Soft Lad takes a fancy to a fan.
Joachim at work making something with esparto.
Flamenco Dancing at El Molinos.
Málaga v Getafe
The visit of the Marsh's and the first trip would be to la Rosaleda to see Málaga in la liga action against Getafe. Málaga were in good form after a poor start. How would they follow up their 4-0 thrashing of Recreativo?
Pato feels all alone.
Monica, Joe and Stevo outside la Rosaleda.
Expecting big crowds now that Málaga are in the big time we parked on the street for a quick getaway. The first sight of the stadium for the Marsh's. Joe was suitably impressed.
Guiri Army!
Rituals must be observed and a pre-match pint is a must. We headed towards the shopping centre. On route I spotted the Guiri Army massed outside the Madrid bar. Maybe a swift pint here? As we got close it felt more like an english type atmosphere. Maybe not the best place for kids so we stuck to the plan and went to the tapas bar in the shopping centre.
Soft lad and Joe bought themselves a scarf before we headed for the fondo end. Big queues outside and we missed the kick off. We had just settled down in our seats when Málaga had a great chance to take the lead. However, 10 seconds later it was Getafe who were in front. Not another defeat? I must be a jinx.
Málaga 2-1 up!
Nothing to fear however as Málaga's "buena racha" would continue with two goals before the break. The second was rather gifted as Pato, the Getafe keeper, strangely went absent and it was the easiest of finishes for Duda.
Malaka Hinchas in full voice.
2-1 at half time. An enjoyable game for the first half. The second half saw a more defensive Málaga sit back on their lead. They started to deploy time wasting tactics after 5 minutes of the restart. Why, I don't know as they were in complete control and looked capable of scoring more. The result was a nervy, boring second half. The only action of note was Pato having a run-in with the ball boy. Still, Málaga survived and took all 3 points. Aupa Málaga!
Pato feels all alone.
Feria de Nerja
Feria time and it looks like the usual feria weather had arrived. Still, a bit of rain doesn't stop the party in Nerja.
Feria lights in Pintada.
The main gate.
Grand Designs.
So we made a stop at the cafe bar near the Parador. Rebbecca was working there and told us about her new cortijo in the campo. Monica, obviously inspired by the series "Esta casa era una ruina", went to work on plans for a refurb. Good stuff!
Feria lights in Pintada.
The feria seemed a bit quiet to me. The main attraction, the suicidal wheel of death with kids leaping up and being launched high in the air, had been tamed and had lost its appeal. Seems that health and safety has reached Nerja, the kids instructed to stay seated.
The main gate.
So it was off to the annual game of bingo. Its good Spanish practice! However, 2 games later and we didn't get close to a full house. Maybe next year. Off to the "Tutti Frutti" section to see whats happening. Not much, as it was still a bit earlier at 11pm.
Grand Designs.
So we made a stop at the cafe bar near the Parador. Rebbecca was working there and told us about her new cortijo in the campo. Monica, obviously inspired by the series "Esta casa era una ruina", went to work on plans for a refurb. Good stuff!
Boogie nights.
Alcohol began to take effect and it was back to the feria. Time to show off a few moves. Maybe we should have stayed at the cafe bar...
A few too many.
A few too many.
Stroll around Nerja
Hangover the next day so only a short walk around Nerja. It was a beautiful sunny day. The sky was clear and the views were spectacular. This brief walk took us towards Maro, around the old sugar factory and down a dodgy roman road.
Bridge that was once the main route to Maro.
The old aqueduct.
View to Nerja from the start of the roman road.
Lovely colours along the track.
Bridge that was once the main route to Maro.
The old aqueduct.
View to Nerja from the start of the roman road.
Lovely colours along the track.
Dinner at Los Arcos
No trip to Nerja would be complete without a visit to the restaurant at Los Arcos. Luckily, the fire hadn't caused too much damage so it was business as usual.
Fire damage at Los Arcos.
Family ready for Dinner.
You can't go wrong with a steak at Los Arcos. I had the pimienta and it was wonderful. Monica was less impressed with her fish, a bit oily, and it seems that they have cut back on the veg portions. Still, one of the best places in Nerja by far.
Compliments of the management.
After finishing off the red wine, the manager came over to thank Martin again for the help tackling the blaze. A bottle of cava for the table as well as passing around the 103! No chance of going home sober tonight then!
Cleaned up at Killer again!
After the meal there was still time to take the money of the oldies at Killer. Easy money!
Fire damage at Los Arcos.
Family ready for Dinner.
You can't go wrong with a steak at Los Arcos. I had the pimienta and it was wonderful. Monica was less impressed with her fish, a bit oily, and it seems that they have cut back on the veg portions. Still, one of the best places in Nerja by far.
Compliments of the management.
