Fuengirola

We took a jaunt to Fuengirola two days ago. It seems larger than Torremolinos and certainly busier. I wish I'd thought to photograph the train. They are very modern and an efficient way to travel the coastline. Fuengirola is the end of the line in the south while Malaga is the terminus going north, Torremolinos is about the middle of the line, but there are many stops along the way.

There are monuments, including this obelisk near the station.

That's Malaga in the distance and beyond that the snow covered Sierra Nevada. 

We found a great coffee shop, Il Signore, where we had good coffee and, horrors, a Cronut, an evil thing filled with Kinder surprise flavoured cream. Love the ironing board tables. The young man in the picture is the owner, very chatty. We had a great conversation with him. We also bought some of his ground coffee because the stuff we bought at the grocery store has not been so good. 

In Geordie's continued search for British culture in Spain, he discovered this well-recommended place serving "The finest fish and chips on the coast".

He had to have mushy peas too. The fish pieces were huge, the batter indeed crispy, but next time I'm going to do the leading and we'll look for Spanish culture. 

On our saunter along the Paseo we found this place serving grilled fish in a creative barbecue. Yes, the coals are in the boat. 

As in Puerto Vallarta, there are sand sculptors. This was a miniature and used colour to add artful interest. 

Another sculpture - this one is called Mediterranea.

And this one inland, honours the hard working fishermen of Spain. 

I know this is a poor picture, but we were so surprised to see this flock of green parrots feeding with the pigeons. 

And since we are on birds - this is a bird of paradise blooming in our own garden in Torremolinos. (After our train ride, then 4 km walk back to our apartment. We chose to get off the train early and saunter along the Paseo.) 

We discovered a little Spanish culture in a café just down the street from us though.. Churros and café con leche, the churros sprinkled with a little sugar. That's a "serving" - one order. 

For those who think it must be wonderful and warm we give you this picture of our next door neighbours sunning on the pool patio. Never mind that yesterday when we woke up it was actually zero Celsius (yes, really). These folk were sunning later in the morning when the temperature had reached a balmy 11 degrees. It seems that if you come from rainy Britain or Holland it doesn't  matter the temperature. Came for a bit of sun dammit and I'm getting me a tan!

More Spanish culture - a cafe in the afternoon sun with coffee and an apple pastry.

And here at La Taberna Tito Juan which is very popular, and no wonder. Every drink, beer or wine, brings a plate of some tapa from the many on offer. We've enjoyed several over the last few days - including meatballs, eggs scrambled with potato, pork in creamy mushroom sauce. And the staff and patrons are so friendly. It's a great spot, just down our street. Last night it was as packed with very little room to maneuver. We were sitting at the counter so got to hand beers, wine and tapas off to other customers and the server. 

A different view of the Taberna. I can't explain the Orange cowboy hat with the big holes in it. 

I'll leave you with this shot of a little snack we had today, again just two blocks away on our own street. Thick hot chocolate with fried churros. Way too tasty. And wonderful on another cold day; we were even rained on on the way back to our apartment.