La Manga

Alicante Airport

We've had a fairly actioned packed week in La Manga and I'm afraid I have rather neglected the naked bloggers. It wasn't for the want of an Internet connection because although we didn't have broadband in our log chalet, I did have the choice of 3 hot spots. Somehow there just didn't seem to be time to sit and write because I was out having too much fun! I'm not sure quite where to start but I suppose the beginning would be as good a place as any.

So the beginning which was last Sunday at Alicante airport. We had to wait for 3 and a half hours at Alicante airport but that was fine; Sue's plane arrived a few minutes early and John & Kay got to the arrival gate just in the nick of time. We saw them all from a distance as we were hiding behind a pillar in the arrivals hall and once we had our backpack together we went to carry out our surprise. My step-dad had no inkling about our surprise visit and he was gobsmacked. I think he was a little cross at Kay at keeping our visit from him but she has been brilliant at arranging and indeed collecting us from the airport. We had a coffee in the airport then clambered in the camper van along with Amber the dog and Kay drove all of us to La Manga caravaning site.

Phil, Marie & John at Alicoco

It was a bit of a hike (100kms) and took a couple of hours but eventually we got to Camping La Manga in Murcia. www.campinglamanga.es   Marie was in her awning when we pulled up and she was really surprised to see me and Phil. I'd say she was almost speechless, which believe me, is unusual for Marie. Anne & Jim who were pitched not far away came round for a cup of tea. It was a little busy in J&M's awning because there was me and Phil, Sue & Kay, plus Anne & Jim. It was windy and a little chilly in La Manga and I was glad I had brought my coat.

After catching up, Kay drove us to our log chalet which she had organised for us to stay for only 50 euros for the week. Our chalet was fabulous and we were over the moon especially as it had a sea view. The sea looked muddy and it was a little choppy but that didn't matter. We had just enough time to unpack, shower and change and then Kay picked us up along with J&M and drove us all ti the Apicoco restaurant at Playa Honda. Anne & Jim brought Sue and we met them at the bar.

Jim, Anne, Sue & Kay at Apicoco Bar

Sunday evening at Apicoco was roast lamb carvery and it was delicious. A little strange that the owner didn't have any mint sauce but that wasn't a problem because Jim very kindly drove back to his caravan to get a jar from his fridge. Pete and his daughter joined us a little later and we had a great evening. A little emotional at times for Sue because it was her first time back in La Manga without Alan but it was great to catch up with everyone. Phil & I fell into bed because by the time we got back we'd been up for 20 hours, but it was worth it.

Pete & the lovely Lisa at Bar apicoco

Marie, John & me at Apicoco

I felt a little jaded the next day because Phil woke me up at half six and I didn't really get back to sleep although Phil did of course. I got up at half eight to make tea only to discover that we didn't have any cups. I searched and searched and in the end Phil decided to go try and find the shop to buy some. In the meantime, Sue turned up and then Kay popped by with milk and some mugs and Anne & Jim weren't far behind. John and Marie came round armed with supplies and made egg sandwiches. Phil had been gone for quite a while so Jim decided to get in the car and look for him. He found him in the shop and gave him a lift home. The camp site at La Manga is a big site and I think someone told me that it's a kilometre from the sea front to reception. I am not sure how many pitches there are on the site but I am guessing it's in the thousands.

The Crane

Jim & Anne

After breakfast and a chit chat, we went to see the crane lifting a big camper van which was at the back of Kay's pitch and right next to Pete & Liz's motor home.   Lots of people came to watch.  The crane and the team took quite a while but eventually they managed to hoist the campervan into position with out any dramas.  Crane watching over, Sue, Phil & I, then went in Jim & Anne's car and they very kindly took us into Los Belones so we could get some supplies. Supplies being the essentials, wine and tobacco! It was fun in the wine shop as we were given tasters and nuts and we all sat around a barrel table which was very civilised. We easily filled Jim's boot with red wine decantered from the barrels; they call this wine, 'diesel' in this part of the world but actually, despite its name, its very nice and very drinkable. Too drinkable in fact! Next stop was the Tobac to get fags to take home. They were cheaper than the UK but I didn't think that were that cheap but that didn't stop us buying some. We had a walk through the town and Sue ended up buying a party dress in a lovely boutique. Our final stop was coffee in a bar and then back to the camp for lunch at J&M's van. The sun had come out so we were able to eat outside.

