Billy Don't Be A Hero

Sometimes the songs just pick themselves!

For our evening meal we always carefully research all the options, looking for places with charm, character and outstanding cuisine. We then ignore this and eat in the hotel because it is easy.  Finally, last night this technique paid of and we had an excellent meal of local dishes including the magnificent paella you can see in the photo.  We washed it all down with a Rioja that was both good and cheap.

This morning we were faced with an 'easy' 50 miles to Malaga and we set out early for reasons that will soon be explained.  The easiness was mitigated by 3 decent climbs in the first 10 miles, including one that was a right little sod.  We also had to contend with a busy route and LOTS of traffic lights, all of which were red.  Finally, as we approached Malagas we were treated to some crappy cobbled paths and, all-in-all, it felt like quite a tough ride.

The reason for our haste was that we needed to visit a bike shop before their afternoon closure to enquire about getting 2 cardboard bike boxes when we return here next Thursday.  The owner said "si, no hey problema" which i am assuming means yes but could equally mean "get out of my shop you smelly english pig".....I really haven't got to grips with Spanish.

We then found ourselves in that tricky zone where it was too early to check in but too late to buy a 6 pack from the supermarket......so we compromised by going to a tapas bar for a leisurely lunch of curried testicles* and chips (and beer....obviously).

Tomorrow we have a 60 mile, 6000 feet climb inland to Ronda.  Bugger.

*Neil says they were just meatballs but that is just wishful thinking