Last night after a hot day around the pool we decided to venture out for dinner. We went to a small village called Cancelada just to the east of Estepona, to a restaurant called Bodguita Santa Maria that had been recommended to us https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g2368259-d7059996-Reviews-Bodeguita_Santa_Maria-Cancelada_Estepona_Costa_del_Sol_Province_of_Malaga_Andalu.html It was a great recommendation. The village is very traditional and quaint with a small central square with a couple of restaurants. The Bodequita is down a side lane from the square, lined by old fashioned flower strewn houses and with a line of tables down the middle.

It was busy so we were glad we’d made a reservation and the atmosphere was great. Very friendly service from the family and our food was faultless. I started with a steak tartare and Bob had a massive king prawn and apple cocktail. Then I had braised pork cheeks with veg and they were so tender and succulent. Bob had garlic mussel stew which was also delicious. They brought us little amuses and a glass of liquor with the coffees at the end. A most delightful dinner.

Today we got up quite early to beat the heat – scheduled to be 39C today – and we headed down to the weekly market in Estepona. Well… frankly a great disappointment. We are used to a weekly market being like the massive one in Fuengirola. This was so small. Maybe 20 stalls at a push and I think I’m being generous. We didn’t linger long.

Drove into the Centro Historico – Old Town – district or as near as we could get, most of it is pedestrianised or for access only. We managed to park free in a Mercadona supermarket carpark. Had a good wander through the beautiful narrow streets. The council have spent a fortune on decorating everywhere with flowers and the displays are truly lovely in combination with the little white houses and tiny plazas. The most famous plaza is th Plaza del flores and we sat there for a while having very good coffee. Gorgeous flowers and a fountain.

Then we wandered back letting Google maps direct us to the Mercadona. We walked a long way, it didn’t seem right. And then we checked and found there were about 4 Mercadonas in the area. OMg which one was it? How daft of us!!!! Eventually – and I had a blister by then in the heat – we did find it and luckily had not been given a ticket! We were in such a sweat by then… lesson learned…

Got back to the apartment and spent the rest of the afternoon mostly in the pool. Just soooo hot and the sun is fierce. Even hotter tomorrow. We were going to Tarifa but the idea of the sand dunes and the ruins in 40C is not attractive so we’re going to the beach again. Hopefully there will be a breeze and if not there’s the umbrellas and the cool sea to shelter in.

Tonight we drove down to Estepona old town and ate in a tiny plaza down there. Again, a recommended restaurantt, Madu Bar Fusion https://www.facebook.com/madubar/ which is in a little plaza just off the Plaza del flores. First of all we had a glass of cava in a nearby Italian restaurant where people were eating the most amazing ice cream sundaes and desserts. I mean…. enormous…. I was so jealous. They looked fantastic.

However, our dinner was great. We started by sharing some duck and prune croquettes which were yum. Then Bob had a big slice of turbot in a wine and cream sauce with veg and mash. I had slow cooked veal cheeks with veg. Bob had tiramisu for pud and we both had coffee and liquors. Just lovely to linger over the meal as the sun set and it cooled a bit. The little square was so pretty. We just love Estepona. What a great place! Absolutely our favourite seaside town in Spain bar none. When we come back to the Costa del Sol, we’ll be coming here.