After a 500 mile trip across country, with an overnight stop in Granada, we arrived in Conil. The countryside was very different than the Spain we normally see. The areas that are usually brown and parched with sheep and goats wandering along were completely flooded. Dry rivers were full to the brim and overflowing into fields. A disaster for the small-holders and farmers.
Our friends at Conil told us it had rained most days since the middle of December, pitches were very muddy, we were very pleased we had the cabin as a month in the mud didn’t appeal!
We welcomed the New Year in with the company of friends at bungalow number 30, before our move to number 29 for the remaining 30 days of our stay. The winds blew and the rain lashed down but our bungalow didn’t move, which was a change for us!
As soon as we had settled down we set off to collect the hire car ready to pick up Matthew Gill and Niki from Malaga airport. We parked the car at Carvahal and caught the excellent train into the airport. Nice ride along the coast and straight into the airport, avoiding all the hassle of finding somewhere to park. The flight arrived on time, they had left Bristol airport before the snow arrived to close it. Lucky them! They were pleased with the temperature that day, we didnt think it was that warm but after leaving minus temperatures I suppose it was warm.
An easy drive back via Tarrifa, looking at Morroco in the distance.
After a nights rest we went down for a wander along the beach, it was Three Kings Day so a public holiday in Spain. The Spanish were out in force so we had no chance of a table to eat, back to the “ shed” for Prawns and Salad. We exchanged our Chrissie Presents,There’s was a day trip to Tangiers, booked for the next day.
The next day was extremely windy so we tried to change the Morocco trip till the following day,couldnt get any reply so we set off wondering what the sailing would be like……….IT WAS ROUGH !!!!!!! The 35 minute high speed ferry took an hour, which was 30 minutes too long! Those little bags they put out on the tables were VERY useful Enough said.
We soon found our land legs and were taken by ALI , our guide for the day, on a tour around Tangiers. First stop was the camel experience.
Could’nt face a ride after the boat trip so had a bit of a chat with the baby one! Niki was brave enough to ride one, picture available on Niki’s Blog.
A walk around the town at full speed behind Ali, through the meat markets with dead pigeons, rabbits and chicken hung up,enough to turn you vegetarian.
Lunch was very good, a band playing in the corner. Soup, kebab, cous-cous and chicken followed by the sweet honey cakes and mint tea. Another high speed trek through the souks and a visit to the carpet seller and a spice market. The rain held off for the day but we were not looking forward to the journey home.
A very memorable day out, dosed up with sea-sickness pills and the orange blossom oil from the spice market, we boarded the ferry for a slightly shorter, bit less bumpy trip back to Tarifa
We spent Friday, quietly walking along the beach near Chiclana, trying to hold on to our hair in the wind. Saturday up to Medina Sidonia for wild boar lunch and a walk round the church and town.
Next day was Seville in the rain, It rained all day and the temperature dropped to 3 degrees and it started to sleet! we saw the some of the sights, the cathedral decided to close that day so back in the car and home.
Next day was a walk on the beach enjoying the last of the sunshine before the kids went back the next day.
After a trip to Malaga airport to drop the kids off we managed to get home ahead of the typhoon that allegedly hit Cadiz. We had a really lovely time when they were here, it was so nice to see them and spend some time together. They managed to get home ahead of the fresh lot of snow that shut the airport at Bristol that evening.
After all that excitement we needed a rest and it was partially enforced on us by the rain that seemed to come at regular intervals. Apparently this is the wettest winter for 100 years, that I can believe. It rained so hard on Saturday 23rd that they cancelled the San Sebastian parade for the Sunday, postponing it until the following Sunday. We leave here on the Monday so are hopeful we will see it.
On one of the dry days we went out in the van for a picnic at El Palmar beach, unfortunately there was a dead dolphin washed up on the sand.which was rather sad.
It is great to meet up with so many old friends here but everyone is fed up with the muddy pitches and I think we will all be scattered next year,trying different campsites.Off on Monday to Portugal and hopefully drier weather.