After being nominated by Islandmomma a couple of weeks ago for the Capture the Colour Competition organised by Travelsupermarket.com – I´ve finally got around to getting my act together!

The competition has five categories, one for each of the colours – red, blue, white, yellow and green.   Each category winner will receive an iPad3, and the overall winner will receive £2,000 to be spent on travel……which would come in very useful.

Despite having travelled extensively, I have decided to keep these photos within the theme of this blog, East of Málaga – except for one, which I took in nearby Seville.  So, here goes!

RED

Surely you´ve heard the expression “like a red rag to a bull”?  Well, I think it can be taken quite literally during the Bull Run in the white, mountain village of Frigiliana.  This event is held each year, early on the Sunday morning of the Feria weekend, in June.  A much smaller version than the Bull Run held in Pamplona, both in terms of attractions and certainly in the size and age of the bulls, it is nonetheless no less exciting for those participating.  No bulls are harmed at this annual festival.

Notice that the guy´s feet are both off the ground and a blur as he nervously glances over his shoulder to try to ensure that there remains sufficient distance between him and the charging young bulls!

GREEN

Here you can see El Patio de los Naranjos (Orange Tree Courtyard) within the confines of Seville Cathedral, viewed from the near the top of the spectacular Giralda Bell Tower.  What I particularly like about this photograph is that you can see the pointed shadow of the top of the Giralda Tower in the foreground and that the vivid green leaves of the orange trees are the only focus of colour, drawing the eye to them even more.

The Giralda tower is unusual to climb as there are no stairs, but ramps around the four sides, with viewing windows every three or four levels.   The ramps were installed so that in years gone by, horses could be ridden to the top.  Sure saves the legs up the 37 levels!

BLUE

The framing structure overlooks the Presa de las Bermejales, a large lake (and man-made reservoir) situated in the west of Granada Province, o­n the northern boundary of the Natural Park of Las Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama.

This secluded spot, far from the usual tourist trail, is a haven of tranquility especially during the very busy month of August.  It´s a beautiful place to spend a peaceful few hours or days, enjoying nature at it´s best.  I love the way the silhouetted structure frames the layers of hazy blue mountains disappearing into the distance.

YELLOW

East of Málaga wouldn´t be Spain without a giant-sized paella being cooked over a wood-fire at Chiringuito de Ayo on Burriana Beach in Nerja.   Surrounded by palm and banana trees, Ayo´s Restaurant is something of an institution, serving up delicious food for over 40 years.   There is no need to book a table but you will have to take your chances, along with everyone else, in trying to secure the next one coming free – but that´s all part of the fun!  Locals flock to Ayo´s in their droves to sample the mouth-watering paella,  there is always a great atmosphere AND you can can queue up for a second plate – free! 

Mmmm … you can almost smell it from there,  right?

WHITE

My final photograph was taken during Spring-time from my house in the countryside, looking down the valley towards the Mediterranean Sea.  Of course, the water isn’t visible as there is a thick sea mist pouring inland.

On days when the mist rolls in, there is a constantly changing scene.  Sometimes the white-washed fincas on the opposite side of the valley can be clearly seen.  Other times the cloud completely surrounds the valley below our villa and obliterates our view of everything.

This is a magical time.  It’s as if we are the only people on Earth and the house becomes “our castle in the clouds”!

MY NOMINATIONS

I know there are only a few days left before this competition closes on August 29th 2012, and you may have already been nominated,  but here goes:

Diana at Canadian Travel Bugs   
Toby at Travels with Toby  
Tamara at A Foot in Two Campos
Rommel at The Sophomore Slump 
Emily at Emily Luxton

Which photographs would you choose for blue, green, white, yellow and red?