stay in southern Spain XVIII (with Elchi) windsurfing on Mar Menor (E) (Saturday, 26.2. 2011) Weather: very nice / Temp: 25 degrees / Wind: 2 to 3 HE (S) Another heat record this year is coming up. We measure the afternoon but actually 25 degrees in the shade. The sun has been a remarkable force. It is the first time that we go back to the shadows.
The meadows around the campground flower more beautiful than ever ...
... and the bathers on the beach are increasing.
The water seems really not to be cold.
A hobby fisherman steers his motorized canoe paddle with targeted assistance to the shore, a strange vehicle ;-)
We are waiting on the announcement, however, wind surfing. Yet only a gentle breeze blowing from the southeast.
But then the clock at three bay suddenly full of wind-seeking surfers. Also we are in the process.
Regrettably, today the wind direction is not optimal, so we need with the 2-3 HE take preference from the South and only one hour in a slide are.
Windsurfing at the Mar Menor (E) (Sunday, 27/02/2011) Weather: Rain, rain, beautiful / Temp: 16 degrees /
Wind: 2 to 7 HE (NO)
A massive cooling caused by a strong current running south, bringing us cold air from Central Europe and by the way a temperature drop of almost 10 degrees. . The summer seems to feel for the days to literally put on hold :-(
sure, we complain at a high level, because the temperatures are still around 15 degrees addition, should there be now and in the days of strong winds again: - ) The whole morning with wind and sun in coming.
little after one clock, I speak straight with Franz on the unreliability of wind forecasts, the palm trees bow down suddenly in the south. Wind gusts of over 7 HE let the "Mar Menor" foam. At the same time light rain begins. We rush so fast as we can, with our smallest surf equipment to the beach. The sails we have to bear in the strong wind, even one by the gate. Unfortunately, the fishing
have recently re-designed their networks flanking our bay, so I pretty much at the onshore wind had trouble coming to the beach away. In addition, the water level is still above average low. When I finally far enough away from the shore am to receive no further contact Finn, because of the wind for already. I replace the 4.2 m2 against the 4.7 m2 sail out and make another attempt. Before long, this sail is too small. The last attempt with the 5.5 m2 fails miserably just because the wind has now abated entirely. Since there is never a pleasure, since there remains only the frustration :-(
When we then take in the porch of the beach restaurants a coffee with us, the sky is already torn up again and makes the most beautiful weather of course the ultra-short Regen-/Windfront. is nothing more to see.
windsurfing on Mar Menor (E) (Monday, 28/02/2011) Weather: beautiful, clouds, storm / temperature: 17 degrees /
Wind: 4 to 6 (9) HE (NW) A starry night and a strong northwest flow bring us on the last day the month of record-breaking low temperatures since early February. We measure only 5 degrees above zero. This is a north westerly wind blowing at force 5 over the "Mar Menor" which gives a wind chill of minus eight degrees. Brrr ...
Spring in Southern Spain has experienced a major setback. Just two days ago we had temperatures in summer and swimsuit weather. Now we have to, well or worse, again our winter clothes dig out :-( Our Tai Chi exercises on the terrace of the beach restaurants in the early morning we freeze despite hat and gloves.
Although the wind was surf worthy already, we hold us back in the early morning, and waiting for more comfortable temperatures. After ten clock I will but gradually restless. Our flag flutters nervously in the wind. When I arrive at the beach, John and Keith already on rigging. overthrow
in the wetsuit and rush to the surf to the beach carts are one. With the 6.0 m2 sail and 105 liter Lorch I'm doing well. I taste the two hours with great wind and waves full of beautiful.
Anita is now too cold in spite of sunshine. Against half a sleep clock the wind is a temporary and it is above the "Mar Menor" a dark cloud cover, just in time for lunch.
sets the afternoon the wind increased again and reached first for a short time 4 to 6 Beaufort. But unfortunately, the sky is overcast, so we decide that the scene would rather look at the porch of the beach restaurants.
Paul looks so excited on his wind gauge.
racing Klaus controls just the shore at. The wind seems to have become too strong.
Only a lone rider uses the great wind.
