Brian and Patricia left England in June 2013
for what became a 105-day motorhome journey. They travelled through
France and Spain to Morocco. Following a 30-day tour of Morocco, they
returned to England, again through Spain and Spain. They give detailed
information on their journey, including co-ordinates, on all the places they
spent a night, specialising in finding informal places to camp.
You can find equally detailed accounts of three
other motorhome journeys they have made in the Fellow
Travellersfeature on this website.
For more information, you can contact the Rudds
at:
Day 38Thursday 1st August
2013SOD Temp 76 Deg F
Le Boulou - Near Spanish borderN 42 31.633E 002 50.247
Awake 7 - 00 am, a quiet and
peaceful night. The aire seems popular as a stopping place, convenience and
just off the main road into Spain, I suppose. Otherwise, nothing else in Loo
Beloo, as we have named it. I think it was a Spa town in it's heyday.
Had breakfast, then moved the van
over to the cemetery gates, to top up some water. There is a tap behind the
wall for cemetery watering. I spotted it yesterday on a stroll around.
Getting on our way we passed
through Le Boulou on the D900. Heading to the Spanish border. Here we ran into
crawling traffic which was caused by the border town of Le Perthus. which was
teaming with people and cars. There must be some attraction here. A tax benefit
town maybe ? We didn't stop to find out.
Spanish border crossed, we
travelled what was now the E11. A quite boring, hot strip of a road. Welcome to
Spain. We stopped at a small village just off the road, Medinya N 42
02.937E 002 52.170. Parking under some
trees we had a walk to find some bread. A little shop up the road did the job.
One Pain, 1.40 Euros, lovely soft bread. Had dinner for an hour and then rolled
onto the hot strip again.
First job was to check out Girona
Airport, for dropping Pauline off tomorrow. Setting Satellite Simon, we found
the entry and exit quite ok, so decided to check out our Aire for tonight.
The nearest Aires were over on the
coast. Around twenty miles drive brought us to St Feliu de Guixols. A small
packed Aire, with Chock and Satellite vans, seemingly set up for weeks, tables,
chairs, awnings out taking parking places up. Overall it looked quite a little
baking hell hole. A little Dutch guy tried to point out I could get the van in,
but, no thanks, we'll look elsewhere.
Onto Platja D'Aro, a few miles down
the road. Now for some quite inexplicable reason, the Aire parking has been
blocked off and new signs have been put up along an entrance road, to point out
motor home parking. Nothing on the Aire at all, just loads of empty hard
standing, doing nothing but baking in the sun.
Anyway we got parked up on the
road, quite a wide strip at the side of the road. Apart from continual passing
traffic, not too bad I suppose.
Hot, hot, hot, so we just brewed,
chatted, read and watched the world go by. Also got Paulines bags packed,
weighed and ready to go for tomorrow.
Passing traffic kept driving over
a grid in the gutter opposite where we were parked. Clang, clang. It needed a
solution to quieten it down. An old red plastic chair did the trick, I just
placed it on the grid, result, no clang clang.
The evening cooled down a little.
We sat watching the world, Grouse birds running around in the park adjacent to
us. A couple of live bands in the distant night, obvious by the snap of their
snare drums which cut through the night. A fairground humming across the fields
in front of us. None of this intrusive though.
The stars peeping out, just
noticeable through the street lighting. Got down for a read and bed around 11 -
00 pm.
Day 39Friday 2nd August
2013SOD Temp 79 Deg F
Platja D'AroSpainN 41 48.677E 003 03.436
A reasonable nights sleep, saying
we are parked on the side of the road. Someone moved the red plastic chair,
it's now outside a van near us. They must be short of chairs. Turned the van
around, so that the fridge and door side is in the shade. Well, the main job
today, is to get Pauline on the big bird back home.
We also need a better scale map,
so we called at a few markets, with no success. I popped into a paper shop, the
guy spoke excellent English, no map but I got a Daily Mail, 2.20 Euros. Wrong
move really, full of all the crap and tittle tattle, that unfortunately is
consumed by most paper purchasers.
Looking at the Spanish magazine
shelves, it seems that it is no different over here. Why do the majority of
people have an obsession with so called personalities, film stars, television
actors. The majority of them would be the most boring people you could meet,
having seen some interviewed on tv.
Rant now over.
We decided to go for a ride to pass
the day. Wrong move again. There are not many interesting places to visit
around here. Wandering around, we got in a narrow street in one village, I had
to do my shimmy, shimmy extraction and turn the van around to get out. We ended
up having dinner parked by a football stadium, I didn't even get the name of
the village.
We finished off parked in a suburb
of Girona, alongside of a park. Probably the best spot we had seen all day. I
put the chairs out, had a brew and a read of tittle tattle times. Pauline
washed her hair.
From here it seemed a simple run
to the airport, but Satellite Simon wasn't having any of that. We were all over
the place. I'm sure it has lost the plot in Spain. After leading us a not so
merry dance, my insistence that it was taking us everywhere but where we should
be going, payed off and we finally got onto the road that we had checked out
yesterday. What a shambolic short journey. A bit foreboding for our travels in
Spain.
We parked in a little space I had
spotted previously, just a few hundred metres from the drop off zone. Last
minute luggage checks etc. then we dropped Pauline off, with Patricia to help
at check in. I went and parked up at another little space nearby, gave them
time to check in, then rolled around to pick up Patricia.
Job done, we then set off for
Platja D'Aro, Satellite Simon again putting us on the wrong road. I had to
insist we got to the right one. I'm getting a bit concerned, it is going skew
whiffed, since arriving in Spain.
Back at Platja D'Aro, we entered
through the main street where all the action seems to take place. Teaming with
people, shops, restaurants etc. we passed the fun fair across the field from
the Aire. I spotted a chip stall. Parking up, we walked back to get a cone of
chips for supper, 3 - 00 Euros. Back at the van, chips and a beer. We got the
chairs out, I had a couple of Bourbon and cokes in the evening cool. Two little
girls from the next van were racing up and down on theirs scooters.
We watched for Paulines plane
coming over out of Girona at 10 - 05, sure enough over it came heading NW. We
watched it's blinking lights until they disappeared into the distant clouds. A
quite appropriate end to the day. Locked up the van and got down for a read and
sleep.
Day 40Saturday 3rd August
2013SOD Temp 77 Deg F
Platja D'AroSpainN 41 48.677E 003 03.436
A peaceful night, just a little
passing traffic and voices. The sun is out again. Well we decided to stay on
and have a reasonably lazy day. If you can call cleaning and organising storage
etc. a lazy day. We lifted the carpets out. I rearranged and organised the rear
garage, sorted and restored food we are carrying. This enabled me to move some
things from the garage to the side storage bunkers. Rearranged the underfloor
food storage also. We feel quite organised now.
The weather has been overcast most
of the day, but still very hot and heavy. Some spots of rain at times, but it
didn't break.
A text from Pauline now at home,
Lily asking can she come down to see her. When she came down, Pauline showed
her my picture with a plaster on my nose at Carcassonne. Lily kissed it and
said it would now be better. Marc went football at Barnsley, our first match in
the Championship league, we won 4 - 0. Not a bad start.
Spent a little time sat out and people
watching, not a bad pastime. A Spanish van pulled in behind us and proceeded to
eject seven people, father, mother and five children. In a Hymer van, no bigger
than ours. It must get pretty warm in their when everyone is in.
A German family in front of us,
have the trailer for bikes, motorbike and kitchen sink etc. A big guy, with his
small wife / partner. She only looks like a little girl. They have three
children with them. The children scootering up and down all day. The lady
always acknowledges me, not a peep from him. We had similar at Duilhac a few
days ago, with a French family.
Had lovely cool showers to clean
up for tea. A simple pleasure, but lovely to wash away the dust and sweat of a
hot day.
Had Steak, Potatoes, Carrots and
Peas for tea. Followed by Peaches and Cream, lovely. Sat out for a while with
candles burning and watched the evening sky change colour as the sun set. I got
a few pictures.
Surprisingly, we don't have a lot
of flies or mozzies, even though there is a small lake in front of us and
wetland scrub behind us. Had a beer and a Bourbon.
Off to bed for an early night and
let the night traffic lull us to sleep.
Day 41Sunday 4th August
2013SOD Temp 78 Deg F
Platja D'AroSpainN 41 48.677E 003 03.436
Awake early with the motor homers
pest, the early morning horn honkers. Well as the old saying goes and never a
truer word, "small things amuse small minds". There seemed to be
quite a lot of traffic for Sunday morning, maybe a market setting up. Anyway, I
dozed off again and woke around 9 - 00 am. Clear skies and sunny.
Had breakfast, then lifted the
bikes out. I decided to go on a scouting mission to see if I can get a better
scale map of Spain. I picked my way through all the beautiful people thronging
the main strip.Restaurants and the
usual shops selling all the usual tourist tat. It was a good excercise for my
bike handling skills, weaving in and out, reading body language which way will
they turn.
I found a couple of shops, but no
better scale maps than the one we have. I settled for a Sunday Times, picked up
some tomatoes and a Baguette and headed back. Nice to be out rambling around on
the bike.
Had some dinner and a read of the
Sport section. Wigan Athletic are top of their league after the first match, it
looks good anyway.
The gas ran out while we were
having dinner, so that was the first job after dinner. The gas cylinder bunker
was on the shady side of the van, so that helped, the heat was rising. I tried
fitting the French 13 Kg bottle alongside the full English 13 Kg bottle, the
French bottle is slightly smaller in diameter than the English one. The van
specification says it takes two 13 Kg bottles, but it doesn't with English
bottles. I decided to take it out again. It did go in, no trouble, but the gas
pipes were touching the valve, which is not good. With movement of the van, we
can get wear on them. So out it came and I put back the empty 6Kg bottle.
Got Patricia on the bike around
the park just in front of us. She needs to build up confidence, breaking her arm,
but not on the bike, hasn't done her any good at all. Anyway, she enjoyed being
out on the bike again.
Had a Salmon salad for tea. Got
washed up and decided to go for a walk among the beautiful people. We were
still looking for a map, but no success, as per this morning. I bought 6 cans
of San Miguel, I had run out of beer last night. We cut through from the busy
street down to the beach, which was more our quiet kind of area and a lot nicer
for a stroll. Maybe there are two types of stroller, one who wants to see and
be seen, they go in the main street with all the bright lights and packed cafes
and restaurants,strutting around in
their finery. Then there are those, who just want a quiet cool evening walk, no
bright lights. We are in the second lot. The beach side was a nice atmosphere.
A few musicians earning their crust. Toy sellers, selling the latest LED type
toys, with bright lights, illuminated helicopter gyro toys, multi dot lazer
type toys also. But it was not packed, lots of space for strolling and for the
children to play. Quite a nice laid back atmosphere.
Getting back to the van, we sat
out for a while with van windows open to cool it down a little. I had a beer
and a Bourbon. It was around midnight when we got off to bed, just then, the
van behind us decided to start up the engine. We also had a firework display
from somewhere banging off for a while. And so the hot day ended. We are moving
on tomorrow.
Day 42Monday 5th August
2013SOD Temp 72 Deg F
Platja D'AroSpainN 41 48.677E 003 03.436
A quiet and peaceful night. A
little cooler this morning. Amazingly this morning there has been hardly any
early morning traffic. Yesterday, Sunday, we had it, along with horn honkers
from really early morning. We are moving on today, before we take root. We
still need to find a better scale map, so that's a job also.
Had breakfast, then sorted toilet
and water. Called at the local Lidl and stocked up. Then on our way.
C35 around Llagostera, to pick up
the N11 and head south to get around Barcelona. The N11 is what I call a normal
road, not closed in all along with steel, there are actually pull in places
along the way. The names of places all sound very attractive, probably seen in
holiday brochures, Pineda de Mar, Calella, Canet de Mar, Aremys de Mar, etc,
etc.All looking similar, tourist
developments, not very attractive to be truthful. Well not to our eyes.
We stopped for dinner at Malgrat
de Mar, on a small picnic pull in area. There was an R reg Herald motor home
parked up. Had dinner, then I had a walk to chat with the Herald owner, who was
sat on a picnic table in the shade reading. This turned out to be Dave and his
" Spanish " dog Rita. Rescued from a dog rescue place. Dave was
staying there for the night, on his way to his winter camp further south. He
said he goes there every year. A bit early for winter I thought. He seemed to
welcome the chat, quite talkative. He said he had travelled since he was forty,
didn't believe in working etc. etc. I left, a little bit sceptical on his tale.
Could be true, but I think embroidered a lot. I like to chat and maybe pick up
travel snippets, places to stop, overnight etc. but I left with nothing of use.
Good luck to Dave and his 500 DVD's.
Travelling on we passed around
Barcelona, it wasn't raining, it absolutely poured last time we were there.
We thought to overnight on the
coast South of Barcelona, but parking was at a premium everywhere. Mile after
mile of tourist cars parked up for the beaches, burning bodies everywhere.
We hit a part of the coast where
the road winds around the hills and hugs the sea, so leaving the tourists
behind, but not the cars, a very busy road.
Another tourist mecca Sitges
passed, not impressed. At Cubelles we decided to get in somewhere for the
night. I spotted a Lidl and Carrefour, picking Carrefour, we tucked along a
wall and settled down for the night. Pasta for tea, excellent, with peppers,
olives, pesto. Just what was needed. A hot uninspiring day, trawling through
the tourist jungles that have developed along this coast.
After tea studying the maps and
sat nav, I noticed that the coast and beaches were just behind the place we
were parked. So we went to explore if there was a nicer place to park. Bingo,
we dropped onto a place overlooking the beach, there was another van already
parked up. Tucked in, we had a stroll along the lovely palm tree lined front.
The holiday apartments along the front were all low rise. From all we have seen
today, it seems to be one of the better places. People still on the beach in
the dark, people on the balconies dining. An excellent little place to find and
end the day at. Peace descended.
Day 43 Tuesday 6th August 2013SOD Temp 76 Deg F
Clot De BassoSpain( near Cubelles ) CataloniaN 41 11.826E 001 39.521
A beautiful morning. I opened the
van door and there was the beach and sea. People going onto the beach already,
8 - 00 am. The knackered knee brigade are out in force ( runners ), they seem
to be coming past every minute. There must be a hell of a lot of people
convinced that running is the thing to do, cheaper than a bike I suppose.
Well we thought of staying for a
day, but decided to move on. Heading for the N340, we set off through the
concrete jungle that is the Costa Brava. Around Torredembarra we came across a
camp we had stayed at back in 1999, when we sailed to Spain, Santander and
drove across country. We pulled in just to take a quick look, 30 Euros per
night for the van alone, I didn't even register the price for us. Needless to
say, we moved on. Through Tarragona, where we briefly saw the Amphitheatre that
we had explored on a memorable baking hot day back in 1999. The roads around
there looking very familiar.
At L'Hospital de L'Infant we
pulled off to have some dinner. Parking in a new urbanisation, all the roads
laid out and new small trees planted. Just a few houses had been built. We got
a little shade from one small tree. There was a deep vibration and noise which
was coming from somewhere, it turned out to be vibrator compacter on a building
site just down the road. Luckily they knocked off for dinner and we had a nice
quiet dinner.
Back onto the N340, which was
busier with more trucks heading north, than we had seen since arriving in
Spain. We arrived around the Ebro Delta. Pulling off at L'Ampola, we had a
brief look at the landscape. Lots of flooded fields with what I presume was
Rice growing. Irrigation channels, sluices and pumping stations. All on a very
flat landscape. I believe it is interesting for bird watchers, we saw some
beautiful pure white Herons, they seemed to be Herons. Also one wading bird,
beautiful in flight, greenish tinge to feathers when stood, long legs and beak,
I didn't recognize at all.
We soon decided that the area was
too much like the Camargue, so turned around and headed back to the N340.
Sat Nav set for the Aire we were
heading for, we eventually found it among fields and fields of orange groves.
Quite a large commercial Aire, 8 Euros per night.
We soon parked up and were in
brief conversation with Jim and Maureen. Geordies who had lived in Worksop,
sold up shop and home and were now travelling.
Soon after another Brit couple
rolled up Steve and Allison from South Wales. More Brits than we'd seen for
days.
I tried out the Wi fi cleared mail
etc. and saved some old pictures of my street in Wigan where I was born and
lived until I was 24. Our Marc had mailed the links for me to look at. They
brought back many memories.
Steak, sauteed potatoes, peas,
followed by blue cheese and crackers for tea. We had looked at the menu on
offer in the restaurant, but decided not to bother. If you eat in the
restaurant you don't have to pay the 8 Euros fee. Our other Brits ate in there.
I just had a walk in to check out Skype for tomorrow. I had to set a new
password.
