Marinas de Nerja

A 10 minute walk to the centre of Nerja. That's what the brochure says apparently. Friends in the UK have booked a mini break at this nice hotel in late September. However, 10 minutes walk from the centre? Vamos a ver!


Monica on Calle Antonio Millon (7 Minutes)

We started our walk from the Balcon de Europe. Most people consider this the centre of town. From here we decided to cut across Antonio Millon and head towards El Playazo beach. The hotel is on this beach. Unfortunately, the other side and the "azo" on the end of "Playa" denotes "big" in Spanish.


El Playazo (20 minutes)

The walk along Playazo is a pleasant one. This beach is regarded as the "local" beach. Spanish families love setting up camp and enjoy nothing better than to relax, drink a cerveza or two and light up the bbq. There are also a few chiringuitos along the way. The best being "El Briene", reputed to have the best paella in Nerja.


The view back to Nerja near the hotel (30 minutes)

It appeared to be a popular route for holiday makers staying at Marinas de Nerja. We passed a few brave souls who had opted to walk into town. Maybe not the best thing to do in the evening with your Sunday best on. The beach is open to cars and that means Spanish drivers in their big 4x4's. They don't know the meaning of "slow" and speed past kicking up a sand storm in their wake.


Finally made it! (40 minutes)

The hotel is a good 40 minute walk from the centre along the beach. This is at a steady pace, by no means a gentle stroll. Maybe the walk back along the N340 would be quicker?


20 minutes from the Hotel.

It seems only a couple of minutes away by car. But then that's racing down the coast road touching 90 Kms per hour with someone still trying to overtake you. Its a long straight boring road that seems to go on forever walking towards Nerja. Its at least 20 minutes before you reach the "Nerja" sculpture near the donkey sanctuary. That's just over half way to the centre. Plenty of taxis went speeding by. I wonder where they were heading?

Windsor and Eton

Sunday Morning and the weather was looking typically British. Oscar had his day planned out thanks to Sky + and the Grand Prix. Angela and I decided to brave the elements and do a little sightseeing in Windsor.


There it is Dean.

Approaching Windsor it was clear that the weather hadn't put off many tourists. Parking was going to be difficult. However, we found a spot on a pay and display car park near the train station. Only trouble was, you had to walk around to the train station to get a ticket. Angela wasn't taking any chances with a clamper man sat in his van nearby. So off I went to find the ticket machine.

In the space of 5 minutes I must have been mistaken for a local. "Can you tell me where Eton is please?". "Where do you buy a ticket for this car park?". I soon had a following on my trip to the train station.


Windsor Castle

A brief walk around Windsor to see the sights. It started to rain so we dived into a Starbucks for a quick coffee and pastry. Then it was a walk to Eton over the river. Angela spotted a bargain in a local store. A pot towel with the slogan "I'd rather be drinking Champagne". Perfect for Oscar apparently.


To tight to buy a ticket.


Angela at Eton.


Angela's posh car.

Trip to Reading

A trip to Reading to see Angela in her new flat. She has moved down south to live with Oscar, who works in London.


Oscar and Sister Cat in the penthouse suite.

After a nice lunch started by Oscar and then finished by Cat (not sure how much work Oscar put in but still have to give him some credit) it was off to the "local". Apparently, by Reading standards this means a 20 minute drive with the top down to the pub on the Thames. Still, it was a pleasant drive. However, the girls in the back disagreed as it was a bit cold.


View from the flat.

A few beers and then dinner at the pub. Fish and Chips with mushy peas, or as Angela would say "Manchester Caviar". Lovely washed down with a few pints of Sagres. Oscar and Angela preferring to wash it down with Champagne. Celebration in the air? Can I hear wedding bells in the distance over the roar of a Porsche?


Angela enjoying a few cocktails.

After dinner it was a trip into Reading to "Mix", a cocktail bar in the centre. Not being much of a cocktail drinker I opted to go for a Mojito. It must be the most popular cocktail in Nerja. However, they had no mint so I had to settle for a Caipirinha. Not too bad!


Oscar.


Angela and Me.

Visit to Marsh's

A quick trip down to Stafford to see the Marsh Family. A few changes since the last time I went. Seems like he has started up his own little farm.


The Race Track.

First order of business was to have a race. Ben was marshaling things and we lined up for a grueling 100 lap race. Needless to say, Stevo won with what can only be described as underhand tactics. Great fun though!


The lambs.

Then we went to see the latest additions to the Marsh family. As well as his own vegetable patch he has his own hens and lambs. The lambs won't be permanent fixtures. However, the boys have named two of them so they may earn a reprieve.


The Pitch.

A quick game of football on the impressive Marsh Fields was a must in the pleasant sunshine. You have to make the most of these opportunities. The years may have advanced but the Dino magic is still there. The highlight being a spinning volley that left keeper Marsh rooted to the spot.


Joe Marsh, Footballer of the Year.

