Roemin abit

We were not picked up until 1 o'clock so after packing there was time to have a last wander to the local shop. The day started quite dull and it actually rained a little as we were waiting for the mini bus. The flight was a bit late leaving but we arrived back in the UK at 6:00pm, early enough to stop at M&S at Fosse Park on the way home. Despite Rosemary not being 100% we enjoyed the break and avoided a week of cold weather in the UK. Torremolinos has thrown off a lot of its spam and chips image and we would certainly return and use the same hotel again to see more of the area. Malaga looks like it has lots to offer and the Andalucian countryside has spectacular places still to see.     The Melia hotel from a paddling position

The cathedral tower Its our last day and last chance to go to Malaga on the train. The station in Malaga is about 800m from the centre where most of the attractions are to be found. It was Sunday and the cathedral was holding masses most of the day so we just got chance to look around the back. It was not so grand as many that we have visited on our travels in Spain. Most of the shops were closed so we had an uninterrupted stroll along the tourist route towards Picasa's birthplace museum. Its just off the market place where there were many alfresco bars and restaurants and we had a decent paella for our Sunday lunch with a beer and glass of wine. After lunch we walked back down towards the harbour area past the Greek amphitheatre ruins and the Alacaza. I bought a souvenir sardine picture from a Russian artist by the entrance.  The harbour area has been modernised in recent years like Valencia and is a pleasant place to wander and have a coffee or drink - which we did. There...

A sand sculptor finishing his masterpiece Another quiet day strolling the other way down the promenade past the newer hotels and Torremolinos tourist office to have a coffee and churros. Building sand sculptures seems to be a local pastime here and some of the artists were putting finishing touches to their creations ready for the tourist season. Apparently the sand sculptures need to be sprayed with water every few hours, day and night, to stop them disintegrating. The chiringiuto owners, most of whom have sun bathing area concessions, were giving the beach umbellas and furniture a lick of paint ready for Easter. We stopped near the hotel at the Las Palamos restaurant/bar for lunch. Rosemary had mussels and I had a skewer of sardinas followed by an ice cream, which we shared.

We took the train from Malaga to Fuengirola. It takes 20 mins and there is a train every 20 mins costing just 4 euros. The station in Torremolinos is underground just off the main square in the old town with its bars and coffee shops. In Fuengirola the station is about two hundred yards back from the sea front and we picked up a 2 for 1 Costa coffee voucher on the way. It looks more modern than Torremolinos and we were not too impressed, so after a short walk along the harbour area with a stop for drink and some indifferent tapas for lunch we returned to our hotel.

Marina side bar at  Benalmedina The promenade goes all the way to the next resort of Benalmedina and is a popular way to spend a couple of hours walking as its flat with lots of benches, shops and water holes along the way. The harbour is a very modern structure with moorings and apartments for expats with boats. Its also home to many restaurants, day trip boats to see the dolpins and the ferry to Fuengirola. We strolled slowly down the prom where I found case for my pocket camera. I took a few photos and we walked back towards Torremolinos stopping at Larrys chiringuito beach restaurant for a late lunch. Rosemary had a nicely cooked sole which was on special and I had pork escalope. By the time we arrived back at the hotel we had walked about 4 miles, so I guess Rosemary must have been feeling a lot better.

waiting for lunch to arrive at Banana Beach  There was a nice chiringuito (as the beach bars are called) a couple of hundred yards from the hotel  just before the headland that always seemed busy so we gave it a try for lunch today. Pork escalope for Rosemary and Sardinas for me, right on the beach, playing a nice selection of 50 and 60's music. A cool place to lunch and pass the time over a drink. Rosemary is still a bit groggy and did not have a glass of wine- very unusual!

Another sunny day in prospect for Rosemarys birthday. We went down to the restaurant for our first breakfast which started with prawns and smoked salmon and finished with fresh fruit and a glass of cava. The food on the buffet is excellent both for dinner and breakfast, we are half board so hoping to take full advantage as Rosemary gets her taste buds back. the birthday cards that arrived in time to take We had a fairly lazy day just wandering down the prom to get some milk so that we can do our own morning coffee in our room. The prom goes for on for miles in each direction round the small headland that splits Torremolinos into two. It also stops the traffic from driving all the way down the sea front and the Melia hotel is effectively at the end of a cul de sac below the old town which is on the hill behind the hotel. I walked up the steep steps to the top to find the lift which will be the easy way in future.