Let's get out there and explore!

So, we have now been here about 2 months and so far have only travelled where it was necessary to go - so, we have now started to explore our local area.

Last week we decided to drive inland, a little further than Turre towards El Cortijo Grande golf course. We had read a review of a restaurant called Los Limoneros which sounded ideal for lunch which was very close to the golf course, so off we went.

As usual, we only thought it would be a good idea to put the map in the car - after we had been driving a few kilometers so effectively, we only had a vague idea where we were going, but hey - we were exploring with no timescale to stick to, so it didn't matter if we took a few wrong turns - and we did. Eventually, hidden from the main road, I noticed a signpost for the golf course on a right hand turn and Neil had some hasty manoeuvring to do.

We found ourself alone on a very picturesque road driving alongside a huge ravine and, as we drove deeper into the gorge the scenery got spectacular. There was the odd signpost to confirm we were on the right road and not driving up some unadopted road to someone's front door and eventually we came to a kind of T-junction with the restaurant signposted off to the left. As we followed the road I became even more convinced we were actually going to arrive at someone's front door - and to be fair the restaurant is amongst a small clutch of villas festooned with bougainvillea and surrounded by tall trees.

As we walked through the entrance, this very small looking villa opened up to show a lovely dining area in a conservatory and a large swimming pool and sun terrace along with well stocked bar. It looked lovely and we were looking forward to our lunch.

In Spain, most restaurants have 'El Menu del Dia' which is a set menu for a good price - and Los Limoneros followed this tradition. Neil and I both chose to have the Menu del Dia, and as there were 2 choices for each course we decided to have each option and share them. Well, that didn't quite work as Neil had soup to start - but it had a chilli kick to it that was too strong for me. Neil's main course was a large fish baked in foil which was served complete with the head still on, I played safe with a pasta carbonara, which was really creamy.

Then we both opted to finish with the Chocolate Mousse, which we were both looking forward to and was the only disappointment of the meal. We're not sure whether the intense heat had had an effect but we didn't think it tasted right and ended up leaving it - they offered us a replacement desert and as we declined, they didn't charge us for our drinks. It was a shame the meal ended like this but it wouldn't stop me going again. A 3 course meal for €12, about £10.

We carried on up the country road to find the golf course and were quite surprised when we arrived as it's in a small clump of houses in the middle of no where at the end of a narrow country lane and the only indication you are there is a very small sign marked 'First Tee'

We had a look around and walked up to the 1st Tee which opens up to a well established looking course with lots of mature trees and looks quite hilly. We called into the office and had a chat about the course. It is a 9 hole course now as it was originally being built to be 18 holes with apartments and villas around it but the original developer didn't complete it, the bank got involved and it has now been taken over by new owners who are trying to get it all back on track.

Speaking to some of the golfers back at our own course, they tell us it's quite a good course to play.