An unexpected destination

One thing we did not mention in the previous post has become quite significant. Last summer the author had an annual checkup which showed PSA levels on the rise. Tests continued through the autumn and in January my urologist recommended a prostate biopsy. While we were in Spain it was confirmed that I do have cancer, that scary word which everyone dreads and I am now a member of that growing club which nobody wants to join. We had intended to spend the winter in Naples, Florida and finish the adventure with a visit to the Masters at Augusta in April. However, priorities can change quickly and we decided to find treatment as soon as possible. Options are somewhat dictated by Health Insurance cover and as a result we decided on the Mt. Sinai Cancer Center in Miami Beach. Finding accommodation is not that easy so we were fortunate to find an apartment with views over South Miami and Biscayne Bay. We have spent the last 3 days exploring and today it felt like being back in Europe as we visited the Vizcaya House and gardens. This mansion was commissioned by James Deering, founder of International Harvester, who spared no expense in building this Italian Renaissance villa by the seaside complete with Venetian Barge and furnished with art, tapestries and furniture from all over Europe. Just minutes away from the chrome and glass of urban Miami this tranquil estate and gardens is quite a surprise. So we are adjusting to a new schedule which will include some dietary changes and beam radiotherapy treatment five days a week followed by moderate exercise. At the weekends we can venture further afield to explore Florida and enjoy some of the exotic locations for wining and dining like here: The Rusty Pelican at Key Biscayne. I have every confidence that I will be rid of this inconvenience in eights weeks time and we will be able to return to normal life.

The Mountains

We returned from Spain for a week before flying to Geneva for the train to Verbier. Our daughter Ashley is working there as a hotel chef for the season. It gave the author a chance to ski again but age has taken it's toll and the verdict was daughter too fast, father too old! From Geneva we flew back for one night, long enough to do the laundry and repack for the flight to Boston to spend the weekend at Loon Mountain, where we had our first snow shoe outing. A sign of the times perhaps, it is far less taxing than skiing but more likely to be our future winter activity. From the Alps to the White Mountains, it was a busy month. On to Florida via Bermuda next..

SPAIN

The nomads took a travel break in December to spend the Christmas season with friends and family. Looking out of our window in early January was rather grey so we checked the long range forecast for the Costa Del Sol for mid month and booked EasyJet to Malaga. Staying between Malaga and Marbella gave us a chance to play golf and explore the coast down to Sotogrande, blue skies were welcome. Times are very tough for the people of Spain but the upside for travellers is bargain prices (3 pounds per day for carhire). This was a great opportunity to visit some places on the bucket list so we set off on the Granada-Cordoba-Seville circuit. THE ALHAMBRA This Moorish fortress palace complex sits on a hill overlooking Old Granada on one side with spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada range on the other. Originally built for Muslim Emirs the Berber Islamic architecture is in the Mudejar style and the various palaces have a common theme ' Paradise on Earth'. The central courtyards all focus on fountains and running water one example being the Court of The Lions, a unique example of Muslim Art. The building exteriors are usually austere, in total contrast to the interior decorations which are stunning. The combination of muqarnas (stalactite like ceilings), arabesques, artesonado (decorative woodwork), the gilding and colorful intricate tiles is breathtaking. We were baffled as to how all these places would have had running water over 800 years ago but The Muslims had intricate hydraulic systems proving that they were ingenious engineers as well as fine architects and designers. MEZQUITA OF CORDOBA Originally a Visigoth church it became a mosque and is now a Catholic Cathedral having undergone numerous additions the current dimensions have remained the same since 987. The easiest way to appreciate the scale and design of this monument is from the air, with the central church surrounded by the Moorish architecture. The interior is noted for more than 800 columns and arches of onyx, marble and granite. The Mirhab- Cordoba is a compact city with many other notable features: the Roman Bridge,the old mills, various gardens and narrow winding alleys. We really enjoyed our time here. ***************************************************************************************

ALCAZAR AND SEVILLE CATHEDRAL Situated in the center of Seville, which is flat, the setting of this Mudejar style palace cannot compare with the Alhambra but it is beautiful nonetheless, and is still the official residence of The Royal Family in Seville. The gardens are extensive and placenames like Hall of Ambassadors and Courtyard of The Maidens give a hint of the grandeur and importance of yet another World Heritage Site in Spain. Equally famous is the Cathedral of St. Mary of the See next door, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the burial site of Christopher Columbus. it was built to show off the wealth of the city and the scale of it alone succeeds at that as it boasts 8 entrances all decorated with elaborate sculptures. The Giralda Tower which resembles a minaret is another example of the mix of architectural styles in Andalusia and the long climb is worth it for the view of the city.