Blogs from Fuengirola, Andalusia, Spain, Europe

Day 5 and it's sales pitch day. Our free holiday comes at the price of listening to what CLC World has to offer. It started with a free breakfast which is a good start; both continental and English varieties were on offer so I had both. We had been picked up for our meeting by our main man Maurice. Now I have to be careful what I'm writing as Claire gave Maurice one of our cards with our blog and website addresses on. Maurice, well what can I say about him and his line manager, Lorna.... Well, in all honesty, I liked them both. They have a product to sell which they believe in and it's something which would suit a lot of people. It's a long way past timeshare and the accommodation is superb and ... read more

The alarm went off at 2.15am after a few hours of lying awake farting. I'm not sure that was the sole reason I didn't get much sleep but it didn't help. Claire was very appreciative as always though. I then regaled Claire with the story of how the word holiday comes from the Ancient Greek translated as Holey Day because in olden times the Greeks spent their days off making holes in cloth. Thankfully these days we get to jump on aeroplanes and jet off somewhere interesting as I can imagine me getting quite bored of making holes in anything except David Cameron's head never mind a piece of cloth. After saying goodbye to Lia and Bod we set off in search of roadworks so we could be diverted and this time we were successful. They ... read more

Thursday 29th January: after a leisurely and very good breakfast at the hotel in Estepona we headed off along the coast highway towards Gibraltar. We once again went through La Duquesa where we had spent the first and second days of the trip looking at properties, and then on to La Linea adjacent to Gibraltar Airport. Rather than joining the long queue of traffic waiting to cross into Gibraltar we found a very convenient car park just 200 yards from the border crossing and walked into the Territory. First impressions were not favourable as it all seemed very scruffy and somewhat seedy; not improved by the overcast weather. We enquired about getting a taxi to the top of the Rock, which was the only place we wanted to visit but were told that the only, and ... read more

Saturday 24th February: we headed west on the main coast highway towards Marbella then turned inland up into the hills past the multi million euro villas of middle eastern potentates: the uber rich and other ne'er do wells, and onwards and upwards. At over 3,000 feet, and not far below the snow line, we stopped off at a cafe for some delicious Spanish coffee and to share the view with the bikers who use this cafe as a rest stop; in a similar way to the bikers who congregate near Storey Arms on the A470 Cardiff to Brecon road. Then it was down the mountain, but not too far, to the town of Ronda. It's an old Moorish stronghold whose claim to fame is a spectacular gorge that separates the old town from the new (comparatively ... read more

Taking the cheap and quick 45 minute train journey along the coast to Fuengirola was a perfect way to spend a hot Saturday. The trains are clean, air conditioned and efficient. The town has a reputation like the whole of the Costa del Sol for being naff, yet this lovely little town has clawed its way back from those 1970’s images of Brits abroad. Short walk through the town took me to the wide street and promenade that stretches next to the sea. Beautiful beaches, endless benches and a lovely long sweeping view of the coastline meant it was a pleasure to walk miles up and down. The harbour was filled with boats, bars and music, frequent beer stops were essential to make the most of it. Glorious weather meant I wanted to explore a little ... read more