What a day

 

Well that was some birthday.

Up and out early and after a short taxi ride to the station, it was a quick dash to the platform to catch the train to Malaga Centro, it was getting hotter although the man on the train in the padded jacket and wooly hat obviously thought otherwise.

Off the train and I'm away into the city to find my Museums for the day. I had a rough idea of where they were and it would have been fine if Id gone in the right direction. And then a 'funny' thing happened, I saw some very large ships in port and then noticed a lot of 'salty' looking men, and some shops selling 'aids' of a certain type. Oh oh. I'd hit the area of the ladies of the night. Choices choices, earn a few extra bob or hightail it out as quickly as possible.

I pull myself up to my full height, head high, shoulders back and walk looking straight ahead until I could take a turn down a large street, I wasn't heading down any side streets, I can tell you. I eventually got back onto the correct side of the station and heading towards my destination.

First stop, The Wine Museum.

A wonderful museum tucked away up a side street and set out in great detail, telling of wine making in the region.. I now know the colours of the earth from the various regions in Spain, as well as a better knowledge of wine bottle labels. 

Here's something that I didn't know, espadrilles, the summer footwear often worn by Spanish royal ladies , and lots of other ladies, started life as a peasants shoe that went from field to vat and was worn during grape crushing. These shoes could be woven easily. 

I finished the  tour and  then went for a tasting of two wines which was included in the admission price.

Please note I did not drink all the bottle, I had a glass and very nice it was too. 

I also tried a sweet dessert wine, which I was not looking forward to, however it was not sickly sweet as some dessert wines can be.

I even got one of the glasses which was really lovely.

And off I  set to go to my next museum, well yes, should have been there in 5 minutes, but roads were closed as they were shooting a film. detour round 'the long way' twice hitting the film crew again, and I made it to my destination.

The Museum of china and glass.

Now this was something of an enigma, everyone I spoke to knew nothing about it.

This museum is actually a private residence, as well as a museum and it houses the collection of the owner.

This gentleman is from a family from Madrid although he worked in London in finance for many year and he has a great collection of English transferware and Jasperware as  well as glass and Art and Crafts furniture and other items. Laineys mind was blown.

Throw in rugs from a Spanish maker who had employed Goya to make designs, French glassware from Daum to Emile Galle to Rene Lalique, portraits including the owners Grandmother wearing a Chanel dress circa the  belle Epoque  era and you may understand why I was so taken by this place.

A piece of glassware designed by Salvador Dali and produced by Daum

Lalique Budgies vase.

Part of  Spode dinner service that is still used by the owner along with baccaret crystal glasses 

The rug designed by Goya which also has his initials on, checkout the chandelier and the china is wedgwood

The view from one of the inner courtyards of the house/ museum. 

My one to one guide was Ricardo, who was amazing. I however stunned myself with my knowledge, so all those long nights studying  Fine arts and Antiques really was worth while, and it was wonderful to talk to someone with the same knowledge.

when I left here I was heading to the Cathedral, I love a Cathedral. However the blasted film crew were shutting roads willy nilly and when I recalculated my route, by the 'long way' another  half hours walking was out of the question, long covid sometimes has to be taken into account. So that is for another time.

I was so exhausted when I got back from Malaga, I had an hour on the beach and then retired to my room for the remainder of the evening.

And finally the birthday Cava tasting.

Via de La Plata

Brut

well now, this was a bit of  revelation, I've had the citrusy and peachy Cavas this week. This was nothing like them

The first thing was that it smelt of leather, yes leather, new leather, clean and fresh.

And then the taste, it tasted firstly of marzipan and then  fruity. Nuts then fruit how can that be?????

I am no expert but I really liked this one.

It kept its fizz an the bubbles did not 'wear out' like last nights.

If I was here for longer I would have that again.

And now after writing this tome, I am off to the beach to soak up some rays.

See ya