SEVILLE

What DID the animals find to eat?

Bill thought these were flowers until we stopped to have a closer look!

"Prickly pears" a common sight

The windiest night of our holiday was spent here!

We attended the Seville Presbyterian Church.

The congregation were keen that we take a picture

Pastor Emilio Monjo with his hand on a well-known book of Scottish Church history: "The Annals of the Disruption"

Pastor Emilio's wife, Marissa, daughter Irene and Grandmother They invited us to their home for lunch.

 A fine looking couple who welcomed us warmly

 

GIBRALTER 2

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory, situated at the entrance to the Mediterranean. Its area is 6.8 square kilometers, and the city is very densely populated. It was ceded to Britain "in perpetuity" under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, but is still a bone of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations. 

The Famous Barbary 

Apes, or macaques are a great tourist attraction.

St. Michael s Cave with stalagmites and stalactites
 

Looking towards Morocco

The Great Siege Tunnels were dug out from solid limestone by the British during the Great Siege of Gibralter, when the Spanish and French were attempting to capture Gibraltar from British occupation.

The north-east side of the rock had a blind spot. There was no possibility of constructing a path because of the vertical cliff face, and construction of the tunnel began in 1782.

Don't look down!

Gibraltar is home to many ethnic groups and many languages are spoken. English is the official language.

TO GIBRALTER 1

The road south from Malaga winds its way between the sea and the mountains.

 

We visited Castillo de Castillar, whose history reaches very far back.  There are many cave drawings in the area. Because of its strong position it has been fought over by the powers of the time. It was especially important in the wars between the Moors and the Spanish.

Breathtaking views from the top........

.....even as far as Gibralter.

 The people from the old village of Castillar de Frontera have been relocated to a very new town with modern facilities. 

The site alocated by the town Council for camper vans is beside a swimming pool. "Hey! Make for that shady bit in the corner!"

Seeing Gibralter Rock in the distance gave us a sense of excitement as we got nearer to it.

There were queues of traffic waiting to get in so it was a slow process the nearer we got. 

SPAIN/PORTUGAL: TO MALAGA 2.

The Church we wanted to visit in Malaga was a Reformed Baptist. We had been given the address, but, as we normally do, we checked it out on the Saturday so that we knew we had got it right. Dutifully we followed the directions of the "sat nav" to Guadix St.,Churriana, Malaga. We turned down a narrow street - the passenger saying "er...is this wise?" Turn left was the next direction.....even narrower with parked cars and a dead-end! The driver had to make quite a few maneuvers before being able to get back out!

  The "Iglesia" or Church is right at the end of Guadix St. 

On the right is Pastor Juan Bascunana with Oscar, the brother of Sergio in Cuenca. The Pastor's wife played for the singing.

Sergio's brother, Oscar and their parents.

Here are some of the congregation after the evening service, on the balcony at the side of the church, with Malaga and the beautiful surrounding mountains in the distance.

Oscar took us to see Jose Rios, a lovely Presbyterian Pastor, suffering the effects of a stroke. He has known much blessing on his ministry in past times.

He was so pleased to show us his beloved books.

Salvador and Rosi took us to their home for refreshments and then drove us to a  point above the city, where we could admire the view.

 

SPAIN/POTUGAL: TO MALAGA (1)

After visiting the Peregrino Publishing, we ventured even further south towards Malaga. The brick-red soil gave way to brown, then sandy colour.We traveled through miles and miles of olive-groves, planted up the sides of the hills. The weather continued very hot and dry.

 

We explored a little of the beautiful mountains around Malaga, looking for somewhere to overnight. Then found an "embalse" (damn) high in the hills.

 

We had lunch here

And stayed in this shady spot.  (Psalm 121:5)

These flowers appeared out of the parched plant!  They reminded us of the verse in Isaiah 53:2, where it foretells the coming of Jesus the Messiah: "a root out of a dry ground"

 Water was a necessity 

(John 6:35, "He that believes in me shall never thirst")

 

What's round the next corner?

SPAIN/PORTUGAL: TO MORAL DE CALATRAVA.

It was a joy to meet busy publisher, Demetrio Cavanas and his wife and daughter, who also showed us much kindness, and were a help to us.  "Peregrino" is the Spanish for pilgrim, an apt word for the work of providing good books to help Christian pilgrims on their way.

The Publishing House is in the town of Moral de Calatrava. We spent 2 quiet nights beside this damn, wakened only by eager morning-fishermen;  hence the photos taken in the early morning light.