Los Abrigos

I moved into Los Abrigos in July, and rented a basic, but spacious apartment right on the small promenade.  As I sit now by my window at 10am the waves are gently sucking up on the tiny beach, fishing boats are bobbing in the little harbor and the sun is shining.  It is quite idyllic.

Los Abrigos means The Shelters, and it is quite remarkable how, when the winds blow, this little bay remains at peace.  It was once, and still is to some extent, a sleepy, fishing village.

An idyllic spot amidst tourist tat

At night it changes, though not yet raucous, it can be noisy.  This street is almost all restuarants, and it's been this way for years.  A gentler sort of tourism.  The tourists come, wander for twenty minutes (it really is that small), eat and leave.  The noise comes later.  When the workers in the restaurants are done they gather in a small bar, which is open "all hours".  Trouble is it is almost outside my bedroom window!  Happily I sleep well.

Downside for me is (hypocritical this) I am disappointed at how many Brits there are here.  I had hoped for a non-Brit experience, but it was not to be.  However, infinitely better than my situation last year at Amarilla Golf & Country Club, where I took an apartment based mainly on the wonderful view, and found myself in the midst of a nightmare ex-pat ghetto.

Now my view is even better.  I could hardly be closer to the sea.  I love it at this time of day, though normally I am working in town at this time.  Real life is happening on the street below, fishing boats are going out and coming in, deliveries are being made to the restuarants, dogs are barking.

It is, I now know (why did I spend a year in the dreadful Amarilla Golf??) quite easy to find an apartment here, they are much cheaper than in some places, though more expensive than inland.  It is close to the airport - sometimes too close, my soul soars with the planes; close to the autopista - such as it is; some of the best restaurants in the South are on my doorstep; the folks are friendly enough; my favorite beach is less than five minutes drive, and my view is to die for.