The Brits go to Ronda

We decided to go up to Ronda which is a very old town high up in the hills above Marbella. It was beautifully sunny but rather cold. Here is Suzanne in front of the fountain in the square.
Ronda boasts one of the oldest and most prestigious bullrings in the world. At this time of the year we were able to explore the whole complex and actually go into the arena. You don't realise how big it is until you stand inside.
There is a museum built into the cloister around the arena and here are two pictures of traditional costumes associated with bull fighting.
As you can see the colors and detail are magnificent.
In the evening we ate at a very old restaurant right opposite the bullring where Orson Welles and Ernest hemingway would eat and either comiserate or celebrate with famous local matadors. The bulls head on the wall compared to Suzanne sitting in the corner gives you some idea of how big the bulls are. All the pictures are of celebrities from Spain famous for bull fighting and flamenco dancing.

The Two Happy Brits in Europe

We arrived in Torre del Mar in the south of Spain on February 2nd. and found that we had rented a fabulous villa with terraces front and back and views to the Mediteraneon at the front and of Velez-Malaga at the back. See the pictures.

It was great to see Suzanne's sister Linda and our brother-in-law Roy who live here.

We have already visited some of the restaurants we have enjoyed on previous visits, but as it is earlier in the year then we have been before, many of the beach bars are not yet open.

Much of the first week has been spent completing mundane tasks such as stocking up the frig and the larder and organizing our office.However we have had the opportunity to have plenty of fun with good food and wine. We have also been able to relax in the large spa!

Watch this space for more news of our three months here in Spain and Italy!