Lots of FLT at La Zenia (SE Spain)

[InvictaMoto]

Be honest, you just go for the free coffee don't you.

And from next week as long as you have a Waitrose card you can get a coffee and not buy anything at all.

 

[cyberyacht]

- it's about 18 minutes in for the vloggers. The FB post was above.

Thanks for the link. Takes me back. They drove past the end of my road as they dropped down to the beach. They probably would have been OK on the roadside just before Arenales. That width restriction sign is new. My Compactline would be OK though as I'm 2.12M and under the 2.2M limit. Must remember to bring a tape measure for the Guardia.

 

[Barriesimpson]

You have just invented a new motorhome word:

'FISHMONGER' (Verb)
A Selfish (geddit!) member of the motor homing community (typically in Spain, but not Spanish).
Who exceeds the maximum time (usually 24 or 48 hrs) in a free overnight motor homing location.
And despite rules to the contrary sets up tables, chairs, awnings and typically occupies at least double the space allocated per vehicle.

Feel free to add further to the definition before we ask Jim to add it to the dictionary

Most here are 72 hours max, but as has been said, most exceed the time limit and nobody controls it.

 

[Barriesimpson]

well, also some locals do behave that way, unfortunately.

Yes they do, especially here in the Canaries.

 

[Orion]

Be honest, you just go for the free coffee don't you.

No, it’s more of a making do with second best since we moved from Knightsbridge and the Harrods Food Hall isn’t readily accessible.

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[OldAgeTravellers]

It appears that the law has changed in Spain, levellers/wedges are no longer considered as safety equipment. We were at Fuengirola Castle the other night and the Police came round and told everybody with wedges, jacks and steps out to put them away immediately. Any unoccupied vans got a ticket if they had them out. We have full air so looked at a funny angle so the copper got on his knees and checked underneath. Nothing to see so we were ok.
Strangely a Brit who was told to remove his levellers also had a generator running and the copper said nothing about it? I would have thought that was definitely “Camping Behaviour”.
Every site or Aire is absolutely rammed even one near the Castle at €60 per night! We need to move inland a bit now as we get further north.

 

[MichaelT]

No, it’s more of a making do with second best since we moved from Knightsbridge and the Harrods Food Hall isn’t readily accessible.

Fortnum and Mason deliver

 

[Orion]

Fortnight and Mason deliver

In their own liveried transport?

Wouldn’t want the neighbour’s curtains twitching at the sight of an Uber Eats van turning up - perish the thought - it’s bad enough when their own Morrisons delivery arrives.

 

[Minxy]

It appears that the law has changed in Spain, levellers/wedges are no longer considered as safety equipment. We were at Fuengirola Castle the other night and the Police came round and told everybody with wedges, jacks and steps out to put them away immediately

I thought they were always considered 'camping' paraphernalia and not allowed?

 

[Fragle]

It appears that the law has changed in Spain, levellers/wedges are no longer considered as safety equipment. We were at Fuengirola Castle the other night and the Police came round and told everybody with wedges, jacks and steps out to put them away immediately. Any unoccupied vans got a ticket if they had them out. We have full air so looked at a funny angle so the copper got on his knees and checked underneath. Nothing to see so we were ok.
Strangely a Brit who was told to remove his levellers also had a generator running and the copper said nothing about it? I would have thought that was definitely “Camping Behaviour”.
Every site or Aire is absolutely rammed even one near the Castle at €60 per night! We need to move inland a bit now as we get further north.

It’s not a recent change. I think it’s always been there.
On more than one occasion in the last 2 years I’ve seen the police come round early in the morning and knock on motorhome doors insisting that the ramps were immediately removed.
They then waited

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[royandsharont]

I don’t think your supposed to have the windows open even, as that’s classed as camping

 

[Minxy]

Your not supposed to have anything outwith the vehicle itself so no levellers, ramps, steadies, steps, hinged windows open etc also pop tops aren't allowed to be up either as a fellow parker in Portugal was informed by the police as this is camping. Similarly satellite dishes etc on the roof aren't really allowed to be used either if they have to be deployed.

The vehicle has to be drivable in the current state so in practical terms think of it as only being permitted if the same thing could be done when travelling, eg roof vents allowed as you can drive with them open, same with normal cab and sliding windows.

