Roemin abit

Its a local public holiday today, Andalucia Day, so banks, department stores and hotel renovators are on holiday and its fairly quiet on the promenade. We had a quiet day too, on the sun deck for a couple of hours this morning and a couple of hours on our balcony this afternoon. In between we wandered down to the local Banana Bar for a glass of wine and a platter of fried fish for lunch. I even read 6 chapters of a book, on fishing, which is very unusual for me. I had a glass of pink wine which is also most unusual. My Fitbit only recorded 6800 steps so it was indeed the most restful day of the holiday.

We took the 20 min train journey to Malaga for the day, intending to then take the Hop on hop off bus. However there are still extensive road works around the station and the bus does not go anywhere close so we just walked into the old town. Its mostly all pedestrianized so once there most attractions are just a stroll away. We stopped for coffee and churros in front of the cathedral, which was closed, then to Plaza del Constitution which was being reconstructed after carnival proceedings. We walked along part of the carnival procession route to the theater and the market near Picasso birthplace museum. We walked back down towards the Alcazabor and went part of the way up the steep steps and walkway to the Gibralfaro castle on the top of the hill. We got as far as seeing the bull ring and a view over the harbour but turned back short of the top. Instead we had a look round the remains of the Alcazaba, the 11th century moorish palace, at only 60c admission for seniors, it was a barga...

We have swapped rooms to the sunny side of the hotel now, but we have gone down 4 floors, so we look out on the pool which we watched being built last year. Decided to have a "rest" day today instead of going into Malaga with the carnival crowds. We just took the lift up into the old town, its a bit steep, then had a little stroll around. We had a pizza and glass of wine at a pavement cafe near a small market mostly selling cheeses and jamon. We stopped again in the Plaza de Torremolinos, which is just full of pavement  cafes, where most of the resident Brits seem to congregate. We had a coffee and apple tart to complement the earlier pizza before taking the winding beach road down passed all the souvenir stalls back to the promenade. Sat on the balcony and watched the sun go behind the hotel. Still managed to do 9000 steps. Rosemary spotted an ice making machine in the corridor after dinner. Then she found that it worked! There is a big party of Brits in the hotel play...

After breakfast we walked the other way down the long promenade to the next resort. The beach between the two, La Carihuela, is almost a resort itself with many popular bars and restaurants. It joins Torremolinos with Benalmadena in one pedestrianised conglomeration. It takes about an hour of steady strolling. Its a popular route and being Saturday was much busier than when we walked last year. It was warm and sunny again and I am catching the sun despite the hat. The sand sculptures that were wrecked by the recent storms are being rapidly rebuilt. We walked all round the modern concrete marina area which is mostly pizza restaurants and bars surrounding a trendy apartment 'island'. The well heeled have a mooring for their boat. We stopped for a coffee on the way and had a tapas lunch and a glass of wine at one of the chiniquitos (beach restaurants) on La Carihuela on the way back. Another 19000 steps, we are supposed to be on holiday! Its carnival time along the coast wit...

After a late arrival and hurried meal last night we woke up to a brilliant sunny morning. We are on the top floor (9th) of the Melia Costa del Sol hotel. It has morning sun we are informed, except that by the time we wake up it has moved! Walked along the prom and the beach and collected some shells. Collected some leaflets and the local paper (in English) from tourist office and bought a hat (forgot to pack one) from souvenir shop. Had an afternoon doze after getting in 8000+ steps in the 22 deg heat. Better go and have afternoon tea now before its time for dinner. Food was good as usual and after dinner I walked down to a bar with a Bob Marley tribute act. Should not have bothered, but managed to do 17,000 steps for the day.

Taxi on time, quick journey to EMA, checked in bags and fast track through security, then it all went pear shaped. Storm Doris was approaching fast and the wind was too strong, with 60mph gusts, to put the steps up to the aircraft. Two aircraft diverted from Manchester stood on the apron unable to disembark. It's 6 hours later and we are now on board. We should be landing on Malaga by 8:30pm so about 12 hrs after leaving home. Not quite how we expected to start the holiday. The good news is we missed a thunder storm this afternoon and it will be sunny and warm tomorrow.

Just flying into Malaga and then off to Torremolinos for a short break at the Melia Costa Del Sol.