Camping Cabopino, situated on the edge of Marbella on the Fuengirola side, is a large campsite with all the facilities we could need and only a 6 minute walk from Cabopino Marina and beach.  Due to Covid travel restrictions, this usually booked out resort, gave us plenty of unoccupied pitches from which to choose.  We have the benefit of a spot in the shade of an olive tree, which constantly pelts us with fruit, and opposite the open air pool where I can sun bathe.  We’ve been told sometimes wild boars enter the campsite at night from the adjacent golf course, evidenced by a black bin being trashed the night before.  We’ve kept our eyes open but so far we haven’t managed to spot any. Following the news daily and avidly, we constantly talk about Covid, lock downs and how lucky we are to have made it here sitting it out in constant 22 degrees, which is forecast for the next fortnight, especially with Saturday night’s PM’s announcement of a further month’s lock down for England.

Throughout our recent travels of Italy, France and Spain, everyone everywhere without exception, wears masks.  There are on the spot fines and the threat of arrest if not. Yes, this includes around the campsite and walking along the beach. The beach is our favourite evening walk route with Stella. Andy’s Bar is a distraction and guilty pleasure to complement our evening walks.

The campsite has many bungalows and quite a few people live permanently on site.  The people we have met so far are English, friendly and helpful without being intrusive.  I know its only the first week, but I have good vibes for our four months’ residency through Winter.  We’ve never done anything like this before and staying longer than a traditional holiday there is no rush to check market days, find out the local hot spots or sight see.

We’ve had the campsite almost to ourselves, especially the pool, Monday until Friday when visitors for the Halloween weekend festivities descended.  The revellers are mostly Spanish and it’s the first time we’ve seen children on the site noticeable by their noises of excitement and of course running around.  The aromas of Spanish BBQ cooking permeate the air as does Spanish music playing from the various family groups. Many of their caravans, awnings and motorhomes are creatively theme decorated and every awning, marquee and gazebo is furnished with a large dining table and lots of chairs.  It’s very much family living here this weekend and sitting at Mario’s Bar we admired costumed families showing off their creations and enjoying the entertainment put on by the campsite.  I laughed at one Leatherface who I thought was carrying around a cardboard chain saw accompanied with sound effects and somehow was not surprised when close up able to smell petrol fumes finding out it was real!  Essentially all good light-hearted fun with the recycling full to the brim Sunday morning, especially the bottle bank. 

So far on our travels we’ve not sat down to any board games. Roll on week two at Cabopino.