Friday 21 April 2017

La Azohia & Puntas de Calnegre

La Azohia and that seascape to view whilst relaxing at the local pizza restaurant


A favourite spot for sure


If you thought we'd gone to La Azohia for a rest then think again...
Those party animals Viv & John are already there and so its pizza and salad all round then


The site sits nicely back from the beach and the weather is brilliant!


Lunchtime next day after a heavy vinho fuelled night beforehand and we all visit a local seafront restaurant for a very nice menu del dia


An afternoon lost to very good company, dark beers and the sound of the waves gently lapping the shore nearby....



After a few days our new chums head down the coast a bit and leave us to recover our senses...




An amble around the bay and up to the torre which dominates the headland



La Azohia and as yet not in any touring books we know thankfully



That Torre complete with tower top terrace


Easter is coming up next weekend and I sample this weird delight from the site visiting bread man
A hard boiled egg (still in its shell) in sweet shortcrust pastry


Exercise is needed and so the bikes are pressed in to action


Taking us to nearby Puerto de Mazarron and a beer at the marina


A trailer full of water containers proves its worth by giving us five days at La Azohia
OK some folks could go two weeks with 236 litres of fresh water available but we are accustomed to a van that feels like home and that means not skimping on water consumption


We relocate after filling up to the area of Puntas de Calnegre and specifically a lovely wild camping spot next to the beach at Canada de Gallego and guess who's here already?


Vivian rustles the troops together and we are soon marched off along the beach trail to a beautiful small bay down the coast where we spend some time on the beach but yet more at the conveniently located beach bar


A couple of days are spent in Viv & John's company before they head back inland and ultimately back to their apartment south of Alicante


We move just a few kms down the coast to Taray Camper Park for a couple of nights tranquility and rest. Its just a short walk from there in to Puntas de Calnegre and the several tapas bars/restaurants on offer that front the shoreline
We both ate hearty fish meals that were very reasonably priced and soaked up the sun...


Some folks are put off by the vast array of greenhouses here but we just think: 
Tomatoes/avocados under cover = sunshine, and lots of it!




Have you spotted we kinda like it here?




Our morning view across the bay to Puerto de Mazarron


Moonrise...



We move back to the spot near Canada and break out the boots and walking sticks





Hilltop ruins in a fine location, just add money....


We walk back past the camper park for yet more tapas in the village


Unusual this, so many wild flowers abound here and brought on by all that rain just before the Christmas period we are told



We can't resist a trip back to La Azohia one day on Max and settle for fancy coffee at a now favourite little bar we've recently discovered overlooking the sea


Max getting the 'job done'


And to finish here's Nina's latest creation complete with an Easter Bunny...

Time to get moving towards Portugal as the beginning of next month looms ever nearer
We are pleased we spent Easter here. The Spanish came en masse to the coast, many parking next to the beach in motorhomes, but the little village of Puntas de Calnegre coped really well and it was nice to see their little restaurants completely filled with happy folk freely spending money and helping the local economy



















Sunday 16 April 2017

Still more Ricote!

Martyn is dropped off at the airport and we wild camp near La Marina, getting stocked up at Mercadona & Lidl, and doing the washing at a very handy 'Wash & Go' facility nearby


What better way of unwinding than to return to lovely Ricote...


This is what it says on the tin for our intended stay


Walking is soon undertaken amongst the lemon groves once more and the smell of blossom abounds



These almonds are coming on nicely




Hot explorers





A four strong jet stream is spotted above and identified as incoming from Buenos Aires at the end of a long journey


A nice ride on Max through the hills to nearby Mula is rewarded with a cold beer and the usual Tapas


Topped off with some fine home cooking of giant Gambas steeped in garlic & parsley


Its at Ricote that we meet these guys, Vivienne & John, who turn out to be a right laugh. After a previous vinho tinto night in with them they take us to a very secluded typical tapas bar in the village that opens late evening


Next day we are off exploring the hills with these recently arrived guys, Pat & Colin, who we met last year at Cabo de Gata. We think they were impressed with the village and its walking possibilities and are sure to return again
Luckily for them we confined our 'Gin & Tonic' refreshments to the afternoon at the van together so headaches next day were tactfully avoided!
You may not be so lucky next time!


Colin spotted this electrical wizardry at top floor level where the street electrics run through the house!
Imagine getting away with that in the UK...


Much hilarity in the van one night before bed as Nina takes a swag off disinfectant instead of water
Apparently the same looking bottle in the dark..


To top off our 'Rest Session' Russ & Lynne arrive travelling eastwards and the girls are soon sampling the bargains to be had at the local small market


Livers are soon put in to action as expected but a big walk next day in the hills kinda redresses the balance don't you think?


Oh dear, 'Nobby' has found a bar after the walk and we 'have' to keep him company


Ha Ha...
Too much for this 'Old Dude'
I have to admit I felt the same in the heat of the afternoon


So at the end of our 'Escape to the country rest session' we leave Ricote thoroughly exhausted from social excess
Great to see everyone though and catch up on the Goss!

We head now down to La Azohia and the coast for a spot of cycling and a chill...