To all our family and friends out there in the world:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all,
from the Costa del Sol in Spain !

Sorry no pressies or cards this year – we have decided (for purely selfish reasons), to treat ourselves to 3 nights in a resort hotel just along the coast, along with 2 other couples from the campsite, from Christmas Eve until 27th December.  Luxury for us is a large bedroom, an ensuite bathroom and all inclusive food and drinks !!

Another 2 weeks have gone by and we are finally settled on the Marbella Playa campsite for at least a month – this gives us a 50% discount on campsite fees, which is very worthwhile.   We are booked in until 20th January, and will have to decide then whether to stay on for longer, or to move on again.  We are having lovely weather, and it is forecast to continue over Christmas week – clear sunny days, little wind, and around 20oC each day.

After leaving Elche/Alicante we stopped in Almeria for 2 nights, and explored the old Alcazaba (Moorish castle) and gardens on the hill overlooking the old town, topped by a later Christian castle on the summit.  Lovely surroundings, with ornamental gardens and fountains, and spectacular views all round.

Since arriving in the Marbella area, we have visited Fuengirola twice, and Marbella once.  We are about halfway between the two towns, and buses run along the highway every half hour in each direction, so getting around is relatively easy.  We are also just a short bike ride away from the nearest village shopping centre at Elviria, plus there is a pretty good supermarket on site, together with a pool bar and two cafe/restaurants.  We are also just 2 minutes walk from the beach (pictured in our heading photo), and numerous other cafes scattered around the locality.

The Plaza de los Naranjos in Marbella – our lunch stop – is in the centre of the old town, with the Town Hall on one side, and the square is filled with al fresco cafes & restaurants, plus orange trees all around – very pretty, with good shade in the summer.

The last trip into Fuengirola was in the evening for a Chinese meal, and to see the Christmas lights.  This is just one square in the town:

We are still adding to a chapter entitled “Nomadic Life & the Trials of Emily”, so next time it could actually get published.  Meanwhile, we hope you have a great Christmas and Festive Season, wherever you are.

Until then, it’s Goodnight from us;
and it’s Goodnight from d’Hobby.