Monday 17th September 2018

Ronda

A traditional Andalusian breakfast was offered to us at our hotel. It was served in the bar where we sat last night. It consisted of warm breadcakes, tomato pulp and pate.  We have seen scores of people eating this meal over the last few days at various times of the day.

We were in the Plaza De Maria Auxiliadora in the Moorish Quarter to start the walk a little before 9am.

Unfortunately our camera’s battery is no longer holding its charge so we will now have to take all photographs with our mobiles.

While researching about things to do and see here in Ronda, we came across some information about a walk. It stated that the walk followed an undemanding path underneath the “New Bridge” into the ‘El Tajo Gorge’ and would take approximately an hour and a half.

A signpost stated 4600m and 13km at the beginning of the track. We continued down the path, pleased to find only a couple of other walkers.  A few steps further we came across another sign which stated ‘DANGEROUS PATH, REAL RISK OF DEATH! Oh!

Stopping at a viewpoint to admire the scenery and take a few photographs we saw a young couple operating a drone and we watched them for a while.

A man stopped us on the path a few minutes later speaking in rapid Spanish.  ‘Sorry…’ I started to say and he immediately switched to fluent English. He wanted to inform us that unfortunately the path did not go almost 5km or 13km as the sign suggested but stopped abruptly directly under the bridge with a locked gate.

We continued single file along the narrow path until we came to the locked gate. Dave, being taller than myself, could make out that the path at the other side of the gate had collapsed, but further along he could see a defined path. Disappointingly our planned walk wasn’t to be. On a positive side we had seen an excellent view of the bridge plus the waterfall. Also, although the walk was much shorter than we had expected it was very pleasant and due to the time of day, free from hoards of day trippers.

Retracing our steps we passed through the square and spotted a cockatiel having its morning bath.

Continuing into the Old Town, we explored the narrow cobbled alleyways with their whitewashed buildings.

Once more we walked the route with the precarious balconies. We walked as far as it was possible until the pathway came to a dead end.  Apart from ourselves, there were just one or two locals exercising their dogs.

Back in the centre we stopped for a coffee and sampled the local churros but we found them to be dry and in need of sugar!

We came across the main shopping street which was surprisingly busy and had quite a few well known high street stores.

Spotting a photographic shop we enquired about a battery for the camera but unfortunately it did not stock the type of battery we required.

Wandering slowly, we returned to the Old Town.  After a while we heard music and followed the sound into the town hall square.  A guitarist had set up close to the cafe bars.  We decided to stop for a drink and later, as it was so pleasant, we ordered lunch.

After lunch we strolled around some more, enjoying the pretty town and its magnificent panoramic views.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our final evening in Ronda was a repeat of the previous night; a walk with a final look at the dramatic mountainous town and its surroundings.

Both of us enjoyed a G & T in the splendidly situated bar before having dinner in one of the restaurants in one of the many narrow streets.  We finished our evening with a nightcap in the hotel’s traditional bar.

We have had a relaxing day today and tomorrow we are travelling to Malaga by bus and then onto a small town on the coast around 15 kilometres outside of the city for a couple of days before we return home.

We have had a fantastic time! We have seen some breathtaking architecture here in Andalusia.

Obviously, the Alhambra and the Mezquita are two of our highlights. However, Seville’s Real Alacazar is extremely impressive as is the Plaza de España in Seville’s beautiful Parque Maria Luisa.

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