Andalucian pot pourri: Part 1

We are in Andalucia for a week in a villa in Mijas, just outside of Malaga. As ever, just a few photographs to give a flavour of what we're up to. No theme to link them, just the wanderings of a febrile mind.

The blurb for our villa claims that, on a clear day, the coast of Africa can be seen. Well, it's a clear day and I can't see Africa. #cheatedofmijas

Who is this peeping out from behind an hibiscus flower?

Why, it's Mr Spanish Cicada. And look what a messy eater he is: pollen all over his legs and antennae. I bet his mother won't be pleased to see this.

And here's Mr Humming Bird Hawk moth heading off after a feed. Look how clean his proboscis is, Mr Spanish Cicada. If he can do it, so can you.

It's a long way to come for a Cornish Cream Tea, even if it is served with Rodda's Clotted Cream. Around the corner they were serving Ginster's pasties - possibly.

It's a shame to see the mundane 'pedestrian crossing' sign replacing the rather splendid 'officer crossing' one.

Colegiata Santa Maria la Mayor - Saint Mary the Major Collegiate Church. For we jubilados, a reduced entrance fee of 3 euros. Almost makes it worth being an OAP.

My composite of the many altars we saw in the churches in Ronda. Too many, too elaborate and not to our taste. But colourful.

I liked the glow of the sun behind this bell tower. Can't remember which church it was but it was in Ronda and it was closed.

Puento Nuevo at Ronda, possibly one of the most photographed bridges in Spain, but none-the-less impressive for that. Tip for travellers to Ronda: the new town is a rather unattractive urban sprawl so keep to the old town and just wander around the streets. It's an interesting place to potter.

This tower was once the tower of  a Moorish minaret but was appropriated in the 14th Century and modified for use as a tower for a Catholic church. This is all that survives nowadays and, if you look closely, you might be able to make out the typical horse-shoe shaped Moorish doorway on the bottom right.

The bells in the tower of the Iglesia del Espiritu Santo. The photograph was taken about 10 seconds before they started chiming the quarter hour. And, yes, they were very loud close up. Nowadays they are operated electrically rather than by the traditional clappers. Note added 24 hours later: my ears are still ringing.

I know all about the good they do but I still have problems with the impact they make on the landscape. Why can't they be smaller and out of the way. And why are there no solar panels to be seen in this part of Spain? Look at the sky - blue and full of sun. And not a hint of wind.

 

If you have a gender identity problem, this could be just the place for you.