We left the hotel about 9.30 heading for Cordoba, with no expectations other than a long drive down the motorway to Cordoba. Like yesterday there was no real viable alternative non motorway route. However for the most part the motorway was reasonably quiet, we drove with the top down (a coolish 13.5 degs!) and we were able to appreciate the scenery around us. We spotted at least 3 more Osbourne Bulls, and we were obviously in Don Quixote country with the classic Spanish windmills to be seen.
Needing a break about 11.30 I suggested to Howard we explore the town of Valdepenas, as it would appear to be in the heart of wine country, and so it turned out. Castilla La Mancha is the largest wine producer in the whole of Europe and it produces half the wine of Spain. The total area planted to vines is 29, 600 hectares. Valdepenas is a wealthy little town, with Lacoste and Tommy Hilfiger in the shops, an impressive boulevard entering the town, a wealthy cathedral, and nice cafes (it was chilly though - 13.5 degrees)
We drove on again for another couple of hours into hillier country, full of grapes and olive trees, into Andalucía. Grape harvesting was in full swing. High mountains to the south were also visible but again the camera doesn’t do the views justice.
Once in Cordoba it took sometime to locate our apartment and parking (the streets are sooo narrow) but once we were in we were very pleased with our little apartment. We did a bit of shopping for tea, and then I went out to explore. Howard joined me later and we had a rooftop drink.
Daily drive 239 miles
