Calpe

Spending time with family is one of life’s biggest pleasures. And this week we had lots of fun with Rio, Hamish, Bear and Nely in a pretty but busy resort town called Calpe about 30 mins north of Benidorm. The ‘Broons’ as we call our little family (folks from Scotland will understand) are spending a month here in an apartment with fabulous views overlooking the coastline. 

Hamish had found us a wasteland car park right in the centre of Calpe that was populated by another 50 plus motorhomes – there was confusion about whether we could stay overnight there but since all the other vans were we decided to risk it for a few nights as we were struggling to get into any of the Aires in the town. 

Salines de Calp – a salt lagoon in the middle of the town was once an open bay and the Penon de Ifac (more about that later) was an island. But gradually over time the accumulation of sand ended up closing the bay and forming the lagoon. The lagoon was used by the romans as a salt flat as the force of the waves brought seawater into the lagoon through channels and gates that the romans created. Mining of salt continued in this area on and off until 1988 when it was finally abandoned and turned into a Nature Reserve with birdlife and plant life abundant, Pink Flamingos being a major attraction. You can walk all around the lagoon as there are paths and bird watching hides dotted along the route. This was often my morning walk with George

Our first couple of days at Calpe was a little cooler as there was a blustery wind coming off from the sea but blue skies took over and it really started to warm up. Rio decided to be our walking guide on e day and took us on a tour around the old town of Calpe. Caple’s history has always been linked to the sea and fishing has been the main source of income for many of its households. Around 1700 metric tons of fish are caught each year but recently the town has embraced tourism.  The old town is particularly popular with its Spanish architecture and cobbled streets alive with restaurants, bars and little boutique shops. At the gateway to the old town are the amazing brightly painted Spanish steps and all around this area there are huge pastel painted murals on the walls and sides of buildings depicting moments in the history of the town. 

AS mentioned above Calpe is also famous for the volcanic boulder,  Penon de Ifach that towers 335m high and is said to resemble the rock of Gibralta, it was declared a nature reserve in 1987 as it is home to rare plants and plenty of sea birds. 

I would like to be able to share that I climbed to the top of the rock, but sadly I didn’t make it……I tried with Bear, Rio and George one day but I realised that I now suffer from vertigo and just couldn’t get myself up here. The fear of falling was so great that I was almost in tears…….so Rio and Bear went up ahead to the first look out point leaving me behind waiting for them. It was a bit of a disappointment for Bear I think but there was no way I could get myself any further. 

Gladly, a few days later I looked after Nely as Hamish, Bear, Rio and George all made it to the top! So proud of Bear as he came out to Spain quite poorly after suffering from pneumonia  over Christmas and NEW YEAR – it was amazing how the sea air and warm sunshine healed him and filled him with his usually unabiding energy. . 

On our last day in this area we visited Fonts D’Agar – beautiful waterfalls from springs coming down from the Ferrer and Bernia mountains about 40 mins inland from Benidorm. Hamish was celebrating his birthday and had requested to go here and who were we to resist on a warm sunny day a stunning walk along the waterfalls!  I even went in for a dip…..thinking it was going to be freezing cold water coming from the mountains I was pleasantly surprised to swim in the crystal clear water. It was an oasis amid a dry arid landscape. These waters have been serving the local communities and beyond since medieval times with some of the channels going as far as Alicante. These days it is now a major tourist attraction (many restaurants and bars lined the roads leading up to it) but it should not be forgotten that is still supplies the whole region with water from its modern pumping system further down the springs. The walk itself along the waterfalls was lined with unusual and rare plant life creating a unique environment full of biodiversity. 

Our parking up at the centre of town lasted for 3 nights and then we managed to get into a tightly packed Aire on the other side of the lagoon. It was run by a German couple and I think at least 70% of occupants were Germans and were probably there for the whole winter if not longer! It was the cleanest place we have visited  – the outside sinks were pristine, the toilets and shows spotless with plenty of hot water and each plot was suppled with a hose and water supply along with electricity. There was a long list of rules to abide by and you were too scared to break them. We were located right next to the bar that opened 3 times a week and the first night we arrived there was a birthday party which started at 4pm – luckily these Germans stick to the rules and they were al tucked up in bed by 10pm. No noise between 11pm and 8am!! 

Having said that, the owners were very friendly and accommodating and we met a couple John and Jane who lived in North Wales and got chatting to them and shared stories over some wine and beer from the bar! 

It was time to head further south!