Week 5. 11th – 17th of January 2025. Nerja – Seville 248 miles
Saturday 11th of January 2025 (Nerja to Manilva – 99 miles, Del goes to Lisbon)
Today, we are going our separate ways! We’ve had enough!!!
Del is off to Lisbon, Portugal to do a week of work, while Hayley is driving off to a campsite west of Marbella. Before that, there are a few things that need to be done. Jess needs a wash, a top-up of LPG for the cooking and the heating, and a full service, and a shop. The plan is to do all of that before dropping Del off at Malaga airport, so a busy morning.
We are up early to pack up Jess, we say goodbye to our parrot friend at the campsite here in Nerja. We have had a nice stay here and we are sure that we will be back again.
The first stop is a shop, which is not for very much, but enough for Hayley as she will be in one place for a few days. Next, we find a van wash and LPG. Hayley has found a fantastic place that does everything. It’s very spacious and has ladders on castors so you can even wash the roof of your van! An excellent place for vans and caravans.
Next stop is the airport. We are not sure where we can drop Del off as there are reports of height restrictions and drop-off fees, we have read everything that appears to make everything as inconvenient as possible! In the end, we research a small BP garage which is right in the airport, so we head for there, fill up with 10 euros of diesel and buy a coffee. Google Maps in satellite mode is a godsend!
Del grabs his bag and is off, crossing the main road between the airport and the garage, within 10 minutes he is in the airport, meanwhile, Hayley has set off, passing Del as he jumps over the central reservations barrier and is on her way to Manilva.
Hayley:
The drive to the campsite becomes very windy and it’s a bit scary as Jess is being strongly buffeted by the wind. A larger van in front is being blown across the motorway lanes, and Jess feels like she is on 2 wheels sometimes. After what feels like a long time, H arrives at the campsite in Manilva. The Bella Vista. She has been here before with Del and it’s very comfortable, right on the beach, with all the facilities that you need and close to an excellent Indian restaurant.
She checks in and gets her spot and after some faffing for a bit, getting onto ramps to get level, she sets up camp and gets comfy.
After a walk around the local area, she has a simple dinner, clearing out some old stock from the fridge. Stuff does build up in there after a while.
Del:
A very comfortable flight from Malaga Airport, which is huge!! It’s all too easy this trip as the taxi from the airport to the hotel is only 15 minutes away and 8 euros! He’s in a comfortable hotel which is only a 10-minute walk to the venue.
The rig build progress there is going very well. He is here now until Friday 17th January. A full week!
Sunday 12th of January 2025 (Manilva Day 2)
It’s a beautiful warm day today in Manilva. H didn’t need any heating in the van last night either. After a morning of sunbathing and getting some laundry done, she trots off to what we regard as the ‘best Indian restaurant in Spain’
The setting isn’t great sadly, it’s next to the main road and is accessed by a long trek down the noisy road to a very unattractive bridge and then back up the other side, but the food is great and well worth the walk.
Afterwards, she has a perusal of the Chinese (junk) shop next door, she has acquired some pegs, more Tupperware (sorry Del) and a sewing kit for Jess. All in all not a bad day out for a Sunday in January.
Monday 13th of January 2025 (Manilva Day 3)
Hayley:
The weather is a bit cooler today with a bit of a breeze, it’s a time to get some chores done, change and launder the bed, clean the van and sort some of the cupboards out.
A quiet day in all, with just a walk to the marina nearby. Got to keep up with some kind of exercise.
Del:
All in and working. Rehearsals start tomorrow…
Tuesday 14th of January 2025 (Manilva Day 4)
It rained in the night last night and the wind has built up to a fierce force 6. After a long walk, H goes to the local Indian, again, for their menu of the day. A staggering €12.90 for 3 courses. It’s delicious, Del will be sorry he’s missed this.
Back at the van, H contemplates packing the outside stuff up early for tomorrow’s departure just as a huge rainstorm comes and soaks everything. Oh dear.
Wednesday 15th of January 2025 (Manilva to Gibraltar – 25 miles)
H is moving off today. It seems to take ages with all the jobs to do like toilet emptying and van servicing, it’s a lot easier with 2 people that’s for sure. She sets off for Gibraltar which is only a 50 minutes drive away.
There are some spectacular views on the motorway of the huge rock of Gibraltar and Africa. She is staying on a large aire tonight in the marina just by the border on the Spanish side. We have been there before, it’s spacious and well appointed with services. It’s a 10-minute walk to the border and into Gibraltar.
