Province of Malaga & Cádiz Spain

DDrove from Tarifa in the province of Cádiz, Andalusia. Driving along the south coast. Stopped at Mirador de Estrecho for a coffee, but it was too cloudy to see Africa, and I also could not see the top of the rock passing Gibraltar. Stopped at Mijas but could not park, there was parking for cars only, it's a small village up on the mountain overlooking the Costa del Sol. (Not recommended for Motor Home's to drive through) So I found the nearest beach as I was getting very close to Malaga airport "Torremolinos" I spent the afternoon on the beach. Blessed with the sun, British and Irish bars.

There is a Train station "Los Alamos" with only 2 stops to the airport but the last train is at 23:30 and Jodie's plan is late! And parking is not cheap and I am in a "Hi-Top" van. So I found a nice little Spanish tapas bar while waiting for Jodie to arrive called Tres 14 tapas y cafe, got here at 8:15, by 9 pm the place was full of Spanish. Food and service was very good. Av. Manuel Fragla Iribalrne, 3, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga, Spain. N36°38.424' W004°29.773' free parking.

Jodie's plane arrived at 12:30 in the morning and time we left the airport was at 1 am. We made the drive to Ronda, planning on stopping somewhere on the rout. But ended driving the 1 & 1/2 hours to Ronda and got to sleep at 3 pm. And work up with music from Zumber as I had parked outside a gym!

There is free camping in Ronda, that we found in the morning. We then walked to the old town for breakfast and down to the gorge, before continuing our way to Costa de Luz.
Wild camping & Parking at Ronda: N36°45.046' W005°10.261' Off Parque del Sur

Ronda: Old & new Ronda stand either side of the spectacular 100 m deep El Tajo gorge. Puente Nuevo - Local tradition claims that its architect Martin de Aldehuela fell to his death in 1793 the year the bridge was completed trying to engrave the date on the bridge. Based on real events, townspeople in the plazza on top of the cliff above the river Clubbed Martin then thrown over the cliff. The perpetrators were apparently a gang from Malaga.

Now back in the province of Cadiz after driving through Parque Natural Sierra de Grazalema and de Los Alcornocales.

From Ronda to Vejer de la Frontera. A 2hr drive through some beautiful views and some winding roads.

"Driving down the highway so life won't pass you by"

Avda. Los Remedios, 3 - Vejer de la Frontera (Cadiz) Definitely needed a beer after the long drive and we enjoyed our tapas.
Free Parking at Vejer: On the way up to the town on Calle Los Remedios and take the steps from the carpark up to the old town. The bar can be found near the top on the right-hand side. N36°12.199' W006°58.033'

We got to the beach Playa Los Canos de Meca on day one :) Low season. A lot less people visiting the beach than only a week ago when I was here last, so a good time for Jodie to visit.

We booked in for two nights at Camping and Bungalows Canos de Meca. Ctra. De Vejer a Los Canos km 10

Good price, clean and swimming pool. But a good 2.5k walk to the beach "Cabo de Trafalgar" along the road.

Cash payment only. No credit card.

N36°12.131' W006°02.263'

We went straight to the beach for the afternoon. There is a beach bar called Ohana

That evening we found a nice restaurant and had a nice meal and chat. Got to bed at 11 pm, was a long but exciting day.

Restaurant La Tertulia

Carril Del Pozo 49, 11159 Zahora

Found on the lane between camping and hotel Los Pino's "Camino Las Playas" 100 metres take the first road right. There is a handy mini supermarket on the corner.

Woke up after a good night's sleep, cooked fried eggs on fresh bread and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. And relaxing in a hammock.......before heading to the beach.

Bar Las Dunas for lunch at the beach. On the road to the beach Pago Los Caños de Meca.

After a bit of rain in the night, we got up early at 9 am, made breakfast and drove to Bolonia. And we are in the bar "La Cabana" looking over the beach, before walking around the Roman ruins.

And lunch at Restaurant Otero, next to the ruins, on the beach looking at the sand dune. Where we are going next............

