Former Huddersfield gymnast and pub landlord Brian Hayhurst and his wife Elaine are ex-pats who have lived just outside Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol for 20 years. He writes every week for Huddersfield Hub.

So you’ve (occasionally) had it hot in Huddersfield? Well, some record temperatures have been endured throughout Europe with some regions here in Spain taking extraordinary measures to manage the extreme heatwave in recent days.

Some areas are setting up cooling centres, working flat out for elderly residents with no central heating in sports centres, museums etc.

Authorities are on maximum alert for the dreaded wildfires, the highest level for 18 years, and in the North, all countryside activities have been banned, along with the use of agricultural machinery between 10am and 8pm. Imagine poor farmers who are already short of water?!

Finally, zookeepers in Barcelona are feeding gorillas and chimps with ice cream to help keep them cool.

READ MORE: Brian Hayhurst writes from Spain every week for Huddersfield Hub – catch up here

I have previously mentioned Marbella and Cordoba. Here is a glance at The Alhambra Palace and nearby Sierra Nevada. Elaine and I arrived after a 1.5-hour drive at the boundary of Granada, a sprawling busy city, unprepared for the endless one-way street system.

We gave up trying to locate our hotel having no sat nav etc and waved down and paid a taxi to get us there.

The Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a major attraction, visited by millions annually and regarded as a jewel of Islamic architecture.

This magnificent red stoned palace is perched on a rocky hillside above the banks of the river Darro, and is a focal point of Granada.

Inside the high walls of the medieval fortress are many stunning, centuries old architectural features surrounded by acres of garden featuring fountains, reflecting pools and a unique network of water channels, a marvel of ancient engineering which appears to send water uphill!

The priceless tiling is so special that small groups of tourists are limited to ensure their preservation. There is so much to see, that tours are split into several areas.

Founded as a military base in the mid-13th century, King Alhamar began restoring and adding new buildings, including a church, monastery and a subterranean dungeon.

Sadly, as with so many busy facilities, there is always someone who will take advantage of their position for greed, hitting the headlines for the wrong reason.

In 2015 the Alhambra monumental palace chief Maria del Mar Villafranca was arrested, along with three other employees, for embezzling funds and money laundering an alleged 5.5 million euros over eight years. She eventually resigned but was severely dealt with by the court.

On the bright side, this magnificent building continues to flourish and is well with a visit – tickets £4.50. An hour up the mountain road to enjoy the crisp fresh air is the popular ski resort of Sierra Nevada with miles of ski runs, shops, restaurants and hotels.

I tried my first attempt at skiing after watching a group being taught. It was fun on the lower slopes, but not as easy as it looks. Mates have offered to give me lessons, which I am still thinking about.

You can be on the piste after leaving the Costa del Sol beaches within a 2.5-hour drive.