Cáceres

I don’t know if I can knock off Cáceres in one post. Our three nights there were full days. Maybe I will mostly post photos. Words hardly do it justice - it is such a picturesque place. Our home base just off the Plaza Mayor was a perfect retreat from our wandering about in what felt like a medieval movie set. There are many palaces and other buildings you can tour but except for the wonderful Musee de Cáceres (I think it was free); the Cathedral of Santa Marta, mainly to climb the bell tower to see the 360 views over the city; and the Contemporary Art Museum (also free), we just meandered through the streets and I took way too many photos.

Here are some random street photos in the old medieval town. There seemed to be endless streets and scenes like these. And few people. One can only imagine however how hot and crowded it would be in high season. The summer temps here can reach 40 or more and there isn’t a lot of tree shade.

Strolling around at night was pretty magical.

We had a lovely encounter with a local resident and professional photographer, Fernando Paramio his studio and gallery ARTsolutely - https://www.artsolutely.com/en/. I was intrigued by the sign that said “República Independiente de AUSPAIN” and “DANGER! CROCODILE INSIDE.” It turns out that he had spent 5 years in Australia in Melbourne and Brisbane and now incorporates Australian animals and birds into his huge colour photos of Cáceres and other Spanish images. There was an enormous photo closeup of a croc. We had a great time chatting with him and told him that there are many Spanish place names in our part of the world, including Galiano of course. He stamped my Ruta de La Plata passport that I picked up in Seville. We left with some small examples of his work and some restaurant recommendations, and extended an invitation to him to establish another “Republica Independiente de CANASPAIN”. We may need to emigrate. Do visit Fernando and his gallery if you are ever in Cáceres.

Based on his recommendation, we opted for a late Menu del Dia in the Plaza Mayor at a restaurant called Minerva. Very nice staff and one of the best meals we have had in Spain. Gracias Fernando! I had a delicious hot paprika tomato soup as a starter, Jim had a sausage soup, I had a beef stew with creamy truffled potatoes, and Jim had perfectly cooked cod in a sauce, followed by an ice cream/lemony mousse/fruit dessert and coffee - all for I think €14 each. Good thing we would be walking it off!

Nope, can’t do Cáceres justice in one post. Mas luego!