Breakfast today was much calmer! No drama, no turbulence! I had my usual fruit salad but instead of toast I had a roll with various cheeses. J had two poached eggs on toast. After breakfast I caught up on writing yesterday's diary. J wrote a postcard to Sylvia to ask her to make a dental appointment for when we get back. By the time we went up on deck at 10.30 we had docked. So now we are back in Spain. We tried sitting on the outer deck but despite the sunshine there was a strong breeze which made it rather chilly so we didn't stay outside. We had our coffee in the Lido lounge. On biting a biscuit more filling came out of my tooth. The pin which had been inserted to hold the filling in place now was bared and began to stick into my cheek.
In the port was the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior. It left as we were watching. I took some photos but it was too far away to be very effective - and the sun was in the wrong position again!! However, I was able to enlarge the Rainbow Warrior reasonably effectively.
I decided that something needs to be done about the tooth before we get home. I asked at reception if it would be possible to see a dentist and the receptionist said she would arrange this for me for tomorrow in Malaga. I could have gone today at 1.30 but then I would have missed the afternoon tour! Our tour today is of the city, by coach and on foot! Before that - lunch!
I tried to find something easy to eat and chose beef which was a big mistake. It was not as tender as other meat we had had. John had chops which were probably pork and which fell off the bone, so he swapped with me and all was well. For dessert I had some mousse, jelly and blancmange. After lunch we had a short rest before setting off.
We were due to leave at 2.30 but were a few minutes late leaving. Cadiz is situated on a peninsular. Our tour took us around the peripheral road with the coast on our left. We saw a number of interesting features on the way, the 17/19 century city walls, the remains of a Roman theatre, the back of the Cathedral, two fig trees that are 98 years old, a monument to Simon Bolivar, botanical gardens with interesting topiary and a dragon tree which was 215 years old.
Then to our trek on foot. Its impossible to view the city any other way. The streets are very narrow and only privileged cars are allowed there. Although the roads are cobbled they were not so difficult on the feet as in Lisbon. Mopeds and bicycles in abundance. We visited the Museo de Cádiz in the Plaza de Mina but only saw three galleries of paintings. The first was of paintings by Zurbaran then Morillo and his students and finally other European painters.
Next we went to the Plaza de San Antonio where certain houses had towers. These were built so the owners could see ships coming in to land. Cadiz was a great trading port bringing much wealth to the city. It was the gateway to the New World. Below left are some of our group in front of the church of San Antonio.
Right above you can see a typical street still bearing the decorations left from a recent carnival. In other streets these were being dismantled.
Our next stop was at the church of San Filipe Neri a 17th century oratorio with an eliptical nave dome in Baroque style. There is a Morillo painting over the high altar. Six elaborately adorned chapels surround the nave. This church was the scene of the declaration of Spain's first liberal constitution in 1812.
Left: The high altar
Right: Exterior of San Filipe Neri
Onwards with our walk to the Plaza Topete where we were able to rest for half an hour amidst the flower shops.
On our way to the cathedral we were able to view a private patio garden and the Guide pointed out some houses which once belonged to well-to-do people but now most are divided up into flats.
Last stop, the Cathedral. This was begun in 1722 when Cadiz was at the height of its power. It was destroyed by the British but has been rebuilt. Like most buildings in Cadiz it is built of fossilised oyster rock from the sea, although the top half is of limestone which is not nearly as durable. It is crumbling and under repair. Huge nets are suspended high up to prevent masonry from falling on unsuspecting visitors. There are seventeen chapels around the cathedral with the choir at the back. This contains some of the seating from the original cathedral. The ornately carved stalls are of ebony, mahogany and cedar. There is a large dome, gold on the outside, which looms high over the white houses. Twin towers at the front add to its majestic appearance. It was difficult to photograph most things because of the narrowness of the streets. You couldn't get far enough away.
Left: The high altar
Right: Exterior of the Cathedral
It was only a short walk from the Cathedral to the coach and only a few minutes on the coach to reach the Black Prince.
A cuppa was the first requirement on our return as we were quite thirsty after all the walking - and it had been quite warm. We didn't have to wait long for dinner either. With my tooth being difficult I chose soup, sword-fish and banana fritters with ice cream. J had soup then chicken followed by the fritters.
The evening's entertainment was good again. First there was dancing which was a spectator sport for us! Next on the programme was Leo Andrew, who has starred in 'Phantom of the Opera', who sang a medley of songs by people who had personally impressed him. More Magical Talents were displayed by Philip Hitchcock whose slight of hand beggars belief! When we got back to our cabin there was a note from the Medical Centre to say that I would be met at 1.10 to be taken by taxi to the dentist for a 1.30 appointment. That was good news. It was well after ten by then and I worked on this until 11.45. Its an early start tomorrow so enough is enough.