Andalucia Day 10 - Puerto Banus, Benalmadena and home

Going home today, so we tidied the apartment and packed, then left at about 10.30.

On the way we visited the Cave of Pileta, which was just up the road. It was very interesting, big caverns, stalagmites and stalactites and cave paintings that were thousands of years old. No photography allowed unfortunately.

Then we drove to the coast and stopped at Puerto Banus for a walk around - everything was very expensive.

Then we drove to Benalmadena, where we had another walk and dinner at a restaurant overlooking the beach. We both had mixed grill.

Then we went to the airport. The flight was a little late but uneventful, we got home about 2am.

Andalucia Day 9 - Benaocaz and the Salto del Cabrero

We left the apartment just before 9, and drove to Benaocaz where we parked at the top of village. Today's walk was the part of the Salto del Cabrero that was open, an out and back walk.

We saw loads of vultures and other birds, plus boars and piglets, goats, and donkeys.

After the walk we had a walk round the village, trying find a restaurant for lunch but they were all closed. We decided to drive back, through Ubrique. There was a road closed so we got a bit lost. We drove to Gaucin which had very narrow streets. The first restaurant we tried was closed, but eventually we found one. We had mushroom croquettes and spinach pancakes, quite traditional.

We then walked up to castle, which was closed!

We walked round the town and cemetery, then had a drink at bar overlooking a gorge.

We then drove home, where we had dinner of roast chicken and roast vegetables. The light that evening was beautiful.

Andalucia Day 8 - walk to Benaojan, then Ronda again

Today we got up early again, and left the apartment directly for walk at 8. We walked upstream, first to Jimera de Libar.

On the way into the village there was an interesting juxtaposition of a boat and a goose.

We then walked on to Benaojan, arriving about 12.15. We had a drink at Bar Stop, then sat outside for our lunch of sandwiches.

Since we had plenty of time we decided to get the train on to Ronda, to see some of the things we missed first time. We visited the secret mine in the gorge and the Arab Baths.

We went to the supermarket, then caught the 3.45 train home. Dinner was pasta and vegetables.

Andalucia Day 7 - walk from Benarraba to Genalguacil

Today we were up really early, and had breakfast on the balcony before it got light.

We left at 8 to drive to Benarraba. Today's walk was down to the river valley and up to Genalguacil, then back again.

On the way down we saw many orange trees, cork oaks and walnut trees.

Down at the river there was a picnic area and swimming hole, but we didn't use it.

Genalguacil is an unspoilt Moorish village, with art pieces everywhere and great views over the valley.

We went back a different route, which was longer with a very hot uphill stretch at the end. We had a drink with some local olives in a bar at the tiny village square. Then back to the apartment for a rest before dinner - pork steaks, potatoes, onion and garlic.

Andalucia Day 6 - Ronda

After breakfast we drove up to the supermarket in Cortes for provisions. We went back to the apartment then walked to the station. From there we took the train to Ronda. There was nowhere at either station or on the train to buy a ticket, so we got a free trip.

By the time we got to Ronda it was lunchtime, so we found a restaurant and sat outside with pizza and baguette.

After lunch we had a walk around the town, especially the New Bridge and the gorge.

We walked round the old town for a bit, we would have visited the Arab Baths but they were closed. We paid to go into the bullring for a look round.

We had some drinks in a few bars while waiting for train, then got back to the apartment about 8.30pm, where dinner was bread, cheese, ham etc.

Andalucia Day 5 - walk to El Colmenar

After breakfast we walked from the apartment down the path by the river. We soon came up against a herd of goats going in the other direction.

We saw fish in the river and some frogs in the marsh beside it. Further on we met some wild boar on the same path we were walking on.

We also saw herons, deer and Griffon vultures. We came to a bridge and a steep climb at the entrance to a gorge on a different river.

The water here was very clear so Scott went for a swim. It was very hot.

We arrived at the village of El Colmenar, where we had a drink at a bar before catching the train back to our own village.

For dinner we had bread, ham, avocado and cheese.