Back in the rough

25° centigrade at 5pm with a clear blue sky. A level and 'little used' Urbanization road directly above 'San Jose del Valle'. Chair out, cup of tea and yes, this is what it is all about. We're in cattle and grain country. A hillier and much larger version of the Cotswolds if you like. Very agricultural, un-touristy and 'me' to the core. We are SE of Seville and in a couple of days, because we are not speed merchants, we will be North and west of Seville moving nearer to Portugal.

We left Costa del Sol once I collected Tanya from Shampoodle in 'Duquessa'. My goodness she is one smart little Shnauzer now. She seems much happier with her short coat too especially as the tempature has decided to pamper us with a move to very warm rather than decidedly windy and cool.
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I guess it's me getting old but tonight I am seriously pooped. I think the last straw was the circular walk around under and over the dam at 'Aznacollar'. Afterwards it was as much as I could do to get a meal ready although I was rather fetched out of my 'poor me' when the smoke alarm decided to go off. What a racket and it continued till every window, door and roof-vent had been opened. I eventually and very gratefully seated myself and tucked into my fry up of last nights left overs. The blackened and burnt side definitely had the taste advantage! A second cup of tea plus a quiet half hour sitting doing nothing seems to have put a little juice back in the tank. Even so it's bed early for me tonight.

On reflection the day has been full so being pooped is OK. It commenced with an amiable chat to Mrs Sat Nav and her subsequent decision to give us a trip right through the centre of Seville.

"If there is a parking spot somewhere within cycling distance of the centre me n you is gonna hit Seville Tanya." 

Well there was and we did.

Seville is not a hilly city and was very pleasant to negotiate by bike. One of the many little Plazas eventually saw us stop for a delicious two courses of tapas. I'm not exactly sure what of Seville we did see but the big busy Spanish city experience in warm sunshine was very pleasant. Of course we ended up miles away from Sadie so were exhausted when finally we returned.

Here by the 'Barrage Aznacollar' is very pleasant indeed and was espied about an hours drive from Seville. We're here for the day and I've promised Tanya we do nothing all day apart from the occasional swim and walk into the surrounding hills which are liberally tracered with goat tracks. Two herds returned to the village last night with at one point Sadie being completely surrounded by the curious and delightfully 'Oh! I want that baby one', creatures. Tanya had to be held close. To her goats are the same as sheep and are for chasing unfortunately. On seeing the size of the two goatherders dogs, I figured releasing her before they were well past to be prudent and the best way of removing her from the menu of two said large, hungry and mean looking dogs.. Poor Tanya. Frustrated again!!