Day Eight Malaga 24th

It was a very slow start to the day with the boys actually ready in plenty of time and the girls found still in bed. We checked out of the hotel and decided, before breakfast, to drop the suitcase at the car to save us dragging it about. Breakfast came in the form of extremely healthy (heart stopping!) churros complete with dipping chocolate. Churros, sometimes referred to as a Spanish doughnut, are fried-dough pastry-based snacks and definitely not on the weight watchers top 10. They were, however, delicious and a real treat for all. We did later stop for some healthier juice and a cup of tea for me just to balance the tables.

Our Spanish Senorita

The drive out of Seville took all of Nathan’s skill and patience. The other drivers were particularly crazy and the roads no better. Just when we thought we had a clear run out of town we hit a detour and the fun started all over again. We did eventually make it out and then it was smooth driving all the way to the coast and Malaga. Once again we were in the midst of olive groves and rocky, hilly terrain - bandido territory! We found our hotel quite easily following the trusty Susie. We only took one wrong turn and, now travelling on a back road, came across two motorbike police officers parked in the middle of the road. We were approached by a rather aggressive looking officer (complete with helmet, sun glasses and his jumper pulled up covering his mouth) and he started firing questions at Nathan in Spanish. We eventually figured out he was asking us why we had stopped. Speaking no Spanish ourselves we really couldn’t point out that obviously we stopped because they were blocking the b!@##! road so we waved politely and drove on.

On reaching our hotel we turned around and drove out again, recognizing the need to refuel the car prior to dropping it off tomorrow. We used Susie to locate the nearest petrol station and while we did seem to travel in circles for a while we did manage to find it. Next on our ‘to do’ list was lunch. We located a nearby Carrefour and, wouldn’t you know it, the only food place was McDonald’s. Abbey was over the moon stating that this was the best thing we had done all week – poor child! Lunch taken care of and after a quick play at the park we popped into the Carrefour to pick up afternoon tea and some supplies for our flight tomorrow. It is so much fun going into foreign supermarkets. The highlight of this one was the cured meat section with literally rows of hanging joints. Nathan was hoping to buy the special meat slicers which were on sale for 50 Euro. I had to put my foot down and say no as it simply wouldn’t fit in our bag.

Did anyone say Pork?

We finally made it back to our hotel after taking every possible route through the local industrial estate. Whilst our hotel was right on the coast in a ‘holiday enclave’ it was surrounded by industrial looking buildings and quite close to the airport. It was a typical Gold Coast looking high rise but afforded fantastic views across towards the tourist mecca of Malaga and we could also watch the planes go by. The only difference from the Gold Coast was the dirty, black sand on rather bleak beaches.

Both the kids were extremely keen to go for a swim. Granted it was rather warm being in the low 20s but the outside pool looked, and was, absolutely freezing. Zac was determined to give it a go and, to give him credit, actually jumped in a few times before conceding defeat. Abbey also gingerly walked down the steps and then, quite quickly, walked out again. There was an indoor pool on the complex but there was unfortunately a catch – you had to wear a swimming cap and we hadn’t brought any along with us. Luck was with the kids when I found the exact change to purchase two swimming caps they headed indoors with Nathan. I remained outside a while longer just soaking up some much needed sun.

With the swimming itch scratched, we took a walk along the foreshore. We have definitely been spoilt living in Australia and I refused to step foot on the dirty looking sand. We spent the evening sitting on the balcony of our hotel room, sipping wine and once again taking in the rays. It was rather pleasant but I could just imagine how hot these balconies and rooms would be during the busy summer months. We were all rather travel weary by now so decided to treat ourselves and ordered out for pizza as the nearby beach café did not even open its kitchen until 8:30pm and we really didn’t fancy another drive into town. The pizza was actually quite nice and reasonably priced so we were pleased with our decision.

It was now time for bed and Abbey’s second highlight of the holiday, sleeping on the top bunk! There were stars and moons stickers on the ceiling above her bed so she was most pleased with her place in life. Nathan and I actually had a double bed each which should have been fantastic but what followed, for me at least, was the most uncomfortable night’s sleep so far as it felt like sleeping on a plank of wood. Oh well, guess you just can’t have space and comfort!