Had a beer and a couple of
Bourbons sat out in the cool air. Steve and Allison had a brief chat on their
way back from the bar. Steve a coach driver, they have a Burstner 747 / 748 not
sure which, a bonny big double rear wheel van. We watched the old guy from the
Aire closing the gate for the night. Watched the bats flying around.Brief read of book and then down to sleep
Day 44 Wednesday 7th August 2013SOD Temp 77 Deg F
Sant Jordi (from sat nav location ) Between San Raefeal Del Riuand Alcanar on theCV 11 road ( from Aires book )
N 40 34.505 E 000 23.587
Awake quite early with the cars on
the road flying by, some at a fair old speed. Sky really cloudy and overcast
this morning, unusual at the moment. We have a loud intrusive machine droning
noise from somewhere. Hope it's not there all day. Nicky called for info to pay
some bills. The noise has just stopped.
Patricia is having a wash day
today. 5 Euros for the washing machine, so one load and the rest by hand. No
washing lines to be put up, you have to use the one near the wash room. No problem,
so I laid ours away, just after putting it up. It is still quite warm even
though it is cloudy and overcast.
Steve and Allison from S Wales,
left this morning heading for France, a brief chat, they said goodbyes to Jim
and Maureen who they had spent quite some time with, then they were off.
Steve had noticed a tree branch
scuff on the awning casing, I hadn't noticed it at all. Jim had some small
ladders which I borrowed to clean it off, no damage done.
I used Wi fi to check out the
goals scored by my team, Wigan Athletic, at weekend. They are on the Sky Sports
website.
We got Skype up and running later
in the afternoon. Chatted with Nicky for a while. He has now completed his HND
and feels that is as far as he wants to go with studying and working. I can
understand that.
Helena and Lily rushed back from
Haigh Hall, where they had been having a good time on National Play Day. Lots
of initiatives on, promoted by the Council locally. Lovely to see Lily, who was
made up seeing us. She had been painting one of the models you can buy and was
showing us her work. She now has a little "Pig Tail" in her hair.
Hopefully we will be meeting up with them in a few weeks time, if they can
arrange things.
Jim demonstrated the Snooper Sat
Nav to me, a seven inch screen, low quality images, but quite a lot of extra
information, like camp sites and Aires are on it. We had a sudden downpour of
rain, which caused me to move quicker than I've moved for weeks, whipping all
the table, chairs and mat away, just managed it before it hammered down.
Patricia did prawn stir fry, with
noodles and spring rolls for tea. Excellent. The rain soon stopped. I went out
to use the Wi fi to check out some camps for Helena. Chatted with the young
Romanian girl who works on the Aire, she has been in Spain seven years, one
year on this site. Her partner has no job she said, it's difficult to find
work. An economic migrant. I always can sympathise with them, but there is
always a question for me, of a displacement of local people who need jobs also.
We have an enormous problem in the UK with the same thing.
Chatted with Jim on the way, who was showing
me another piece of software he has with Aires, stopovers, camping etc. He put
it on a small USB hard drive and let me have a copy. I stored it on my laptop,
returned his hard drive and gave him a bottle of Bordeaux Red for his kindness.
Patricia had got back to doing some knitting now it was cooler. The heat has
deterred her for a while, the mix of wooly cardigans and high temperatures not
motivating.
Had a beer and a Bourbon and Coke,
a read to end the night off.
Day 45 Thursday 8th August 2013SOD Temp 68 Deg F
Sant Jordi AireN 40 34.522E 000 23.590
Awake 7 - 40 am. Sun is peeping
through, whispy clouds drifting over, but blue sky is peeping through. The
thunder storm in the night must have cleared things up a little, it put some
rain down and made some noise. Luckily it blew over and we could get back to
sleep.
Today is moving on day. Jim and
Maureen came around for a goodbye chat, they are heading up to the French
border, eventually toBrittany
for a reunion with some friends. A good natter, got their e mail address and
then they were off.
The Aire was now empty, except for
ourselves and a German van, who had the herding syndrome and parked alongside
us, when there was space everywhere. Got toilet, water sorted, all battened
down and then off. A good stop off place, where we met some decent UK people,
overall a good atmosphere at the place. Only negative was the traffic on the
road passing it, they tend to speed past, creating quite a racket. But that's
the only moan. Good spot for a few days rest.
Onto the CV 11 heading for
Traiguera, where we tried driving in to look for bread. A quick decision and a
change of plan when we hit narrow streets. Oh, oh, not getting into this, quick
reverse, turn around and out.
On to the C232 road, marked on the
map as a scenic route. Which it proved to be, but not much for me, the driver,
as we climbed and twisted and turned our way to around 3,500 feet, stopping at
the top, alongside a goat herder, with all his goats that had tinkling bells
on. Quite a contrast to the concrete strips and lifestyle we had seen along the
coast. A couple of miles further on we reached Morella, chosen from the brief
write up in the Aires book. Quite a distinctive looking hill town. Just as we
rolled in, there was a new Spar shop, lovely, just what was needed. Got bread,
also some fish to try later. We never cook fish in the van to minimise smells.
But we thought to try it on the barbecue.
We found the Aire quite easily,
just off the main road through. Parked up, had dinner and decided to have a
quiet afternoon reading and watching the world go by. We would go into Morella
tomorrow.
The Aires book says it's a seven
minute walk into Morella. Now I have a theory, that these times are estimated
by people, who operate on amphetamines and rocket fuel. I now take absolutely
no notice at all of them. It's a decent walk and with time to stop and smell
the flowers a lot more than seven minutes.
A lazy afternoon, a read, a gentle
stroll around the Aire surroundings, passed the afternoon.
Had showers to clean up. Set up
the barbie and did the fish, which we were not sure of the type, but it wasn't
the best, rather jelly like in consistency. Not a success, but we will try
other types.
The wind started picking up to be
quite gusty, it had been blowing all afternoon. I decided to pop the
stabilizers out. These have not been used for years, so needed a clean also, a
little bit more stable after.
A couple of Brit vans came in and
spent half an hour deciding where they were going to park up, the satellite
shuffle without satellite dishes. The village was lit up later across the
fields on the hill. An early night and off to bed.
Day 46 Friday 9th August 2013SOD Temp 59 Deg F
MorellaN 40 37.432W 000 05.464
A beautiful blue sky, sunny but
rather cool at 59 Deg F, we are at 3,140 ft., a little higher than on the
coast. Not a good nights sleep, went to sleep, woke up and that was it for the
rest of the night. Quite cool, maybe that was why.
Brit vans moved off, seems two
were travelling together. No contact at all, just a brief wave from one of the
ladies this morning, unsociable obviously.
Had breakfast and then had a drive
to see if we could park the van a little closer to town. We parked it on the
road just down the hill from the main gate. Had a walk in through the main
gate, popped into the tourist office. We came away with a map of the town done
in English. Had a brief walk along the main street, but it was getting near
dinner time, so we bought a loaf, also a small cake to try for dinner. Quite a
few shops were selling similar shaped small cakes, they seem to be a local
delicacy. Moved the van and parked underneath the aquaduct, which we had passed
on the way in.
While having dinner, two young
lads came and parked behind us, then proceeded to do some work with brushes, on
a corrugated shed on wheels, that was parked near us. Ten minutes, then they
were off. The shed looks like a rough serving stall for a market, all made from
corrugated sheet steel.
Finished dinner then walked back
up the hill into town. Walked up to the church, which has quite an ornate front
door. Walking in the small door at the side, we were met with a charging kiosk.
A charge to see the church, tied in with other things, museum, castle, I think.
Well we were not visiting the museum or castle so declined the offer and came
out. I do feel that quite a few people would be pressurised into paying, with
the situation where the kiosk was. Sorry, but not us.
Walked down to look around Jew
Street, a quarter with narrow streets. Maybe named from old times, when it
probably was a Jewish quarter.
A few shops along the street
aiming at the tourist trade, but I didn't feel it was too much. Some nice deli
type shops. We generally don't buy much from places we visit. Just came away
with a white necklace of flat beads, 3 Euros. A birthday present.
We had a party of people
commenting about us as we walked up the main street. Heads suddenly turning to
look at us, so something was obviously said. So I gave them all the royal wave,
which seemed to embarrass them. Job done, we walked on.
A nice couple of hours rambling
around and taking some photographs of a place which seemed a million miles away
from the concrete costas.
Back to the van, drove back to the
Aire, only one old Spanish van on. Got tea on, Steak, onions, mushrooms, peas,
carrots, potatoes, Patricia does some awful meals !!!! Ah ah. Lovely, just what
was needed.A couple of vans rolled in
later.
Tricia had a read, I had a beer
and a Bourbon and coke and watched the night descend over Morella. I got a
couple of silhouette photographs of the trees on the Aire. The lights switched
on at 9 - 45 pm. We decided to get off to bed early, I was ready for sleep
after not having much last night.
Day 47 Saturday 10th August 2013SOD Temp 68 Deg F
MorellaN 40 37.432W 000 05.464
Awake 8 - 00 am, sunny again. A
good nights sleep, it was needed after the previous nights bad sleep. After reading
an article by Andy Stothert in the MMM magazine, I decided to have a ride and
look at Albarracin.
We had breakfast. I then sorted
the toilet while being invaded by small ants, pouring all over the service
point.
Getting on the C232, we headed off
over the Puerto Torre Miro, peaking at 1250 metres. Stopped at Monroyo for
diesel, Patricia also popped into a small shop, through the living room, into
the shop, where several local old ladies were nattering away, to buy some
tomatoes for dinner.
The region now became Arragon,
famous for Katherine of Henry the eighth fame. We saw a sign for a Sanctuary,
which looked like a church, so pulled off the road to take a look. A lovely old
building which had fallen into neglect. Some restoration seemed to have been done.
The fields around it had been cut for hay. A small picnic area, with large
barbecue huts was at the same stop. A project on hold it seems, along with the
road building on the way, which was also on hold. All along the way there was
excavations, concrete bridges ready for roads, all abandoned, not a truck or
digger anywhere. A good sign of what the EU does for a country.
Heading towards Alcaniz, we then
turned off onto the C211 heading for Alcorisa where we pulled over at a small
restaurant, petrol station, truck stop place. The sun blazing down on a dusty,
hot, windblown setting. The hard standing was a dazzling white dusty place,
painful to the eyes without sunglasses.
I washed and sterilised the
tomatoes for dinner, who knows what life form had been roaming on them. An
excercise we do with all fruit and veg. Several cars pulled up at the
restaurant, we could smell cooking fish.
Had some dinner and set off again.
Gargallo, Montalbin, Vivel del Rio Martin, Banon, all passed under our wheels,
along with lots of other small, hot sleepy, no humans in site places.
The scenery we were driving
through offered everything, desert, rolling hills, cultivation, scrub, trees,
deserted Fincas, deserted churches, rocks of all hues, pink, cream, gold, red,
incredible layered hills showing off millions of years of erosion. All baking
under the relentless hot sun. Not many humans to be seen, we saw four in all
actually working in the fields.
The deserted Fincas and churches
are probably demonstrating the changing face of Spain.
Near Caminreal we turned onto the
A23, a very good road heading south towards Teruel. Pulling off this at Santa
Eulalia and getting onto the C234.
We pulled into a small deserted
village, where I got some photographs, then onto Cella, then into the hills
along a lovely tree covered valley, alongside a stream, to Albarracin.
We went to have a look at the
localcampsite, 15.5 Euros per night for
a pitch, where I would have been struggling to get the van in. It looked a
pretty dismal crowded place, sorry Andy Stothert, not our type of camp site. We
decided to get out and see what the local area offered for free camping. Just
down the road we spotted a new urbanisation development, roads laid out, with
only three houses on it. Parking on a large island, we settled for a brew. I
got out the laptop and installed the software Geordie Jim had given me. Ah
well, we had noticed a guy at his new house eyeing us up, soon enough a
policeman came with a young lady who spoke English, explaining we couldn'tpark there, but there was parking across the
field that we could use. No problem, let's keep the locals happy. It turned out
to be nice and quiet, with lots of space and a fossil museum adjacent to us.
There are rocks on stands outside, explaining the different ages of local rock,
lots with fossils in them.
We got parked up, had pasta for
tea, all settled. A couple of cars came to a football pitch just around the
corner, but otherwise all quiet. We sat on a bench across the road and watched
the moon and venus in the western sky over the hills.Back to the van for a read and hopefully a
quiet night.
Awake with the alarm, not a good
nights sleep again. Dogs, dogs and more dogs. Albarracin, the valley of the
dogs. Barking all night long, what a cacaphony. Result, an awful nights sleep.
It's the first time on this trip that we've noticed any number of dogs. But
Albarracin certainly made up for it.
Quite chilly this morning, before
the sun appears over the near hills. Had breakfast, then I got the bike out and
went hunting around the village. The area I went around seems to be " new
" Albarracin. We found that the most interesting part is the old part of
the town.
Cycling around, I found the large
parking area near the centre of town. We had looked at this, but the entrance
made the area look rather tight. But I found that it was a large area, lots of
parking, so we moved the van up to there for the day. Lots of cars arriving
with families obviously visiting for the day. The car park is free, but signs
against motor homes parking between 10 -00 pm and 8 - 00 am were up, so our
thought of staying there for the night were soon knocked on the head. There are
also limitations on Wednesday, obviously market day.
We had a little stroll around the
new part of town. Called into the Supermercado, a local corner shop. We bought
some tomatoes, yoghurts and nectarines. We also popped into a shop across the
street that sold bread, but the bread was all open to flies and any other life
form that wants to dump on it, so we didn't bother buying. Strolling around the
little streets, we came across two older ladies with a little girl, about ten
months old. They were obviously minding the child for the mother. The little
girl had pierced ear rings in each ear. We had a little chat and got a
photograph with Patricia.
Back to the van for dinner, the
left over cold pasta from last nights tea, delicious cold.
We then decided to let the old sun
cool a little before heading for the old town, which is just around a corner
and up the hill. Patricia had a read sat in the shade, while I wandered around
the car park area. The area has had European funding spent on it, the usual
obligatory signs were up. But again, it seems that it is not finished. A walk
near the car park has wooden signs along the way with the names of the plants
there, in Spanish and the Latin classification name. All a good idea, but not
finished and now rather neglected. The river runs alongside the walk, just over
a small wall, alongside the local allotments.
Feeling that the sun had passed
its hottest, we headed for the old town. Out of the car park entrance, across
the road and up the hill. Well what a revelation. The old town is a beautiful
place to walk around. Narrow medieval type cobbled streets, little alleyways,
steps up to another street which revealed more delights.
Walking into the old town, there
is a steep cobbled hill to ascend, before getting into the streets where there
is some shade. First thing we noticed was a blue fronted building that Andy
Stothert had photographed and used in his MMM article. Onwards and upwards. I
was interested to see were Andy had taken his overall view of the town, an
excellent photograph. We found the viewing point, up near the moorish
battlements which run up the hill. A group of young Spanish hikers were all
resting in the shade. Not the easiest country for hiking with rucksacks, I
would think.
Wandering around is the thing to
do. There is a lovely small piazza, with arches and balconies and an arched
viewing point. The Cathedral was closed, renovation being done, what a shame.
Apparently, the village name is Moorish, according to the lady in the tourist
information shop. The fortifications are Moorish style.
I do feel that Andy Stothert hit
the nail on the head, it really is a quite lovely place to visit. There seems
to have been quite a lot of renovation of the local building done. All seemed
to be newly rendered with pinkish red mortar. Some were still really
dilapidated though. It did sniff of a European development project, on a
preservation of cultural and tourist areas. But a parting word is that it
really is a place to visit.
Back to the van and drive to our
over night spot at the dinosaur museum. Reading and letting the evening cool
down. Beef Stir fry for tea, with spring rolls, excellent. It cools a lot when
the sun dips over the hill, a welcome relief after the heat of the day. All
quiet when the traffic for the dinosaur museum has gone, it closed around 8 -
00 pm. Quite a popular place it seems with young ones.
A nice hour reading and cooling
sat outside the van, until the fading light made it difficult to read and said
it's time to head indoors.
What an excellent day in an
excellent small town, not too touristy at the moment. What a contrast to the
trash developments along the coast. New moon shining crystal clear over the
hill again, accompanying Venus.
Awake with the 7 - 00 am alarm. A
decent nights sleep, but the dogs were at it again. There must be a dog kennel,
or some eccentric with a hundred dogs locally, just over the hill it all comes
from. It would be an ideal overnight stop except for the dogs.
Had breakfast as the sun rose over
the nearby hill, it soon starts warming up. Decided to head for Cuenca this
morning, it is marked on the map as a world heritage site, so let's have a
look.
Now the map book we are using, I
have mentioned that we are looking for a better one, proved today why we need a
better one.
