tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72279195071336885092008-08-29T20:03:12.445+02:00A look at Spain, especially travel and accommodation on the Costa del Sol and in Andalucia.Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-65257452035328999052008-08-06T16:42:00.010+02:002008-08-15T12:16:08.859+02:00

As well timed as any industrial action by French air traffic controllers, the Portillo bus company employees went on strike today, bringing coastal bus services to a halt and stranding thousands of tourists and working folk alike up and down the coast. I went up to the Marbella bus station this morning to check it all out and noted the police cars parked at the entrance, the demonstration banner

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-3995868724475293422008-08-01T23:15:00.003+02:002008-08-06T17:41:03.919+02:00

"What time's the next bus back to Marbella?" I was phoning my wife as I went through the passport control right next to the airport concourse this morning. Back home on her computer she had already consulted the Malaga airport to Marbella bus station schedule linked to the day's airport arrivals and departures page so she knew exactly where I was. "It's at 1.00pm!" I had 5 minutes. With only

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-22843670757099038682008-07-18T14:29:00.000+02:002008-07-23T15:48:51.273+02:00

I took my son-in-law Chris looking fit and tanned up to the Marbella bus station this morning to catch the special Marbella to Malaga airport bus service. He was flying back to London. We got his ticket and as we put his bag onto the bus I was delighted to bump into Raquel, seen in the middle of the picture. She was also bussing to Malaga airport and then flying on to Barcelona. Raquel is an

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-79519876235733325492008-07-02T23:26:00.000+02:002008-07-12T23:30:12.863+02:00

It was hot in Cordoba, pushing 40º but I was there on business. I have driven the stretch of road from Marbella, around and up behind Malaga, past Antequera and then inland to Cordoba many times and there was no real need to have the TomTom switched on but it was good to see we would have time to have a quick meal by the Guadalquivier river in sight of the famous Cordoba cathedral and right next

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-51640816216661689112008-06-20T21:11:00.001+02:002008-07-26T22:15:11.514+02:00

Bruce Springsteen: "GUTEN ABEND DUSSELDORF!" Me: "Woooooooooow!" together with 38 000 other fans. For more than 20 years I've listened to The Boss on LPs, cassettes, CDs, watched him on DVDs and TV and then there he was live on giant screens with his voice driving out at a million watts from towering speaker stacks. I'm glad to share this experience with you even if just to prove I have a life

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-17447738552266650472008-05-28T16:24:00.000+02:002008-05-28T16:55:03.265+02:00

Meet Lydia who was promoting a live music venue at the La Cala de Mijas Saturday morning market last week. I was in La Cala checking out some information for a traveller who had written in asking if it was necessary to hire a car when staying in La Cala or could one just use the bus. Anyway meeting Lydia made a nice change to photographing the Marbella to Fuengirola bus and I certainly hope she

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-19054686899177122552008-03-29T17:08:00.000+01:002008-03-30T19:41:08.806+02:00

"Look there's the Lagos bus station!" called my wife as I was putting our suitcases into the boot of the car in the morning. We had spent the night at the Marina Rio Hotel in Lagos before moving on to San Bras de Alportel, inland from Faro for another two nights over Easter. She knows my interest in bus stations and bus stops! I grabbed my camera and got a picture of the Marina Rio Hotel to

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-66071707164647633592008-02-29T17:44:00.000+01:002008-02-29T18:18:14.031+01:00

"Three hours? Forget it!" You could drive from Seville to Marbella and back again in less time than it took us to walk from Istan to Marbella along a new track last week. A new track for my walking friend Philip and myself because we worked out that we have now climbed La Concha, the mountain behind Marbella along 7 different routes. Do you remember in my October blog last year I told of how

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-68639246154445143542008-01-30T08:30:00.002+01:002008-08-15T12:26:06.449+02:00

Saturday morning in Sevilla in the shadow of the Giralda Cathedral saw these two grooms carrying out running repairs. One is holding the hoof whilst the other swings a small hammer. In the background a driver is discussing prices with two prospective clients. I took the Málaga Antequera route to Sevilla this time, just for a change. It's about 30 kms longer than the route through Los Barrios

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-37881097246929613542007-12-31T12:43:00.000+01:002008-07-08T23:59:19.387+02:00

Marbella Old Town Christmas lights seen here in side street just over the road from the Plaza de Alameda represent both austerity and hope for the future. It'll take another eight years to balance the books after Jesus Gil's systematic looting of the municipal coffers. Whereas Gil would spend 400 000 € every year on Christmas lights, (money which Marbella never had) and dazzle his supporters,

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-53767113486903673182007-11-25T18:42:00.000+01:002008-06-20T22:06:05.594+02:00

I always pick up my emails when travelling and so it was that earlier this month whilst I was in London I replied to an email from a gomarbella reader. John A had asked me “Can I pull my suitcase between the Los Boliches train stop and the Yaramar hotel on the Paseo Marítimo in Fuengirola, or should I take a taxi?" Back on the Costa del Sol the very next day, I missed the midday Malaga

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-78500291141472755112007-10-27T20:21:00.000+02:002007-10-28T17:29:24.646+01:00

Istan is a little white village set back about 17 kms from the coast overlooking the headwaters of the La Concepcion lake. To get to Istan, you turn off inland next to the mosque which is opposite Hotel Puente Romano. La Concha at 1217m is the summit of the Sierra Bermeja range of mountains just behind Marbella. My walking friend Philip and I had a long standing date to try a route that was

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-25161514839034662182007-10-26T19:02:00.000+02:002007-10-28T18:05:29.108+01:00