At the wine shop

Phil, Sue and the owner of the wine shop

On Monday evening, it was back to John & Marie's camper van for supper and a game of Splodge which is basically a card game a bit like knock-out whist. The sun had long gone down and it was raining but we snuggled in the camper van cabin and actually I was quite hot. We had baked potatoes with cheese and ham and I am proud to say that I won the game of Splodge. Monday wasn't a late night and I think we were tucked up in bed by 10pm.

Coffee at The Mirador

Tuesday the sea was calm and the sun was shining. Sue came round for a cup of tea and then Kay joined us and we walked down to The Mirador for a coffee with Anne & Jim and J&M. It was lovely to sit by the sea with a clear view of the strip. One hour turned into two and different people joined our table for chats. A couple of hours passed quite quickly and then we decided that we'd drive to the lighthouse, us in Kay's campervan and Sue with Jim & Anne. We parked at the lighthouse and then had the most beautiful walk around the bay. It was a lovely walk with blue skies, new sights and the sun in our eyes.

Phil walking around the harbour

Phil marching with J&M

After our walk we were driven to a Spanish restaurant called Los Triolas which is located along a track between Playa Paraiso and Cabo de Palas. It didn't look up to much from the outside but boy, the Menu Del Dia was amazing. Both me and Phil were delighted to be able to have an authentic Spanish meal and I can honestly say it was a meal that slots into my top 10. And what value for money, only 14 euros for 5 courses with wine thrown in. We had salad and bread, soups , pastas, stews, steak, fish plus desserts and a whole load of other things. Not surprisingly lunch took a while and it was gone 4pm by the time we were finished.

The plan was to have a siesta before going out again in the evening but I didn't manage sleep and before I knew it, it was time to shower and change and walk to the club house for the quiz. Phil likes quizzes and the La Manga quiz was excellent but I am rubbish at them and of course our team didn't win. Somehow at the end of the night and I am not sure how it happened, but Sue, Brian & Caroline, Pete & Lisa and Anne & Jim ended up our chalet. We supplied the 'diesel' Lisa supplied the nibbles and there was some dancing; the party wound up sometime after 3am. I bet we weren't very popular with our Spanish neighbours! 

Needless to say it was a painful start to Wednesday morning. Phil didn't rise until about 11am but I got up around 9am to clear up the devastation. I sent Sue a text to say come round for a cuppa and a de-brief. I didn't feel anywhere as bad as I'd thought I'd feel, tired but not too horrible. I looked like shit of course but nothing new there. John & Marie biked round with biscuits and a little while later Anne & Jim stopped by. Kay brought Amber the little dog and we all walked with Liz & Lisa and baby Zoe to the Apicoco for liver and bacon. The weather was beautiful, we sat in the awning at Apicoco and boy it was hot. But lunch was delicious and it was a lazy and fairly relaxed meal. We walked back and then everyone went back to their vans / camper vans / chalets to chill.

I was really tired and me and Phil went to bed for a siesta but I was expecting Marie to come round for the stuff that she'd left at our chalet at 4pm, so I was afraid to go to sleep. In the end, I left Phil snoring and decided to get up and take Marie's stuff to the clubhouse where I knew she was line dancing. Actually, I thought I'd be in time to actually watch her line dance but they finished the second I arrived. It was no big deal; Marie brought me a cup of tea and we ended up chatting for almost an hour and a half.

