Caldes de Monchique to Seville

Day 71  Caldes de Monchique to Orbitur Quartiera Camp Site

Left the picturesque Aire at about 11.ooam for a 1 hour drive to the campsite at Quartiera. The site was a large peaceful site so we found a level pitch and set up camp. Opposite our pitch were a lovely couple camping called Michael and Sharon.

Day 72 Orbitur Quartiera Camp site

Today we cycled to the beach which was about 10 mins from the site. Spent a couple of hours on the beach then cycled down the sea front to a beach side cafe for a cold drink then back to the camp site to watch England play Sweden.

Day 73 Orbitur Quarteira Camp site

Had a day round the van today, Michael and Sharon left today for there flights back home they were flying back from Lisbon so had a 3 hour drive. Before they left they gave us what provisions they had left and 2 little beach chairs which we were very grateful for as we could carry them on our bikes to the beach. So we said good bye and off they went.

Day 74 Orbitur Quarteira Camp site to Castro Marim

Left the camp site and had a steady drive to Castro Marim, Tried to go the scenic route through Olhau and Tavira which i thought would be along the coast but it turned out the road did not run along the coast. When we arrived at the Aire we went for a meal at a lovely little Portugese  restaurant called La Tasca Medievel. We had seen this place when we first arrived in Portugal and noticed Piri Piri chicken on the menu so thats what we both had to eat. Absolutely fab meal and plenty of drinks too. The bar area was also buzzing as Portugal were playing Holland, and they won !!!!!. total cost for a great meal beers, wine, coffee & water €25.10

Day 75 Castro Marim to Seville

We headed east today back in to Spain as we were on our way to Seville, the home of Tapas and Flamenco. We arrived at the site camping villasom early afternoon and set up camp, this was a good opportunity to do the washing. We went for a swim as the temperature here was 35 degrees, the hottest we had since we hit the road back in april. At 6.00pm we caught the bus in to the old town as we wanted to have Tapas and Fino (Spanish sherry). We walked round to the cathedral and past lots of old buildings typically Spanish. We ate in a lovely little tapas bar then caught the bus back to the camp site.

Day 76 Seville.

Had a lazy day today round the site and did a lot of research about our trip to Australia.

La Linea de Conception to Caldes Monchique Portugal

Day 66 9/6 La Linea de Conception Wild Camping

Left the wild camping spot overlooking Gibralter after spending the morning on the beach at La Linea de Conception. Heading for Camping Roche Site, Lovely site had a lazy afternoon round the van.

Day 67 10/6  Camping Roche to camping giralda

Had breakfast and decided to head as near to the border of Portugal as we could get which was about a 3 hour drive. However on the way a red engine light came on the dash board so we drove slowly to the site as the van was juddering. While we were driving along i was looking for the nearest Fiat dealer to our surprise there was one in Isla Cristina which is where we were heading, so we limped along and Derek nursed the van slowly to the site, unfortunately it was Sunday so we had to stay 2 nights. We took the bikes off the van and cycled to the garage so we could find it easily the next day.

Day 68 Camping Giralda – Isla Cristina.

Derek got up early and cycled to the garage to try and get an appointment . He made an appointment for 10.30am, so we got the van packed up and off we went leaving chairs and table on the pitch as we were coming back. To our surprise there was nothing major wrong with the engine just a blocked fuel injector which the mechanic cleaned for us within an hour we were back on the campsite and it had only cost us 15 euros (phew).

Day 69 Camping Giralda to Castro Marim Portugal

Left Camping Giralda at about 11 ish after getting packed up and washing the van for the first time since leaving the UK. Only 30 mins to the next Aire in Portugal, We crossed the border with no problem not even passport control. When we arrived at the Aire Castro Marim we had to put our clocks back so we were now on UK time. We went for a walk round as there was a medieval Castle which was not far and only 1 euro to go in.

Day 70 Castro Marim to Caldas de Monchique

We left the Aire for a 2 hour drive west to Caldas de Monchique on the way we stopped off at Praia de Oura near Albufiera to meet up with Rose and Sylvia. We had our lunch at there apartment overlooking a lovely beach we stayed chatting for about 2 hours then set off to find the Aire. When we arrived it was breathtaking the views were stunning this was a rural location but a lovely well maintained Aire with everything you need including Electric, Wifi, Pool, Washing Machines, Showers, Toilets and all for 12.50 Euros .During  the night it was really  windy i thought the camper was going to blow away.

