RETURN TO SPAIN - Sevilla – Montes de Malaga – Fuengirola – Roquetas de Mar – Vera – Valencia.

Our time in beautiful Portugal had to end for now as we drove back into Spain crossing the border and filling with diesel at Ayamonte.  Our first goal was to reach the Laika Motor Caravan dealer past Sevilla, Autocaravanas Hidalgo to attempt once more to get prices and possibility of delivery of body parts blown away in the tyre blow out a few months earlier.

We arrived 25 minutes before the 2 pm to 4.30 pm siesta, lunch break but no-one was available to look at the problem so we were invited to their parking area and to connect to electricity which we did not really need. Later the vehicle was inspected and we still await news a few weeks later.

We continued on towards Malaga (Cost del Sol) and found a delightful lake area not far from the main road, nor from the city at Montes de Malaga. The place was strewn with litter, mostly from McDonalds and Coca-Cola so we took a large rubbish bag and filled it to feel more comfortable there.

We enjoyed a quiet night and short walks near to the dam, and through eucalyptus trees.

Next day we drove the 30 km on to Fuengirola as we had business to do there.

From Fuengirola / Mijas we continued east to Roquetas del Mar to find a very good parking place right behind the beach and with good facilities to walk, run and exercise. 

The small port and town were just walking distance away. We will return there and explore more another time.

Finally we returned to Vera and Mojacar

and caught up with final jobs including taking the “dead” leisure battery for checking (under warranty) before taking the bus to Murcia and another to Valencia. The bus ticket machine printed the first tickets but for the next leg did not so I tried again and I know for sure that they took money from my card, and I paid again at the office. 

In Valencia I was told they would not see it in their system for a week so now from outside Spain I have to try to get a refund.

Valencia is a lovely city and we had time for a late evening walk around the historical centre

before an early start to catch a flight to Malta nest morning.

Five months had passed since we started this winter journey in our “boat on wheels” and we drove almost 6500 km through Spain and Portugal. Whether we are driving or not Anita keeps busy with her arts and crafts.

Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina

The south west tip of Portugal and coast to the north are contained in a natural park of outstanding beauty, a wild and wonderful area, mostly unspoiled and some small towns of character.

We returned to a few of the places we love there and found some new ones.

The estuary town of Vila Nova de Milfontes is a favourite. The Atlantic tides rise and fall in a way familiar to British people exposing and covering the sand.

Just to the north we spent two nights amongst surfers from various countries in a beautiful cliff top parking at Praia Milhao. The magnificent beach was almost deserted except for a few surfers and sunbathers. It is one of many unofficial naturist beaches in Portugal.

Driving inland through the unspoiled green scenery with grazing cows, and eucalyptus trees we came to Sao Luis. Further south the capital of this part of Alentejo is Odemira, a hilly town through which passes the Mira River. A shallow draught vessel can navigate this river 40 km to Vila Nova. I would love to make that journey in a small boat.

Further south the Ribeira (River) de Seixe, forms the border between the Algarve and Alentejo. Praia do Odeceixe is a wonderful place where the river winds around the beach to the sea. Here we met Barbara from Switzerland making slow “Camino” with two donkeys from France.

 Clever way to remember the beer - misprint some labels !!

Aljezur is the main town of this region and we came twice to the little publicised Saturday market where fresh produce and cakes are sold. Worth a visit.

We also met up again with Josef at Vale da Telha, and enjoyed a pizza out with him and his visitor Valerija, and the next day a visit to the amazing headland at Lagos.

We had already spent time at Praia das Furnas and nearby Salema.

This is truly a special area and we are always reluctant to leave here.