That can't be Al in Alicante, can it?

Saturday 31 March 2007

Again pleasant weather started the day but there was the threat of rain later. The decision was made to head North past the Salinas del Brac del Port (where we saw a few pink flamingos) to Santa Pola and see how things went from there. Santa Pola is much more Spanish than Quesada or Guardamar, and seemed a little more laid back. It had a nice little stretch of beach with small breakwaters stretching out into the sea for fishermen.

After an hour or so slowly wandering across the shore and round a few shops, we headed back to the car and took the decision to head into Alicante seeing as the weather was holding nicely. We took a quiet coastal road which was very rugged and gave excellent clear view towards the grand port itself and the stunning mountains beyond.

We parked right on the quayside ideally placed for a bite to eat at one of the restaurants on the front. Again - OK but nothing to write home about (so I won't). Vero had a little bit too much wine and looked a bit red-faced afterwards.

Once her mini-hangover had worn off we decided to head up to the Castillo Santa Barbara, an old fort perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the city. To this we had to find a tiny orange tunnel which was about 300 meters long, at the end of what was a coin operated ticket machine with some Spanish guy set next to it, was as helpful as a chocolate teapot. Once we had bought our tickets we climbed into a lift which resembled at best something from a derelict 1960s office block. I even had its own 'operator' who took us up though a couple of 100m of rock and suddenly we were in a different world. The noise was gone, the sun burst out and the fort was magnificent. Lots of winding old paths adorned either side by wonderful Mediterranean shrubbery led us either up or down the Castillo, with different views at different points.

After all that exertion it was back down and back towards home. On the way we stopped at the same salinas we drove past in the morning as there were many more birds around and some very nice scenery, despite the ominous looking clouds.

Sunday 1 April

No fooling around today, as we took the morning off soaking up what was the warmest day yet in the front garden. I say front garden but there's no road outside the front gate and it was as quiet as anywhere. We even tried the balcony because we could (or maybe because the garden was just too hot).

After a lazy lunch and a siesta, we headed to Torrelamata beach, near Torrevieja. Leaving Lin and Bob to sunbathe and drink yet more Spanish coffee, we headed up the beach on a walk of Anastasia beach proportions (its in Florida for those who don't know). Not quite as pretty but the similarities were there. Dunes to the left, the ocean gently lapping the shore to the right and soft sand and wading birds in between.