Friday 7th November 2024

A bit of a contrast to our wet, wild and windy adventures on the UK coastline – this time we’re on the glorious Costa Del Sol where we’ve spent the last 5 days settling into the Southern Spanish way of life. Our accommodation in Benalmadena is neatly tucked away from the crowds, giving us the opportunity to explore local life, practice our limited Spanish and use their marvellous train service to explore all there is between Malaga and Fuengirola. There are some superb walking stretches here as long as you stick to the beach strip … either direction from us we can walk for miles and miles on wonderful promenades. If you venture off you go steeply uphill into the mountains – not for the faint hearted. We’re using our ‘Rambling Roses coastal path walkers’ as an excuse to keep to the flat. To be honest a few hills in this moderate November temperature will not be so bad so I’m sure we’ll wend our way up a hill/mountain or two before too long … but there’s no rush!!

We arrived on Sunday night, two hours later than planned due to flight delay. This had the knock on affect of a slight situation at check in … the supermarket, where our keys were waiting for us, had shut. After a number of phone call attempts we finally made contact with our airbnb host to explain – the outcome was we took refuge at the pizza parlour until a young lad appeared on a motorbike an hour later with spare keys. This wait forced us to consume wine!!! Our bijou apartment is lovely and all we need for our budget self-catering 4 weeks sunshine break. And plenty close enough to where many of our running friends will be located when they come out later in the month, just a couple of train stops away. Sea views too, over stunning white Spanish architecture – just perfect.

So, this first week we have been finding our feet in terms of:

1. The best beaches
2. Selection of walks
3. How to negotiate Spanish train ticket machines
4. The ins and outs of the bargain 10 euro train ticket
5. Exploring all the stops on the Malaga – Fuengirola train line
6. Importantly, which stations are lower down i.e. how to avoid long uphill walks after a day out!! **
7. Cheapest supermarkets
8. Bargain yet delicious Spanish wine
9. Spanish restaurants

** would recommend Fuengirola, Torreblanca, Carvajal and Los Alamos for beaches that are nearer to train stations. Montemar Alto and Torremolinos are great places but be prepared for a strenuous walk uphill from the promenade if you end your walk in either of these areas.

It’s definitely been hotter some days than others and generally warmer than we had expected. We’ve had a couple of beach days already so plenty of chilling. I’ve got to swim a few times so I’m a happy bunny – the sea is not cold, honestly – not quite a bath but easily doable and refreshing.

On Wednesday evening we ventured into Feungirola where we enjoyed a seafood paella at ‘San Pe’, a pretty Spanish restaurant tucked away in the side streets of this vibrant town. On our way home, we bumped into our running friend Julie Bousfield, and her husband Martin – they have an apartment in Torreblanca and had been enjoying a meal out too … so we shared a ‘merry’ train ride home. We met up with Julie again this morning for coffee and a lovely stroll and she shared many handy tips to help us during our stay here.

Walks so far this week:

1. Around Benalmadena
2. Benalmadena – Carvajal
3. Montemar Alto – Los Alamos
4. Carvajal – Fuengirola

Trying to get in at least 5 miles of walking each day whilst Steve is trying to build up his running mileage in preparation for the Benalmadena Half Marathon later in the month – he’s wondering why he signed up!! Suffice to say we are very happy to be here. Sunny weather and blue skies certainly energise you and create positivity. After a crazily busy year, we’re relishing spending some chilled time together and intend to take it easy as well as make the most of our Spanish time. And we could wax lyrical about the bargain that is the 10 euro train ticket – we can use it for all our trips for the whole month we’re here and there’s still plenty for us to see and do on the Costa Del Sol.

We hope the sun keeps shining … except on the two race days!!