Greetings from the bar. The best place to connect to the INTERNET!  That is my story and I am sticking to it.  We have had a few interesting adventures since my last post.  Now that the foot is more cooperative we are able to explore the nooks and crannies of Andalusia.  We started east on Monday  to find the smallest village in the province of Malaga called Archez.  Inhabitants 458.  We don't have a map. I Googled it, and fully committed the route to memory. No problem! Things were going according to plan, exit 274 off the A7,was the target.  Found it easily. Now it gets a little more tricky, I know it is up the mountain in front of us, but I completely forget where to go next.  Once again. I make no mention of this small detail to the navigator.  First rule of the road, fake it 'til you make it!

The absolute best way to demonstrate confidence that you are going in the right direction, is speed,  breakneck speed. Every guy reading this is nodding their head right now, and every woman is too, however not for the same reasons.... That is another story.  We see a sign for a village that we both remember seeing on Google.  Right turn, follow the signs.  Confidence is soaring, pedal to the floor..... life is good, until the paved road ends. Merde...... It looks like we are now on a dried out riverbed. Up ahead we spot a man jogging, he slows to a walk as we approach.  "Por favor? Donde esta Arches?" Johanne says through the window. The runner responds with blast of words with the cadence of a machine gun.  I try and look like I understand. Johanne, however, does understand at least most of his response. Rockstar!  Follow the trail, turn left in 100 meters and carry-on.  "Gracias!" We say.  "De Nada" says the runner.

A trail was being kind.  Anyway we did as directed, the trail became a road, followed by some encouraging road signs.  Confidence mounted, pedal down, we are on our way. Who needs a map!  The road is known as the Sun and Wine trail. Full of switchbacks and drop offs...... it is fun to drive and offers beautiful scenery.

After 20 minutes or so, we arrive in Archez.  To say this village was small was exceedingly accurate.  One street above the village, one below.  The former a single lane two way street with a stop light which, as far as we could tell, was set up on a timer that changed from stop to go every 5 minutes regardless of traffic.  We wait. No cars, trucks, donkeys or scooters pass.  Green we go and 30 seconds later we see the "thank for visiting Archez" sign.  We missed it.  U-turn...... wait at the light again! Proceed, try the low road.  Success.  A quick walk through the village pedestrian street.  There is not much to see, a church, a flour mill, from a time when the area produced significant grains.  Today it is part of wine and olive oil production for the DO Sierras DE Malaga denomination.  The only Andalusian region that produces reds, roses and whites. Tempranillo wines are my favorite from this area.  Closer to the Mediterranean, where we started, it is called the DO Malaga, best known for its sweet or fortified wines.

Anyway, back to Archez.  Pictures below.

As we were admiring this church above, a little old lady came out of a door just to the right of the church.  She was fashionably dressed all black head to toe.  She came over to us, waving a hand and speaking.  We thought she was extending an invitation to join her for a glass of wine in her home.  I am sure I heard wine.  She waved, pointed, spoke and smiled.  Her one tooth shining predominately in an otherwise vacant mouth.  I, for one don't really want to drink wine that could have anything to do with the cause of her dental work.  I turn to Johanne and say
" Run Forest Run".

Off to the next place on the trail.  Competa.  All I have to say regarding Competa is the streets are narrow.  I did not get the car wedged between two buildings, but it was close.  good thing the mirrors fold in.  Here is a shot of the village as we arrived.

We finished off the day in Torrox a village built on and around the ruins of a Roman town.  We found a nice little restaurant for a light Tapas lunch.

Later in the week we headed to the west, past Marbella to a beach front town called Estapona.
The Romans and the Moors both inhabited this area.  However there is not much left of these civilization's due to a massive seaquake which destroyed the town.  Today it is filled with typical Andalusian style.  The town was the original location chosen for Eurodisney, before losing out or winning depending on your perspective, to Paris.  Lots of fantastic food choices here.  We had a nice Tapas lunch and wandered the narrow town streets.  One thing of interest, each street in the historical village has its own unique colourful flowers and pots hanging from the walls.

Friday and Saturday included return visits to Benalmedena Pueblo and Malaga.  We love Malaga.  Unfortunately so to the pickpockets.  The one downside to Europe is the constant threat of being pick pocketed.  We toured the city with some friends. After a great day in the historic centre, we stopped at the market to pick up a few things.  It was vibrant, just like our last visit.  Somehow during the purchasing of strawberries from one of the many merchant stalls, it happened.  Our friend had her wallet taken.  No matter how vigilant you think you are, all it takes is one second of distraction and bingo it is gone.  While our friend reached to take the bag of strawberries, the thief was also reaching.... reaching into her closed fanny pack.  We were all standing right there and it still happened, so fast....... it is shocking.  No one noticed until our friend went to get more money to purchase something else.  It is a horrible feeling to be violated like that. A lesson to us all to be very aware when traveling abroad.

Next week will include a visit to a famous chef's home for a 9 course feast and some golf.  Food, history, wine, food, wine, food, golf gotta love retirement!

Ciao.  Be Well