Postcard from Isla Plana 2014

This story happened on: 23/03/2014

We’re in the eighth week of our 2014 winter-into-spring tour, with another four to go. This year we decided not to press on to Portugal, but to mooch around Murcia, staying longer at sites and travelling less. And so, we’ve travelled up the coast a whole 38 miles from Aguilas back to Isla Plana, just outside Puerto Mazarrón, and to Camping Los Madriles.  The terraced camp site overlooks the bay between Isla and the next village of La Azohίa. The coastline is a mixture of sand and gravel beaches, and rocks.

This morning we’ve cycled along the path and promenade to Azohίa for coffee. The road to Puerto Mazarrón is just a bit too dangerous in parts for casual cycling, so a visit there means catching the Cartagena to Mazarrón bus or a drive off-site, which for us motorhomers is a bit of a fuss. The ‘Local Social’ is only a twenty minute walk along the beach and promenade at the Plaza del Mar. There you can rub shoulders with Spanish people and enjoy a drink in the sunshine.

What’s changed since we wrote our ‘Postcard from Isla Plana’ last year? There’s now a Coviran Supermercado in the main street, which will save the trip to Lidl; the campsite wifi has been reduced to 10€ for 7 days, but the ACSI rate has been held at 16€ a night. ( 4 kW-hour limit is metered; no dogs, and no units over 8 metres)

 However, it’s the campsite and its swimming pool which have brought us here. The outdoor pool (there is an indoor pool as well) is heated from a geothermal spring. The crystal- clear salt water pool is drained every evening and refilled the next morning. It’s open all year round! Cath’s managing two swims each day.

Spring is here with the trees in leaf, temperatures in the twenties, and the blackbirds singing. We may just stay here another week.

chasncath commented on 23/03/2014 15:35

Commented on 23/03/2014 15:35

At the Social

On the prom

Breakfast alfresco

ColBur commented on 23/03/2014 17:26

Commented on 23/03/2014 17:26

As usual we are enjoying reading about your on-going trip!! We just flew back from Malaga today after enjoying a week in the sun just down the road in Benalmadena. Would love to say we stayed in our 'van but needs must and we do not yet have time to take an extended stay, so we resided in an excellent hotel instead! Weather at home is down to 10'C so you are definitely in the best place! Enjoy!

Colin

royandsharont commented on 23/03/2014 19:01

Commented on 23/03/2014 19:01

Hi Chas & Cath. We too loved the place last year but we had exceptionally bad weather for Spain there in April so it is good to hear you are having the normal weather. We stopped off at a NT hall near York on our way home from Knaresborough today and had a lot of hail & some snow! Forecast -1C tonight!  Enjoy Murcia, it is a lovely province that the big holiday firms have not spoiled. Regards, Roy 

brue commented on 24/03/2014 20:07

Commented on 24/03/2014 20:07

Thanks Chas and Cath, pure escapism reading your latest story, lovely photos as usual, the geothermal pool sounds brilliant. Enjoy your stay!

triky auto commented on 27/03/2014 21:52

Commented on 27/03/2014 21:52

Lovely Chas' terrific part of the Spanish Costa's.We visited Mazzeron way back in the early 80s ,before buying in Spain.I seem to remember lovely tasty tomatoes from the market & fresh anchovies (saw them being packed in the harbourside factory.Just along to the West were some lovely beaches wher we wild camped near the sand sculptures.Is the old submarine still on the hard outside Cartagena ??Good luck ,have fun & enjoy .Pete .

chasncath commented on 28/03/2014 17:42

Commented on 28/03/2014 17:42

We haven't been to Cartagena this time Triky, but we've been on the bus

To Puerto Mazarron

and up to the Torre at La Azohia

There's still some 'wildcamping' at Azohia on the Rambla

KenandSan commented on 15/06/2014 11:12

Commented on 15/06/2014 11:12

We are just back from that area and found Isla Plana lovely, we stayed at Bolnuevo on Playa Mazarron campsite, if you haven't been to this site it's a must for locality, on beach, with restaurants, bars in village outside camp gates and short cycle or in our case scooter ride into Puerto Mazarron. Enjoy

Woman sitting in camping chair by Wastwater in the Lake District with her two dogs and picnic blanket

Follow us on Facebook

Follow the Caravan and Motorhome Club via our official Facebook page for latest news, holiday ideas, events, activities and special offers.

Photo of Wast Water, Lake District by Sue Peace
Visit Facebook