This time I really am surrounded by parrots: hundreds of brightly coloured parakeets squawking and swooping in the trees overhead at this site on the coast near Malaga. We fly home tomorrow, so it’s mundane stuff from here on in. I’ll send this now while I’m still online.
We visited the caves at Nerja which are spectacular, full of the most magnificent stalactites and rock formations. It’s a little oppressive thinking about the weight of rock overhead so I was happy to exit after we’d admired the sights. Nerja itself is an attractive town, perhaps a bit touristy but still retaining much original character and population. This was particularly true at lunchtime, when we found ourselves a bargain lunch deal for 6€ a head at some sort of old people’s centre run by the municapality! And no, you didn’t have to be an old person to eat there, before you make any rude comments. Anyway I downed a large plate of freshly prepared paella, followed by the most enormous sea bass you have ever seen! It was a steal. I can’t help feeling I’ve deprived some old biddy of their lunch.
The next day it absolutely poured with rain,so rather than stay cooped up in the van, we drove to Malaga for the day. I really like Malaga, there is loads to see and good places to eat. It continued to pour but we trudged round the Alcazar, which I think I actually preferred to the Alhambra as it’s really evocative. Still wet,we decided to head homeward via a bar, the Internet and fortifying food and drink. We came across the Picasso Museum and had a look around that. If I’m honest, I struggle with some of it….but I did enjoy the video of circus acts which Picasso watched which inspired him. I particularly enjoyed the elderly male acrobats in baggy tights with handlebar moustaches.
A couple of quiet days and now, here we are further down the coast in bright warm sunshine again, complete with parrots and not a vest in sight.
Only a week to go to Christmas and all you get here is a few tasteful poinsettias, often against a white fountain or edging and perhaps a plastic Father Christmas climbing up a balcony. Quite refreshing.
So home to Blighty for a while and what am I looking forward to, apart from seeing my family and friends of course? A bath, getting a bit tired of draughty showers; folic acid, the Spanish don’t seem to eat much green veg; and of course a bit more space!
Must go, preparing to don vest tomorrow.