Cadiz, firework trees & a wind

THIS IS ONLY the third place I’ve visited outside of the U.K. and what a special place to come to on route from Jerez airport to visit my sister in Vejer de la Frontera. I can’t really explain how special this is. My sister met me at Cadiz station. We walked the streets and one of the beaches. Sand between my toes, the sun hiding behind a smudge grey sky but the air warm, as my sister introduced me to this oldest of European cities.

And then the wind came – the levanteras, blowing in all directions. It blew in swirling gusts, whipping up the sea front as the sandy beach fell like pin pricks on our arms and legs, like a catapult of many tiny darts. This warm wind whirled through the towering palms trees that patterned the sky like fireworks.

We ate ice-creams, ducked when pieces of rotting palm tree fell suddenly to the ground, wandered past the Cuba looking sea front, sat outside a bar, ambled under ancient arches, mingled in plazas and trod cobbled walkways meeting motorcycles that appeared without introduction. And, we people watched to my hearts content.

As the evening drew in we caught a bus to Vejer. By the time darkness fell our bus was climbing a road that curled steeply upwards, with 45 degree turns for 2 km. And then there it was. A riotous pattern of warmly lit windows jutting into the nights sky, the frontier town of Vejer de la Frontera. We got off the bus and the winds had gone as quickly as they appeared.

The thing I've discovered about traveling is that no one has a story about you. And so you are free.

Joy dots

Ancient cobbles

Old stone walls

Palm leaves

Bougainvillea

Warm air

Lazy days

Standing still

Old fountain

The birdsong

Siesta

Never cold

Old church bells

It’s a short note today, because I’m off to explore this ancient frontier town. I will make up for the lack of a recipe and Ayurveda when I return home next week.

Till Friday, warmest wishes,

Lucy x