Mojacar impressions

When friends suggested Mojacar as a good destination for a winter break we didn't expect it to be this good. Day time temperatures for one were unexpected, regularly in the low 20C and once as high as 26C showing on the local pharmacy clock/temp sign. The day time temp hasn't dipped below 16C. We have been here 5 weeks and it has only rained on one day.

Accommodation is a smart two bedroomed rented apartment with a good sized veranda overlooking the beach. Being the off season prices are low, I reckon on paying less for two months here than we would for a week in Florida (without a view of the sea).

You have to be careful when booking as it seems you can pay the same price for  unappealing accommodation without a view as you can for a well presented apartment with a view. We were very lucky to have our forward reckie pals, who now live here full time, pick out our accommodation for us.

Eating out is cheap with plenty of restaurants, bars and cafes, or if you eat in, Aldi and Iceland are here (by car or bus) or local supermarkets are dotted along the front. Fresh veg can be bought in the daily markets that move around the area. Again the prices are much cheaper than back home.

There's a good long promenade for walking and a cycle path separated from pedestrians by hedges and palms, the promenade is in the process of being extended at it's eastern end. It's easy to spot who's here for a winter break like us, they are in shorts, sandals and t-shirts while the local Spanish/Ex pat population are in coats, hats and scarves.

There are no annoying shite hawks, pulling rubbish from bins or trying to steal your tapas while you sit having lunch in the sun. There are gulls here but they are out in the ocean doing the things they were designed for, not sure how the Spanish have trained them to keep off the prom...maybe the threat of ending up in the paella.

You wont get the full Spanish experience/culture here, it's more Britspain, but there are enough establishments and local staff to keep our basic language skills entertained and a rented car will get you too some lovely Spanish villages. You could live here full time without the need to learn a word of Spanish.........I expect some do.

Not so good points, ..............apart from someone getting 'accidentally' shot in a bar the other night, stray dogs don't pick up after themselves but it is a lot easier to spot than on the towpath.
Draught Guinness at £3 a pint and establishments giving free tapas with each drink means my waist is getting thicker.

Typical free tapas with  2Euro beers (beef with roasted veg and chili con carne)

We are here to get away from the  British winter, not the still bright crisp days...we miss them, it's the dismal grey wet cold windy days we are escaping.

Would we come back next winter ..... you bet!