High on a hill with a lonely goat, olay olay olhoo

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Travel blog 15
Stayed until 5th at Conil to take advantage of discount for long stay. 20 euros a night for up to 11 nights and then 14 euros a night - quite a difference.

Tuesday, 5th February
Said goodbye to Dick and Joan, our neighbours who we will miss, but whom we hope to catch up with again on our travels. Headed back down N340 toward Marbella on same route we took previously to Gibralter. Stopped en-route for lunch and arrived at Marbella Playa early afternoon and were delighted to be met by Jenny and Tony, our old neighbours from Colchester. Spent afternoon catching up with news and went for a walk along the beach. The good thing about the campsite is that it is right on beach, the bad news is that it was almost full.. 380 pitches full to overflowing mostly with Germans settled here for the winter, big style. You could not put a pin between them and each had made themselves at home with potted plants, outside lights, sheds, gazebos etc etc. We all agreed it was not our type of site, but was convenient for us all. Shocked to learn that so soon it was Shrove Tuesday. Had planned to cook pancakes for supper, but were too full up.

Wednesday, 6th
Four of us enjoyed a full english breakfast before heading off to catch the bus outside the site into Marbella. After being dropped in the town we headed down to the waterfront promenade and then set off on a walk and just kept going until we reached Puerto Banus, about 5 miles away. After posing along Puerto Banus seafront alongside the rich and famous came back to earth and queued for bus back to Marbella and then another to campsite. Andy's day was made by seeing a Lamborghini Diablo with the registration ADR3AM; funny old thing refused to pose beside it instead getting me to!

Thursday, 7th
Got around to the pancakes at last... bit of a late lent or a passover where we had been passed over! Enjoyed the day mooching around the area, beachcombing and comparing places we had visited etc.

Friday, 8th February
After more sad goodbyes we parted company - Jenny and Tony off to Gibralter and us north to Ronda. The A397 to Ronda is a great journey upwards into the scenic mountains. However our journey was spoilt slightly by being chased along by cement mixers and gravel lorries all on peace work and obviously not deterred by the bunches of roadside funeral flowers. This beautiful area is still being built on at a great pace and if there is 1 golf course there is a 100.

Our plan was to find a parking space outside Ronda, walk in and then head off somewhere to free camp to save a few pennies as last campsite quite expensive. Like all good plans it went wrong at first hurdle when we could not find a car park. Also had been told not to drive through the old part of Ronda; however, you have guessed it. From happily singing "high on the hill with the lonely goat" we were desperately growling "help me Ronda, help, help me Ronda" as we got stuck in the one way system in the old town... grrrr. Saw a sign for a campsite so bit bullet and followed the signs. Ended up about a mile out of Ronda but in the most beautiful camp site (albeit very expensive). Parked up and were soon on our way back into town, and what a town. Ronda is absolutely fantastic with so much to see as it sits high on an outcrop of rock in a basin surrounded by mountain ranges, making access difficult. It is one of Spain's oldest towns with the old part being joined to the newer part by an 18th Century bridge across a 330 ft drop over the Tajo gorge. We spent hours here and eventually wandered back to the van late and hungry. Cooked some gammon and were then offered some lovely strawberries from an English couple nearby, so forgave Dora the Explorer as we had had a wonderful day.

Concerned that in Spain there has been no rain for months and months. During the last few months we have had 3 days of rain. Had my 'green' hat on one day and had a bit of a 'do' with a man who said he turned shower on, then had a shave and by that time shower was hot. Reminded him of the shortage of water and that I did not think it appropriate..... With so little rain, how will they survive the hot summer months with 54 million tourists..... Perhaps Uk could sell them some!

Saturday, 9th February
Had ordered bread for this morning. Trouble is with these places you never know what to expect. Sometimes we are pleasantly surprised. Today, not so. Loaf filled with left over gammon wore our jaws out, so it was a silent journey across to Antequera, a busy market town, in middle of nowhere really, and our next port of call. Stopped off at a supermarket, which turned out to be a mini shopping centre (complete with mini C&A!) so spent a few hours here as we did not fancy walking the town and then headed off 20km to Laguna de la Fuente de Piedra. Here we parked the van, walked the lagoon and visited the bird hides. Sadly there was not much to be seen and as it was windy and quite cool we decided to park up for the night in the carpark which was out in the sticks. Had a very quiet night, although Andy worries when we wild camp, fearing we will be robbed etc. Only visit was at 9 next morning by the warden who did not mind us being there at all.

Sunday, 10th February
Had phone call from friends Rob and Sheila to say they had had an accident and Sheila was in hospital with broken shoulder. Have offered to go back to Portugal if they need us, so are currently on stand by. After an easy 1 and half ride arrived in Guejar Sierra at campsite Los Lomas, 13km outside Granada. Site spectacular with our pitch overlooking Sierra Nevada mountains, now capped with snow. Weather very warm despite our altitude of 1110 m. Walked into the small town in the afternoon and absorbed the atmosphere of the place, so very typically Spanish. Back at the site looked down into the valley as we could hear the bells from the mountain goats getting closer. Could not believe how the goats clambered up the sheer mountain faces followed by a lonely shepherd - or was it the goat that was lonely?????

