"Mañana" - The Andalucia Guide & Diary

The Arab Baths of Ronda, Andalucia, Spain

Andrew Forbes — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:38:00 +0100

In Ronda’s San Miguel neighbourhood, at the foot of the ancient city walls of the town’s Islamic medina are the town's Arab baths.

Dating back more than six centuries, these baths are a reminder of when Ronda was a strategic town, between North Africa and the Sultanate of Granada.

The baths follow the classic Islamic structure of three rooms; cold, temperate and hot.

The location of the baths is not accident - firstly close to the city's gates, so outsides could bath before entering the Ronda; and secondly right by the river and its abundance of fresh water.
Entrance is 3 euro.

C/San Miguel
29400 Ronda
Tel: 656 950 9377

Picnic on the beach, Bolonia

Andrew Forbes — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:07:50 +0100

Not a bad way to spend a saturday!

We also went back to see how things were progressing with the improvements at site of the Roman Ruins - so I updated the entry I made last June- click here to see the blog entry.

Cortijo de las Nieves Andalusian cottage, near Sierra de las Nieves

Andrew Forbes — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:29:00 +0100

With the unseasonably warm autumn and wnter we're having, the almond trees are getting confused, and blossoming very early.

But that didn't stop us lighting a fire and being cozy this afternoon!

To find out more about this cottage, visit www.cortijo-nieves.com

If you follow my photo journal on BlipFoto.com and subscribe, I will offer discounts for holiday rentals.

Hiking Route Puerto de la Mujer - Sierra de las Nieves

Andrew Forbes — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 17:03:00 +0100

The Sierra de las Nieves natural park is full of trails and hikes and significant investment has been made in markers, maps, information points and even recreation areas, with loos, showers for campers and areas to picnic and BBQ.

Head out of Guaro on the A366 towards Ronda and head up into the mountains and the park. After the village of Yunquera, look out for the 27km marker; shortly after on the left is a dirt forest trail to ’Los Sauces’.

Here starts a 18km round trail that takes you through great mountain scenery, forests and past interesting sites like an old fish farm, a ruined cortijo, an old water mill and the remnants of the ‘Convent de las Nieves’ that fell into ruins over a century again when church funding was removed.

Still marking the trail are ancient crosses, from the time of the convent. They are rich in detail, with Jesus on one side, and the Madonna and child on the other.

The track is in good shape, so you can drive it in an hour or more; or there are nearby stables offering horse riding; the route takes 3 hours; or alternatively its 2 hours by bicycle - hiking is a day. The high point is ‘el Puerto de la mujer’ offering amazing views.

You can drive a bit, leave the car and then walk if you just want to get a flavour of this part of the park.

The arrival of the Magi in Malaga - Three Kings - the most magical night of the year

Andrew Forbes — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:09:00 +0100

Here in Spain this is one of the most magical nights of the year for youngsters. With the arrival of the Magi, the 'Los Tres Reyes', come presents! ( forget gold, frankincense and myrrh.... more Wii & iPod!)

'Cabalgatas' or parades are happening across the country tonight, marking the arrival of the Kings.

Everyone buys a Roscon cake to enjoy (hidden inside is a hard bean for the loser and a little King for the winner who gets to wear the Roscon crown) and tomorrow is a holiday and presents for everyone!!

Just because we¡re not kids doesn't mean we can't enjoy lots of cake - we enjoyed some tapas and then went to the new bakery in town.

Vintage hydro electric station, Rio Grande, Sierra de las Nieves

Andrew Forbes — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:15:23 +0100

Exactly two years ago, whilst walking along the Rio Grande near our weekend place, in the Sierra de las Nieves natural park, we discovered an abandoned turn of the century hydro electric power station, ‘San Eugenio’. You can see the photos here.

Well, today I revisited the place and went further. It was fascinating, as I followed the original water channels that fed the power station from the abundance of water from the Rio Grande. These channels, a century on are still full of crystal clear mountain water.

About a kilometre from the original station is newer one, dating back to 1932, ‘San Augusto’. It’s still operational, and what’s extraordinary is that, through the windows, one can still see inside the original turbines, from the then pioneering German engineering firm ‘J. M. Voith’ based in Heidenheim. The tool kits are still mounted on the walls.

Outside remnants of the old sluice gates and channels remain, but are no longer used as water is brought down from the mountains in huge modern pipes.

I also checked out a small house, located at the entrance, at km 45 on the A366.

The house is also abandoned – it must have been for the manager. It’s such a shame that these houses are not renovated, here period properties are not popular, but for me they have so much more charm and character and are filled with interesting design and architectural features.

