Cuevas de San Marcos

Yesterday, we drove ninety minutes east of Olvera to the pueblo of Cuevas de San Marcos, a village of approximately 4000 inhabitants. Cuevas nestles in the shelter of the Sierra del Camorro mountains, approximately 30 minutes drive north of the town of Antequera.

We parked in one of the side streets and started our exploration. Our first impression was that the pueblo was very much a "working" one with many small local shops but with no obvious old historic buildings or places of particular interest.

However, it was fairly busy and we did pass several pleasant plazas.

The Ayuntamiento (Town hall).

The Iglesia de San Marcos, dating from the 17th century with further reformations in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The plaza in front of the Church.

The ornate altar of the Church.

One of the side chapels.

Certainly, Cuevas de San Marcos has not been the prettiest place we've visited but as always the people were very friendly and the pueblo had a nice "feel" to it. After sitting for a coffee, we drove the 3kms out of town to the Embalse de Iznájar, reputed to be the largest reservoir in Andalucia.

The view of Cuevas de San Marcos as seen from near to the reservoir, surrounded by acre upon acre of olive groves and undulating hills.

Is it hot or what !!

The temperature gauge on our terrace read 39°C at 4.15pm this afternoon and it felt like it as we walked out this afternoon, desperately trying to keep to what little shade we could find.

Here the view from the mirador near to where we live.

The lemon tree, or is it lime, blooming in the October sun.

Looking back down Calle Pañolillas.






The views from and below, near to the mirador.

"I wandered lonely as a cloud.......", the only one we could see in the sky. Here looking over Olvera from the front of the Church. .

A rare event......

......No, not Wales thrashing Ireland in the Rugby World Cup but me being awake and up to see a sunrise.

While Anne watched the game early this morning it was my turn to take Calcetines for a walk.

A few pictures taken at about 8.15 this morning with a temperature of 20°C, as the sun rose over Olvera.

A stroll around the block

Just a stroll out this morning, enjoying the pleasant sunshine with no breeze and a temperature of about 30°C. Here looking down Calle Cruz where we live.

Turning left down Calle Salada, one of the steepest streets in town.

Where Calle San Ildefonso joins Salada.

A beautiful resident of the street.

Looking down upon the Plaza del Socorro.

The Iglesia del Socorro that has been on this site since the late 17th century.
In 1945, a lightning strike left the building in ruins but it was rebuilt in 1970.


























I think I've mentioned in previous posts that being a house painter here is a good career. There always seems to be plenty of work.









The view up Calle Sevilla.

Calle Hondon at the bottom of the hill.

A view of the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación from Hondon.

A slightly hazy view to the south from Calle Hondon.

Starting back uphill and passing Calle Pilar here.

Our friendly bread man delivering on Calle Maestro Amado.















Higher up on Maestro Amado.

Nearly home now and glad to stop for a breather. Looking up to the castle on Maestro Amado.

Me and my shadows........

........on a short walk this afternoon. The temperature I would estimate at between 28 and 30°C.

The view of the rear of the castle.

Looking to the west.

Market day

On a warm but very windy day, a few pictures of the regular Saturday market, quite busy as usual.

Our favourite stall. Sweeties and yummy liquorice.