A day trip to Cadiz (3)

Beaches in the south of Spain are strikingly different from those Scotland. Three things to mention.

Don't know whether the palms on this one at El Puerto de Santa Maria were planted in the vast expanse of sand or just isolated by erosion. The sand appeared to be groomed every morning. New Year beach walks involve far fewer clothes than at home.

                       

The beach picture wasn't taken the same day as our trip to Cadiz, but why should facts get in the way of a title. And this wasn't what we expected to see inside the large tented area in one of the squares, but if Edinburgh can do it . . .

This is a statue of Simon Bolivar that we stumbled upon. Apart from being famous, especially in Venezuela,  I don't know if he has a specific link to Cadiz but the horse looked quite pleased with itself.

A lunch in the sun was livened up by this friendly parakeet. It could be an escapee as it had a ring, but it didn't confess.

A postprandial stroll out to old harbour defences gave this view. I was going to ask Irene to run ahead to scare off the seagull that was spoiling the composition, but I knew what the answer would be.

As we headed back to Santa Maria on the ferry I was surprised by the three brontosaurus statues guarding the harbour. (Well that's what came to mind.)

The remaining photos weren't actually taken on day trip day either but they could have been and it's the thought that counts.

No bull fights while we were there but Irene took these three (as my battery had died) while exploring the  the town. (It definitely looks like a statue of a bull don't you think.)

Our New year meal was decorated by wild flowers Irene brought back from her run. Luckily I took the picture while the sun was out as, as soon as the sun went down, the flowers closed up.