We spent a night in Tarifa before heading to Malaga.
Time has gone super quick with Jodie and today we head towards Malaga, along with the Costa del Sol. Found camping Torremolinos Near to airport, railway and 10 min walk to the beach. C/Loma del Paraiso No. 2 29620 The road to the beach Av. La Riviera is where the train station Los Alamos ( For airport and 20 min to Malaga) between camping and station is a good place for lunch Cafeteria Aranda €8 menu of the day starter and main. Lots of local workers use this place as well as tourists. Can also take the train to La Colina, one stop (no need to buy a ticket) for Tres 14 tapas & cafe. After our lunch and hitting the beach, Jodie's last night we took the train to Malaga. We visited my wine bar "Bodega Antigua Casa de Guardia" had a short walk to the old centre and found a nice restaurant Alma Alpujarrena before heading back to the campsite.

We took the train to the airport early in the morning, got Jodie checked in and said our goodbyes. Time has surely gone by quick and I will miss her dearly being here with me.

I got back to the campsite and decided to drive to El Chorro, Just over an hour from Malaga. For Caminito Del Rey.

From El, Chorro is a lovely road, very narrow with sheer drops with amazing views all the way up to the campsite Finca la Campana.

N36°54.306'

W004°44.926'

I also stopped 30 k's from El Chorro at Zalea half way on Calle Virgen Del Yal

The mini market is called Cristobal Guerrero Jimenez.

El Chorro. 50 k's northwest of Malaga, the awesome gorge Garganta del Chorro which is 4km long, up to 400m deep and as little as 10 m wide.

And it feels a lot hotter here 36°+

Alt: 274 m

Some people have had trouble booking a ticket for Caminito Del Rey online. I know I have, you can buy from the North entrance.

www.caminodelrey.es has info on booking a ticket. But tells you to book at www.caminitodelrey.info and the website booking page may not work on your phone, also you need to print a ticket off!

Also, read reviews on TripAdvisor, it's not the adventure it once was (one thrilling trip along a crumbling concrete catwalk clinging to the gorge wall 100 m above the river) now the walkways have been rebuilt and you feel enclosed!!

Never-mind it's a beautiful area and it is good to relax for a few days in the mountains. There are walks and cycling with great views.

I can read my book Jodie brought with her "First Contact by Mark Anstice"

I also need to start studying Spanish, I have a ton of helpful books!!!

I have now booked in at Finca La Campana, as the owner returned at 7 pm. There are some supplies available here and everything is paid by credit card, so no need for a lot of cash.

Also, he gave me straightforward info about Caminito Del Rey. He said many people are having trouble booking, as he thinks it is booked up, maybe for the week. He suggested taking the early bus tomorrow morning at 9 am to the north entrance (which is the start) he says there could be a no-show. Also, it's a climbing mecca here and showed me beginners climbing that is available Wednesday and looks a better deal.

Gout update: The same with less pain than normal. I have started drinking pure water I can collect from the mountain. Also cutting coffee down to one cup (so not to dehydrate) and started drinking fruit/herbal tea. Here it's very hot, with much time walking/cycling, so sweating just being in the sun.

Nearest towns to El Chorro are Ardales & Álora

After a longish cycle ride, I could see many people walking the Caminito Del Rey high up and it is something I like to do. So on my return and after a cool down from the heat, I switched on my phone and tried the website to book a ticket and this time I managed to book. But not for 3 days, but no worries it's a great place to be at!! 10 Euros & 1:55 Euro for the bus.

When you arrive in the North, there is a bar, where you get dropped off the bus. Walk behind the bar through the tunnel and its 2.5 ks through a pine forest. There is a shorter way along the road. The Caminito Del Rey takes 2 hrs to walk, can be a little windy but not cold (3rd November) The most exciting bit was crossing the narrow bridge near the end of the walk, but it was worth doing.

I took my micro 4/3 wide lens 7 - 14 (14 - 28), 20 (40) fixed and a 45 - 200 (90 - 400) zoom, I used all 3 but the wide lens more and using at 7 mm. 

Zip wire and two wire bridges to cross, the top is 200 metres

I was very happy to climb here, as I am not a climber and it was my first time to do this! Booked with La Finca Campana and was told it's easy and for beginners!!! There was an element of getting sweaty hands.....Made some good friends on the climb, and grateful for a cold beer when we got back, always tastes better when you feel you have earnt one or two.