Day 21 - Moraira - San Javier

 

Proper full on sunny morning!!!

Is there anywhere better to wake in the sunshine than a sandy beach? Today is probably our first proper sunny morning. Takes little time to sort ourselves out and get out in the sunshine. A similar walk to last night has us walking along the sea front where we decide to splash out on breakfast at a sea front bar. Sitting in the sunshine was our first taste of Spanish seaside holiday! 


Transpires that Friday is market day in the main town carpark so we decided to go for the full on holiday experience and walk the lines of fresh fruit and veg and a surprising number of ‘Chanel’ handbags and ‘North face’ tracksuits. Got caught by the staff of a stall selling olives and by the time we’d tried a lot of varieties we left with two huge tubs of ( very delicious) olives and a wallet that was about 20 euro lighter!



Nothing left to do but to walk down to the beach for a paddle before we moved.




From Moraira we drive the coast road all along the Costa Blanca. The area is so much more populated than anywhere we’ve been so far but at the start the journey hugs the coast and gives that highway 1 vibe again, as it cuts through cliff faces and looks out at blue seas. By the time we get to Calpe though, the buildings have increased and at Altea our attempt to get to the sea backfires, leaving us in a  resident only street that’s a tight turn to get out, but only after a glimpse at the adjacent rocky bay. 

We bypass Benidorm but can clearly see it’s high rise buildings from our road  some look really impressive and we get a pang of regret that we’ve missed part of the Costa Blanca experience but need to make some progress so keep going. 


Further on, Alicante screams money. With a wide prom and big yachts in the marina, it could easily be mistaken for the south of France.


Just past Alicante and past the salt flats and I spot the tell tale signs of a gathering of vans in a small beach car park. We turn off and whilst not the most attractive beach it makes a great picnic spot in the sunshine. We even get the chairs out!


 

Back in the car and more suburban driving. The road is literally edged with superstores all the way. At Torrevieja we bypass for a welcome stroll to the famous pink lakes… not so pink in the height of the day but definitely pinker than most, and a lovely spot to breathe after the busy highway. 

Couldn’t resist wondering how salty it was and the answer is ‘feels like a caustic burn to the tongue’ salty! Won’t be trying that again! 

Still aiming to get in striking distance of Cartagena tomorrow, we crack on. Our original idea of heading to Cap Palis is looking unlikely now with failing light and I spot a gathering of vans in a shopping centre car park. Feels like something from nomadland , full timers offering hairdressing services and others gathered together on deckchairs chatting. Some of the biggest vans we’ve seen, one seems considerably larger than a bus. However there is still some light left so before settling we drive a little further to Los Alcazares and take a stroll along the promenade beside Mar Menor … all very quiet except for a few young people kayaking from the water sports club. The site of La Manga on the spit opposite isn’t to appealing but here it seems very tranquil- I suspect it might be different in the summer! 


Back to our nomadic home at the shopping centre and a brief visit to the adjacent carrefour to buy pastries for the morning and use their facilities! It’s a real mix of vans parked up tonight , we are definitely the smallest! The Belgian guy next to us is super friendly but our French skills can’t keep up with him. 

There is some road noise but it’s reducing all the time and by 11ish when we settle it’s not at all intrusive. New experience this one!


Miles so far: 1060

Steps today : 11,951

Overnight: rear car park of Dos Mares shopping centre , free 

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