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Life can be very pleasant when the sun shines on a daily basis and there is little to do…… Woolly says – There is always plenty to do and having spent a few days huffing and puffing I insisted that we visit the local town of Nerja (pronounced Nerca), with a camera this time, To be fair to my small friend it was long overdue so to start his day well the roof came off the convertible and he cruised into the car park playing the super star! Woolly says – I can’t help being a star and watching the jaws dropping as I arrived in style surely befits my status. Parking is an issue in this lovely town so having had a minor argument over the need to walk and Jo having given in as usual I snacked as she carried me into the old quarter of the township. He has paws and given the amount of tapas he is now consuming I think a small amount of exercise wouldn’t hurt him! Woolly says – I fail to see the problem and I’m sure my bandana’s, hoody and t shirts will stretch! Nerja is a hidden delight, the outskirts with it’s much more modern building and sudo Spanish style of building but as you enter the smaller streets they narrow around you and history surrounds you. Nerja is a municipality on the Costa del Sol in the province of Malaga. It belonged to the comarca of La Axarquía under Muslim rule when it was called Narixa, which means "abundant source" and is the origin of the current name. Failing to get either Jo or Graham to pursue an ice cream stall I found myself in the area which is locally known as the Balcon. The Balcón de Europa, meaning a mirador or viewpoint gives stunning views across the sea, its name is popularly believed to have been coined by King Alfonso XII who visited the area in 1885 following a disastrous earthquake and was captivated by the scene. Local folklore says that he stood upon the site where the Balcón now stands, and said "This is the balcony of Europe". Local archive documents are said to show that its name predated this visit, but this has not prevented the authorities from placing a life-sized (and
much photographed) statue of the king standing by the railing. Well since I have now visited there they can put a statue of me as well! Originally known as La Batería, a reference to the gun battery which existed there in a fortified tower, this emplacement and a similar tower nearby were destroyed during the Peninsular War. In May 1812, the British vessels Hyacinth, Termagant and Basilisk supported Spanish guerrillas on the coast of Granada, against the French. On 20 May, Termagant or Hyacinth opened fire and the forts were destroyed. Two rusty guns positioned at the end of the Balcón are reminders of these violent times and an ideal opportunity for a photo call. I could see camera’s flashing at the far end of the balcon and prepared my best star smile only to become bitterly disappointed when they seemed more intent on taking snaps of a bride instead.
I had to smile, he really does seem to believe that the whole world knows of his fame and any camera clicking should involve him as the main subject. Woolly says – Finding several drain covers made up for my disappointment and adds to the growing collection that my bestest friend Sion and I have. Having taken in the views, gazed at the aqua sea below my paws and ignored the cameras that continued to click around me I trotted into the narrow lanes, Nerja.
As I watched his furry behind disappear down a small crossroads we hurried behind him, I needn’t have worried he hadn’t gone far. Woolly says – Little Italy beckoned and having been reminded of my friend Sion who is sunning himself in Italy at the moment, it seemed only fitting to sit and sample their fare. Ok to be fair they could even out feed a mammoth and much as I hate to say it I couldn’t finish the garlic bread having already enjoyed a hugemunous portion of spaghetti bolognaise and helped Jo finish her swordfish even I have to call a halt sometimes and with a tummy fit to burst I almost offered to pay the small bill ( I didn’t because I really don’t believe in breaking the habits of a lifetime!) in the interests of working some of the food off I led the way into more small lanes and cobbled streets. Tapas bar after tapas bar offered me their best but for once I couldn’t manage another mouthful.
It’s taken a very long time but to finally find a point where my small friend cannot manage anymore food must be a first! Woolly says – Nerja is such a lovely place and the atmosphere is wonderful, daughter Zoe will love the clothes shops when she arrives (a trip that I don’t plan going on!) and having wandered along gazing into the small courtyards found myself in front of an ice cream stall and the church of El Salvador. The original church was erected in 1505, although the existing structure was not actually built until much later, in 1697, and it was then further extended during the period 1776 – 1792. Built as a three naved cross, the central area is covered with a wooden framework of paired braces, the sides featuring vaulted edges at the ends and half barrel vaults with windows in the remainder. On the front of the church are two quite large ceramic tile plaques, one detailing the history of the church, the other a rather beautiful and colourful religious scene. As I stood enjoying my icy treat I made that Jo was capturing the loveliness of it all.
I couldn’t credit the fact that he had any room left, words fail me! Woolly says – licking the last of the ferria Rocha remains from my fur and trying to hide the sticky bits of fur I couldn’t reach from Jo we made our way towards the beach and our new enterprise. Whilst the mammoth has been feeding and basking graham and I have been working hard on the starting of a business, the whole point in coming here. Having seen quite a few bars one kept coming back into our sights, it had new owners taking over when we first saw it and then word came through that they had pulled out it came back into view again. Woolly says – Bar Nineteen fit the bill in so many ways, it was small enough for me to direct, it had a kitchen to ensure a constant supply of food, it was minutes from the beach for when I needed a break from my arduous work oh and Jo and Graham would be able to manage it when I wasn’t around, in fact it was just what we were looking for and as the wonderful Harriet (I’m working on asking her out) and the rather nice Mark seemed happy to let us proceed with taking over how could I refuse! Folks the mammoth is back behind the bar, it could get messy!
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D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
Andalusia
Great place for a wedding.