Yup! I don't mind admitting the 'Costas' suit me well. Warm sunshine, clear blue sea, miles of long flat cyclable promenades, Cafes, wi fi and supermarkets everywhere. Heavily populated by English speakers and UK run business's. Very comforting. Almost feels holidayish! A good foil to my time away from tourist areas.
There are a lot more people and motorhomes down here this year as opposed to last. The Spanish seem to be tightening up on some wild or free camping spots too. Take where I am at present. Tucked on a wee car park right by the beach in a small 'Urbanization' called 'Castilla de la Duquessa'. (castle of the duchess.) I did not stop here last year but I do remember seeing from the A7 road a scattering of motorhomes wild camped all along this stretch of beach. Not this year though. New signs designating it a 'Site Ecologique' with all vehicular entrances to the beach area now blocked off. A big plush expensive campsite has opened up, and by the looks of it is full to bursting with gi-normous American type RV's and caravans. I can actually see them from where I'm sitting now where there are 4 of us in total. 2 French, 1 German and myself tucked into a parking area next to the beach.. No problems at all. Last night the 'Policia Locale' came round, chatted amiably with the German, obviously a good Spanish speaker, and then toddled on their way. I've said it before and last night was a good example of the relaxed attitude of the local police to motorhomers at this time of year. That is, of course, where there are no problems and not too many of us congregating in the one spot.
I spent a few nights at Nerja prior to arriving here. There were several other motorhomes there and I could see trouble brewing. I watched a couple of guys carrying their toilet cassettes over to a manhole. I did not actually see them disgorging the contents but presume they did as they left the manhole catch open for others to access. When I looked carefully at the drain run I classed it as a water run off pipe from the roadway and not a sewer drain. A big difference and a lovely way to contaminate water that probably runs into one of the irrigation lakes used by the local fruit growers. And why? I asked myself, when just up the road a garage offered all motorhome service requirements plus launderette.
Just to emphasize the above I am now on Police records here in Andalucia after being chucked off a beach side stop along with a few others. A first for me and a 'not too unpleasant' experience with the female and English speaking member of the two person 'Policia Locale' team hinting there had been complaints. Not suprising really as this open grassy area right next to the beach was just south of 'posh expensive' Marbella and right next to some extremely plush millionaire type villas. I think I'd complain too if I owned one and woke up to a view of pikeys and their vans from my obscenely large patio cum terrace cum nearly Olympic size swimming pool.
I had arrived ten minutes before Mr Plod arrived so it did not worry me to be moved on. I had only popped in for a look as it was visible from the main road. The rest, about five vans were quite put out and animatedly discussing where to go next. I shrugged my shoulders, kept my mouth shut and quietly left when asked if I knew any good spots. Fraid it was a case of, 'well, for one van yes I do know where to go. However; in this wild/free camping game, especially with so many motorhomes about, such places are, unfortunately not for sharing!'
I'd been back to the Buddha Stupa at Benaldamena to attend an advertised teaching by a member of the Sangha (Buddhist community). Excellent it was too. I had stayed locally overnight and had called into the 'Mr Plod wants you gone' spot on my way back to 'Duquessa' where I had already sussed out several places to park up. I had also previously booked Tanya in to 'Shampoodle' for some TLC, or in Tanya language 'More Woofin Torture'. An obliging and enterprising English couple ran it and I was told about it by a guy in the Dolphin Cafe & Bar at 'Puerto Duquessa' marina where we were both enjoying a light lunch in the warm sunshine.
The appointment is tomorrow morning and we are discretely camped just a short walk away. After, and hopefully with a smartly turned out Tanya, it is off to Portugal time.
Errr! what happened to Morrocco I hear you say? Weeeell ..... after a few days angst, a visit to Algeciras' where I encountered the German and French en masse all returning, plus various stories of hassle plus lack of other English speakers going to Morocco I decided I just could not be bothered.
A warm and mutually uplifting phone conversation with Barbara (poor B has had 'The Bug!) helped me decide on a plan for her to fly down to 'Faro', Portugal early April to join me for a few weeks. It all felt so relaxed and free of hassle as opposed to Morrocco which seemed to be sending me nothing but obstacles and difficulties. I'll do Morrocco in 2015 and join up with others early January which is when they all seem to travel over.
So all being well tomorrow should be bye bye Costas as we once again head inland and, in my roundabout and wandering way, aim for 'Seville' ..... roughly, I think, I'll check with Mrs Sat Nav tomorrow!
1 comment:
Hey Steve, just caught up with your blog - sounds so good with your assortmert of interesting adventures - have yet to check out all the places on the map so I know just where you've been!! You and Tanya sound so relaxed and in the zone, and you've met up with lovely people - and as you say, balanced the alone with the social really well. But wow the bus encounter was truely scarey. Glad you are back to mild, even warm weather - take lots of care and love to you, Judith xx PS. no 'selfy's' yet?? beard or no beard??
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