Finally, we are back in Malaga, after a bus ride by the Med.  I have had a long walk along Paseo Antonio Banderas, punctuated by swims with all the chicos out of collegio. Sin medusas.  Take the old girl into town for dinner.  El Pimpi after a stroll along paseo del Parque. back in the hotel I am given a bottle of Malaga Virgen for being a good client. great end to great holiday.  Let's see if I get it past security!

The beach at Estepona is perfect for me as it has a gentle gradient and no waves.  Would have stayed longer but 2 meduzas were spotted!
the old lady has somwhere nice to sit too. 
stare at the horizon on the middle picture and you will see the rock
(what's it all about?)

Casco viejo, Estepona

Estepona is quieter than Marbella and much more genuinely Spanish. The old town is lovely, we had coffee a la plaza de los flores. 

The old town in Marbella is very pretty.  We met up with Geri and had dinner in the Plaza de las Naranjas.  the latter are verdes at this time of year!

This is the elusive no 5 bus.  It's a circular round San Pedro. La oficina de tourismo has never heard of it and advises a taxi to the beach for old ladies. Now you know!

One day we took the bus to Puerto Banus.  Interesting in the educational sense.  Not really my scene!  The beach is beautiful, but so frustrating that it is covered with jelly fish.  I learnt a new Spanish word. Meduzas.  lovely word horrible beast
Could not swim! water ever where and not a drop to swim in.

If you walk east down the esplanade you get to la playa del cotillo blanco. 

The best thing about San Pedro is it's beach.  The esplanande is quiet and shady.  it's just lovely to walk there. The beach is quiet and shaded.  The sea is divine with just a few rocks and waves as you enter. There is a life guard up a ladder and a Red Cross point.  they were just getting over a jelly fish plague, but that's another story.

The main square in San Pedro is a nice place to relax and gets busy for the evening paseo

The streets of San Pedro are pedestrianised and pleasant, though they do lack character

And here is Lou being more up market!  Well, she is celebrating being 82! 

Here I am, relaxing in the traditional way

Fortunately, the rooms have a nice balcony with afternoon sun, which is nearly as good!

The terrace bar is really special. However the prices tend to deter!

Can you see nh in the distance?  it's set in a non descript new area, but it's not touristy and very Spanish.  I would reccommend this chain.

The hotel is comfortable and clean with good breakfast and a friendly team. Our rooms had balconies.  Looking one way you can see the sea, and in the other direction the sierras. The supermarket is across the road.

The bus station in San Pedro is minimalist!  But what more could you need? Walk downhill for 5 minutes and you are at the beach.  We stayed at the NH Hotel which is 5 minute walk up hill.  It took us 30 minutes an we stopped for a beer with pan integral with tomato/oil! 

I love to look at the flowers on the Alameda Principal, as I walk into town.  On this occasion, I visited the Picasso Museum and had the benefit of a free one and half hour tour. Then we had lunch and I swam in the sea.

We took the coach to San Pedro de Alcantara.  We stopped in Torremolinos.  Educational. ??!!
The charred hillsides were another education we could have done with out. The unemployed will be asked to clear up, or lose benefits.

el arbol cansado

In September 2012, I arrived in Andalucia ready for a late summer break.  Like this tree, I needed to be 'propped up' after a summer of changes. 
This is next to Maria Zumbrano station, opposite my breakfast place, and the cheap cheerful and clean Hotel Don Paco.   this is a great place to stay after a late arrival by plane; half an hour from landing you can be in your room if you travel light.  There are places to eat in the station complex, which are fine if you are happy with good quality food with minimal atmosphere