We have discovered a great internet place - cheap, friendly, and with AIR CONDITIONING! where we spend most of the scorching day connecting ourselves to the world. We have decided to head for Sierra Morena, where there should be rivers to cool off at, so we research the area online. We discover a very interesting-sounding place, call to ask if we can visit, and bingo! The owner can receive us that evening. After lunch we say goodbye to our lovely parking spot with great views and the trees that have shaded us:
On our way we stop off for a visit to Medina Azahara, the palace and small city that the sultan had built for his favourite wife. It did not last long as it was destroyed by berbers only 3 years after being completed, was ransacked time and time again, and was then buried over time. Archaeologists discovered this place and have been digging it up - they estimate only 10% of it has been uncovered... and it is incredible!
Resting on the cool marble of the sultan's reception room:
These are mainly reproductions, but enough to impress with what must have been:
The (very intense) heat of the afternoon cuts our visit short and we continue our route North to Sierra Morena. Ice-creams, dips in all available cool water sources... all acceptable to deal with these soaring temperatures.
Danny in the position we are often found in during this African heat wave:
Arriving at our destination, Cerro Caña, which advertises itself as centre for environmental education, we find a very thoughtfully purpose-built country hotel (Hotel Rural) which boasts three separate guest houses for up to six people each, three large rooms for activities to be carried out indoors, a fully equipped bar and restaurant... all designed and run by Ana, a young local woman, mother of two, who studied biology and permaculture, and firmly believes in educating children to appreciate and enjoy nature. Since opening last november she has been hosting activities for children from local schools here. You can imagine, this Ana and our Ana had a lot in common as well as their name! Fascinating conversation flows between us...
After showing us the installations, and enjoying an interesting exchange of ideas, she shows us the children's favourite part: the animals!
Who could fail to be won over by this attractive character? Although she has to go to a family gathering and will not return until the morning, Ana invites us to spend the night on her land. As night falls, we cook ourselves a very delicious meal on our little stove in the shelter of the house portico, and enjoy an evening under millions of stars and the Milky Way...
Cerro Caña is ideal for people wishing to hold a course (and we know there are many of you out there!), as it has super-prepared installations with all mod cons, can sleep around 20 people, and sits upon a small hill with views all around to the rural area of oak trees and cereal plantations. It really feels "out in the boonies", but is in fact only 80 kms from Cordoba city.
Unfortunately the guy who made her website has disappeared and left her in the lurch, so her site has not been updated since the opening of the centre, but it will give you a good idea and further info, so do visit it if you are looking for a break away from it all (she also caters for small groups, couples...) or to organise a course or some kids' activities there: http://www.cerrocanya.com/
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