Gecko Towers
Strange as it may seem, given an annual average of 320 days of sun – though to be honest I’ve not measured it – there are some days that our Irish clients call “soft days”. These occurs when the sun doesn’t shine through the clouds and the heavens open.
Hose-pipe bans and associated water restrictions have, for a number of months, become the Law with residents finding it difficult to maintain their plants requiring irrigation and their swimming pools requiring topping up and cleaning. The main cause of this is simply a drought that has endured for more than nine months during which there was insufficient rain to refill the local reservoirs.
For those who plan to visit the Coast during the traditional school holidays, they may be met by very occasional grey skies and sheet rain, so what on earth can you do to keep all ages of your family amused? It has to be said that the Easter Holidays and autumn half term are particularly prone but the odd day can be disrupted by a storm.
Surprisingly, there is some predictability about the rain in our experience. Easter – the external Moveable Feast – whenever it occurs will often be disrupted by rain. Scenes of the purple robed and cone hatted Nazarene supplicants running for shelter is somewhat surreal.
The San Pedro de Alcantara Féria, which occurs around the middle two weeks of October, is always wet. And heralds the start of what passes for the season of autumn. The leaves do change colour and fall, some are really beautiful particularly maples which turn from green to gold then red.
The Costa del Sol rarely does drizzle, when it rains it pours stair-rods, a la Monsoon. This vital supply has multiple benefits for the Coast’s gardens, orchards, groves and swimming pool top ups. There is a perennial worry, after a sweltering summer, that the reservoirs – including those located in Istan behind Marbella – are left depleted. By early Spring – especially late March early April, it is usual that the Rain Gods have cried a deluge topping up the stocks and promoting announcements that the levels are back up to 75% plus. More than sufficient for a thirsty year.
There’s no doubt that much of Spain looks better in the sun. The glistening distemper painted, white-washed villages of Andalucia – known unsurprisingly as “pueblos blancos” – look at their best when being lit by sunlight. They appear distinctly grey when shrouded by rain.
Confronted by rain or a weather forecast – and the prediction services of www.weather.com and its kin seem increasingly accurate – you’ll need to build into your “wet days” some alternatives to the more reliable beach, mountain or country based holiday pursuits enjoyed on dry and sunny days.
If you have access to a car or you are located near to a train station along the Fuengirola to Malaga railway line – there has been talk since at least 2002 to extend the line to locations to the west, including Marbella and Estepona but it’s yet to appear – you have increased choices. Once in Malaga the new metro is proving to be useful for getting around particularly when its wet.
The bravest can also seek to master the Portillo bus routes which require a deal of patience as they tend to not travel from a defined central point to the next. They seem prone to stop at a convenient gate post in the middle of nowhere for a couple of local people struggling under circulation cutting plastic shopping bags to travel to their homes in an adjoining town. It’s not quite the clucking of caged chickens and bales of hay but its not far off.
In Marbella itself when it rains, I’d say a visit to the following is well worth it:
The indoor markets including the large Municipal Market – behind the old town in the centre of Marbella – with its stunning array of fresh fish, fruit, vegetables, oils, herbs and spices. The Mercado Divina Pastor towards the East of town is even more popular with the locals. Please see our dedicated post here Marbella’s Municipal Markets
Regardless of your faith, the Churches of old Marbella are awesome and wonderfully decorated and always a wash with the intoxicating fragrance of burning candle wax and incense. The Iglesia Mayor de la Encarnacion and the Capilla de San Juan de Dios should be on your list.
While in the heart of the Old Town don’t avoid stopping for drinks and tapas in the myriad of old and new bars and restaurants devoted to the fine art of tapas preparation in all its forms.
The food offer in Marbella has mushroomed over the last few years with many trophy and hugely classical offerings adapting their menu to attract the increasingly dynamic age range of those enjoying Marbella and its region. Are younger property buyers really disinterested by cheap booze and all day breakfasts?
