Estepona to Benidorm, Spain

Saturday, 2nd January, 1982                fine and warm

Goodbye Chimenea.

 Awoke at 9 a.m. to a beautiful warm day, prepared to tear ourselves away from Chimenea, lots of goodbyes, Eunice and Ernie Baker - our English friends, Judy and Scott Seymour, Ed and Cini our American pals, Ed and Mariana, Joe and Margaret our good German friends, Elsie and John Droy,  and so many others.

Left about 11:30 a.m. and went into Estapona for John to film.  Then on to Puerto Banus - a millionaire's playground with rich Marinas holding luxurious yachts.  Found Marmite and baked beans cheaper in their supermarket.  On then to Fuengirola - American express is closed so, we walked around this tourist town.  Huge multi-storey buildings rise along the promenade.  Must have been a nice village before "progress".  Out to "Camping de Castillo." a nice camping area without hot showers.  We walked the road back into town for a buffet tea-real nice place - had as much as we wanted, notices in all languages advertised " eat as much as you like, but don't waste it "- plain, but good food.  Plenty of salads, and as a luxury a nice nougat with Mandarin for sweets. 

Walked home to bed at 10 p.m.  The restaurant was Versalles.

Sunday, 3rd January, 1982                      fine and sunny.

Up late after rest in bed.  Arthur, our little English chap from next door came in to change books.  Into mass after ablutions to a lovely church in the centre of the village for absolution.  The church is in the square, where activity was the order of the day.  Beggars sat outside the door.  It was a lovely mass.  And when they brought the plate around our eyes popped.  We had a handful of copper and silver and the plate was filled to overflowing with notes large and small.  We put our coins on very quietly.  It was a short sermon, and during Communion a cassettes came on - playing jingle Bells.  Along the beachfront people laze at outside bars or on the sand on their hired banana chairs.

Headed for camping Calazul - a two-year-old camping area, with plenty of hot water for hot showers tonight, lazy afternoon in the Sun.

Monday, 4th January, 1982                  fine and overcast.

Left camping Calazul.  Quite early for us.  Sandra excited re shopping.  We stopped at Fuengirola, where we met Harry and Dulcie Wall from Wimbledon Avenue at Narrabeen - knew Jim and Margaret, Hock and Eileen.  Were on a trip around Europe.  Continued through Torremolinos.  Not very impressed - too built up.  On to Malaga - siesta time - so out to camping Balneario Del Carman.  It is very dear and not very impressive.  Right on the harbour front - we drove right up to the edge of the wall and slept with the Mediterranean lapping the wall beneath us.

We went into town on the number 11 bus to buy a doona for Sandra and John.  First time we have been in a Spanish town, shopping after siesta.  School holidays and festive season may have contributed to the crowd.  We walked down to el Corte Ingles - chose a doona - strolled around with the crowd's - fought for a cuppa, then out in the streets to battle the crowds along the footpath - Sandra hugging her parcel.  To the bank and picked up our mail.  Letters from Bernard and Greta with Christmas cards.  Home on bus.

Tuesday, 5th January, 1982

Awakened by voices of the Guardia Civil about 8 a.m. - still dark.  Up and off quickly, to begin our journey up the mountains of Sierra Nevada to Granada.  A beautiful sunny day - a good road - a good drive for our driver.  Reached the hyper Sur outside of Granada, where we shopped, then ate our lunch - brought a "Tallia" bodice raincoat.  On then through Granada to Alhambra - we weren't sure of the way.  When this truck driver behind us, who had been waving and laughing hopped out of his truck at a red light - ran back and told us the way.  We liked the Spaniards they are so helpful and friendly - the traffic police are always obliging.  They are so casual too - waiting at a red light, this car load of people hopped out - greeted another crowd hugging and shaking hands all round and casually entered cars and off they went.

On up to Alhambra a really beautiful place.  

Alhambra, Spain

Entrance ticket, Alhambra, Spain

Built before the ninth century on Asabica hill.  It has been occupied by Romans, Moors and Christians.  It has had a romantic magical history, Alhambra means "red Castle".  It is divided into four parts, all of them majestic.  The Alcazar towering above always on guard.  The "Portal y Torres”-Tower gardens.  The Generalife and Casa Real - with its beautiful Azulajo tiled rooms.  Washington Irving began the reconstruction of this beautiful place.  The harem is really majestic - the carvings on walls and ceilings.  All remind us of clever artists.  Today was beautiful, so the gardens and waterways were a joy to walk in.

