playmobil. In their school play Romy takes the part of the 'abuela' or granny and Mario is her 'grandson' - they find this highly amusing!

It was a beautiful day and we had a really lovely walk with our friends. Just how Sundays should be. Looking forward to the next one.


20 comments:

  1. Gorgeous photos of a lovely walk, Annie and oh, your weather! I was swathed in several layers of clothing for church this morning (it was raining and grey) and when the sunshine comes later in the week it will be with sub-zero temperatures. Sigh....

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  2. It was really lovely today, Perpetua, and much warmer than of late - we've had some pretty foul weather ourselves and it has been very cold and damp. However, today made up for it and as we came back to our starting point, my face felt as though it had caught a bit of sun. Most of us were down to one t-shirt layer too. Not bad for December.
    Enjoy our blue - hope you get a little sunshine as promised. Axxx

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  3. Thank you for the fashion tips for little old ladies - I'll try rocking the dressing gown & hat look tomorrow!

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    1. Oh Nilly, you've made me laugh! She was 86! It was such a comical hat - a cotton sun hat - and whilst the sun was definitely shining, it wasn't absolutely necessary. A little woolly one might have been better! Axxx

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  4. Hi Annie,
    Thanks for sharing your walk through your lovely, illustrated post.
    These are the simple things in life which we should all make the time to enjoy x

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    1. Yes, Gaynor, and to be very glad that such a simple thing as a walk can be so lovely! Axxx

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  5. Wow this looks like a perfect Sunday indeed. I really love your blog!!

    ~Keith

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    1. Thank you so much, Keith - I am so glad an optimistic existentialist dreamer has found something in my blog to like - makes me feel rather special! Will be checking yours out too - already seen the snow and that lovely Andy Galsworthy quote...can't be bad! Axxx

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    2. Thank you for popping over to my blog :) May I become your newest follower? I would really love to!

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    3. Of course! You don't need to ask. Axxx

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  6. Great post Annie. As we couldn't walk this Sunday because of too much rain and mud, it was nice to step out with you on your sunny day.

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    1. It's extra special, walking with friends. So glad you could join us in spirit at least! Axxx

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  7. What a beautiful place Annie. I feel very warmed by your sunshine filled pictures. X

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    1. That's lovely, Karen - I always feel very calmed by your lovely photos, so I'm glad I can return the favour in some way! Axxx

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  8. It was lovely to read about this perfect Sunday.Your photos all tell the story so well.The light is wonderful.
    Thankyou Annie for sharing this.

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  9. Thank you Maria - I could certainly take a few photography tips from you as your photos are stunning. It's lovely of you to comment. Axxx

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  10. The walk, the scenery and the photos are beautiful Annie.... and we already know how beautiful your family is. I think I decided that visiting Alcala is now on my must do list. I hope you manage to drag the kids away from the TV lots more so you can entertain us with more posts like this. Jxxx

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    1. I'd love to show you round, Janice! Can't think of anything nicer to do. When you're feeling a bit better, I'll remind you of your must do list. Just now, take care and enjoy Christmas and conserve your energy for getting better.
      I'll definitely be dragging the children out again - not too unwillingly, I have to stress - whenever the sun shines!
      Axxx

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  11. A relaxing day with friends ... sounds like the best kind of Sunday!

    You live in a glorious place Annie, you really do.

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    1. Thanks Annie - I absolutely promise you that we appreciate it - every day and in every way. I still pinch myself from time to time. I'm also really glad that blogging existts as it is such a lovely way to share our happy days. Axxx

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