Wednesday 19th November (Day 39)
As we only had a few miles to go this morning to our destination this was the laziest, slowest start to date. Eventually, before 11.00am we were off. On the way we tried to find a supermarket but the Garmin satnav decided to muck us about and we never found it. Just past the site where we were stopping was a big supermarket so we shopped there. After the shop we drove to the site. It is a large site with 1000 pitches and huge; facilties, apart from the normal ones, are tennis boules, swings, swimming pool, squash and the list goes on (it even has its own small church). Also around it are flats and holiday developments so our first impressions were not good. Once on the site the flats disappear and the site is nice. Soon after we arrived so did Resa and Eric and we set up next to each other which, as we could have been a kilometre away, was a bonus. We had lunch and set of to explore. A cycle ride around the Mar Menor area (small sea) was a disappointment as we expected a busting area near to us. What we found was almost a ghost town with few shops and bars open. In the evening we went for a meal with the Camping and Caravan Club group. About £6.50 a person for a two course meal and a disco. We had a great evening dancing and chatting away. The groups average age was brought down by the four of us (slightly). The music was all 50’s, 60’s and 70’s with the exception of the one 90’s track, a Ronan Keeting remake of a 70’s hit. We left before some of those present and were ‘tired and exhausted’; tomorrow is another day.
Thursday 20th November (Day 40)
Woke to a poor day ahead. Grey and windy with the outlook not much better, although about 19 degrees. It was suggested by Eric and Resa that we should go for a cycle ride, which seemed a good option. So after we sorted ourselves out it was make a pic-nic, load the bikes and then off, The decision was to cycle around the Mar Menor. This almost land locked area of water is 72Km or almost 45 miles around. However the good news was that the road cannot go all the way around as there is a bit where boats can enter and leave from the Mediterranean. The only option was a ferry which, conveniently cuts off a large corner. The first part of the ride (the side of the Med) was very windy and difficult. We managed to make the 12.30pm ferry and had a pleasant, if windy, 35 minute journey across, eating our food on the way. By now we had cycled about 18 KM (11 miles). Arriving a La Ribena we started the return cycle. This part of the ride was much nicer as we were sheltered a bit from the wind. We cycled around the military airport watching planes take of land and ‘do the bumps’. The some cycling along the shore and through a nature area. Some road, some rough track a good mix. We stopped for a coffee and a brief rest and then off again. We got back to the site having completed just short of 54Km or 34 miles. A beer and some tapas in the site bar was a much needed rest and stoke up before returning to the mh’s to find some soft seating! Dinner was cooked in the mh’s. At about 8.30pm we suggested a walk up to the Mirador Bar where there was a karaoke evening. We duly strolled up to the bar and sat and listened to, what must be said, was much better karaoke than is the norm. Eric gave a couple of renditions, including his ‘signature’ song – Delilah (Tom Jones) which had everyone joining in. About 11.00pm saw us on the stroll back for a much earned sleep.
Friday 21st November (Day 41)
Another grey day but at least the high teens on temperature. After breakfast we had opted to join a group for a 16 mile cycle ride. The area is good for cycling as it has a good range of fairly flat routes. We stopped for a coffee after just halfway and the favourite drink was condensed milk,coffee and brandy; a good mix except for the condensed milk. Then off again with a coffee / drink and tapas stop. Eventually around 3.00pm we got back. We then slobbed around until a curry in the mh around 7.00pm. We then went to an ‘American Night’. The first part (which we missed) was everyone brought some food, hot or cold, which all then had a share of. This was followed by a simple quiz which involved matching American photos to their names, American states to their capitals and finally a music Bingo where 20 seconds of a track was played and you marked it off if you had it. A throughly good night was had by all Back to the mh by 11pm
Saturday 22nd November (Day 42)
Another day of poor promise. While warm it was overcast and the rest of the day was the same. We did chores that were needed (like washing). A light lunch and then we joined in a boules competition where we both came second. A bit of light exercise and a good social chat. We then decided that a small food shop was needed and, although good, the shop on site did not have what we were after so we cycled to the local big supermarket to get the few ‘essentials’. This was followed by a ‘facetime’ with Richard in Bermuda. Dinner was next on this busy day followed by a long chat with Resa and Eric. While today’s weather wasn’t the best at midnight we were still comfortable sitting out in shorts etc so it really cannot be that bad.
Cumbers Travels 