Life at Marjal

We are led to believe that Spain is on the edge of economic crisis.  Well someone found 22 million euros stuffed down the back of their couch and decided to build “ Marjal Costa Blanca , Eco Resort” camp site.
This site is brand new and probably one of the biggest I have seen, with approximately 2000 pitches. Luckily for us it was only running at about 20 % when we arrived. Its facilities were second to none with plush  toilet blocks with acres of marble and under floor heating. It even had an separate marbled area for washing your dog . ( that's not a euphemism )  The brand knew Spa and Gym were fantastic and included in the price. Pat went to the gym every day ( chasing young Spaniards around ) The Spa had water jets that blasted places that should be blasted . ( I didn’t like the one I named the sac slapper )
The pitches were spacious, but unfortunately had been constructed entirely from apple crumble. Although they looked solid and crunchy on the surface, when it rained it all turned liquid and a few vans had to be towed to new plots. I think constructing camping areas from classical puddings was a grave mistake on the part of the “Marjal “ group.
Although the site is currently quite un attractive ( because its barren and new ) it will eventually develop into something quite special when all the trees and shrubs have matured. It’s location is quite remote and not an an area that I would call “Pretty Spain” but it was only 20 mins from the coast and had a mountain backdrop that was impressive.
Anyway, we didn’t go there for its prettiness, we went to join the Motorhome Fun rally that was taking place . About 27 vans were in attendance and it was great fun meeting up with old friends and making new acquaintances.
The rally went well and included several gatherings that appeared to revolve around food.
Every Saturday saw a mass exodus to the local market for our veg and coffee in the square. We also discovered a local restaurant called Harry’s and became regulars
Several of us attended Spanish lessons with the beautiful Anita but it soon became clear that she had her class favourites
The rally itself seemed to fly by and the 3 weeks went in a flash. It was all too soon that people were leaving and all of a sudden only the die hards with nowhere else better to go were left.
Right from the outset the staff at Marjal told us that they were expecting a large ( 1000 units ) Spanish Rally on the 30th March that would last for about 10 days. No problem we thought as they were going to occupy the far end of the site.
Well about a week before they started the forward party arrived and constructed a marquee which was a similar size to Alaska. I have never seen a tent so big.  Our friends Gerald and Annie ,who had sunk when the crust on their apple crumble gave way, decided to move to a new plot that was even closer to the mothership. Bless them I think they intended to make the most of soaking up the Spanish festivities and culture that we believed would take place.
Well the Spanish rally kicked off and we soon discovered that the newly constructed mothership was in fact a cloaking device for the biggest speaker in the world and  the bass dial was turned to full. Every night ( until the small hours ) our vans shook and nobody slept. I lay in bed listening to the booming bass wandering what it would have been the Aztec King Montezuma who also had a bit of a Spaniard problem.   Poor Gerald and Annie lasted less than 24 hours before they had lost all their mental abilities and had to leave. We followed a few hours later.
On reflection though, the whole stay at Marjal was fantastic, We met some great people and Pat celebrated her 25th Birthday for the second time.

We have now headed south. Updates will follow soon I am sure …………………………………