Granada - Ubeda Day Twenty-Four

Day Twenty-Four

Date:     April  2013

Place:    Granada - Ubeda

Weather:   Sunny and warm

Accommodation:  Hotel Don Pedro         

It was a leisurely breakfast after our late night before we headed off to the small town of Ubeda which is noted for its quaintness and renaissance architecture.  We drove past olive groves all the way....nothing but olive trees for miles in the distance!

Amazing!



Once again, we had to negotiate narrow streets and David was out of the car to help give distance measurements around tight corners.  The hotel is centrally located, has parking and wifi.  When Cameron and David came back from parking the car they had quite the tale to tell as the car drove into a lift and they then sat in it while it moved to the basement level.

A tight squeeze!  Well done Cameron!

 

We wandered the streets which were deserted – siesta time and a Monday when museums are shut!

It was past lunch time and we looked around for a place to eat.  A little café near the outlook over the valley seemed to fit the bill and we sat inside away from the sun.  Once again we bungled our way through the menu only to be told it was not available – probably because we were too late.  When I looked up from the table this is the picture I saw:  David was trying to make sense of the menu;  Cameron was using a phone up - Spanish/English;  Desley was going through her phrase book and I had the dictionary out!

 

Pork meatballs....homemade.

 



Biggest pork sandwich!

We weren't sure what this was when it arrived...but it was creamy tomato soup and very delicious.

We managed to order two beers and two juices and as we were still looking at the menu the hostess turned up with baby meatballs in sauce.  Who were we to complain……we were hungry.  I pointed to something else on the menu which apparently was available and a long roll with pork, tomato and oil turned up.  Then without further ordering four small soups arrived.  I guess the hostess just gave up on us and fed us!  The lunch was delicious and I attributed our good fortune to Santa Maria of Lost in Translation once again!

The map showed a walking route to follow which seemed to skirt the city and take in the old fortress walls.  The trek gave wonderful views over the valley and you could see olive trees forever.  We diverted from this way to see the church of San Lorenzo which is in a state of disrepair.  The town was very quiet however we had a good look around and found the main city centre.

View from the lookout and walk around Ubeda.

 

The square a few minutes’ walk  from the hotel is noted for its outstanding renaissance buildings.  It includes two churches and a palace.

After a short break in our rooms we headed to the church in the main square to peek inside as it was closed when we visited earlier.  It’s a lovely church, well-tended with a courtyard entrance.

We then drove to Baeza which is another small town a short distance from Ubeda.  We passed olive trees most of the way.  Baeza, like Ubeda, sits on a hill with amazing views.  Baeza was waking up for the late afternoon and we strolled the streets taking in the Renaissance architecture.  Each notable building had a description of its past in Spanish and English which was very helpful.

Baeza...noted for its renaissance architecture.   The Fountain of the Lions (Fuente de los Leones) and the Jaen Gateway and the Villalar Arch.

 

Karen, our usually dependable GPS guide decided to give us an up close and personal tour of olive groves on the return journey so poor old Cameron had to have his wits about him as we negotiatied small roads.  The lanes in the town are also narrow so it was with sigh of relief when we eventually made our turn into our hotel….only to put the car back in the lift!

It was now nine o’clock and after a route march to find somewhere to eat we settled on one of only a couple of places open and ordered the Menu del Dia …. Menu of the day for 12 euros.  You can choose three courses from a set menu which is very good.

By the time we made it home it was after eleven pm but we are in no rush tomorrow as we are having breakfast at 9am.  Toledo is our next stop not too far away.