Picking the route out, Frias de
Albarracin, Villar del Cobo, Guadalaviar, Huelamo, La Toba etc.All went well, we travelled out to Frias de
Albarracin along a beautiful road that followed a river which remained unseen,
then over Monte Casa Verde 5,100 ft.Lovely scenery to Villar del Cobo, then over El Portillo 1790 Metres,
around 6,000 ft,this seemed to have
three names at the top, depending on which way you were travelling. El Portillo
seemed the newest sign. This got us to Guardalaviar, where we seemed to run out
of any road signs and satellite Simon didn't offer much help. Making a decision
we headed through the village, oh, oh, narrow street, probably the narrowest I
have ever had to get the van through, opened up into a little square. A local
lad sat there surveying the scene, seemed to indicate going back the way we
came. Getting out of the square, again an exercise in van control, we got onto a
good road at the other side of the village. I was tempted to head along this
newly laid out road, but stopped again for a Sat nav check, which was telling
us to head back over the mountain. Biting the bullet, that's what we did.
Discovering when we got over the mountain that the road map puts Guardalaviar
nowhere near where it actually is. Not on the route to Cuenca, but over a
mountain and miles away. Philosophically we accepted it as a learner. We
stopped on a good pull in place and had dinner.
This place was busy with
grasshoppers or crickets, not sure which, but they were jumping everywhere as
you walked through the grass. They did look like small crickets.
Heading onwards, we had seen signs
for Cuidad Encantada, some rock formations to view, signed from more than 30 km
away. I had thought of having a look, so we headed for there.
Pulling in I popped over to the
entry sign, thinking someone is charging here, sure enough 3 Euros each. Making
the decision, did we want to pay 3 Euros to walk around some rock formation,
when we have seen some quite spectacular scenery on the drive for free, the
decision was, we'll not bother. Driving out of the dustbowl parking area we
headed back 6 km alongthe newly laid
tourist road, to the main road to Cuenca.
Just as we hit the junction, there
was a car stopped and in trouble, we pulled over. They needed water, so out
came a bottle, filled it up from the tank and they topped up the radiator which
was red hot. Problem was, it was leaking onto the road. A major problem for
them, a family of five. I asked if they lived local, we could have run them
home, but they lived around 100 km away, a little too far to detour. We left
them to call a garage.
Down the road we stopped at
Ventane del Diablo, the Devils Window, a beautiful viewing spot, a brief look
and onwards. Stopping at a garage, to fill up with what we found later to be
very cloudy water.
In Cuenca, we called at Aldi for a
big shop, also popped into another one close by.
We had hoped to maybe overnight,
but big steel gates indicated that wasn't on. Luckily rolling up the road about
500 metres, we discovered a beautiful flat development with outdoor swimming
pool and large parking places all empty. Just what we needed.
Having tea, we decided to check
out possible parking near the old town ready for morning. A successful trip
found it, just near the old city.
Back to our overnight spot, we
watched an incredible lightning display in the distance, a little rain came but
not much. All was quiet, reading and then off to bed, then all hell broke
loose. Always timed as your just dozing off. All the local children came
walking past the van, laughing, shouting, not sure where they were going, there
are only fields up the hill. They all came back after about ten minutes, slowly
dispersed and all was quiet. Ah well, we'll try for sleep again
Day 50 Tuesday 13th August 2013SOD Temp 72 Deg F
CuencaSpainN 40 04.864W 002 09.063
A quiet nights sleep, after the
local children had all gone home. Weather quite cloudy this morning. Had
breakfast and then set off for the parking place we had visited last night. The
run in last night made it easier to negotiate the city traffic, which wasn't
too busy. Arriving at the car park, I went down the steps to the underground
part where I had seen a ticket machine last night. There was now a young guy in
the adjacent office selling tickets. Just over 9 Euros for five hours parking,
time enough for us to have a good look around the old city.
We parked up and sorted out and
then set off to walk into the old part of the city. I joked that this trip is
going to be called the trip of the big brews. Not the drinking brews, but the
big hill brews. Here was another one.
Slowly ascending the road up, the
views of the situation of the old city became more spectacular. A beautiful
location and an amazing place to build a town.
The road we walked in, entered the
town by a very low squared off archway. This opened up immediately into a large
square dominated by the Cathedral. Up the steps and into the Cathedral, 3 Euros
for me, the old guy, 3.8 Euros for Patricia, the young lady. We also received
joy stick like playback devices, enter your location number and it comments in
English, excellent.
I tend not to use these at every
point, I feel that they give information overload, there is no way it can all
be retained. So I just pop it on occasionally, for a little information when I
come across something interesting. The point is, on this occasion the most
interesting thing I came across was a three dimensional large scale
representation of Jesus and his 12 disciples, possible last supper
representation. No information on it at all. I have visited lots of churches
but never seen anything like this. It was mounted on a platform which raised it
above eye level, a pity really because it was excellent and intriguing. All the
disciples faces looking kind and normal, but one, with his back to Jesus, his
face looking hard with a bit of evil in it. Judas maybe ?
Strolling around the town, I did
feel a little disappointed. The location of the town is interesting, but the
streets and ambience of the place did nothing for me. Not a lot of people
around, so it wasn't tourist overkill. I think Albarracin had raised my levels
of expectation. Cuenca didn't meet it I'm afraid. Although Patricia gave it a
better score than me 7.5 out of 10, I gave it 5 out of 10. Compare to
Albarracin scoring 9.5 out of 10 from us both. Ah well if you don't go, you
don't know.
Charlie called us for a brief chat
on the telephone. Back to the van, we had over an hour for dinner.
We decided to move on from Cuenca,
we had originally decided to stay over night. But we now decided to head for
Jalance, where there is an Aire. Getting on the N320, we had the road
practically to ourselves. Near El Peral switching onto the A3 a good two lane
motorway, heading towards Valencia.
What is amazing is the
infrastructure that you see when travelling Spain, all new and having cost
billions of Euros. Practically Parallel with the motorway is the railway, all
shiny and new, steelwork gleaming, rail support hardcore clean and new, bridges
and viaducts all new concrete, it all looked like it had just been unboxed. The
motorway also, maybe that is why they needed bailing out by the EU.
Leaving the A3 near Requena, we
got onto the N330 heading south to Jalance. Again, nothing on the road but us.
We started getting into stunning scenery again, finally on a long
"Gusdown" i.e. downhill run, there was a Power Station in the
distance, which turned out to be again, a brand spanking new place, with
excellent roads and flyovers, built on the run in to it. All new, because the
road didn't even register on the sat nav, we were flying in thin air.Just two miles down the road we found our
Aire at Jalance, alongside a restaurant with a swimmimg pool. O.k. for us for a
layup and chill for a while. I dumped the water we had picked up yesterday, it
was very cloudy. Sterilised the bottles and refilled. I will empty the tank
tomorrow. Dumped the remainder of the fish we had bought at Morella, it wasn't
very nice.
Garlic fried chicken, with rice
and salad for tea. I had a beer and a Bourbon and Coke later. A quiet evening
reading, just what was needed.
Day 51 Wednesday 14th August 2013SOD Temp 74 Deg F
JalanceSpainN 39 11.251W 001 04.573
A good nights sleep after the
restaurant noise died down. Road noise also died down on the main road passing
the Aire. While writing the diary, the Spanish van parked alongside us has come
to life, we didn't see any life yesterday. They have a disabled young guy
around forty, strapped in the front seat in the sun, they are all jabbering
away in the back. He looks uncomfortable.
Nothing much on the agenda today,
just a lazy day. I got one of the bikes out and went for a ride around the
village. Called into the Panadir for bread. A crispy on the outside, very light
and fluffy on the inside kind of baguette. Very different in texture to a
French baguette.
While in the village, it was
obvious that some celebration was going to take place. Flags out, tables in the
street, paintings on the roads and on the pavements. A fiesta tonight. I asked
a young guy what it was about, he said the band will march down the main street
at ten o clock tonight. Not sure what it celebrates but we'll have a look
later. Tricia had a chair outside in the shade for a read.
One job to do was empty and
replace the tank water we had picked up on the way to Ceuta. The water we had
stored in bottles looked like"Duggy Water " a local river in Wigan, which to be fair is
quite clean now, but was notoriously polluted regularly by a local dye works
years ago. Hence the description. It really was cloudy and muddy. But we hadn't
noticed it at all when filling. So Ipumped the tank out, added some water treatment and refilled. The local
water looks quite clear.
I popped on the bike again to have a look up
the road, where we had seen several young ladies walking last night, with
costumes in their bags. There was not much up there, a new petrol station not
yet opened, graveyard, rubbish tip, some industrial units, a very picturesque
ride. So it was still a mystery what they were doing.
Had showers late afternoon, lovely
and cooling. I cut my thumb taking the drain fitting out for cleaning, lovely
contrast red on white shower, a bit of Psycho.
Had omelletes for tea, a nice
simple enjoyable meal. We hadn't had for a while. We walked up to the village
to check out the fiesta. The street was decked out with lights, people sat out
eating and drinking. We walked the length of the street, it was blocked off at
the other end. At one corner of the street there is a Gaudi type tiled seating
area, with music inlaid in the small tiles, a little fountain running in the
corner. A lovely little seating area, where we got chatting to a group of
people, especially an older lady called Maria Piera, with her family. She was
explaining in quite good English, that they have chosen the new, most beautiful
young teenage girl in the village, also a girl child, they were being newly
crowned tonight.
The band made it's entrance and
everyone marched up and down the street, the crowd getting bigger at each turn
at the end of the street. Quite a bit of fun and nice to see. I got some video
recording on my Samsung phone.
Walking back to the van, all was
quiet and peaceful, what a contrast. I had a couple of beers and a Bourbon and
coke to end the night, which was still very warm. Getting off to bed for an
expected quiet nights sleep, some of the locals decided to now congregate at
the restaurant nearby, PA system blasting. That was it until 8-00 o clock the
following morning. No sleep at all.
Day 5215th August 2013SOD Temp 76 Deg FMy birthday
JalanceSpain N 39 11.251W 001 04.573
Well a night without sleep, what a
start to a birthday.The locals have been celebrating the local Fiesta. Boy do
they make a night of it, the last stragglers leaving around eight o clock. I
must protest here that Spanish music has undergone a terrible change. We have
been blasted with the most moronic, repetitive, shed building, bang bang all
night. No melody at all.
Pauline just called to wish me a
happy birthday. Explaining what happened with Aunt Sally dying. Marc, Helena
and Lily called, lovely to hear them all.
Well we've got the usual leaving
jobs done, toilet, water, brush out etc. We hadn't moved from our place for
more than two minutes, when a locals car had parked there. Despite large
notices explaining that it is an Aire, they still block any motor homes getting
in, we were lucky I think.
Jalance gave us a couple of reasonably quiet
days, excepting last night. The village is quite nice, we didn't go up to the
castle.
Getting back on the N339 we headed
South. I had been looking at Geordie Jims software showing Aires, parking and
camps. I headed for a spot called Camper Parking Portichuel. Just mainly to
check out, if it gave decent sat nav locations, also to maybe find a new off
the beaten track place.
Jarafuel, Teresa de Cofrentes,
Ayora, Almansa all passed under our wheels on a very good road. From Almansa we
headed down the CV3220 then CV426 to Yecla. I pulled over to take a call from
Nicky, all well, he was wishing me a happy birthday.
Again an excellent road, with only us on it.
An occasional car passed going each way, but driving for miles without seeing
any vehicles at all.
Pulling into Yecla, we decided it
was dinner time, so I found a little shade under some pine trees near the local
school. Here I diverge into imaginary stuff. If you needed a town to use as a
model for a Sci Fi, remote, deserted, wiped out and now populated by a few aliens,
then Yecla fits the bill. Wide newly built streets, no cars parked on them,
security gates, intercoms. A weird place. Patricia remarked “there's no way I
would like to stop here for a night”. Setting the sat nav for a Repsol petrol
station to fill with diesel, the sat nav was heading us to a station, when we
passed one on the way, so I pulled into that. The guy who filled up also looked
rather alien, quite a nice guy, he had me puzzled with his Spanish, but ok. Got
filled up and left a weird empty town.
Not far rout of Yecla about, seven
miles, we found the Portichuel location, just off the main CV426. I parked up
and walked in to survey the situation, the sun blazing hot. It didn't seem too
far walking out, but a long way walking back. Is this Alien thing getting to me
?
Anyway, it was a small farm
located down a dusty road, when I got within viewing distance it seemed
deserted again, no life indications, no car parked. I thought, no we're not
staying here, too remote. I thought about Monseiur Marchant in France and his
place. ( a long story in our other diaries ) and decided to head on down the
road.
Patricia was well prepared for my
decision when I got back, she had an Aire already spotted in the book. Off to
Ibi.
When we get back to the UK, we
will now be able to explain why Spain needed a bailout from the EU. All the
money has been spent on roads. We have been on lots of absolutely new roads and
infrastructure going nowhere, that you could argue was of national importance.
Here again, we were on immaculate new roads, all alone no other traffic. Ok the
siesta plays it's part, but I'm sure it doesn't wipe everything off the roads.
I just wish some of the people in
England who remark to us that they could never drive on the wrong side of the
road, could get on these roads. They would see what a nightmare the UK really
is for driving.
Arriving at Ibi the Aire is rather
spartan, white dusty chippings, surrounded by conifers. The tap is broken and
the emptying point looks bunged up, but it's home for tonight.
The path down the side of the Aire
is used as a dog toilet, quite disgusting. I've never seen so much accumulated
dog crap. It doesn't reflect well on the locals I'm afraid, if they can't see
how disgusting it is.
Parked up, seats out, cooled off
in the shade. Another van pulled in and left. Had my birthday tea, a beer, a
read in the now cool evening, then off to bed for some catch up sleep.
Day 53 Friday 16th August 2013SOD Temp 68 Deg F
IbiSpainNorth of AlicanteN 38 37.317W 000 33.995Aire
Awake fully 8 - 30 am, local dogs
cracked off early, but I managed to doze off again. The sun is shining again.
Well just what was needed after the previous night, a lovely quiet and peaceful
night. Patricia hasn't slept well for four nights, so she welcomed it even
more.
The local dog walkers streamed
past while we were having breakfast, hence all the dog crap nearby. No one else
on the Aire, which has an unused and dilapidated feel about it, shame really.
Had breakfast and then left to
find the Lidl, but decided to give it a miss and get on our way. We did notice
the outdoor exercise area mentioned in the Aires book. But it was just a
stopover place, so we didn't see much of the town, which didn't look too
inviting.
Onto the A7 past Castalla, all the
way down to Alicante, a built up big resort. The good thing about big towns is
they are usually well equipped with Supermarkets. Lidl and Mercadillo side by
side, so we pulled in, stocked up and onwards. Onto the N332 heading in the
direction of Santa Pola.
We saw a large accumulation of
motor homes on the beach just south of Alicante, it looked a disorganised sun
trap. We headed on.
We pulled into an urbanisation to
have some dinner, walled villas all around with security notices on the gates.
It was quiet and we got some lovely shade under a large tree hanging over from
one villa, which seemed all locked up. I presume they are empty most of the
time, there certainly was hardly any traffic or movement while we were there.
You could see the aeroplanes taking off at the airport from here, so it was
nice and near for the commuter holidaymaker.
Seven miles down the road we found
our Aire. A commercial site run by a guy called David. He wasn't Welsh, but
Argentinian. The enemy he joked. He has been renting the land for two years and
runs the Aire business, a nice living he says.
The place is a nice neat and tidy
commercial Aire, a few vans in residency, but nowhere near full.
An English couple who turned out
to be Phil and Lynn when I got speaking to them later, were parked just across
from us. They are here for six weeks, beach and sun are their delights. Beach
15 minutes on the bike they said, although a bumpy path.
We got settled in, only 5 amp
electric, so no kettle, too big the wattage. Set up the small electric ring
outside, also the slow cooker, to utilise the hook up, also the fan to give
Patricia some breeze. We have wi fi also, so I cleared mail, checked Facebook
and Twitter for updates on friends etc.
Got Skype set up and chatted with
Marc, Helena and Lily. Hopefully they will be out here in two weeks.
I did Pork chops and mushrooms
outside while browsing the local English paper that Phil had given me. Patricia
did sautee potatoes and salad inside on the gas.
Tried a few local English speaking
radio stations that Phil had mentioned, but settled for Radio two and Talk
Sport on wi fi, much better. Radio two played Pretty Little Polly Perkins, by
the Cliff Adam singers who used to do Sing Something Simple on Sundays in
England. It brought back memories of when I first met Patricia, visiting her
grandma, mother Farrimond, they always had it on the radio on Sunday.
Washed up,lit some mozzie candles, then sat outside and
let the evening fall. Had a couple of beers and a Bourbon and Coke. Impressed
with how the site was quiet, we thought everyone had gone to bed, but when I
looked, people were still sat out, also washing up, eleven o-clock by this
time. No mozzies we could determine.
