My website - http://spaces.msn.com/balvicar/
My email - richardwesley@btinternet.com
23rd April 2003 Departure @ 13:00 hrs
Good journey down to East Midlands. Best ever check-in with bmi-baby, no waiting. A fire alarm sounded once in the departures lounge, but the all clear was soon given. Flights before and after ours delayed; could we be the lucky ones this time? Flight left precisely on time at 16: 00 hrs.
Purchased a sandwich & drink during flight. Murcia is a delightful small provincial airport, a pleasure to arrive in Spain. We waited outside the terminal building and within minutes were being whisked away in Matthew's BMW. The villa was a delight, better than my best dreams. Matt & Miho have done so much in a small space of time. We finished the evening with a few bottles of wine, meat balls & some good conversation.
24th April 2003
Morning walk from villa onto scrub land produced Red-legged Partridge, Stone Curlew, Serin, Stonechat and Spotless Starling. Later in the afternoon a Short-toed Lark passed overhead from the villa. We took a short walk in afternoon along the coast to Torre, a pleasant stroll with spring flowers looking good. In the evening we went to dinner at the Restaurante Chino y Japones with Shaun & Debbie. Best Chinese meal ever and the total cost including wine was €115, about £13 each, what value.
25th April 2003
I was out at 0700 hrs with lots of new birds including Blue-headed Wagtail, Hoopoe, Sardinian Warbler, Pallid Swift, Reed Warbler & Wheatear. Walking along the beach I found a reed bed in the course of the Rio Seco which flowed out into the sea. I started following the river inland, with a development on one side and rows of small villas on the other. I had returned by 1000 hrs. A shopping trip to Torrevieja for garden furniture and onto Carrefour for other shopping was planned. We also purchased a pair of cycles, which should give hours of fun. An evening walk took us north along the coast towards Cap Roig. Several gulls floated passed us as we walked, but an Audouin’s Gull was a pleasant bonus. It was time now for dinner after a busy day. We had excellent, spaghetti bolognaise with salad, and strawberries and ice cream to finish.
26th April 2003
It was a beautiful morning, with three new birds Goldfinch, Common Tern and Sand Martin. Walking back I stopped speak to Shaun and Debbie, nice people, very easy to get on with. In the afternoon I took the Latbus to San Pedro, stopping for a beer, to cool off at the bus terminus. I then walked over to the saltpans and had good views of Black-winged Stilt, Greater Flamingo, Little Egret, Little Tern, Shelduck, Avocet and Common Sandpiper. I returned safely to Torre on the 1630 hours Latbus, an excellent service.
27th April 2003
Morning walk as usual, but tried the Rio Mar development, and discovered again more of the Rio Seco, a fantastic habitat. A Nightingale was in full voice, and close by a Red-rumped Swallow was nesting under a bridge.
This morning we were off to Torrevieja Marina to meet Rick for a days sailing on the thirty-four foot Bullfrog. We sailed down the coast to Cabo Roig for lunch then back to Torrevieja. Hard going against the wind, we even had the spinnaker out to help. There were few birds to be seen out at sea, mainly Audouin’s Gulls and the odd Cormorant. We were back at Torre by 1800 hrs. We went down to Pueblo Latino for steak, chips and salad then to bed for an early night.
28th April 2003
I continued my walk, following the route of the Rio Seco upstream to the N332, it proved to be an excellent habitat. Good views of Sardinian Warbler and Serin. This completed my two hour pre breakfast walk. The Police were in attendance on return, asking for all the building materials to be moved off the footway. Matthew’s skip arrived at 11 hrs, so we had a full day’s work ahead laying his new drive. We stopped for lunch though, with cooked chicken from the market and fresh fruit salad to finish. Finished by 1600 hrs, in time to have a shower and freshen up. Whilst waiting to go out for dinner a Kestrel flew south. Over to Playa Mil Palmeras for dinner and a good choice was made with the Restaurante Oasis. On returning we met Deborah’s son Kirk, who came and spent some time with us before bedtime.
29th April 2003
I continued with my exploration up the Rio Seco again, this time to bridge four, past the market gardens. I found more birds today to increase the list, Great Tit, Spotted Flycatcher, Coot, Long-tailed Tit & Bee Eater. I think the Seco has many more to add before I’m finished. In the afternoon I took another walk along the Seco to show Brenda, then onto the market at Playa mil Palmeras. I bought a new Gillet for ten euros & trousers for fifteen. The market held an amazing choice of fresh fruit, nuts, vegetables and bread. With the restaurants, market and the location this would be the ideal place to base the bird tours. The bikes arrived today and I went a ride with Kirk along the cycle track, what fun! Evening to Peublo Latino for sirloin steak with peppercorn sauce, the food gets better.
30th April 2003
I walked along Rio Seco again, past the market garden. Tried the pine wood to the left and then onto farmland. There was very little about, apart from some Red- legged Partridge. I returned for breakfast to find the roof furniture being delivered. Took the bikes and cycled to El Mojon via the post box. There were lots of new developments and a new boardwalk being constructed behind the dunes. We called at Pueblo Latino on the way back to pick up some cash.
Matt drove me to the Salinas at San Pedro where I found thirteen new species including Grey Heron, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Redshank, Turnstone, Greenshank, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Kentish Plover, Sanderling, Snipe & Moorhen. I returned on the 1830 hrs Latbus from San Pedro without incident. To Playa Mil Palmeras for dinner and perhaps a disappointment with the food but the setting overlooking the beach was delightful.
1st May 2003
I continued exploring further up the Rio Seco past the motorway bridge. The riverbed had become dry and mad walking easier than ever. Bee Eaters were nesting in the sandy banks and Nightingale seemed to be singing everywhere. Red-rumped Swallows passed overhead and Green Woodpeckers were constantly calling. The river banks are lined with pines and bamboo and keep the temperature cool. Turtle Doves were purring close by and round the next bend a pair of Melodious Warblers stood out in the clear morning air. The riverbed was alive with wild flowers and further on a Willow Warbler was busy feeding. Unfortunately it was time to return for breakfast, but it was hard to leave this paradise. Off to the beach now for the first time and with the tent it was a pleasurable experience. Dinner was at home tonight and the “spag bol” was excellent. We finished off with wine and coffee to complete the best day yet.
2nd May 2003
A gentle stroll up the Rio Seco again today, with nothing unusual until I reached the N332, where near the picnic site I saw a large squirrel, yet to be identified. After breakfast I cycled to the shops for a paper, and bought a snorkel and mask for Joe. The afternoon was spent packing and lazing around. Later on I looked at two properties with Matthew at Playa Mil Palmeras. Saw a two bed-roomed villa near to the beach and next to the Rio Seco which appealed but could not interest Matt. Off to Murcia airport at 1800 hours, arriving at 1815 hrs. Flight off on time and arrived back at East Midlands early. This is how all air travel should be, BMI BABY are to be congratulated. This was a perfect end to an excellent holiday.