First impressions

Our winter home, Aguadulce marina

Aguadulce beach and marina

With our boat troubles hopefully behind us it was time to get to know our new winter home. We rather like Aguadulce. The marina is situated on the edge of this small, relaxed, resort town on the Costa de Almeria, Spain. The origin of the name, "sweet water" refers to freshwater springs that flowed close to the marina. Sadly due to building works these water sources no longer exist and we are firmly sticking to bottled water. Aguadulce benefits from the micro climate of the Costa Almeria due to shelter from the high mountain ranges of the Sierra Nevada behind it. The area reportedly has the record for the highest sunshine hours and least rainfall for the entire Mediterranean coast of Europe! It has rained non stop for the past couple of days so we are yet to be convinced. Next to the marina is a long broad sandy beach with a palm tree lined promenade. For bright lights and everything else we may need the nearby provincial capital, the city of Almeria, is only a 10km bus journey away with a handy bus stop just outside the marina.

Almeria from the Alcazaba

Almeria from the Alcazaba

Yacht Club pool with a view!

Before exploring further afield we promptly joined the Yacht Club which is located just outside our pontoon. It offers a range of facilities including an outdoor pool, tennis and squash courts, a sauna and great gym with picture windows looking out to sea. Absolutely no excuses now.

The Alcazaba, Almeria

The Alcazaba walls

The Alcazaba gardens

Arrow slits, Alcazaba

Aguadulce has all we need for day to day living but in search of a little bit more we hopped on the bus for the 15 minute journey to Almeria. We picked a beautiful day as we weren't just after some retail therapy, we also wanted to visit the Alcazaba. It is the largest of the citadels built by the Arabs in Spain and dates back to the 10th century. The hilltop Alcazaba's massive walls and towers dominate the city and command magnificent views over the old town below. We spent a long morning exploring the three compounds that make up this huge walled fortification. Not surprisingly it has been used to film various movies including Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Never Say Never Again and Game of Thrones. We walked back down to town via the splendid cathedral and joined the locals in a street cafe to sample Chocolate con Churros. It is a Spanish self-indulgence of hot thick melted chocolate in which you dip fingers of deep-fried choux pastry.....time to head back to the gym!

The Alcazaba

View from the Alcazaba