Day 54 Saturday 17th August 2013SOD Temp 79 Deg F
Camper Park San FulgencioS of
AlicanteN 38 07.226W 000 39.578
This is in the Aires book for Spain as La Marina 1
Well a lovely peaceful nights
sleep. We were told there is a market close by this morning, but we didn't hear
much. Had breakfast and then had a walk to the market, which was only about 100
yards away. Clothes, shoes, sunglasses, mobile phone fittings, were popular
items on sale. Fruit and vegetables were a good price. The thing about the
market was, that we heard more English people than anywhere we had been in Spain.
Stall holders also were English. We bought, tomatoes 50 cents per Kg, 3 melons
1 Euro, Strawberries half a Kg 3 Euros. Patricia bought a big thick doorstopper
book for 2 Euros. An English guy had the stall, selling all English books. I
bought a 3 Euro pendant, mainly for the thong part, which I wanted for my
health dog tags. These have medical information written on them. We always wear
them when travelling.
We had a look at electric kettles
and clothes irons, looking for low wattage ones. We need to reduce the wattage
of the ones we have, not much use on 5 amp hookups, which are what we have at
the moment. But it is a problem we have had before, so it needs addressing. We
bought a rotisserie chicken on the way back, 7 Euros.
Walking back, we popped into a large
import warehouse, to see if they stocked the Spanish Butane bottle fitting.
Again, these were English people. They in fact told us if they had to rely on
Spanish custom, they would close down. Anyway, no luck with the fitting, visit
a Fereteria they advised.
Had some dinner then sorted
washing stuff out for Patricia, we were looking to get some washing done while
resident here. Patricia all equipped and sorted, I then went to explore on the
bike. Mainly for a bank and a Fereteria. I headed for what we have now been
told is called " The Urb ". This is an urbanisation built 500 Metres
down the road from the camp. It is your typical Spanish villa development, all
the signs and advertisements were in English. I asked a couple walking by, for
a bank or cash point, they directed me to their bank. They were Irish, over
here for a month. I found the Fereteria, who was closed. I then found the bank,
it was also closed and even better, it had no cash point.
Riding around this little square
at the bank, all the shops, cafes, restaurants, dental practice were signed in
English.
It does seem like we have hit
expat country. Move to another country, but take England with you. Quite
amazing really.
Patricia had got into the washing
when I got back, using the machines and also hand washing. I put up a line
across the rear of the van, out of site, on the camp site hedge, also the small
maiden to dry some.
I also noticed that David, the
site owner, had eight Propane bottles in a line all fitted with the gas fitting
that I was looking for. Maybe he sells them, I'll see.
Had football scores on a local
English station, Wigan lost at Bournemouth 1 - 0. Sent some piccies by Whatsapp
to Pauline, also a little update. Chatted with Phil and Lynn from Bournemouth,
his team had won at football. He delighted in telling us gossip about the camp.
Who had been on and gone. Horror stories to deter anyone from travelling.
Making Spain seem like an awful place to travel. They book the site for long
stays, this time for two months they said. But they will be using another site
down the road next time, they feel it will be better for them
Had half of the chicken for tea.
We then utilised the immaculate showers to take a long cooling shower to round
off the day.
There is a large Dethleffs van nearby,
that is shrouded all over the front, it looks weird. It seems they sit inside
all day with the air conditioning running, rarely venturing out. What's the
point ?
Day 55 Sunday 18th August 2013SOD Temp 78 Deg F
Camper Park San FulgencioS of
AlicanteN 38 07.226W 00039.578
Awake 8-30 am, a decent nights
sleep, except for being awakened by our Spanish neighbours, who were still out
talking loudly at 3-50 am, they went inside around 4-00 am. Don't you just love
considerate people. Why do they think that everyone wants to hear what they are
babbling about. One good thing about motor homing is you can leave them behind
eventually.
Breakfast and a lazy start to the
day. We even had Brian Mathews with Sound of the Sixties on my Samsung phone
with the wi fi.
Patricia was keen on getting some
more washing done today, so that was the focus. That sorted and underway,
Patricia used the special clothes washing sinks on the rear of the toilet and
shower building. The washing lines are hung around there also.
I had a chat with David the camp owner about
Spanish gas cylinders and connections, he does get confused, but it was a
worthwhile chat. His gas was 50 Euros for 11kg of Propane, a bit steep I
thought so I left it at that. He also has an old cylinder he wants to cut in
half for a barbecue. The problem is taking the top off before cutting it. He
said it's a three man job, two to hold the cylinder from turning and one to
unscrew the top. So I advised him how to use a steel bar, which he had and the
door frame to stop rotation, then he could unscrew the top. It seemed like a
revelation to him, he was quite pleased, don't think I'll get any discount
though.
I used some time to send out
update mails on our mailing list. Also I got notifications of Facebook entries
of family and friends, so I had a browse through those also.
I had another chat with Phil and
Lynne, who had also been kept awake with our French neighbor. They had been out
on their bikes. They have spent quite some time around here so know the ins and
outs of local places and stopovers. Got some snippets of info for further
south.
Chicken, chips and salad for tea.
Oven chips a success from the frying pan, with minimum spray oil.
I've named the air conditioned
Dethleffs, "The Tardis". It has been shut up all day, the air
conditioning chugging away. I think David will be on a loser at 3 Euros a day
with them, it runs night and day 24 hours. A real weird way of motor homing.
Had showers again in the evening
cool, lovely. I was just coming out of the showers and stood enjoying the quiet
cool of the evening, surveying the scene. When The Tardis openened and the guy
came out. I said "hello", he gave an indistinguishable grunt and
walked by. Maybe the Aliens are with us and passing off as humans, one of my
long running theories. We have some at home in England, quite a few are
Politicians. Totally from another planet, I would suggest.
Had a couple of beers, while
Patricia showered. We sat out for a while in the cool evening, the sunset
hadn't been as spectacular as last nights though. Off to bed with a Bourbon and
Kindle. I am reading an old book about two American students in the late
1800's, who cycled across Asia to China, quite an amazing story. They are
presently scaling Mount Ararat in Turkey.
Myself and Patricia have
concluded, that we would lose the plot altogether, if we stayed on any of these
sites for a couple of months. We need to move tomorrow.
Day 56 Monday 19th August 2013SOD Temp 74 Deg F
Camper Park San FulgencioS of
AlicanteN 38 07.226W 000 39.578
Alarm on for 7-00 am, peaceful
night, no noise from our French neighbor. Apparently, Lynn from Bournemouth
said, that he had visitors the night before when we had all the noise.
Had breakfast and sorted the van
for leaving, toilet, water, sweep the carpets etc. I went to pay David for the
weekend. Now why did I expect a difference in his calculation to mine for the
cost. I'm not clairvoyant, but I could see it coming. He wanted to charge 14
Euros per day, when his paper that he gave us, clearly states 12 Euros per day.
A printers mistake he says. I reminded him that I had helped him yesterday and
also advised him of a little illegal electric dodge that he didn't know about.
He eventually agreed to my calculation using 12 Euros, plus 3 per night for
hook up, 45 Euros in all.
I have now become wary of jovial
little men who don't want to attend to details like prices, "Oh, all ok,
you relax, find a place to park, have a beer, we sort the money
later".( See our adventures in Turkey
with Dennis the Greek, parking at his restaurant. ) It leaves a bad taste in
the mouth, when business can all be done fair and square and everyone leaves
with a good mind. But not too bad this time.
Phil and Lynne were going out on
the bikes, but there was trouble with Phils tyre, a little bit cracked and
worn, so he was sorting it as we left.
Rolling out and around the corner,
we were at Lidl, Patricia popped in for Bread, Fetta and Nectarines. Next job a
cash point. Guardamar, Satellite Simon guided us to a cash point that didn't
exist again, so we hunted one down. Patricia jumped out, while I parked on a
bus stop while she got the cash. Job done, we were off.
Again we were driving in the
concrete jungle of package holiday destinations. Torrevieja, Pilar de la
Horada, San Pedro del Pinatar, past the Airport near Santiago de la Ribera. We
decided to stop for some dinner and parked in front of a couple of nice little
villas at Los Alcazares, just off the main road N332and under some trees for a little shade.
The road we followed basically
hugs the AP7 motorway. El Algar, La Union, around Cartagena, where the road
signs were not at their best.Road now
became RM332. Mazarron, then RM11 to Aguilas.
This drive gave us some lovely low
mountain views, empty areas, deserted farms, dried up river beds and the
amazing view of acres and acres of covered growing tents. Not poly tunnels, but
a net type material. Lots of them were empty, lots had tomatoes in them. It
really has destroyed any aesthetic view of the area, a shame really, but
nothing stands in the way of making money ! But we really did get away from the
overkill of the tourist areas. Puerto de Mazzaron was a low level development,
not over the top. I got out here and found a little harbour behind some houses
but unfortunately I would have been impinging on a parking circle if we had
stayed. A lovely spot, but we moved on.
In Aguilas, we spotted a good area
to park up for the night, but I had a sat nav location for an Aire, taken from
Geordie Jims software, so I wanted to check it out, 2 miles down the road. It
turned out to be a packed out beach parking spot, so back to town. An excellent
spot just off the exit road going South of Aguilas. Two vans were there when we
arrived, I did a little shuffling around as cars moved and we eventually had an
excellent position with the door opening straight onto the beach.
Pasta for tea, as we viewed the
beach which became quiet as the evening wore on. Four French vans arrived in
convoy, they parked just away from the beach and all proceeded to make a dash
for the sand with chairs and towels etc.
The evening was lovely as the sun
set. A lot of walkers and joggers passing us. We had a stroll along the beach
as far as a beach bar, where a few people were sat having beers etc. Strolling
back we explored around the entrance to the marina. There is a floodlit rooftop
tennis court, people were playing, 10 - 00pm at night. There were people setting up for some night fishing on the
shore also.
Some late night images, lights
from the tennis courts shimmering on the sea, red and green harbour entrance
lights winking their message to the boats for entering, illuminous fishing rod
tips wavering in the dark, childrens laughter as they run around with lamps
that are there for the fishermen, dads playing hide and seek around our van,
with loud exclamations when the children find them, families sat around tables
eating drinking and chatting. We sat on the step and small stool for a while
just enjoying the scene and remarking that it very rarely happens in England at
11 - 00 pm at night. It's a different world to England that's for sure. We
eventually shut up the van and got down for a read, with not much noise outside
we drifted off to sleep.
Day 57 Tuesday 20th August 2013SOD Temp 74 Deg F
AguilasN 37 23.746W 001 36.126
Alarm on for 7 - 00 am. Awake with
the alarm, but lying and enjoying the lovely sound of gentle waves rolling in
on the beach. I put my bedroom window screen down and there is the beach, not a
soul on it, just seagulls strutting around. But guess what, there are two motor
homes parked behind us, late arrivals, because we didn't hear them at all. A
slow start, doing the diary, the tractor is combing the beach in front of us,
well dragging a strip of material behind it, that doesn't seem to do anything
but raise dust. He seems rather haphazard, driving over the same strips again
and again. I think someone's given him a tractor and told him to go and play on
the beach.
I had a little play with the golf
umbrella, a chair and Gaffa tape, to make Patricia a comfortable reading chair,
nice little job too. I decided to also wind out the awning, worst case is the
Police tell us to wind it in. We also tried a towel over the roof light at the
front. This roof light looks very nice, but is again a designers folly. In fact
it's a pain, creating a greenhouse effect in the van to help the temperature
rise. The towel seemed to help keep the temperature down, temperature in van at
1 - 00 pm 86 Deg F, maintained this all day, so it was comfortable in the van.
Had dinner then I got the bike out
and went for a mooch around. Mercadona supermarket wasn't far away, we will
call before leaving. There is a marina near us with diving equipment shops,
swimming pool and a cafe. All targeted at the sailing fraternity.
I had another spin on the bike
right to the other side of the bay, right up to the rocky promontory, where the
fortification is placed overlooking Aguilas. The walkway, cycle path, extends
all the way around to this point. I photographed a beautiful flower covered
pergola, like a small band stand, absolutely smothered in pink flowers.
Aguilas seems to be embracing the
tourist money, but is still not absolutely ruined. There is a little charm left
in the place. The South beach that we are on, is not invaded in the day, just a
few people maybe 40 or 50, no more.
Arriving back from my ride, the
police had been, advised us to put the chair away and awning in. Ah well, ok
for all the chairs and umbrellas on the sand, but for us 10 yards from them,
not ok. It seems a contradiction, but I suppose we are something to worry
about, the beach people are not. We leave only tyre tracks, I wish I could say
that about all motor homers.
Pasta for tea with Tuna, lovely.
Sun getting cooler now. A good time to be on the beach. We went for a stroll
along the walkway, along the bay and past the marina. Busy all along with
people running, cycling and fitness walking, which seems to be very popular.
Lots of people doing up tempo walking, more sensible than running I feel, we
kept on strolling. Sat on a bench and watched the comings and goings for a
while. No English voices at all around this area, although I did hear three
having an argument in Mercadona this afternoon, I kept my distance from them.
Walking back to the van, there didn't seem to be many people on the beach
tonight, no one fishing. Not as many cars parked !
We sat on the step and stool and
watched the lights shimmering on the sea, with the full moon lighting all the
night. These are the endless nights written about in songs, as Mario Lanza
sang, " let this night god live for ever, for ever and ever more ",
in Serenade, from Student Prince.
But unfortunately nights have to
come to an end, we shut up shop. Celebrated with a few crisp and a glass of
coke watered down, before getting off to bed for a read. Nice to hear the waves
and drift off to sleep.
Day 58 Wednesday 21st August 2013SOD Temp 77 Deg F
AguilasN 37 23.746W 001 36.126
Awake with the bin men, clang,
clang at 5 to 7, the alarm set for 7 - 00 am. A grey misty dawn, with a lovely
golden misty moon in the lower western sky. The soporific sound of the eternal
waves rolling in, trying to induce us back to sleep. Today we move on. Aguilas
has been a nice two day restful stopover, but we need to move on to fresh
pastures. Marc , Helena and our beautiful Lily, will be flying into Malaga on
the 30th, so we need to be there to pick them up. A bungalow is booked for the
week. We have a few places to visit before then.
We gave Pauline a rough itinerary
for September, 5 weeks needed for us to do the plan for Morocco. Fly into
Malaga just after Marc, Helena and Lily leave and a flight home from Seville,
which is on our North bound route home. We hope it all comes together.
Left Aguilas on the RM 333,
through Calarreona, A332, Costa Tranquila, AL 7107, El Pozo Del Esparto, El
Portichuelo, Villaricos, Puerto Rey, Las Marinas de Vera, into Garucha, where
we hit the one way streets and what I call "don't give a sh*t
parking". Getting out the other side of Garucha the road opened up and
there was lots of space along the road and sea shore for parking up, so we did
and had some dinner.
The sea shore here was lined with
a concrete type of rock, every pebble you wanted to pick up was stuck into this
aglomeration of rock. All in large chunks, not seemingly man made, but quite
unusual. One guy fishing near us. One guy all in black running past, we saw him
again miles down the road.Now if anyone
tells me that running miles in temperatures of over 100 Deg F is good for you,
then, I think they're crazy. All in black also, the best for soaking up all the
spectrum of the sun. I do wish someone would let them know about the properties
of white.
AL 5105 through El Palmeral, Vista
Los Angeles, El Flamingo, El Pueblo Indalo, Las Ventanicas, to Carboneras.
Where we stopped at a shop to look at the silver covered beech mats, as sun
reflectors for the screen, but couldn't get one. Then Agua Amarga, where I
picked one up and where we had to travel back to the N341, then A7 to go ontoCampohermoso, Fernan Perez and finally Las
Negras.
Now travelling this coast cannot
be done without seeing the mass Tomato production that goes on. Here at Fernan
Perez we passed through a town totally consumed by the ramshackle covering,
that extends for acres and acres.A
seemingly dilapidated town, with a gypsy type of people on wasteland, with
washing hung out, sat around resigned to being baked by the sun. I will never
ever eat tomatoes without thinking of these views. Quite incredible and a
demonstration of what man will undertake when economics is the key driver in
mind.
The area has also its own desert
type beauty, which man has left his mark on over hundreds of years, walls and
terracing climbing up the hills, which I suppose was also driven by economics.
But is eminently more easy on the eye.
Arriving at Las Negras we pulled
into the municipal parking area which appears immediately as you drive in,
quite handy. Here we were hailed by a Brit van," know any good Aires
"? A couple from Northampton in a whiz bang. We had a chat with them for a
few minutes before they left looking for somewhere with electric. Their fridge
doesn't work on gas.
I had a hunt around the area and
decided to try a place I could see on the hill overlooking the beach. A little
patience waiting for the beach people to return to their cars and we were
positioned for the night.
