Saturday 5th February 2011

Got the bikes out and went for a cycle along the coast road which is very quiet during the week and still fairly quiet at the weekend. Cycled down the lane towards the lighthouse which was busy with cars and vans filled with surfer “dudes” and their boards etc. Next to a large bar some local hippy looking boys and girls were setting up stalls covered with tie dye (I’m told) clothes and a dreadlocked couple had set up a stall selling jewellery outside by the road. The beach was already busy and the road was filling up with cars etc. We continued into the nearby village of Canos de Meca, which had a great secluded beach and holiday homes right on the water front.

It was fairly quiet, a few Spanish families around, but lots of hotels, hostels etc about all closed up. I can imagine it's packed during the summer. At the end is access to a natural park, which is huge. We sat on the cliffs overlooking the ocean and had our lunch, brilliant spot!

As the park has walking and cycling trails across it, we decided to use them to get back to our campsite in Zahora. We started off fine along a rough road through the woods but after a while you guessed it, the trails became very sandy tracks and we got lost. Nothing new there I hear the kids say! We eventually found our way out, but not before having to slip under fences etc with the bikes! One thing I like here is no matter where you find yourself you are always near a bar! We came out along a track past a large house (built in the shape of a ship!) and onto the main road right opposite a bar, we took it as a sign so popped in for some refreshments!

Friday 4th February 2011

Lovely sunny day, slightly chilly in the van to start with as we’re in the shade, but in the sun it was nice and warm. After breakfast we bought some fresh rolls from the onsite supermarket (cheaper than the public one in Cabopino) and made a picnic lunch, then set of to the beach. Its only just over a kilometre, through a small village opposite our camp and your there. Great sandy beach and waves rolling in, with no one else about!

We set up camp and made ourselves comfortable, Sarah adopted the serious sunbathing pose! Spent the day watching the waves, the odd walker or horseback rider coming along the beach and later on when the waves were bigger some local lads surfing. I have to admit they were good and incredibly brave as the water was freezing! Lynn managed a paddle and I thought she was “loco” as the locals say! Can’t believe this is early Feb!

Thursday 3rd February 2011

Sunny but windy morning, up earlier as we want to leave at 10am. Finished the packing, said our goodbyes and with a little manoeuvring managed to get out of the pitch and away. Nice and easy straightforward journey past Gibraltar to the next campsite on the coast by Trafalgar, site of Nelsons famous victory. Did you know to preserve his body on the journey back to England they kept it in a barrel of brandy! No neither did Lynn and Sarah, or the other interesting facts I told them!

On the way to our campsite we passed Tarifa, which is one of the major crossings to Morocco, which we could see in the distance. We didn’t go through the town, but the beaches after it looked great and there were lots of Wind & Kite surfing schools along the beach road, as well as hostels. Most looked closed for the winter but I bet it’s very popular in the summer. We passed a really nice looking campsite on the beach side of the road with cycle paths from it, so we turned round (eventually) and went in. They had a pitch, but wanted 31 euros a night! We declined and left.  

Arrived at our planned site, Camping Pinar San Jose, a Cat 1 and just over half the price of the other one! Really friendly receptionist who gave us loads of maps and info about the area. Nice grassy pitch overlooking the woods of a natural park, slightly in the shade but with hard standing to park on. Water, waste, electric and TV point on the pitch. As it was such a lovely afternoon after lunch we walked down to the beach which is fabulous and along to the lighthouse at Trafalgar point. It was around 5.30pm when we left the beach and it was still warm and sunny. Having walked further than intended, we stopped off at a small local bar for a quick much needed drink! 

Wednesday 2nd February 2011

Spent the day sorting out the van for leaving, emptying some things, filling others, sitting in the sun, it’s a hard life! As we had the hire car we used it to go shopping and stock up on meals and more wine. I’m worried in case Portugal doesn’t do as much wine so am stocking up, well if they do we’ll just have to try there’s to!

Dropped the car off at reception and paid the bill for our three weeks stay, note the three weeks. When the guy gave us the total Lynn asked somewhat accusingly, “does that include the discount?” She then explained to me that it seemed a lot for two weeks! We’ve realised how easy it is to lose a day, but a whole week! She’s obviously far too relaxed and having far too much wine!

In the evening we had another great meal in the camp bar/restaurant, they really do excellent pasta dishes and a great way to finish our stay. We’ve really enjoyed our stay here and like the area a lot, much more than we thought we would. If only we did the lottery!

