Monday, June 28 Week 4

We will climb Calpe's local mountain on our next visit. It is too hot for this endeavour. We move on.

We do a little shopping on the way and then head for the first parking spot we've chosen. Phew, there's absolutely no shade, so we quickly enter GPS data from the second spot and move on.

The huge camper park La Ribera in San Javier at least has a few shady roofs and there is a lovely breeze blowing. That's perfect. After a small lunch and a little siesta, we ride our bikes along the beach towards the salt pans. A great bike trip.

Back at the campsite, we quickly load a washing machine and within half an hour all the laundry is dried in the sun and wind. A cozy evening with cold food follows.

Our alarm clock goes off at 6:30 a.m. It's time to get to work. There are large washing machines and tumble dryers on the campsite. And it's been warm for the last 2.5 weeks - we spontaneously wash our bed linen. We leave the campsite at 10:30 a.m., the beds are freshly made, we've had a leisurely breakfast and the cleaning/laundry is done too.

We enter the 16 km long headland with the long holiday resort of La Manga del Mar Menor - little Manhattan sends its regards.

And the contrasts couldn't be greater! Towards the end of the headland we land in a parking lot and are right by the sea, with a wonderful view and nature. Now, at around 12 o'clock, the last campers who spent the night here are just leaving the site and we can park in the nicest corner at the front.

We want to stay here and just enjoy a lazy afternoon. Sunbathe, read and do nothing, maybe look at the sea and listen to the waves.

Our fridge is still pretty well stocked, so we don't have to starve or die of thirst.

We were here in spring 2017. Today we experience a completely different Morella.

The parking space is not even half as full.

Morella - World Heritage Site - almost completely without tourists.

Half of the shops and half of the restaurants are closed. A few tourists are strolling through the town. A lonely group of bus tourists are listening to a guided tour. This time we also manage to explore the castle. Where in May 2017 there were masses of tourists walking around, today there are very few people strolling around.

But the view of Morella from the parking space is still just as fantastic.

By chance we were awake - at 4:00 a.m. the Guardia Civil drove past us on their patrol. Luckily they let us continue sleeping.

For sunrise and breakfast we change location and drive up to the Torre.

We stop our journey through the national park at the Escullos campsite. There are loads of motorhomes on the road. We check in here for one night and explore some beaches and especially the disused gold mine of Rodalquilar with our e-bikes. But we'll continue tomorrow. There's a big Rambazamba festival on the site on Saturday. We'd rather not go to that. And the site is fully booked from tomorrow onwards.

The night at the almost full campsite was surprisingly quiet - lucky us.

After visiting the Faro Cabo de Gata, we continue chugging south today.

In Alemeria we do some shopping in an overcrowded Mercadona. We don't really feel comfortable there. That means washing everything well, especially our hands.

Huge plastic fields but also beautiful coastal stretches accompany us today.

Finally, we end up at the port parking space in Almerimar. Once again, it's the right time for a quick lunch out and thanks to the numerous restaurants at the port, we find one that isn't too busy. We sit outside and enjoy it. We actually change our parking space twice. Firstly, we parked in the wrong part of the space, where motorhomes are no longer allowed, and the second was just not the right one. The third choice is perfect. As perfect as you can park in a port on a Saturday evening.

Last night there was a huge party not far from the port in Almerimar! The shouting and screaming of the party people, as well as the "music", could be heard all the way to us. Luckily we were in a good position, we only heard everything dimly and we were able to sleep quite well. The whole thing lasted until 3.30 a.m.! At 2.20 a.m. the port employees were still creeping across the square in their car and checking whether everyone had paid!

Yes, and our 159 kilometers today are full of contrasts.

Ruins, poor dwellings, poor villages, beautiful stretches of coast, several square kilometers of plastic fields, huge hotel complexes, sophisticated villas, masses of people on the beaches, masses of parked cars (every small gap is used), a bit of culture in between, full campsites and finally a small, quiet parking space. Not by the sea, but a beautiful view, peace and quiet and everything you need. We know the place from our trip in 2016. Several spaces are still free, we can just choose one. Perfect!