What a load of.....ambiguous equilibrium!

Thursday 20th December 2018 - Malaga.

We arrived at a wild camp on the southern edge of Malaga beach.  It's a little basic but it's next to the sea, it has views across Malaga and over to the mountains.  There are about 20 other vans (some a bit tatty.....we have gone up in the world with our new van!).

It is a straight cycle along the....promenade....about 6km into Malaga centre.

There are a few standing industrial chimneys so I presume this might have been an industrial area but now it has a good beach and double promenade with some good bars.

The city centre was good too.  We were impressed with it.  Also, people seemed to be pretty relaxed.....not like the UK where people are constantly rushing, especially near Xmas.  The Xmas decorations look stunning.

The main places to visit are the Cathedral, the Alcazaba (Moorish fort and Castle), Picasso's Museum and House and the Pompidou Modern Art Gallery.

Cathedral entrance.  Charged 6 euro each (not Senior Citizen rates!).  Fantastic Baroque interiors.

The Episcopal Palace.

We felt compelled to visit the Picasso Museum.  He was born in Malaga in 1881, although he moved away when about 10 years old and did most of his work in Paris.  

Now, Modern Art is not my thing but I do give Picasso credit for creating a new 'cubist' movement in art.  It is striking and was innovative but as with many forms of modern art I think...'what a load of bull', especially when it comes to the verbal description of the painting or sculpture.  We saw one sculpture he did...it was called 'Head of Bull' and was a bicycle handlebar as the horns and a leather bicycle saddle as the Bulls face.  It was described as follows..."Both objects, liberated from their intended function, remain perfectly recognisable although they now exist in an ambiguous equilibrium"!

This is one of the best on display, it's called 'Jacqueline seated'.  I quite like it, probably because it is different and the colours are vivid but why does he paint all his portraits as if they have a broken nose?

The museum attendants were like hawks, watching to prevent anyone taking photos and swooping when a device was raised.  It annoys me....all the paintings will be on the internet somewhere and as long as no flash photography is used, no harm is done.  You can photograph the Mona Lisa and anything at the Louvre so why not here!!!  It spoils the visitor experience and we have paid for the pleasure.

After this experience we didn't pay to go in the Pompidou Centre...

We had a look around the shop and came out again.

The  Malaga harbour is nice and they obviously get some cruise ships in although none were here today.

It very much reminded me of Whitehaven harbour....and that was done with EU money!  OK, it is a little bit better than Whitehaven but it's all in the beholders eye.

The day was a little cool and cloudy by our recent standards.  We cycled back sharpish to warm up.

We had a lovely day today going back into the city.

The Alcazaba was really nice and the Gibralfaro Castillo was higher up and gave great views over the whole area.

The city was the port for the Moors at Granada until the 1400's.

We spent a leisurely day around the city.  Enjoying the sunshine and a glass of wine and more modern art!

Maybe too much wine?

Then we watched the light and music show in the evening.

It was stunning but brief.  The lights by themselves were worth watching.  The streets were packed with a really good atmosphere.  We really like the city.