Wednesday 4th January 2017

We traveled south this morning. This is the most southern part of mainland Europe and it looks more like autumn than winter round here right now.

Before long we arrived in Ronda and parked in this free and unrestricted car park within easy walking distance of the historic centre which we knew about through our membership of wildcamping.co.uk - well worth it for less than £20 per year.

We took a walk into town. Ronda must be one of the most spectacularly situated towns in the world. It is built on a high ridge with cliffs on both sides and the two parts of the town are separated by an 150 metre deep gorge spanned by this bridge which is known as the new bridge!

The setting really is quite stunning.

This is the Parador de Turismo spectacularly situated on the edge of the gorge next to the bridge - one of a series of state owned hotels which were established towards the end of the Franco regime when it was realised that there were virtually no tourist facilities in Spain! You can stay here at 3 star prices in 5 star luxury.

Across the bridge is the old Moorish town - only "recaptured" by the Christians in 1485. If you have more money than sense you can take a ride round in a horse and cart.

We visited the Museum of Ronda - once an Islamic era palace. Many of the old features of the building can still be seen.

The museum has a lovely garden overlooking the cliff.

Here's the view looking over the cliff edge from the museum garden.

Immediately after this photo was taken I banged my head quite badly against this nice doorway in the museum. I guess that's the kind of thing that happens when you get old. I haven't really been feeling too good since then!

Moving on from the museum we soon encountered the cathedral - somehow it didn't look right.

As we wandered around it became obvious what the problem was - the floor plan of the building is rectangular - not cross shaped - it was once the mosque! 

We made our way back over the bridge and saw the bull ring.

In the main square we chose one of the numerous eateries at random and asked for mixed tapas not knowing at all what we would get - we got six plates - small whole fried fish - fried potatoes with hot tomato sauce - anchovies with potato salad - tuna with roast red peppers - pork ribs with gravy and chips - and finally octopus salad. To my absolute amazement Ann ate quite a lot!

On the way back to our parking place we passed this strange statue on the edge of the cliff.

We had a really nice day which would have been even nicer if I hadn't banged my head.

Today we traveled 32 miles (52 kilometres). We are at N36.75075 W5.17087