Post It from Camping La Manga, Murcia, Spain

We arrived here on 1^st May, a National Holiday, so the site was quite busy with many Spanish families here for the holiday which rolled on into the weekend. This is a large site with quite a number of permanent residents. It is a kilometre from the reception down to the beach where the restaurant is located and situated within the circular one way road system are the facilities, including swimming pool, a well-stocked supermarket, tennis courts, play area etc.

The pitches were quite large and gravelled with trees separating them, although the hedges were a little patchy in places and not as immaculately clean as our previous site, Los Madriles. Despite this they were more than satisfactory and the toilet blocks were immaculately clean with the maids doing them continually throughout the day moving from one to another all the time. The water temperature was okay but the pot washing area could have done to have had hotter water. We were using the ACSI card, costing us 14 Euros a night and because of a problem with the electric meter readings we had unlimited electricity included in the price. Wi-Fi on the site cost us 10 Euros for 7 days and although there were a few connection problems the site staff had it fixed by the providers and the service was good overall.

The restaurant served snacks as well as full dining and we can vouch for the food being good and well-priced, particularly the large array of tapas available. They even did a menu del dia not only at lunch time but on an evening as well, which was good value.

The beach area was not fantastic sand quality but the coastal path around the Mar Menor meant we could cycle into Cabo de Palas, a small town with a marina that we love to visit, and along the La Manga strip lined with hotels. It was also good for getting to the larger supermarkets with a greater choice of produce but we were surprised with the quality, variation and price on site really.

We spent a very enjoyable 8 days here in total before setting off for friends for the weekend and then on to Lo Monte in Alicante province. The weather was excellent with lots of sun and Smokee enjoyed the sun too. We made new friends, in particular Tom and Colette from Cheltenham who was spending a few months touring and I cooked paella one night in our new electric pan for us all. It worked well but not quite as well as I normally do it on the hob. No problems here either getting the pegs in the ground but Sharon now would like a larger wind break to give more privacy rather than the very old beach one that we brought with us. We are learning all the time, which is what this holiday was all about and after 24 nights away from home we can definitely say we are enjoying the new found hobby.

Sorry but the Caravan Club website is having a problem uploading some of the photos so I shall try to add some later.

Regards, Roy