A photo journal of the adventure described in my last post.

At the entrance of the Rio Guadalevin, below the Moorish built bridge.

Trekking through the Tajo Gorge with the Roman built bridge in the background.

Under water plant life, a lot of algea.

Ivan preparing to descend, the first cascade, the first one to do it.

All reposed after the last descent, gorgeous.

Devon descending alone on the first cascade of 30M or 100 ft high, to the pool below.

Maria setting down the cliff face, boldly going where she has not gone before.

Group photo below the famous Ronda bridge, Puente Nuevo.

Walking through the Tajo Gorge, Ronda.

Group shot, a success!! All now descended to the bottom of the first 30 M high cascade.

More photos to follow.

On Wednesday, Ivan and I, along with my sister Maria and her two kids, Devon and Daniel, we undertook an adventure in Ronda.

The Guadalevin River passes through Ronda and has also cut the famous Tajo gorge. The river was cleaned up within the last couple of years including a new waste treatment plant so the water is actually clean. We all donned wet suits with boots, harnesses and helmets. We followed our monitor & guide, David Aguilar, who undertakes this adventure with clients for 65€ per person, all equipment included, who lead us into the entrance to this river. Eventually we arrived at the first cascade with height of 30 meters that we were to descend. The height was a bit higher than I realized having done this sort of activity only once before in La Sima del Diable in Juzcar.

Walking along the Tajo gorge and looking up one could see tourists looking down, a funny reverse situation. We passed the cave that leads up into the Sultan's old mansion and passed under the three Ronda bridges (not in the order of construction) that cross the gorge; the first was built by the Moors, the second by the Romans and the last was the famous "Puente Nuevo" built in the 18th century. Very interesting terrain, mainly clean refreshing water running through the river bed with these very impressive cascades.

There were a couple of good sized pools along the way where one could jump from the top of a rock high above the water's surface for a good splash which my 14 year nephew enjoyed very much. It was a bit scary at first, turning your back to the edge of what was basically a cliff with running water. Clipping into the rope with the harnesses we were wearing and then feeding rope through the clips as we walked backwards down the cliff face with the rope holding us from dropping like stones. The first cascade with the height of 30 meters or 100 feet, was quite high actually. My sister and niece were taken aback as they had never done something like this before but were willing to give it a go, Daniel was excited and Ivan later said he was also a bit frightened but managed as he was the first to go so he could hold the rope on the bottom as the rest of us descended. I too was surprised at the height when seeing it from above but managed to basically throw myself off the edge, backwards, to descend the rope attached to the harness of course. As said, Ivan went first, then Daniel followed who managed to get down quite quickly for an inexperienced 14 year old; Devon followed, then Maria and myself.

With that heigh, the descent would not be for the light hearted; Devon had a problem with the second cascade having had the courage to descend from the first one. The problem was one could not see where you were supposed to descend making it that much scarier than the first where one could see where one was going, that even with a lot of water showering down on your head. In the end, she had to come down with David's assistance as she was too frightened to do it herself. The rest of us managed but I too was a bit frightened at the start. Once one got going, it was fun, jumping into the pools as well and swimming in this verify fresh water in a unique setting in Ronda. From the bottom, looking back up, the cascades did not look as scary as when looking down from above. So an adventure I would recommend to anyone wanting something different to do in the Serrania de Ronda. Photos to follow when available from David!

Ivan and I were in Las Navas del Marques last weekend for the annual fiesta kick-off. Las Navas is Ivan's home town.

The fiesta lasts a whole week and started on 10 July. It kicks off with a big procession of the Christ on a Crucifix from one church in one of town, down the main street of the village into a another church and then a big fireworks displays. Then there are the bands; one started playing at midnight and played until 4AM and then the second band came on and played until 7AM. Well, that's a party!!

The week of fiesta activities includes some bull fights, appointment of the Queen & Miss Queen of the Fiesta as well as the "Mister" of the Fiesta, not a king per say but something for the chicos as well. There are lots of rides for the children, the main street is closed for the week and filled with vendors stalls of various goods from clothing to jewelry to sunglasses, purses, accessories, and of course food. This year was the first time I have seen them offering Doner Kebabs, a fixture on north London streets.

Ivan and I were invited to participate as judges in the 3rd Annual Tapas competition. There were 12 bars and restaurants competing. We agreed of course and had quite a nice selection of tapas and were even on the local provisional television program covering the fiestas. We tried mini-quiches filled with leeks, tostadas with black pudding, caramelized onions and a wee bit of melted goat cheese, tostada with confit cod fish toped with caramelized onions & piquillo peppers, beef cheek stew, puff pastry filled with Spanish black ham, and other tasty bits. We really enjoyed the experience and look forward to doing that again.

Now we are back here in Juzcar where it is very hot. Fortunately it cool right down when the sun disappears over the top of the mountain at about 21.30 hrs now. . Excellent weather for enjoying the pool and getting some summer color. Or a run down to the Genal river for a quick dip in the very fresh river water swimming hole.

Our bookings are fairly low at the minute which was fairly standard for this time of year. Even so, we are quite bored with it. I am about to relaunch my website as well with a whole new look and feel to it. Please keep your eyes out for that as I think it will be launched anytime now in the next few days, depends on when my website designer has the time to do what needs to be done.

Stay cool!!