Spain now and then seems to have been the pattern of my life recently. Earlier this week I was in New Malden in London, teaching an 11+ exam revision course for the Extra Tuition Centre. I spent 3 days from 9am to 1pm helping well motivated young students prepare for their selective secondary school entry process and then from 2pm – 9pm each day I was with my 22 month old grandson. He is also

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-49445694230691834012007-09-30T18:14:00.002+02:002008-08-10T15:27:44.228+02:00

This is the down train from Ronda rumbling through the tiny rural train station of Benaoján Montejaque just 20 minutes down the line heading to Algeciras on the south coast. The up train to Ronda train station from Algeciras runs on the lines nearest the platform. A sign on the platform politely asks passengers travelling in the opposite direction to Algeciras to cross the lines on foot to the

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-14082096787699382012007-08-26T21:40:00.000+02:002008-05-07T16:46:45.218+02:00

I like Jerez Airport and driving there is always a pleasure. When you park the car the smell of the pines around the airport comes flooding in. Jerez town, Cadiz city and the Atlantic are all just minutes away. Sometimes we pick up a €0.01 ticket to Stanstead with Ryan Air and the drive through the rolling cork oak covered mountains more than compensates for the extra hour spent on the road.

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-72577060209550105412007-07-21T22:22:00.000+02:002007-07-21T22:51:25.433+02:00

My daughter in London sent me this photo yesterday afternoon. I had the air-conditioning on and the blinds were down to shut out the afternoon sun when the picture came through. It was really hot outside on our terrace in the afternoon heat of southern Spain. Each time I visit London I take my grandson on foot under this railway bridge and we head for Battersea Park. Next time I am across there

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-265746152024845442007-07-11T12:42:00.000+02:002007-07-11T13:24:22.805+02:00

Last week I was near Dunnes in Fuengirola when I heard the sound of Mariachi music pumping out just behind me in the car park. Looking round I saw Jorge parking his rig. He was more than happy to pose for me and we had a good chat in the shade of the shopping centre. Jorge is from Monthlery in Mexico and has been on the road for two years now. Biking up through the USA he crossed to England

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-50333391722507385492007-06-24T19:35:00.000+02:002007-06-24T20:54:50.173+02:00

These weren't the the usual brainless Costa del Sol boy racer road hogs but genuine Harley Owner Group bikers from all over Europe including a couple from the USA. Eight thousand of them got together this weekend and using Fuengirola as their base cruised majestically in and out of the towns on the coast. Wherever you were you could hear the rumble of big V twin motors. A lot of the Harleys

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-16991919325093518412007-06-08T16:41:00.001+02:002007-06-08T17:09:33.697+02:00

It's feria week in Marbella this week. Exactly at 12 midday every day during the feria, the music starts and the dancing begins in the Alameda Park in the very heart of Marbella. On the 11th June we are celebrating dia de San Bernabe, the patron saint of Marbella. Every village, town or city in Spain has a saints day during the year and the celebrations go on for a week. Banks work shorter

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-7171086879612561352007-05-31T22:45:00.000+02:002008-03-30T19:42:33.050+02:00

The Partido Popular party came through with a clear majority on Sunday in Marbella signalling the return to normality in a town which has lost so much at the hands of corrupt politicians. You are looking at an electoral table during last week's election. That's me, the President of the table in the middle. To my right, the two women like me are chosen by the Town Hall for the elections. To

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-26530806388167186632007-05-09T22:38:00.000+02:002007-05-09T22:57:35.804+02:00

Easter Fun in Support of the Ciudad de los Niños Children’s Home in Malaga The second Annual Easter Barbecue of the CN Malaga Supporters finally took place on Sunday, 29th April in Parque Nagueles. Twice postponed due to the recent inclement weather, it proved to be well worth the wait, as the day proved perfect for a family day out in the park. Attended by more than 130 adults and children

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-18993012044847741642007-04-26T00:20:00.000+02:002007-04-26T00:40:16.497+02:00

This is the face of Angeles Muñoz surrounded by well wishers at last Saturday's meeting to present her electoral team. From May 25th she will be Marbella's next Mayoress. And what a meeting it was! As slick as any presidential campaign we waved flags and for 40 minutes watched large screen multimedia presentations of Angeles Muñoz visiting the different neighbourhoods and associations in San

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-11360320166932226052007-04-15T21:50:00.000+02:002007-04-15T21:55:58.856+02:00

Big Harleys from out of town, a fluffy poodle and its owner at the entrance to the Puerto Deportivo in Marbella this morning. What a fantastic day it’s been. If only all our Easter visitors last week could have had at least one day as good as this. Just out of sight to the right of the picture at the entrance to the Puerto Deportivo the deckhand selling tickets for the boat cruise to Puerto

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-22221816081176580582007-04-09T23:48:00.000+02:002007-04-15T21:58:49.523+02:00

In Gene Pitney’s 1963 hit song the traveller never gets home to Tulsa because he meets someone else along the way. Happily my 27 hours on the road to Essen in Germany from Marbella over the Easter weekend were completely trouble free. I was taking a car up to Germany with my daughter where she is going to live, study and work and we left on Good Friday at 9.30 am arriving in Essen on Saturday at

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227919507133688509.post-87633552297222992762007-04-04T21:41:00.000+02:002007-04-05T20:45:00.785+02:00

You might be asking one of these newly qualified hotel housekeepers for an extra pillow or blanket somewhere soon in one of Spain’s top hotels. Graduating today after an intensive six month course in the Hotel Escuela Bellamar vocational training school in Marbella, the proud and happy housekeepers are shown here with some of their teachers after a farewell lunch. Some of them will be

Mike Druryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07660432289192129310noreply@blogger.com