"A Year in Spain" My "last gasp" attempt at posting (informative info).

[jumartoo]

We left home this morning around 15 minutes later than scheduled and we drove to the town of Mula, with a serviced motorhome area that we've used many times for services, but never stayed overnight. Our intention was to ride from there and then go to a quiet spot near the Embalse de la Cierva.

Shock number one was the sheer number of motorhomes at Mula. In all our past visits, the most we've seen was 7. Today there must be 30 or so. Big groups of French, with quite a few Swiss.

We went for our ride, another that Martin had planned on an app. We had to ignore a few bits that were the wrong side of fences and gates, but overall it was 47km of nice riding.

At Bullas, Martin (Mr. Information once again) was flagged down by a guy walking along the via verde. He wanted to know how long it would take him to walk to Caravaca. We gave him the info the best we could, from our experience of riding that section. He turned out to be a Swedish guy, living in Torrevieja!

We rode to Mula Castle, and on the way we could see our proposed, always quiet, reservoir parking, already had 5 motorhomes there. We decided it would still be quieter than the town, so we are now here. All of the vehicles here are Spanish registered. Its also parking for a climbing area. How many will leave this evening will be interesting to see. Will it be quiet??? Hope so

It's really showing the sheer numbers of motorhomes in Spain when these places are getting so full.

 

[jumartoo]

I've just had a stroll to the reservoir. There are people fishing. I could hear the word "mosquito" mentioned. Rather them than me. I just hope we don't have any inside here!

 

[jumartoo]

This morning I made a return visit to the reservoir to take photos with different colours before we left our, overcrowded, parking (8 motorhomes last night, a first for us there).

View from our motorhome back to Mula Castle.

And the reservoir this morning.

We shopped at Mula and then called to Bodega Rosario at Bullas to buy some wine to take with us to our friends for lunch on Friday. We then went to one of our old favourites, the parking for the via verde near Bullas. We're here alone (motorhome wise that is), tucked in a corner, leaving the parking free for the dog walkers and via verde cholesterol walkers! I had a micro litterpick. We visited during Covid and the place was a mess. I cleaned it and, every time since that we've been here, it's been in a pretty good state. There are waste bins, including recycling, so there's no excuse, but ....

We had a short stroll along the via verde and tomorrow we're hoping to ride from here, before risking the motorhome parking at Caravaca.

 

[jumartoo]

We had another, as far as we're concerned, lovely ride this morning. My photos (not many) are still inside the camera so I'll post them later.

We are now at the motorhome area of Caravaca de la Cruz and ..... it's rammed. All 13 places are taken and the car park next door has another 20/25 as well.

People seem to be arriving somewhere, and staying, in fear of not getting on elsewhere.

We're here, mainly, to do the services. Tomorrow we're going to the place in Coy where we parked some time ago, to go to eat at the bar we ate at last time. Mmmmmmm.

On Thursday we're going to ride, and sneak in another night. I just hope no-one else has found it .

Friday, we'll be parked at our "exclusive" spot in Totana, from where we'll be dined (wine is on us) by some of our oldest friends Maria and Salvador (and Firmin, Maria's brother).

We have some tales to tell of travelling together in motorhomes in Scotland, and also in the Lake District.

I'll tell them, if asked

 

[jumartoo]

I've really made a bad job of this thread. In November we were in Coy (all good so far, although I can't believe it was so long ago) and parked up next to the artificial beach. We had a good ride (good, good) and then we went for a lovely meal in a local restaurant. BUT I DIDN’T NAME IT My bad! Especially because we want to go back there again tomorrow. We can find the place, but I wanted to see if it would be open. (Bad thread reporting from me, for which I apologise, although we're probably the first wanting to eat there, based on my thread, since November ).

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[jumartoo]

Peavy further to my post about travelling with Spanish followers. One of our good Catalan friends who travelled with us in the Uk. (unfortunately we don't have frequent contact, but hear about them through Murcian friends).

Carles, and his, now grown daughter Alba.

(Sorry the video wouldn't post.)

 

[jumartoo]

Further to my earlier failure, just a few photos from today.

Nothing spectacular, but it doesn't mean we didn't have a nice ride.

 

[jumartoo]

We had a quiet night here at Caravaca despite the number of motorhomes and the still busy, until late into the evening, town.

Coy today, and lunch out.

 

[jumar]

We had a quiet night here at Caravaca despite the number of motorhomes and the still busy, until late into the evening, town.

Coy today, and lunch out.

Only 6°c this morning but could rise around 20°c by mid afternoon....
Having a quiet restful day as jumartoo has written....
Have prepared 50 small flyers to put in the neighbours vans telling them just how nice France and Germany are this time of the year..

 

[RobbyMClark]

I've really made a bad job of this thread. In November we were in Coy (all good so far, although I can't believe it was so long ago) and parked up next to the artificial beach. We had a good ride (good, good) and then we went for a lovely meal in a local restaurant. BUT I DIDN’T NAME IT My bad! Especially because we want to go back there again tomorrow. We can find the place, but I wanted to see if it would be open. (Bad thread reporting from me, for which I apologise, although we're probably the first wanting to eat there, based on my thread, since November ).

Still love reading of your travels - keep it up, giving me ideas for hopefully future trips.
Stay well.

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[Clive gardiner]

Ditto

 

[Phil Hall]

We (jumar and myself) live in Spain. We now have a "bolthole" apartment, twixt the mountains of Sierra Espuña and the med coast of Puerto Mazarron.

But ... we still have many motorhoming trips away. Local(ish) in autumn/winter/spring, and in the summer months, further afield.

