Time to move on, north to Platja d’Aro

Zagan the motorhome has been torn from the roots he was putting down at Sant Feliu de Guixols, and has moved five kilometres up the coast to a huge car park full of motorhomes at Platja d’Aro (N41.81048, E3.05825).

Last night was a windy one, both inside and outside Zagan thanks to Charlie (honest it was Charlie!), but it was the outside wind that was rocking us. It was time to deploy the ‘steadies’, a new toy for us. Jay wound down the two metal legs at the rear of Zagan and the rocking calmed considerably – we were nervous that we’d drive off with them still down and rip his back half off, so a note was put on the dashboard and the winder handle left in an obvious place to remind us.

While we were still rocking a bit we managed to sleep through the storm and awoke to a sunny, calm morning. After breakfast we decided to go for a walk around the town. Jay was ready first and got talking to a couple from the Oxford area who we’d chatted briefly to yesterday as he waited for me. We didn’t get their names (this happens a lot when we meet people, so if you are them and reading this –sorry!). They’d been wild/free camping north from Granada and this was their first aire.

As we left them to use the free wifi to sort out their home insurance (yes, boring admin jobs are even more tedious on the road!) we talked as we walked around the town. We both love Sant Feliu and I could have happily stayed there another week (even though the aire has a five day limit – ahem), but it’s a nice and relaxing place, no challenge. I’m not saying we want a big challenge, there will be plenty of time for those, but maybe, it was time to move on to somewhere new/different. The idea rattled around in our heads while we discussed what to do today; we could have a kebab for tea from that place on the front, or some tapas at Hotdog Cafe, or pick up some picnic stuff from Spar and head to the coastal path. Lots of options, but knowing so much about the place made us think it was time to go. I’m pretty sure we’ll be back another time.

We headed back to the aire and packed up. It’s amazing how much stuff gets left out when you stay in one place for a few days, but soon we were at the service point sorting the tanks. We knew of another aire a couple of bays up the coast, so it won’t be too much of a shock to the system, but enough to get us moving again. Off we went.

Ten minutes later we pulled into a huge car park at the back of the resort of Platja d’Aro which in the winter is free for motorhomes to use for 48 hours. We were surprised at just how many vans there were here, but it’s still half empty. We found Zagan a space and had a spot of lunch before heading off to the town to explore.

A short walk later and we’re on a long stretch of sand, backed by several high rise hotels. Not quite Benidorm level, but still one of the most built up places we’ve been to in a while. Despite all this accommodation it was pretty much deserted – we joked that perhaps we’d missed an apocalypse that only motorhomers had survived.

Charlie had a play on the main beach until we reached a ‘no dogs on the beach’ sign, then he joined us on the promenade. We walked the length of the town and at the far end was a costal path cut into the rocks so we carried on. Another ‘no dogs’ beach and a couple more ‘no dogs’ signs and we found a quiet little beach cove to ourselves. Jay could resist no longer and stripped down to his pants to sample the Med, while Charlie stood on the beach and barked at the sea demanding it returned Jay to him.

Look closely and you can see Jay and Charlie!

Coastal path cuts its way through rocks

Privileged to have the place to ourselves as we suspect it would be heaving in the summer, we relaxed in the sun, so Jay could dry off, before walking back to the main bay. Here we turned inland a couple of blocks and found where everyone had gone. It wasn’t an apocalypse, scores of shops and restaurants had lured them away from the beach. To be fair the locals are all so wrapped up against the cold, there’s no point in them heading to the beach.

We looked into shops with ‘Black Friday’ signs in the windows offering 20 – 30% off everything, but there weren’t any takers. However, it was locked o’clock (lunch hours) so maybe tonight it heaving with bargain hunters. Back at the aire we had a rest for an hour or so before walking over to Lidl – yes the council have wisely placed the aire equidistant between the town and a retail park with Lidl and Aldi, a motorhomer’s dream! Eyeing up the wine prices it seems that everything is about ‘3’ cheaper here, that is a bottle of wine in the UK that sells for £4.99 is €1.99 here. Some bottles are less than a Euro and our favourite Briks are just 59c. Jay bought a couple of cans of Weissbeer to test tonight before we head back there tomorrow to stock up.

Back at the aire I spotted a familiar van and a couple of familiar faces. Vanessa and Martin who we last met in December 2011 in Portugal have been here for about a week. We chatted with them about the changes in places to stay in the two years we’ve been off the road. They travel every winter and gave us some top tips of places to stay last time we met, but now they are noticing changes in motorhome acceptance on a monthly basis. It was great to see them both again and their classic Hymer (H plate) still going strong.

It’s Friday night (I think) so Jay is cooking up a Lidl feast for tea, including a deluxe Irish Coffee ice cream desert – all for less than the price of a night in a campsite. This lifestyle is so cheap it’s no wonder there are so many of us doing it!

Ju x

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