Egrets? We saw a few. A heron standing on the river bank, suddenly spreading its wings and taking flight, a flock of flying ducks, sweeping down the silver runway of the river surface and then disappearing into the distant blue of the sky, a couple of reed warblers not surprisingly perhaps amongst the reeds!

Late October, hot sunshine and a refreshing breeze, the Rio Guadalhorce flowing steadily after recent rain, the air fresh with the scent of orange blossom, the stillness broken only by the running water, the wind rustling in the trees and the sudden movement or call of many other evident, yet unidentified birds in the bushes beside the river.

In one direction a panoramic view of the mountain range of El Hacho Alora and in another the majestic outline of El Hacho Pizarra, clear and tinted blue in the golden light of the afternoon.

After a leisurely stroll we enjoyed a relaxing picnic by the waterside, glad to be alive, glad to be in Andalucia, arguably one of the best places in the world.

If you would like to experience the beauty of inland Andalucia at first hand, see details of our superb range of holiday homes, you can also book cheap flights and car hire.