Steak, Potatoes and Peas, followed
by peaches and cream for tea. Watching the sun worshippers slowly packing up
and leaving the beach.
I walked over to the other side of
the bay to look at a spot I could see. But it wasn't better than what we had.
When I got back, we both had a stroll through the village. It has a slight
bohemian, hippy type of feel, which I quite liked. All the people obviously
visitors, but still quite quiet and laid back. The restaurants seemed to be
quite empty and we wondered if it was coming to the end of the season. I got
some photographs, some with a reddish moon, which kept changing shape due to
the cloud formations floating by.
Back to the van, Patricia had a
read, I watched the waves roll in and thought about the immense period of time
they had been doing that. Long before man walked the earth.
Patricia had coped with the heat
admirably, she had been feeling unwell all day, stomach ache etc. I also had a
little stomach upset. Maybe we had something to upset us. But we take great
precautions with food and water, so a little mystery. We managed to get off to
sleep quite quickly lulled by the waves. But were awakened later, by a gang of
young people, screaming and running around in the sea. They eventually ran out
of energy and the night was peaceful.
Day 59 Thursday 22nd August 2013SOD Temp 76 Deg F
Las NegrasSE SpainN 36 52.635W 002 00.296A free camp
position.
Awake 7 - 00 am with the alarm.
Got a couple of photographs of the deserted beach in the dawn light. Not the
best nights sleep. I went to sleep soon after getting down last night, but was
awakened by shouts and screams from the beach, then we had car doors slamming
close by, engines starting etc. This went on until after 3 - 00 am, when I must
have finally dozed off. It's one of the pitfalls of travelling. Not everyone
wants to sleep when you want to sleep. I pulled the van closer to the road so
that no one would block us in. Had breakfast watching the early morning beach
people. Walking down with bags of the required beach stuff, towels, chairs etc.
We had a drive to San Jose, not a
lot to see really. I called into a Fereteria for connection and gas cylinder,
but they had only small table top cylinders. Picked up a small loaf from the
small supermarket around the corner. Then away we went.
Back through El Pozo de los
Frailes to pick up the AIP 202, AL 3201 to Ruescas,Pujaire, then down to El Cabo de Gata. Again
not a lot to see. I was attracted by some shambolic built huts, or houses by
the beach and old tower.Lots of old
small fishing boats also. I got some photographs of these, there were people
living in the huts, with tv ariels. A young girl sat dejectedly outside of one,
under a makeshift sunshade, quite amazing. Tourists were walking past down to a
beach bar. A rather dusty and sun baked place to live.
Across the road were newly built
small tourist villas. Driving along the coast road which had hundreds of beach
peoples cars parked all along, we passed through a small place called La
Almadraba de Monteleva, where there was a conglomeration of the sun seeking
motor homers, again a sun baked, dusty place, but a quite large parking place
on the ball courts. We passed on and went out to the light house, the road has
a little interesting narrow challenge to get past. Interesting on the way back
also, with Spanish car drivers, with no patience. Too put it simply, it's
bloody narrow at one 100 metre section. All good fun, especially hearing the
irate voices of the in a hurry car drivers. Always in a hurry.
We had some dinner on the rocky
parking place just below the lighthouse. While there we decided to head on out
of the area and make our way past Almeria.
AL 3115 past Retamar, N344 through
El Alquian, past the Airport, past Costacabana and onto the AL 3202. What an
amazing little road, a lovely palm tree lined sea shore, with sidewalk and
cycle track on our left. With the Tomato, pepper and Aubergine tents an
absolute eyesore on our right, mile after mile. The contrast is indicative of
Spain as we see it.
Driving straight through Almeria
we decided to check out a little camp that I had seen when chatting to Geordie
Jim. He had a photograph on his laptop of the little camp by the beach, it
looked small and appealing from his photograph. Photographs do lie, it was
alongside the main coast road, with a large fly over above it, graffiti
alongside the rocks, we took one look and scarpered. He had done well
disguising all that in his photograph.
Through Castell Del Rey another
unappetizing place, onto the A7 to ride past miles and miles of the tomato
tents. Past Aguadulce and several other towns that all seemed consumed in these
acres and acres of tomato tents. It really is quite unbelievable how an
environment can be dominated by such a visually intrusive industry.
We had decided to try the Aire at
Almerimar, what a lovely surpise as we rolled into town. The tents disappeared
and we had palm tree lined boulevards all the way down to the marina, where the
Aire is.
We also had the chance to say
"do you know any good Aires"? The couple we had met in Las Negras
were parked up, the only van in the Aire, which was amazing in itself. It
really is an excellent Aire.
Checking in, was the longest time
we have ever spent checking in anywhere. All the formal port situation, they
were also doing the sailors who entered the port.
All sorted and settled in, we
could then discover who our neighbors are. They turned out to be a lovely
couple, Chris and Jackie, with Pip the dog. They had sold up to live a little.
After some friends had died recently, this had changed their view on working
etc. Nothing new and an idea we see more people doing. All respect to them.
We used the showers, which were
quite a walk around the marina, but were welcome to feel fresh and cool. Had
tea then spent the rest of the night having a beer and chin wagging with our
newly discovered neighbors. As usual we solved all Englands problems, amazingly
UKIP tendencies and ideas were supported by Chris and Jackie, although with
some reservations. UKIP seems to be gathering a lot of people in line with
their ideas.
The night flew over, it was 12 -
15 am when we realised the time. Wrapping up, I had a Bourbon and coke with a
quick read. Fell to sleep with the sound of music and chatter from the marina
bars. Not too intrusive fortunately.
Day 60 Friday23rd August
2013SOD Temp 80 Deg F
AlmerimarN 36 41.830 W 002
47.634
Awake 8 - 40 am. Late up this
morning after a late night last night. Surprise, it's sunny again. Patricia did
bacon, egg, beans, toast and coffee for breakfast, lovely. Chris called in to
see if we needed anything, he was walking to the shops. Just a paper thank you.
No rush for anything this morning, I sterilised some fruit we picked up on
Wednesday at Aguilas. Chris dropped off the paper, The Telegraph 3.5 Euros. The
only intelligent one he could get, he said.
We went for a stroll around the
marina. Lots of boats bobbing around, paying lots of mooring fees, it's a big
money industry. Looking at the prices of some boats that were advertised in the
agents window, prices were surprisingly manageable and in line with motor home
prices. But I suspect that the ongoing costs push up a little. Not for us
anyway. One sea is like any other sea as far as we are concerned.
There was a yacht in from
Istanbul, which I pointed out to Patricia, the lady sat on it must have
understood me, she gave a big smile and a wave. It was a green colour,
aesthetically more pleasing and attractive to me than all the white ones. More
difficult to see at sea I suspect.
Lots of large fish swimming in the
marina, competing with some ducks for bread that was being thrown in the water.
I started thinking, maybe I will catch some fish here. Back at the van, Patricia
was set on doing a little ironing of some clothes, so out came the ironing
board and iron.
I lifted out some fishing tackle
that I had bought at Lidl in Wigan some time ago. Bought with the intention of
doing some fishing somewhere along the line. Chris also was intent on getting
his rod out.
Just then the guy in the next van,
a Brit, decided he wanted all the Aire to hear his music. A lovely peaceful
afternoon invaded by his loud and unthoughtful intrusion. So I asked him nicely
if he could turn it down a little. Fair enough he did without complaint at all.
Just a little thought is all it needs sometimes, but some people don't seem to
think much. I chatted briefly with the guy through the day, but unfortunately I
didn't warm to him at all. He was playing around with a spear gun he said he
had found in a skip and repaired. Difficult to say what I didn't like about
him, but I was uncomfortable with him.
After reducing his volume, I spent
a few hours setting up the rod for spinning, with a spinner that Chris had
loaned to me. The rod is a little too long, but I'm only learning. I have a
shorter one at home, so will have to change it over. I lost the spinner on the
rocks. Never mind, I will try some bread and a float. The rod was set for left
hand winding, I suspected it could be switched over to right hand, Chris
confirmed this and I switched it over.
After sorting out tangled line,
hooks, bread etc. I was ready to go again. This didn't last long, I was hooked
on the rocks again. I decided that I had learned quite a lot from Chris, but
enough was enough for today. I was also desperate for a drink. I should note
here, Chris had not caught anything also, but he was a bit more experienced
than me, it showed in his spinning action. But a nice little session in the hot
sun, sat amongst all the ants.
I set up the electric ring on the
table outside the van, Cooked Chicken, while Patricia prepared salad and
Couscous. We saw Chris, Jackie and Pip going off for a walk. Spent the rest of
the evening reading. I had a couple of beers sat outside watching the lights of
the marina. Chris, Jackie and Pip returned from their walk. Lots of vans had
come on the Aire, it is weekend, so we expected this. Jackie thought we had
moved, but it was other vans squeezing in that separated us more. The evening
brought the bars to life and they stayed active all night. Not for us though.
We're moving on tomorrow, so got off to bed early. I drifted off to the sound
of voices and music from the bars.
Day 61 Saturday 24th August 2013SOD Temp 79 Deg F
AlmerimarN 36 41.830W 002 47.634
Alarm on for 7 - 00 am, but we
were awake before that, with a loud bang. Not sure what it was. Just coming
dawn. Had breakfast and started packing up to leave. It's getting warm again.
All nearly ready for off, when Jackie popped in to see us, she was going to
Mercadona. So we ended having quite a chat again.
They still haven't got the solar
panel and new leisure battery installed. It was promised for yesterday. Jackie
left her e-mail address and facebook name to enable us to keep in touch. We had
a quick word with Chris, he was chatting to the noisy music guy, his name was
Paul. There is still something about Paul I didn't like. He had an arrogant,
sneering way of talking. Anyway, he did me no harm, just my perceptions of the
guy.
Next job was returning the shower
keys and electric adaptor. The adaptor is a style I haven't seen before. You
plug that in, then plug the conventional Euro socket extension in. It stops any
possible use of their electric for free. Called at the Mercadona, but there is
nowhere to park a van, so we left town.
Gaurdias Viejas on the AL 4151,
Balerma, Balanegra, onto the N340A, Las Cuatro Higueras, El Canal, Puente del
Rio, to Adra, where we pulled into a Lidl for a few things. Just on the exit
road from Adra we stopped for some dinner overlooking a beach that was covered
with tomato tents. The heat was now quite intense. A leisurely dinner
overlooking the sea, luckily the tents below us were just out of view,
unfortunately the rubbish e.g. disposable nappies, was not. Following the
N3040A, we came to a little confusing junction onto the A345, it loops under
the A7 motorway. At La Rabita we turned to head inland, stopping to fill up
with diesel at a Repsol station, the A345 heads up to Albunol, then onto the
A4131, then A348 heading to Orgiva.
Now this is possibly the most
wriggly worm road I have ever been on, twisting and turning endlessly as we
slowly climbed up into the mountains of the Sierra Nevada, called Los Alpujaros
around this area. Some incredible views and scenery and even better, away from
tomato country, although you could see the blight in the distance and down the
mountain on some views.
I had chosen to head for Orgiva
because of a book I had read some time ago, describing a life in a lovely
mountain village. It came over as a lovely artistic, craft based, escapist,
hippy type of community.Sadly when we
arrived, it just seemed like another concrete block Spanish town, with nothing
visually appealing about it at all. What a long wiggly drive, I was
disappointed to say the least.
We called into a camp on the
entrance to town, 19 Euros, so we hopped off out. A tight entrance and
claustrophobic pitches. So we parked up and I went for a walk around in town. I
found a lovely open space just off the road, that will do us for tonight.
We had just parked up and had a
drink, when a young boy with a straw hat on, came past herding four goats that
looked ripe for milking. His grandad, hobbling along with his stick just behind
them. The young boy then came out to water all the plants in a little allotment
where they lived.
Pork, Potatoes and peas for tea. I
studied the maps and Aires etc. Patricia had a read after we had washed up.
Just a few cars arrived to park up near us as the night fell, but all quiet,
except for the village dogs, who all like to have a sing song as the sun sets.
They had been quiet up to that time, although quite a few wandering around. My
dog dazer was used a few times to persuade them not to hang around. A very useful
tool, it just emits a high frequency burst of sound. Which we cannot hear.
The lights of houses right up on
the mountains was showing how remote some houses were.
Day 62 Sunday 25th August 2013SOD Temp 75Deg F
OrgivaN 36 53.795W 003 25.236
Awake around 6 - 00 am with a
couple of early morning cars and the cocks crowing, but drifted off again until
the alarm at 7 - 00 am. A quiet nights sleep, after the local dogs had got down
for the night.
Had breakfast and then I walked
into the centre to explore and see if there was more to see. Patricia stayed at
the van sorting out for us to leave. I walked up to the small square at the top
of the cobbled street, the church is at the bottom of the street. People sat at
cafes, a paper seller who had a pile of Sunday Times, which to me said , there
are a lot of English people around. But nothing to see that would make Orgiva
that little bit special.
Back to the van Patricia was ready
to leave, so we were off. We just stopped for Patricia to pick up a Sunday Times,
5 Euros. The dearest we have paid for a paper.
A348 through Lanjaron, which
looked a lot more interesting than Orgiva, it looked nice passing through.
Although the sat nav pointed us through the narrow centre, which I had to
manipulate us out of. We had seen signs for Granada entering the village
pointing at another road, but followed the sat nav, silly move.
A348 a nice little drive to meet up with the
A44 heading to Granada. Along the road were fig trees, Olive trees, Orange
trees, grape vines, cultivation on the top of some of the nearby mountains,
quite green along the roadside.
A44 is a motorway, this whisked us
up to Granada, coming off at the A395 signed for Sierra Nevada and Alhambra. An
excellent road that climbs all the way to the ski stations, leaving us at an
altitude of 8236 ft when we finally pulled in to the location for the Aire.
There were around six vans parked
on some spare land near the location, but it didn't look like an Aire, they
were free camping along the road. So we parked up in front of a deserted
building overlooking the area and went for a walk around. Walking up what was
the obvious entry to the Aire, everywhere was deserted, except for two vans
parked on each side of the Aire. Question was, how did they get in, because there
is a locked and barred entrance.
Approaching one of the vans, a
quite old model, the guy was just climbing out with some grapes in his hand.
This turned out to be Rafael, who spoke excellent English and proceed to give
us a full history of the Aire and why it was closed. He used to be a journalist
in London and was obviously well educated. He has lived up here for nine years
off and on, with interludes in Morocco and elsewhere. He gave me some
information on ferries to Morocco also. He would have talked all day, but
dinner called. He said there was free wi fi locally, gave me his e-mail and
face book info. Unfortunately the wi fi is free, but connecting was
problematic, so I gave up.
Back at the van we met George,
Hugo, Cecilia and Suly, who were parked near us. I was initially attracted by
his chimney like barbecue. George spoke excellent English.
Dinner over, we had a short walk
down the hill to explore what seemed like a deserted town. Not a soul around,
except for some people way down in a square we could see further down the
mountain.
It was so deserted that we came
across a deer like creature with two large horns, grazing alongside one of the
deserted buildings. It seemed to me there was a lot of wasting assets. So many
buildings all standing empty waiting for the snow. We met Cecilia and Suly on
the way back, both wrapped in blankets against the cold. It was still quite
warm then. We had a long chat again. Cecilia was best with English.
Walking back there was a guy
barbecuing and a sign on his van saying Eire, this was Dennis, with his wife
Maria, from Tipperary, slowly making their way back to Ireland, again we ended
up chatting for a while.
I set up the barbie for tea,
Cecilia brought us some barbecue sauce she had done, Chimmy Chourie, she called
it. Not sure of the spelling. George and Cecilia moved from Argentina to Malaga
twenty years ago, Hugo and Suly were just visiting from Argentina. Lovely
friendly people.
The sun was now setting and
getting a little chilly. We could see all the lights down in the valley and the
stars gleaming after the sun went down, with Venus again dominating the western
Sky.
It was time to get down for sleep.
Later I had to get up and put more warm clothes on, it was freezing.
Day 63Monday August 26thSOD Temp 57 Deg F
Sierra NevadaSki StationN 37 05.906W 003 23.656
Awake 7 - 50 am, after an unusual
night. I had to get up at 2 - 00 am, to dig out my duvet, I couldn't get warm.
We had stashed mine weeks ago.Being so
high had certainly brought back the cold. I slowly warmed up and dozed off.
What a quiet night, not a sound from anywhere. Someone came into the deserted
building alongside us around 11 - 30 pm, possibly security, a couple of rooms
were lit up.
The wi fi that Rafael had told us
about, was not letting me log into it, so I am unable to let Chris and Jackie
know that the Aire is closed.
Before we left we had a chat with
George and his party and got some photographs.
