What seemed like a good idea for some winter warmth turned out to be dodging week long storm Juan on the Costa del Sol with a highlight walk along the Camonito del Rey.
A wet Saturday at the Picasso Museum
With an exhibition of ‘the Royan Sketchbooks’ and a William Kettridge work the conditions had us juggling umbrellas and wet weather clothing contributing to the loss of a cloakroom ticket, where unusually someone remembered the number to retrieve their backpack
Antequera
Catching the 11:05 bus for the one hour journey to Antequera. Not knowing exactly what to expect we saw a town filled with churches and famous for it’s UNESCO dolmens. We ad good though still chilly weather with the Menga dolmen from 3.5k+ BC a focus, quite a piece of work, with the background on alignment to the shaped hill of the Pena de los Enamorados. Of course what do you align your dolmens on? The Alcazaba traditional fortress gave some impressive views over the town and surrounding countryside. The bus schedule gave a a 17:15 return to get back in time for some more rain
The Camonito del Rey – don’t miss this
Wonderful. Book your slot (11:15-12:00) WELL in advance on their website. They aren’t fussed on when you turn up, you just take your turn. Ideally get the 09:05 train to El Churro (the Seville service) from Malaga Maria de Zambrano and the regional train back at 16:39, an earlier 13:56 service if you are in a rush, (buy tickets on the train). The €2.50 shuttle buses from El Churro are lined up waiting to take you to the start, but take the 2.7km route to enjoy more of the scenery and stretch the time. It takes around 2 hours to walk the 5km so by the time you’ve had some refreshments it’s a wonderful day out. Trouble is which of the fifty photos to chose to display.
Malaga Cathedral is impressive and the streets and alleys of the old town have plenty to catch the eye. The museo de Malaga has some interesting archaeology and is a good bet in the rain. Public transport at €1.40 for a journey, including the €4 ‘A’ from the airport – every 20 mins – just tap to pay as you get on. It’s a 40km round trip by city bike to Torremolinos, keeping the sea to your left (on the way out), but if you can swap out the padded saddle you’ll be grateful.
The hotel MS Maestranza was 15 minutes out of the very centre, but close to the beach and seafood shacks looking out on the Mediterranean. The facilities were good and the staff and breakfast excellent although we found the evening restaurant a little fancy
Curiosities
The 14-deck Virgin Brilliant Lady, with capacity for almost 3,000 passengers was moored off Malaga whilst we were there on final commissioning
The bamboo on the beach grows all around the Mediterranean coast and is washed ashore seasonally
If I’d known there was a mini marathon race on Sunday I’d have entered. Of course.
You could see the snow on the distant Sierra Nevada mountains
- The hotel supplied GF bread & madeleines – so I came home and started making them – they are very easy to make & delicious
- The ice cream parlour made rose petals out of the ice cream for cones
- Check what’s in the vegetable paella before you order, it might be disappointing
- We weren’t wanted as extras in filming just outside the cathedral but you wouldn’t believe the kit and lighting needed for a flower shop sequence they were shooting
- Tapas are the order of the day, better a few of those than big sit down meals for a smaller appetite
- Crianza is the “oaky” Rioja
el Corte ingles has a fantastic selection of sports goods, almost worth a trip to get your kit there
