Cartagena

 The city was founded in the 3^rd century BC by a Carthaginian general who named the city after his home town of Carthage in north Africa. It flourished as the main city in a mining area, which was further expanded under the Romans. It was conquered by the Moors and then retaken in the 13^th century. It became a great naval port under King Phiip II (ye king of Spanish Armada fame), and still remains so today.

We started our visit with a boat trip to look at this great harbour, and here’s the boat, run by the local authority, hourly, at very reasonable rates.

We spotted a small naval vessel straight away. The photo shows how effective the grey camouflage is compared to the red ship which really stands out..

Now we’re passing a submarine under repair, or maybe scrapping: I don’t think Putin has anything to fear from this one.

Chugging round the harbour, next up is a fort. This protected the harbour entrance and dates from the 19^th century. It’s called Fuerte Navidad: Fort Christmas.

Passengers can alight at the fort and be picked up by the next boat, but we stayed aboard. After pulling away from the small jetty, the boat ran alongside a mole. At the end of which is a lighthouse – Christmas lighthouse, as it happens. Now from the mole came a strange wailing sound, difficult to place in sunny Spain, but lo and behold, it’s the bagpipes. A piper was playing on the mole, oddly dressed in a rugby shirt and shorts. Maybe Father Christmas would have been a more appropriate costume given the names of the fort and lighthouse.

 We passed by the Christmas lighthouse that marks the harbour entrance, and make a slow turn round the headland which is still studded with old fortifications, part of which seems to have fallen into the sea.

Cruising back down the other side of the harbour a strange floating contraption came into view. It’s a dredger, or at least we thought so.

Yet more fortifications, and then a cruise ship. Cartagena is a popular call-point because of its deep water harbour, and also it’s straight off the ship and into the town centre that is right by the port. The size of many cruise ships however means that they block off the view of the harbour as if a high rise block of flats had suddenly appeared.

It’s a favourite with pleasure craft too as the coast is very scenic and the whole Med available if you’re a proper sailor.

So we’re on dry land again and headed for the town, a most attractive approach featuring the domed town hall.

The shopping streets are pedestrianised and marble tiled – very up market.

And time for lunch. Despite being a popular tourist destination the prices are still reasonable so we sat down to a leisurely pizza. The leisurely bit is built-in as the service was slow but pleasant enough.

A quick look around the shops – but one high street is much like any other – and then to the Roman theatre. This one dates from the 1^st century BC and is very well preserved. It has a capacity of 7,000 people. It was only “rediscovered” in 1988 having been covered by housing and rubble. This is what you see from the entrance portal’

The pillars around the stage are quite dramatic. Unfortunately, the washing hanging on the balconies of the flats behind rather takes away from its dignity.

But let’s do it justice by taking the shot from a different angle. Much more majestic!

The next photo shows most of the theatre, the stage, and the entrance arch high up. Our three performers, Jane, Natalie and Adam, are due to start - but where’s the audience? The play’s obviously been getting bad reviews.

 So that’s Cartagena. Even the car parking was convenient: a huge underground park under the harbour promenade.

That visit was just over a week ago and sadly tomorrow, Thursday May 12^th, we leave Los Madriles for a leisurely amble towards home. More reports to follow!