There's wind and no one goes ... :-) It seems that the crowd surfer is at the "Mar Menor" probably a bit spoiled by the wind.
pleasure An hour later, some surfers once again for two hours at 4 to 5 HE until the sky darkens in a flash after five clock. When I look out to the motorhome, I noticed a dark wall of clouds that are approaching us from the northwest rapidly. The first gusts with 7 to 9 HE whip across the water and bring the "Mar Menor" within a short Time to cook.
to Save lives!
As fast as he came, the nightmare is over.
on the food market of La Union (E) (Tuesday, 01.03.2011) Weather: very nice / Temp: 15 degrees / Wind: start 1-4 HE (NW)
We the same month of March with a cold record. The thermometer starts its way this morning at zero degrees. On the small puddles of our Cover a layer of ice has formed. Still a cool north wind is blowing, which has a wind chill of minus 9 degrees is delayed and an air heating in spite of strong southern sun. The thermometer reached 15 degrees today, just the brand.
We are looking for the winter conditions of our motorcycle jackets back out and take the scooter to the vegetable market of "La Union".
Because the market is very cheap, many campers go there to a large vegetable and fruit shopping. So we meet by chance on Anne Marie and Wolfgang, who have the same goal.
A kilo of juicy oranges here, for example, costs only 40 cents.
Blackish colored tomatoes we have encountered in our home anywhere else.
windsurfing on Mar Menor (E) (Wednesday, 03/02/2011) Weather: very nice / Temp: 17 degrees / wind
1 to 3 HE ( W - SE - SW) The cold air has us still in full control. In the early morning the thermometer dropped to minus one degree. "Mr. Hoar is back to host and wrap a sail boards and cars. Due to the strong southern sun, we are nevertheless expected to Reach 17 degrees. Let's see ...
First, it is once again increase our food and drinking supplies. After the big purchase, we allow ourselves in the cafeteria vis-à-vis the ALDI one cafe. In this sheltered corner, we come with our scooter jackets a good sweat.
During the day, the weak wind turns gradually from west to east and on to South East and drives the temperature up to 17 formal degrees. Done ;-)
"Major Tom" this afternoon marked the "guinea pig" and comes from the fact and on the plane.
Meanwhile Practice the "line dancers" brave on the beach terrace of the dancers. Meanwhile, we watch carefully over a cup of coffee, the few wind surfers on the "Mar Menor".
at four clock I mix myself, despite a lean wind, also among the surfing and enjoy myself for an hour on the "Mar Menor".
windsurfing on Mar Menor (E) (Thursday, 3/3/2011) Weather: fine to cloudy / Temp: 15 degrees / Wind: 3 to 5 HE (SO) Like last year at this time travels, an international group of women chanting slogans and clapping through the campground. They celebrate Today, the "women-carnival-day".
The colorful clique awakens in some men apparently great freedom of movement.
At half past one clock developed from scratch an imposing south-easterly wind of 3 to 5 Bf, we do not wish to over emphasize unused. Reason for a small storm tower off the coast of Cabo de Palos is. Together with a few other surfers we roar for an hour through the eastern part of the Pirate's Cove. There is in this wind situation that is no wind coverage by buildings and the campsite. This extraordinary wind was not Windguru yet been predicted by wind Finder, a real gift that is ;-)
After work (windsurfing can indeed also be physical work :-) we afford to once again visit the restaurant "Maribel". Together with William Trudel and we let us spoil you and have a wonderful, relaxing evening.
Photo of the Day: paradise flower double flower in the garden of Karen and Eugene 
Camping at Mar Menor (E) (Friday, 04/03/2011) Weather: Rain, thunder and rain / temp: 13 degrees / wind
1 to 5 HE (O / W)
rain are needed! Since the beginning of the year it rained on only three days for a few hours, a little bit. The night before extensive, thundery showers brought more considerable amounts of water for the parched landscape for months a true blessing.
We use it for a brief brightening our morning Tai Chi "exercises on the beach.
take the afternoon strong thunderstorms over us, sometimes even with light hail. The number of water finding its way and flows, the two main streets of the camp, down through the double gate out to the beach path.
be there to channel the water masses of the side walls finally derived on the coastal sand behind the beach. By the breaking of water usually caused deep divisions that have to be after every storm replenished with difficulty, a typical never-ending task, as love the Spaniards ;-)
