Driving the High Sierra

Weekend 18^{th & 19th} November

We spent Saturday on the coast, posting the blog and going to the market.

On Sunday, we decided to have a day out, and drove to over the mountains to a couple of white towns, and walked to their churches, which were both having their services. We then drove on to Algodonales in the Sierra de Lijar…..2 hours over the high Sierras driving with J !! The town has a long central plaza lined with orange trees, and many people were promenading in their Sunday best after attending the 18^th century church of Santa Ana. Lunched here on 2 huge bocadillos mixto (ham and cheese), which set us up for the afternoon.

Then on to Zahara de la Sierra (locally known as de los Membrillos… of the quinces). According to the Rough Guide, this is the most perfect of Andalucia’s fortified hill pueblos (towns) , with typical red–tiled houses falling down the hillside below the church, which lies beneath a 12^th century Moorish Castillo (castle tower) standing high on a rocky outcrop, over–looking a lake of azure blue. We walked up to the centre of town around the church, which was buzzing with bars and restaurants full of people having Sunday lunch. This was tiring enough, but we then climbed up to the Castillo, which was exhausting…..but the views were spectacular…..well worth the climb.

We drove back to Ronda via the lower lake road rather than via Grazalema on the CA531 road, which climbs to the Puerto de las Palomas ( Pass of the Doves……rather than pigeons, according to the Rough Guide book) , which at 1,350 metres is the second highest pass in Andalucia. It was the description of the pass “……and the road embarks on a dramatic descent…..” which made J veto this route……..