Amerimar is one heck of a windy place and home to 2010 Windsurfing World Champion, Víctor Fernández, who is often seen off the local beach pulling off some spectacular jumps and loops.
The wind blows from the east (Levante) and west (Poniente) and at strengths sometime reaching 40, 50, 60 knots and above. It can drive the tourists crazy, but it marks this spot out as being an identifiable world-class sports area, rather than just another beach resort.
@jsmithwriter
This marina is used frequently by research vessels monitoring the health of the seas and also investigating the whale, dolphin, and turtle population of the Alboran sea.
A great organisation called Promar have a strong presence here and are dedicated to the conservation of marine wildlife.
Leaving you with tonight's sunset:
@jsmithwriter
In Spain, be sure to check out 'chiringuitos', beachside bar-restaurant-cafés. These great local places serve up excellent tapas and 'raciones' for good prices and with attentive staff, so you will be served whether there are two clients in the establishment, or hundreds!
Favourite dishes of mine are grilled sardines, chipirones (fried baby squid), and lomo (thinly sliced pork).
@jsmithwriter
It's amazing the wildlife you see in and around a marina. Yesterday it was a small viper, and swifts darting around, and today a special treat, about 30 Honey Buzzards migrating above our heads from North Africa into Europe.
What will tomorrow bring?
@jsmithwriter
The wine available in the supermarkets here in Spain ranges from 99 cents to 4 euros and above. Generally, I go for a Spanish-produced red in the 1,30 - 2,00 euro bracket, such as the vino tinto Tempranillo pictured.
Now, I can just hear the cries of derision from Brits claiming, "It must be rubbish at that price!” - something I have heard many times before. And therein lies a deep naivety, since the Spanish people do not accept junk. Generally, they have refined pallets, do not overindulge, and certainly know about quality in the food and drink department.
The quality of my ‘budget’ wine is usually far superior to the processed screw-topped equivalents in British supermarkets, off-licences, and certainly wine bars and pubs.
Something to ponder when you're next spending £6, £11, and £20 on your bottle of wine in the UK.
On a final note, please opt for real cork stoppers, since cork production is a sustainable industry and the cork oak forests provide vital habitat for globally endangered species.
The weather's hotting up here in Almerimar and even the morning walks require hats and cream. Just near the marina to the east, there is a nature reserve that is home to flamingos and many species of birds ranging from stilts and avocets to roller birds and bee-eaters.
Our walk this morning was curtailed by some flooding and the threat of mosquitoes, so we did the civilised thing and retired a cafe, leaving a more adventurous trek for when we are better equipped.
Here are some pics:
@jsmithwriter