Spain is a whole different ball game. Our knowledge past Ola is pretty much zero. My army knowledge of the language only equates to phrases that would get us in trouble with local law enforcement agencies.
That said we weren't put off, just a bit excited to be travelling into the semi-unknown.
True to form, we split the trip from France by stopping en-route at Aqualand in Cyr Sans Le Mer. We had a great day again playing on the rides and scaring dad with things involving heights. I have to say, the Aqualand in Ste Maxime was smaller but easier to keep an eye on the kids in. The one in Cyr was bigger, with bigger and better rides, but also with bigger queues and longer waits. Still it was a really fun day, well worth the entry fee and one to visit if your in the area. The kids will love it.
After a day in the pools, we hit the road trying to get as close to the Spanish border as possible. Unfortunately, traffic around Perpignon was bad and there was also a big smash on the other side of the carriageway on the motorway. It caused us big delays, the first on our trip and considering the mileage we've done, we can't complain.
So we didn't get as far as expected, and pulled up in another free Aire, at 2300 hrs ready for a good kip.
We woke to find that the Aire was a pretty popular place, in high season on a saturday morning. The place was jam packed full, and just getting out took a lot of manoeuvring, plenty of hand signals and some more French style motoring assertiveness. It wasn't the nicest Aire we have stayed in, because it was so busy the toilets were stinking and the queues were terrible. But it served a purpose, and a couple of hours after leaving we were pulling up at our new home in Spain, Camping Montgri in L'Estartit.
What a great place. Busy but large enough to handle it easily it has all you want and more. We are camping in the lower section, next to the bottom pool complex. It has three pools, including one up the mountain side and loads of shops, cafe's, restaurants, shows, golf, horse rides etc etc and some nice shade, just what we wanted.
We had already planned to stay here because some good friends were coming here on a bus tour. We were also thinking ahead as the rest of our trip on the continent we left free to do as we pleased. So our plan was to see if the site was any good, and perhaps stay a few days extra if possible.
When we arrived, we left the van to explore and saw all the good stuff. We had some drinks by the pool and ordered some food. After all the bread and cheese and continental stuff we had indulged in in France, it was nice to be able to get some traditional English grub (on the menu as well as more traditional Spanish fayre). As the waiter plonked sausage, egg, chips and beans in front of me, in the shade on a beautiful Spanish sunny day, next to a glistening pint of ice cold cider I thought it couldn't get better. And then Leeds Utd came on the big screen, beating Wolves at Elland Road and I was sold! The extra days were booked so now we are stopping here til Sunday. Happy days.
Our friends arrived safely a day later and the kids were in their element. After three weeks on the road, it's been nice for them to have regular friends around to play with. And they have played some! It's almost impossible to drag them away from the pool to eat or drink because they are loving it so much. Jacks swimming, which was weak when we left uk has come on in leaps and bounds. As has our tans!
The beach is a short walk away and we have been for a look around town.
Tomorrow we are booked on a trip to Barcelona to visit the town, and more importantly the Nou Camp where we're doing the full shebang. Museum, pitch, changeling rooms, press box etc etc. really looking forward to it.
We also plan to go on a glass bottomed boat around the islands, to snorkel and sea trampoline (I'll tell all in a later blog).
We of course plan to visit a local market so that we have the privilege of bartering for tat instead of just paying for it, and will do another water park before we leave. In the heat, being near to or better still in water is a must.
It's a fab place, lots to do, see, eat and drink and were all loving this leg of the tour.
Until next time. Adios amigos
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