On the Road Again
La Torrecilla
After a few great weeks at Marjal we have moved on; Mavis was getting itchy wheels. We spent last night at La Torrecilla, a small site about 7 km outside Lorca, which is about 70 miles down the A7 from Marjal. Nia tucked Mavis nicely in to a small pitch by the reception.
Heading in to Lorca
There is a good cycle track all the way into Lorca. We packed the Krays in to the dogcart and set off just after we arrived on the campsite.
Lorca
Plaza de España
We had lunch in a small restaurant on the Plaza d’Espana, surrounded by old Spanish buildings. The church behind us, well swaddled in scaffolding, is the collegiate church of St Patrick.
Menu del dia
I had the salmorejo, a cold vegetable soup with bits of ham, egg and chorizo floating in it. A bit like Gazpacho, delicious. And then the tuna (atun, handily an anagram of the english word). Nia had the Absetasygambas which was a sort of eggy prawny thingy, and the steak.
Plaza de España
Ayuntiamento
There are picturesque old buildings all around the plaza. The ayuntiamento, town hall, must be the place to get married in Lorca. We saw 3 brides whilst we were eating. One was quaffing a beer in our restaurant in her finery, not sure if it was before or after the event. Probably before ‘cos we didn’t spot the groom.
Alfonso X “El Sabio”
This is a statue of Alfonso the Wise, on the Plaza next to us…we will meet him again.
Friendly Policia
After lunch we cycled up a very steep hill to Lorca castle. Half way up I met these two friendly coppers on guard (against what?) who kindly kept an eye on my bike while I walked back down to give Nia a hand to get the torpid terriers up the hill.
Alfonso Tower, guarding the east end of Lorca Castle
The castle was well worth the climb. Pinched from the Moors a few hundred years ago it looks out over Lorca and the mountains in the distance.
Siege Engine
This is a mock up of an old giant catapult or ballista, used to chuck rubble at castle walls. It sits next to the Espolón tower which guards the west of the castle.
Inside the Espolón Tower
On Guard
2012 Earthquake Damage
There was a big earthquake in 2012 which unsettled the tower…built by Alfonso X in the 1200’s at the same time as the other great tower, which was named after him.
Sword Sundial
Nia the Wise
A7
Looking east this is the A7, just before it enters its tunnel under the castle.
Time to go back to Mavis. Alfonso’s tower behind me
By 5 the sun was getting low and we set off back to the campsite. There is a good viewpoint for the castle on the way down.
Rambling about Europe with the Kray Twins (Colin and Penny).
Travels with Mavis 
Thanks for the continuing travelogue. It’s great to get inspiration for places to go… things to do…
We’re loving it….on to Ronda today.
You’ve escaped…well done. Hope you both(and the Krays) are well. Look forward to following your travels…xxx
Krays enjoying Andalucía thanks. We’ll probably turn our noses north after Ronda (next stop) and amble slowly back in the general direction of the UK.
Nia, looks like a great place to shop! Don’t forget to take pictures of the food. Really would like to see a picture after seeing the menu board and your choices!
We did take some food shots, but with direct bright sun difficult to get good pics. Hope the harvest is going well. Best Wishes to all P & N xxx
You were just a few kilometres away – I’m currently staying with my friends just south of Lorca!
Daisy is having fun running round a garden … Stay well. M xx
Where next? Very good forecast for next few days for Spain.
Not sure, not leaving here for several days yet …