Magnificent Ronda

Well we wandered and wondered at this truly astonishing town, perched high up on a rocky outcrop with old and new towns connected by two stunning bridges across a 120m deep gorge. It was an independent islamic state which held out almost to the end of the reconquister thanks to its impregnable walls of rock. We were staying in a lovely hostal near the old walls. Everywhere you walk in Ronda there are old (11th c) islamic buildings, mosques converted to churches and stunning views of the mountains surrounding it. We spent Sunday walking an 8k circuit through the beautiful countryside nearby with astonishing views of the town on its cliffs. The holm oak and nut pine woods and the fields were dotted with lovely wildflowers. We went past a chapel carved into a cave in a cliff and down into a gorge where two rivers met. Then up long hot dusty white roads through barley and wheat fields back to Ronda for well earned icecreams! We then enjoyed a picnic in the gardens watching the sunset over the mountains. Monday was a last wander and an attempt to sketch the Puente Nueva (c1780) and then pack and catch the train to Granada.