The real football talent of the Marsh family is Player of the Year, Joe. I watched him training with his new team. Soft Lad was attempting to coach one of the teams. Unfortunately, it was Joe's team. They went down 6-4. Disastrous formation of 0-0-8 seemed to be the main downfall. Still, Joe excelled and scored a goal and set one up.


Me and Ben.


Me, Ben and Joe.

Vegas Night Out

Weeks of careful planning had been put into this night out. Plans were rocked earlier doors by the "Lennygate" incident. A few were fearing a bust up if both Bush and Lenny turned up. A few were hoping Lenny would turn up to provide the entertainment.

Hours before the start and plans were turned upside down again. This time Bush told me that we were meeting Mick Rawdo in Uppermill first. Bang goes the Facebook event planning then. As it turns out, everyone managed to get to Uppermill for a few, bar Lenny. Even Andy and Paul turned up, late as usual.


Bush, Paul and Rawdo.

It didn't seem that Uppermill was geared up for a gang of lads out on the town. Walking into the second pub and we were asked what we were celebrating. "Just having a few beers" answered Mick slightly perplexed. "We don't normally allow groups of lads in at once...2. Maybe the sight of Mick and Arron together caused widespread panic across Uppermill. Their past must proceed them.

After a few in Uppermill it was time to go to see what was happening down Vegas. Not much as it happens. However, plans of staying soberish were wrecked by the "Two for 1" offer running in every bar.


Baz, Andy & Paul.


A severe lack of practice meant I was soon in trouble. Still, managed to stay out past 1am. Can't remember a thing about what happened mind.

Cipo's first round

Andrea's first round of golf ever. He had put a lot of practice in on the range. Now it was time to show if he could put all his training into practice on the course.

It didn't start off to well, the nerves getting to him a bit. However, things changed on the difficult par 3 9th hole. Andrea gave a master class on how it should be done!


Teeing off on the 9th.

"Ignore the water" was my advice. It turns out he should think about the water on every shot. He hit his best drive and ended up driving through the green.



Andrea's drive through the green on the 9th.


Andrea's chip shot.

This left a tricky chip on to the green. The 9th green is treacherous and anything slightly over hit ends off running through the green and down the slope. Andrea hit the perfect shot.

After the chip on 9th.

He deserved his first par in golf after two great shots. Could he hold is nerve and hole the putt? He sure could and walked off the 9th with a well deserved par.


Cipo proves again that water is a motivator.


And again on 14.

The Dino Golf Academy outside the new clubhouse.

Approach to the 18th Green.

The end of the round. A job well done.

Almunecar

Photos of our trip with the Cipolato's to Nerja.

El Ayuntamiento de Almunecar.

Monica relaxing in the square.

Erotic water fountain!

Sculpture near the beach.

The Pink Palace.

Horse sculpture in the Park.

Prepared for the "Jazz en la costa" series. Must remember to book for next year.

Random photos July 2008

View from the Balcony.

One of the highlights of the Cipolato visit for me was the meals on the balcony. Loats of good food, good wine and Tiramisu! The Ciploato's especially liked the view. Better than the old place that's for sure.


View of "The Killer's" house.

Of particular interest to Roberto was the view of the villa's. On in particular caught his eye and his imagination. At first he was amazed that they had a "camarera". A few nights in and no sign of life across the way and it was "There is a killer in the house". Better than Cluedo any day!


Time for the Bellini Appetiser!

Its not possible to have a genuine spritz in Nerja. However, the Bellini is no problem. Especially when Roberto makes it. What are the ingredients? Sorry, its a Venetian secret!


Paella at Ayo's

No holiday is complete without a trip to Ayo's for Paella. I'm no Paella expert but I think Ayo's is pretty good. The family thought so too as this was not how only visit.


Beer and Tapas.

Outside the bar I can't remember the name of, near Vinoleto's. A game of "Guess where the waiter is from" started. "He's English" was Roberto's opening gambit. "No, he speaks English very well but he's German" was my reply. Roberto: "So he is from Belfast". Turns out we were both wrong. He was Dutch. Roberto claimed the victory as Holland is close to Belfast.

Big Night Out!

A few beers with the family.


No more shopping!


Roberto finds out the cost of the latest shopping spree.


Something funny at the bar.


Monica hiding from the camera again.


Antonella y Roberto.

Virgen del Carmen

16th July is el dia de la Virgen del Carmen, the local patron of the people who live off the sea. This is celebrated by a procession of the patron to the local Torrecilla beach, where she is loaded on a boat and taken to sea to bless the local beaches.


The patron of the fisherman outside the Church.

The church was packed for the service and the crowds gathered outside the front door started to grow. We decided on watching the procession from Cavana 5. We settled down with a beer and waited for the procession to pass by on the way to the beach.


Procession passes by Plaza Cavana.


Virgen del Carmen.


Getting ready for the launch.


Trip to the local beaches.