Day 28 - Motril to Antequera

 Oh my, what a difference a day makes! A good nights sleep and now sunshine. Grabbing it whilst we can we take another walk along the beach front, this time heading west. Whilst it has an ‘out of season’ vibe it’s Good Friday and it seems a lot of locals are being good and running on the same paths. 

When the paved path finishes we turn around. Part way back we pop into one of the open beach bars for coffee, which becomes coffee and the most delicious marmalade ‘mixta’ toast. Sat inside the tented area with the sun pouring in was just lovely!

Back to the van via the beach to squeeze in a last paddle then it’s on the road again. For a random stop this has been lovely. It was only a car park but with toilets and cold showers on the beach, and much needed sunshine, it’s a real winner. 

Todays drive starts by heading west along the coast road. As it’s Good Friday most shops are closed so I suspect the built up sections were quieter than usual but we were amazed by how frequently there were undeveloped sections with small rocky bays and no hotels. We stopped at a few to look out but the rain had returned with a vengeance and did as much to decide where we stopped as the views did. 

There was an interesting shrine at a village called Calceite Covered in iconography and handwritten memorials.Just metres away there was also an  exquisitely built pebble castle dedicate to ‘Kirsten’ but no information about who she was and why it’s here.

We had a plan to stop at the caves at Nerja but the bank holiday queue to get to the site means that it’s gone on the list for next time!

Just before Malaga we turned inland to take minor roads northwards. A mistaken turn taking to some reed beds where we saw a shrike whist turning around and then spotting a sign to a petrol station deep inside an industrial estate where the fuel was 20c a litre less than elsewhere.

It’s a surprisingly short time until we are in the countryside, and it’s beautiful. Patchwork fields of olive and almond trees with beautiful fincas between them. I’m sure the post rain sunshine added to the vibrancy but I bored myself with the frequency in which I pointed out stunning views. Probably the most attractive drive since we started our trip. Stopped a couple of times to look around, at the Presa de La Vinuela, an attractive dammed reservoir and a few lay-bys and tracks. The birds were singing and there were wildflowers everywhere. 

As we approached Torcal the landscape started to change and the giant rock faces grew closer. The sun still shone and it was really warm in the van but outside the air was down to 10 degrees. 


Before our final stop at Antequera we diverted to collect some water from a wellspring. 






Then to a car park on the edge of town for the night. Close to the castle and with great views of the town. 

A cuppa then straight into town to make the most of the daylight. Approaching from the carpark takes you dtarsihht to the Alkazar so we walked around that and some of the streets in the old town. The town is filled with people mostly incredibly well dressed, felt like a very ‘Made in Chelsea’ location. Even small children were wearing chinos and barber jackets! Hearing a band we rushed to the noise to catch musicians entering one of the many churches, then when they stopped followed the crowds to the large church by the castle where a troop of soldiers wearing fez type hats and carrying a mixture of flags, bugles, swords and guns, appeared to serenade the statue of Jesus carrying the cross that was inside the church. Guessing that walking the streets carrying a plinth is not so easy when everywhere is very steep or stepped. 

Despite the prospect of another similar event we decided it was time to return to the van for dinner, and tk look at the possibilities for a couple of days that are predicted to be very wet!

Miles so far : 1527

Steps today: 11,346

Overnight: Antequera Castle car park , free


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