N 38.515190 W 0.200120 - CAMPING EL TORRES, VILLAJOYOSA

Before leaving Calpe on the 15th, we found Aldi's for a quick shop and the camper park, emptied the loo and grey waste and filled with fresh water for a cost of 5€ . We then drove south, skirting Benidorm and have come to rest here!

This is a camping car and caravan site - no tents here! It's a bit of an odd place, sort of like being in plastic land with the framework of the polytunnels but without the plastic covering and on a much larger scale. There are three sizes of pitch - your bog standard one, which is what we have, a next size up and then the really big ones. These are the ones usually occupied by the likes of Messrs. Carthago, Concorde & Neismann Bischoff (in other words the big blighters with their accompanying Smart car).

The 'scaffolding' around each pitch serves a purpose though as it provides the framework for the sunshades which I assume are necessary in the height of the season. Each pitch has it's own electricity and water point and grey waste drain.

There is a very nice swimming pool - too cold now though, outdoor restaurant area and an indoor restaurant . The campsite also has direct access to the beach.

At the moment, the only downside for us here is the cost as we thought we'd get the ACSI Camping Card Discount but not this month apparently! So instead of paying 19€ per night we are paying 24€ + 0.35€ per kw for electricity, wifi is about 5€ per day but the receptionist admitted it wasn't very good. ACSI dates are 1st - 13th April and 24th April - 18th June (in case you're interested Sheila).

There were two reasons for coming here. One was because I wanted to see if it was as nice as it looked; and two, we wanted to meet up with Liz and Martin who we met in Portugal on last year's trip. They are travelling north and us south so on our projected route we were going to cross paths at some point.

We met up with Liz and Martin yesterday for a drink, where we exchanged news and then again today for lunch in the restaurant area .

Lunch was the menu of the day. Three courses including a drink for 10€. There was a choice of two entrées and two mains but a simple flan for pudding. I had a Pepper Salad, Cod Gratin which was lovely but the gratin part was not quite what I expected! I thought it would have something like a grilled crumb or cheesey topping but it was BLACK! I said to Mike "please don't tell me this is Squid Ink". Whatever it was it was very nice. We did ask afterwards and yes, it was Squid Ink and Aolii.

There's always someone to talk to as there are loads of Brits on this site and I think Mike has just found another one.

Yesterday, the weather was sunny and warm and we were able to sit and sun ourselves for a while. Today has been mixed sunshine and some cloud but with a chilly breeze.

24€ per night medium pitch - no ACSI discount in February.