Costa to Competa, back in the mountains again

Sun 16^th & Mon 17th

Torre Del Mar was to be our next stop as the campsite we drove to first at Lago Vinuela had pitches that were still covered by sunscreens from the summer. Too blinking cold with absolutely no sun on them!  C&L had been to Torre before so we elected to spend 2 nights. It was a familiar setup with many of the pitches occupied by the over winter brigade. The majority of them elect to cover all the pitch with a nailed down groundsheet, erect fences around every inch of the perimeter, install extra lights and plants etc..   Most definitely not us to stay put for 5/6 months and setup a mini empire in Spain. They are a mix of Brits, Germans, Dutch and quite a few Scandinavians. Friendly bunch who seem to all know each other.

taking it easy

Torre del Mar beach

 Torre was a pleasant surprise as it was clean with minimal litter, virtually no graffiti (a first in Spain) and a relaxed feel. We cycled along the sea front and enjoyed the continuing warm sunny weather.

Tues 18^th

Refilled the gas bottles and drove up the twisty road inland to Competa where us boys were going to enjoy 2 days of off road motorbike trail riding. As a treat we were staying at the Gaudi inspired Hotel Alberdini high above the town. We had been told we should be able to drive up to the hotel carpark – not!  The arch over the entrance was too low and the hairpin bends up the steep drive far too tight for our vans. When you tell them 8m long and 3.1m tall some people have no idea how big they are until you drive up – “oh, it is bigger than I thought”. Plan B was to drive into town and park them there. We did find space in what was to have been the medical centre and is currently being used as a carpark. Scoots out and ride back to the hotel fully loaded up. Most of the town seemed to be expats and we were to cause a bit of a talking point by leaving the vans there for the next 3 days!

Hotel Alberdini terrace

Gaudiesque entrance door

funky bench

Competa below us

We enjoyed a fabulous meal that evening – entrecote self cooked on a hot stone. Very yummy indeed.

Weds 19^th

After a relaxed breakfast we were picked up and driven down to Trailblazers bike HQ. once kitted out we were given a choice of bikes. Chris was on a Beta 400 , I chose a KTM 450. We were soon cruising around on the local trails before stopping for lunch in a remote village. Another session after lunch before we returned covered in dust. I has swapped onto the Beta after Chris had complained about the steering – the head bearings were totally knackered! Graham would replace them before 

tomorrow’s session.

our steeds for the day

apt choice of brand??

Thurs 20^th

Day 2 on the bikes, we were joined by Brad who is in the Australian Army and on his first of 5 days. I elected to use a KTM300 2 stroke, great to be reunited with a lightweight frisky stroker again. I really enjoyed riding it – none of the others wanted to try a “proper “ bike??  Good fun, we finished by riding up to the remains of a Moor castle.

I love 2 stroke bikes!

Myself, Brad & Chris

My fix of off road biking was over but had made me realise how much I had missed it. New KTM 250 when I return home methinks………………….

Cartagena

Sat 15^th

We decided at the last minute (as you do) to stop and visit some of the touristy bits in Cartagena by the port – good decision.  We parked near a restaurant and walked along a very modern seafront towards the castle above. We used the path to climb up electing not to use the lift. The views across the port and out to sea were fabulous. There was even a tourist board lady to help us and explain some of the best things to see. Below us we was the Roman Amphitheatre and a modern outdoor theatre alongside. In the distance was the remains of the bullring. We walked down to the main plaza and sat and had a coffee in the hot sunshine. Next was a walk around the nearby naval museum which was stuffed full of lots of interesting artifacts – shells, guns, uniforms, diving suits and even surgical instruments.  Next door was a huge hall housing the first submarine capable of firing torpedoes in the world, the Isac Peral. It was rescued from being scrapped and restored in 2009.  Interesting place.

Our stop for the night was at Roquettas de Mar amongst the very out of season apartment blocks. There were loads of German and Swedish vans settled in for the season – what they would do there for weeks on end I do not know.

