On the 8 of June, a glorious hot and cloudless day, 46 International friends of Lux Mundi, Torre del Mar, accompanied by Carolyn Bowen, the tour guide, travelled by coach, via Granada, to Alcala la Real in the province of Jaen, stopping for breakfast en route.
On arrival in Alcala they visited La Fortaleza de la Mota, situated at an altitude of 1,033 metres with beautiful views over the town and the surrounding countryside. Here they were able to discover streets, squares, parapet walks, cellars and religious and military buildings which, in the Middle Ages, were the last frontier with al- Andalus. After the visit a few people decided to walk down to the town, passing through the historic centre whereas others took the easier option and went by coach. There was then time to visit the Palacio Albaicil, an 18 century palace with a mild Baroque facade, home to a small museum exhibiting archaeological and cultural curios and also to have lunch in one of the many restaurants nearby.
In the afternoon the coach then took the party the short distance to the village of Ermita Nueva to visit the Los Quesos Sierra Sur cheese factory where they were told how the prize winning cheeses are made using goat’s and sheep’s milk from local farmers. There was an opportunity to taste mild, medium and mature cheeses and to purchase them. The coach took a different route home passing through the beautiful countryside around Alcaudete and Lucena, arriving back in Torre del Mar in the early evening. Everyone was tired but all agreed it had been a successful day out. Lux Mundi would like to thank all who supported this excursion, which enables then to continue with their charity work and we hope to see you all on future trips.