We are heading for a lake area he
recommended. It was lovely to meet such nice people. There is one way down and
it is around 17 miles down, so off we went. Dennis and Maria must have had an
early start, they were gone when we passed where they had been parked.
The pressure difference plays
funny little tricks on the ears and bottles in the van. Also on the suction cup
of the sat nav when ascending, less pressure when we arrived at the top, it had
dropped off.
Armilla, Churriana de la Vega,
where we ran out of road signage, eventually getting out to Colina Santa Isabel
and onto the A338 to Las Gabias, La Malaha, A338 to Ventas De Huelma, A338 to
Agron, A338 past Embalse De Los Bermejales ( Lake ) where we stopped for dinner
at a little pull in place, just before the dam that creates the lake. The road
runs along the dam top. Here I had a look over the wall into the lake and lots
of big fish were basking in the shallows.So I thought I would try a piece of bread on a line while Patricia
prepared dinner. Sure enough, the first one was hooked so easy. I could have
caught lots more, but I wasn't sure what the fish was. About 10 inches to 12
inches long, with quite large scales, there were lots of them basking together
and surface browsing at bubbles etc. Packed off and in a bag, I thought to sort
it out later, to see if we could barbie it.
After dinner, we both had a walk
with some bread to look at the fish, they were fighting each other for the
pieces of bread we dropped into the water. It was a nice quiet pull in place.
We then passed along the top of the dam that creates the lake and headed on to
the A402 to Alhama De Granada,A402 to
Ventas de Zafarray then to our destination of Vinuela and the lake. George had
described it as nice, lots of trees in a beautiful setting.
The road here had again been quite
winding, like a wriggly worm on the sat nav. So concentration is needed all the
time, only one section where it straightened out, through quite a lot of market
garden fields before Ventas De Zaffaray. Interestingly growing tomatoes in the
open fields, no tents, a lot more easy on the eye, even though there was miles
and miles of them.
We were both quite tired by the
time we reached Vinuela, no proper sleep last night, a really hot day again,
now we were lower down and the long winding road here all contributed. We
parked up in some shade and just chilled out for a while in the quiet of the
place, just a little distant road noise in the background.
The aspirations for the area were
clear, to make a nice picnic and leisure place on the lake. The reality was a
little different, dusty rubbish strewn areas, lots of barbecue points and
picnic places, also a little crazy golf area that looked totally neglected.
Lots of trees planted that gave some shade, but the rubbish was just
everywhere. One token rubbish bin on the site as we entered it, that was all.
Patricia did Pasta and Olives for
tea. Just a few cars came and went as the evening cooled down. I pulled the van
a little nearer to the exit from the park area and we settled for the night,
both ready for some sleep, it was 9 - 40 pm. The fish was still in the garage,
I was too tired to bother with it. Quite a long tiring day driving to a place
recommended as being nice, but we didn't know what to expect until we got
there. Maybe Georges perceptions are vastly different than ours, the rubbish
spoiled what could have been a lovely area. Thanks anyway George, a lovely man.
I will never understand the
imbeciles who want to go to beautiful places in the mountains, on the lakes,
beside the sea and then leave their rubbish behind. What perverted cretin
brained logic can even conceive of that type of behavior ? Can anyone explain
it to me ? Some people of the human race are not fit to walk the earth. I'm
ranting here and no wonder. I always say that 90% of the human race, who walk
through this world, walk through with blinkers on their eyes.
Day 64 Tuesday August 27th 2013SOD Temp 76 Deg F
Vinuelaon Embalse De
Vinuela( Lake at Vinuela )N 36 51.878W 004 09.417
A quiet night, just as George had
predicted. Alarm on for 7 - 00 am. We decided to get off down to Malaga and
find the Motor home dealers and storage place that is near the Airport. The
plan is to use the Aire at the dealers. as a base for pick ups and departures
from the airport.
We had a little walk around the
park before leaving, there is a small crazy golf area, which looks totally
neglected and never used. European money has been spent on another leisure
project with good intentions, but it seems all interest in it is now gone.
Rubbish left strewn around and damage to the Barbecue points etc.
A356 down to Velez Malaga, where
there was a convenient Lidl on a roundabout, so in we popped for a few things.
Someone had left a pile of old tittle tattle magazines in the car park. It's
amazing the things that people dump in the most unlikely places.
Shopping done we were off again.
A7 around Malaga, which looked enormously built up. Down past the airport and
into the location for the Motor home dealer. We found it easy enough, the
trouble was, they had moved. But there was a sat nav location for where they
had gone to. Simple enough, get the location into our Garmin and away we go. It
just needed converting to the Garmin format, done quite easy. Off we go. This
guided us into an industrial park, no dealer at all. Lets have some dinner. I
called the telephone number for the dealer, no answer. A minute later, a call
from them. A confirmation text was sent with the sat nav location which
calculated exactly the same figures. There was also mention of being near a
Lidl.
So we hunted the Lidl down, quite
easy with sat nav, they are all on there. We went up and down the road looking
for the description of the place near the Lidl. Still no dealer.
Parking up outside a bar, a guy
came out and seemed to be indicating to some other men outside the bar, that
his car had been stolen.
We still needed the dealer.
Another text out and one back, Lidl is not the store, but the distribution
centre. We had passed it earlier in the day before dinner, so we headed there
and finally found the dealer. They are hidden away off road, down a very
uninviting road behind the Lidl distribution centre.
Antonio the owner ( I got his name
later ) showed us where to park, under the garage and in the shade. The van was
92 Deg F inside when we looked, a little warm.
Setting up with electric, we got
sorted and settled down. Quite a lot of old vans and caravans in store. Some
English plated vans also, one an Autotrail with a car in tow.
Sara the text sender arrived later
and spoke excellent English. She sorted out a Spanish Butane bottle and the Spanish
gas valve for the top of it. Gas 38 Euros for 11kg, the valve was 16 Euros. A
lovely lady, I actually thought she was English when on the telephone, but no,
she was Spanish. She had spent time in London and Cambridge. She was married to
Antonio the owner, who didn't speak any English. Which seemed unusual, when she
was so fluent. She said he tells her off for not teaching him !
Pasta for tea. Showers and
relaxing later. I had a beer and a Bourbon. We then got off to bed in the most
unusual place we have stayed, a motor home storage place surrounded by motor
homes and caravans. A total first for us. But if it does the intended job, then
it's ok. So far the gas is sorted, so a it's good start.
Day 65 Wednesday 28th August 2013SOD Temp 78 Deg F
Malaga Motors( Motor home
dealer near Malaga )N 36 42.450W 004 31.442
Awake 7 - 0 am with the alarm. The
dog on site was barking earlier. Otherwise a reasonable nights sleep. No
scenery or local life to survey this morning, just dusty, sun bleached caravans
and motor homes.
We are going up to Ronda today.
Get breakfast, organise the van, drop grey water. The facility for toilet and
grey water is just outside the security gate.
I had decided to leave the 11kg
Spanish gas bottle behind and pick it up when we return. So when I went to pay
the bill, Antonio did not have a credit card machine. He said pay when we
return. So we stored the gas bottle in a locker, to pick up later. Very
trusting of him, 10 Euros for camp, 14 Euros for the gas valve, he had the gas,
so no loss there. He had also reduced the gas valve price from 16 to 14 Euros,
he had made a mistake he said.
Onto the A7 to take us around all
the fly them in,booze them, burn them
and fly them out resorts, Torremelinos, Benalmedina, Fuengirola, etc. We
stopped in at Camping Cabopino to check out things for Marc, Helena and Lily
for Friday. Seems a decent camp, but we may have extra cost in parking the
motor home, they said. 26 Euros per night for the van. We have a bungalow
booked, the van is just parked. We will see !
Heading on we passed through the
famous Marbella, the butt of many jokes, i.e. Costa Crime etc. I always
remember it as being the base for Allie Frazer, the character in Auf
Wiedersehen Pet, the TV series. To be fair, we have passed through some awful
Spanish seaside tourist places, but Marbella, with its enormous arch on
entering, is quite a decent and greened place. With no intention of stopping,
we passed through, towards Puerto Banus and Estepona, again sun and money
destinations.
Turning off to the A397 to Ronda.
Then the C339 into Ronda. This road out and away from Marbella climbs up into
the hills overlooking the town. Lots of gated communities are built on the
hillside as we climbed higher and higher. A good road climbing up and up. We
stopped for dinner around 14 miles from Ronda, a good viewing point, with the
usual abrupt drop, to get off the road, which always causes some scraping of
the chassis on the road.
Reaching Ronda, we had fun and
games trying to find parking. Eventually parking outside and walking into the
old town centre, where the main bridge attraction is. Quite a view worth
seeing. The town itself around this part is also quite nice and well worth a
walk through. We made our way down a walkway to view the bridge from below and
get some of our own photographs of quite an iconic place and structure. As
usual, long gus downs, mean long gus ups, very warm also, so nice and slow was
the mantra.
Time was passing on and we had
planned an Aire at Olvera north of Ronda, so we didn't stay too long. It
deserved more time really.
A 374 out of Ronda, MA 7402, MA
8405, CA 9113, CA 9109 to Olvera, superb roads got us there in around 35
minutes. That's when the fun and games started. Sat nav coordinates for the
Aires are usually pretty good. These led us to a narrow road, where we could
see the Aire around 100 yds down the hill. But Spanish abrupt run offs onroads meant I had go down the hill and
approach it from the other direction.
Turning around we came up the
hill, the run off road, difficult to see, we passed it, so I had to reverse
back around fifty yards down the hill. Eventually coaxing the van into this
narrow road, we thought we had done it. Oh no, we ran into a private house at
the bottom no through road. The Aire was around thirty yards behind the house
,oh great, now to extract ourselves from here. The house owner moved his car
further in, with him and Patricia directing operations, we eventually got us
turned around. Up the hill onto the road, with the usual chassis scraping. We
climbed up into the village and found the proper road in. No marks for
Satellite Simon this time.
A quite spacious and decent Aire,
quiet, only us on it. Another with EU money spent on it, but seemingly not
completed. A few Spanish locals walking dogs the only life around. Settled in,
we had tea and watched the dark descend. It seems quite early, maybe my
calender clock and time of sunset is chaotic.
Day 66Thursday 29th August
2013SOD Temp 74 Deg F
Olvera( N of Ronda )N 36 56.487W 005 15.061
Alarm on for 7-00 am, but the
local dogs beat it as usual. Don't you just love them. I've come to the
conclusion, that they are the motor home travellers worst enemy. The numbers of
hours lost sleep, due to these stupid dogs is incredible.
The Aire and its surrounding
buildings are very quiet, being away from the town. It has been created at an
old railway station, that has been redeveloped with EU redevelopment funding (
ERDF ). But again the project seems to have run out of steam, not being
finished. It's a common theme unfortunately on every EU funded project we have
seen. Maybe it's all mixed up with the EU bailout that Spain needed. With this
project from my experience with ERDF funding, the project seems too big for the
town and is also on the outskirts of the town away from any heavy footfall.
Pauline called on the telephone
with Lily. She was looking after her for Helena. Lovely talking to Lily, she
was all excited about coming out to Spain, she is going to run to her Nan
first, then grandad, ah well, I suppose second is not bad in this case. Can't
wait to see her and hold her in my arms. It will be nice to see Marc and Helena
also, can't leave them out.
Having breakfast we decided to
explore Olvera, we had actually only come here to use the Aire overnight.
Looking at the town roads on the sat nav, I chose a road to aim at, that
clearly went through town. Also being aware that there are always narrow
streets.This time we were lucky and came past the football stadium, where there
was a nice large car park. Just the job.
Parked up, we set off for the
church and castle on the top of the village, quite prominent over everything.
This was obviously the old part of town. Up, up and up, the streets sloping up
towards the castle and church. Slowly, slowly keeping in the shade, we made our
way up. Quite a few shops on one street, which seemed to be the centre of the
commerce area. A few banks also.
Living in this area built on a
steep hill, every time you step outside your door, you are faced with an uphill
walk. Either out or back. Some ladies were carrying bags of shopping and making
their way up hill, one section quite steep.
Anyway reaching the level where
the church was, I spotted a square innocuous looking doorway, with a sign on it
saying cemetery. Walking through, we came into the town cemetery which was
beautiful and peaceful, also it overlooked all the hills behind the town. We
got chatting with a lady named Caroline, who spoke quite good English. I told
her there was an English song called " Caroline ". I also sang the
first few bars for her. The song by The Fortunes called "Caroline".
There are others with Caroline in the title, to be pedantic. She probably
thought I was nuts, singing a song to her in a Spanish cemetery.
There were some beautiful little
buildings for housing the deceased people, I assume most are for storing ashes
after cremation.
From here we strolled to the
church, guess what it was closed. Now in Spain we have found so far, that
churches have been closed, or they charge you to enter. The charging is
questionable I feel, because Patricia likes to use the church for what it was
built for. The spiritual aspect of churches should be available without cost.
Here I go on a rant.
In France we have rarely visited
churches that have been closed, even in the smallest villages. Maybe there is a
problem in Spain with church security ! We have also only paid once at a
Cathedral. We also paid once in England, at York Cathedral.
We decided to give the castle a
miss, you can get castled out in Spain. Walking back down the hill we called in
for some bread. Also, we got some money from the cash machine. Back at the van,
the usual idiot had parked in front of us, making it difficult to get out.
People with blinkers on, again comes to mind. Had dinner then slowly exited the
car park.
There are quite a few roads around
the town not well signed, so getting on the wrong one was easily possible. A
young lady stopped in her car to ask if we needed a camp site, we were actually
establishing that we were on the right road. It was nice of her, anyway.
We stopped for diesel on the
outskirts of Ronda, then onto the coast, Marbella etc.
The A7 runs along the coast, a
quite busy road with lots of roads leading on to it, making for excellent
accident opportunities.
Satellite Simon lead us back to
Malaga Motor homes, where we had left the gas and an unpaid bill. Antonio, the
owner,didn't have a credit card
machine.
Wandering around the site, there
are some UK vans that seem to have been there a long time, no tax discs,
covered in hard baked dust and grime.
Steak, potatoes and peas for tea.
Picked up all the rubbish e-mails and deleted them. Looking for news, sport etc
was difficult, the wi fi is pretty dire, if it was mine at home, I think the
big hammer might come out and a new supplier be called in. I gave up
eventually.
The evening was spent reading,
having a few beers before getting down for sleep.
Day 67 Friday 30th August 2013SOD Temp 78 Deg F
Malaga MotorhomesN 36
42.450W 004 31.442
Awake 7 - 40 am, no alarm this
morning, no dog barking for a change, just the droning sound of the large
distribution centre behind us. It's enormous and drones night and day.
Had breakfast and then sorted out
the van to leave. We are picking up Marc, Helena and Lily at Malaga Airport
today. The plan is to do a big shop, survey the Airport for driving in, park up
somewhere for the afternoon and then pick up tonight. Simple really.
First job, set the Sat nav for
Mercadona, after driving there we found it was like a corner shop, no parking
and cars parked everywhere all trying to shop there. Total chaos, so that was
out.
Try Lidl next. Approaching Lidl,
that also looked difficult to access and park, so I parked on some dusty
graffiti painted wasteland across the road and had a walk in. This revealed
that I could drive in and park at the bottom end of a large covered parking
area. But just out of the shade and in the sun.
Shopping done in Lidl, Patricia
popped into the nearby Mercadona for a few things also.
From here we went to survey the
Airport. Driving around several times, parking up and walking in, I stillcouldn't assess where public vehicles could
drive in, for picking up arrivals. Standing and watching vehicles arriving,
there seemed to be lots of confusion. The only plan was, pick them up at
departures, which was up a ramp on the second floor. I would be interested in
finding out how to drive in and access the arrivals area. Big signs and a ramp
up for Salidas ( departures ) not a sign anywhere for Llegadas ( arrivals ), except
small aircraft icons showing landing and takeoff. But no entry signs around
making it impossible for public vehicles to access. Taxis and coaches were ok.
Maybe that's the plan, stitched up for commercial exploitation. Am I cynical ?
Yes. I admit it, totally.
Parking up in a small parking
place not far away, we had dinner, 4 - 00 pm by this time, what a frustrating
day so far.
Sorted the seat for Lily, set up
seat belts in the rear and used the opportunity to relax, wash some vegetables,
also to wash our feet which were covered in dust. then wait until time to park
nearer and do the pick up.
Luckily all this went to plan. I
dropped Patricia off near the hire car entrance, to walk into arrivals, meet
Marc, Helena and Lily, take them up to departures, give me a call and I would
drive up and pick them up at departures. Crazy, but all went ok. A big hug,
kiss and squeeze from Lily, luggage in and we were off. Sat nav taking us to
the A7, then out to Cabopino. Driving in the dark for the first time in Spain,
all went ok.Checking in, all went ok, a
young lady speaking fluent English sorting us out. When we went up to the
bungalow, we could park the van in front, which was a bonus. I had expected to
park away. First job, a plug, then I passed the electric hook up lead through
the bathroom window and we were sorted.
