Tues 9 Jan 5° Almerimar - Almeria

Blue skies and sunshine this morning and it soon warmed up, a bread van came selling baguettes for .50c.

Crossed over the road and walked along the paved promanade which went for miles along the rough, grey sandy beach. Great place for a longer stay, also dog friendly. One for Pat and Les.

Came back and had eggs on toast before doing the services and driving onto Almeria. Through the salad bowl of Europe, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers grown in soil grow bags on elevated onto racks.

Into our Almeria and our free stop tonight, in the auditorium car park.

Did some more prep for importing Bessie and the costs seem to be mounting up, so first doubts creeping in as to whether it will be affordable. 

Mon 8 Jan 5° Nerja - Almerimar

Today we decided to drive up to Frigiliana,  voted the prettiest village in southern Spain.

Sadly too wide so couldn't park, took some photos then back down to the coast road eastwards.

Saw diesel at a good price so got a fill €1.16 €60 for 51 ltrs.

On the map the road runs along the coast, but it is very up along the cliff and through the hills above the coast. Winding our way around bends overlooking the hills down to the sea dotted with houses and villages. ...wonder how some get access to their property.

Almunecar spectacular views of the coastal towns below on the slopes.

Miles and miles of plastic covered tomato hot houses....the 2nd largest producer in the world behind Italy, the hot house conditions are so hot they employ 100,000 immigrants from Africa and eastern Europe to work there.

Into Calahonda rocky hills now reminded us of John Denver's  song Rocky Mountain High. Drove through all the little towns and villages and through many, many many roundabouts.

Along  a long road south to the sea and our Aire for tonight €8 with services at Almerimar.

Caught up on blog, Tony tried to sit outside for a bit, but although the sun was out, it was cold. Watched a man with his 2 husky dogs on his waist harness, them taking him for a walk haha. Tony cooked dinner which was very welcome, mince with tomatoes and cucumber salad. 

Sun 7 Jan 4° Cordoba- Nerja

Up early, still dark at 8am, half an hour walk to the Mezquita-Catedral,  €10 each. Walked around d the massive building for 2hours, very impressive place

.

Back to Bessie for lunch and empty then 3 hour drive down to the coast. Mile's of olive trees and grapevines with lots of new plantings as well as established trees as far as the eye can see.

Snow on the top of the mountains  near Antequera,  glad we don't have to go up there. Although we did drive up a 7% gradient through the lower tree covered ranges then of course back down another 7% gradient. Uh oh those snow covered hills are getting closer, light dusting clearly visible.
Stopped for diesel €1.23 just got €20 16ltrs.

We see the sea...with powder blue skies through the clouds as we drive along the non commercial coast to Alazcala.  Plan A park too small...2 camper vans filled the tiny area.

Onto plan B, past 2 blocks of un finished apartments.

Into Nerja, down a very steep, narrow drive to a large parking area, several motorhomes and cars here, it's free and ok for tonight.

As we were going out to explore met an English couple from Cornwall who were going I to the movies and offered to show us the way. They  had rented an apartment in Frigiliana for 6 months then travelling in their 6m motorhome. Took us to a bakery, we both bought bread €1 for a fresh seed loaf and were given a sample of xmas cake filled with chocolate mouse ...delicious. They told us where to go to get down to the water front and great coastal views and they went I  to their movie.
They also told us there was a bus at 10.30 up to Frigiliana if we wanted to go.
Walked down and wow what a lovely unspoiled, Spanish village, lots of restaurants and bars but it didn't feel over commercialised, very pretty place.

We had baby squid and octopus  €4.50 each, Tony had a beer and I had a coffee, it was very cold.

Walked back to Bessie, it started to rain slightly, had fish, chips and Brussels for dinner.