Tue 11th
We set off mid morning & drove to Stafford where we had a meal at the Luck Penny with Marg & Bri, Bri then drove us to East Midland Airport. We arrived in good time and got priority boarding passes. The flight took off a few minutes early - about 17:15. It was a good flight and we landed at Murcia 15 minutes early at 21:00 local time. Dave, a friend of Doug & Brenda's, met us and drove us to the house. It was a very warm night, but Dave told us it had rained that day. We decided to find the Chinese Restaurant, Richie knew where it was. After wandering around for about 3/4 hour finally found it! Had a nice meal and left as they were closing at midnight.
Wed 12th
It was a warm day but cloudy and breezy, the rain the day before had left sand all over the terraces so R & B washed them down. After unpacking we went to nearest supermarket, El Arbol and bought food and drink. We had lunch then walked around the area for a while, we were looking to find a tourist information office but didn't. Cooked some pork steaks that we had bought but they were not very successful - strange meat, strange oven?!
Thurs 13th
A Hot day with a breeze. After lunch we went to the beach for a swim, it was a bit choppy but very nice. Back for siesta. Went to Chinese Restaurant again. It was very good value with a special menue for around £5 our money, includind sangria and prawn crackers to start, a large spring roll, a main course of your choice and half a bottle of wine each, it finished with a liquer and they left the bottle, we were also given a bottle of wine to take home, so very good value.
Fri 14th
Another very hot day, we walked along to the shopping centre by the Mercadona supermarket. Found an "English" paper shop, the man in there told us about The Post Box where we could arrange car hire. We also found a bar. the "Ilu" where the men would be able to watch the Grande Prix.
We arranged the car hire for next Wed. then had a snack at a kiosk and walked back. Cooked bacon and egg for tea.Sat 15th
After breakfast we went to the beach for a swim, it was very hot and sea very calm. R & B went to bar to watch Grande Prix practice, V & M had a walk and then went to meet the men. We walked back along the sea front and stopped at a beach bar for a meal. V & M had fish which was ok but men had steak which they could not eat.
Sun 16th
After breakfast took a walk the other way along the sea to Playa Carrion, a small marina. Another very hot day. Back for lunch then the men went to Ilu to watch the race. V & M stayed in shade and read. In the evening we went to the Chinese restaurant again and strolled back along beach.
Mon 17th
After breakfast did some washing and tidying round then went for a swim. Had lunch then went to supermarket, bought some chicken which we cooked and then ate outside, quite nice and a lovely evening.
Tue 18th
Another very hot day, went round market in streets by the house then after lunch went for a swim. Went to a bar by the church for evening meal but the service was bad and food not very good.
Wed 19th
Went and collected the hire car at 10am then went back to house to make some sandwiches and drove down the "Strip" of La Manga, saw two police cars attending an incident where there was a body lying on the pavement shrouded in a sheet, very unsettling. Stopped by water on way back to eat picnic. Went to Chinese restaurant again.
Thurs 20th
Drove to San Pedro del Pinatar and on to Lo Pagan.
Walked along the salt/mud flats, watched dozens of people covering themselves in the black, smelly mud - supposed to be a cure all! Saw many birds, Flocks of flamingoes, duck, little grebes, plover, sandpipers. 
Started off cloudy but warm and as we finished the walk the sun came out very hot again. Called at a cafe for a meal, the service was very slow but fish and chips was ok.Fri 21st
Drove to Cartagena, had a drink and walk round harbour then got on a double decker open topped tour bus to go round the town, it started to rain while we were on the bus but not a lot. We then walked round the town for a while and as it started to rain again went into a cafe. Great difficulty understanding menu/waiter, ended up with tortilla and salad which was quite nice. While we were in the cafe a group of people with a donkey dresed up like Romans and beating on drums went by, advertising some sort of festival, we think.
As they came back down they all stopped for a drink, the donkey left his calling card all over the street!! 
We walked back towards the harbour there were green parrots flying all around we went up the steps through the old town walls to a park where there was a good lookout point over the harbour and town. In the evening we cooked bacon & egg and watched a terrific thunder storm with very heavy rain.Sat 22nd
There was very heavy rain overnight and it was overcast in the morning, but still warm. The rain deposited red sand all over terraces again.
We went out to go to Almoradi for a market but got a bit lost, as it was raining we decided to give up and went back to Pilar de la Horadada and found teh Chinese restaurant there. We had a very good meal and very resonable, we felt it was even better value than the one in Los Alcazares. Did a bit of shopping at Alsi then went back to the house. The evening turned fine so went for a walk alonf front.
Sun 23rd
Went to a huge market at Cabo de Palos. We then went on to the lighthouse and walked up to it then around the harbour, we had a drink then went back to Los Bolones for a meal. The Oasis restaurant we wanted to go to was closed so went to a Spanish one Bar Rierpi, not a bad meal. Back for a rest then stroll along the front.
Mon 24th
Drove to Portman which is an old military establishment, looked at old amunition stores and gun emplacements then went back down and sat and had a picnic before returning to the house. In the afternoon we had a swim and went to the Chinese restaurant or the last time.
Tue 25th
In the morning we packed, washe the sheets, towels etc and cleaned the house and terraces. Went to Los Bolonese again to get a meal at Oasis but it did not open in the daytime weekdays. Went to the Village which was almost next door and did English food. It was run by an English man and we had English food ordered from someone who understood us for the first time in the holiday! Sat and read until time to go to the airport at 21:00. Got booked in and flight was on time, good flight landed at 23:20 ome time. Drove to Stafford where we stayed the ight with M & B then drove home Wed morning.
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