So back to Nerja for more walking. In truth Ive been here two weeks already with my friends Alison, Carl and their children Ellie and Ethan.
I haven’t blogged their visit although we have walked a bit. This is mainly because Alison writes wicked poems about their holidays so I haven’t felt the need and I’m going to share.
Alison’s Poem
Leaving squelchy mud behind from much incessant rain,
We’re aiming for some sunshine in Malaga, Southern Spain
Dropped off at Bournemouth Airport, mostly smooth through checking in
Except for Ellie’s shampoo that got discarded in the bin.
Take off, more or less on time, soon over clouds we flew
Gazing out the window enjoying birds eye views
The Sierra de las Nieves banking on our right
Customs cleared and all is well, Debbie met us off our flight
In a little red Citroen Cactus*, she drove along the coast
Arriving 48 Tropicana, under blue skies, warm as toast
Bags unpacked, hugs all round, we aimed to settle in
No messing here, the sun is out – let the holidays begin!!
*Casper
Vibrant blooms and fruiting trees grace alleyways and streets,
High up in the palms fronds there are nesting parakeets.
Chirruping Cicadas start their evening serenade
As we retire for the evening (after meatballs have been slayed)
The beach, at first, is not the most attractive to purvey,
It reminds me of a building site, being colour ‘cement grey’
Yet sink your toes into the grains and study all the hues
You’ll notice shades that vary from mixed quartz to azure blues
We walked the coast to Nerja centre, crossing Rio Chillar*
Eating cones of ice cream was a real tummy filler!
Coffee in the Plaza, Ethan bought a hat,
A brief stop in a park before we headed back.
*meaning scream
Swimsuits on we wandered down to check out sand and ocean,
Cold at first, control that breath, then wash off suntan lotion!
T’others soaking up the rays, Ethan playing in the river
Then back to the apartment before we start to shiver.
Chicken, veg and mushroom sauce, is what we cooked for tea
Chocolate, cheese and biscuits followed – a tad excessively.
Then played games of Uno Flip which lasted quite some rounds
Read a book and tried to sleep, though it wasn’t very sound*
(*I have an added issue, if awake and thinking prose
I have to jot it in my notes before the rhyming goes.
I tell myself “don’t think” but it often doesn’t work
Wish I had an off switch as it’s driving me berserk!)
We had to wake the kids up as time was getting on,
11 was much later for what we wanted to get done
We drove to Frigiliana and scraped into a parking spot
Then started walking upwards to El Fuerte mountain top.
The climb was rather steep, the vista worth the sweat,
Butterflies were flitting, lizard’s scuttled from our threat
We managed 6km with 600m elevation
Foregoing the last 2km as Debs felt an odd sensation.
Too hot, too far and “not quite right”, we headed whence we came.
Traversing rocks through pines, seeking shade down narrow lanes.
In need of some refreshments, we sat at Restaurant Mirador
Ravioli, cod, patatas, so tasty, please – some more?
En route home we chose supplies for supper soon upon us
Pulled pork wraps and salad, tuna, beans and crackers
Showers, film and talent shows, hair braiding, winding down
Let’s hope we have a good nights sleep and sunburn turns to brown.
Whilst late evenings are a given when away on a vacation
What’s less acceptable, are the nights sleep deprivation
So to catch up on 6 hours warrants joy and jubilation
And today might see an ice cream on the beach in celebration.
Thursday, we headed out to Cueva de Nerja
An archaeological gem that’s hidden under cover
Geological features too numerous to mention
Best to search this up for better comprehension!
Calamari, pizza, pasta, bream and steak tartare
Bruxelles staff were lovely, the food we had to share*
Then off for a chilly dip on Burriana shore
So calm and clear we watched fish dart upon the seabed floor
*Ellie didn’t like hers
Ice creams not so good today, glad only one scoop had.
Supermarket visit, pay rejected by the pad (again)
On calling up the bank I find I’d picked up the wrong plastic
Hope sorted now on wallet, panic over, nothing drastic!
