Forgotten Gardens car run Welcome back from the summer break. I hope you all had relaxing summer and holidays. The SOL CCC September car run, on Wednesday 11 of September, had a title “Forgotten gardens”. There are many gardens and parks in the Malaga area which are worth visiting eg. Paloma Park in Benalmadena, Casa de los Navajas and La Bateria Park in Torremolinos, La Conception Historical botanical garden in Malaga …. The SOL CCC have selected a few of the lesser known ones for the September car run. There is a nice coast between Fuengirola and Malaga. It is a shame that navigating through the traffic, roundabouts and hectic rush on streets of Torremolinos is putting people off driving the coast road. There are few easy back streets in Torremolinos but finding even those proven to be challenging on the September run. First stop was The MOLINO de Inca Garden. The areas Oldest Water Mill is hidden behind Torremolinos, near the aqua park. Thanks to the various springs in the area the history of the town’s name is undoubtedly linked to the mills. There is evidence of their use for several centuries, some were used for the production of brown paper others for grinding the flour, which was the function of the Molino de Inca, the oldest mill in area. Today, this historic place houses a beautiful botanical garden of more than 15,500 square metres, a paradise, a peaceful place to enjoy the calm and many water fountains. The fowing water in the garden is there not only for its ornamental role, the garden houses still active sources of the springs of Torremolinos: the Inca and the Albercón del Rey, the latter visited by King Alfonso XIII in 1926. The second stop was The Oriental Garden in Alhaurin de Torrre The Japanese Park was inaugurated in March 2011. The Garden is planted with Native trees and plants. Some bonsais being trimmed in a Japanese style and numerous pagodas scattered around, it is what gives the park an unmistakable Zen atmosphere. In addition, a small Bienquerido Stream runs through the park, which separates the urbanizations of El Lagar and Cortijos del Sol. Beautiful bridges allow passage from one bank to the other. The Oriental Garden is the ideal place to stroll with family or friends, take photos or enjoy the wonderful views of the mountains. After enjoying both of the gardens and a glass of Cava, it was a short drive to Alhaurin de Grande, where we where finishing with an excellent lunch in El Rincon Restaurant.