Day 31. Tuesday 8 April.

An early start to the day (0300) where sadness was tinged with pride as family members did so well: Cam, Lily and Elsie had huge roles that they carried out so well at the funeral of a special mum/grand mum Leonne.

It was still dark at 0430, so we (D) rested ahead of the road trip to Granada.  

Finished packing (we have gathered so much in the way of food essentials). Then Lucia dropped by to farewell us… swapping stories of families (for T it was just like an old ESL class)…photos shared, stories of health..etc  and learning a bit more about some of the locals – seems like the mansions over the way are owned either by Germans or Spaniards working in Germany. What are the huge terrace wall constructions about? Lucia doesn’t know; the foreigners have the mansions (T described as  castillos, Lucia described as mansions) & Spaniards live below.

Only a short leg to Granada, about two hours at a leisurely pace. So arrived around midday. We weren’t due to check in until 1500, so used that time to recon the parking at Alhambra (looks like plenty, and we’ve booked ahead anyway) and to have a walk around the area below it. D managed to drive into the underground car park EXIT but a very tolerant attendant reversed him and directed him the right way. The cars following which were held up just waited patiently – no angry horns. Again, such a  civilized approach to road usage. In D’s defence, written by him, it was not at all well signposted.

After a very decent coffee & pastry, made contact with Miguel who was delighted to let us in early. RV was at the underground car park adjacent to the apartment. We arrived a little earlier so used the hazard lights to (illegally) park while we waited. Worked a treat – again, no one beeped. D is feeling very comfortable with his new Spanish identity. As it turns out we were supposed to just enter and licence plate recognition would let us in. When that was explained, in we went, but didn’t stop long enough for the camera to focus, so the barrier didn’t lift. Another attendant, a little less tolerant, instructed us to reverse and get a ticket. Duly done, parked, then Miguel fixed the problem for the dozy Aussie. Next time it might work (it didn’t – twice – in Cordoba.) And it’s the system for the parking at Alhambra tomorrow! But, eh! D is the cool Spanish dude.

Apartment is on the 7th floor – no view but very very stylish & well set up and very comfortable. It’ll do for three nights. T is amazed at the spotless of every accommodation so far… no fingerprints on any surface, glass squeaky clean… sorry Westobys for sloppy Fisher…

Settled in and later took a short walk up town just to stretch.

And we now have a little hand pulled cargo trolley to move ‘the pantry’ (a bag of dry ingredients, a bag of fresh (even tho’ T runs the fridge down to the last bit of green at each stay) plus the vino(s); we resisted getting the ‘granny shopping’ version.

T fell apart after losing her man at the Corte Ingles store (imagine a Spanish DJ) …there were 2 entrances, parallel but off different streets & T was waiting at one, D at the other, the latter being the agreed rv. But has now been put together again, as she prepared….

Dinner. A Spanish omelette tonight of leftover ingredients: half an onion, handful of mushrooms & herbs, 1 potato, sprinkle of cheese, 3 eggs… every stovetop & microwave is different but we get there!

An early night (there’s a yappy dog nearby) with no pressure, as the Alhambra tour isn’t until 1700.