Last week I took a short break to visit friends in Spain.  It’s the first time I’ve been there in the Winter and although it was quite warm and sunny we skipped the beach and went sightseeing instead.

The aroma and colours in the local market were amazing.

I couldn’t resist bringing back pots of spices, a bag full of garlic, cinnamon sticks and dried mango

Cool sign at the entrance to a disused circus arena.

Knowing about my love of mosaic I was taken to see an old villa where the owner, Emilio Gallego covered his entire home with broken china (probably in the late 1800′s?)

Unfortunately, the villa is falling into disrepair because of a dispute over ownership.

I loved spotting my Grandmother’s name, Clara.

I do hope that some sort of agreement can be made soon to save this building which is fast falling into disrepair.  Apparently the rooms inside are also covered in mosaic and at the rear the garden has a porch made of pillars with Moorish arches which are beautifully decorated with ceramic tiles.