February fun in the sun

(Click photos to enlarge)

Members met at Laguna Village on the last Saturday in February (a week later than originally planned) with tops down and sunscreen at the ready on what felt like a summer's day. Nick Wadham and Steve Hare had designed the day as a "drivers' run" covering slightly more kilometres than usual on some little known roads in an area of changing landscapes and stunning scenery.

Breakfast had been arranged at the Terra Sana cafe looking out on to a shimmering sea, where newly elected Treasurer Paula Williams, ably assisted by John Greenwood took care of the paperwork. Then it was off on the road (some were so eager they didn't even wait for the briefing!).

 

Once clear of the San Pedro roadworks and past the exclusive urbanisations the road to Ronda climbed though the Puerto del Madrono into the mountains where the views are so spectacular that there are "miradors" every few kilometres. Being a main road it is kept in good condition so drivers could enjoy the sweeping bends and the smooth surface while passengers gazed at pine covered slopes giving way to almost bare rocks studded with bushes of bright yellow broom. Here and there were splashes of pink – patches of tiny wild flowers or orchards of later almond blossom.

The cars then turned off on a quieter single track road into the Alto Genal of the Serrania de Ronda. The convoy of classics came as a shock to both local goat-herders and the driver of a large cement lorry! Drivers had been warned that some of the roads could be challenging for the larger classics, though our new Events Coordinator John Blackburn obviously found this no problem in his Rolls Royce Silver Spur.

Typical Andalucian "pueblos blancos" are dotted around the hills here and chestnut trees cover the slopes – leafless skeletons at this time of the year mingling with plumes of smoke from controlled fires which spiral upwards into the skyline. The coffee stop was in Cartajima where club members were surprised and delighted to discover the delightful Hotel Los Castanos tucked away down a cobbled street next to the church in the centre of the village. There was a warm reception from the owner and her staff and several members went up on to the terrace to enjoy the exceptional views.

After rest and refreshments it was back on the road, following lesser-known routes to Farajan and Jubrique before joining the main road to Algotocin where the cars turned down into the Genal Valley through the cork oak forests.

 

This is a favourite drive, though some of the older models found the climb out of the valley hard going so a stop for refreshments (kindly arranged by Nick and Eloise) at the Puerto de Penas Blancas was a welcome chance to cool down. This was particularly enjoyed by Frazer, the Cairn terrier aka the Hoover!

 

From there it was downhill all the way to Estepona and the small and friendly Eden Bar where a delicious and inexpensive lunch was enjoyed by all.

 

 

 

For more photos, click here for Gallery February Run Gallery