My wife and I recently enjoyed a 17 day holiday in the Cabo Roig area. During this holiday we met a few people and found them to be friendly.

Cabo Roig is an exclusive area of Spain's Costa Blanca with more than 300 sunny days a year and an average temperature of around 20C. It is identified by the World Health Council as one of the healthiest places in the world - thanks to its dry climate especially beneficial for conditions such as rheumatism, arthritis and asthma. It is a few miles south of Torrevieja and to the north of the Mar Menor.  We were amazed to discover that this area was full of Spanish pensioners on holiday - apparently all Spanish pensioners are given FREE holidays.  (How can I obtain Spanish nationality?)

We were fortunate to be able to rent, from Alastair,  the villa  that  is located in the Vista Azul estate area of Cabo Roig.  

Our introduction to Spain was quite eventful.  Within an hour of landing at Murcia Airport we managed to lose our way in the town of San Javier - whilst searching for our overnight hotel. 

Following the one way system we found ourselves in a very narrow street (more like an alley) with cars parked all over the place. The car hit a rut and we collided with a parked car. Amazingly - even with a slow speed collision the front axle broke - leaving us stranded in a strange town at 10pm - in the fading twilight. 

We had visions of being robbed or something, however, within minutes we were surrounded by friendly local Spanish people, all offering to help.  One kind gentleman let us have the use of his phone to contact the car hire company and a taxi. He even acted as translator with people on the phone and with the local police - who just appeared. If he/they read this - Many thanks - Muchos Gracias.

My Wife - Betty at the villa - surrounded by bougainvilleas

Thanks to him we were soon on the way back to the airport, picked up a new hire car and started off again. However this time around we didn't bother searching for the hotel we had booked but stopped at the first one we found.  It was quite pleasant and right on the edge of the Mar Menor.  The orange juice at breakfast was out of this world - most probably from oranges picked that very morning!!

The Cost Blanca Cockneys

A few days later, at the villa, having nicely settled in, we were beginning to get to know the place.  We decided on a trip to the local street market at San Pedro.  On closing the outside door we found that we couldn't lock it and, even worse, we couldn't open it again! Some silly billy (me) had left a key in the inside and our key on the outside was having no effect.  We visualised having to call out a locksmith or similar but first we sought help from some of the ex-pat neighbours in Vista Azul. 

They were very helpful but we still could not open the door. Finally Irene arrived and suggested that we call in the "expert" Jeff, who lived in the next street.  Jeff, a knight in shining armour)  arrived armed with sheets of plastic and within minutes had the door open.  You can imagine how relieved we felt. 

Many thanks to Jeff and the Costa Blanca Cockneys.