The way to San Jose

It's been a chatty day. Motorhomers seem a pretty sociable bunch, but we've not really been so far - we usually have enough to do entertaining Jemima. But at La Isleta this morning we chatted to a couple (a former printer and his wife) that had been at Villaricosa, and were 5 months into a 5 year trip; and on the beach this afternoon had a lovely chat with a couple in a giant motorhome (he was something to do with lorries so presumably could manage a 10 ton lorry-size motorhome, but I wouldn't fancy it, especially with some of the streets I direct Kevin down). They were both jolly, and sources of (hopefully useful) information, which I suppose is one reason why motorhomers are chatty. And we also got some good tips from a lovely German couple who were on the beach with their 18 month old Luke (Jemima had a lot of fun showing him how to make sandcastles).

But really today was all about the beach. San Jose is one of the larger villages in the national park, and is famous for two beaches, both of which are reached by a stony track from the main road. (There were no other motorhomes at the beach, which surprised us, until the giant motorhome couple said how impressed they were we'd dared to venture down the track. And, worse, it was either Jemima or I doing the driving - Jemima aided by Kevin (of course), and my actual first driving of Beatrix! Much less scary that I'd feared, but I was going maximum 15km/hour, and in a straight line.)

Anyway, after lunch at the first beach, we decided to transfer to the second, Playa del Monsul, which was apparently used in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. There were only four cars there, so we could park right next to the beach. And it was amazing: fine, dark sand that was warm underfoot; a huge dune to the left, and looming volcanic rocks to the right; water so clear you could see the sunlight flickering on the sandy bottom. And almost completely deserted. The usual beach fun ensued, including a fabulous swim for Jemima and I (plus the two chats above). Then back to Beatrix for a cup of tea (how I love my afternoon tea stops), and off to the local Aire for the night (we need water). Cabo de Gata really is great.

The track to the beach:

The beach:

Jemima and Luke:

Fields of prickly pears on the way home: