29 February to Zahora

A long (29.5 kilometre) but gentle walk on a sunny, blue sky day. I started along a long promenade being cleared of sand by early morning cleaners with blowers and vacuum machines, then onto the beach past areas of holiday homes (apparently the rich of Cadiz and Jerez started building second homes here way back in the 18th century but most are much more modern). Before such development became too tedious the path went through a nature reserve where they were preserving the coastal juniper bushes. Swallows dived in front of me in the morning light.
More beach followed leading up to the busy town of Conil de la Frontera, distinctive as all the buildings were painted white. I avoided the seafront restaurants (one proved particularly expensive last night) and headed into town for a chorizo boccadillo (i.e. roll). The town and beach were full of people wrapped up against the wind, enjoying the sun with their families, apparently it was Andalucia day, a public holiday. On leaving Conil de la Frontera I crossed a long stretch of flat ground with a 16th century watchtower in which one of the few Bald Headed Ibis' was said to be nesting by an informative sign, and indeed a somewhat untidy black bird was visible on the parapet. Later, I passed La Palmar, also busy but with a surfing crowd, although more people seemed to be in the bars than in the sea (maybe the waves were not big enough). I pushed on a little further and inland a bit to Zahora and Camping San Jose, an excellent campsite among the pines with a restaurant and supermarket (albeit with prices to match). Mine was the only tent, very much overshadowed by the motorhomes (many British) and chalets.

Ancient watchtower with Conil de la Frontera in the distance