Our friends from Conil arrived here yesterday having decided to abandon their plans to visit Portugal due to the incongruous weather.
In the afternoon they drove Moe and I to Nerja where the ladies partook in a spot of shopping and the guys a spot of beer tasting. For the beer tasting, we enjoyed a wonderful panoramic view of the bay and the sea, thankful that the bar finally turned on the outside patio heaters. A bracing Northerly wind has taken hold and despite a sunny day, the windchill is brutal.
In the evening we returned to Torre del Mar, dining at an absolutely superb Chinese restuarant – Restaurante Chino Hong Kong. Won’t need to eat for several days now…
On this occasion we added the Bullring to our visitation list.
The Plaza de Toros (bullring) in Ronda occupies a very special place in modern Spanish culture and history as the home of the Rondeño style of bullfighting and also of the Real Maestranza De Caballería De Ronda. The bullring was built entirely of stone in the 18th century, during the golden years of Pedro Romero’s reign as champion bullfighter.
Home to the Real Maestranza de Caballería de Ronda, Spain’s oldest and most noble order of horsemanship, an order that traces its heritage back to 1485, and the year the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella defeated the Moors in Ronda, thus bringing the city back under Christian rule after 773 years of Islamic rule.
Many tourist guides will tell you the Ronda bullring is the oldest and largest in Spain, in fact the story is confusing. This little bullring only has seating for 5,000 spectators, hardly the largest in the world, but the rueda, which is the large round circle of sand, is the largest in the world at 66m, making it 6m larger than Spain’s biggest bullring, the Plaza Toros Las Ventas in Madrid.
Bullring at Ronda…Bullring at Ronda…A riding school is still in business at the Ronda Bullring…Grooming the horses at the Ronda bullring…This is where the Bulls were kept prior to release (Ronda Bullring)…
A selection of other photos taken around the old town of Ronda.
Classic picture of the Puento Neuve (New Bridge) in Ronda…The Puente Viejo (“Old Bridge”) in Ronda…Peacock roaming the old town of Ronda…
It was a long day so in the evening, we declined dinner with our friends and returned to the campsite where we grabbed a Pizza and an early night.
Caught the bus to Malaga, the stop being just a couple of hundred metres from the campsite. Whilst I’m certain I ordered a return ticket, the price didn’t match what we expected for either a one-way or return.
Then on the way back, we were asked for some additional money which also didn’t correspond with any of the fares expected or paid! Only in Spain…
On our arrival at Malaga, we quickly found the tourist information and started to follow the highlighted tour of the historic sites. Malaga in eight hours – a challenge.
We started our tour at the street calle Larios, an important shopping area of Malaga, where the best
designer shops are located. We then arrived at plaza de la Constitution in the heart of the city’s old quarter.
From there we headed west, along calle Compañía to the Palace of Villalón (16th century), home of the
Carmen Thyssen Museum Malaga.
We chose not to visit the museum but instead explored the Iglesia de los Santos Martires.
Iglesia de los Santos Martires…Inside the Iglesia de los Santos Martires…Inside the Iglesia de los Santos Martires…
By now it was raining little harder, so despite the guide leaflet informing us that we should now be enjoying breakfast, we decided it was time for a late Tapas lunch.
Malaga Tapas lunch…Malaga Tapas lunch postres…
After lunch it was time to visit the Cathedral. The Cathedral of Málaga is of course a Roman Catholic church with the Renaissance architectural tradition.
The cathedral is located within the limits defined by a now missing portion of the medieval Moorish walls, the remains of which surround the nearby Alcazaba and the Castle of Gibralfaro. It was constructed between 1528 and 1782, following the plans drawn by Diego de Siloe; its interior is also in Renaissance style.
Our next stop was the Roman Theatre, situated in calle Alcazabilla at the foot of the Alcazaba. Built in the 1st century A.D., it was used until the 3rd century. After its restoration, the Roman Theatre of Malaga has recently recovered its use as a scenic space.
Roman Theatre at Malaga…
We climbed up the metal staircase behind the theatre hoping to enter the Alcazabilla but this was merely a viewpoint and by now the rain was much harder so we decided to retire to an Irish bar and watch the England Ireland six nations game. Ireland ran out 24-15 winners.
We only completed about half of our whistle stop tour so we need to return another day.
We left Conil about 10:00am and headed to Malaga and then ownards to Camping Valle Niza, close to Torre del Mar. We took the road to Medina Sedonia and then the motorway all the way to within 2 miles of Camping Valle NIza, arriving circa 13:30.
Valle Niza is a small site and the touring pitches were about 66% occupied. We chose Pitch 10 which was one of the driest and better drained plots. Quite large but we only have the “sunshade” awning erected. Anything to do with the word “sun” is merely an extremely loose connection.
Camping Valle Niza, Torre del Mar…
We parked the car opposite in a very small plot, which has been rarely used this winter, only to attract the ire of the Campsite staff who rather animatedly gave us a good ticking off and told us to park next to our outfit.
