Cleansed In Cordoba

CORDOBA.

Locals use the square as a meeting point until well into the night. Confused by the number of empty lemon skins in the car park. Use the facilities to fill up with water and head off for Cordoba. The sun is shining so we're hoping for better sightseeing weather today. And, we're not disappointed, it stays dry and warm all day and into the evening.

The site is just outside the Historic Centre so we're perfectly placed to look around.

Rosie has done some research and wants to experience an Arabian spa experience and to witness the Royal Stables horse show. We stumble across the latter and book for 8pm tonight. Including in the price is the chance to watch the training for an hour or so beforehand.

Tourist Information points us in the direction of the spa. It's quiet so we can book in for 2pm (at 1pm). It turns out to be a major challenge for Rosie, we have to be quiet for an hour and a half. We're scolded by the attendant within the first five minutes. The format is a warm bath, followed by a hot bath, a cold plunge then the steam room to finish. Repeat as often as you want. We've also bought a fifteen minute massage. We can choose from 4 oils. I choose Rose for its regenerative properties. Afterwards, I learn that it also has aphrodisiac qualities! Rosie chooses Red Amber because she liked the spicy smell.

We have an early meal in preparation for the horse riding. Rosie chooses oxtail and I opt for goat's cheese and walnuts. Rosie was expecting more of a stew than on the bone but it didn't stop her polishing everything off.

On to the stables. I was talking to one horse and and he became sexually excited. Maybe there is some truth in Rose oil's properties after all. The show ran for 80 minutes, it is impressive and keeps our interest throughout.

Enjoy a beer between the trading and the show. A young couple at the next table are obviously going through a rough patch in their relationship, the body language tells the whole story.

On the way back to the van, we notice that the cathedral is open for free for an hour at 8:30. The plan is to get up early for that.