Adra

Having been on the move for several days, we felt entitled to a day off today.  This doesn’t mean we did nothing, but it was more relaxing than yesterday. We didn’t wake early and then after breakfast went for a run through the poly tunnels.  As I think we mentioned yesterday, this area is a major source of “out of season” fruit and vegetables, and there are acres of polytunnels. We found a route along the coastal path that basically had the sea on one side, and the poly tunnels on the other.

After various other chores we set on search of shops, and found the tourist information office, which provided us a map and other information. Usually we get this sort of thing from the marina, but this is rather a strange one. The marina is relatively new and not in all of the cruising guide books.  As a result it’s empty, which seems bizarre after several days of being told that everywhere was full, but they might manage to squeeze us in. The facilities are ok, but the office is not geared up to service visiting boats so they had no local information for us. Anyway, armed with a map, we set off for the market and immediately encountered what we thought was a bread shop.  It turned out to be a deli cum wine shop, and before every long we were being given samples of Iberian ham and cheese and then wine and sherry from enormous casks to try.  The wine was ridiculously cheap and really quite drinkable, so we bought some, served in hopefully washed, 1.5 litre plastic bottles.

We found the market just before it closed and then had a late lunch and a lazy afternoon, reading and planning the next few day’s travel.

The guide books and previous reviews of Adra say that it is a much more typical working Spanish town than the places on the Costa del Sol that we have recently visited.  French is much more commonly spoken as a second language than English, and there are few trappings of the international tourist industry, it is a great relief.

This beautiful ship is close by in the marina

The town is gearing up for its fiesta, starting on Thursday and running for 6 days, which means that many of the eating places are shut in preparation. On the recommendation of the lady from the tourist office, we ate out at a local restaurant. We must be getting into the Spanish way, because we arrived just before the place filled with locals, perfect timing.  We have eaten a fabulous meal, washed down with a good rioja, various tapas dishes and then traditional food, washed down with a good rioja. No fish and chips or full Sunday roasts in sight.

Distance covered today	0	nautical miles
Trip distance covered	1589	nautical miles
Distance covered 2018	2309	nautical miles
Steve (and Tricia and Steve)