A 62% chance

 It is May.  We are nudging south and towards the Atlantic.  What is the weather doing?



Now, TUI are doing their best to sell it. They reckon ‘May in Estepona, Spain, offers a delightful climate, perfect for exploring the outdoors. The temperature is warm without being oppressive, and the days are bathed in ample sunshine. Rainfall is minimal, making it an excellent month for travellers seeking to enjoy the scenic beauty of the region. Humidity is moderate, which adds to the overall comfort, and the weather is quite inviting for outdoor exploration and local seasonal activities.’  


Specifically the average temperature is 20oC, about three centimetres of rain falls and you have a 62% chance of sun - of which you will get ten hours a day.  If it helps, the average temperature in April is 17, June 22, July and August is 25 and falls to 23 in September.  Expect 1mm of rain across Summer months.


We are leaving Estepona, via the Urbanization Puerto de Estepona.  The marina is a 4.4 star sort of place, with 4743 reviews. https://marinasmediterraneo.es/en/estepona/  It has a craft market on Sundays.  Flea Market is the top referenced review term so let’s have a look. Four years ago Jacob said ‘A peaceful atmosphere, breathtaking sunrises and sunsets worth seeing, unlike in Marbella, here you can stroll around, go to sleep at a set time and enjoy it since the number of visitors apart from Sundays when they have a market is wonderful.’



The coast is mixed with apartment blocks and villas.  A remnant of the days when this was a pick and mix for the Barbary Pirates survives, the Arroyo Vaquero Tower.   Adolfo reported ‘It was built in the late 15th century, replacing an older tower from the Andalusian period. The ruins of the tower are located on a hill immediately north of it called Torrequebrada, on the left bank of Arroyo Vaquero. Unlike the latter, it had a square floor plan, like the Ladrones Tower.’

Welcome to Buenas Noches.  There appears to be both a place, Buenas Noches and an urbanizacion as well.  By it is the Playa de la Galera. This is a 4.3 star beach. Yesterday Miguel reported it was a ‘Very beautiful, well located and crystal clear water!!!’.

We’ll end near the Torre de la Sal.  To quote   X King [is this Juan Carlos]  ‘I love walking along the coast until I reach this monument. I love the fact that even during high season, this area is so relaxing with no crowds. Also known as Salto de la Mora (Spanish for “the Moorish woman’s leap”), it stands alongside the coast atop a rocky headland which juts out to sea. It presents two different levels and is unique for its square floor plan and octagonal vault. It was built from limestone concrete, stones and bricks, and two kilometres of unspoilt beaches are visible from the top of the tower. Unlike traditional towers along the coast, the Salt Tower would not serve as a watchtower per se.

The drawbridge that gave access to the monument ordered by Emperor Charles V has not been preserved to this day. However, it remains guarded by the machicolation on the flat roof and the open window at the top, which made the tower easier to defend, as this was its most vulnerable part.  It is known to have existed since the 16th century, which is when it became part of the official coastal tower system. Its origins seem to be Islamic and, more specifically, Nasrid. In fact, in 1575, it was still unfinished.


So we end.







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