After finishing off the red wine, the manager came over to thank Martin again for the help tackling the blaze. A bottle of cava for the table as well as passing around the 103! No chance of going home sober tonight then!
Cleaned up at Killer again!
After the meal there was still time to take the money of the oldies at Killer. Easy money!
Fire!
A quick trip into town with Papa to pick up some supplies. On the way back we could see thick black smoke on the horizon. A fire had broken out somewhere near our house! As we got closer we could see the source. It was Hotel Los Arcos. The hotel that the Aunties and Uncles were staying at. Visions of putting up the whole family flashed before my eyes.
View of Los Arcos from the terrace.
Bombereos and Guardia Civil quickly on the seen.
By the time we got home and raced to the terrace to see what was going on, the acrid black smoke had gone. The smoke was more like a chimney burning. Mama and Monica thought I was kidding them until they saw the fire engine and the guardia civil in attendance. What about the family?
20 minutes later and the familiar sight of the family walking down the street on the way to our house. Thankfully, they were not carrying all their belongings. Or had they gone up in smoke?
Room for 4 more?
It turns out that the fire had broken out in a private house next door to the hotel. However, they were away and the flames were spreading and the Los Arcos kitchens were next. One of the brothers who own the hotel was frantically trying to put out the fire with an extinguisher. Cue his new hero Martin. Quick as a flash he raced around the hotel collecting every extinguisher he could get his hands on and passed them up to the brother. The fire was quickly brought under control before the fire brigade arrived. No damage to the kitchens and more importantly no guests were made homeless. Panic over!
View of Los Arcos from the terrace.
Bombereos and Guardia Civil quickly on the seen.
By the time we got home and raced to the terrace to see what was going on, the acrid black smoke had gone. The smoke was more like a chimney burning. Mama and Monica thought I was kidding them until they saw the fire engine and the guardia civil in attendance. What about the family?
20 minutes later and the familiar sight of the family walking down the street on the way to our house. Thankfully, they were not carrying all their belongings. Or had they gone up in smoke?
Room for 4 more?
It turns out that the fire had broken out in a private house next door to the hotel. However, they were away and the flames were spreading and the Los Arcos kitchens were next. One of the brothers who own the hotel was frantically trying to put out the fire with an extinguisher. Cue his new hero Martin. Quick as a flash he raced around the hotel collecting every extinguisher he could get his hands on and passed them up to the brother. The fire was quickly brought under control before the fire brigade arrived. No damage to the kitchens and more importantly no guests were made homeless. Panic over!
On the Tapas Trail
Quick note to self:
1) Don't organise a Tapas Trail on a Sunday Night out of summer. All the best bars will be shut stupid!
2) Never arrange a tapa night when there is a big group of you!
The above are all things I knew but we went ahead and did one anyway. All the family was present including a group of Auntie Lyn's friends from Stalybridge.
In El Pulguilla.
It was decided that the authentic tapas bars of Nerja would be too much for this crew. We had to make it more "Upmarket". Fit for tourists in other words. So we couldn't stray far from the centre. First port of call would have been Los Barriles. Didn't have to worry about finding space for 12 of us as it was shut.
After trying a few more up Calle Cristo that were also shut, we went for El Pulguilla. Normally, the tapas of choice here is fish. However, Mama would not be too happy with this. She rarely changes from Chicken and then its for a Chicken Curry. Still, we asked for a mixture of tapas and everyone seemed to enjoy it. The gambas was great!
Papa with his "Girlfriend" Jean.
It wouldn't be Papa if he didn't try to make a fuss over the girls, or the "good time girls" as he would refer to them. He had to get his photo taken with Jean, one of the many he bands as "girlfriend", even though he hasn't seen her for years.
In Meson de Julio
The next stop was Meson de Julio, our favourite place on Calle Cristo. Dani served us with the usual before exclaiming a "Joder!" when he saw the rest of the group walk in. Any visions of turning the place into a restaurant were swept aside as it turned back into a pub in an instant. The girls becoming more rawdy with each sip.
Before things went pear shaped like the last trip to the Italian, we decided it would be a good idea to head for H20, a little closer to home. Not for the girls though, who were staying at Marinas de Nerja. They would need a taxi anyway so they came along for the walk. This brings me neatly on to the other lesson I learned. When you ask for a taxi at H20, don't keep them waiting. They simply won't and you will find it nearly impossible to get them to come back!
1) Don't organise a Tapas Trail on a Sunday Night out of summer. All the best bars will be shut stupid!
2) Never arrange a tapa night when there is a big group of you!
The above are all things I knew but we went ahead and did one anyway. All the family was present including a group of Auntie Lyn's friends from Stalybridge.
In El Pulguilla.
