We’d got up to early to watch the sunrise over the sea from our beachside parking spot just on the outskirts of the Cabo de Gata natural park in Almeria. We were keen to get up and get ready for our big day. Or we should say Buzz’s big day. The sky was a bit cloudy and the sun struggled to shine through and we were desperately hoping the somewhat lacklustre weather forecast would be wrong and it would be a good day. Back in November last year Juke Media came out to film a short documentary for Laika Motorhomes to find out how we were enjoying motorhome life and to hear about our experience so far. They were coming back for a follow up and we wanted everything to be right.
Watching the sunrise at the beach in Almeria
Having set off for Europe in July 2018 as complete motorhome novices we had 4 months of travel under our belts at that time and had travelled thousands of miles already through parts of France and Italy. Fast forward another few months and we’ve added Germany, Belgium, Portugal and Spain to the list. For filming we chose the Cabo de Gata area for its beautiful landscape, coastline and pretty towns – the perfect mix to highlight the types of places we enjoy.
A great piece of coastline in the Cabo de Gata
Having polished off the previous day’s splatters from the rain and the squashed bugs on the windscreen, Buzz Laika was again looking very smart and enjoying a fantastic view of the sea out of the front windscreen. We probably weren’t looking quite so smart but we’d got ourselves ready for the knock on the motorhome door at 10am. As soon as we saw the friendly faces of Luke and Frank all nerves dissipated (temporarily at least) and before we knew it the van was full to the brim with tripods, cameras, sound equipment, lighting and the obligatory giant hairy microphone. It was all systems go and time for the interview.
Filming in the motorhome – Laika Kreos 3
One of the questions they asked us was how the Laika Kreos 3008 suited us and we can honestly say that it’s been ideal for us in so many ways. The size for the two of us is just right for a long trip. At just under 7m it gives us the space we need to live comfortably day to day but is not so big that we have trouble manoeuvering and getting around. Incidentally Luke is 6’7″ and while filming a particular shot he stood in the bathroom and was quite amazed to find he fitted without having to stoop. That’s one of the really good things about the Laikas, the ceilings are really high which also adds to the sense of light and space inside.
Laikas have high ceilings – demonstrated by Luke 6’7″!
Talking about our journey so far made us both remember and realise how much we’ve done and how many unforgettable moments we’ve shared. We’ve had so many special times, seen so many breathtaking sights, the thought that we might never have done this doesn’t bear thinking about. We’ve buzzed about Europe taking in the sights and sounds of rivers, lakes and mountains, discovered tiny towns and big cities, driven on motorways (not many) A roads, B roads and far too tiny roads! We’ve followed wine routes and walking routes, ridden on horses, trains, trams and ski lifts, met new people, ate new foods and had the most wonderful time of our lives.
Getting ready to take the drone up over the beach
After the inverview we made up a picnic and all took a breezy stroll down to the nearby beach and sat on the rocks to have a break and refuel as the sun shone down and the waves splashed to shore. Luke got the drone out and captured some amazing footage along the waterline so look out for that in the video. The short glimpse he showed us looked pretty fantastic! After that we took a walk along in the opposite direction and came across a Spaniard who’d made a huge rock stack display with a little inner sanctuary and path down to the sea. It was very impressive and had clearly taken him many hours, collecting the rocks and pebbles and stacking them all up.
Rock stacks made by a man on a mission
Next, it was time for Buzz’s starring role, making his way along a spectacular winding road around the mountainside, over a suspended bridge with stunning views out to sea. We had a Go Pro attached to the window to film the action inside the cab and the drone hovered way above us capturing more overhead footage as we drove. At one point we had 3 cars queueing up behind us but we let them pass and then had the road mostly to ourselves.
Go-Pro attached and off we go!
It had been quite a full on day so after that we parted ways with Luke and Frank returning to their hotel for a well deserved rest and us going back to the motorhome and driving up to Mojacar ready for the 2nd day’s filming. This time we parked in the convenient town car park which we just perfect – nice and flat and only a 5 minute walk up into the town. As the sun went down and the sky darkened the town on the hill above started to light up and looked really inviting so we had dinner and climbed the steps up to the plaza intending to have a nightcap. Apart from one bar with a big group of somethings and a smattering of people here and there it was very quiet. It’s still quite early in the season and a lot of places weren’t even open. It didn’t quite have the sociable atmosphere we were hoping for so we decided we may as well go back to the motorhome and have a drink there. We enjoyed a stroll around first, finding a two tier shopping arcade and a couple of sweet little streets we hadn’t noticed before and then made our way back. A couple of drinks later it was off to bed ready for the next day’s exploits.
Buzz Laika parked in Mojacar Pueblo at night
The next morning we all went on a walkabout in the town. Walking with a camera in front and a camera behind while trying to look and act normally doesn’t exactly come naturally but we did our best and quite enjoyed the attention! It’s quite strange having people look and stare wondering who you are. Mojacar pueblo is a gorgeous little town with so many pretty streets meandering this way and that, it was lovely to explore them again. Luke set the drone up again and sent it off over the colourful rooftops getting a birds eye view of the maze below. Everything always looks so good from above and we can’t wait to see what he managed to capture.
Anyone seen a drone around here?
Having walked the length and breadth of the town, posed by every viewpoint and climbed up every slope and step we were all in need of refreshment and sustenance. We’d seen a tempting tapas bar at the top of the town on the Plaza Nueva with views out over the Valley of the Pyramids and we founds ourselves a table, ordered some drinks and enjoyed some tasty tapas and salads to round off a really enjoyable day.
The fab four? Well they were, we’ll wait and see about us!
Lunch over we went back to the car park and said our goodbyes. Thanks to Juke Media, we’d had a really fun couple of days and having seen how the last Laika film turned out we can’t wait to see the next one!
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