Costa Del "Souless"???

Nov 21^st

My birthday!  First ever birthday I have been able to wear just a tee shirt and shorts as it was still nice and warm – makes a change from the usual wet and cold November weather in the UK.  We had all decided to visit Marbella further down the Costa del Sol.  The density of buildings was horrible as we approached Camping Cabopino just to the north of Marbella.

 It was a nice site with open generous pitches but was just off the A7 dual carriageway. Lots of traffic hum in the background. Also lots of Brits, Germans and Dutch there for the winter. Not so many fences and “gardens” set up , but still a few. Xmas lights already installed and quite a few festival style flags fluttering on several Brit pitches. As usual we were a source of interest – “staying for the winter?”  If only they could read my thoughts when asked that………………….hmmmm. Just like village life the folk there for the winter seem to have spats. One guy told me he had moved after being unable to tolerate his nearby neighbour’s constant loud music! The beach across from the site was nice and peaceful but had to be accessed by a horrible walk across the aforementioned dual carriageway – over a bridge J

Cabopino beach

Sat 22^nd

We scooted into Marbella which was like driving along the North Circular in London due to all the adverts in English!  Traffic was also just as bad.  The sea front was very elegant, the pavements were all marble. Completely different feel to Benidorm.  The old part of the town was very nice with narrow streets full of classy shops. The central plaza was lovely, lots of restaurants in a very peaceful setting. Very nice.

Old Marbella

That evening we entertained Jonno Badminton a friend we hadn’t seen for 7 years! He lives and works in the San Pedro area and seems to love the lifestyle. Good to see him again and catch up.

Sun 23^rd

We said goodbye to Chris & Lillian who were flying home the next day from Malaga. They were leaving their van in storage and returning after the New year to continue exploring Spain.

We drove up the very entertaining road inland to Ronda. The scenery changed dramatically as we got higher and higher above the costa  and left behind the dense costal strip developments. It was literally like a breath of fresh air!  We had driven only 40km and had entered a different world. We found the campsite easily and once installed we scooted down into Ronda. Wow – the guide books were right. It is a stunning place, especially the famous gorge and bridge. We visited the bullring and museum. I would not want to see a bullfight but it was interesting to see the history  and tradition behind it.

eek!

Bullring

Viewing point in distance

Bridge over gorge

table with a view sir?

Mon 24^th

Another visit to Ronda to see the bits we hadn’t got to. It was still busy with tourists and also lovely and sunny. We wandered about the old part before having a coffee in the newer part. What a lovely town, very calm and relaxing to visit. Bet it is different in July & August.

We left the site at 1.30pm and drove NE to Olvera. This is a pueblo blanco (white village) with a majestic castle and church towering above it, situated in the Parc Natural Sierra de Grazalema. We were back in green Spain! The scenery was very lush and the newly ploughed fields were a rich, dark brown. More like Wales on steroids – lots of steroids!

The area autocaravannas was below the town down a very steep road on the site of a disused railway station. Unfortunately like many places in Spain the facilities had not been looked after or maintained. The dump station was completely blocked, the taps worked on a few bays. Usual litter around the perimeter, oh what a shame.

Olvera high above

The Via Verde de la Sierra started here so we intended to cycle it on Tuesday. It is a cycle / walking route along an old railway line. In fact the 4 stations and the 33 tunnels were completed but the rails never laid – it was privately funded and they ran out of money in 1926 without it ever opening.