Monday, 11th February
Temperature last night dropped to 1 degrees, so we awoke feeling very chilly. Turned water on to heat and then hopped back into bed until temperature rose a bit! Had a lazy day cleaning and washing etc. Usual Monday morning jobs followed by leisure time, painting, knitting etc. life of Riley really- who is Riley? In the evening took computer down to the camp bar for the free wi fi and called Alexia. Whilst there Stephen, a single gentleman from Cornwall, appeared with his lap top and asked for some help. What an evening; eventually sorted him out and he was so pleased. So was I when he told me of the many people who had tried to sort his computer out - all nationalities - Swedes, Germans, Finns - so it was a case of Brits 1, all the others nil points, ha, ha!

Tuesday, 12th February
Up with the larks today to catch 9 am bus from outside campsite into Granada (chilly too). 30 minute ride for 1 euro 25.
Did not have a map of Granada and struggled to find Tourist Information, by which time Mr T was getting decidedly grumpy. To restore maritial harmony bought him a pie and a coke after which mood improved and we found the Alhambra Palace after a vertical half mile walk! Man at campsite had said no need for advance tickets as quiet Mon-Fri.....30 minute queue later entered the ancient citadel with its castle, palace and gardens set on a hill above the city. Our ticket gave us entry into Palace Nazare which is a spectacular feat of engineering and a spiritual homage to Allah. Over the centuries Christian iconography has been added without diminishing the palace's muslim roots and the building still stands as a poignant example of co-existance between different religions. The building was a grand affair with colourful tiles and beautiful wood ceilings with a very Moroccan atmosphere. We spent several hours here wandering around the lush gardens with trees just coming into bloom and admiring the intricate symmetry of the Muslim stonework. I have to just add here that we really enjoyed the visit but after the Palace Alcazar at Seville with its peace and tranquilty the Alhambra was disorganised and absolutely packed and chaotic.

After leaving the Palace we walked back through the old quarters known as the Albaicin which had a slightly hippy feel to it. Fascinating mooching around the shops selling 60's type gear and coloured leather and musical instruments. Andy in real mourning as I found the Paul Potts CD on offer here! Tired and weary we caught the 5 pm bus back and sat and relaxed in the bar by the log fire with a large beer. Funny about the Spanish. The bus driver appeared quite grumpy and then when I asked if we caught bus back at same point as which we got on, he insisted we sat back down and then drove us to the spot where we needed to return. Unexpected kindness still surprises us.

Wednesday, 13th February
Sad to be away for Lucy's birthday - these times are the most difficult. Decided to see how far we could walk into the mountains, so set off with walking boots and water. We climbed as far as our poor calf muscles would allow and sat very high above the town of Guejar and just admired the wondrous views with the backdrop of snow covered mountains.It is a bit like stepping back in time here with the goats being taken up to the mountains via the main roads and one of the biggest hurdles here is stepping over goats poo. After a 3 hour hike returned to camp where we decided to have an early dinner outside while sun still had some warmth. Stephen our Cornish neighbour asked if we did take-aways when he smelt our home made steak pie, so of course we offered him dinner and as there was nothing left on his plate, knew he had enjoyed his meal. Being alone it seems hard to motivate yourself to cook, and he confirmed this when we saw his cupboards packed with beans. Beans and beans, beans and sausages and sausages and beans. Word has spread around the camp regarding my computer expertise, so am now being approached by everyman and his dog for information - what a joke!! Back to the bar tonight as now computer lessons on offer. Perhaps I should charge?

Our friends in Portugal have decided to rent an apartment in which to recover from their accident and so they can return to hospital for out patient visits. We rang our Dutch friends who were in the Algarve and they have gone back to be with them for a few days as we are not sure what do do. 200 mile journey back, which in scheme of things is not too bad.

Really not sure where we are heading next - cannot decide. Problem on coast is that all the sites are very full and what pitches are available are grotty and the ones no-one else wants. Up in the mountains it is not a problem and at the moment, as you can see from photo we have a lovely spot.

Watch this space.....

A personal hello to all our friends and family we have not spoken to for a time and to everyone at Thurstable hoping you had a good half term, colleagues from Essex University and at Evergreen... and if anyone is interested in a new conservatory or would like a new suite please call Rod on 01206.....!

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Photos

Marbella - Porto Banus
Walking from Marbella to Porto Banus

Marbella Playa Campsite
This site is the worst we have been on but is fairly typical of the Costa's

Lamborghini
Andy is dreaming of a lottery win as it only costs half a million

Ronda
Tajo gorge

Ronda
18C bridge at Ronda linking old and new town

Guejar Sierra
Town we are staying in on outskirts of Granada

Alhambra Palace, Granada
Mr and Mrs T courtesy of Japenese tourist!

Granada
Alhambra Palace

Granada City
Mr T getting artistic with camera - ali in town square by fountain and cyclamen pyramid - note the reflection in glass office block behind!

Guejar Sierra
View from our camper van door!