Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Curiosity got the better of us!

Despit the delightful surroundings that we are in, being this close to Benidorm was an opportunity not to be missed. Is it really like the TV programme?
We hiked to the station and caught a train.

Three stops down the line and we arrived, having seen the beginning of the notorious skyline from the windows of the tram.

Immediately, we were faced with the noise and smell of traffic fumes as we walked downhill into the town centre.
There was an opportunity to follow a marble, pedestrian routeway, past a mock amphitheater, almost to the sea.

The giant, high rise developments cast shadows over the cafes, bars and tacky shops.


But nothing prepared us for the vast number of mobility scooters, whose drivers used the promenade as their own Formula 1 circuit.Blink and you could have been road kill !!

When we saw a two seater version we cracked up 😂


The sandy beach was glorious if you could see it between the sun beds.


The bars were busy with stag and hen parties and the Brits were sat outside turning a gentle, lobster pink, that you knew, would be very painful later in the day.

Most things were written in English and gaudily painted boards advertised what was on offer.


The old town, with its narrow streets was quite attractive, but many of the people working there, were simply selling food or tourist junk.

After four hours we’d had enough and seen all that we wanted to  see. I was surprised that we lasted that long. We could imagine Benidorm by night and didn’t feel that it was necessary to be there to sample it.
As we walked “ home “, our senses were assaulted by the perfume of orange blossom and lavender, Not a greasy burger to be sniffed anywhere ... thank goodness.

We spent our evening at the campsite restaurant, overlooking the beach , listening to the waves creating background music, and reflecting on the day. We must be getting old!!!!


At this point we realised that neither of us had bought the obligatory stick of rock.!!!








Monday, April 23, 2018

33*C in the shade!!

No complaints about the temperature today. Just a short drive from Guardamar to El Torres. It was a road worth travelling.
We passed salines where flamingoes were paddling and mini salt mountains sat by the roadside.



The temperature soared as the day continued. The brightness was exaggerated by the white rock and white stone terraces.



The sierras loomed large over the narrow coastal plain as a signpost for BENIDORM struck us between the eyes!! Had we made a huge mistake? Were we going to be parked on an alcohol fuelled campsite with line dancing Brits?





Then, between two headlands, nestled a small beach and a brand new campsite. Not a high rise to be seen. Phew!! 😅 But, we can’t be this close to the notorious,and much maligned town, and not let curiosity and a couple of pinicoladas get the better of us. So tomorrow we are off on a train to see the sights ....... Could this be one to tick off our bucket list?

But for the rest of today, we’ll enjoy tranquility.

















Sunday, April 22, 2018

Any sink in a storm !!

Exciting boule tournament tonight but the loser had to find a way to wash away the dust of defeat!!

Hope Stoke have better luck than Sue. ‘Night All