Alcazaba fortress, dating to Phoenician times (600BC)
Ruins rebuilt in ‘arabesque’ and ‘Mudéjar’ designs
Multi-foil arches, palace rooms and pools
Porticos and courtyards with fountains sparkling cool
Intricate stonework, amazing history
From ramparts view the gardens and further out to sea
A Roman theatre adorns the western ground
This really is a tranquil place to have a wander around
The kids confirmed the pool to be much colder than the sea
After their dip, we drove out to Nerja for our tea
Antico Roma, Debs recommended diner
Could not ask for an evening more enjoyable or finer
Ethan, named “The Boss”, by staff so super nice
Aubergine, prawn asparagus risotto rice,
Carbonara pizza, Ellie filleted sea bass
Chicken, cod, cakes, tarts – all soon devoured en mass
A magician showed us card tricks and many coloured balls
Slight of hand and humour, he entertained us all
Whilst Ethan donned an apron and took away the spills
His penance – washing glasses as he couldn’t pay the bill
This morning saw a lie in and a day of general laziness.
Gone 2 before we walked along the coast in all it’s haziness
Mountains hidden, wind was up, waves rolling in and crashing
We paused to watch the surf hit rocks, sending sea spray splashing
We ambled by the cafe bars, mooching through the lanes
Picking up some postcards, Ellie chose her ankle chains
After much deliberation a souvenir to echo
Fred’s markings, a momento, of our adopted baby Gecko
In Plaza de Espana, we came across a dish
Hand painted, some with bubbles, another with a fish
The base all rough and jagged, rotate your fresh produce
And watch the flesh mash down to grated pulp and juice
We paddled back along the beach, quick change and off we prance
The plan to eat more food and see a Flamenco dance.
Instead, we sat with coffee, listening to guitarists play
And whiled away the remnants of another pleasant day
El Torcal de Antequera starts with a steep and curly drive
The thought of previous tyre burns brought Debbie’s fret alive
Luckily Carl mapped out a slightly different route
So she didn’t have to worry that we’d end up in the boot!
Limestone accumulation and sedimentary states
Movement of European and Iberian tectonic plates
Together with the ice, wind and above all else the rain
Shaping karst landforms, sculpting marvellous terrain!
Over coffee and tortilla, we watched Griffon Vultures soar
Then sat amongst the rocks and flowers, bits of picnic on the floor
Maybe a snub-nosed viper or Europe’s largest lizard’s out
Though more likely to be snaffled by Ibex or Red Fox snout
Hillsides here are picturesque, natures patchwork quilt
Though with so little water not sure how it doesn’t wilt
Birdsong all around, scents from olives, herbs and pine
Rambling at leisure in air that smells divine
Homeward bound, singing songs, time for a swim in the Med
Vertudes restaurant for pasta, fish, burger, garlic bread …
Followed by double scoop ice creams, such little piggilianas
Yes, we’ve wandered back through the pretty village, Frigiliana
Our final day, we hoped to kayak round the coast to caves
Unfortunately, tide was rough and sending too high waves
Not so bad for swimming, however, saying that –
I got caught out and roly-polyed, a totally drowned rat!
Despite it being slightly rough, t’was a fun and salty flume
Laughing as I tipped a truck of shingle from my costume
Wind was kicking up the sand, we escaped to play some games
Fruit smoothies and Monopoly to activate our brains
Tums began to rumble so at menus we did peek
Drooling over paella, ribs, steak, Iberian pork cheeks
Seated in a tent-like lounge, aptly named “Playa and Sol”
Plates licked clean, you would expect everyone to be full
Don’t be silly, this is us, on holiday no less
There’s ice creams to be tasted and dripped all down our dress!
Shops for some provisions, back to pack our clothes
Uno Flip and nibbles before our eyes began to close
Up early in the morning, have to leave to catch our plane,
Sunrise bouncing off the hills, rush hours busy lane
Farewells at the airport, haul out bags and things
At last the kids allowed to try a foreign Burger King!
Chocolate treats from duty free, thought loads of time to spare
But once at boarding point, this; our greeting from Ryanair:-
“You only have one minute! Where is it you’ve all been?”
Well, if returning back to Blighty, would you all be so keen??!!
Alison 🤣 xxx
The Travelling Bee 