Reluctantly, we left and began our search for camp - so here we are in a “Z” class Park - you wouldn't believe the hassle to get a hot shower.  In the near distance is the Sierra Nevada -never seen snow so close and beautiful.

Strolled around the hyper Mercado for entertainment.  Tomorrow is the day Spaniards exchange gifts, and it's amazing to see people buying so many toys, presents etc so late, very little sign of poverty here.

Wednesday, 6th January, 1982              the Epiphany               sunny and brisk

Awoke at 8 a.m.- dark, cold moved briskly and were on the road at 9:45 a.m., through Granada - nil traffic - holiday and up through the mountains - Snow caps to the right and barren tops to the left.  A long day for John, but a nice sunny day.  We stopped outside of Guardix, where most of the homes are built into the side of the Mt-Troglodytes.  There are all mod cons.  We could see antennas and electricity wires.  Even some business premises were built into the mountain.  Through Guardix and on towards Baza - many of the troglodytes villages appear along the highway.  Stopped along the highway for lunch - through Puerto Lundbreras and a large town of Lorca, and then pulled into "Totana” camping.

Thursday, 7th January, 1982                     fine and sunny.

Well here we are in the land of never never - a different countryside to the rest of Spain.  Funny, we were told how cold it was up here and brought a doona in preparation, and we moved our warm clothes closer to the top of cupboards, and it has been so warm ever since we left Malaga.  Here at Fortuna and Mercia they haven't seen rain for 18 months.  It is dry, arid, white red and brown hills and soils.  Camping Totana was very nice last night - plenty of hot water and friendly people - the road through has been good.  Another Spanish holiday today so not much traffic - sailed through Mercia, a large city devoid of tourist effects.  The city of Mercia founded in 831 was made secure for the Pope to transfer the Episcopal seat to it from Cartagena. At the end of the highway is a large hill with a crucifix overlooking the town -off highway to Banos Fortuna - a bumpy made road of 20 odd kilometres to “camping las Palmeras."  The popular resort for geriatrics and sick people who come for the hot spa baths.

I did the washing Spanish style - over a wash area with hot spa water flowing through.  Quite a novel experience, but wouldn't like to do it too often.  There is a casino, hotel, restaurant, etc near the Bath's.  Looks like an oasis with palm trees, but a 250 pesetas entry, we aren't going to experience the Magic of the Spa.

Had a drink at the camp bar, played Yatzee in the open air - very warm - down to shorts and top.  In some places we went through the countryside looked like Moon area, stark, arid and devoid of growth.  Then past verdant paddocks, rich with fruit trees in growth.  Very interesting country.

Friday, 8th January, 1982                    fine and sunny

Awoke to another sunny warm day.  We decided not to stay here and were on our way by 10 a.m.  Met some people from Jersey, who had a good laugh when John asked them did they know any Romerils.  All the people were nice at the camp, but we had to go.  A bumpy road down for 40 km then on to the highway through Abanilla on to Elche where we found a nice camping Park.  “el Palmeral.", but it was too early to stay and too dear.  So on to Alicante for mail pick up.  Lovely parcel from Tony and Billy full of things we need.  Thanks kids.  A letter from Cecily Mitchell too with news from Calvary.

Had lunch in Alicante and were driving out when we saw Sylvia and John Martin from Bangalow, parked on the beach, poor beggars had had so much trouble with their diesel engine ford - put it in for service at Faro, just after we last saw them early December and had trouble since.  Cost them thousands of escudos and pesetas and this French boy from Mauritius fixed it up for $10.  We left them quite happy on the beach at Alicante.

Stayed the night at “Camping Sertorium" a popular resort, right on the Playa.  An Englishman came up and told us we were in the Spanish children's play area and would be kept awake.  So we moved down a block or two.  Calm night hot shower.

Saturday, 9th January, 1982                   fine and warm.

Awoke reasonably happy and headed into Benidorm - found a Park on the beach just fiddled whilst John went to American Express.  I sent mail to Tony, Cecily from the Carreras.  Sent negatives to Tony from two first films.  Spent morning and early afternoon there - lunched at Burger King - kids had fill of hamburgers.  I had a packet of chips and Sandra and John went to a nearby restaurant for meal of the day.  

Benidorm, Spain

Benidorm is a tourist conglomeration of multi-storey apartments and restaurants, continental bars and souvenir shops.  We then went to find the caravan park for a weekend.