 

[Minxy]

I don’t think your supposed to have the windows open even, as that’s classed as camping

Not push out ones but normal cab and sliding ones that don't extend out from the vehicle's body can be opened.

 

[Barriesimpson]

I don’t think your supposed to have the windows open even, as that’s classed as camping

Correct.

 

[grasscutter]

We’ve been FLT for as long as we can remember.
Just drive down to the Med to Aguilas.
We managed to find a space at Playa Carolinas but I have never seen so many vans wilding before. Every spot of land on the coast around here is absolutely rammed.
The garage Anibal service station up the road are doing a roaring trade on their waste/water service. £3 .
Will only stay a couple of days before we head off to one of our lesser known spots ( prepared to find that has changed).
Thankfully we do enjoy being inland and walking/cycling from some of the amazing free aires.

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[Fragle]

Your not supposed to have anything outwith the vehicle itself so no levellers, ramps, steadies, steps, hinged windows open etc also pop tops aren't allowed to be up either as a fellow parker in Portugal was informed by the police as this is camping. Similarly satellite dishes etc on the roof aren't really allowed to be used either if they have to be deployed.

The vehicle has to be drivable in the current state so in practical terms think of it as only being permitted if the same thing could be done when travelling, eg roof vents allowed as you can drive with them open, same with normal cab and sliding windows.

The latest gadget the folding solar panel is also apparently not allowed on the floor. Although some say that they can be attached to the side panels off the floor.
Or you can just do as I have and place them along with the power bank away from the van along with a chair and a book to read. No problem then

 

[Minxy]

The latest gadget the folding solar panel is also apparently not allowed on the floor. Although some say that they can be attached to the side panels off the floor.
Or you can just do as I have and place them along with the power bank away from the van along with a chair and a book to read. No problem then

Solar panels, portable satellite dishes, BBQs, chairs etc aren't allowed however it depends on the police as some seem to ignore solar panels but anything else has to be shifted. It really is down to how rigidly enforced the rules are, in some places they are more enforced than others. If the police are really peed off they'll do a late night/early morning raid and shift everyone regardless of whether they're behaving or not.

 

[jongood]

I love Spain but cant help but wonder why they dont deal with the motorhome situation a little more proactively and create some nicer camperstops and campsites. We predominantly find ourselves "parking" when there is nothing with a decent view to stay on. We recently spent a few days on the beach because the other options involved being surrounded by long term caravans or polytunnels.

Ok I fully get why Spain has areas they want to protect but they also have a heck of a lot of free coastal space that to create some more camper parks would be a good use and probably bring more money to a less popular area. Ok it wouldnt stop the hardcore but it would bring a level of control to a situation that is getting crazy.

 

[Lenny HB]

We find it much better to go in April now, still very busy but not rammed.

 

[MichaelT]

We find it much better to go in April now, still very busy but not rammed.

Okay you talked me into it I'll stay on...

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[Fragle]

We find it much better to go in April now, still very busy but not rammed.

After this year. We will be changing our schedule in the future.
Now thinking mid September to mid December then April to July.
Down here at the moment and it’s just been crazy busy you are then having to think about park ups in advance.
We also don’t do sites and feel it is quieter at these times

 

[pandas]

I love Spain but cant help but wonder why they dont deal with the motorhome situation a little more proactively and create some nicer camperstops and campsites. We predominantly find ourselves "parking" when there is nothing with a decent view to stay on. We recently spent a few days on the beach because the other options involved being surrounded by long term caravans or polytunnels.

Ok I fully get why Spain has areas they want to protect but they also have a heck of a lot of free coastal space that to create some more camper parks would be a good use and probably bring more money to a less popular area. Ok it wouldnt stop the hardcore but it would bring a level of control to a situation that is getting crazy.

I agree. Some think more about the police stopping them rather than why. A generalisation but why do we have right to clutter a beautiful coastline just because we can get away with it. Respect nature is my view by parking in designated areas - if there aren’t don’t park up overnight.

 

[Minxy]

I agree. Some think more about the police stopping them rather than why. A generalisation but why do we have right to clutter a beautiful coastline just because we can get away with it. Respect nature is my view by parking in designated areas - if there aren’t don’t park up overnight.

