Saturday 22nd August 2009
Day 56
These weekly malaria tablets are ace. Strange, crazy dreams that dust the cobwebs off memories in the darkest corners of the brain and give them a cheeky twist. You wake in the morning very disorientated as I did this morning!
Today we visited Ronda, an hour inland through some of the most beautiful landscape I think I've seen in Spain. Old towns wedged into the sides of cliffs and roads winding up and around hills en route.
Ronda itself was stunning. Whilst you are advised not to walk around the old towns in the high summer months because of the heat. It´s what the Brits do best : ) And it was well worth it. Set on a huge gorge, that in itself was a good enough drawcard but the town is full of character - beautiful old buildings including the oldest bullring in Spain(and therefore I presume the world), amazing plazas and old slopped cobbled streets.
The restaurants are pretty special too. We went to a place just outside the city walls and ordered three lunch dishes - a goats cheese salad with apple, walnut and mango puree, a duck pate with caramelised goats cheese as well as the restaurant´s trademark which was ox with olive oil, garlic and parmasan.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
El Scorchio
Friday 21st August 2009
Day 55
Today was market day in Sabinillas, a smaller market than San Pedro but some nice gear nonetheless.
It was an absolute scorcher day bordering 40 degrees. Dad, Tom and I hit the supermarket to get some ingredients for another Brian Bowell BBQ. Back at base we were greeted with the great news that the Aussies had crumbled to 111-7 in the Ashes decider.
Day 55
Today was market day in Sabinillas, a smaller market than San Pedro but some nice gear nonetheless.
It was an absolute scorcher day bordering 40 degrees. Dad, Tom and I hit the supermarket to get some ingredients for another Brian Bowell BBQ. Back at base we were greeted with the great news that the Aussies had crumbled to 111-7 in the Ashes decider.
Market Day
Thursday 20th August 2009
Day 54
The sun had a real bite to it this morning. We could barely sit out on the balcony for breakfast (cue violins : )´
With markets always a great way to get to know the local area, after breakfast we head to San Pedro, a 10km drive where there were markets on today. A great big market was unexpectedly awaiting us with loads of bits and bobs on offer. Layla bought an olive bowl, a top, some saffron and smoked paprika. Tom bought some gerks (gerkins).
It was nice to get into some shade after the sun had been whalloping us all morning. WE found a lovely café for tapas lunch.A lazy afternoon with cocktails served around 5 before heading to the nearby town of Sabinillas where we found a tapas café overlooking the beach volleyball.
Day 54
The sun had a real bite to it this morning. We could barely sit out on the balcony for breakfast (cue violins : )´
With markets always a great way to get to know the local area, after breakfast we head to San Pedro, a 10km drive where there were markets on today. A great big market was unexpectedly awaiting us with loads of bits and bobs on offer. Layla bought an olive bowl, a top, some saffron and smoked paprika. Tom bought some gerks (gerkins).
It was nice to get into some shade after the sun had been whalloping us all morning. WE found a lovely café for tapas lunch.A lazy afternoon with cocktails served around 5 before heading to the nearby town of Sabinillas where we found a tapas café overlooking the beach volleyball.
léspàna
Wednesday 19th August 2009
Day 53
A monster lie-in like no other we’ve had on our travels was made to feel like the norm with Spain seemingly asleep until 11. We hurdled the swimming pool fence and did a fair few lengths before a lovely breakfast and onwards to Estepona, the closest, largest town. Here we settled in a lovely plaza where San Miguel was ordered. Back at base we took a walk to the closest beach before cooking for the Bowells chorizo cooked in grapes followed by shallow fried calamari and drunken potatoes.
Couldn’t resist MOTD to end the day in style.
Day 53
A monster lie-in like no other we’ve had on our travels was made to feel like the norm with Spain seemingly asleep until 11. We hurdled the swimming pool fence and did a fair few lengths before a lovely breakfast and onwards to Estepona, the closest, largest town. Here we settled in a lovely plaza where San Miguel was ordered. Back at base we took a walk to the closest beach before cooking for the Bowells chorizo cooked in grapes followed by shallow fried calamari and drunken potatoes.
