17th Sept Au Natural!

As soon as we were west of Motril the scenery improved dramatically. The mountains came literally to the coast, the road either winds over the hills or through them via tunnels. The tunnels have humerous names like 'Cerdo Gordo' (fat pig). One of the towns, Salobrena is built on a rocky outcrop jutting out to sea with a Phoenician castle perched on the top, but we don't stop, as we have decided that we have seen and photographed enoughs castles!
 We stop at a picnic spot for lunch with a stunning view down a tree clad valley to the sea.

After a siesta we decided to walk down the valley to the sea. We see a sign saying 'Playa Natwista' and then a picture of pretty fish. Nick reckons it means nature reserve, but I am pretty certain it means nudist beach! But, hey, my swimsuit takes ages to dry anyway! There are lots of cars coming and going as we walk the 1.5 km in the baking heat - even though it is 4.30 pm, so whatever it is - it is very popular! When we get to the beach, we see the dreaded sign - 'No dogs allowed'! But it is a stunning beach - rocky cliffs on both sides and huge waves battering it. No surfers, to my surprise, but then I realise that there is no surf as such, just a massive 'shore dump' I think is the term.
On the way down to the beach, two dear leapt across the road in front of us, so I thought that maybe Nick was right and it was a nature reserve - but it was also a nudist beach but with the option of wearing clothes! Most bizarre! Half were baring all, while others were coyly getting changed under towels!
There were a string of outdoor cafes along the perimeter of the beach, so we got permission to have the dogs there, and did some voyeuring! Hehe!
I chickened out of going in, not averse to stripping off, just scared of the 4-5 ft waves!
We had some very welcome cervezas in iced glasses and then they brought out the most amazing tapas. Fresh anchovies with mayo and potatoes!
And then there was the live entertainment! A very well endowed young man that paraded up and down past all the cafes - twice!! Of course, I pretended not to notice him!

No, this isn't him!