Market

We have a fascination and affection for Spanish markets and Valencia has a real gem. Apparently it has more than 900 stalls and it is a great place to be as the locals seek out the best bargains.

The market can also be a barometer of local standards of living and we were shocked to see one stall actually selling chicken carcasses, presumably to use for a stock or soup.

These are difficult times for Spain, with unemployment over 20 per cent and with huge financial problems.

This is manifested in the run-down nature of some of Valencia's barrios, the abandoned construction sites, the endless handwritten posters offering items for sale and the many beggars in the streets and squares.

You couldn't help thinking this country - still a relatively young democracy - was facing a difficult future.

Today we also visited the Jardines de Real, where I received an excruciatingly painful bite from an ant(!), and a wonderful exhibition of 19th century and early 20th century photographs of Spain.