A big day in the citroen through endless, endless olive groves punctuated by large bull and 'Flamingo' (Flamenco) dance silhouettes - destination Cadiz, perhaps the most ancient port in Europe. We ended up in a nice little apartment (apart from the rather noisy 3am bottle recycling truck just outside) in Puerta de Santa Maria just across the harbour. Obviously heavily touristed in Summer there were lots of bars for us and carnival rides for the kids. 
We took the ferry to Cadiz the next morning and hopped on an open topped bus. Nice ride but we were a little disappointed, it was all a bit run down. The beaches looked nice though, I imagine that they are a bit like Bondi during the summer. We strolled through the centre and incredibly seemed to find all the streets with shoe stores...maybe they all did - anyway the Spaniards certainly like their shoes (and boots too). They do a lot of walking. 
Off to Ronda on the road less travelled. The windy Sierra de Grazalema roads took us through grizzled cork forests to the scenic village of Grazalema. 
Spectacularly perched on a 100m high ridge Ronda overlooks a tapesty of farming land stretching to the mountains. As well it is split by a deep gorge dividing the new town from the old. Our hotel ended up being at the bottom of the gorge (a steep walk up), but this was well and truly made up by the place itself. Wow! the best hotel we have ever stayed in. It was pure art deco with a tropical garden, huge aquarium and spectacularly sited garden terrace - and to Pa's delight the drinks were free all day! Our two storey room was littered with 'objects de arte' as was the entire hotel. We even got a park right outside.
The 'new' bridge. Rumour has it that the architect fell to his death whilst trying to scribe his name on the side after it was completed.
Angus kicking back with a David Attenborough DVD in our room in Ronda
After Ronda we trundled back home to Orgiva. All in all it was a great adventure and gave Kay and Neil a taste of Spain to remember.
We took the ferry to Cadiz the next morning and hopped on an open topped bus. Nice ride but we were a little disappointed, it was all a bit run down. The beaches looked nice though, I imagine that they are a bit like Bondi during the summer. We strolled through the centre and incredibly seemed to find all the streets with shoe stores...maybe they all did - anyway the Spaniards certainly like their shoes (and boots too). They do a lot of walking. Off to Ronda on the road less travelled. The windy Sierra de Grazalema roads took us through grizzled cork forests to the scenic village of Grazalema. A quick luncheon stop and we were off to Ronda. I had been looking foward to getting here for some time and was not disappointed by our inaugural glimpse...
Spectacularly perched on a 100m high ridge Ronda overlooks a tapesty of farming land stretching to the mountains. As well it is split by a deep gorge dividing the new town from the old. Our hotel ended up being at the bottom of the gorge (a steep walk up), but this was well and truly made up by the place itself. Wow! the best hotel we have ever stayed in. It was pure art deco with a tropical garden, huge aquarium and spectacularly sited garden terrace - and to Pa's delight the drinks were free all day! Our two storey room was littered with 'objects de arte' as was the entire hotel. We even got a park right outside.The 'new' bridge. Rumour has it that the architect fell to his death whilst trying to scribe his name on the side after it was completed.
Angus kicking back with a David Attenborough DVD in our room in RondaAfter Ronda we trundled back home to Orgiva. All in all it was a great adventure and gave Kay and Neil a taste of Spain to remember. 
The agenda was more or less set, we had to get to Madrid so we planned a week long tour of south west Spain. A people mover was needed so we hired a 7 seater citroen so I could be chauffeur and the others could enjoy the scenery. Funnily enough there was a constant battle on who should occupy the 'dickie' seat in the back row. So on with Supertramps greatest hits (for the 568th time) and off we went to strains of 'Take the Long Way Home' - live extended version.
We ended up having to coerce Kay into going shopping....NOT. The plethora of shoe shops proved to be heaven to 'Our Emelda'. Her daughter however tried hard to find a store that even stocked her size 41 clodhoppers. Neil, me and the boys spent some time together on the pavement outside admiring the old buildings and miscellaneous scenery. Neil seemed more than happy with that. He and I also managed to escape for a whirlwind tour of the Prado while the others went to the park. Amber and I had a quick merengue in the park but were rudely pushed aside by this pair of amateurs.
Once we had done the visa thing we left for our tour. First stop historic Toledeo. A very impressive skyline and jam packed with all sorts of medieval edifices. Thankfully slippery slides and swings were invented earlier than I had thought. A very nice day and great to show Kay and Neil a bone fide cobbled historic city. It was. late in the day when we took off so there was a change of plan.
We got back on the road a bit tired and decided to go to Almagro once again. I knew that Neil would enjoy a beer or thirty in the plaza major and Kay would love the Hospedarje that was born from an old nunnery. Apparently this little town was originally colonised by a number of merchant bankers and they left their mark with the architecturally stunning plaza. Making too much money back then too it seems...
Been talking to Auntie Jack Kay?
So we planned a few daytrips and a few roof terrace long lunches so they could immerse themselves in our little town. Jon and Jenny were very keen to try some of the local fare, in particular the Alpujurras Jamon, famous throughout Spain. Legs of pork are salted and left to cure in the dry mountain air. The nice thing is that the leg (complete with hoof) just hangs off a hook in the kitchen...visiting vegetarians need to give advance warning.