I agree on the whole however whilst there are places with a load of designated areas other places don't have any possibly because there isn't the demand, but careful and considerate parking shouldn't be a problem, it's the ones that take the p*ss and park in ways that upset the locals that spoil it.

 

[royandsharont]

Whilst many do I am pretty sure it is totally illegal to camp in other than designated places, just like here I suppose, so if some police enforce it and others don’t you may just be lucky if you ‘get away with it’ it doesn’t make it right though.

Spanish local police are very strange in enforcement of anything. As an example of a non camping issues when we lived there we had a zebra crossing with a bank and ATM at its location. In the summer, busy months with lots of Madridians at their holiday homes on the coast, if you dared to stop on the zebra to use the ATM the police appeared as if from nowhere and dealt with the offender. In winter months they would just drive by and do nothing!

If your like me you would never dream of parking up like that, regardless of the time of year or circumstances, but I know I am probably in a tiny minority these days with many happy to just do what they want, and feel they should be able to.

 

[Minxy]

Whilst many do I am pretty sure it is totally illegal to camp in other than designated places, just like here I suppose, so if some police enforce it and others don’t you may just be lucky if you ‘get away with it’ it doesn’t make it right though.

I'm talking about parking not camping, parking, unless specifically restricted or banned, is permitted in Spain just as it is in the UK. Inconsiderate parking should be avoided regardless of legality.

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[royandsharont]

I'm talking about parking not camping, parking, unless specifically restricted or banned, is permitted in Spain just as it is in the UK. Inconsiderate parking should be avoided regardless of legality.

Sorry Minxy, I thought you were talking about living in the van parked up on anywhere other than an Area.

Re parking I find Spain very strange and must admit I dont really understand all the rules. As an example we visited a chemist in Aguilas which was on the main road and had parking there and in the side streets. We had to visit the medical centre a walk away to get a prescription for antibiotics to be dispensed since the rules changed, this was in 2023. I was told by the pharmacist that because we were in a Motorhome I couldn’t actually legally park where the cars do and run the risk of a ticket.

I’m pretty sure my Spanish friend said we couldn’t wash our car outside our house on the street but there was no signs I ever saw that said this, but I must admit I’ve never seen anyone do it, other than me the first time.

 

[Minxy]

Unless the street had signs showing cars only or for example weight/height/length restrictions, that you had to use one bay if they were marked out etc, then saying you couldn't use the street parking shouldn't have been a problem.

As for washing your vehicle on the roadside, that's a definite no no, you have to go to a carwash to do it. I'm not sure of the reason but than they don't have a lot of street drainage in some places, it could be due to not wasting water, or 'polluting' due to the washing liquid, gus-lopez jumartoo would be able to answer that. Don't even think of emptying you grey waste on the street nor your fresh either, you simply aren't allowed to let water out at all.

 

[pandas]

Polarisation of those that primarily use Aires and those, like us, particularly in southern Europe prefer to park up (camp) for a few days/week and live outside - out with the awning, table/chairs, bbq and feel the sun. Maybe an age thing. Use it as a base to explore rather than park up in what is essentially 'service' area for motorhomes (or supermarket car parks). Don't want to give the impression that we only use campsites as when 'on route/touring'' discovering different areas we make good use of the Aires system for a night or two feeling confident we are not infringing any bylaws or hacking off the locals. I was going to say that we never put a washing line out - just a small airing thing that sits in the sun for an hour to dry off the towels but that would come across as too pc. All different.

 

[jumartoo]

From N332

You Are NOT Allowed to Wash Your Car in the Street | N332.es - Driving In Spain

There are many rules that people have to be reminded of on a regular basis, and one such rule is that you are not allowed to wash your car in the street in Spain. Of course, it is important to keep your car clean, partly because a clean car is actually more economical and runs

n332.es

 

[Fragle]

Thought I would revisit ikea on the way back up.
Unfortunately it’s worse than on the way down. 2pm today and absolutely rammed still now along with the Alcampo car park must be 300+ vans. The annoying thing is that I recognise a lot of the vans still there. Although didn’t see any British vans. Moved up to Ceuti parking 25 minutes away again completely full and looking like they have been here for the winter. As it’s late we had the last space and will move again tomorrow.
Just don’t see how this will last before they stop vans completely

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