Hi
We returned earlier this week from a 2 week stay in the village.
We promise to post photo's shortly.
Information below, we hope for those of you who have not been out recently will find useful.
General
The weather week 1 was great, but mixed on week 2.
Visited Aguilas Plaza, which is only 10 mins away and worth a visit.
We eat in some lovely places, including outside of the resort: El Mar - at the junction to Villaricus - 4 course plus coffee Menu del dias for 12 euro's, superb sunday lunch. Chilli2 at Puerto Rey (above consum supermarket).
Resort
Montosol re opened under new management week 2 - a nice English family, who have re opened the accomodation and restaurant. Currently food very English and typically pub food but the bar is very clean with reasonably priced food and drink.
La Venta bar, closed week 2 until we are told December
Meson Pepa's busy but pricey compared to when we first started going out 3 years ago.
Resort, quiet - but just as lovely
Site
On Monday of this week there was a holiday, so no real activity on site - during our stay there was a lot of work on the communal area's down the middle of the two sides to Calas Del Pinar development and each day - more people were moving in.
The development immediately behind phase 1 properties is well advanced (60 1/2 bed apartments starting price 128k euro's).
There is now access up the side of the development to walk by foot and by car.
Dustbins are not yet on site, presumably due to the habitation licences only just coming though.
We visited the 2 bed show house during our stay and was impressed - the good bits in our opinion were - plenty of light in the back terrace, even though high boundary walls, kitchen larger than expected with good layout, bedroom 1 larger than expected with 4 sliding doors to the wardrobes (easily fit a king size bed and cabinets at each side), the not as pleasing were: bedroom 2 view seemed imposing on the rear property and not particularly private, although lots of wardrobe space, only 400mm space in between 2 single beds for a small cabinet), the main bathroom cabinet was very, very close to the door as you opened it.
The office advised us phase 7 would be ready Dec/Jan, but we suspect more likely March given the work yet to be undertaken.
Very few 2 bed properties remain, not a signficant number of 3 beds either, with the majority of those remaining priced at 250k euro's (although they do include white goods in the kitchen).
There were a number of terraces being relaid as they were holding water - something to watch out for as you snag your property.
Many of the spanish have had mosquito blinds fitted to their properties, having experienced many mosquito's this time, we can understand why this would be beneficial.
Finally,wow what a lovely place we have bought and whilst the wait has been lengthy it feels worthwhile.