Up early for the short drive to Tanger Med, just as well we had given ourselves plenty of time as there were lots of different queues for different checks to allow you to get out of the country - including a full vehicle scan - just incase we had a few Moroccans hiding in the garage.  Ferry only half an hour late leaving and then a time difference of minus two hours as we dock in Algercias, Espana.  Decided to spend the night on Lidl's car park, with loads of other motorhomes, where our journey had begun three months ago.  Shopping in Lidl was a treat - being able to buy stuff we hadn't seen for a while and then McDonalds which we fancied but never really enjoy.  After 9pm before it got dark.

Off towards Malaga and a garage that sold lpg to fill up our gas bottles.  We were then aiming for a site in Torre del Mar on the Costa del Sol, however, inbetween two campsites was a huge parking area with about 15-20 motorhomes, right next to the beach.  We only really needed a site to fill up with water so we parked up with the other motorhomes and asked where we could get water, we were directed to a shower on the beach, so filled up and found a nice spot with a view of the sea.  Following the food poisoning we now felt ready for red wine and cava!!  Had four nights on the car park, camping for free and enjoyed it, the town was ok with cafes, bars and a Mercadona (my fav spanish supermarket).

On then to Almerimar and parked up at the port, had to pay here but right on the beach and views of the sea.  What a rough night, winds up to 50 knots - we had never felt the van rocking that much. 

We then stayed at our friends in Murcia for a couple of nights.

Left heading east towards south east Spain and Cartagena.  A site at Mar Menor or 'Small Sea', a lagoon encircled by a lot of high rised hotels and apartments - but ideal for windsurfing, relatively safe as it is enclosed and mainly shallow.  Lots of Brits here, also French, German and Dutch.  Some Spanish have long term plots with permanent caravan type buildings.  The French couple in the pitch opposite us stay here for 8 months each year!  The site has reasonable factilites, swimming pool, supermarket, tennis courts, table tennis, bar/restaurant on the beach and easy access to the Mar Menor and beach.  Paul went windsurfing the day after we arrived - a bit rusty and the wind was a force 5, so it was hard work.  He had one collison with a german chap, Paul bought him a cognac to calm him down, apparently he had a huge lump on his head where Paul mast had fallen.

Cycled part around the enclosed sea, shame about the over development - found a load of kite surfers.  Have been here 6 days to date and Paul's been windsurfing three times - each time getting more familiar with his new board and practising the moves he used to do so easily - it's coming back!  Me - I've been jogging, which is also getting easier the more you do it.