Malaga to Motril, 25th to 27th May

The last 2 days we have mostly motored down the coast, first to Caleta de Velez, where Stuart left for Malaga Airport, then a night at anchor and now we are in the port of Mortil, on the coast south of Granada. Leaving Malaga, the coast has fewer high rise blocks, though they still appear on the longer beaches. Dwelling perch on the steep hillsides and mountains rise in the background, occasionally an abandoned unfinished concrete shell sits as a reminder of more optimistic times. There are small round fortified towers every few miles along the coast along which runs both the “old” road and in the background the tunnels and bridges of the newer highway.

Just before we reached Motril we made a slight detour to see Salobrena the village where we spent 2 weeks on holiday with friends more than 30 years ago.Though it’s now gained a small beach resort it's still a pretty place; the original village perched on a rocky outcrop below a Moorish castle with the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains in the background. 

The Moorish fortress at Salobrena, with the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the background

Salobrena village and beach resort

May 24th-25th, Marbella to Malaga

We motored and sailed the 30 miles down the coast from Marbella to Malaga, by-passing the delights of Torremelinos. Malaga port has benefited from major EU finded investment and now has a new cruise ship dock, eating and shopping area as well a a Pompidous art gallery.
The city has some interesting sights including the Alcazaba, the palace-fortress of Malaga's Moorish governors and the older Castilo De Gibralfaro, which was origionally built in the 8th Century. The unfinished cathedral dates from the 16th century on the site of the former mosque. The Plaza de Toros is apparently roman in origin. The city was the birthplace of Picasso and now houses a major gallery showing his work. (this post was written over lunch in the shadow of the cathedral, listening to buskers playing classical guitar).

The Pompidou Centre with the Alcazaba in the background.

The purple Jacaranda trees are stunning

Nice view of port from Alcazaba rather spoilt

Alcazaba

Plaza de Toros

Tropical gardens

Malaga Cathedral

21st May to 23rd May, Gibraltar to Marbella via uncomfortable night off Sotogrande

We left Gibraltar Saturday afternoon for a very slow 15 mile sail to an anchorage off of Sotogrande. Bad move, despite no wind, or apparent waves, overnight Cara Mara rolled in a most uncomfortable way. Our first anchorage of the trip was not a great success. Fortunately, next morning sun and a good breeze cheered us up as we sailed the 22 miles down the coast to Marbella.

Never having visited the town before, first impression were not great, busy beaches, lots of high rise. We have now had a chance to wander round the old town, which lying within the walls of the 10 century Moorish fortress are pretty, despite the many upmarket tourist shops.

We took the bus for an afternoon in Ojen, a white walled village in the hills above Marbella, slightly cooler than the 28 degrees in Marbella.

Leaving Gibraltar

Marbella old town, the church like many in this part of Spain was originally a mosque.

Marbella old town

The church and main square of Ojen, a small village in the hills above Marbella

The view from Ojen to the coast.

19th and 20th May Gibraltar

We found Gibraltar to be just weird. The cable car up to the Top Rock was just as we expected, the views are fantastic, the “apes” (actually tailless monkeys) are there and they do try to get into your rucksack to steal food. There is a lot of history, not just the centuries of British military occupation but also the periods of Moorish and Spanish rule. The weirdness was at its greatest shopping for food in Morrison’s.  Everything is exactly like shopping at home, the signs, the products, the layout, (everything except customers drinking at the bar), it was just like being teleported back home.

View from the Top Rock, Cara Mara is in the marina bottom right.

They look cute, but don't turn your back on the monkeys.

The botanical gardens are surprisingly good

View towards battery point. The second world war guns were capable of firing shells right across the Straights, but apparently only one German submarine was eversunk

mother and baby