Octopus and buñuelos at the Feria in Estepona

After what has been a pretty depressing week, with the news of the developer San Jose in serious financial touble, I was quite relieved to be going to the feria in Estepona last night. The kids were beside themselves with excitement.

It's quite a small feria but it's gone enough rides to satisfy most kids (and adults). Me, I prefer the food!

Growing up in Gibrlatar, we used to go every year to the feria in La Linea and even as a child I always used to look forward to "pulpo asado". It's quite traditional to eat this barbecued octopus at the feria. It's made on what looks (usually) like and old dirty barbecue, but I assume that's what adds to the taste!

If you've never tried it then you must the next time you go to a feria. It really is so good. They put loads of lemon on it and although it's not cheap it's worth every cent. I paid 15 Euros for this lot last night:


OK, so it doesn't look great but you just HAVE to try it.

Then, once you've devoured all that you'll need something sweet. It's time to tuck into some "buñuelos". These are like mini doughnuts and you can coat them in chocolate sauce! If you haven't tried buñuelos in Spain then again....try them...they really are that good. This lot cost me 2 Euros at the fair last night:



By this point you're probably thinking that I only go the feria for the food.....erm...yeah! Oh...and to take the kids of course!

Busy weekend

Last weekend came and went so quickly as there was so much going on!

It was Feria week in Manilva last week so not a lot of work was getting done by anyone. It's only a small feria but the kids love it.

On the Saturday we went to the beach in the morning which was lovely. I love the beach in the morning, it's generally really quite and has a real fresh feeling about it. I even got to read a newspaper whilst the kids played. Bliss!

In the afternoon we went to a birthday party of the daughter's of one of our friends. Managed to stuff my face silly with cakes and crisps....well what other reason is there for going to birthday parties?!

Then in the evening there was a "cavalgata" in Sabinillas which is a parade through the streets of some floats to celebrate feria week. It's was small but great for the kids. Some pics I took:












Later on we sampled the "Restaurant with no name" in Sabinillas which I have to say was very nice and reasonably priced too. This is what I like most about Spain, whilst we sat in the restaurant our kids were playing on the beach having a wonderful time....and this was 10 at night!

Sunday was another busy day and in the early evening we set off for the feria, for which the kids had got themselves dressed for it 2 hours before we left. Yes, they were really escited about going.

We had a great time at the feria, it's only a small one but perfect for the kids. They went on most of the rides as they don't seem to be scared of any of them at all any more! They are growing up very quickly!




We rounded off the evening eating some churros con chocoate there before heading back home.

A busy but fun weekend.....now we just need to have a little break!

Busy mother's day

Yesterday (Sunday) was mother's day in Span, so we had to follow orders and do whatever Susan wanted to do (sounds like any other really!). And what a busy day we had.

We started off going to visit the old town and castle at Castellar. It's a really interesting little place and in the 60's it used to be full of hippies. In fact, even today there are still some aound there and you can still see the hippy influence in the foriegn people there and there shops.

The castle and the little town (and when I say little I mean little, there are only a handful of houses) are right at the top of a mountain and the views are just spectacular from up there. Err, I forgot my camera so no photos to show you...sorry!

We then made our way back down and stopped off at the Castellar rastro (market) which was an experience. Again, more hippy influences and it's nothing like your typical market. There was a kids entertainer doing balloon animals for the kids and even pony rides for the kids. Our two, being totaly spoilt, got a pony ride each which they thoroughly enjoyed. There was also a superb cake stall there....all the more reason to go.

When we left there we carried on back down to Castellar de la Frontera, which is a newish town at the bottom of the mountain, which is where most people live now, instead of up by the castle. It just happened to be"feria" day which we didn't know but we decided to go to a lovely restaurant in Jimena for lunch.

We then made our way up the mountains into "los arconales" (cork woods) which was superb. Amazing scenery although the road was in a very poor state. They really should sort the road out, it must put a lot of people off.

After that we went back to the feria so that the kids could enjoy some of the rides although it was exceptionally hot there.

After a tiring day out we headed back home and nipped to the chrinighito infront of our house for an ice cream, which we then ate sat on the beach.

All in all it was a really fab day out.

Anyone else do anyting for mother's day?