Two Go Exploring Spain

[Spriddler]

Prawns are weird, huh? My favourite food, I love them. But could I eat them on their own with nothing else? Not a chance.

Yours look lovely and I agree about the shell, can be worthwhile when you get the meaty bit out but by god they are messy.

My favourite shellfish too. I get everyone to give me their discarded heads and suck the juicy meat out..........gorgeous!

I feast on Plateaux de Pécheur in France but with all fiddly shellfish meals I'm hungry when I start them and starving by the time I've finished.

 

[DBK]

My favourite shellfish too. I get everyone to give me their discarded heads and suck the juicy meat out..........gorgeous!

Rick Stein is always going on about doing that. But it needs them cooked in their shells...

 

[DBK]

Given the campsite is beside the lake there are two options for walking. Turn left as you leave the site, which we did yesterday, or turn right which, you've guessed it, we did today.

There were a few folk wild camping in the woods by the path. Given the extreme fire risk I'm surprised it is tolerated - we could see several spots where fires had been lit. I'm not criticising those who wild camp but the site we are on has fire extinguishers dotted about it. There were none amongst the trees where these people were.

But from various signs I did learn the Spanish for a dam, which is what forms the lake, is "presa". So it was an educational as well as enjoyable walk.

This curious feature is just by the dam.

It's the "Torre del aire" and allows air to be drawn into the tunnels taking the water away. Note the tide marks near the top dating from wetter times.

On the other side of the dam is a deep gorge.

The lake is deeper than you might think looking at the placid surface. Some water was being released, presumably to keep the river alive down stream and generate a bit of electricity but there were no signs on the upstream side of it being replenished from anywhere. All the stream beds leading into the lake are dry and dusty.

We had seen this on the map but almost walked past it.

It's a roughly 6,000 year old tomb which like Abu Simbal in Egypt was moved from its original location when the dam was constructed. The litter inside is more recent I think.

All explained here.

Tomorrow we will head towards Málaga and then do a bit of a sprint along the south coast for a day or two before turning north for the last two weeks of the trip. The weather seems to be improving in the north of Spain - so that's where we will heading.

 

[jumartoo]

Given the campsite is beside the lake there are two options for walking. Turn left as you leave the site, which we did yesterday, or turn right which, you've guessed it, we did today.

View attachment 749559

There were a few folk wild camping in the woods by the path. Given the extreme fire risk I'm surprised it is tolerated - we could see several spots where fires had been lit. I'm not criticising those who wild camp but the site we are on has fire extinguishers dotted about it. There were none amongst the trees where these people were.

But from various signs I did learn the Spanish for a dam, which is what forms the lake, is "presa". So it was an educational as well as enjoyable walk.

This curious feature is just by the dam.

View attachment 749561

It's the "Torre del aire" and allows air to be drawn into the tunnels taking the water away. Note the tide marks near the top dating from wetter times.

On the other side of the dam is a deep gorge.

View attachment 749558

The lake is deeper than you might think looking at the placid surface. Some water was being released, presumably to keep the river alive down stream and generate a it of electricity but there were no signs on the upstream side of it being replenished from anywhere. All the stream beds leading into the lake are dry and dusty.

We had seen this on the map but almost walked past it.

View attachment 749560

It's a roughly 6,000 year old tomb which like Abu Simbal in Egypt was moved from its original location when the dam was constructed. The litter inside is more recent I think.

View attachment 749562

All explained here.

View attachment 749557

Tomorrow we will head towards Málaga and then do a bit of a sprint along the south coast for a day or two before turning north for the last two weeks of the trip. The weather seems to be improving in the north of Spain - so that's where we will heading.

I do like your informative posts.

Enjoy the north of Spain. The best bit in my opinion, even though we live in the south east

 

[mackeellan]

Loving your thread, thanks

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[DBK]

The site we have been on for the last few days was at about 850m but heading for the coast today we had to climb up to about 1150m before starting the descent. It was downhill for a least an hour, often in second gear so I didn't need to keep using the brakes. It was one sharp bend after another with the added fun of massive articulated trucks coming the other way more frequently than I would have expected for what looks like a rural road on the map.

Our destination was the curiously named "Area Málaga Beach" at La Calá del Moral a little east of Málaga.

It's not really our sort of place, very busy with everyone jammed in close together but it was in the right place for tonight before we continue the trek west tomorrow.

But it does have a triple service point!

This is where we are. Blue blob center of map.

Closer.

On the map it all looks potentially attractive but isn't really.

If you want to sit on a beach it will be fine and many do which is why this place is busy and can charge us €19 for the night.

The "promenade" stretch to the east of us was a disappointment. Less said the better.

But after our short exploration of the local area the little bar here on the site came up trumps.

Tomorrow we are planning a long drive to the Cape Trafalgar area. Afterwards it will be north for the final leg of the trip.

 

[DBK]

Before we left this morning I took Charlie on a short walk and came across this sign.

I've come across the word sequía before on this trip and fear travellers to Spain are going to see it more often. It's the Spanish for drought and the whole sign reads "Emergency work against the drought". They appeared to be laying a large plastic pipe, about 18" in diameter. It was a thin-walled pipe so wasn't I think for mains water. My guess is it is for harvesting rain water collected from gutters and road gullies so when it does rain the water doesn't just flow out into the sea.

