HELP ME RONDA……HELP HELP ME RONDA

OK just help…….first time using the iPad on the blog……..much lighter than carrying the laptop around, but things work a little differently. I’m not sure how the first few posts worked seamlessly before I hit this roadblock a couple of days ago, but I have arrived at a workaround and can once again load my pictures onto the site. So…….back a few days we go………

Our first scheduled travel day started out overcast and cloudy, and by the time I had returned from my maiden ride along the shore on Wolffy, the discussion was already well underway about changing plans……..Sibylle had a pretty good handle on a trip down to Gibraltar, but was concerned that the views would be compromised with the cloudy conditions.  Options……..let’s just golf…….go to town and shop or drive up to Marbella……go to Ronda instead (winner, winner, chicken dinner).  Ronda is only an hour and change from the condo and will be on the agenda at some point, so why not today. We start out along the shore, then catch the road heading north…….gaining altitude with every hairpin turn, it was a very scenic ride up the mountain, with ears popping the whole way.  Eventually up top, with the outside temp now 14 degrees cooler, and something like 1,100 meters gained, Ronda comes into view.  This town has been around forever, with evidence of prehistoric civilizations at the site, and has changed hands numerous times over the centuries…….the Moors, Romans, to name just a couple, but what I can’t find anywhere is why Ronda existed in the first place.  The topography is just a little difficult if you ask me…….walking around the backyard and you happen to slip…….oh shit just fell down a 1,000 foot canyon………..but apparently a good source of water and arable soil made it a solid agricultural center and came to include many vineyards……..great location for grazing livestock……..and I have to think there was some type of strategic importance…….mountain pass, high ground, trade route, etc..

Truly the big attraction here is the new bridge……..new!……built in the 1700’s, but it is pretty stunning.  Maybe best for me to let the pictures do the talking today………..

We decided to try a new restaurant for dinner tonight……..the property manager left a flier on the table……..totally all about meat and looked very interesting. Maps took us right to the location……actually found a parking spot on a side street which was amazing in itself, but then we couldn’t find the place………turns out it is brand new and doesn’t even open for two more days. Back to the beach……..our favorite little chiringuito is still open and is a good last minute option…….again, good food, good wine…….great day.