It was decided that the authentic tapas bars of Nerja would be too much for this crew. We had to make it more "Upmarket". Fit for tourists in other words. So we couldn't stray far from the centre. First port of call would have been Los Barriles. Didn't have to worry about finding space for 12 of us as it was shut.
After trying a few more up Calle Cristo that were also shut, we went for El Pulguilla. Normally, the tapas of choice here is fish. However, Mama would not be too happy with this. She rarely changes from Chicken and then its for a Chicken Curry. Still, we asked for a mixture of tapas and everyone seemed to enjoy it. The gambas was great!
Papa with his "Girlfriend" Jean.
It wouldn't be Papa if he didn't try to make a fuss over the girls, or the "good time girls" as he would refer to them. He had to get his photo taken with Jean, one of the many he bands as "girlfriend", even though he hasn't seen her for years.
In Meson de Julio
The next stop was Meson de Julio, our favourite place on Calle Cristo. Dani served us with the usual before exclaiming a "Joder!" when he saw the rest of the group walk in. Any visions of turning the place into a restaurant were swept aside as it turned back into a pub in an instant. The girls becoming more rawdy with each sip.
Before things went pear shaped like the last trip to the Italian, we decided it would be a good idea to head for H20, a little closer to home. Not for the girls though, who were staying at Marinas de Nerja. They would need a taxi anyway so they came along for the walk. This brings me neatly on to the other lesson I learned. When you ask for a taxi at H20, don't keep them waiting. They simply won't and you will find it nearly impossible to get them to come back!
The Italian Job
The annual trip to the Italian with Mama and Papa and the "Hangers on". As always, we headed for Bella Roma near the Balcon. The best pizza in town. However, tonight we all decided to have pasta, except papa who went for the very Italian dish of Chicken and chips.
Papa and Martin at the Bella Roma.
We had a few bottles of red wine for the meal. However, the ladies went for the Rose. Quite a few bottles of the stuff. The ladies end of the table started to get a bit animated. The alcohol kicking in. It was then the annual event for Mama to try showing me up with stories when I was a baby. Water off a ducks back now. So she tried a new tactic. My backside was discussed.
This proved to be my Auntie's downfall. The plan was to walk back to the Parador side of town to go to the new bar. However, on route Auntie Lyn fell down a hole whilst she was not looking where she was walking. Where was she looking? She insisted that she was not drunk but all arguments were settled as she fell for the second time outside the bar. Time to go home!
Uncle Martin has to keep Auntie Lyn upright on the walk home.
Tricky chicane to negotiate.
Papa and Martin at the Bella Roma.
We had a few bottles of red wine for the meal. However, the ladies went for the Rose. Quite a few bottles of the stuff. The ladies end of the table started to get a bit animated. The alcohol kicking in. It was then the annual event for Mama to try showing me up with stories when I was a baby. Water off a ducks back now. So she tried a new tactic. My backside was discussed.
This proved to be my Auntie's downfall. The plan was to walk back to the Parador side of town to go to the new bar. However, on route Auntie Lyn fell down a hole whilst she was not looking where she was walking. Where was she looking? She insisted that she was not drunk but all arguments were settled as she fell for the second time outside the bar. Time to go home!
Uncle Martin has to keep Auntie Lyn upright on the walk home.
Tricky chicane to negotiate.
The Arrivals
Busy time in Nerja for us. Not one, but two sets of arrivals in under a week. First it was the arrival of Mama and Papa. A two week stay at our place. They soon made themselves at home. They liked the new house but still managed to find things to complain about. Particularly, the lack of a memory foam mattress topper on their beds. Well, I don't want them to get too comfy here.
They had a couple of days start on the others. The weather forecast was not great for the weekend so they decided to soak up the rays on the terrace. Should be easy to spot our house on Google Earth if they took a picture. Papa's belly was seen by the new Chinese astronauts. The sight prompted Monica to start threatening me with diets and fitness regimes...
Mama and Papa on the terrace.
The others, Auntie Lyn and Uncle Martin, Kath and Martin, arrived a couple of days later. Their fourth attempt at finding their way from the Airport to Nerja. Again they failed. However, this time they were saved the usual detour through Málaga city because of road works. They managed to turnaround and make the A7 turning.
Everyone arrived and settled in.
They had a couple of days start on the others. The weather forecast was not great for the weekend so they decided to soak up the rays on the terrace. Should be easy to spot our house on Google Earth if they took a picture. Papa's belly was seen by the new Chinese astronauts. The sight prompted Monica to start threatening me with diets and fitness regimes...
Mama and Papa on the terrace.
The others, Auntie Lyn and Uncle Martin, Kath and Martin, arrived a couple of days later. Their fourth attempt at finding their way from the Airport to Nerja. Again they failed. However, this time they were saved the usual detour through Málaga city because of road works. They managed to turnaround and make the A7 turning.
Everyone arrived and settled in.