Not far from the aire was a Carrefour so we headed there for supplies which was when the fun began. The parking area was tiny but we found a space (over-hanging just a tad!) and immediately after stopping we were promptly set upon by a lady in a smart yellow and green uniform which carried badges saying she was a Parking Vigilante. She gave us vague directions where we might park a MH but we couldn't find anything so drove off and found an Aldi instead. We couldn't get into their car park either which was small even by the usual Lidl and Aldi standards but there was room on the road outside.

I think the problem is land, especially level ground for parking, is at a premium in the Málaga area so car parks are restricted in size.

This wasn't the best start to the day as we had a long way to go. I prefer not to do three hour driving spells but with time on this trip running out we did it today, ending up by Cape Trafalgar on the Atlantic coast. The route wasn't busy until we got to Algeciras where the traffic was pretty horrible but we were soon through it and on our way.

We are under the blue blob in the middle of the map below.

Zoomed in a bit.

We are at Camping Pinar San José, which we have visited before but since our last visit they have spent the odd million euros in a fairly major upgrade. From a MH perspective facilities were limited but there is now a proper drive-over waste point with the unheard of to me addition of a MH washing point!

The toilet blocks are also completely renewed as have all the relatively small number of chalets. No plastic sheds here! And there's a swimming pool. . €22 a night with EHU.

There is a back door to the site which opens onto endless dog walking opportunities. Note the blue blob above us!

Out of the front of the site we can reach, after a bit of a walk the beach and the lighthouse. We are going to stay a few days here.

 

[Spara4042]

We are at Camping Pinar San José, which we have visited before but since our last visit they have spent the odd million euros in a fairly major upgrade. From a MH perspective facilities were limited but there is now a proper drive-over waste point with the unheard of to me addition of a MH washing point!

Looks interesting. Campsite noted for our trip next year

 

[Les]

Watch out for the Prosession caterpillar‘s this time of year deadly to dog nasty to humans on contact

 

[DBK]

Watch out for the Prosession caterpillar‘s this time of year deadly to dog nasty to humans on contact

Seen a few of there web "nests" earlier in the trip but nothing around here so far. From what I've read the main season is December to April when they come down from the trees and do their conga dance looking for somewhere to pupate. The colder or higher the region the later in the year this happens.

They should all be tucked up in bed now waiting to emerge later in the year as moths and start the cycle all over again.

So, fingers crossed we should be safe now.

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[Lenny HB]

with the unheard of to me addition of a MH washing point!

We don't use sites very often but every site we have been on in Spain and Portugal has had one I thought it was the norm.

Watch out for the Prosession caterpillar‘s this time of year deadly to dog nasty to humans on contact

We saw them on the ground week before last.

 

[Lenny HB]

You stopped near Malaga and didn't go into the town, it's a lovely city often overlooked as people fly in and bypass it on the way to their holiday destinations but it's well worth a visit.

 

[DBK]

You stopped near Malaga and didn't go into the town, it's a lovely city often overlooked as people fly in and bypass it on the way to their holiday destinations but it's well worth a visit.

I think that's true of many cities in Spain we tend to swerve around. For example, I think Valencia is worth a visit. Málaga is an up-market place so I guess they keep it all tidy too.

But we will have just under two weeks left when we leave here on Friday. I'm planning to put in a 4+ hour driving stint to get us well north, where, if we can get in, we will sit the weekend out on an aire voted #1 in Spain by CamperContact - Camperstop Alegría. Probably be rammed with Dutch and German MHs but we will give it a try.

 

[tony_g]

We must try some the next time we see them for sale. Tuna steak recipes gratefully received - I would just fry them in butter with a bit of oil but I am sure there are other ways.

Only buy it when it's jewel bright, like a garnet and no white lines. Treat it like a rare steak and briefly sear in a little olive oil and butter. One side, then the other. Finally, add another decent knob of butter to the pan, spoon over and a generous pinch of dried oregano or similar. Squeeze of lemon juice and eat. Simple....nothing fancy required.

 

[tony_g]

Don't you just hate these overcrowded Andalusian campsites!

Wise to move on before Friday, perhaps

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[Wanders from Glos]

You stopped near Malaga and didn't go into the town, it's a lovely city often overlooked as people fly in and bypass it on the way to their holiday destinations but it's well worth a visit.

I agree, the old town is fabulous.

 

[Rapido925M]

Did you come down via Ventas De Zafarrya (A402)? We went up that road, pulling in frequently to let lorries pass. Looking at the “saddle” of the hill we were expecting wonderful views over the other side and were amazed to discover that we were in a town on a flat plain!

An alternative route to Malaga is from Colmenar down the A7000 where the road does TWO complete turns on itself.

Gordon

 

[DBK]

Did you come down via Ventas De Zafarrya (A402)? We went up that road, pulling in frequently to let lorries pass. Looking at the “saddle” of the hill we were expecting wonderful views over the other side and were amazed to discover that we were in a town on a flat plain!

