Arcos de la Frontera and Ronda

Wet set off this morning to travel the route of the white villages through Andalusia, via Parque Natural Sierra de Grazelema and Parque Natural Sierra de las Nieves.

First stop was at Arcos de la Frontera in pursuit of the convent of the closed order of barefooted Mercedarias  nuns who are renowned for their cake making skills. It's also a bit of fun purchasing their products as its all done without actually seeing anyone.

First step; make your selection from the menu on the door.

Ring the bell to get their attention.

Next, order by speaking through the covered grill.

The revolving door spins around, take out your cakes and put coins on tray. 

Eat yummy treats, we chose the chocolate cookies.

Arcos de la Frontera is gearing up for a flamenco festival which starts tomorrow. The village has been spruced up and decorated. Even the nuns (not the barefooted Mercedarias) are into it, decorating their church. 

Streets and cafes are prepared.

 Even the cars!

As with most of these villages, the streets are very narrow and we avoid driving into the centre wherever possible. Shop doorways are necessary to allow vehicles to pass.

The views from the top of the town at the Parador hotel. St Peters (14thC) church dominates though it was  unsuccessful in winning the battle for prominence in 1764 when St Mary's was decreed by the Holy Tribune in Rome to be the most important. 

St Mary's, where we were promised a mummy but couldn't find it.

But there were plenty of tombs.

And St Peters.

At Balcon de Arcos we found a guy with his pet birds of prey. The one I'm holding is an eagle owl, found locally,  and that smile on my face is a nervous laugh. Those eyes were coming for me!

Some of the smaller birds, not from here.

Quite often doorways into private homes  are left open, I  assume to allow a breeze through. The entrances  usually include a tiled entry followed by the iron security gate dating the building.

A few more shots of the village, another to add to my ever growing list of favourite Spanish villages.

The spooky hooded penitents.

On the way to Ronda, the village and lake of Bornos.

Ronda from afar.

Flamenco is big here too.

The Plaza deTorros is the oldest and most prestigious in Spain. It here that the current form of Spanish bullfighting that includes the killing of bulls first started

Perched high up on a cliff, the old city is separated from the new by a deep gorge.

 The two sections are joined by the Puente Nuevo, new bridge.

Iglesia De Santa Maria la Mayor. In days past the small rooms on the balcony were rented out during fiestas.

The other side of the village, which is much less steep, was protected by a fortress wall.

Below are the Arabic baths, reminders of prior inhabitants.

The trip to the coast through the Parque Natural Sierra de las Nieves had us up high. Lots of hiking trails in this area.

Time for a bit of relaxation on the coast at Estepona. We have really hit the jackpot with this Airbnb, a condo in a gated resort. Beach frontage, bar and restaurant within metres and seven different swimming pools set out amid manicured gardens. Oh well, someone has to do it.