A Lovely Lazy Day

Sun 6th April 2014

Not much to report today. Lazy day, walked into town to get some provisions (beer, wine and water of course!!!!) enjoying the sun and seeing the locals enjoying their Sunday. Plenty of people on the beach, though not many swimming (the water is very cold ) the restaurants along the beach were doing BBQ’s by filling small boats with sand and making fires in them to cook the fish, mainly sardines. Back at the campsite made the most of the sun, read our books and I even caught up with the highlights of the Eagles games on Utube. Got a call from Mike and Liz to say they had arrived safely and arranged to meet up with them tomorrow and will have a sleepover at their apartment tomorrow night. Had another BBQ tea after a lovely walk down the beach. As it is short today we will leave you with a little pearl of wisdom, “Alcohol does not solve any problems, but then again neither does milk!!!!!”

A Walk Through The Countryside

Sat 5 April 2014

Late night last night as watched Wolf on Wall Street movie - it was so long bed at 1am! It was ok but it's all been done before. Had breakfast outside Priscilla-that's the first time since we've been away! Gorgeous morning so decided to go for a walk. We walked from Torre Del Mar to Almayate starting from the beach then along the old tram route that used to run from Malaga to Zafarraya. We went through fields of avocado trees, artichokes, cane, potatoes and onions growing. When we arrived in the village of Almayate we had a coffee 1E each!!!! And watched as a farmer went by led by 2 bullocks. The village was lovely with houses all looked after and most of them had wells in the front garden. 23 degrees with a gorgeous breeze had to get in the shade at some points ! On the way back the route took us by the Rio Velez and over old bridges. One cliff face we passed consisted of shells and sediment from when it was below sea level. Arrived back after 3 hours and about 8kms - it really was a pleasant stroll through the Spanish countryside. Had fresh avocados and local pate for lunch ( and a beer of course) before having a very relaxing afternoon under the shade of the trees, outside Priscilla, reading our books. Got the BBQ out for the first time! And finished off another great day with a delicious meal then watched the English "Voice" final. Great news arrived - Mike & Liz fly into Malaga tomorrow and they have booked an apartment for 5 days and it's only 20 mins from us! 

Laundry day in Torre Del Mar

Fri 4^th April 2014

Big day today, Jo had shower and hair wash! Then laundry day! The sun is shining so a good day to strip the “cloud” (our name for the bed) and get the whites washed, the darks were done last night and are out on the washing line. We also purchased some plastic green cloth 3 x 4 metres to create our outside lawn and to keep the dirt down, which we put down. Sat outside enjoying the sun (Jo made leek and potato soup) reading our books till mid-afternoon and then got out the bikes to ride along the sea front. Watched a few locals playing Patenca (le boule) then cycled right along the seafront to the next village and watched the fishing boats come in, not sure what their catch is but they use nets out the back. Cycled back and stopped to watch the locals enjoying their walks along the front. Got back to the campsite and had our leftovers from last night. Movie night tonight I think but which one? Jo has added a photo of text msg from Jane in L’Estartit regarding yesterday’s blog ha ha! As todays blog is a bit short and boring for you, but not for us, I have decided to add a bit of “trivia” for you all. The game of Trivial Pursuit was created just up the road here in Nerja (you will remember Nerja Mum) by two Canadian journalists in 1980 who worked 18 hours a day thinking up the questions for their game, fuelled by San Miguel beer. They struggled to find investors but one who did was a local barman (who is now a millionaire ) The game went unnoticed for two years but once it did the money kept rolling in and is still one of  the biggest games ever invented.

Laying the lawn!

Washing day

Cuppa and a chapter

Patenca (Spanish bowls)

Market day in Torre del Mar

Thurs 3 April 2014

Had a sleep in again (because we can!)  Spoke to a welsh guy - Peter from Swansea who was walking his dog Woody- he has been on this campsite for 6 months to get away from the English winter! They do it every year and so many others we have talked to do too. There are a lot of Germans French and Dutch on this site.  It is so much cheaper to live here especially the food in the supermarkets and local produce. Walked into town about midday as the markets were on until 2pm, they were very big and everything you wanted or needed was there. Food clothing hardware souvenirs leather goods and some gorgeous white clothes (Mum I wanted to buy them all for you xxx). Slowly wondered around and had a coffee and read a local English language newspaper! then headed back before stopping for a beer along the promenade to watch a big storm in the distance. For about 2 weeks now we have been seeing so many orange trees lining the streets ( and as we are trying to save money!!!!! Ha ha)  we managed to pick some - they were lovely but a bit sour with a hint of lemon taste. Got back to Priscilla and relaxed before cooking our meal and checking out local walks in the area. Have had a reply from a Workaway host - sounds promising - will keep you posted. 

All different herbs and spices-we got pistaschios

Lots of leather goods

All this white stuff!!! Was better than it looks

Back on the coast

Wed 2nd April 2014

Laying in bed last night listening to the trumpet practice changed at 10pm to the addition of drums!! It rained most of the night and woken at 1am to the dustcart coming around so not the best nights sleep. Laid in and read our books as it was pouring then looked at the map and decided to head further south past Granada (will do that later as supposed to be beautiful) to Torre Del Mar (just east of Malaga). Just realised it's 4 months today we left Australia! Drove through spectacular mountain scenery - shame most of it was covered by the rain clouds. Arrived at the campsite Laguna Playa at about 3.30pm. Nice site and E16 a night including electricity and Wi-Fi. Got settled and walked down onto the beach (coarse black sand ) the Mediterranean was really calm and will look so much better when the sun comes out (due Friday) so not taking many pics until then. Watched the dolphins follow the fishing boats in. Back to Priscilla and cooked dinner. Applied to a few workaways in his area so hopefully after We have caught up with Mike and Liz we will be able to help somebody out for a while. 

But it's raining!

David- the April fool!

Tues 1st April 2014

No rush to leave this morning. It was good to hear Jess has arrived home safe after her trip. Slowly packed up and said goodbye to the other Aussies'. Caught up with internet stuff (while we still had it) Filled up with water and emptied the waste and while reversing David clipped a tree high up the top of Priscilla and broke the light!!! (Poor Priscilla again!) left at about 12 noon and set off through the centre of Cordova (4 lanes of traffic!!!!! Jess help!!!!!) and headed towards Granada. We travelled past more vast expanses of olive trees. Found an Aires in a large village at Priego de Cordoba. Not the best but will do for the night and good views of olive trees growing on mountains. Walked into town to do a shop and then sat outside Priscilla reading and enjoying the sun. We must be in a dog walking area as all the locals have come out. Had a lovely dinner of Turkey and salad (food is a lot cheaper here and very fresh and more choice) David keeps saying, who eats all this fresh food, as there is so much, and so much growing too, and hardly any people???!!! End of an early night was spent listening to some young boys practicing the trumpet in the park next to us!!!