Lettuce fields to the Strip ( La manga)

Thurs 13^th

Our destination today was Aljorra to meet friends of Chris’ parents – Val & Robin.  We drove past Murcia and south towards Cartagena. Loads of unfinished housing complexes and acres of lettuce fields. We eventually located them after Chris called his Mum for their phone number. What a cheerfully eccentric pair! We parked up outside their gates in the middle of lettuce fields. Once we had toured their two massive greenhouses (his n hers, Robin is seriously into catcus) we drove cross country through the fields to a local restaurant where we enjoyed seriously big steaks. Delicious. A great meal with great company. Once back we helped pick olives until it was too dark. Good post meal exercise.

spot of olive picking after dinner

Robin!

our stop in the fields

Fri 14^th

After our goodbyes we drove into Cartagena and a quick shop in decathlon for some spare cycle tubes.

Next stop was Cabo de Palos right on the southern end of the Mar Menor and La Manga which is on a narrow strip of land 19km long. It looked like the high rise buildings in Benidorm had been stretched out into a line as far as the eye could see. We were stopping on a carpark right below a lighthouse with good views out to the “strip”. A cycle ride along part of it confirmed that it was virtually empty with most apartment blocks closed.  Not a particularly attractive place.

cabo de Palos lighthouse

carpark with a view

La Manga - 19km of hotels!

bit breezy

Valencia to Benidorm

fri 7^th

we found a much better road out of Horto, but still very narrow. We were meeting up with Chris & Lillian north of Valencia so that us boys could go to the MotoGP final race!  

We arrived at Valencia Camper Park, Betera around 11.30am, C&L rolled in shortly after. Great to catch up with them over lunch and to sort out through all the magazines and stuff we had had delivered to them in the UK. Later we got the scoots out ready for Saturday.

Sat 8^th

We left at 8.30am for the 15mile ride to the circuit. 60 mph was ok on the scoots so the journey wasn’t as tortuous as we had feared. As we neared the circuit bikes started zooming past us. The Guardia Civil did a great job in controlling the traffic and we were soon parked up alongside hundreds of bikes and scoots.  

we made it! - Chris at MotoGP valencia

just a few bikes

All the spectators have seats – ours were opposite 2 giant screens so we missed out on nothing. It was great to hear and see the live bikes. Practice was followed by qualifying in the afternoon. We had a great lunch at a bar which resembled a tapas bar. What a difference from the usual burger bar at UK circuits. Same inflated prices though!  The wind was strong but the rian held off. The girls had gone into Valencia and returned just after we had parked up the scoots. A great day out – bring on the races.

Sun 9^th

Race day! 8.30am departure but a huge amount of traffic  - 3 solid lanes close to the circuit. We followed all the bikes along the hard shoulder and were soon parked up. Much easier on the scoots than being stuck in a car.

The 3 races were excellent , in Moto3 Alex Marquez won the championship by finishing third. The crowd went mad as he is Spanish! Moto2 champion Tito Rabbat blew adding another win as he was latterly pipped on the line by Tom Luthi. Bet he felt a mug.

nice burn out

it will NOT rain!

In the big boys race – MotoGP, newly crowned champ Marc Marquez ran away with it, but rain drops created havoc as some riders opted (unwisely) to change to bikes with rain tyres. They went backwards as the rain stayed away.

Another great day at the races!

Mon 10^th

We had decided to stay another night and visit the city centre so were on the 10.30am metro.  We walked along the port towards the area I was keen to see – The Arts and Sciences park. This is a collection of very modern and architecturally striking buildings. The sheer scale of them was impressive, I really liked them.

Agora - multi use display area?

funky shapes

stylish bridge support

rear of Science Museum - Principe Felipe

beetle like Hemisferic - planetarium 

Palais de les Arts reina Sofia - opera house

We then headed for the old part of the town for  a menu del dia. The bull ring looked very impressive but was closed so no tour for us boys (the girls had been the previous day). We found a nice bar and enjoyed a relaxed meal. Once back at the vans we planned the next day’s route. Nice city.

Wed 12^th

After an overnight stop in Javea we headed for BENIDORM!  Tina just had to see it for herself. I had been 30 yrs ago and wondered if it was still as busy. Once installed on Camping Villasol amidst all the over winterers (complete with fences, solar lights, flags, plant pots etc..) we cycled into the town and headed for the seafront. Tina’s face and reaction was  - “Wow – look at all the people and the skyscrapers”  the majority of the people appeared to be Brits. Some of the women had somewhat “minimalist” clothes on – even in November. It was a different world with loud music pumping out of competing bars. Just not for us.

Levante Beach 

skyscrapers right up to the beach

even more!