My week "... de Rodríguez" is over

02 Oct

02Oct

I’ve been “footloose and fancy-free” for a week, while the missus was away visiting family in Germany.

I couldn’t wait to see Rita again last evening, although I’ve enjoyed my “time-out”. She has too! It will have done us both good.

^{The "missus" [}^{Photo by Paul Whitelock}^]

De Rodríguez

For more on this, check out: ... de Rodríguez? - Secret Serrania de Ronda

_{[Photo courtesy of Karl Smallman]}

While Rita was away, I had lots to do. So, no time for any “hanky-panky”. My main task was to tidy up our finca, where we live near Ronda (Málaga). I also wanted to make progress on my “outside den/man cave”, although I fear it’s a bit of a never-ending project.

Flight home

Rita was due in at Málaga Airport at 20.00, after her flight from Hamburg, Germany.

I set off from home with my “beach gear” and headed for the provincial capital.

I had a few ideas about how I could spend six hours on the coast, but I kept it very flexible. I had a few errands to run, but also planned some time on the beach and a swim in the Med.

Shopping, beach and swim

I tried twice to find a parking space near our favourite beach at Guadalmar, but the place was heaving and there were no spaces available.

It was only a Tuesday, por Dios, but, of course, it’s August. So, many Spanish are on holiday and the Costa del Sol remains very popular.

So, I went shopping instead. A trip to Málaga airport is a good chance to visit shops that we don’t have in Ronda.

^{Leroy Merlin, Malaga [Photo: Leroy Merlin]}

My main port of call was Leroy Merlin, the French DIY store, but I also popped into Conforama, also French. Found a few good things in both places.

I’d also intended to visit the Plaza Mayor commercial centre, but the call of the seaside was too strong. I eventually tried to find a spot further west than Guadalmar, the eastern end of Torremolinos.

I managed to park easily and the beach was but a few steps away. It was very crowded, but I found room to set up my beach lounger and beach mat. I didn’t bother with my beach umbrella, as it was now evening and the sun had cooled somewhat.

^{Beach at eastern end of Torremolinos [Photo: Paul Whitelock]}

First of all, a swim. I swear to God the Med was warmer than my pool in Ronda, though sadly not as clean.

^{Selfie of the author}

Rita’s flight was running 10 minutes late, so I had a bit more time. I started drafting this article, before going for a second swim. Then it was time to head to the airport.

Airport pick-up

Rita was through in no time, so we went back to Torremolinos to find somewhere to eat.

_[Photo:_{Chiringuito El Espeto}_]

We settled on Chiringuito El Espeto – new to us – and it was very good. We each had a beer and some olives, before Rita ate her main course, pulpo a la Gallega, octopus Galician-style. I opted for chipirrones a la plancha, grilled baby squid, washed down with a glass of Clio, a Ronda DO* wine which we like.

*[DO = Denominación de Origen, the equivalent of the French appellation controlée]

Epilogue

After a coffee, it was time to pay the bill – a reasonable 52€ - and set off on the two-hour trip back to Ronda and home and our new kitten, Pauline. And a shower and bed.

Photographs by:

Chiringuito El Espeto

Karl Smallman

Leroy Merlin

Paul Whitelock

Tags:

chipirrones a la plancha, Chiringuito El Espeto, Clio, Conforama, Costa del Sol, DO, Denominación de Origen, de Rodríguez, Germany, grilled baby squid, Guadalmar, Hamburg, Karl Smallman, Leroy Merlin, Málaga, Málaga airport, octopus Galician-style Plaza Mayor, pulpo a la Gallega, Ronda, Torremolinos

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