AND SO TO SPAIN

Hola,

We have finally arrived in southern Spain, Isla Cristina on the Costa de la Luz. We spent a few days in Evora in Portugal which was an interesting medieval town despite the less than medieval traffic flowing through the tiny lanes. Our journey then took us south through Mertola towards the Atlantic Ocean. Pauline decided we would take the direct route through Mertola's narrow streets which we just about managed leaving only a line of dangling wing mirrors as evidence of our trip.
Our new camp site is right next to the beach and the sea is pretty warm considering it is the Atlantic. More next week about this location as we are here for 12 nights.
We have so far driven about 3000 miles at around 35 mpg which is a lot better than anticipated. I think this is our ninth camp site and all have been pretty good in their own way although quite a few annoy by shutting the swimming pool, restaurant, bar and shop because it is out of season yet the temperatures are in the 80s, The benefit is that costs reduce to around 15 euros a night or lower and most have free wi-fi.
We have been a bit unhappy about missing friends who have been in Spain at this time but in all 3 instances never quite near enough to meet up. A bit more forward planning next time.
I have done a rough count of the different nationalities of the vans we have seen outside their own countries. From the fewest up: Andorra, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Italy, Guernsey, Sweden, Hungary, Isle of Man, Poland, Ireland, Jersey, Finland, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, GB and Holland. Until we reached Spain we saw surprisingly few Germans but now they are dominating. They will surely soon equal GB and we know if there is a penalty shoot-out there can only be one result!

Adios
J & P