Winter Camping at Marjal-a short drive down the coast and a beautiful campsite- but ouch pricey!

Yesterday we decided to go out for a drive down the Coast to Pilar de la Horadada which is just the other side of Playa Flamenco and Torrievieja. I fell in love with the coastline of Pilar Hoadada and its lovely little harbour. The only shame is that there is a lot of development going on and I fear it may spoil it but on the upside its probably a good sign for the Spanish economy as for too long there has been half completed buildings everywhere and areas like ghost towns.

I loved this courtyard or plaza and can imagine it on a hot sunny day when there are more people about. We then decided to visit a campsitethat opened within months of Marjal Costa Blanca-Camping Lo Monte. We visited it when it first opened and wow what a treat! We liked iot then but now it is fantastic. It is quite clearly well run and organised. Originally it was priced the same as here but now..well it can afford to as there was not a pitch spare and its almost fully booked for next year already. I can see why. The only problem is ,is that its very expensive and there are a lot of those huge Concordes there and Germans but they are probably one of the few nationalities that could afford to stay there. The large units like the Concordes are all sited around the perimiter of the site and placed together-phew what a great idea- everyone gets the sun. The inside had lots of nice pitches without fencing etc and lovely hedging marking out pitches. They had obvioulsy used conifer trees for quick growth and its worked very well as long as they remember to cut them soon! There are large grassed areas and in the distance the sea can be seen. It is within easy walking distance of the shops, the harbour pictured above and the little courtyard. I guess i would be a fair old walk but easy on a bicycle. The other lovely thing about it is that there is a small collection of restaurants that you could stagger back from! I did recogise one or two units on there from their registration numbers and they were previously regulars of Marjal Guardamar. I walked passed one of the indoor pools and there were only two people in it! It looked lovely. They had plenty of activities on site from line dancing to karaoke ,keep fit, aqua aerobics and various artistes appearing there. Hmmm definately a lovely site but I could not afford to stay long as in high season it goes up to 35 euros a night and they are apparantly getting it! They do not take ACSI and the average pitch is 18 euros a night! Eeeks! For long stays more than 90 days it is still 11 euros a day which I guess isnt too bad as you can at least get in and use all the facilities if you want to.

On the way back we stopped at Playa Flamenca and found an Italian restaurant. Wow! One of the best pizzas that I have ever had! I was really disappointed in Italy but they put the herbs etc and it was yummmm all for 7.50 euros! Its a bit nearer than Rome! If that place was in walking distance of the campsite the deal would have been clenched but its not!  So I am back here looking forward to my holiday next week! Holiday? Well moving the caravan about 80 miles up the coast for a week-change of scenery and all that.

The forecast today was for rain but I think it came in the middle of the night so heaven only knows what today will bring. All I know is that its time for me to get dressed and maybe do that swera word that begins with "I" as the crumpled clothes look doesnt look good any longer! Have a good day folks!