Agro Camper Mediterrani, Vilassar de Mar, Spain

Staying at Aldo's farm last night felt very freeing. We waited seven weeks to find a place so peaceful and tranquil away from the stress that other travelers cause. It was just us and nature.

Wonderful. And at last Angela had a good night's sleep. No ear plugs required. There's a saying, 'if a place calls you to stay, then go to it'. After seeing Aldo's farm on the park4night app, Angela knew it was definitely a place for us. Today we wanted to eat up some miles. We find that the roads are normally quieter on a Sunday, not so today. This weekend is the beginning of the school holidays in Europe and, didn't we know it.

 

It was also the weekend the Tour de France cycle race began. We were heading to Barcelona, and so was the tour. It seems we will be following it now for a couple of days. Late afternoon after negotiating the ring road around Barcelona we arrived in a suburb. It didn't look the sort of area we would want to stay overnight in. But then, as the road turned to the right we found ourselves in the countryside at an equestrian centre. Perfect. This was our destination. A short train journey from Barcelona, although we won't be visiting there this time, and a short walk to the beach.

When looking for overnight stops we've taken to seeking out more rural stops. So far it's paid off. We seem to have been driving for days. This time last week we were spending our last night in Morocco at a beach side location. Tonight will be our last night in Spain, once again near a beach, so we were glad of the chance to take a walk out after being cooped up in Marge most of the day. Angela is really looking forward to returning to France. We are planning to stay away from busy tourist spots and find some quiet out of the way overnight stays as we do when cycling in France.

Aldo's Farm, Gilet, Valencia, Spain

We waited until nine last night to walk out. It was still warm, but with the sun almost down it felt more comfortable.

Normally, when we leave Marge, Angela takes her rucksack with her as it contains all our documents we'd rather not lose. On this occasion she didn't. In the rucksack was her mobile phone which she'd used to photograph the poster on the notice board at the camper park showing the number for the security gate. It slipped her mind she'd taken a note of the number, and she also didn't realize the gate would be closed when we returned. Of course it was! Angela guessed at the number, and of course it was wrong! Turned out she was close, but not close enough. So we had to phone the site owner who very kindly opened the gate remotely. No harm done, worst case, we would have had to shout through the gate and ask one of our fellow campers for assistance. We are now not too far from the French border, where we see in the news today there is a large wildfire burning. We reckon two more nights in Spain and then we'll cross the border. Today's drive seemed easy compared to those of the last few days.

Stopping at a service area for coffee Marge drew make attention, which of course she loves, we also saw a first, a wood fired paella being cooked Tonight we found a really nice stopover on the park4night app at Gilet, staying in an avocado farm. It costs ten euros to go towards the upkeep and improvement of the farm.

The last 800 metres of access road up to the farm is unmade and rough in places, which obviously was no problem for Marge. Looking at the photos, we could see larger motorhomes had managed to negotiate the terrain as well. The landscape, buildings and views made us think of Morocco. After receiving a warm welcome from the owner, we were issued with a hammock and told to park anywhere.

We were the only guests. What a stunningly beautiful place, and we had it all to ourselves. How lucky were we? One of the couples with us last night seemed astonished we'd spent nearly seven weeks away in Marge. We don't really notice how compromised the space is inside her when the weather's fine, as we spend most of our time outside. John likened Marge's compact size, as to 'living in the cupboard under the stairs'. Well this evening we are more than pleased to be living in Marge. Our overnight spot is spectacular, unlike the one down in nearby Valencia where you are one amongst possibly seventy eight other vans. It might suit some people, but where we are right now is perfect for us and Marge!

Camper Park Rey Lobo, Murcia, Spain

Angela was up early to beat the heat, annoyingly for the swallows sleeping on the rafters in the showers block, who flew and flapped around her. 

After yesterday's long drive, we decided a couple of hours of travelling would be long enough today. Wanting to keep away from the coast now it is holiday season, we drove to Murcia where a new camper park has been opened at an old farm. First impressions, where have we come to? 

But after a quick look around at the excellent facilities it was obvious at just thirteen euros a night that it was great value. We secured a spot in the breeze for Marge, with views towards the castle and the Christ of Monteagudo Statue which will both be lit up tonight. As the afternoon slipped by, other vans arrived. An English couple, plum in the mouth types, bowled in. 'We made a reservation yesterday'. O.K. Well we just turned up and presumably someone will arrive to collect the money at some point. Park where you like, just not in our breeze please. 'Where's the pool? That'll be the large receptacle adjacent to the washing up area. We think they were expecting something a little more 'olympic size'. Obviously it didn't meet their expectations, as they didn't even dip a toe in, but just slinked off for a shower. Angela felt like saying, we are all as one here. Living in vehicles, looking for cheap overnight stops. This particular park up is exceptional, swimming pools included at the price we're paying, unusual. Apparently not though to Mr & Mrs, we've made a reservation, you know!

Spotted in the Lidl carpark, underneath a Citroën 2CV of course!

Camping Los Gallardos, Almeria, Spain

Angela is through the worse of the virus and John seems a lot better today. The last few days have been difficult. We've hardly eaten anything, just snacking, taking paracetamol and drinking lots of fluid. Today we didn't intend to drive too far, but of course that plan went out the window. Our journey took us back along the edge of the Sierra Nevada, the road climbing and then descending into valleys.

Marge didn't know if she was coming or going. Viaducts, tunnels, it was all going on. The drive was long and we desperately wanted to stop, but because of the difficult terrain there was no service area. When at last we came across one, we had to wait for a member of staff to unlock the ladies loo. The picture outside portrayed Angela's distress!

The service area turned out to be a perfect stop. For the first time since leaving home Marge was washed.

It was nice to see the dirt and dust of Morocco disappearing from her. Despite the intense heat we thought we would drive through the area of the Tabernas desert, stopping at a restaurant which had camping at the rear. The camping we didn't fancy, the area however was interesting, the rock formations fantastic. So we drove on to the next town, decided staying there wasn't for us either and in the end found a campsite half an hour away, where we are now. Us, and some bargain loving Brits.

Late evening we walked around the site, stopping to check out the on-site supermarket, garden centre, swimming pool and restaurant. One of the English residents recommended we stay here until Sunday, when a, 'cracking' Sunday lunch is served. Sadly, tomorrow we must be away. As friendly as the campsite is, we are struggling to understand why people would want to live here as it is in the middle of nowhere. But who are we to judge?