Well we are at our new home for a
week. Lily was tucked up in the bottom bunk and off to sleep, tired out. Sorted
out a few things, then relaxed and had a welcome couple of beers before bed at
nearly 1 - 00 am.
Day 68 Saturday 31st August 2013SOD Temp 74 Deg F
Camping Cabo Pino
Well 1st night in a strange bed,
after two months in the van. Slept reasonably well, awake a couple of times. No
travelling today, just relax and pass the day away.
Marc, Helena and Lily went down to
the pool, Marc came back to see if we had an umbrella for sunshade, so I went
down with the golfing brolly we carry around. I had a stroll around the camp.
Quite a lot of permanent long term caravans and motor homes.A large American van and a fifth wheeler near
us look permanently set up.
Marc borrowed one of the bikes and
went exploring, he found the local Lidl around two miles away. Helena and Lily
returned from the pool.
I got out the Acrylic paints I had
bought for Lily, we had a painting session on the balcony.
Al Fresco dinner on the balcony,
then a walk down to the beach. A short walk across the A7 and quite nice, a
really busy beach. Intending just a walk, we stayed on the beach for two hours.
Buying bucket and spade and a sun parasol. I enjoyed making sandcastles with
Lily, but she wouldn't have a paddle in the sea. There are always sights to
behold on a beach, bodies of all shapes and sizes. Some have been waiting all
year just to strut up along the water line and show themselves off.
We ended the afternoon in a small
bar with tv and wi fi, having coffees and drinks and catching up on our teams
football score. We beat Nottingham Forrest 2 - 1, a superb win, to round off
the afternoon. Marc bought Lily a Frisby on the way back to camp. Carrying her
on his shoulders, as he often has done. It's a lovely sight to see them
strolling along, Lily surveying everything, from her elevated viewing point.
Back at camp, I set up our small
electric cooker ring on the balcony and slowly cooked all the chicken for tea.
Patricia and Helena read Lily off to sleep and we had a late tea, a few drinks
and chatted the evening away.
Myself and Patricia had decided to
sleep in the van tonight, quieter, but it also made a little more bed space in
the bungalow. We are also used to the bunks, so will sleep better.
Day 69 Sunday 1st September 2013SOD Temp 74 Deg F
Camping Cabo Pino
Awake 8 - 00 am, totally peaceful
and quiet, we had decided to sleep in the van to make the bed available for
Marc and Helena.Patricia still asleep,
so doing a diary catch up, I didn't write it up yesterday, the first day missed
on the journey. Patricia awake 9 - 10 am.
We decided to have scrambled egg
and toast for breakfast. There were six eggs in the bungalow fridge which we
thought we could use along with our dozen. But it's a bit hard scrambling them,
they are hardboiled eggs. Someone had
bought them thinking they were normal eggs and obviously left them.
Marc went on the bike with the
battery fitted for some papers. He got Mail and Mirror. Sunday papers and
scrambled egg, toast and tea. Not bad for a lovely relaxing breakfast, thanks
to Patricia.
Marc, Helena and Lily went down to
the beach. We followed later with food. Picking up rolls and water on the way
from the shops. Chatted to a couple from Norfolk in a Rapido, they had driven
down to the camp this week.
Helena was alone when we got to
the beach, Marc had gone for a walk around with Lily. We had a nice picnic on
the beach. They returned soon after, they had been watching a guy catch fish.
Marc and Helena went for a walk to
a bar, while Lily stayed with us. Just lazing around watching all the beach
action. Lots of black guys, wandering around with big piles of stuff to sell.
An English group of people behind us were accosted all afternoon with them. Two
of the women reminded me of characters from Benidorm. Oiling all afternoon,
rolling bikini top down to see how brown they were going.
Patricia had prepared tea before
leaving, used the slow cooker for the sliced beef we had in the freezer. Pasta
and salad for tea with the beef sauce
I strolled back while everyone was
stopped at a shop, so I was the first to arrive back.
It was around 9 - 00 pm when we
had tea, after Lily was settled down for the night. Patricia andHelena then sorted some material out. Marc
and I listened to and chatted about music and bands, while having a beer.A lovely end to the day. Very quiet on site,
lots of people have gone home, looks like the end of the peak season.
Day 70Monday 2nd September
2013SOD Temp 76 Deg F
Camping Cabopino
Awake 9 - 15 am, Helena sent a
text to say they were up. The site is so quiet we are sleeping like logs. No
problem, nice to have a little bit of catch up.
After breakfast I set up the
laptop and downloaded all the camera and telephone photographs. Patricia, Marc
, Helena and Lily all went down to the pool for an hour. Patricia came back
with sun burnt shoulders, even though they had been covered up. I rubbed some
rescue cream into them.
I also tried to Bluetooth some
Poco music tracks to Marc, then tried to load directly to his I pad, all
unsucessful. Apple equipment is a pain to use as far as I am concerned. Every
time you need to do anything, you have to go through their website. Not being
able to Bluetooth a photograph is ridiculous, they control everything you do.
We had a drive out to Lidl to
stock up with food, around two miles away, just off the A7. Marc finally got
his new telephone to pick up his e-mails etc.Marc and Helena went out for a meal later, we stayed with Lily. Tricia
got Lily off to sleep, while I cooked pork chops, a couple of small sausage and
a bratwurst on the small electric ring out on the balcony.
Had a read of Marcs Wigan Athletic
fanzine "The Mudhutter ". Some quite funny stuff in there. Had tea
and listened to music while the light died. The camp is really quiet now we
have hit September. There is a large American motor home parked on the next
tier down the slope, alongside a large fifth wheeler. Both seem to be permanently
parked. The fifth wheeler has some lights that come on when it goes dark, they
are certainly bright.
We have a couple of lizards that
keep turning up on the roof of the balcony, I had to shoo them away before
Helena returned. She does not like them. They got back around 12 - 30 am,
delayed with Marc picking up all the footballtransfer information on Skys ports news.
Day 71Tuesday 3rd September
2013SOD Temp 74 Deg F
Camping Cabo Pino
Awake 8 - 45 am, another quiet and
peaceful night. Helena has a tummy bug this morning, so not feeling too bright.
The routine while we are on camp is totally different than when we are on the
road. Today I don't seem to have done much. Patricia as usual organizes the
catering side of things. The key thing is everyone is relaxing. I went with
Lily on a little adventure, she calls it. A little walk to the playground.
Didn't stay long, she needed the toilet, so back to base.
Everyone went down to the pool,
while I stayed and had a quiet read of the paper. Patricia went in the pool
with Lily. I set the bike battery up for charging, also my telephone. I did a
little washing, shorts etc. Helena came back with a strained muscle in her leg,
not a good day for her at all. The camp is so peaceful and quiet, the season
must be over for a lot of people.
Evening routine, Lily to bed, meal
on the balcony, drinks, music chat as the night falls. Watch the bats circling,
no lizards tonight.
Day 72 Wednesday 4th September 2013SOD Temp 73 Deg F
Camping Cabo Pino
A quiet night again, awake 8 - 45
am. Well the time seems to fly, Wednesday already, a week's not a long time
when your on holiday from work. Marc and Helena will soon be back to the grind
at home. Lily starts nursery next week also.
Had breakfast and then spent time
with Lily, painting with the Acrylic paints I had bought for her. We started
off painting plastic water bottles, then a plastic box, onto stones from around
the bungalow, then kitchen roll tubes. We ended up with quite a multicolored
array of things laid out on the table.
Helena was still sorting out her
problem with a rip off phone recycling company, who give a valuation, then
change their valuation when you send the phone, £110 down to £67. I call them
lethargy companies, they rely on people not being on the ball and getting their
phones back.
After painting, I then went for a
walk around the camp, mainly to check on the laundry facility for Patricia. It
is near reception, 3.5 Euro tokens are needed from reception. I was strolling
back looking at the motor homes that were on site, when I spotted a UK plated
whizz bang. Not giving any more thought about it, I strolled on. Then I hear my
name being called, I turned around to look who was calling from the whizz bang.
Then it slowly dawned on me who it was. Chris, Jackie and Pip the dog, who we
had camped near at Almerimar. What a lovely surprise. I didn't expect to see
them again on this trip anyway. Patricia will be surprised. They have rolled in
for two nights, we need a catch up on where they have been, they have been down
to Algeciras, where we are headed after leaving Cabo Pino and Malaga area.
Dinner time rolled around, a
communal dip in of cold meats, cheese and salads. Marc, Helena and Lily headed
down to the beach for a while.
I decided to take the opportunity
to refresh the toilet in the van, using our little two wheeled buggy, I walked
down to the motor home servicing area. Not the best service area I have used,
it has to be said. Everything is on the floor, drain access, water tap, all at
ground level. It should be noted here that the dog washing facility in the
corner of the service area, had a nice waist level tap and shower head. On
mentioning this to Patricia, her remark was quite succinct and to the point.
"Oh, so you can wash your dog there, but not your motor home."No motor home washing was the rule.
We got a text from Helena they
would be coming back to the pool, so we gave them an hour then walked down to
the shop to pick up water and ice creams to take to the pool. A quick call to
speak to Chris and Jackie. Jackie was getting some ironing done. When we got to
the pool, Marc, Helena and Lily weren't there. Back to the bungalow to put the
ices in the freezer. Then another text when we got back, they had been delayed
at the beach, Lily had found some friends and was playing. Good, no problem,
ice creams now in the freezer.
Marc and Helena decided to pop out
for a curry, we would have tea after Lily had gone to bed. That was the plan,
but little girls don't always follow the plan, not tired yet, so we decided to
have tea before she went to bed. We had just put tea out, potatoes, steak, peas
and sweet corn, when she decided she was now tired and it was bedtime. So I ate
alone, while Patricia told her stories until she dozed off. Patricia had her
meal later. A couple of beers, play some music, Patricia knitting, a pretty
hectic night all in all.
Marc and Helena returned, they had
been to an Indian Restaurant, which they said was quite good. They had also got
three DVD's they had bought from one of the wandering salesmen, who seem like a
swarm of flies around the beach area. Three for 10 Euros, they seemed decent
quality when Marc put them in Lilies small portable DVD player. Two were Smurf
DVD's for Lily to watch on the way home.
Had a bourbon and a read before
getting down for sleep.
Day 73 Thursday 5th September 2013SOD Temp 74 Deg F
Camping Cabo Pino
Awake 8 - 20 am, again a quiet and
peaceful night. Breakfast on the balcony. Oh that we could do this at home
every morning. Sadly not in England. Although it has been the best summer since
2006 from reports in the news.
Painting with Lily, she seems to
love the Acrylics. She just likes painting things, used the proper brush grip
today. Marc and Helena call it " pinchy pen ". She has been using a
fist grip a lot.
Helena popped down to the pool.
Tricia went down to the laundry with some washing. Lily wanted to go down to
Patricia and then sulked at me, because I said she couldn't walk down alone. I
went down with Patricia to pick up the laundry and get some bread for dinner.
We noticed that Chris and Jackie
had left this morning. From memory, they said they were stopping for two
nights. So they must have decided to move on. Unfortunately, we didn't get to
pop down last night for a chat.Lily
being awake late disrupted the plan.
Marc popped for a paper on the
bike.
Communal dinner on the balcony.
Marc, Helena and Lily, then went down to the beach, we will follow later. I had
a brief read of the paper.
The beach is really quiet now, the
season must be slowing down a lot. Lots of fish in the Marina, quite large ones
too. I had a walk over the rocks towards a small lighthouse, lots of hardy sand
dune type plants growing there. Not many people walk around there, so the
plants can thrive. Marc went to find some wi fi to clear his inbox on e-mail,
it is getting full up. The usual hot walk back up the hills to camp. Memo, when
we do this again, ensure that the area is flat. The camp is on a hill, so every
time you walk down to the shop, bar, reception, laundry, etc., you have to walk
back up hill.
We went down to the small bar at
the bottom of the hill for tea, I had chicken and Garlic, with chips, nice and
tasty. Patricia walked back to get Lily in bed. I had a beer and a chat with
Marc and Helena before we walked back. Reasonably early tonight, all to be
sorted tomorrow for leaving. A week isn't long enough. That's the world of the
working person I have had for fifty years until retirement. We just had a half
an hour on the balcony. Helena did some packing. An early night for us all.
Day 74 Friday 6th September 2013SOD Temp 71 Deg F
Camping Cabo Pino
Awake 8 - 45 am, quiet night
again. A little cooler this morning, maybe the season is cooling in general.
Today is leaving day for Marc, Helena and Lily, so lots to do. The morning is
spent moving all the kit back into the van. I did all the garage putting the
bike back. Marc had used it a few times to explore and go for a paper. We also
did two lots of laundry and drying.Helena and Lily went to the pool for a while. All kit out of the
bungalow by 12 - 00 pm. Unplugged the van and put the fridge on gas.
We had dinner in the small cafe
bar, where we had eaten last night. I had a cheese and ham toasty with a few
chips. Marc, Helena and Lily went to the pool to have a last few hours before
leaving.
I decided to book two nights with
the ACSI card, 16 Euros per night, so we would return here after drop off at
the airport. I saved a few of Lilies small painted stones to take home for her.
The rest of the collection, bottles, boxes and stones, unfortunately we had to
leave behind. She is a small painting factory.
All in the van and off. Marc
wanted to video us leaving, so met us near reception.
A good run to the airport,
straight in. Dropped them off, with hugs and a few tears we left. A lovely week
was over. It seems to have passed quicker than previous weeks, it's an unusual phenomenon.
On our own again, we set off back.
A journey we have now made a few times. But we seem to keep finding new roads.
We ended somehow on the toll road without seeing any signs to inform us. 4.55
Euros to get off it. I had just mentioned to Patricia that it was away from the
coast and not many vehicles on it. Toll road, that's why.
Back at camp, we arrived just in
time to stop a Spanish family setting up their caravan on the pitch we had
booked. Why this happened is stupid. The camp system is all computerized and we
had chosen that pitch for some shade that it had. Unless the family were trying
their luck, because it was empty for a while. Anyway he was o.k. about it and
moved to a place across from us without any shade. We had some childrens
yoghurts left in the fridge, which we gave them later. He spent around two
hours setting up his caravan with gazebo and kit. It seems to be a major epic
when they settle in. The Spanish guy with a small caravan on the pitch
alongside of us, asked me to move the van back further on the pitch, so he
could see down the camp road. Didn't want me obstructing his view. It's all a
little reminder of why we like to free camp when we can.
All set up, we settled down to
have some food and a beer and watch the night traffic to the showers and bars
etc. There was an English tenor singing at the nearby bar, quite good too, he
sang a real selection of tried and tested tenor songs, from the last 60 years
of popular music. He was probably trained in the clubs "Up North " as
they say. A training ground that is sadly in decline due to changing social
habits. People don't want a "turn" and then bingo with their beer,
fags, pies and peas. I worked in many of them over a period of many years, oh
the stories I could tell. Colin Crompton the comedians gave his version of the
clubs, but they were not all like that. Some were very professionally run
organizations, doing big business.
We wound the night down with this
excellent tenor in the background. Got off to bed around 10 - 30 pm, an early
night for us, after some late ones this week.
Day 75 Saturday 7th September 2013SOD Temp 74 Deg F
Camping Cabo PinoNear Malaga
Spain( No location taken here )
Rain in the night had us awake early.
I got up to wind down some of the roof "lids". Some thunder also, but
it quietened down after a while. Well Marc, Helena and Lily just timed it right
glorious sun everyday for them.
Pauline just sent a text, problem
with Tricias NEXT account. Had breakfast and then went for a walk to the paper
shop. Not a lot of choice of paper, The Mirror or The Mail. The Mail at least
has words of more than two syllables, even if it is loaded with trivial tittle
tattle, so I bought that. I had a look for a camping shop that Marc had seen
while out on the bike, but I couldn't find it. It must have been further away
from the camp. Two English guys in a car asked me for directions to a house,
they were installing an internet facility. I wasn't much help to them.
Patricia had a good session of
cleaning around the beds while I was out. I had a read of the paper when I
returned, Patricia was still cleaning. Had dinner and set the electric iron up
for Patricia to do some ironing. Meanwhile, I got out the maps and books for Morocco,
to do a little refreshing of places to visit etc.
I got local English Radio tuned in
to provide a little background music. A guy was on playing a selection of
oldies. He talked about Liverpool, Mathew Street and the Cavern, so I assume he
was a Scouser. His presentation sounded like he was reading from a written
script, quite factual information, but not a lot of expression in his voice,
rather monotonic. Well that's my review of the radio for today folks. Patricia
had finally finished ironing, she then did Pasta with Pesto for tea, very tasty
too.
