The first overnight stay when back in Spain was in the lovely Marina Isla Canela. Spain was under Moorish rule for 250 years longer than neighbouring Portugal and the attractive Marina development is based on Moorish architecture which we came to appreciate once in Tangier Morocco.
Early morning next day we were off for the 66 miles to Cadiz under full main and genoa.
When checking our e-mail we received the disturbing message of a worldwide recall of escape hatches due to a production failure. The adhesive holding the acrylic panel in the aluminum frame is failing, causing leaks and worst case; loosing the panel completely. A few catamarans equipped with these hatches had sunk already,………Oops.
We had read about the hatch failure on cruiser-forums before, so Frits was already checking the hatches regularly, but now it was official. We received instructions to head to the nearest port and to stay put until the hatches are replaced. Not surprising our insurance company issued a similar order few days later.
Cadiz is arguably Europe’s oldest city still standing, established as a Phoenicians trading post known as “Gadir” around 1100BC. See post https://www.twobatsea.com/history-of-iberian-peninsula/ The city gained prominence after Columbus discovered the new world in 1492 and Cadiz became the home port of Spain’s treasure fleet. It’s riches attracted it’s enemies (Brits, Dutch and French) and the city endured many battles, sieges, destruction and rebuild. In the 18th century trading from Sevilla was relocated to Cadiz starting a second golden age for the city. Most of the historic buildings in the walled Old City are from that period.
Street view of Cadiz old walled town. Well maintained buildings with rich detailed architecture, and mostly car-free!
In the Alameda garden you will find busts on display of national heroes of countries that have a shared heritage with Spain (read colonies). Philippines was a Spanish colony for 300 years.
Jose Rizal authored two novels: “Noli me tangere” (Touch me not) and “EL Filibusterismo” (The Filibuster). These books awoke intense patriotism in the Filipino souls and the “Katipunan” (revolution) was born. Rizal was executed in Intramuros, Manila on Dec 30, 1896 while the Spanish military brass band played “Marcha de Cadiz”.
On June 30, 2013 the bust of Dr. Jose Rizal was inaugurated in Cadiz to commemorate the Philippines – Spain Friendship day. June 30 was chosen because on June 30, 1899 then president Aguinaldo issued a decree requiring the last Spanish soldiers be treated not as enemies and prisoners of war, but as friends. See post La Coruna “Siege of Baler”.
The first constitution of Spain and one of the earliest constitutions in history was established on 19 March 1812 by the first national assembly in Cadiz. The constitution was one of the most liberal of its time. It was repealed by King Ferdinand VII in 1814 in Valencia, who re-established absolute monarchy.
To the North, Cadiz borders the Sherry (Jerez) triangle, the area between Sanlucar, Jerez and El Puerto. Jerez is, like Porto, a fortified wine (see our post Lisboa)
Sherry is made primarily from the Palomino grape. After fermentation is complete the wine is fortified with grape spirit to reach an alcohol content >15.5%. As they age in a barrel, they develop a layer of “flor” a yeast-like growth that helps protect the wine from excessive oxidation. Because the fortification takes place after fermentation, most sherries are initially dry, with any sweetness being added later. In contrast, port wine is fortified halfway through its fermentation, which stops the process so that not all of the sugar is turned into alcohol.
We resorted to our private “sherry tasting party” on board.