We just about managed it. However, we do have a sea view, if one looks carefully enough!
Tight squeeze even tighter now our car is parked alongside…
Despite the picture clearly showing a BBQ in full action (the picture was from a different day!), we actually ate in the site restaurant.
Our last day at Camping La Roselada in 2018. Went to the Harbour restaurant for lunch with Chris, Alison, Paul and Andrea – cycling the circa 4 miles and managing to dodge the showers.
The Tapas was as good as ever, the prawns in chilli and garlic oil are a particular favourite.
We’ve made some great friends at Roselada and wish everyone well for the remainder of their travels – in the case of Mike and Linda – for the next three years!
Adios amigos! Till next time…
It was time to finish off the packing in the afternoon, including loading the now electric bikes on top of the Sorento. The added weight not making things any easier.
Ready to go…
Ready to say Goodbye to Camping La Rosealda for 2018…
It was quiz night at the bar in the evening where we secured the 4th prize. The tie breaker question was How many passengers can an Airbus A380 hold in its maximum configuration. We went for 697, the other tied team 737 with the actual number well north of 800. Hey ho.
The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art Foundation, based in Jerez de la Frontera is known all over the world thanks to its show entitled “How the Andalusian Horses Dance”, a unique exhibition of horsemanship which both exhibits and summarises the work which the institution has carried out since its establishment.
We visited the School with Chris and Alison, having booked tickets some days earlier at the campsite. It’s a popular show because our first choice option to visit with Mike and Linda too was already sold out.
Parking was behind the Equestrian School in some kind of public car park. Several enterprising Spanish men were keen to take 3 Euros off us for a full days parking. Unable to provide us with a receipt, the payment was considered more akin to an insurance policy to avoid damage to the car whist we were at the show…
Andalucian dancing horse show…
We looked around the palace, its grounds, the general museum and the carriage museum.
Jerez Equestrian school – the Palace…Jerez Equestrian school – the grounds with the show ring in the background…
Late afternoon we headed to the Restaurante La Torre at El Palamar. Situated right next to the beach, it must be a stunning location with some nice weather!
Food was good – can highly recommend the burger. For dessert, the ladies wanted Strawberries and cream again; but the Strawberries and Cream restaurant is closed on a Tuesday. Instead, we showed a picture to the waiter and this is what he produced – it certainly wasn’t on the menu!
“Strawberries and Cream”, Torre, El Palamar style…
Strictly speaking Sunday was a single lunch but we managed to span two restaurants. First was La Fontanilla, near to the beach. This had been recommended by a lady in Sevilla two years ago and it certainly lived up to its reputation. The seafood was superb. Last lunch with Mike and Linda before they escape Rosaleda and head towards Estepona. Also present was Chris, Alison, Paul and Andrea.
La Fontanilla, Conil de la Frontera…
Then to one of the seafront restaurants because the ladies like the strawberries and cream there…
Strawberries and Cream at El Pasaje…
No let-up in the pace and a wonderful BBQ in the evening at Paul and Andrea’s. All the more remarkable because the weather was atrocious and it was not at all pleasant BBQing in the wind and rain. Still, he’s from Penrith, so I guess it’s normal!
Monday we made the difficult decision to move on from Rosaleda, and head towards Malaga. We won’t actually leave until Thursday but given it was a dry day, it was the first (and probably the last) opportunity to mop up and close down the awning.
The weather in Malaga is definitely warmer and we have friends arriving from Yorkshire so it probably makes sense to move on. We are heading to Torre del Mar.
Wednesday cycled to El Palamar (the surfing beach) where we saw a little bit of sunshine although it was still a bit cold. Today was a bit like my non-acoholic brewery tour of last week – the highly recommended burger bar was shut…
Our regular quiz companions have headed off so we managed a decent result with Paul and Andrea.
Thursday was a house keeping day.
Friday we cycled to Conil harbour and back along the very muddy cliff top. The electric bikes are great. Most of the time little power is needed but when there’s a hill, the motors make light weight of things. I’m up to over 50km and I still have half a bettery charge left!
Cycling to Conil Port…
We were back in plenty of time to explore the Conil micro brewery, where we whiled away the afternoon. This bottle we shared between the 4 of us. At 9.8% and very spicy, it definitely isn’t a session beer!
9.8% and very spicy…
Also a great range of beer.
Conil brewery bottle selection…
The other halves enjoyed their own tour…
The Conil alternative brewery tour…
Before joining us for last orders…
Last orders at the Conil Brewery…
A full-on day was followed by dinner at the campsite, Italian themed. Mozarella salad, Sphagetti Bolognase followed by Tiramasu.
Saturday was a bit quieter. Watched the Man U Liverpool game and then Ireland v Scotland and England v France. At least the Wharfedale result went the right way for once! Come on Dale!!!!
