Roemin abit

We are flying home this afternoon. We packed before breakfast and joined in the midday quiz to give Alex a bit of support before we left. There were only 4 couples and although we did not win we were in the top four. There was not much point in doing anything else after we had checked out at 1 o'clock, so we just took a taxi to the airport. We arrived to discover that the French air traffic controllers were on strike and we could be delayed. We had time for a snack at Jamie's Deli,  boarded the flight 20 minutes late, but then spent an hour sitting in the 737 before we could take off. Arrived home to a very cold UK, no longer part of EU. The taxi was waiting and heating was on when got in. Could have done with another week or two away. Next year maybe.

It's even cooler today with a breeze off the sea and waves crashing on the shore. We did peak steps yesterday so we are having a quieter day in and around the hotel.

The weather started misty again but had brightened up after breakfast so we decided to go to Mijas pueblo. It's a pretty white touristy location 1000ft up in the Andelucian hills behind Fuengirola. We went by train and bus from Torremolinos, changing at Fuengirola where we had time to have a coffee. It was quite cool in the hills and we felt a bit exposed in shorts and summer clothes when everyone else were in fleeces and blankets. Rosemary had to buy a blanket to keep warm.  We wandered around the steep picturesque lanes for a while before finding a little tapas bar with a panoramic view down to the coast. We came back via Benelmadina on the bus and train. Stopped at Bobbies for coffee and bought 2 thin polo shirts for €5 each for the cruise. It's flamenco night in the bar later, so that should be interesting.  It was. Two energetic lady dancers, flamenco guitarist, a loud singer and strange tall percussionist.

No sign of the sun, or the sky and only just see the sea this morning. I expect it will clear up later but for now it's a chilly 11 degree. It stayed overcast all day, which was actually a welcome respite from the sun. Just walked along the prom again to find some jeans for Rosemary, but failed. Later note: Málaga airport was closed due to fog with diversions to Seville and Grenada.

The sun has risen again into a clear blue sky. It's going to be a warm one! We took the elevator up to the town centre and walked up to the new smart pedestrian area. Had a coffee and liquor with all the Brits on holiday in Bobbies (only €2) then walked back down to the promenade via the wibbly wobbly way to a tapas bar. Bit of a rest and Dubai cruise planning before dinner and another day goes by.

The sunrise at 8:30 looked very promising and so it turned out. After breakfast we walked around the headland to the Cariheula beach to test Rosemary knee. We got as far as the Ale Hop shop (the one with the black and white cow) before stopping for coffee. We returned down the back street, which is cooler, and went up to the Sky and Sea terrace. Then after a tacos and sangria snack in the shade, back to the room for an afternoon rest having done about 8000 steps. There was a half marathon on Torremolinos today. It's jazz night in the main bar after dinner.

A lazy day today to rest Rosemary knee so after a fruity breakfast we went up to the Terrace bar where we had to join the cocktail making demo. A simple Cuban one with white rum which then made ourselves and to drink afterwards. No problem. It's sunny and warm again so an afternoon chilling out in the shade. Too hot on the balcony till later. We had an hour lounging around the ground floor pool before taking a stroll to the Banana beach bar for a late lunch of mixed fried fish, Rosemary's favourite lunch after prawns. There was a magic show in the bar in the evening with the young magician doing up close card tricks at each table between his staged set pieces. Like the Sax player the night before he was very good. We are getting on well with the entertainment girl Alexis.

We arrived at EMA in time to have breakfast before the 11:00 am flight to Málaga which arrived on time after a smooth flight. The pre-booked taxi was waiting and soon whisked us off to the Meliá at Torremolinos. We have a balcony room on 8th floor with view over the sea and just below the rooftop bar and pool. Buffet dinner was up to usual standard ie lots of fresh sea food. Sat in the bar listening to the Sax player before retiring to wait for Brexit at midnight here.