Society Archives

Looking across the Plaza San Pablo, past the Convento de San Pablo, with the Plaza de las Veletas and the Museo Provincial in the background|One of the many narrow alleys in old Cáceres, a perfect reason why there are no cars in most of the town|The Plaza de San Jorge with the Palacio de los Golfines de Abajo, which dates from the late 15th century and has always been in the hands of the Golfin family|Looking across the Plaza de San Jorge at the baroque 18th century Iglesia de San Francisco Javier (there is a great view from the towers)|The Plaza de los Golfines, with the Palacio de los Golfines de Abajo on the left and the baroque façade of the Edificio del Ministerio de Fomento (Ministry of Public Works) on the right.|A statue of San Pedro de Alcántara, standing in a niche at the corner of the cathedral. Rub his toes and you will have good luck!|The portals of the cathedral are Gothic, and in the Evangelio Portal, there is a corbelled pillar holding a rather sweet statue of the Virgin and Jesus.|The Plaza de Santa Maria and the Catedral de Santa Maria, the most important church in Cáceres, built at the end of the 15th century. There’s another great view from the tower.|The 15th century gothic and renaissance Casa del Sol built for the Solis family, whose coat of arms, featuring a great sun with a human face crowned with a helmet, appears above the front door.|The gothic 16th century Iglesia de San Mateo was made a Monumento Histórico Artístico in 1982. It is a sort of Panthéon of Cáceres in which the noble families of the town (Ovando, Golfines, Paredes, Saavedra) are buried.|The Convento de San Pablo, founded in the 15th century, in the Plaza de San Mateo.|The Palacio de las Cigüeñas (storks) was built in the 15th century by Don Diego Ovando on the highest point in the town. The tower is the only one left standing by Queen Isabella in 1477 – it has great views. Inside the Palacio is a military museum.|Helga is standing on our balcony in the Parador of Cáceres, looking forward to a cold glass of blanco from La Mancha and a lovely dinner.|The portal of the Iglesia de San Mateo, with Saints Peter and Paul in the lateral medallions and Saint Matthew above.

Go back in time 500 years in a weekend

Driving down from England a few days ago, Helga and I had the occasion to stop in Cáceres. This Spanish city of about 100K population, in the heart of the

September 29, 2023by Larry Hampton

The October 2023 Night Sky

Welcome to the October night sky. Now that the autumnal equinox in the northern hemisphere has passed, the nights will become noticeably longer, and it will become darker much earlier

September 28, 2023by Clive JacksonIn Algarve Skies

Mini Cooper SE Cabrio|Mini Cooper SE Cabrio|Mini Cooper SE Cabrio|

The new Mini Cooper SE Cabrio

The new Mini Cooper SE Cabrio is here to draw attention to the new car they are launching next year. Sounds like a good idea to me. Two weeks ago,

September 28, 2023by Guilherme Marques

The symptoms of heart valve disease

Being aware of the importance of an early diagnosis, is the first attitude to be taken into account when it comes to adopting strategies to avoid more serious outcomes related

September 27, 2023by Portugal Resident

Happy Spanish tourists|Congratulations - Dullu going to collect his new baby from hospital|French girls still in party mood at 6am - the fun ride|Rana dropped off for Skydiving

A day in the life of an Uber Driver!

Until recently we had never called an Uber, but needing an urgent ride, with guidance from my son who regularly gets Ubers all over Lisbon, we downloaded the app, created

September 26, 2023by Isobel Costa

Keeping flexible by stretching your muscles

Most people would assume that stretching is only necessary when going for a run, playing sports or after lifting weights. However, stretching at least once a day may contribute to

September 25, 2023by Sandra Genest-Boudreau

The Importance for Children of Rules and Routines

After the excitement of back-to-school preparations, most school age children will now have begun the new academic school year. One of the ways that parents can help their children’s smooth

September 24, 2023by Penelope Best

Fremontodendron californicum|California poppies in drought tolerant garden|Ceanothus|Dudleya pulverulenta|Salvia apiana|Salvia ´Allan Chickering´

Mediterranean Climate Zones – the Plants of California

California, like other Mediterranean climate zones, is situated on a southwest-facing coastline with high hills sheltering a lower lying coastal plain. Another feature common to similar zones are the densely

September 23, 2023by Rosie Peddle

Turn Down Your Fear and Anger Response

Our first stress response is always an acute stress response, I call this SAM-The Match because it ignites as quickly as striking a match and all going well burns out

September 22, 2023by Joan Maycock

Try something Portuguese

I have just launched a new feature on the Good Morning Portugal! show – ‘Try Something Portuguese’ – hopefully an inspiring and educational service to my audience, though a somewhat

September 21, 2023by Carl Munson