Cadiz, Spain

Cadiz is on an island off the coast of Spain. It is connected to the mainland by a marshy isthmus and 2 bridges. Our tour first took us through the old walled city, then a bit of the newer section before we headed out of town. We went to the town of Jerez, 30 minutes away. We went to the Gonzalez Byass winery. They make sherry wine and several other products, including gin. It is run by the 5th generation of a family. It’s called Tio Pepe because the founder’s uncle taught him how to make the wine. For you gringos, Tio Pepe means uncle Pepe. The grounds of the winery are immense with several buildings of wine casks, all made from American oak. Seems it’s the best for aging many things, including wine. When they are done with the barrels, they send them to whiskey distillers who will use them. Recycling at its best.. In the old days the company was so powerful they bought a couple streets that ran through the winery. So now the streets are in the winery and only they can use them. We had a tasting of a dry sherry which was white. It was very, very dry. I likened it to lighter fluid. The red sherry was much better tasting and smoother. Then there was time for the obligatory shopping in their store. I bought a little bottle of the gin, called London #1. I had a gin and tonic with dinner last night. I only used about a third of the bottle so I can have a couple more. It was very good.
‘From the winery we walked a little ways past a pretty garden with jacaranda trees in bloom, several orange trees and many different flowers, all owned by the winery. We went through a small square with colored glass bulbs suspended across the plaza, very pretty. I’m sure they were lit up at night.
‘We then got back on the bus to go to lunch which was in another town about 20 minutes away. We had to wait about 20 minutes outside while they cleaned up and set up the tables. There were 2 bus loads of people before us. They brought around glasses of beer for those who wanted while we waited. That was very nice of them-it kept the natives happy while they waited. We were finally let in and we found a table in the back. There was a plate on the table with cheese, prosciutto and 4 shrimpy things with black eyes looking at me. We were given a good roll which I ate with the ham and cheese. Finally, Rob, our friend at the table offered to take the shrimp off my hands. I happily gave them away. They brought a plate of really good potato salad. Then a dish with fish pate. Everyone said it was good. Then came another dish which the waiter called a tortilla but it looked a little like a funnel cake made from baby shrimp. We thought that was it for food, but then the main course came. It was a plate of French fries covered in a thin gravy with beef cheeks on top. The gravy was really good with the fries and the beef cheeks tasted just like roast beef. Then there was flan for dessert. It was a sumptuous meal. Then the flamenco started. There was a male guitarist and singer. Then a young woman came on and danced flamenco. She was very good. Her face was very expressive. She did 3 dances, then left the stage. The singer did a couple of songs accompanied by the guitarist. Then the dancer came back in a different costume and did a much more difficult dance. It was a great performance and we all cheered heartily. We walked back to our buses and came back to the ship, full and very well entertained.
‘I didn’t think we’d be hungry for dinner but we managed to eat a full meal, albondigas with tomato sauce for me. They were very good. No dessert though.
‘The entertainment last night was one of the young entertainer’s solo performance. She was excellent, as were the other three. Each one of the others did a duet with her during the show.
‘We had to move clocks ahead an hour again so I think we’re on London time now. Not sure about France. They may be an hour ahead of London. It has been hard to keep track of days and time differences from home. At least now we are on the same day so that helps.
‘We are in Lisbon now. I will report on that tomorrow..

Photos: Sunrise over Cadiz, I know these photos of sunrise and sunset all look alike, but I promise they are different; the old wall of Cadiz, the sign for Jerez, city of horses. They are known for horse breeding all over the world; the name of the winery on the side of a bottling plant, just one row of sherry casks in a huge warehouse, a cask signed by Prince Philip when he was still a duke, another signed by Prince Edward before he became king, then abdicated. Whoever someone famous would come, they would have them sign a cask.; the mouse barn, one of the workmen several years ago started feeding the mice in the barn where be worked. He would also give them sherry. He built a little ladder so they could climb up and reach the sherry in the glass. Yes, the mice got drunk; the restaurant where we had lunch, a bullfight photo, Bunny and I, and my appetizer plate, Flamenco dancer and guitarist and singer.