Spain, Day 8. Grazalema

 Up early, packed and off today. The first stop was Fuengirola for a last paddle and then on to Ronda. Although sunny, we had climbed up into the mountains and so it was cooler. It was lovely to reacquaint ourselves with the city. We enjoyed lunch on a terrace overlooking the Puente Nueve. By the time we had finished pottering around it was 5.00 pm so time to get on to Grazalema. It was a spectacular drive through dramatic scenery. There were abundant roadside flowers, especially shrub cistus and a few orchids. As we approached Grazalema it was much cooler but we could see a large flock of vultures above us. Once in the town our air B&B was right at the top and Malcolm made a superb job of negotiating the incredibly narrow streets with aplomb. I was just glad that I wasn't driving. We eventually found the plaza in which our property was located but we didn't actually have a house number so Maureen and I tried our code in each of the key safes along the street. It was, of course, the last one. We had the whole house and it was beautiful: traditionally Spanish with tiled floors and large solid wood furniture and with fabulous panoramic views over the town and up into the mountains.

Later, we wandered back down into the town and enjoyed a smashing evening meal at Simancon where we had enjoyed lunch with Beth in 2018.

Andalucia, April 2018. Day 5

What a perfect day.  The weather finally cam up trumps and was warm and sunny with cloudless skies for most of the day.  We were up early and out into town for a wonderful breakfast of tostada at only 7 euros 60 before heading off to explore the town.  We began at the Puente Nuevo where we had left off the night before with its mind boggling drop into the gorge, know affectionately and rather 'rudely' as the balcon del coño.  
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Not only were the views from here spectacular, it was also a great spot for birds with choughs wheeling above the gorge and calling cheerfully, crag martins swooping from their mud cup nests my first swallows and swifts of the year and lesser kestrel.  We wandered along the balcony from here towards the bull ring.  views over to the mountains were expansive.  On the other side of the bridge were views to snow-capped mountains and more views of the bridge and gorge.

From the bridge we wandered into the old town with its narrow winding streets and enjoyed a beer in the sun in the main square.

Studying the map we realized that we could walk from the square down and round into the gorge below the Puente Nuevo.  At first we walked along a quiet road and then turned off onto a cobbled track before scrambling up a footpath to a viewing platform in the depths of the gorge below the bridge.  Flowers were plentiful: vetches, saxifrages, irises and, perhaps, a type of marigold with creamy white petals with  deeper yellow centres and bright gold internal parts.

We climbed back up to the old town where we enjoyed lunch of tomato sald, croquettes and tuna.  Fantastic views but also our most expensive meal - not surprising being in the tourist heart of the city.  There was, however, a high class of busker.  We parted company here for a while, me to pay a quick visit to the bull ring, the oldest in Spain, while Heather and Beth explored to shops.

All too soon it was time to leave and head back to Seville.  We drove through the mountains (we saw them this time), stopping outside Zahara for some photographs of the village in the sun and excellent views of griffon vultures.

This has been an excellent couple of days and we shall definitely be back to explore the pueblos blancos and to walk in the hills.