Africa

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We were recommended by a fellow camper to visit a little town called Ronda which is dramatically perched on a rugged hill. It was well worth the visit as the new bridge C.1754 (see picture)connects the town across a fissure in the rock on which Ronda sits. Just a few kilometres outside Ronda are the Pileta caves where we had a guided tour which was conducted by giving out some kerosene lamps to help light the way, this gave the event an atmosphere like something out of journey to the centre of the earth, as some of the caves were up to 30 metres high with bats on the ceiling and spectacular stalagmights/stalagtights drenched in the shadows of the lamps. We crept along narrow passageways connecting the cave system. At one point I could swear I saw AS carved into the rock (Arne Saknussemm).
Leaving Ronda we decided that our cravings for British foodstuffs that we missed could probably be satisfied with a brief visit to Gibraltar where we had been told that there was a Morrison’s supermarket full of all our favourite things such as Marmite, Nairn’s oatcakes, decent white wines from anywhere except Spain, etc. etc. Anyway fully laden we left Gibraltar having been there for about 3 hours in total, two of which were waiting on the Spanish police letting everyone either in or out. As it was getting dark when we left we relied on our trusty SatNav to find us a campsite in Tarifa. Trusting the SatNav is usually the position of last resort but in this occasion it came up trumps and we stayed a good campsite with a decent bar (1st criteria) full of other travellers speaking mainly English as a second language. Tarifa has a reputation for its constant strong winds making it a haven for Kitesurfers who turn up in numbers and do their stuff all day along the 10 mile beach. They are mostly male, strong fit young men and Liz spent a lot of time trying to get the right shot of them in action, or so she said.
It was obvious by looking out of the Campervan window that Africa was just a short hop away, so we took a ferry to Tangiers for a day visit. It was a an entertaining day with snake charmers, visit to the Kasbah, lunch and rounded off with some shopping in the Souk where we bought some Mint tea (that’s what we told customs) and spices.
Moving on from Tarifa we made for Cadiz staying at a campsite in Puerto Del Santa Maria where we took a ferry to Cadiz. After a very bumpy crossing which was fortunately a short one we strolled around Cadiz and enjoyed its panoramic setting with virtually 360 degree sea views?
We are heading for Portugal and the Algarve in the next few days, with the weather still forecast to be 20+ although it is now noticeably colder and darker in the mornings. Liz was delighted to find that Portugal is on the same time as the UK so she gets an extra hour in bed, her 2nd one this year with the prospect that when we return to the UK from France she will get another. She is a simple girl to please!

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Photos

Ronda
Bridge over cleft in the rock which divides the town

Ronda
view from Ronda

Hilltop village
on the scenic road to Gibraltar

Storks nest
All along the pylons. The storks were coming in for winter

Gibralter
view as you come in

Gibraltar
Van in Morissons car park

Tarifa
Kite surfers with Africa in the background

Post in Campsite
Rio Jara camp is the most southerly point in Europe

Tangiers
No Abby, we refused to ride any camels

Kasbah
door for our collection

Lunch in Tangiers
local band

Puerto De santa Anna
Dilapidated church near our campsite. It had been superbly detailed at one time, I hope they restore it

Comments

[Mike Cartwright]

Guys Tangiers and Cadiz look great , not sure about the snakes ! How's the Algarve ? Looking forward to catching up in December Mike