The rain in Spain falls mainly ... in Andalucia!
Last week we were retracing steps made thirty years ago when we had visited Costa del Sol, the sunny coast in the south of Spain. We remembered a terrible and surprisingly cold weather then, we had to buy long-sleeved sweaters as we came wholly unprepared during May 1988 - but now we had the weather apps and were forewarned. Though Costa del Sol and the area around Marbella claim 320 sunny days per year, we always seem to be there during the remaining few days of rain and clouds. Friends living there praised the rain that we apparently brought with us - they had been waiting for months for a drop on the parched soil. Apparently, the downpours during our stay filled the reservoirs up in the mountains that supply water for the cities down on the coast up to the brim and would last for two or three years now.
On a rainy day the Museo Carmen Thyssen is worth a visit with Spanish scenes from the 19th and early 20th century ...
The Church of the Sainted Martyrs (Iglesia de Los Santos Martires) is in the old town with interesting ceramic tiles on the outside and a very rococo interior.
A trip to Gibraltar ... can you make out the apes' rock? The high winds were so gusty from the Atlantic, we decided to stay in the car...
The old town of Granada is only a 90 min drive from the coast up into the mountains. Our visit to Alhambra had been booked months ahead, so we were not flexible as entrance is strictly limited to a specific time.
I realized the merits of those strange plasticky transparent umbrellas that the hotel gave us: there are no limits to the view into the rain and whatever can be detected behind the curtain of falling raindrops. One can even take pictures through or below...
Finally the sun came out and we found a dry spot.
Last week we were retracing steps made thirty years ago when we had visited Costa del Sol, the sunny coast in the south of Spain. We remembered a terrible and surprisingly cold weather then, we had to buy long-sleeved sweaters as we came wholly unprepared during May 1988 - but now we had the weather apps and were forewarned. Though Costa del Sol and the area around Marbella claim 320 sunny days per year, we always seem to be there during the remaining few days of rain and clouds. Friends living there praised the rain that we apparently brought with us - they had been waiting for months for a drop on the parched soil. Apparently, the downpours during our stay filled the reservoirs up in the mountains that supply water for the cities down on the coast up to the brim and would last for two or three years now.
Málaga
It is raining but at least it is warm. Fountains don't have to be emptied for winter.
for better days
the view from the old fort Alcazaba towards Malaga harbour
The Church of the Sainted Martyrs (Iglesia de Los Santos Martires) is in the old town with interesting ceramic tiles on the outside and a very rococo interior.
The old town of Granada is only a 90 min drive from the coast up into the mountains. Our visit to Alhambra had been booked months ahead, so we were not flexible as entrance is strictly limited to a specific time.
a selection of umbrella designs on a walk through the Generalife, the summer palace of the rulers of Alhambra
I realized the merits of those strange plasticky transparent umbrellas that the hotel gave us: there are no limits to the view into the rain and whatever can be detected behind the curtain of falling raindrops. One can even take pictures through or below...
the winter view from Generalife to Alhambra
oranges and almonds
an old aquaeduct for watering the gardens
A short break : Visiting in bad weather has the distinct advantage of fewer tourists in the picture.
the famous Court of the Lions
delicate plaster elements
She, too, was waiting out the rain under cover.
The courtyard of the Parador of Granada, an old Franciscan monastery.
Finally the sun came out and we found a dry spot.
Panorama of the Alhambra from the Albaicin quarter on the opposite hill.
street musician at Granada Cathedral
... the weather is improving ...
Marbella beach at the end of February
the village of Benahavís up in the mountains north of Marbella
A lounge at Finca Cortesin, a very nice hotel a bit off from the coast
Some colour, even in winter
and what nasty creature is this? Ceiba speciosa, the "Silk floss tree".
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