Swimming
Obviously, the development has
it's own communal pool, which is just out of our rear courtyard (see
picture!).
There is also a large, new
municipal swimming baths (with a kids pool) just over the coast road in
Pilar. It has a retractable roof so that it is open-air in summer and
covered over in winter. It's
really clean and nicely-kept.
But, of course, we are only 10
minutes walk from the beach. There are lots of beaches in little coves along
the coast here with various facilities. The nearest one has a ramp down for
pushchairs/wheelchairs etc.
If you have small children,
the best bet is the Mar Menor, only a few minutes drive away. This inland
sea slopes very gradually, is very warm and has almost no swell or tides,
and there is completely flat access. All the beaches along the coast are
pure sand.
Shopping
There are lots
of nice shops in nearby Pilar and San Pedro, but the shopping possibilities
of the area have been greatly enhanced by the opening of a new Mall - Dos
Mares - which is only 5 minutes drive down the road. It's beautifully
designed and decorated and has lots of nice boutiques as well as a
hypermarket, a bowling alley and a cinema. There are a few
fast-foody eateries as well.
The big bonus
is that it's open all day, every day, which is not the case with most shops
& Restaurants in Spain!
In terms of
local food shopping, there is a new supermarket opened up just a block away
from the house, which has fresh veg, meat and fish as well as just about
anything else you could want.
Internet
access
There is an
excellent little establishment about 5 minutes walk away called the Mail
Room, run by an English couple. It operates principally (as the name
suggests) as a mail-drop, as the postal service is not particularly
reliable, but it also offers broadband internet access at 2 euros for 1/2 an
hour. Ideal for picking up your e-mails or whatever. They are very helpful
and also act as a drop-point for all the free English-language local
newspapers, which are rather handy for local events and TV listings!