We found one about 3 km from town at "Camping Torreda".  The kids and Sandra stayed downtown to play minigolf.  John and I settled into plot and John took off whilst I showered and strolled down the road to meet them all at Burger King.  You’ve never lived till you walk along a Spanish road.  They love to hoe up their foot paths.

Decided to walk home, eat and go back into town and stroll.  Nice chicken and almonds then the stumble back to town.  Hid torch in the base of tree near town.  Found the bar - the English bar - where “Life of Brian" was being shown at 9 p.m. so we strolled, had a drink in a nice bar, where Sean’s expertise on the pinball machines, put us all on the top five.  Returned to see the funny show - John was seeing it for the first time, and we all laughed and enjoyed it just as much.  The kids were worried about John's laugh, but I think they forgot to worry as the film proceeded.  Home and into bed exhausted.

Sunday, 10th January, 1982                      fine and cool.

I woke quite late to an overcast day.  John and Sean and Rae went down town before lunch, Sandra and I followed later.  We walked all over Benidorm.  They were all watching "Grease" at the British Pub - after we strolled to another pub and watched last part of Papillon and the beginning of "Carri", but it was too gruesome.  So the female species went to mass (4 blocks up road) and Sean and John watched a James Bond movie.

St Carman's is very modern, and we met our Benidorm "Jimmy bloke" again - he seems to pop up in every country.  Walked home about 7:35 p.m. to a hurried shower.  Hot showers closed at 8 p.m.  John missed out and hit the roof - don't blame him.  Sean's cold is better.

Monday 11th January, 1982                     overcast and fine

Arose quite late - leisurely breakfast.  Then down town to do the washing.  Our towels needed the machine.  Nil electricity, so I wandered to the markets and bought nice tablecloth, small plate and cassette "the bird dance".

Met the crew, Sean prepared lunch then Sandra wanted to buy shoes - no luck.

They are all in watching "flying high", whilst I have a rest.  We decided to free camp.  So we all had hot showers before we left the camp.

The kids and I went to the British bar to watch "midnight express" and "the French connection", while Sandra and John went back to American Express.

We settled in for the night in a side Street, near the Playa with three other vans - New Zealand, British and Dutch beside us.  Sandra, John and Sean went out for a coffee about 9 p.m.  Rachelle and I to bed.

Tuesday 12th January, 1982                    fine and brisk.

Restless night - woke to all vans in situ, no police.  John drove the van up to the Paris hotel.  So we were near nice clean toilets for our daily sit.

We found some worm tablets after many gestures and bad Spanish.  Good bye Benidorm off to Javea.  .  We loved Benidorm - lots to do there - so many English pubs with films and good ones at that, going all day.  Love the streets and playa.  We were strolling along trying not to look like tourists, when this cockney spoke "before you leave, go to the mediaeval night."  Come to the Jolly sailor pub with Terry and Mike - introduced himself, had a bit of a chat then took off.  Mike looked as if he had a blonde red wig on.  

We travelled on to tea, 11 km from Benidorm.  Down on the Playa we found John and Sylvia Martin again.  It is a typical Spanish village with a typical Spanish Tuesday market.  We loved it - about 3 km long, stretching right along the beachfront.  Stalls of every description - I got haggled into a gold chain and St Christopher pendant six dollars.  Sandra brought a tablecloth and John a pair of leather boots $22.  Spent a few hours, had lunch and off to Javea to find Trudy and Brian - through lovely citrus country.

Past Calpe with the “penon de ifach" standing magnificently at the end of the Bay.  After squeezing our way almost to the cottage through narrow lanes.  We all decided it was a bit risky, would do too much damage - walked up - not at home.  So, we retreated down the narrow walks, and that was all they were - to review the situation.  John does a terrific job of driving the big Adventura.  Decided to have a cuppa then drive down to Purto de Javea and return to see if they had returned.  

The port is lovely, like all beaches along the Costa Brava.  Brian and Trudy hadn't returned so left a note and headed towards Denia - surprised to find it has a university - it is an old fishing town.

Camping “Eden of Sol” is on the waterfront.  Had decent hot shower, Rae, Sandra and I went for a walk after tea along the beachfront.  Sean and John went into town for a drink, arrived home 12:30 a.m. full of merriment from either too much Spanish company or too much of a good thing.

Estepona to Javea, Spain