There really wasn't a lot of time to rest and relax by the time I got back and after a shower and change it was back to The Mirador for a sausage and mash night. Jim and Anne managed to get tickets but unfortunately they couldn't sit at our table. After the sausage and mash, which was surprisingly yummy, it was time for the entertainment. The entertainment was one man and a keyboard. It was a little dire to start and didn't look very promising but once we all got up on the dance floor it soon get going. It was another good night but midnight before we hit the sack.

Kay & Marie at sausage and mash night

Jim trying to teach me to jive

On Thursday, Kay, Sue & Jim and Anne went to the golf course on the strip and the plan was that Phil & I would go on a long bike ride with J&M. However Phil decided to dip out and stay at the chalet instead. He said his bike was impossible to ride, but between you and me, I think he just wanted some down-time. It was a shame that it was a little foggy and there was a slight chill in the wind but I enjoyed my bike ride. I guess we rode for about 8 miles stopping off at Viva's at Los Nietos for coffee.

When we got back to camp we all re-grouped at our chalet and went to The Mirador for wine and tapas, which was very pleasant. The plan was that everyone would come to our place for drinks a bit later but we decided, as it was our last night, we would do this straight after tapas rather than arrange a time much later. I think everyone was tired so this worked quite well. Liz stopped by for a drink and then Pete, Lisa and baby Zoe joined the party. I had said that we'd only host for an hour or so but of course this disappeared out of the window. You know me and Phil! It wasn't that late though, I think around 10pm. I went straight to bed but Phil washed the glasses and stayed up to watch some telly.

J&M and Kay & Sue came round a little after 8am yesterday morning. It was Kay's 65th birthday so she opened her cards and her presents whilst we were waiting for Jim to pick us up to take us to the airport. I have to say it was a little sad saying goodbye to everyone and I bet they will be look forward to a relaxing weekend! I can't thank everyone enough; Kay, first up, for organising us accommodation, planning activities and going right out of her way to keep our visit a secret; Anne & Jim for giving up their normal activities and also Jim for taking us to the airport. Also to step dad and Marie for feeding us and keeping us in food supplies, always a must with Phil!

The view from our log chalet

The log chalet where we were staying at La Manga

I don't think it was possible to get the full experience of caravaning at La Manga. We certainly got a taster in our 5 day visit and I can understand now why J&M, Anne & Jim, and Kay choose to spend their winters there. They certainly have their vans/motor homes set up very cosy and I for one, won't ever complain again about our static, which is a mansion in comparison!

Sue's Ryan air flight to Stansted was leaving at 11.10am so she didn't have much time once we got to the airport, just time to check in, say goodbye and then head through to departures. Our flight into Birmingham was leaving an hour later, so once we'd checked in, we headed for Burger King. I don't know why, but when we're in airports, we also end up in this fast food burger bar. It was ridiculously expensive (15 euros) but that's airports for you. Once we got through customs, we saw that Sue's flight hadn't left. Just before we had to board I walked up to her gate and saw that her plane was still on the ground. We did see her flight leave though and in the end we left only 15 minutes after her.

Our flight got into Birmingham about 20 minutes ahead of schedule. We were straight through customs and our bag was on the conveyor belt 2 minutes later. Everything was going so smoothly until we arrived at the long stay car park only to find we had a flat battery. I can tell you, with the cold winds and grey skies, I really wasn't in the mood for this but Phil had the sense to ask a passing bus driver and he spoke to someone from NCP. About 10 minutes late, Bill came with his battery charger and we were charged and on the M6 in no time.

It was just after 4pm yesterday afternoon by the time we got to the van. Of course the caravan was freezing inside. Phil put the gas fire on full but it was a good couple of hours before it warmed up. I unpacked but decided to leave the washing until today. Last night was pyjama's and an early to bed. It rained like crazy, all through the night and this morning its blowing a gale here. La Manga seems far away. I certainly know where I'd rather be and it ain't here............