Time to take the rock tour

Gibraltar day out

We have been to Gibraltar dozens of times and took the tour of the rock many years ago. It's not really something you would want to do on a regular basis and isn't the cheapest of days out. However, with a few hours to spare this week we decided to take the tour once again, this time armed with the video camera and we're so pleased we did.

The tour costs £10 per vehicle and £2 per person but you can spend as much time on the rock as you like throughout the day. The price includes a visit to the tunnels, St.Michael's Cave, the fortress and a few small exhibitions. You also have the chance to see the famous Gibraltar apes. You have to mind where you park though when you get to the apes or they will pounce on you and start to dismantle your car.

We were fortunate enough to time the visit with a landing at Gibraltar airport so got some great video of the Easyjet Gatwick flight landing. This airport is the only one in the world where the traffic has to stop to let planes cross the road. This won't be the case for long though. Gibraltar will very shortly have a tunnel that goes under the runway.

See the video of the plane landing here

The rock tour is something that everyone should do at least once when visiting Gibraltar. See for yourself with our short video guide here. We were lucky enough to see the apes violently brawling and caught it all on video.

Malaga airport museum

I've been past it a thousand times and never had the time to go and have a look. Today I changed all that and made the effort. It's not the biggest museum but it's interesting all the same and it's free to look round. I've put together a short video of the highlights.

My Epson printer has finally died

It's a sad day today....
My trusty Epson R265 has finally died after three years of service. Admitedly, we converted it to use a continuous ink system when we bought it so we have saved thousands of pounds, but alas, we couldn't beat the greedy giant, Epson in the end.

It seems that all Epson printers have a self-destruct facility built in. When Epson think you need to give them £50, the printer tells you the ink pads are full. It refuses to work until you take it to Epson and pay them to replace the pads.... even if they are not really full.

How can this be legal I ask?

The printer was only £50 to buy new so.... we throw them away, filling our landfill and buy another one. I think Epson should pay a huge tax on landfill due to their greedy tactics.

Anyhow, that's my moan for the day as I bid farewell to my Epson and I've just installed a new HP 5460. Let's see how long that lasts before HP start demanding money for services that are not really neccessary.

Battle of Fuengirola 1810-2010

The Battle of Fuengirola 200 year bi-centenary

Re-enactment 2010

This weekend saw the 200th year since the Battle of Fuengirola took place at Sohail Castle.

This important event in history was marked with a huge re-enactment of the battle.

Idealspain had two video crews and two photographers there all weekend and have produced more than 500 colour photographs and a two hour DVD that is available online.

See the trailer of this totally unique DVD here and order the DVD here

Our day in Malaga

Today we spent the day exploring Malaga city. Arriving refreshed by train was excellent and avoided the hassle of parking the car.

Our first port of call was the tourist office where we collected a street plan. Our walking route started at the Cathedral, then the castle and Roman theatre.

From here we explored the back streets, taking in an excellent tapas bar.

Our video shows the highlights of our visit to this wonderful Andalucian city

What a wonderful day - see the video here

Gibraltar for the day

A day in Gibraltar

Yesterday was yet another cloudy day in southern Spain but we decided to head for Gibraltar for the day. The cooler temperatures of October make exploring much easier. Gibraltar was as busy as it always is and coaches were pouring in. The queue at the border was about 30 minutes so not too bad. Once in, we parked in Morrisions after filling up with cheap diesel and collecting some cheap cigarettes. They are still just £1.50 a packet and deisel remains under £1 per litre.

We drove towards Europa Point where we made a short video. It shows the Trinity Lighthouse, the Mosque and views to Africa. See the video here.

Our next trip is a day in Malaga city.

Last day of the feria

Today, the 2010 Fuengirola feria comes to a close.
The final event is a mass at the Church of Carmen this morning in honour of the Virgen del Pilar, the Patroness of Aragon.

The service will be followed by an exhibition of Aragonese folk dances in the Plaza de Espana.

The 10 day feria has been hailed as a huge success despite the economic downturn.

Bullfighting on horseback

Idealspain visits a bullfight

Idealspain went to see the bullfighting on horseback today

See our video here

Rain stops play on the Costa del Sol

The last two days have been horrendously wet in southern Spain but we're pleased to say it's over now and the sun is shining once again. We'll find out later today if the bullfight will take place. Currently the arena is 6 inches deep in water.

Bulls saved - for today anyway

Today is the bullfighting day for Fuengirola feria on the Costa del Sol and 5 bulls were due to fight this afternoon, however the first heavy rain of the year has been falling all day and the bullfight has been postponed

At present it's unsure how long it will be before the bull's fate is arranged

The bullfight in Fuengirola is one of the most important of the year and tickets were practically sold out, despite the cost. The best seats are 120€ each. Sunday was supposed to be bullfighting on horseback but this too may have to be cancelled

Meanwhile the feria will continue until next Tuesday. It's quite common for the Costa del Sol to be hit by rain at this time of year and it's not the first time Fuengirola feria has been affected

Latest Idealspain Magazine available free now

The latest issue of the Idealspain Magazine

Is now available online and it's FREE to read

Packed with information about Spain and our travels

This month we visit Carmona, Benalmadena, Cuenca, Segovia, Guadalupe and more

News from Spain over the last month
Tips on life in Spain

and much more ......... Read it online here

Flamenco dresses out in force at the 2010 feria

Thursday night and we make another visit to the 2010 feria in Fuengirola

Now all the girls are in flamenco dresses... the Andalucian horses are out and the sun's still shining at 7pm

Have alook at the latest video at today's feria here

The 2010 Fuengirola Feria is well underway

This week we have been busy filming and photographing the 2010 Fuengirola Feria. This is one of the largest ferias on the Costa del Sol and is a classic example of how the Spanish love to party and show off.

Our videos include the build up to the feria, the opening ceremony and switching on of the lights as well as the traditional Flamenco Mass on Thursday 7th October.

The feria is full of colour, music and tradition.

You can see our series of videos, uploaded within an hour of the event, here






Idealspain magazine

The latest issue of the magazine is almost ready for publication. Packed with features and stories about our travels, it's availabe online free of charge.

Read the latest issue here