Two weeks in Spain - part 5

Date: 13 September 2012 08:47:25

Two castles

Two days out.

Fuengirola Castle

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Fuengirola Castle[/caption] Tuesday Linda and I went out to Fuengirola Castle. A lot of climbing of steep uneven steps, not easy walking with a crutch. The steps up to the top of the tower were so steep I couldn’t get up. This is the first time that any steps have defeated me.

Marbella

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Marbella Old Town[/caption] Wednesday we all went to Marbella. This too has a castle, or at least a wall, the Old Town has spread into the castle area. The good thing about the Old Town is that the narrow streets and white buildings mean that it is cooler than the rest of the coastal towns. We were planning to have lunch there in the Plaza de Naranjes, but the prices were so high we went back into the New Town and ateoverlooking the beach. They really know how to charge in Marbella Old Town. Near where the busses stop there is a small park with fountains. This is connected to the beach by a wide pedestrianised street with a marble pavement and sculptures along it by Salvador Dali. I like art to be accessible. [caption id="attachment_885" align="aligncenter" width="225"]

Dali Sculpture[/caption]

Fires

On the bus to and from Marbella we were looking out for the results ogf the wildfires two weeks earlier. We had read on the BBC and Guardian websites that the town of Elviria had been evacuated. When we got to Elviria there was no sign of the fires. The Marbella side of the town was a different story. Near the coast, where we were was still untouched. The wooded areas were still there. But looking inland towards the mountains there were slopes whick were black, not total, but at least a third of the area had been affected. It must be bad for the people who live there. This area has been unusually dry this year. Compare that to Britain, where we have been breaking records for summer rainfall.