Off the beaten track in Andalucia - Torroz market, Cerro Gordo, Parque Mediterraneo and Playa Calabajo

After the day of rest on Sunday we are feeling energetic so drive east along the coast road. The idea is to fill in some gaps left by previous trips, in particular the one to Almunecar in November 2019 when we had planned a lot of hiking but I badly twisted my ankle just after we arrived. But driving through Torrox Costa we notice there's the weekly market so we stop to have a look. There's a smell of fresh strawberries which is very tempting but it's our last day and we're planning on eating out at lunchtime so I resist. Most of the stalls are tourist-oriented with summer clothes, but I do buy a pretty scarf for 2 euros. Torroz is busy, and Nerja, which we drive around, seems packed with people. I'm surprised, so early in the year. Our plan was to stop at Torre de Maro for the view, but I see the sign at the last minute and the steep dirt road alarms our rental car and only when I've driven past do I notice that there was a car park. Driving along the Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo is scenic and we make a couple of brief stops but our destination is the Mirador de Cerro Gordo. The restaurant is closed on a Monday so it's easy to park outside and take the short path up behind the restaurant to the Mirador and the tower. Splendid views back towards Maro and Nerja and of La Herradura in the other direction.

Our next stop is after Almunecar in Vellila Tamay at the Parque Mediterraneo. It's a park in the sense of an 'urban' park, not a natural park, but nice, walks through palm trees and Mediterranean vegetation and Playa di Calabajo is very pleasant, especially if you look at the sea and avoid the view of high rise blocks back in the direction of Almunecar and the big red hotel on the cliff in the other idrection. We look straight at the sea and a little at the interesting pebbles on the beach.

It's lunchtime and we want to return to Ciringuito Emilio where we ate in November 2019. In theory, the kitchen doesn't open until 13.30 but when we arrive at that time there is already food on people's plates. We opt for menù del dia which now costs 12 euros. Remembering the enormous portions of fried fish all those years ago, we just order salad as a first dish, although it's so much it's still filling. The fritura variada does not disappoint and once again I'm defeated by the adobo, as much as I like it. We opt for coffee instead of a dessert and spend less than 30 euros including the two tubos de cerveza.

Too full hardly to move we go back to Playa Calabajo to relax in the sun. Back at the apartment in a fit of 'it's the last day syndrome' we get another chocolate slice from La Pasteleria. After mostly packing up and preparing for our departure the following day we go out at 6.30 for a glimpse of the sunset behind the mountains and a last breath of fresh air.