To shorten the bleak winter at home we thought we would load the van and head south to warmer climes, the Costa Brava seemed a good idea as it’s only about fifty miles over  the French/Spanish border. So mid February found us braving the frosts of France for three days and arriving at the wonderful family campsite  “Les Medes” at  Estartit  just north of Girona.

As soon as we had crossed over the Pyrenees the weather became warmer. A lovely coincidence on checking in was that friends Dave and Chris (whom we had met on our last visit on this site four years previously) had just booked in for a similar few weeks.

The site is really of a high standard, large, tree edged pitches with all facilities. Heated indoor pool which even in mid winter was being used by the thirty or so vans there.

With the beach and the Mediterranean only a ten minute stroll and the charming harbour-side village of Estartit a further ten minutes there were loads of walks or cycle rides. Some days we ventured up into the nearby hills to explore old castles and lookout posts, all with great 360 degree views of the snow capped Pyrenees, the blue sea and all the local villages in the valleys below.

This being Spain the local markets  were a must to visit, with their plentiful brightly coloured  stalls of fruit and clothing bringing the whole place alive. A nice place to sit and chill out with a coffee.