Valencia Ramble

Hello All, it's been a while since I last blogged, so this will be a ramble around what we've done and what we've seen, as well as some personal views.

Our apartment is just great and even more central to everything than last year.  It is an old building down a narrow side street, which has been gutted with only the outside left, and newish apartment building within it.  So windows that fit and block out the noise and a lift, which is good as we are on the fifth floor.  I made a pact to get to walking up the five flights every day for some cardio work.  I've made the five flights a few times now, although I have to sit down for ten minutes when I get in to the flat.  By the end I will be running up them....!! yeh right!

As it is a narrow street there is no view and looks right into the apartment block across.  But the apartment block is empty so no one to over look.

That is a usual thing here... empty apartment blocks.  Everywhere you go there are huge derelict and empty buildings awaiting renovation.  There is some work going on, but the Spanish economy has had big problems over the last few years and I am not sure it is really recovering, even now.  But when you see the buildings being renovated, they are beautiful and graceful, well most of them are.

Renovated apartments

Elegant Mansions

Apartments with beautiful balconies and tiling

We were talking to a guy opposite who said there were only three apartments with people in them.  What a shame

I am always a bit dubious when a place is described as an up and coming area, always have been.  It smacks of rundown and a bit scary.  But I suppose if you are willing to take a chance on that it will really 'come up'.  That is Rufaza, give it a few years.

Rufaza Market

Spain and Valencia has so many beautiful building and many of the modern ones are stunning.  But when they get it wrong, it is really wrong.  Rufaza market is one of the most ugly places I've ever seen.   Somebody must love it.

Police people having a coffee break

Painted Garage doorways - why leave them plain when they can look like this!

We have found a cinema across the Turia that shows films in their original language, so last night we went to see Three Billboards.  Really good film but not one to go to for a laugh, really grim and you came out feeing all hope is lost.  Might go and see the Churchill film next week.