Days 62-65, 13-16 August 2014, Fuengirola, Costa del Sol. Not so much quite busy as "busy, quiet" here on the coast with the most (most sunshine, most tourists, most cheapest supermarkets, most cats!) After my big day out to Nerja/Frigiliana in 42+ degrees, Tuesday was recovery day. Chill out day - etc. Finished off the last 3 lessons of the Spanish course by Thursday which is when the overcast and humidity set in - getting frightfully fit from the pool as a result - up to 18 laps as of Saturday morning. Major excitement one night was the house positively leaching cats - after I closed up one night 2 cats literally seemed to pop out of the woodwork after I turned all the lights off - must have thought they'd be locked in for the night. First one didn't scare me much. Second one (big furry persian) has been kidding me it's all fur. When he thudded down the stairs from the roof in the dark and then meowed (almost giving me conniptions), I picked him up. That ain't fur baby - you heavy! Had a siesta one afternoon (OK. More than one... but it's Spain!) Got the shock of my life when a man was in the back yard calling out hello to wake me. Obviously the true criminal element are more likely to sneak up on one and less likely to bring a grand daughter with them as it turns out. Merely a relative of the owners coming to see them. Cats didn't even wake up - fat lot of good they are as attack-guards. Saturday was big outing this week. Finally made it in to town for Fuengirola's world-famous flea market. Well definitely famous in the top bit of Africa and all of southern Spain. With over 200 stalls brim full of treasure (and a load of other 'stuff') it was AWESOME! I'm sure there was loads and loads of Faberge eggs in amongst it, but so much to see and so little urge to look at the stuff on the ground where people didn't have tables. Took around two hours to do a quick once over all the stalls. Mixture of flea market, car boot, antique market, some of the cracking highlights were a camel saddle (barely used), not 1 but at least 6 kitchen sinks (and shower stalls), toys of all descriptions... but really - do they really think someone will pay for a one legged action man? Loads of clothes for €1 & €2 a pop - bought a couple of long, cotton summer tops for lounging about in - after a few weeks they will probably be disposable. I didn't know what to expect from this market - certainly not barrow boys. People were wheeling wheelbarrows about filled with assorted fruit and vege - even strings of garlic. Ended up paying €1 for 3 mangos (there went the plan not to fill up my bag too much prior to hitting the supermarket for groceries). All in all, awesome visit to the market - might just have to become a regular thing - even ran into a couple of people from the general area who I've met a couple of times on the bus-stop. Positively a local I am. Next stop - my usual market day cafe where both waitresses know me and know to expect Spanish practice. Finally down to the supermarket - tried a new one today. Bigger. More stock. Much favoured by locals and expats alike. Huge fresh seafood section. And very, very busy. Ended up in a checkout queue for at least 15-20 minutes - more opportunity for el Espanol. If it's true you shouldn't shop when you're hungry, then in Spain it is 'make mine a double' doubly true that you shouldn't shop when thirsty. Particularly when you've been entertaining thoughts of housesitting in the Bahamas. Into the basket went a litre of rum ('Ron' in these parts) - €5.80, bottle of white (€1.05), bottle of red (€1.10), 1.5l bottle of bubbly water (€0.40), carton of milk, pasta, mushrooms, cherry jam etc - came to €13.50 odd - about A$20. Really must stop looking surprised at the till total. Having got the liquids-binge out of the way, probably won't come to this one again... much prefer the two smaller supermarkets around the corner. Mind you - particularly impressed with the seafood and ham / jamon (remember - j=h - so 'hamon') offerings - see today's photo album. Speaking of photos, the little guy pictured above was at the bus stop when I headed home. His owner was a short bloke with a severe case of the grumpies who for some reason couldn't understand the hordes of people smiling and laughing and petting his dog. Not sure if it's designed to stop a yappy dog from yapping - but even when he dropped it on the pavement he would just snuffle it up again and continue on. Just. Too. Cute.