Those looking to work of a little excessive lunch may find solace in one of the many local gyms that offers day rates. You may even stray – probably by taxi – to the Shanti Som wellness and yoga retreat where you can recharge your batteries in their tranquil, Balinese inspired, spa.
The Museo Ralli away from central Marbella in the direction of Puerto Banus is a treasure trove of paintings. Around the corner in Coral Beach is the wonderfully preserved Roman Villa with its fine mosaic floor.
Should a little retail therapy be required in Marbella, then “La Cañada” (pronounced “La Canyada”) – located inland from the town – is pretty comprehensive with an Apple Store and many interesting brands. If, however, your tastes are for more designer brands head to the McArthur Glenn Designer Outlet store in Malaga – close to the Airport and the Plaza Major shopping and cinema complex. A destination – and for some a “happy place”, worth finding.
In Puerto Banus there is the rebranded Red Dog Cinema – with Wednesday discount a popular feature – with several screens showing international films including “V.O.S.E.” films generally in English with Spanish sub-titles. For those of you who are keen to learn some Spanish or seeking to improve on your level this is a really useful tool.
A journey to the provincial capital of Malaga is a constant and evolving joy. It is a very cool city and with lush parks and wide boulevards, it’s both beautiful and compact allowing easy strolling between sites.
What’s there to see and do in Malaga on a wet day?
Museums are synonymous with Malaga and the eponymous Picasso Museum with its wealth of cross-career art of the master artist is breathtaking. The Carmen Thyssen Museum with its extensive bias for the depiction of Andulican life and its artists is very good and like the Picasso Museum is housed in a typical central Malaga court yarded property.
The Car and Fashion Museum housed in the old tobacco factory – La Tobacalera – straight out of Bizet’s “Carmen” – is a well curated collection that may sound a little incongruous but really works. The Interactive Music Museum and the Centre Pompidou Malaga add to the rich arts scene of this lovely city.
Malaga’s Cathedral is an oasis of calm at the heart of this vibrant city – it is huge but its small side chapels add intimacy. I always enjoy visiting large buildings devoted to public worship not so much for the underlying religious context but for the majesty of their architecture, their construction, the devotional sculptures and reliquary. You cannot fail to be impressed by the depth of commitment that sees the realization of these trophy buildings.
The central market – de Atarazanas – is a haven for local produce beautifully displayed in Moorish-inspired surroundings. It contains several mini-restaurants serving a wide variety of freshly prepared food. Other favourite locations to stay dry and enjoy some fabulous food include the street cafes of the Calle Larios and the world-renowned “El Pimpi” Resturant and its neighbouring offshoots.
As with any assessment of the available diversions when the weather is less than stunning, I will almost certainly have missed out one of your family’s favorites. If so, let me know and I will happily visit to test drive for myself!
There are also times – particularly if you plan to stay in the Marbella region for a number of months – where many of the above are open throughout the year and may provide an attractive alternative perhaps even a respite from another day in the delicious Andalucia sun!!!
Should you be interested in discussing the legal process involved in buying a property in the Marbella region, we would be delighted to assist you. Our multi-disciplinary team of bi-lingual, highly experienced and wholly independent Abogados (Spanish Lawyers) and Asesores Fiscales (Tax Accountants) are ready to help you.
We are not estate agents, but we know some hard-working and reputable ones, if needed.
Please call me, Mark FR Wilkins, during usual business hours on +34 600 343 917 or, if you prefer, or e-mail me at mark@biznagapartners.com
You may also be interested to subscribe to my interactive FaceBook Group “Costa del Sol – The Best Place to Live in Europe” – please click this link – Costa del Sol – The Best Place To Live In Europe
Please note that our posts are for general interest. There is no substitute for proper legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances as provided by a qualified Abogado who is experienced in the application of the Spanish Law.
Nothing contained in this article should be seen or taken as the writer or the publisher providing legal, tax or financial advice.
All details have been reasonably fact-checked and all efforts have been taken to ensure that facts are accurate as at the date of publication.
© Mark FR Wilkins 2024. All rights reserved.