This is our 6th Christmas of having la casa Verano. Four of which we have spent here. I always question myself why we come here at Christmas. Then think as I’m sat on the terrace on Christmas Eve in 21* in shorts ( TMI) ~ the weather. But it’s not just the weather. No one is rushing to the shops to buy 10 weeks worth of food even though the shops are only closed for a day. It’s a bit more relaxed. Very family orientated and of course the big day here is 3 Kings. By which time strikes permitting we will be back in Blighty. .

But sat on the terrace I can hear the donkey braying across the valley. Maybe it’s Mary & Joseph arriving. We are off bearing gifts to an early get together but it won’t be gold Frankincense and myrrh. More like wine chocolates and flowers. No. Seriously. There is a donkey. I haven’t been drinking. Useless fact. My first 45rpm was Little Donkey by Nina and Frederick. That’s an admission and an age alert.

We have had 3 nights at the house ~ enough time to warm it up. Do a little shopping. Have coffee with friends. Then it’s time to deivw down the wiggly road again and head to Malaga. It’s only an hour away but we had decided to have an overnight away. A bit of shopping during the day and then the reason for going. The Malaga Christmas lights. Always spectacular and this year they are new. A new theme. New music. Led bulbs and shorter hours.

We had asked about parking at the hotel. Yes there is parking. But there may or may not be space. Come into the historical area. Ring the bell at the barrier and they will let you in. We have to advise the Town hall of your number plate otherwise you will be fined. If we are full you’ll have to go back out to the public car park. Thanks But no thanks. We got fined in Granada for going into the historical part! Once bitten once fined. So we didn’t. We found a car park. Parked and bobs your uncle. But I don’t have an uncle Bob. and in Spain it would make no sense. Tito Pablo maybe. Nice hotel. Soulless checkin. I know hospitality is having a hard time but reception is the face of the hotel. I won’t mention that they thought we were doing a runner when we left. Long story. Great location. Comfy beds. Quiet room but service could have been better.

First stop is always either Casa Aramda near the market or Churreria La Malagueña “the tejeringos of Malaga. Today was Aramda as the other was closing for lunch. Why Aranda. Churros of course. Always with sugar. Never with chocolate for me.

Someone said aren’t churros just churros. Nope. They taste different in different cafes and these are awesome. That’s why we keep coming back. We would have stopped by again in the evening but the queue was massive. I love churros. I loathe queuing.

The waitress told me that this coffee was a coffee Bon Bon. Sweet condensed milk with espresso coffee. Served in a glass so you can see the layers. Then stirred. Yes please I said ~ Ian said you know it’s very sweet. The waitress rolled her eyes as if to say ‘tourist’ but in a friendly way. Did I like it? Hell yes. Very sweet. But I’d have it again. One way of only have one coffee for sure. One is enough.

The main objective of the trip was to see the lights. They looked great during the day hung all along Calle Larios and we knew that they are lit at 6.30 and the music and lights shows are at 7, 8.30 and 10. And last about 7-10 minutes with 7 pieces of music. That’s good for my attention span. And migraines with flashing lights. Looking good during the. Day as well. The lights. Not me.

First a walk through the market. The most amazing produce available. Aisles of fish stalls. Meat. Vegetables, spices and dried fruits. It’s a foodies heaven. Whilst on the outside are great places to perch your bottom and eat.

I don’t know what half of the products are. But they look good. The tomato varieties are immense. The mushrooms look perfect. I could wander around for ages just people watching let alone wanting the food.

Let’s talk Padron peppers. Everyone says aren’t they great. Really lovely chargged small green peppers. Yes they are. But have you had the one in ten that’s spicy hot. Last time I ate here we got to almost the end. Then I thought my mouth was on fire. I had that one in 10. Didn’t help the friend I was with had hysterics laughing at me. This time I almost got to the end of mine. And stopped. I wasn’t going to risk the last few.

So.the lights. What’s the big deal. Oxford street and Regent street have lights. I saw them recently. And Carnaby street. The difference. Is that these are big. With music and attracts huge numbers into Malga just to see the light show. They are designed for Malaga and probably will stay for a few years before being sold off to another city. This years lights is a set of 16 “Angels” in Calle Larios with 32 illuminated pillars. And pretty spectacular they are too. There were 32 pillars. I didn’t count them.

The lights on their own are pretty spectacular but once the music starts you get that feel of Christmas. Set to music. 7 songs including the obligatory Feliz Navidad. The music played at three times during the evening.

There is also a light show on the side of the cathedral. That too is pretty amazing and children ( like me) will especially love the animations. There is music too. Again shows at 7. 8.30 and 10.

Malaga is a vastly underrated destination. There are fabulous museums. Beaches. Restaurants. Markets. One of my favourite museums is the museum of Cristal and glass. A must if you go. We didn’t this time but having been once a year for the last 5 I think I can wait a bit longer to go back.

The cathedral. The Bull ring ( for its architecture) Street art. The architecture. The Picasso museum. The Thyssen museum. The tapas. Flamenco.

I love these cities at night. A walk along the marina. The fabulous overhead cover spanning the length.

I think looking even better at night. in black and white.

The old and the new. Looking up from the marina to the Alcazaber and the covered walkway. I think the buildings are magical lit up at night tho one wonders with the current fuel prices just how long this will last. Spain was one of the first to have office blocks and shop fronts turn off their lights when not in use. They have three different charging periods during a 24hr period.

The view to the cathedral and the AC Marriott hotel alongside. We would have stayed there ~ the hotel not the cathedral ~ had the rate been better. Oh. And of they had availability.

Was it worth a trip down the mountain. It’s always worth it. We will be doing it again next week to see the light show at the botanical gardens which from photos I have seen looks magical.

Guess what. They will be photos.