A Fist Full of Dollars

Thursday 16th November 2018 - Rodalquilar, near Cabo de Gata.

Last night we had some serious thunder and lightening storms.  On one particularly bright flash the local lights went off.  We were a little concerned but were probably as safe as we could be.....no trees nearby to fall on us and there was no chance of flooding.  Nevertheless, we did have a rather disturbed night as the thunder and rain kept coming and going.

This morning we enjoyed watching the local parents arrive in the car park as they brought there kids to school.  It's funny to watch people go about their business whilst you are having your breakfast.

We moved off to look at the beach area of Mojacar and we walked up and down the promenade before having a look in some shops.  You may think this is a bit too early but........

Sorry, it is too early.

We had lunch at this small town of Carboneras and headed for the Sierra Cabo de Gata, these are small mountains north east of Almeria.  We enjoyed the barren scenery.  They actually filmed some Spagetti Westerns near here, including Clint Eastwood in 'A Fist Full of Dollars'.

We headed for a wild camp location that had been recommended by some friends, Ian and Sandra, on a motorhome trip they had last year.  It is in a disused gold mine and has great views over the valley and mountains.

There is our van in the distance.  We had it all to ourselves....what a fantastic position.  The photo doesn't properly show that we are quite high up.

The old gold mines don't look too pretty now but it makes for an interesting stay and I like industrial heritage.  I would have preferred it if they had left a bit of the gold, then I would have had A Few Dollars More!

We cycled in the afternoon to a quiet coastal bay and found a 16th Century AD ruined castle and an 18th Century AD defensive battery when we got there.  I put AD because I don't agree with the 'politically correct' new references to BC as BCE and AD as CE (Before Common Era and Common Era), I don't feel very 'Common' and I don't know who decided to change the terminology without getting 'Common Agreement' first!

Again, it was sooo quiet.

When we got back we walked through the ruins of the gold mine on crumbling steps and in ruined buildings.  The only Health and Safety was a sign at the top warning us of the risk of falling.

These are some of the large washing 'pans'.  It must have been a big operation.  We like it here so much we will stay another night.