Barranco Blanco

October 15th

We tried to find a local beauty spot that we have just learned about ~ Barranco Blanco about 4 km from Coin. This has been recently saved from a major urbanisation development and golf course, the infrastructure roads having already been constructed. We walked down into a scenic valley, with pine trees and wild rosemary growing everywhere, but failed to find the lake and waterfall. Climbed back up and walked to a mirador (lookout) with new views over Alhaurin.

First Ramble

October 14th

Awoke to a severe thunderstorm about 5 am with pink lightening and heavy rain. Drains coped.

Went for our first “ramble” in the hills overlooking Cabopina (between Fuengirola and Marbella) with a local walking group. Pleasant group of like minded individuals and walked 5-6 Km .

Dancing & Paella

After this we queued for an hour for our portion of the giant paella (serving 500-600 people) and sangria. Most people seemed to be asking for 2 platefuls on the pretext of getting one for a friend, which contributed to the delay in getting served. However, everyone who wanted paella got some despite the apparent greed of many. Another unedifying sight were children filling carrier bags from the many left over plates, probably indicative of the poverty in many Spanish villages.

Feria de la Mula

October 12th

The wind finally dropped today, to be replaced by a dusty smog . Today is a National Holiday of Hispanidad celebrating Spanishness, with the church bells waking us at 6.30 am. We went to a rural festival in the village of Arenas ~ Feria de la Mula ~ the Mule Fair, featuring a motley collection of mules, donkeys and horses, birds of prey, flamenco dancing and a giant paella and sangria. Arenas is 80 km from Alhaurin.

Finding the road to Arenas was a challenge in itself, which took an hour or so, as there were absolutely signs from the motorway or from the large town of Veija Malaga. Eventually after several attempts, we found the only road leading from the back streets of Veija Malaga, checking with a local that this was the road to Arenas – si arriba, arriba, arriba , arriba – on top, higher, higher, on top – arriba has many connotations.

We arrived in Arenas high in the coastal mountains about 1.30, having missed the judging of the mules, to a demonstration of birds of prey with a difference – the birds flying across the stage to land on the arms of children who had volunteered – a great hit with the kids. We then had traditional dancing from three groups of girls in their traditional dresses – very colourful.

Windy Fuengirola

October 11th
The windy weather that delayed our bus continued in Fuengirola , with high seas and part of a breakwater washed away. The normally calm Mediterranean proved challenging for kite surfers