The Road from Santiago

We are descending. We are descending here because Malaga stretches all the way along to the east until it runs out of beach and becomes cliff and ends, sort of. We are coming out slightly east of this. We are going through one of those colonies of Malaga, once individual casitas and somewhat isolated sheds. Slowly people have moved in. I blame cars. We are near a music producer. E-Gipsy Flamenco Electronic Music   The website does not appear to work. Two five star reviews include Isabel’s ‘ Very good trio of flamenco artists , nice and relaxing atmosphere. Thanks for a wonderful night.’ We are about to come up with the a huge cement works.  Cementos Cosmos https://www.votorantimcimentos.es/es/   It gets 3.8 stars from 25 reviews. Osvaldo went the full five with this ‘Quick download. If this is your first time here, you need to register your details at the checkpoint.’   Adrian was less happy.  ‘Quick download. If this is your first time here, you need to registe...

  We pass one place with the hint of a review so let us pop in to Padre Aviles - a five star rated self-catering accommodation.  http://padre-aviles.com/en/index.html Let us quote from the website.  ‘ Padre Aviles is a 17th Century converted convent offering luxury self catering accommodation for large groups and families, and ideal for weddings or other large events.  With stunning views over the Mediterranean, the property is set in 180 Acres of olive and almond trees. With its two swimming pools, 2 tennis courts, its close proximity to the beach, beach front restaurants and golf courses it is the perfect year round holiday destination.’ A month ago Maud said ‘ We had a great family reunion staying in Padre Aviles over Christmas 2025. The 5 converted stable units were the perfect setting for our group. We used one of the 3 bedrooms accommodation as the main house, which was big enough to house all 19 of us. We explored Malaga and the beautiful National Parks in the...

  There is something about living in the relatively well ordered lowlands of England which allows for a continual sense of wonder when confronted by the fact that in Spain you can be in rugged uplands in a relatively short time and that ruggedness allows for wild scrub and bleak stretches of valley.  You get the same effects in, say South Wales and Yorkshire, but it seems writ larger here.  I love that sense of leaving and regaining order, the houses thin and then the last settled cottage and enclosed space, to be met, sometime later, by the first wall and garage. We are going down the A-7000 for a bit and then the MA-166 for  a bit.  We will come to the Venta Galwey so we better stopThe place has 673 stars and 3.9 stars. Recent reviews suggest the place is a little expensive and slow service.  Four weeks ago Francisco gave 4 stars and said ‘The mountains surrounding Málaga are truly spectacular. The food at this inn is good, but more qualified staff wouldn...