Spain Day Six: Walking In The Wind And Rain In Tarifa

Well I soon learned the forecast wasn’t wrong when I awoke in my hotel in Tarifa, Spain on Monday morning.  A heavy rain was falling. . And rain was in the forecast for the entire day.

I was planning to hike in the one of the parks  near Tarifa or take the ferry to Morocco. But , because of the rain, I  decided to  stay in town and follow a trail on the outskirts of the city. . After a couple of cups of excellent coffee I donned my rain gear and was walking on the wet streets of Tarifa.

The rain had eased up  when I started my hike.  I walked through the awakening city and past the Guzman castle and old city wall.  ,

I walked  past the  Bar de France’s restaurant where I had a delicious dinner the night before.

I next  came to Iglesia de San Mateo (St. Matthew’s Church).     The church was built early in the 16th century.

I stopped in for a quick visit. It was a beautiful church.

I continued north through the city and left the old city wall and followed Paseo del Retiro   past  some apartments complexes on the outskirts of the city.

Parked near one of the apartment building was this van adverting birding tours. I took it as a good sign and hoped the rain would stop and I would see some of the birds that sould be migrating through southern Spain in March. It was one of the main reasons for my trip.

and then walked past through some new construction and old businesses.

The road became a  stone trail. A  fast flowing  stream  was along the trail.    Just as it was entering  some woodlands along the trail the light rain became a torrential downpour.

I had to cover my camera as I walked in the pouring rain. My new rain coat and pants held up as I walked in the steady rain but my waterproof shoes got soaked. Areas of the trail were like walking in a stream.  I hiked out about 2 miles when the rains finally slowed down.

I was hiking up a valley through pastures and farm land.

There were homes in the hills as evidenced by the mailboxes along the trail.

I turned around after I had hiked about 2. 1/2 miles  the rain slowed down and  I was able to photograph the hillside I had hike up.

I saw no birds in the rainy conditions but I saw some cattle, and

sheep.

I also saw some wildflowers brightening the gloomy day,  some morning glories

and crown daisies.

I walked down the trail, past some residences,

and came upon this car stuck in the mud. I  continued my hike down the trail and,

I entered the gate into the old city and,

I walked back into town. I walked a few side streets before finishing my five mile hike.Here is a link to a gallery on my blog web site with some more photos from my rainy hike. Spain Day Six: Tarifa morning hike. March 17 2025.

I walked back to the hotel just in time to enjoy another delicious breakfast buffet.

It was still raining after breakfast so  I spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon editing photos and working on my blog. Later I called into my office back home. The rain let up  later in the afternoon and I was off on another walk. I walked over to the docks,

and watched the seagulls flying overhead.

I then walked to the stormy Mediterranean Sea,

and watched the waves crashing on the shore.

Threatening clouds hung over the sea.As rough as the sea was there were a few fold surfing on the large waves crested by the strong winds

I walked out to the Island of Tarifa. This small island, now connected to the shore is the southernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula and Europe. I wanted to walk in the island but access was only allowed by pre-arranged guided tours.

I walked back to the city in a light rain and then

a short distance along the shore.

I noticed some  bright wildflowers,

under the gloomy, rainy skies. It was now late afternoon. I had hiked over  7 miles in the rain and wind.  I was hungry and getting tired. I stopped at a few restaurants to eat and were told they closed at 4;30 and won’t reopen until times ranging from 7 to 8:30 p.m. I wasn’t happy and returned to my hotel.I walked back into town, and walked to a few side streets before finishing my five mile hike. Here is a link to a gallery on my blog web site with some more photos from my  hike in the docks and  along the stormy ocean. Spain Day Six: Tarifa  afternoon hike. March 17 2025

At the hotel I asked  the friendly staff if there were any restaurants open in Tarifa. They said no, and explained how all the restaurants close between 4:30 p.m until anywhere from 7 p.m to 8:30 p.m. It’s a Spanish tradition they said. Well I have always been a doubting Thomas. I decided to see for myself. I walked through the streets of Tarifa and found dozens of closed restaurants. There were open bars but none served food. And there were ice cream and pastry shops open but not one restaurant until., I found the Casa Babel. I walked in and asked if they were serving food and they said yes. I had a nice meal,  I ordered  the fried fish platter with mixed fried fis,  scallops, shrimps and anchovies. It was a huge serving. I also got a side of edamame like beans.   It may have been a little too salty but it was good.  

However, I still had room  to stop for a pistachio  ice cream cone on  my walk home.

When I got back to my hotel room, the skies cleared and a rainbow appeared in the sky. It was a great way to end a gloomy and rainy day in Spain. I was soon in bed hoping for better weather in the morning.

 

 

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
― Vivian Greene