We wake at 6.30 as the waves crash on to the beach and the sun slowly rises from the east. The tide has just turned and the swell, curl and foam is perfect for surfers . We check the weather it looks perfect. Clear skies, translucent Mediterranean light. We stumble down the beach slope to the beach and take in the beauty of the morning (click to enlarge image).

On the headland, three surfers wax their boards before they head towards us.  Chewing gum and flicking their sun kissed locks as they giddily dash in to the ocean.  We watch a couple of sparrows perching on swaying palm, clearly avid surf spectators. The surf dudes hanging on to their boards for dear life and paddled furiously until they reach the open water. They bide their time but not for long. The huge waves come rolling and the surf party begins.

By the time we leave the beach its lunchtime and for a treat we have a yummy bacon butty…incognito then no one can pinch it.

With full tums, we pack up and time to head on to Alghero. The coastline drive between Villanova and Alghero is spectacular with plenty stopping points to admire the views. Once in Alghero we head to the first campsite, La Mariposa, which happens to be the closest to the resort. But we were not impressed at all. The camper spots were located on the outer dirt track that backed on to a chicken wire fence. Campers packed in like Sardines, it was awful and quite frankly I would rather park on a side street.

A quick look on the map and off to campsite number two. Along the way, we pass lots of beach parking with signs saying no motorhomes allowed. We arrive at Laguna Blu to a warm greeting, find a pitch and check in. With our ASCI card the €42 per day charge plus €2.50 per dog is reduced to €19, bargain. Although Craig did have a big paddy at the dog charge.

Our Bumble paid motorhome campsite at Alghero GPS position: N040.595902, E008.292341

The next 3 days Vin didn’t move an inch as we enjoyed and maximised on the sunshine. We washed everything in sight and scrubbed Vin from top to bottom. The dudes enjoyed endless play time in the deserted campsite grounds and forest. Chasing ball and rolling around in the dirt. Well Craig needs to get his €2.50 per dog benefit!

Across the road from the campsite is a lovely stretch of beach. But we found the perfect white beaches and crystal clear waters of Bombarde and Lazzaretto the best. The little village of Porto di Fertilia five minutes walk from the campsite was certainly different. A small yacht harbour built during the Fascist era which looks like its been locked in time. A handful of cafes and bars and a large marina plaza makes for a nice stroll at sunset. Its also the best time to see the fishermen casting their rods on the collapsed Roman bridge.

Alghero

The resort of Alghero is about 10 minutes on the motorbike or alternatively, you can cycle or catch the local bus for €1 return. Alghero is well worth a visit. From the harbour, to the impressive ramparts to the heart of the old quarters, it is all rather nice to just wander around. The Aragonese conquered the town in 1353, so it has a nice Spanish feel about the place.

Alghero is charming, an place of cafes, shops, tiny plazas and long views across the bay to Caoo Caccio. The heart of the town is via Carlo Alberto, lined with local craftsmen selling everything from coral jewellery to Sardinian flag souvenirs. The streets of pastel washed coloured buildings are filled with tables and chairs from the cafes ranged around it.

Dotted around little churches and old municipal buildings. At the heart, the old cathedral, dignified and elegant.  Whilst on the edge of the town, the ramparts and tower with railed terraces and an open view to the sea far below. 

This is by far the most enchanting Sardinian town for walking. Consisting almost entirely of a complex network of lanes and passageways decorated with splashed of pink. From candy floss coloured bicycles, pink laundry draping from window to window, bunches of pink flowers or water bottles elaborately painted with sprays of flowers. Many of the lanes were barely wider than your shoulders and all of them interconnected in a wonderfully bewildering fashion. We wandered around and around, constantly find ourselves returning unexpectedly to a spot we had already covered.

The one thing we absolutely loved was the celebration of life. Randomly dotted around the town huge photographs of citizens who had reached 100. We just thought it was so nice to recognise people of the town and their contribution. I would love to see this dotted around the UK.

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