On Tuesday we headed back for Arcos de la Frontera and have now returned to la Herradura.
Driving back up to Coripe on Tuesday 18 February, we did a bit of shopping and chatted for a while with a Dutchman we’d met at the campsite – he’s sold up and living full time on the road, recommends the road trip to north Norway. Finally departing Coripe at 2pm we call at a fuel station and decide the van really does need a clean so it gets the full service, tyre pressure and all! There’s a large free parking area at Arcos so we leave the van and take a stroll around the town, finally finding a little place for supper. Gateway to the Pueblos Blancos Route and regarded one of the most beautiful towns in Spain, the settlement dates back to prehistoric and Roman times. Typical of many of the ‘white towns’ the main influence is Moorish with steep, narrow cobbled streets and ancient arches spanning the space between massive towers of the castle, manor houses and palaces.
Yesterday morning we phoned Jose to ask if there was space at the Area Camping in la Herradura, he said he could squeeze us in although they were really busy . . . we decided there was time for the scenic route from Arcos north of Ronda through the Sierra de Grazalema. Passing El Bosque we stopped for lunch on the roadside and once again watched vultures up close. At the Puerto de Boyar Mirador, 1100m., we took a detour on the steep, narrow and winding CA-9104 to Zahara. Winding back past Algedonales we rejoin the A-384 to Olvera then turn south onto the A-357 to take the main roads by-passing Malaga and onto the A-7 to la Herradura.
We arrived at 1700 to a lovely welcome from Jose who had reserved us a small space at the top of the site. After a drink at our favourite beach bar, Bambu, we bumped into Betsy, who now has a place here, and arranged to meet up today. We called at the workshop today but sadly, Stephen Hill and all the other guitar folk are away for now so we had a relaxing day pottering around, drinks and tapas with Betsy and an excellent curry at the Indian in town.