I went on to visit La Fuensanta, north of Yunquera. Here is a really old water mill, easily a couple of hundred years old. I will do a blog entry on that another day. On the way back I caught the sunset over Alozaina.

Malaga’s stunning new look port – El Palmeral de las Sorpresas

Andrew Forbes — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:59:16 +0100

Feliz Año Nuevo a todos!

After a splendid New Year’s Eve in Malaga capital, this morning we enjoyed a walk through the new port quay side, called the ‘El Palmeral de las Sorpresas’, designed by architect. Jerónimo Junquera.

This Palm Grove of Surprises is a new public space for Malaga and finally brings the port back into the heart of this maritime city. The sweeping quay starts at Malaga’s light house, where mega cruise ships dock, then sweeps around, running along the port and up to the city’s Alameda Park and the main street of Calle Larios.

The port was always a stone’s throw from the centre, but over the years it had become isolated, cut off behind gates and walls. Now the space has been opened up and it is possible to walk with a few minutes from the City’s historic Constitution Square, down the elegant pedestrianised Calle Larios, straight to the port.

This stunning new paseo is indeed full of surprises and great architectural detailing. Of course it houses the expected range of boutiques for the cruise ship passengers, but also new cafes and bars. But more than anything, along the palm grove are a series of spaces, each with its own identity; fountains, sculptural architectural gardens; small Italian style sunken gardens and play areas for families.

Combined with the trees and palms, the unifying element is the brilliant white concrete pergola, creating a play of light and shadows.

I look forward to seeing this when it is finally complete – it is set to become an integral part of Malaga’s identity.

Las burbujas de Freixenet - Call me Bubbles!

Andrew Forbes — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:56:15 +0100

You know it’s the holiday season in Spain when the Freixenet spot airs on TV.

The ads vary in length from the 10 minute short film directed by Martin Scorsese in 2007, to the more conventional spots like this year’s 2 minutes 15 seconds.

This image is a capture from the 2011 spot, featuring the extraordinary talents of Sara Baras, a remarkable Andalusian Flamenco dancer, born in the neighbouring province of Cadiz (little piece of trivia; she was in Mission Impossible II, in one of the scenes in Sevilla) together with José Carlos Martínez (the artistic director and choreographer of The Spanish National Dance Company).

I think it’s going to be a favourite of mine; for its passionate, energetic fusion of quintessential Spanish Flamenco with classical dance.

This year's spot was created by agency, JWT, from their Barcelona office.

These Freixenet TV spots are always beautifully choreographed and produced, and are affectionately known as ‘Las burbujas de Freixenet’ or ‘Bubbles’ - and often include stars from the stage or screen, just to add even more sparkle and fizz (last year it was the beautiful Shakira, the Columbian pop star who is huge here in Spain and past stars over the past 30 plus years have included Liza Minnelli, Raquel Welch, Paul Newman, Antonio Banderas, Penelope Cruz, and Gwyneth Paltrow).

This year’s spot can be viewed in full here – it’s beautiful. This link is the official site where there is additional information about the production, including a documentary by Jorge Cosmen.

Images and TV spot are copyright Freixenet.

Forgotten trails in La Mairena

Andrew Forbes — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:31:42 +0100

Today enjoyed a wonderful walk in the warm afternoon sun. When walking near the house, I normally I always head west, as within a kilometre or so in the 4 x 4 there is loads of trails and they have amazing views out over the coast and beyond.

Yet, this time I headed down the hill towards the small river that runs through the edge of La Mairena; and there, hidden down in the rocky gorge I found this charming little bridge, forming part of a really old route built here in the 19^th Century.

It’s really narrow and was probably used by mules carrying the cork oak at harvesting time

Part of the mountain is still recovering from fire as shown by these palms below. but most of the area is buzzing with wildlife. Partridge were flying out from amongst the trees, and above Swifts were swooping, catching bugs.

Wild herbs including mint, thyme and rosemary make walking through the scrub a aromatic experience!

The most noticable thing was how dry everything was. This autumn has been so sunny that the normal streams and brooks that run down these mountainsides and through these creeks were dry, except for few pools. The river was flowing, but at nothing like its normal rate for winter.

Noche Buena - Ronda

Andrew Forbes — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 23:42:57 +0100

We've driven home for Christmas. The sun is beaming down, so the town lacks its normal festive wintery chill.
Instead it like spring - as normal everyone is out enjoying tapas but instead the street and terrace tables are full.
Rafa & I and the family enjoyed some great tapas; including a visit to my favourite Casa Ortega, with freshly carved cured ham; superb cured cheese; meatballs; fresh wild asparagus; and suckling pig!
That's just snacks before the big family dinner tonight!!