When the rocket goes up in Calahonda at midday, it means that the BBQ’d sardines are ready in the Media Luna bar. Anybody on the beach then knows that they will have to be quick if they want an Espeto de Sardinas… como dios manda!

The tradition really began with Little John the Wolf… or in Cristiano: Juanillo, “El Lobo” Romera, who is a village legend in Calahonda. Local history has it that 30 years ago he rescued 15 kids from drowning and was invited onto a television show – when the country only had one TV channel – and was awarded a motorbike by the program for his courageous deed.

People driving east from Motril are often put off by the mass of plastic greenhouses, but if you venture into Calahonda or Castell de Ferro, you will be pleasantly surprised. There are some great beaches down that way, one of which is a favourite for nudists; La Joya.

Dave Darby and I, 30 years back, used to throw large stones at each other on that beach, with one of us on top of the cliff, supplying the artillery, and the other hiding behind a large rock on the beach… It was our cheaper version of “getting stoned.” …And you wonder why the Spanish think that foreigners are stark raving bonkers? (Just for the record… we weren’t naked during this stone throwing… I think.) (DD)

(News: Calahonda, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)