An alternative route to Malaga is from Colmenar down the A7000 where the road does TWO complete turns on itself.

Gordon

This was the route we took and it does go through Ventas de Zafarraya. It's just left of where there is a symbol of a car on the blue line below.

I think the trucks are going to sand or gravel quarries and probably a cement factory too as we nearly got run off the road by a cement lorry (a "stand on brakes and pull right as far as possible" type incident) and saw several others - sufficiently in time to avoid them! .

 

[DBK]

We wandered to the beach this morning, it doesn't look very far on the map but it took us 30 minutes.

It wasn't crowded.

Mrs DBK in the foreground and the Faro (lighthouse) de Trafalgar in the distance. We have walked to it on previous visits. It doesn't look far but it is a kilometer of plodding along the beach.

I mentioned yesterday the campsite have been spending money and they are not the only ones. A cycle path is being built along the coast. From the signs I saw it starts at Barbate, which is about 10km away. You can see it on the right in this photo.

Most of it runs along the side of the road, which they are widening in places, with a solid concrete barrier between the cycle track and the vehicles on the road. It isn't completely finished yet but will be soon from what we saw driving here.

I've tried a bit of bird-watching today. The pines above have a lot of warblers but they are beyond me to identify. Genuine LBJs* with no distinguishing markings. But I did get a brief glimpse of one with a long tail and a distinct red ring around its eye. Given where we are, pines by the sea, I suspect a Dartford warbler.

There were two birds of prey visible earlier. They looked like buzzards at first glance but one suddenly did a very unlike buzzard-like rapid stoop down to the ground, followed more slowly by the other. I couldn't see them on the ground because of trees in the way but one bird flew back and sat on top of a pylon for a while. My guess is they were a pair and the male might have caught something and given it to the female. But they were too far away to identify even with my 10 * 40B binoculars. Might have been buzzards but equally might have been eagles of some sort. If they re-appear tomorrow I might get a second chance.

* Little Brown Jobs

 

[monzer]

I've said it before but nobody does cycle infrastructure like the Spanish.

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[MichaelT]

I've said it before but nobody does cycle infrastructure like the Spanish.

Germany is pretty good

 

[jumartoo]

The Eagles could have been Short Toed Eagles, they prey on snakes and lizards.

I got this blurry shot of one yesterday sitting on top of one of the pylons near where we found a dead one during lockdown. We think it had hit the pylon or cables.

 

[DBK]

The Eagles could have been Short Toed Eagles, they prey on snakes and lizards.

I got this blurry shot of one yesterday sitting on top of one of the pylons near where we found a dead one during lockdown. We think it had hit the pylon or cables.

View attachment 751022

Given my identification skills they might have been But we've had a couple of good views of Short Toed Eagles on this trip and the very pale forewing on the underside is very distinctive. These ones today didn't have that. Probably just buzzards after all!

 

[DBK]

We don't use sites very often but every site we have been on in Spain and Portugal has had one I thought it was the norm.

I think that's the hose for fresh water Lenny...

 

[DBK]

I am getting used to the warm climate here in southern Spain. It's 23°C and I have had to put a fleece on!

We are having baked potatoes tonight - the Marmite on the table is a clue. The site has a microwave oven you can use for free so Mrs DBK has nuked a couple of potatoes in it which are now being finished off in the oven for a crisp skin.

And yes, we are still drinking pink Rioja! Just one bottle then we will be on bricks, posh ones mind, €1.60 a throw!

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[Lenny HB]

I think that's the hose for fresh water Lenny...

I'm a bit slow today I didn't associate your comment with pic & realise you were making a funny, as Motorhome washing bays are so common in Spain & Portugal.

 

[Lenny HB]

We are having baked potatoes tonight - the Marmite on the table is a clue. The site has a microwave oven you can use for free so Mrs DBK has nuked a couple of potatoes in it which are now being finished off in the oven for a crisp skin.

And yes, we are still drinking pink Rioja! Just one bottle then we will be on bricks, posh ones mind, €1.60 a throw!

Don't understand the Marmite bit but to me it is the work of the devil hate the stuff.

Pink Spanish & Portuguese wine is so much better than French pink stuff.

 

[DBK]

Don't understand the Marmite bit

Mrs DBK has corrupted me, I used to hate it too. I just remind myself it is a waste product of brewing!

As an aside, when we lived in Kuwait the customs at the airport would seize it because of the link to brewing.

Sachets of wine brewing yeast were easier to hide - tucked in amongst the wife's underwear was a good spot. In the suitcase I hasten to add, not what she was wearing!

 

[Lenny HB]

Mrs DBK has corrupted me, I used to hate it too. I just remind myself it is a waste product of brewing!

As an aside, when we lived in Kuwait the customs at the airport would seize it because of the link to brewing.

Sachets of wine brewing yeast were easier to hide - tucked in amongst the wife's underwear was a good spot. In the suitcase I hasten to add, not what she was wearing!

You won't convert me it makes my lips swell & my tongue sore, if it does that it must contain poison.

 

[scousebird]

Don't understand the Marmite bit but to me it is the work of the devil hate the stuff.

Me too

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