Couldn’t resist MOTD to end the day in style.
Birmingham - Malaga
Tuesday 18th August 2009
Day 52
A desperately early start (4am) was on the cards meaning the two and a half hour plane journey to Malaga, Spain was done so in deep sleep. Unc John drove us to the airport where we got first class service from check-out to plane seat thanks to Tom. We even got this strange aero-lift contraption which took us from departures literally handing us like a parcel to the door of the plane.
At the other end we were chaufferred through immigration and released into the wild they call Malaga airport. Absolute carnage with panic-stricken Brits fighting for their luggage with faces like thunder. Their holiday-switches not yet turned on.
We got our gear and found our hire car before hitting the road for the one hour journey west along the coast to Casares.
We dumped our stuff and hit Puerto Ducessa, a nice port area where a San Miguel and salmon went down a treat.
A trip to the supermarket followed before a quick dip in the pool and a Big BB BBQ of prawns in the evening was a nice start to Spain.
Day 52
A desperately early start (4am) was on the cards meaning the two and a half hour plane journey to Malaga, Spain was done so in deep sleep. Unc John drove us to the airport where we got first class service from check-out to plane seat thanks to Tom. We even got this strange aero-lift contraption which took us from departures literally handing us like a parcel to the door of the plane.
At the other end we were chaufferred through immigration and released into the wild they call Malaga airport. Absolute carnage with panic-stricken Brits fighting for their luggage with faces like thunder. Their holiday-switches not yet turned on.
We got our gear and found our hire car before hitting the road for the one hour journey west along the coast to Casares.
We dumped our stuff and hit Puerto Ducessa, a nice port area where a San Miguel and salmon went down a treat.
A trip to the supermarket followed before a quick dip in the pool and a Big BB BBQ of prawns in the evening was a nice start to Spain.
Spanish Prep
Monday 17th August 2009
Day 51
A slow start to the day sorting stuff out for hitting the road again tomorrow. We made a debut at the Indian Lounge, the upper-end Coleshill curry establishment. A very nice curry turned a little sour with news that Shilo (Layla’s mum) had been mugged in Ecuador.
This certainly made Layla feel a long way away from her mum and a little helpless. Shilo’s a tough cookie though and I don’t quite think the muggers knew what was in store when they attempted to rob her. Needless to say they left empty handed with Shilo putting up a brave fight for her belongings.
Day 51
A slow start to the day sorting stuff out for hitting the road again tomorrow. We made a debut at the Indian Lounge, the upper-end Coleshill curry establishment. A very nice curry turned a little sour with news that Shilo (Layla’s mum) had been mugged in Ecuador.
This certainly made Layla feel a long way away from her mum and a little helpless. Shilo’s a tough cookie though and I don’t quite think the muggers knew what was in store when they attempted to rob her. Needless to say they left empty handed with Shilo putting up a brave fight for her belongings.
The Morning After The Day Before
Sunday 16th August 2009
Day 50
A left over rehydration sachet came to the rescue as we awoke after far from enough sleep. Down at breakfast everybody was up and about. It’s amazing how a fry up gets even the sorest head off its pillow.
Stories aplenty and cheerios to follow. Bride and Groom looked remarkably fresh with attention now on Maritius.
We hit the road and got home in time for Blues vs.Man Utd. Even the first televised game I’d seen this season wasn’t enough to keep the eyelids from falling.
We were then off to the Waggotts for Auntie Hil’s birthday and an amazing feast including chicken chasseiu, pork and the most amazing cheesecake desert. A perfect afternoon in the sun.
Day 50
A left over rehydration sachet came to the rescue as we awoke after far from enough sleep. Down at breakfast everybody was up and about. It’s amazing how a fry up gets even the sorest head off its pillow.
Stories aplenty and cheerios to follow. Bride and Groom looked remarkably fresh with attention now on Maritius.
We hit the road and got home in time for Blues vs.Man Utd. Even the first televised game I’d seen this season wasn’t enough to keep the eyelids from falling.
We were then off to the Waggotts for Auntie Hil’s birthday and an amazing feast including chicken chasseiu, pork and the most amazing cheesecake desert. A perfect afternoon in the sun.
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