In the summer I often start a thread, but, I soon give up, due to lack of inerest, maybe? to people being away on their own summer trips, and not needing info of places to go. Any other reasons, please say!

So ... I'm happy, and willing to post, a "Year in Spain" (with maybe a dip over the borders into France and Portugal).

Any interest, starting from now onwards??

We love the travel dialogues, it gives good ideas on places to visit. So yes please, please keep us all informed. I don’t usually write and make comment, but promise to give a thumbs up when I read good ones in future. Keep it up

 

[jumartoo]

Thanks for the responses. I'll keep posting. It may be a bit repetitive for some, just skip any bits that are boring.

I'm hoping our summer trip may get us into new areas to us, or at least places we want to revisit after many years.

 

[jumartoo]

Still love reading of your travels - keep it up, giving me ideas for hopefully future trips.
Stay well.

Hoping for a re-meet with you two again. Keep up the list of places to visit

 

[Abgs]

I'm getting well into planning our summer trip. So far our thoughts are leaving here in June, doing a few weeks in Cataluña, then leaving the van, somewhere still to be agreed, near Girona, and setting off on a 6 day bike ride. This is going to hit our bank balances big time, but life is for living and, occasionally, we're happy to pay for food and accommodation. I'm already looking forward to the route, even though it takes us into France as well as depleting our reserves !

That route looks fantastic - it's now on my to-do list !

I rode about 10km of it last year as it went past the the Àrea Massís del Montgrí Camper Park near L'Escala which I stayed in for a couple of days. I was really impressed with the cycle route network and signage in Cataluña.

If you are stuck with where to leave the van might be worth asking them for a 6 day rate. Really nice people and a well run place, with an office, small produce shop open a few hours each morning and afternoon and laundry facilities. It's not bog standard Aire but not a campsite either.

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[Abgs]

I'm also Google Map logging some of the places you ride in for future trips. Keep up the good work!

 

[jumartoo]

That route looks fantastic - it's now on my to-do list !

I rode about 10km of it last year as it went past the the Àrea Massís del Montgrí Camper Park near L'Escala which I stayed in for a couple of days. I was really impressed with the cycle route network and signage in Cataluña.

If you are stuck with where to leave the van might be worth asking them for a 6 day rate. Really nice people and a well run place, with an office, small produce shop open a few hours each morning and afternoon and laundry facilities. It's not bog standard Aire but not a campsite either.

Thanks for this. I'll keep the Camper Park in mind. So far we've thought about the airport parking and also an ACSI site, but not yet checked out availability.

 

[Just smiffy]

Thanks for the responses. I'll keep posting. It may be a bit repetitive for some, just skip any bits that are boring.

I'm hoping our summer trip may get us into new areas to us, or at least places we want to revisit after many years.

I’m here as always on all your threads, you could call me your friendly stalker…

 

[gus-lopez]

Further to my earlier failure, just a few photos from today.


View attachment 867183

I've noticed that this eagle is following you about?

 

[jumartoo]

I’m here as always on all your threads, you could call me your friendly stalker…

I have you in mind when we're on some of the, very trikeable, via verdes. Did you get it repaired?

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[Just smiffy]

I have you in mind when we're on some of the, very trikeable, via verdes. Did you get it repaired?

No… but I’m planing on getting one sorted this summer…

 

[jumartoo]

This morning in Caravaca, after a few had left.

The official parking.

And the "overspill".

Our stomachs are telling us it's time to go to eat . More later.

 

[jumartoo]

Sooo, food partaken. We were three in the dining area. We watched, in disbelief, the contestants on TV, the Spanish equivalent of Wheel of Fortune. We could see the answers way before the contestants. We'd be bad for the programme, possibly .

We chose almost the same meal as we had in November, mainly because we enjoyed it so much then, and it was as good again today. Photos are on my phone so will follow later.

We've come away with a, decanted, bottle of Coy wine. That's tomorrow's tipple, with our meal.

 

[jumartoo]

It's so nice to be alone, in real Spain .

 

[jumartoo]

Our meal. Simple food, but well cooked and with a nice reception.

Walking to the bar.

Potaje. (Vegetable stew).

with the remains of the salad we had before.

Martin .... waiting. The TV on in the background.

Lamb and potatoes. Very well cooked meat.

Deconstructed dessert

Coffees (with alcohol) Cafe Asiatico

And the "teapot" of the local liqueur that we tasted, but couldn't possibly finish

We told the guy our plans. Motorhome parked near the artificial beach. Riding tomorrow and staying again overnight. He told us to get in touch with him if we had any problems. They are open 7/7.

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[Captain Axle]

Yes please

Yes please, that would be great, Captain Axle

 

[Peavy]

local liqueur

That would be some kind of café licor?
That menú looks yummy

 

[jumartoo]

That would be some kind of café licor?
That menú looks yummy

It was excellent. Freshly cooked lamb, and not overcooked.

We enjoyed the same in November.

The wine is very smooth. In fact we have a bottle that the owner decanted for us, with lunch today

 

[jumartoo]

We've been for a ride. Another, planned on Komoot, and adjusted en route.

We arrived back to find the motorhome surrounded by a group clearing the weeds. They had absolutely no problem with us being parked in the midst of their workplace, but we were quizzed as to where we were from, etc.

They've left for lunch. Peace descends

This is very reminiscent of our early (beginning of the century) motorhome parkups. We were quizzed most places we parked, but always welcomed.

 

[Peavy]

Following your observation about visitors in winter, we are amazed about this one.
We are enjoying a long weekend
Yesterday we were at Prat de Compte (one of our favourite spots) and we were the only Spanish van.
Martin, jumar , we need your flyers
First picture from a few months ago (only us), second taken yesterday.

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