I went for a shower in the camp
showers after tea. Well what I was expecting to be a quiet relaxing shower,
turned out to be the noisiest shower I have ever had. It was absolute bedlam.
There was a child, presumably in the ladies, who was screaming and crying. I
have never heard a child so upset. Not only that, but lots of loud Spanish
voices also. Whether they were aimed at the child, I couldn't say. But the
overall effect was deafening and to be truthful quite disturbing. I can only
assume hopefully, that it was a shower session the little one wasn't too keen
on. On a humorous note, I'm glad they don't live next door to us. But it
sounded rather traumatic for the child, whatever was going on. Patricia then went
and had a nice quiet shower.
Had a read and listen to the
radio, then off to bed. Alarm on for 7 - 00 am. Patricia needs to do some more
cleaning, with my help of course.
Day 76 Sunday 8th September 2013SOD Temp 72 Deg F
Camping Cabo PinoNear Malaga
Spain( No location taken here )
Alarm went off 7 - 00 am.A good nights sleep for me, but Patricia
awake a lot through the night. She said it was quite noisy late last night, I
didn't hear it. Had breakfast and then helped Patricia cleaning the front part
of the van. Also some towels to wash before leaving. The sun is back this
morning, it doesn't go away for long. Lifted the carpets out and went under the
floor for Paulines things, ready for her arriving tonight.
I went down to put the washing in
the dryer. While there I checked what time we had to leave. 12 - 00 pm they
said. I asked for 1 - 00 pm and they said o.k. so we had an extra hour to get
off site. To be truthful, we had both forgot about the leaving time. Anyway,
all packed, toilet done, we were offby
12 - 30 pm.
Went down to Lidl to do a shop.
Parked up in the corner and decided to have some dinner also. I went for a walk
around to see if I could see the camping shop Marc had seen. I found a shop
filled with all sorts of stuff, which I think was the same shop. Went back for
Patricia and we had a rummage round. We ended up buying a small travel iron 800
watts. An oven tray, two small book reading LED lights, a small LED torch, 5
red plastic plates, rubber none slip mat, two batteries, a leather money belt.
It was like Alladins cave.
We had a drink on returning to the
van and basically the afternoon was over. We had no agenda for the day really,
just to get sorted andpick Pauline up
at the airport.
We headed down to the airport
early and parked up in the little space we had used before. Had some tea and
settled down for a read and wait for the flight.
Tricia walked in to arrivals,
again taking Pauline through to departures where we could pick her up. All
sorted, flight on time, we picked up and got away. Headed for Malaga Motor
homes, where we had stayed previously. Not picturesque, but convenient for a
nearby sleepover. Honking the horn, the gate was opened, straight in and hooked
up in the same place we had been before.
I had a beer and bourbon and a
read before settling down. Pauline now back with us for a while.
Day 77 Monday 9th September 2013SOD Temp 74 Deg F
Malaga MotorhomesN 36
42.450W 004 31.442
Up8 - 00 am, I had been awake for a while, dogs barking, two aeroplanes
flying low, the usual stuff.
Well we now need to get back into
our on the road mode. Stashed Paulines things and washed and sterilised the
fruit and salad stuff we bought yesterday. Toilet done, topped up with water, I
paid Antonio 10 Euros. He said he had seen us parked near the Airport
yesterday. He is not a man of many words. Off we went away from Malaga. A7 all
the way to Algeciras. We stopped off at a service station on the way out of
Estepona for dinner. Quite warm again today. The scenery had changed a little
on the road, not quite as tightly built up as areas near Malaga. I was glad to
be away from Malaga to be truthful, not my type of place. Although it was
lovely to see Marc, Helena and Lily.
On the way into Algeciras we
stopped at a ticket agent. I popped in to get a price for the ferry, 252 Euros
he quoted. This gave me a guideline for a price. We moved on to Lidl in
Palmones, where I knew we could park and there was the famous Carlos ticket
agency.
A good place to park, lots of open
space, Mcdonalds across the road with wi fi. After a brew Pauline stopped in
the van and Patricia and I had a walk to find the ticket agency. I had checked
out where it was previously, so it was quite easy to find. Here we got a price
of 260 Euros, Ceuta or Tangier, both the same price. They will do the import
documentation for the van also, so we will pop back in the morning with cash.
There is a hole in the wall across the road, so all sorted for tomorrow.
McDonalds for tea and to use the
wi fi. There was a deal on 4 items for 3.99 Euros, so we had a McD meal.
We spent two hours altogether, the
longest we have been in a McD. Mail sorted, news updated etc, the wonders of wi
fi, we returned to the van for scones and tea. Pauline had made some scones and
brought them out with her, excellent idea.
On the way back to the van we
couldn't help but notice the McDonalds takeaway litter all over the Lidl car
park. We watched as one car ditched all its rubbish out of the window. What a
great mentality they must have. Proud of their country do you think ? I think
they are mindless imbecilic morons. We have litter louts in the UK, but I do
feel it is worse in Spain. Maybe they are Aliens, sent here to destroy the
earth slowly.
Pauline is crocheting some little
angels, she has done 5 today. Patricia knitting, me reading. So we spent the
rest of the evening. Quite a lot of people coming and going around the van. We
are the only motorhome on the Lidl car park tonight.
Day 78 Tuesday 10thSeptember
2013SOD Temp 74 Deg F
Lidl Car ParkPalmonesnear AlgecirasN 36 10.919W 005 26.381
Alarm on for 7 - 00 am. A decent
nights sleep after a noisy start last night. We are parked in quite a busy
area. Patricia didn't sleep to well. Breakfast and then first job is down to
the ticket agency for the ferry tickets.
The agency is quite well known amongst the
motor home fraternity. Carlos, mentioned in lots of blogs about visiting
Morocco. The deal is in cash, so the hole in the wall across the road was the
first port of call. 200 Euros withdrawn. The ATM area stunk like a neglected
mens urinal, it really was bad. It must get used as a urinal for some reason.
We parked just across from the office. The young lady in the office spoke
sufficient English with a heavy Spanish accent to sort things for us. Open
tickets to sail when we want on the highlighted ferries due to the van height
and return when we want. 260 Euros, also van docs done for us. A small photo of
the lanes for entering the port is in the information given to us as well. To
round off she presented us with a bottle of sparkling wine and a chocolate
cake.
Next job was Lidl. Patricia and
Pauline sorted that out, while I filled in the paperwork for the ferry. We will
target the 13 - 30 pm, Algeciras to Ceuta. All sorted and some dinner, then we
decided to have a ride to Tarifa. On the way we spotted the signage for the
port that was pictured in the info from Carlos.
A short drive around 18miles to
Tarifa. Lots of the useless and brainless wind generators that we are often
told are going to save the planet. What a joke to anyone who understands energy
generation supply and demand. I'll not get onto that subject here. It was very
windy. We circled Tarifa a few times but nowhere to park the van. We ended up
on the outskirts just off the Cadiz road, parking up near the beach and getting
blown around with a really strong wind. There had been some fair or circus in
town, lots of work going on taking everything down. It looked a big
affair.Tarifa had some interesting
looking old fortifications around, but we decided to give it a miss and just
head back towards Algeciras and our Lidl home.
We parked away from Lidl and
McDonalds for tea. then moved over when it got quieter around 10 - 00 pm. Six
other vans already parked up. A couple of vans with tables out having a drink.
We weren't long before getting down to sleep. The roads had gone quiet by then.
Day 79 Wednesday 11th September 2013SOD Temp 76 Deg F
Lidl Car ParkPalmonesnear AlgecirasN 36 10.919W 005 26.381
A quiet nights sleep in good old
Lidl parking facility. Six other vans parked up with us. The morning noise
slowly builds up when the road gets busier. The cleaner is already out clearing
up all the rubbish from our McDonald rubbish makers. It looks cloudy today. A
small German whizz bang has just released its grey water to run over the car
park. Obviously working on trying to get motor home parking stopped. Bloody
idiot.
We were the last van away, no
rush. Pauline popped into Lidl for coffee and cornflakes. Dropped off our
rubbish at large bins across the road near the Carrefour supermarket. We had
info for the road into the port, so we slowly slipped in to ensure no wrong
turns. Parked up and asked the police if we were ok where we had stopped. No
problem. He wanted to talk about Scotland and William Wallace, very strange.
Maybe because my beard and hair reminded him of Wallace.
Having a look at the ferry lanes,
which were quiet really, I had expected them to be manic. There was Ballearia,
FRS and Acciona the companies running ferries. We were Ballearia. The gate
opened for loading exactly on time 13 - 30 pm. All vehicles were loaded in
around ten minutes, It's not a big ferry. Away we went on our way to Africa.
Many times I had read blogs and
diaries of Morocco trips and now,here
we were. A beautiful day, very windy on the top deck. I got pictures and some
video of leaving Algeciras and approaching Ceuta. A young guy asked me to take
some pictures while he posed on a sun bed. It takes all sorts.
Docking in Ceuta I had planned to
try and park up for a while, but there was no opportunity, we were out in the
streets in no time. We pulled into a gate for the marina, while I looked at the
fees for parking. Luckily one of the lads who worked there was just starting
work. He phoned through to someone who came out to open the big gates for
easier access, 15 Euros for 24 hours, just the job in a lovely setting also.
Some yachts tied up directly in
front of us, from a sailing school in Gibralter. The police have a base about
40 yards along the marina from our parking spot.
Parked up we set about other jobs.
Me with satnav,no recognition ofMorocco. Patricia to find a post box to send
cards back home. also to see what the band was playing for. A band was marching
through the streets across the other side of the marina.
I tried a small cafe near us for
wi fi, but decided to go to McDonalds to get Garmin web site and buy Morocco
software. What a convoluted system Garmin run. I was so long on the web site,
the battery on the lappy depleted, so I couldn't then risk a download and gave
up. Try again tomorrow. Absolutely like bedlam again in McD. Earplugs next
time.
Chicken and pasta with salad for
tea. I went for a walk with Patricia to post cards and have a short walk
around. Ceut,around that area seemed
quite nice. All the prominent buildings are lit up at night.
We watched the yachties as they
got more lubricated and louder. Just what you need for a good nights sleep. An
eventful day so we were ready for bed. The yachties parted on.
Day 80 Thursday 12th September 2013SOD Temp 77 Deg F
CeutaSpanish enclave in
MoroccoOn the marinaN 35 53.430W 005 18.831
Awake before the alarm, 5 - 45 am.
The yacht party went on for some time, yachties enjoying themselves.
We put the alarm on early to have
showers, download the sat nav software and get off into Morocco. Well the best
laid plans etc. Had breakfast and moved the van to the opposite side of the
marina near to the showers. Well the shower went ok, apart from some idiot
ripping the shower door open.I got free
wi fi on the marina, it was about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. I
finally gave up and tried McDonalds, again, Patricia came with me while Pauline
stayed in the van for a catnap. She didn't get much sleep last night. After nearly
five hours of trying, I finally got the Morocco software loaded and running.
What a frustrating and annoying day. So we decided to relax and stay another
night.
I moved the van back and got an
electric socket from a Dutch boat, they are leaving tomorrow. Most sockets are
the big marine type, but this socket fitted our plug. So now hooked up for the
night.
Tricia and Pauline went for a walk
for fruit and veg.I trimmed my beard.
We had Pork, sauteed potatoes and salad for tea. Yachts tying up in front of
us. One with a gang of blokes on it. Oh, oh, not good. We had one lot last
night, mindless bunch of idiots, drinking and shouting until the early hours.
Boys at play, away from home !
Day 81 Friday 13th September 2013SOD Temp 75 Deg F
CeutaN 35 53.430W 005 18.831
Alarm on for 7 - 00 am. Broken
sleep again with theEnglish imbeciles
on a nearby yacht. I have a long standing theory, slowly as per the laws of
Physics becoming a rule. That 90% of the human race go through this world with
blinkers on. This lot are part of the 90%. No consideration for anyone, balling
and shouting and playing loud music in the middle of the night. Disturbing not
only us, but all the other people asleep in their yachts and catamarans. Ah
well, get on with the morning.
Had breakfast and got van sorted
for leaving. The border is only three miles away, noticeable,by a lot more ladies with head scarves along
the way.
Slowly easing through the Spanish
section stopping to ensure we are ok to drive through. The van wouldn't start.
There is a security system over riding the ignition. This would not let it
start. Oh bloody great,just what you
need going through border controls. I got the manual out, inserted my code, it
still wouldn't start. A Spanish policeman strolled over to see what the problem
was. I let him know and he realised immediately what the problem was.
Electronic jamming for potential bombs. He went and switched it off and the van
started. What a relief. Through the Spanish section no problems, English ?Yes ! Just drive through.
The Moroccan border control was
fun, two guys in long shirts ran towards us. Official helpers ?One of them seemed official, with a security
card hung around his neck.The other was
a hanger on, insisting we hire him to go to Tetouan. Anyway, with Pauline
helping and Patricia staying in the van, we made our way through the paperwork,
Police for registering us, then docs for the van, then customs. Then our
official helper asking for 20 Euros for 10 minutes time and Tetouan Teddy still
smiling and insisting we go with him. I gave the official some remaining Euros
around 6 Euros, what I considered fair. Tetouan Teddy got some odd Dirhams for
his smile.
The border was reasonably quiet,
not manic as some seem to indicate. Two other vans behind us. The long shirted
official was a bit in a rush, repeating over and over what he wanted us to do.
But doing it all at my pace and controlling things especially passports and
papers, we got through easy.
Parking up inside Morocco, we had
our first young boy tapping on the window. I went with Patricia to an ATM
across the roadand got 2000 Dirhams.
Back at the van the boy was still hanging around. I tried to communicate a
little but his eyes looked dead and he had a totally defeated look on his face.
A difficult dilemma, do you give or ignore. We will have to learn as we go
along. We gave him a packet of crisp, which he strolled off with.
Our first destination was Assilah.
Setting off over the hills theclouds
were down so it was like driving in fog. We came down past Tangier Med port, a
large brand new facility still being extended. Here we unintentionally picked
up the motorway, which was quite good though. A service station came up, time
for diesel and dinner. Diesel was 8.34 D per litre, our first fill. 74.43
Litres cost 620 D in total, around 48 pounds. Not bad, wish it was that price
in England.
The service station had squat
toilets, a three tap foot washing basin and a small mosque with carpets laid
out. Coming off the motorway onto the N1 along the coast, it was dry, dusty and
had a certain decayed and neglected air about it. We stopped and I popped out
to buy a melon, 12 D, it was like an enormous rugby ball for less than £1.
We called in to look at a beach
stop, to do the toilet, the location is in the Morocco camping book. Again,
wind blown,deserted, rubbish strewn,
air of decay. The toilet doors were tied up, a chair and money bucket nearby,
so someone hangs around there. Pretty dirty and run down, sand piling up
everywhere. Rickety stick sun shelters being blown around in the wind. An ideal
film set building up to some spooky happening. No problem., we turned around
and got back onto the main road south.
Arriving in Asilah around 5 miles
down the road we soon had the attendants vying to pull us in. I wanted to get
near the Medina, so we had two Mohammeds helping us, Mohammed 1 and Mohammed 2,
Mohammed 1 spokereasonable English and
showed me where to empty the toilet. Toilet emptied we parked up, 50 D for the
night, not bad. We now got the salesmen coming around. I gave Mohammed
1thebottle of sparkling wine from the
ticket agency. He slipped it in his pocket, covered it with his shirt to hide
it fromMohammed 2, his mate.. We are
all brothers he told us. Glad he's not mine. It was a goodshow of his character to me.
We had awalk through the Medina and into the streets,
where everyone was selling something. It was a lovely chaotic scene, people
sitting, lying, standing, selling all kinds of things. The Fish was covered
with flies, not appealing. We bought 2kg of tomatoes 8 D, 1 kg of Nectarines 12
D, in a small utterly dirty and chaotic market. The amazing thing was the
closed stalls were just covered up and left, in a town where lots of people
seem to have very little.
My ladies, who decided to be
sensible and keep covered shoulders, enjoyed the unusual experience. They never
felt intimidated and felt that most salesmen took no for an answer. The Medina
had murals painted on some buildings, quite colourful.
When we got back to the vanI went for a stroll while Patricia and
Pauline prepared tea. Stalls selling bowls of either snails or small molluscs,
I couldn't tell. Also selling bowls of what seemed like chickpeas.
Colourfulhorse drawn carriages were
trotting around.
Back at the van we had tea and
decided to sit out, I had a beer and enjoyed the comings and goings ofthe night. This unfortunately was cut short
by a thunder storm, it put a bit of rain down, so we got down for the night. An
intriguing and interesting first day in Morocco. It certainly has a different
vibe than Europe.