still on the coast

15.05.11 Sunshine once again greeted us as we awoke on day 6 of our epic journey. Quick shower and breakfast and we were on our way, onto the N340 towards Malaga, but first (or rather Dieter had to) manoeuvre Herman down yet another donkey track. How we always manage to get onto these tracks beats me!! After a few scary moments we eventually got onto the right road. “just a few hours, no long drives today” Dieter said and I immediately agreed. Herman needed to recharge his water tanks, no mean feat, as all you motor-home owners know, but we eventually found a friendly garage that allowed to replenish our water supply. BP garages are the friendliest in Spain!!On the road again, we drove past Velez Malaga (evoked happy memories for me), Malaga, Benalmedina ( where my friends Kathleen and George have their holiday home), Torremolinos, searching for the elusive parking spot and the hours at the wheel were increasing. Eventually we parked on the roadside and decided to have lunch (by now it was 3.00 p.m.) Suitably refreshed we returned to Herman and set off once again, this time we needed an overnight park, we travelled through Fuengirola and onto Marbella. Searching all along the coast for a suitable parking spot, to no avail. Our search eventually took us to a lovely place called Pedro de Alcantara, we looked up and down all the highways and by –ways, eventually our efforts were rewarded with what we thought was a suitable spot. We stopped and then both looked at each other and decided that this wasn’t ideal and decided to move on. A couple of hundred metres down the road there was a roundabout and as we drove round this, I spotted what I thought was a motor-home, we re –circled the roundabout  and drove down a small track (our favourite road surface – but this was only a few metres long), which opened out onto a small parking plot, with 2 motor-homes already parked up.  We came to a much need halt and realised that we had found the ideal place. We were only metres from the beach and nearer to some superb restaurants and bars. The nearest restaurant looked very appealing and we decided to reward ourselves with a well earned nightcap before returning to Herman to be lulled asleep by the gentle sound of waves breaking on the nearby shore.

Not so bright this morning but still very warm we had breakfast at the restaurant before starting on the mammoth task of un-hooking our bikes. Having decided to stay here for another day as this was the ideal spot for us. The promenade just invited a cycle ride – so off we went in search of the still elusive tin opener (not sure if I have mentioned this but we forgot to pack a tin opener, not too bad as most tins have ring pull tops but some don’t and we have some of those!!) Quite a number of people were doing some form of exercise or other, this is fitness fanatics’ promenade. Taking note of the properties and the cars, this place is where the wealthy have their homes , needless to say we are still in search of the elusive tin opener!!Back with Herman, Dieter decided to treat us to lunch and splashed out on a slap up lunch in the restaurant, which we now know is called “La Pesquera de Pedro de Alcantara, well worth a visit if you are in the area, although it is expensive the food is excellent. Both of us being replete decided to sleep of the excess , before taking an evening stroll down “exercise alley”