Cádiz - horse riding in Sanlucar de Barrameda

Friday 14 February 
Happy Valentine's Day!  You may remember in the dim and distant past that we tried to go riding in France for my birthday but, on arrival, we found the stables weren't up to scratch - so, disappointingly, we ditched that idea, feeling sure we'd find somewhere further down the line.  We tried on a couple more occasions - again in France and once in northern Spain to no avail but, today, that day arrived - in the the far southwest of Spain - in the town of Sanlucar de Barrameda just north of Cádiz.  We happened upon this when making general enquiries activities in Cádiz tourist office and it seemed to be a viable option - weather permitting!  So with a dry forecast for Friday 14th - we booked it - at last!  

The stables were at Club Ecuestre Arboleda, a really good set up and home to around 40 Andalucian horses, some of which were being prepared for a forthcoming show.  It was a bit of a menagerie with free range hens, cats and dogs roaming around.  There were also enclosures for turkeys, mules and reindeer - they all looked cared for so we were happy with our choice.  Talk about save the best 'til last eh?  We didn't fancy anything too challenging so we had a nice gentle walk and trot along the beach - heaven!

Fliss on Emeralda, Sanlucar beach

Mick on Domingo

We're just about ready for this weekend's horse show!

We had a wonderful time and the horses were brilliant although a bit tricky to hold Emeralda back from overtaking - like the rider eh?  I could feel she really wanted to gallop but it wouldn't have been with any control from me so we just settled for nice trotting, etc.

We had nearly 2 hours on the horses by the time we arrived back at the stables and after a graceful dismount (more elegant than my mount!) and with slightly wobbly legs, we thought it was time for lunch in the Sanlucar's centre - another little town on the famed sherry triangle (the other two towns being Jerez de la Frontera and Puerto Santa Maria).  There is no better place to eat than Casa Balbina - recommended by friends and my Lonely Planet - and we weren't disappointed!  It was absolutely packed with locals and I wish I could've filmed a discreet video to capture the energy but, alas.   We feasted on a lovely veggie tortilla (omelette), seafood salad, tortilla de camarones (shrimp lightly fried with parsley) and seafood stuffed peppers - yum!  I don't know how we resisted the jamon though ...

The brilliant Casa Balbina

Casa Balbina is in the lovely Plaza de Cabildo (town square) and here's a piccie - Casa Balbina is in the background.  As you can see the sun was well and truly with us by lunchtime.

Plaza de Cabildo, Sanlucar

Whilst here we thought we'd have a quick look around.  Sanlucar is famed for manzanilla sherry - a dry white sherry though not as dry as fino (Tio Pepe) and you can't walk far without seeing a bodega or set of barrels advertising its famous wines. It is located on the estuary of the Atlantic and River Guadalquivir which goes directly to Seville so, historically, it is well placed and grew wealthy from its trade with Seville.

Roll out the barrels!

Sanlucar also boasts a lovely restored 15thC castle from where you get some lovely panoramic views across the town, across the Atlantic and up the River Guadalquivir towards Seville.

King of the Castle with Atlantic in background

View from atop Castillo de Santiago - River Guadalquivir in background

Bajo de Guia is a short walk away and is famed for its waterside collection of seafood restaurants and tapas bars - we couldn't resist nipping into Casa Bigote for a couple  more tapitas - this time chocos (chunks of squid), boquerones (anchovies) and local gambas blancas (white prawns) - all lightly fried (the Cádiz province is obsessed with fried seafood) and served with a glass of chilled manzanilla - fabulous with seafood.  I think prefer it to the uber-dry Tio Pepe.

Eating again - this time at Casa Bigote - cheers!

We had a short walk further down Bajo de Guia - gotta work off that seafood! - and we came across this amazing restaurant/bar.  Check the huge portrait window and the reflection of the palm tree in its tinted glazing - really effective.  Whitstable's Preston Parade would kill for this view!

So, that sums up our visit to Sanlucar - and what a perfect Valentine's Day it turned out to be.  It was wonderful, at last, to go riding - and you don't get any better than the  Andalucians - the best things definitely came to those that waited!   We'd recommend a visit or short stay in Sanlucar - it is a lovely little town with a nice feel to it and is easy to get to from Cádiz and Jerez.  So, we hope you've enjoyed the post and we'll write soon with our flamenco news!  Over & out for now. xx