One of the unexpected delights of living east of Málaga, is coming across herds of goats whilst negotiating the picturesque, curvy mountain roads. The beauty and tranquility of the local landscape is enough to lift the spirits, even on the greyest of days, especially when you come face to face with a herd of ninety goats meandering along the road.
I love meeting the goats and always wind down my car window to say “hola” and pass the time of day with the goatherd, as well as telling the goats what good girls they are!
It´s amazing how even though some of the goats climb up the rocks above the road to nibble at whatever plants take their fancy, and some stray perilously close to the edge, they all stay pretty much together. I dread to think how many would be left in the herd if I was in charge of them!
The sight of a herd of goats never fails to make me smile – no matter how often I see them!
This post is my contribution to the WordPress Photo Challenge: Happy and to Travel Theme: Animals
Whilst you´re here, why not have a look at:
East of Málaga: So near, yet so far away
All at sea with the Virgen del Carmen
Photographs I love …. and why!
East of Málaga 
much more charming than snakes on a plane…….
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Wow, you really weren’t “kidding”, were you! How awesome.
No, I kiddeth ye not 🙂
Yeap, we have goats on the road in Greece too!!! Of course not on the national roads, but the moment you take the road to a village, it’s a fact, you are meeting the local goats! 😀
Fantastic, aren´t they? So much part of every day life around the Mediterranean Sea 🙂
Nice pages Marianne and great pics, Competa was almost our home once, great village. Was amongst the wonderful Goats a few weeks ago, can still smell them…Ahhh lovely !!
Thanks for letting me know, Bob. Unmistakable odour – once experienced, never forgotten!
I have seen goats close up when I was studying in Puerto Rico. They wander the streets and no one pays
any attention to them. They arre so funny when they baaaaaaahhhh … hahaha
Goat cheese is yummy – the milk not so much. Great photos.
I spent a week in Nerja years ago and I loved it. It is such a beautiful area. I love this post with the goats. A proper traffic jam. 🙂
I´m glad you enjoyed your visit to this area. This is my kind of traffic jam 🙂
Definitely.
That is so cool, Marianne. Great post! 🙂
I won’t be frustrated getting stuck in a “traffic”, when the ones blocking the way are animals like goats, elk and cows. Awesome post!
They are the nicest kind of traffic hold-ups! 🙂
the goats look healthy and happy!
Yes, they do – and I think they are, in their own little goat world 🙂
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These are fabulous – love them all!
Thanks M – they are so cute 🙂
I love goats!! They have such funny personalities. My mom had quite a few that we just adored.
Me too! Their personalities are really quirky, aren´t they? 🙂
They are so cute! Can I keep some?
Will the cats approve?
I think so…while I’m at it, I also want a piggy wig wig – because they’re also cute and no, I won’t call it Bacon.
Oh what pretty animals they are. I didn’t use to think so, but your photos of them make them look happy. I love the brown and white ones in the first photo. Thanks for visiting my blog.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thanks for your comment, Francine. I never used to take much notice of goats until I moved here, but now they are hard to ignore 🙂
I’ve always thought goats are so adorable. I would love to see them wandering through the streets of London.
That would be quite a sight! 🙂
My goodness! Those goats look ready for a serious milking… Great shots. 😉
I am more likely to come across the goats at the end of the day as they are on their way back home (or I am!), so they are usually ready for milking. I always feel sorry for the girl at the back of the herd who is having the most difficulty walking because of that predicament …… awwwww!
Thanks for your comment – and for your continued support. Much appreciated 🙂
Absolutely beautiful! Although, I did feel a twinge of discomfort in my breast when I saw the one with the swollen udder! 😀
Mmmmm … I can relate to that, Dianne 🙂
i got happy seeing them 🙂
Did you Joshi? I´m pleased about that! 🙂
Goats are my fav animal. I would like to know what the last one is saying.
I suspect she is hoping it is soon milking time 🙂
This too is a common sight where we live and I love it when I have visitors and they remind me to look at them through different eyes!
Oh yes, visitors are always amazed 🙂
Lovely photos and story – A pleasure to read
Thank you – much appreciated 🙂
What beautiful creatures and what a lovely part of the world you live in. You are surely blessed. Have a wonderful day.
They are delightful creatures – I know how lucky I am, Lizzie 🙂
Thanks for your visit and your lovely comment 🙂
I’ve been fortunate to drive around parts of Europe and these little surprises are what made the trips memorable. If I wanted to “keep on schedule” I would have stayed on the highway.
Exactly! It´s often the things that happen and the places you see on the little roads, that you remember most 🙂
Happy, healthy goats… it’s good to appreciate the simple things… I was looking at their full udders and thinking mmm… cheese 🙂
Exactly! Mmmmm 🙂
That last one on his own looks happy 🙂
I think she knows it wont be long until milking time 🙂
I love goats, they are so cute in an annoying kind of way. I saw a few wild mountain goats when I was hiking in the mountains around Madrid this past spring.
I love the way they can climb up onto the narrowest of ledges and still not fall off!
Oh they are lovely and your photos are fantastic. In NZ we have sheep on our roads and I love seeing them -;)!
Best Wishes,
Daniela
Ah yes – you have so many sheep in NZ don´t you? 🙂
You made me smile, thanks MJ
I´m pleased to have done that, MJ 🙂
I especially love the first shot where the goats are surrounding your car, and this SO reminds me of our recent trip to Norway where, on the top of a mountain, our bus passed through a herd of goats crossing and recrossing the road. It’s a novelty for me, too, so I took a bunch of photos, and a couple of the goats tried to eat my clothing. This is one more thing in Malaga I can’t wait to experience. Keep tempting me 🙂
Glad I could remind you of your Norway trip – it´s good to be reminded of things that make you smile.
I will 😉
Very very cool images…i just love goats and their antics
Me too, Jo!
They certainly seem to be healthier than the ones here in Turkey
They have to keep their wits about them, or they get covered in almond sauce and eaten!
I like it to draw goats but I must go in the zoo or to a landhouse to do that in Berlin!
Yes, I´m sure you do! Goats are almost an everyday occurrence around here, Susanne 🙂
Looking at your pics, I can not only see those goats, Marianne, I can hear them too. 🙂
Can you smell them too, Sylvia? 😉
Thankfully not. 😆
This is lovely! What is for you a commonplace occurrence seems completely exotic to me. There is such value in sharing the everyday on our blogs.
I totally agree, Sally. Goats on the road was pretty exotic to me before I came to live in southern Spain, too!
I am always so delighted to run into the goats 🙂
I live at the end of a camino that leads to the river. Not only do I find myself hemmed in by the goats on the camino frequently (and usually when I’m in a hurry, natch), but also I often have them ranged along my perimeter fencing, with the dogs all going mental at them and the goats just chewing the cud, unperturbed, right back.
So, goats don´t make you quite as happy as they make me then? 😉
Awww, I love the goats too! And love your play on words: “kid you not!” We have herds of long-haired goats everywhere in Oman too. Some of them stand on their hind legs to eat the leaves out of the trees. That always makes me smile!
I agree – they can climb up and on the smallest area. I always love to see them. 🙂
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Fantastic, I love it; so Spanish! Nothing better than watching animals wandering freely through the countryside! Great post! G 🙂
Thanks for your lovely comment, Giana.
Beautiful shots… 🙂
Thanks 🙂
Thanks you so much 🙂