Day 4: Sierra Espuña and Murcia

We had a leisurely start to the morning today, enjoying a final sit in the sunshine on the patio outside the holiday house. The owner said we could stay until 11.30, which was good because we have a late flight back this evening, so plenty of time to fill.

When it was time to check out we drove a few miles up the road, towards the entrance of the Sierra Espuña regional park. We've been staying on the edge of this nature park all weekend, so I was keen to have a look at it before we went home.

Tim drove us up a small winding road into the mountains.

Partway up we passed a viewpoint, where Max and I stopped to take photos.

Some of us went closer to the edge than others in the search for a perfect shot

I was hoping we might manage to have a short walk, but the path proved a bit difficult to find.

We had a little stroll through the trees, though...

...then found a cafe to get some refreshments  

There were some nice views of the mountains in the distance. This part of Spain is surprisingly hilly!

From the nature park we drove towards the regional capital, Murcia.

We found an underground car park that was fairly central and emerged into the sunlight in a square with some beautiful flowers.

There were some really cool fountains too.

From there it was only a short walk towards Murcia's cathedral.

The cathedral was set in a lovely square.

The building itself was very ornate.

We walked a bit further to find the town's bull ring.

Bull fighting is still a serious sport in this part of Spain.

It was baking hot so from there we walked down to the river, in an attempt to find some shade.

There were some beautiful flowers along by the river...

...though not as much shade as I'd hoped.

There was also a rather strange giant fish in the middle of the water.

We walked as far as this beautiful old bridge...

...then stopped at another cafe for some more refreshment.

After that it was time to collect the car and head back to the airport for our late flight home to Gatwick. On the way to the car park we passed a flower display, complete with large Spanish flag blowing in the wind.

It seemed like a fitting end to what has been a great long weekend in Spain