Tuesday 1st February 2011

The weather was good, nice and sunny as we set off for Ronda, we were wrapped up for the cold as the city is high in the hills/mountains, not sure when one becomes the other! But it had snow in January! There is only one road up from Marbella to Ronda and it is an hour’s drive along a good but twisting mountain road. It was a spectacular drive. As you leave the coast, you drive past exclusive Golf & Country Clubs dotted amongst the hillside and large detached villas with incredible views. Once you climb above them, you are into the mountains and slowly wind your way up via hairpin bends. You don’t stop climbing for around 45 minutes. The local van and lorry drivers overtake anywhere and don’t hang around! Once you reach the top it becomes a hilly plateau covered in farms. Ronda sits a little way in, on both sides of a deep gorge. The old part on one side and the much larger newer on the other. As you approach the city you pass new housing developments which unusually for Spain are just rows of identical terraced houses, it reminded me of a military base or prison, I can only think it’s to keep the cost down. But it looks awful.

We drove through the new part of the city and fairly easily found the old historic part, including the bullring for which it is famous. Parked the car in an underground carpark (remember those Chris!), as there was no other parking, and set off on foot to explore. First port of call was a café overlooking the square. We sat in the sun (nice in the sun, chilly in the shade) and planned our route. We came to the conclusion that around town the Spanish are much more laidback and forgiving than us. They will wait patiently as the car in front just stops to load or unload passengers, shopping etc, causing an instant tailback! However once they get out of town they either refuse to overtake anything no matter how slow it’s going or will overtake from six cars back just before a blind bend!

Anyway back to Ronda, after coffee we had a walk around and found a small park with incredible views over the valley. We stopped and took some photos, had lunch in the sun admiring the views. The place was spotless and clearly well looked after, as is all the old part of the city. Tourism is clearly a big earner with loads of expensive hotels and restaurants.

After lunch we went to the bullring, which claims to be the oldest and largest working bullring and the one where the modern style of bullfighting began. Bullfighting was the sport of nobles and the rich who fought the bulls from horseback. Ronda is credited with starting the now usual form of bullfighting on foot. This enabled the poor (and slightly mad) to participate. The bullring was originally built by the local Spanish cavalry who closely aligned the high standard of horsemanship required to be a cavalry officer, with the skills required to take part in bullfighting. This bullring is great to tour as you are allowed everywhere. We hired one of the audio guides and set off. It gave you the history and described the various stages of the bullfight. You could follow the footsteps of the matador from the small chapel, into the ring and the journey the poor bull takes, as well as walk around the actual ring itself.

They still operate a riding school as part of the bullring and teach up to international level. We stood in a viewing area of the indoor ménage and you could sense the seriously high standards they would demand here, not quite “Limebrook” hey Em!

Whatever you think of bullfighting and I’m not convinced by some of their rationale for the methods used, this place just oozed history, drama and tension. They still have bullfights here once a year in September, when thousands flock to the town to watch the spectacle, not just of the bullfight but of the processions etc. The Spanish royal family have a royal box and have attended in the past, so you can imagine the clamour for tickets!

We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the old town which is wonderful, with alleyways, small courtyards filled with orange trees and incredible views, definitely somewhere to return to!

Monday 31st January 2011

After a chilly night (well by our standards) we woke up to blue skies, still not that warm but bright and sunny. So Lynn got some washing on, nearly becoming involved in an international incident. Apparently an English woman wanted to use two washing machines at one time and a German lady was understandably not impressed! She was also angry at people not being back in time to empty their clean washing when the machine had finished. Lynn promised to be back in 35 mins ready to empty it, only to be told crossly “No! 30 minutes it takes 30 minutes! Oops She was duly back in plenty of time, I said she should have replied “YAH VOLL!” But apparently that’s not appropriate, even though it was the least historic suggestion I came up with!

After breakfast and two hours preparation (I’ll pay for that) we drove to Puerto Banus and had a drive around the town and into the hills behind. These are covered in golf courses and very nice estates, really quiet with country lanes and yet only a few minutes from the coast. Fantastic views of the hills in the background (some with snow on) and the coast in the other direction.

Afterwards we parked the car in town and went for a walk round. Had a look around the department store with all the designer names, including a section for kids (designer) clothes! Had lunch sitting in the sun watching the world go by, well the very nice cars! Then a walk around the marina and a look at the Saudi royal family’s third biggest motor yacht, the biggest won’t fit in the marina! Only worth about £50 million but you can charter it, and split the cost between 14 of us, any takers?

Back to the van for homemade Tapas, great flavours, hot spices and lots of noise from the smoke alarms!!!

Sunday 30th January 2011

After a cloudy start the day turned out sunny, so we spent the morning around the van sitting in the sun. It was Matthews 21^st today so we skyped home and wished him “Happy Birthday!” Can’t believe he’s 21, seems only yesterday we were changing his nappy! Sorry mate couldn’t resist!!
In the afternoon we went to a local bar and watched the Man City/Notts County game, which turned out to be a good one with Notts county winning 1-0 for quite a while. We obviously cheered them on, everyone else in the bar (all 3 of them) were Man City supporters!