Nothing much to report. Spent most of the day catching up with computer stuff and updating Caravan Ramblings.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

 

Drove to Aldi at Torre del Mar for supplies whilst later in the day we cycled to Benejafare. BBQ in the evening just before the rains arrived.

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.

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!

Despite the picture clearly showing a BBQ in full action (the picture was from a different day!), we actually ate in the site restaurant.

The chicken kebabs and Sphagetti were very good.

 

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…

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…

We looked around the palace, its grounds, the general museum and the carriage museum.

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!

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.

Then to one of the seafront restaurants because the ladies like the strawberries and cream there…

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!

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!

Also a great range of beer.

The other halves enjoyed their own tour…

Before joining us for last orders…

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!!!!

 

 

The weekend at Gibraltar is now behind us and we are settled back into our home at Roselada. Monday was another brutal day for wind and rain but still our awning and caravan is surviving.

We headed over to Puerto Santa Marie in the morning for camping supplies.

Highlight of the day was a visit to Lidl and a chance to use this implement of torture.

 

 

 

Given the incelement weather in the afternoon, we headed to the bar with Mike, Chris, Linda and Ali to play cards and, of course, drink some beer!

Tuesday and the weather has improved ever so slightly. Bought some mudguard’s for Moe’s bike and spent the afternoon fitting them and tidying-up the two electric bike conversions.

Another hearty breakfast was followed by a hot shower at the Eliott Callaghan hotel. That’s however, the last of our luxury lifestyle this weekend as later in the day, we will return to Camping La Roselada.

We headed first to Ocean Village and grabbed a coffee at O’Reillys bar. The wind had dropped a little and planes were now taking off and landing again at the airport. Looks like D and T will be avoiding a bus journey to Malaga or Jerez.

It’s really quite novel watching the barriers close such that the road crossing becomes part of the main runway.

Next was a shopping trip to Morrison’s to stock up on Sausages, Bacon and Gin and Tonics! We also bought food and implements to make our own picnic lunch at Europa Point. Whislt we just about managed to dodge the weather, before we left, the heavens opened and we were thoroughly drenched!

It was quite late when we returned to Conil so we headed to the restaurant for a snack. The entrecote sounded good, but small snack it wasn’t.