Moving scenery

Yesterday for the first time we went down the flight of steps, beautifully decorated with patterns made of black and white pebbles, to Calahonda beach below the Balcon de Europe. On the beach there's an old fisherman's cottage which has been made out a cave at the foot of the cliff.

It's a lovely sheltered spot with several small coves, linked by a red brick and quarry tiled trail winding through huge masses of limestone conglomerate boulders either torn from the cliffs by the sea recently or pushed out of the bedrock by volcanic activity in more distant times. Right down to the foreshore the cliff face is decorated with greenery and flowers - nasturtium, convulvulus, hibiscus. It's an enchanting path, evoking memories of childhood adventures. It's a shame that for the time being you cannot walk its full length to Burriana beach, as sections have had to be closed off due to instabilities in the cliff face. No matter how strong and permanent cliffs and mountains appear to the casual viewer, this is a landscape still in the process of formation.

Overhead flew a light plane towing a banner reminding citizens to vote Conservative in next week's elections. Registered expatriates are allowed to vote. When I got home I found a phone message advertising a meeting to brief English speaking people about the issues in these elections. It's a sign of just of well established the Brits are that in some regions they stand in local council elections and get appointed.