Dad started Priscilla and we started our way round the campsite to head to the service point. For you novices that is where we fill up with fresh water and jettison our “grey” water (from the shower and sink). In this case it was also a car wash, and the dads had bought a token to give Priscilla a quick jet wash as well.
This may come as a shock, to those who know my dads,but they saw the adult exercise area and said they were going to have a few days using the equipment, pics shown here. Well I could have been knocked over with a feather, I am sure I am not alone. Well rest in peace, apart from taking the pictures for me, thats as far as they got. If any of you were expecting the return of two six pack, sun toned dads, forget it. They will be a little tanned but, thats it....
The threat was to use these .... but I knew better
We had to exit the camp and re-enter, only to find a crafty Frenchman had sneaked up the one way system the wrong way to beat us to it, and then a Spanish van had just arrived and was waiting in front. We waited and waited. The French gentleman then started to clean his motorhome by hand (sans jetwash), climbing on the roof etc.(understand I have nothing against the French as one of my best mates Val is from France). Anyway, the camp manager came over and pointed out that people were waiting and that he should hurry and move on. He moved out of the bay the wrong way to allow the Spanish man in, then when he had been in, he reversed back in to start washing all over again.
The little monkey was trying to eat his lunch
The star crossed loversThe dads (as you can imagine) were losing it at this point. Then the man’s wife arrived and turned the water tap off. Then he turned it on again and started washing the van all over again. I think dads were going to go and hit him, he had let in the Spanish visitor to fill up with water, but our GB plate was a NO NO.. They approached the manager who once again told the man he was monopolising the facility, but No! He was the French “resistance”. Half an hour later we managed to get our turn and move on. And guess who was blocking our way at the exit, while he paid for his visit at reception…..you guessed it. Lucky dad did not swipe the side of his van as we went passed. I think they were really good, but then they like everybody, until they take the pi**, it’s the sad bast***s that test you.
Our journey from Don Cactus, was as usual varied. First there was smiles as they said the scenery was like the Amalfi Drive in Italy. The rugged coast, winding hillside road, and blue sea. So its was going to be a pleasant trip. But no, the next bit was as they described probably some of the worst landscape they had seen in Europe. Humans do require lots of food stuff, and fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, melons, and courgettes are in demand. However to produce this vast crop, humans have changed the landscape, and been allowed to destroy vast areas of the national park. Shiny plastic sheeting for hundreds and hundreds of square miles making well ventilated “greenhouses” with out the glass. So for over 100km the scenery was just horticultural sheds.
As far as the eye can see, ragged material cover the landAnd our next site was to be in the National Park of Cabo de Gata- Nijar, sounded quite nice. Camping Cabo de Gata, was , as all we spoke too, a bit expensive for what was on offer. €29.50 (after discount). Signs saying only allowed 10lts of drinking water, a plain swimming pool, basic restaurant, and only cold water at the dish and clothes washing areas. The WIFI was in a tiny room like a radio room (our neighbour Lynne has one of those) but there was a very good supermarket. My blood ran cold when I saw there was a shower specially for us dogs (see picture) I was sure they would want to use all facilities to get their monies worth. Luckily I have been keeping my fur clean, (Beaches and clean walks – no muddy fields) so I got out without having to endure the embarrassment of soap and soggy fur.
Then a surprise, the Belgium couple dads had been helping in Granada, were parked two bays up. They had spotted us and were waving madly as we parked up. The steps that they had gaffa taped up, had been damaged. The Site owner had recommended a garage, and they knew a man who could help after siesta. He did completely repairing the steps, and only charged €20 for nearly 2 hours work……now try to get that in UK.
They were really happy to see us, and especially after it transpired their TV sound had not worked since they left Belgium. They asked if we knew anything about satellite TV. This time Guy said he would take a look, and 5 mins later there were big smiles they had sound on their TV. A large glass of pastiche was given as reward, and we all sat round and chatted.
Two more units parked up next to us both from UK. They were also surprised about the area. They had hoped to spend time riding their bikes through the tree of the national park. The park is just gorse and scrubland. Some pretty wild flowers in sparkling colours down to the sea, but not very inspiring landscape. Particularly as there was large areas of dumped rubbish and piles of dumped rubble – a National park !! But now the large covered plant sheds contained tomatoes. And Alan said they were his very favourite ones that are large and have to be eaten green and are only available in UK in spring. But here the ones that were already red were dumped, and there were skips full of them. Alan was a bit excited that there was a lot of sandfire everywhere, (more of the five a day boll**** ) but very trendy he says in restaurants and very tasty when you can get it (so that means Waitrose or Lidl don’t do it !)
Add that the weather is a bit cloudy, and you see why they decided we would only do the one night. So were off, and have to get out of this corner of Spain. Our electronic navigator tried to excite us, but a quick smack and his mute button pressed, we got out of a not pretty area. Back on the A7, we headed north, through the plundered landscape. Suddenly it changed, we were at Sierra Cabrera, and it turned into beautiful rugged little mountains and tiny villages nestling into them. Alan was hoping we might view Mojacar, which he visited as a new resort some 30 years ago when a company called Horizon Holidays started to use it and invited him to take a look. We were on the main road to did not get chance, he did say “never look back” it will never be the same, I think I understand.
Next the navigator whose voice had been restored, told us to take the AP-7 (toll road), well what a change. I had been suffering from my bits being bounced again, but then it was if we had taken to the air. A brand new road, and we were the only people who knew about it, miles upon miles of open road, and not a bump in it, bliss.
Then to a beautiful bay, Golfa de Mazarron. and to the resort of Isla Plana Playa. BIG BIG problem, I mean BIG. They had got all the details from the ACSI software they have on the PC. Apparently on every site it gives all the details of everything about the site. All the others had said 1 or more dogs welcome. They had not noticed it did not have this line. It does not say dogs not welcome, until you get to the gates, where there are huge signs of a dog with a line through – I AM NOT WELCOME – well they will never have had the pleasure. We turned round and went back about 2km to what they thought was the other shown on the ASCI programme. It wasn’t, it was Camping Los Delfines right opposite the beach. They had space so we are here, but, friends, you will not get this posting just yet. It is the only site with NO wifi or internet. The plus is there are lots of mates and dads are not challenged with to many translations cus most of the site is UK plates.
They are now talking of renting a car and leaving Priscilla here while we go to visit Alan sister’s villa in Murcia. You will have an update, when I get my paws back on the keyboard, and they find am entry into the internet, to upload, my work (you will probably get it all in one go – the pain of the literary gifted, that’s my burden, but I have to keep on for my devoted readers
Anybody out there?
More entente cordiale tomorrow !
Distance today : 165 km
Total do date : 3040 km
Tolls : € 5.80
Best diesel price: € Lt
LPG € lt
