16th Century
Miguel de Cervantes
Miguel de Cervantes was born in Alcala de Henares on the 29th September 1547, the second son of Rodrigo de Cervantes and Leonor de Cortinas. His father led a precarious and unsettled life as an [more…]
Spain
Arts
WG’s 21st Cruise, Part Five
Wednesday 21st June – At Sea I woke shortly after five, took one look at the clock and went back to sleep, that is far too early to wake up on a sea day! My [more…]
Arts
WG’s 21st Cruise, Part Three
Wednesday June 14th – At Sea I woke at about five to seven having slept soundly, I must say the bed is extremely comfortable. A little grey outside but the sun is only just coming [more…]
Arts
A Food Trip to Malaga
Around the year 800 BC the Phoenicians founded a port in southern Spain which they named “Malaca” which means to salt. At the east of the natural harbour, in an area where the bullring stands [more…]
Arts
WG’s 21st Cruise, Part Two
June 11th – Embarkation day Up early this morning but I am in no rush to do anything. I must drive to Southampton later and park at the Ocean Terminal. Time to potter around, make [more…]
Arts
Going It Alone
Almost fifty years ago I booked a package holiday to Austria. I was young, impressionable and thought that by having everything organised I could play the quintessential Englishman abroad. How wrong I was. The “family [more…]
Arts
Les Fogueres De Sant Joan De Alicante
The history of burning offerings before the summer solstice can be traced back to prehistoric times. It is part cleansing and part preparation for the coming harvest. At some time in recent history it became [more…]
15th Century
The Amazing Life (And Death) of Xpoual (Es-po-al) De Colon
There is no definitive date for the birth of Xpoual de Colon. It is believed he was born between August 26th and October 31st in 1451 in Genoa, although there are also claims that he [more…]
Cooking