Marooned in plastic

As our farewell to Cabo de Gata, we visited the lighthouse this morning. Clearly still functioning, it wasn't very picturesque itself, but oh my, the views. A cliff edge with jagged black rocks jutting from a millpond sea, turquoise in the bays below where you could see straight to the rocky bottom. It looked so inviting, but was sadly unreachable for a swim. Some fun with the telescope, then out of the national park, after a wonderful few days. And into the fields and fields of poly tunnels.

We were heading for a little port called Almerimar, just past Almeria, on the recommendation of the giant motorhome couple. He said we'd think he was mad on our way, because of the polytunnels, and I have to admit we did doubt; but finally we turned towards the sea; the plastic disappeared; and instead palm tree- and bougainvillea-lined streets led us to the town. The Aire is right in the huge marina, which it turns out is the main feature of the town - we had a nice late afternoon bike ride along the promenade in both directions, and there really isn't much else here. But the marina is lovely - I'm always a fan of boats, and the setting is very pretty, with lots of fish for Jemima to feed, and a good cafe where we had some tasty tapas for lunch (great calamari, which Jemima really enjoyed). She also enjoyed watching Kevin playing pool with a boat-dweller called Derek who came here for a day, two years ago, an entertaining character. Then back to Beatrix for sunset over the sea right in front of us, and the boaty sounds of stays hitting masts to accompany our sleep.

Faro de Cabo de Gata:

Marina fun:

San Jose to Almerimar: