Ronda, Mijas Pueblo and Estepona

From Seville we headed to south to Ronda.  A wonderful drive, such a contrast to the harsher desert like country that we'd experienced further north.  Here we saw lush farmland, cropping country,  animals grazing and green countryside! 

Ronda

Ronda is exquisite - you know its on the list of top tourist attractions when you see the number of coaches parked up.  But in saying that, the setting for the town is breathtaking, the scenic views (from all angles) magnificent and the feel of the town charming.

Puento Nuevo

I love it that the Puento Nuevo, New Bridge, is over 200years old!!!. It connects the old and new town over a 100 metre ravine and was built in 1751.

Ronda

No end of eating places

Ronda is considered the birthplace of modern bullfighting - the Plaza de Toros holds pride of place and part is now a museum. Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles were fans of the sport, but also had a real love for the town and used it as a setting for many of their novels.

The Arab Baths, Banos Arabes, were built in the 11th century, used up until the 17th and are one of the best preserved in Europe.   Nowadays they are used as a setting for the odd classical  concert.

Banos Arabes

 Next stop was Mijas Pueblo, described as one of Spains hidden treasures, a typical whitewashed Spanish village, nestled up in the mountains behind Fuengirola. Don't know if I agree with the 'hidden' bit  - as thousands of tourists,  just like us, flock there on a daily basis to keep the economy alive.  The beautiful, flower lined, cobbled alleys and nooks are stuffed with tiny shops, overflowing with local ceramics, leatherwork, jewellery, artwork and good old not so attractive souvenirs.

Mijas 

The surrounding area accommodates at least seven golf courses, so that keeps the men happy while the women are here spending.

Back street of Mijas

The numerous view points of the coastline are stunning, and we even got to
admire some rock climbers making the most of the natural cliffs.

Bullring 

The Mijas donkeys, Burro Taxis, are beautifully kitted out and do make a wonderful sight but sadly there is on going controversy about the way in which they are used and treated.  Like the bull fighting, which is a strong part of this towns culture, it is an old tradition of Spain and we all have opinions either way.

All dressed up and ready for action

Estepona

Estepona - our last delightful find, thanks to David and Jude as it's a favourite of theirs.  One of the few coastal towns that still has character and charm despite all the tourism in the Costa del Sol.  Narrow cobbled streets to wander through, unusual shops, great cafes, tapas bars - traditional Spanish fare at great prices.

David and Judy - happy new homeowners

And to top things off it is only a few miles down the coast from where David and Jude found their new   "Home in the Sun"!!!

A new side of Spain

Plaza de Espana

Off to Malaga this time, on a house buying expedition with friends David and Judy. They're keen to find a spot that they can run away to when the need for blue sky and sunshine gets to much.  So we've tagged along and in between the more serious house hunting we can attempt to lead them astray or vice versa.

La Zenia

We picked up a car from Malaga Airport and drove on up to Alicante.  We managed, with some skill,  to stretch out a trip that was to take five hours into almost 10 hours.  Finally found our AirBnB appartment in Santa Pola, a few miles down the coast from where we had been circling for the last few hours,  and were greeted with a bottle of wine and some local delicaces.  One of the pluses of using this type of accomadation!!

Benidorm  - through the rain.

Spent a few days viewing houses in Cabo Roig, La Zenia, Playa Flamenca  and Punta Prema.   Even made it down to Benidorm.  No photos needed here - rather a sad sight of greed and corruption.

Coffee time

Time for some sightseeing as we head back east.  A day in Granada, new to David and Jude, and a revisit for us.  A delightful day to absorb the atmosphere of this fascinating city, wander the streets or just enjoy a coffee, beer and tapas. 

Seville

Next stop Seville - a city full of history, culture and colour.  It has a charm about it, even a romantic feel and they say is one of the few large cities that remains an authentic slice of Spain. Once a centre of bullfighting and flamenco dancing it remains colourful and vibrant.  

Seville

Seville colours

Seville

Seville

Seville 

Places like the Plaza de Espana and the huge Gothic Cathedral are simply breath taking.  A superb example of the Moorish influence, some spectacular architecture throughout the whole city.

Plaza de Espana

Beautiful Blue ceramic 

Plaza de Espana

Plaza de Espana

We stayed in the heart of the city in a older hostel type hotel. Three story's high, tiled covered walls, steep stairs, no lift, open roof and atrium, and you step out the door into a maze of thin winding cramped streets and flowering balconies.

Sadly we didn't time it with any of its famous festivals but we did partake it a little bit of the nightlife.  One of the magical things about Spain is the relaxed dining hours.  Any time, anywhere you can stop and have a glass of wine or a beer, a tapas or maybe indulge in a thick rich hot chocolate and churros. The less inviting looking the bar, the better the experience.  We managed to find a place packed full of locals but run by a charming Spainard  who had spent 15 years in Melbourne and was delighted to have four Kiwi's in his midst and under his influence.  It was such a good night we took a crowd back the next 

night.

Alamillo Bridge - 142m high mast

A colourful view from apartment terrace

A classic rooftop view

View from Metropol Parasol

Lori, Robyn, David, Judy, Nick, John

We caught up with some American friends and admired the city from their roof top apartment.

 

Metropol Parasol

 Next door was the controversial Metropol Parasol, which gave us an even better view .  Below this huge wooden waffle like structure which was only finished in 2011,  is a farmers market and the site of some Roman ruins.

Seville delivers

We left with that wonderful feeling of wanting more.

  

NZ Family Visiting

Time to get on the road again, although have to say most weeks we are on the road somewhere, usually the next contract.  Leaving behind lovely spots like this.

A favourite St Albans home in spring

Spring is here although the temperatures don't seem to tell us that.   The Bluebells are late but are as vibrant as ever.

Ernest dressed and off to support Dad's cricket match

 We've had family over from NZ and its been wonderful to catch up and spend some relaxed time together. Their children are all rather settled in the UK, for the time being that is, and with a new grandchild here there's quite a pull to come visiting.

A happy Granny

Arundel was the meeting point as that is home for Matt, Hilary and Ernest and Andrew.

It's a delightful, small market town down in West Sussex about half way between Chichester and Brighton.  A popular tourist destination, Arundel is famous for its magnificent Medieval Castle that towers above the town along with the French Gothic styled Cathedral and the  thriving Farmers Market ( a popular monthly event)..  Also some wonderful pubs, galleries, coffee shops and we were even treated to some Morris dancers on Market day.

Sheelagh, Nick, Hilary and Alastair

Out for a walk with Alastair, Sheelagh, Hilary and Ernest.  We followed the River Arun up stream to Burpham and stopped for a great pub lunch then on the way back visited an Arundel icon the Black Rabbit Pub.

Visited the Fishbourne Roman Palace  and admired the superb collection of mosaics, some of which are the earliest ever seen in Britain. The site was only discovered by accident in 1960 when a local farmer was digging a main water trench.  Archaeologists proceeded to uncover the remains of this huge Roman Villa, which is larger than Buckingham Palace,  believed to have been built in 1st century AD.

There was also evidence of underfloor heating

Cupid on Dolphin Mosaic believed laid in the mid 2nd century 

Alastair, David and Sheelagh

Another lovely walk in around Midhurst, Cowdray Park Polo fields, Golf Course and ruins.  Dave's eyes lit up with some wonderful memories of this glorious place.

Polo fields

Ruins

David and Lori 

Another lovely walk with Lori, finishing at St Mary's Church in Hartley Wespall.  The massive wooden beams used in both the ceiling and back wall date back to 1320.