Benidorm to Camping Roche

Day 50 24/5 Armanello Camp site Benidorm Sunny

Went for a walk in to Benidorm went to the bank and got some provisions, got a light bulb for the light outside then went back to the site. There was a pool game on at the bar man competition had a few drinks in the afternoon then back to the van for a curry, Sat out in the evening, Pat invited us to her caravan for a few drinks.

Day 51 25/5 Benidorm to La Florida Sunny

Packed up the van and said  goodbye to all the friends we made who live on the site then left about 11ish, Last drive towing the Harley as we had planned to stay at the bungalow for a week and leave the Harley and trailer there.

Day 52 to 58

Had a lovely week at the bungalow met up with Alan and Avril on Tues and they came to see us and we went to there place, After we went for a Chinese at Asia Chic and after to The Abbey for a few drinks. Then on Thurs Had a BBQ at our place with Rachel, Kersh, Mavis ,Arthur ,Jenny and Thomas.

Day 59 2/6 La Florida to Puntas du Calnegre sunny

Packed up camper and set off to an Aire south of Cartagena. It took us  an hour and a half to drive to the Aire but when we arrived it was closed until 15 September so luckily there was another Aire about 2 mile down the road. However that was also closed. The next Aire was 2 hour drive away, so we carried on following the road which took us to the sea front a little village called Puntas du calnegre and to our surprise there were lots of motorhomes wild camping and fishing so we decided to join them and parked up in a lovely spot right next to the beach .In the evening we went for a walk in to the village and found a few tapas bars on the beach so we went in and had 4 Tapas with drinks 10.70euros. Tables and chairs on the beach with candles lit . it was a romantic unplanned evening listening to the waves lapping up on the shore. We have started to get a lot more insects i.e Beasties.

Day 60 3/6 Puntas du Calnegre to Venta del Peral Aire.

Sat having breakfast on the beach watching people having a dip in the sea and just taking in the whole place , at 12.00 we left the beach and headed for an Aire at Venta del Peral, which was half way to Granada where we were heading to .Driving had now become far more easier without towing the Harley  we could get anywhere. The Aire was just off the motorway which was ok for a stopover. Here we got free wifi which Derek used to book tickets for the Alhambra at Granada for Tuesday night.

Day 61 4/6 Venta del Peral Aire to Reina Isabel Camping Granada.

Left the Aire at 10ish for a 2 hour drive to Granada, As we drove down the motorway the mountains of the Sierra Nevada came in to view what a stunning area, we could also see snow on the mountain tops too .How annoying is it when you get a fly in your camper? I was ready for it so i set up my fly catching trap,   Set up camp decided to have a BBQ for tea so went for a walk to get some meat , then back to the site, when we got back there was one dead fly stuck to the fly catcher, you would have thought i had won the lottery hahahaha then off  for a swim.

Day 62 5/6 Reina Isabel  Camping Granada

Caught the bus from the camp site to Granada then up to La Alhambra. Went to get the tickets which we had already pre booked. The Alhambra was amazing as we entered the grounds we went to the general life area which we were told to go first, then we walked to the Alcazas area had a coffee and Moorish biscuits in the cafe at Parador Hotel garden with stunning views. We had booked to to in to the Nazaries Palace at 7.00pm.We were not disappointed lots of detail and Arabic writing. Booked flights to Australia.

Day 63 6/6 Reina Isabel Camping Granada to Cabopino Camping Marbella

Had a steady drive down to the coast from Granada. Set up camp and relaxed round the site for the rest of the day.

Day 64 7/6 Cabopino Camping Marbella..

After lunch we caught the bus from the site to Marbella then on to Puerto Banus. Sat by the marina having coffee and looking at the large boats and Fancy cars and watching the world go by. Then got the bus back to the site.

Day 65 8/6 Cabopino Camping Marbella to Wild Camping at Linea de conception (Gibralter)

Left the campsite pretty early en route for Gibralter where there was a wild camping spot just at the foot of the rock. When we arrived we got our passports out and walked across the boarder in to Gibralter. When we walked in it was strange to see British Police, Red telephone boxes, Marks and Spencer, we went for a coffee on our way to catch the cable car up to the top of the Rock. When we got to the top we could see for miles even the coast of Morrocco and a few apes too. We stayed  for a short while then got the cable car back to the bottom. Went back to the van had a little nap then decided to get the bicycles off and cycle back to Gibralter so Derek could watch the opening ceremony for the Euro 2012 championships. However a carpark attendant asked us to move our camper round the corner to park on a stadium with another 60 or so campers, so we packed up moved and then cycled back to Gibralter.