It seems a bit strange walking down the high street with familiar British shops having just been in Spain just a few minutes ago.
She wanders around having lunch at the marina and going in M & S. ‘Why?’ says Del, ‘novelty value’ says H. After 6 miles of walking she heads back to Jess where she has a view of the rock out of the windscreen.
Thursday 16th of January 2025
It was a quiet night last night apart from some fireworks just before midnight. H managed to pop her head through the roof hatch to catch a glimpse of the fireworks.
It’s a longer drive today and the last one on her own. It’s about a 2.5-hour drive to a small basic campsite just a couple of miles from Seville airport, where Del will be flying into tomorrow.
A quick stop halfway for a coffee and a diesel top up, this includes taking a wrong turn and ending up in a very cramped and pokey car park. This is always tricky on your own with no one to get out and help with backing up. The reversing camera mostly shows a view of the bikes on the back, so isn’t of great use. After some careful manoeuvring, she finally gets herself out and back on the road again.
The aire is interesting. The parking area is accessed by driving through a huge warehouse space full of stored motor homes. It’s right next to a busy road and a train line but handy for the airport and a bus line into the centre of Seville.
Once Jess is set up, H jumps on the number 28 bus into town.
The city is even prettier than she remembers it from the last visit 20 years ago. Hopefully, Del will be in a fit state to spend a few hours there tomorrow. His flight leaves at 7ish so he will be up very early. 4:30 am!
Friday 17th of January 2025
Del:
Del is flying back today to Seville. The week has gone very well. Happy customers!
He’s up at 4:30am, showered packed and in an Uber by 5:15 to get to the airport for a 7:15 departure. Again a short cheap drive. We leave on time and are expected into Seville at just gone 9am.
The flight is spectacular as we do a tight turn above Lisbon in the sunrise.
Hayley:
H watches as Del flies over the van at 9:15 am, not long after he is back in the van. It’s great to have him back. He’s tired but wants to see Seville so we jump on the bus.
We are on the number 28 bus making our way into Seville. We were here 20 years ago so we are looking forward to seeing it again together. Hayley did a good couple of hours ago yesterday so is ready to share what she knows.
The city is beautiful, absolutely stunning. We make for the famous Plaza de Espana and arrive just as there is a horse procession. There is some religious festival going on and the police have given speeches and some horses have been ridden… It all looks fantastic against the blue sky and warm sunshine.
We have a good walk around the plaza, checking off all the Spanish towns and cities as we walk around. Each town has a bench and all are decorated in splendid Andalusian tiles. It’s all rather good.
We have a walk to look at the cathedral and the Giralda tower, this cathedral (a former Mosque) is the largest in the world and also the resting place of Christopher Coumbus. After we settle into a back street restaurant for a typical Andalucian stew and a salad.
After lunch we just walk around this lovely city, Hayley buys some shoes! The streets are vibrant and colourful with hundreds of bars, restaurants and shops. It’s all very clean and tidy and a joy to walk around.
It’s almost 5 pm, we set off at 12 midday so we are starting to feel a bit weary, so it’s back in the bus and back to Jess via a supermarket which we drag ourselves around somewhat unenthusiastically… We have walked 7.5 miles today, but it was all worth it.
We have had a full week apart. Del went off for a week to earn some pennies while Hayley drove and took care of Jess from Malaga to Seville. It all worked out rather well. Hayley found and booked the flights as well as the campsites that are close to airports. She did a great job.
We are back together now and setting off for Portugal next. We have two weeks left of this trip so we are expecting the weather to get cooler especially as we will be well in the north of Spain for the final week heading north to the ferry in Santander.
Hi ! To you both . I’m worn out just reading your diary .
We are sitting by our cosy log fire .
It all looked amazing, beautiful photos .
Have a lovely time in Portugal.
Vicky and John (France )
How great to hear from you…Fantastic. Found memeories of Voucourt. We need to get down there again.
In Protugla where the weather is filthy…. Best stay in with the log fire… All the very best…
What a great journey you have had. Seville looks stunning. Enjoy your last couple of weeks in Portugal and Spain and safe journey home xx
Hello Marie… Good to hear from you. it has been ace. Not looking forward to coming back 🙁
Hope you are well… xxx
Hayley, you are very brave to move on with Jess on your own, especially driving in such windy weather on the motorway. Your new shoes were well-deserved! Seville looks a lovely city and an ideal place for your reunion after a week apart.
Hell to you both… yes they are lovely shoes and yes she does deserve the. In Portugal now for week…