Hard to believe its mid February!

You could be forgiven for thinking that Summer had already arrived if you´ve been in Benidorm this last week. Those from the UK that had booked the half term break months ago and hoping for some reprieve from the harsh British weather couldn´t have wished for better.

The beach front bars, normally quieter at this time of the year were buzzing, not only with holiday makers but the locals were also out in force.

One of the many packed sun terraces this week

The Levante promenade was very busy but I found it funny watching them all, as it was so easy to differentiate the Brits and the Spanish. In particular, the older Spanish residents who were still wrapped up in coats, scarves and hats despite the fairly hot sun - it was 18 degrees on Thursday. Im sure that they are conditioned to think its February so still Winter wear regardless of what the weather is actually like. They tend to watch the calendar rather than the weather forecast!

It is certainly great news for all the businesses - the cold beers were certainly flowing at Tiki Beach and the other bars that had sun terraces. Even the sun-bed men have been taken by surprise!

Plenty of sunbathers on Levante beach

I must admit that its taken most by surprise as generally February is a fairly cool month. However,  with weather patterns changing everywhere across the world, as has been witnessed in the UK with the snow and floods, no one here is complaining!
The only uncertainty is knowing what to pack if you are coming over.... not really a hardship I suppose - except if you are traveling on Ryanair with their very strict and enforced luggage allowances!

Yesterday, a report published by the Department of Tourism for 2012 stated that 94% of tourists which visit the resort return. Gema Amor, Deputy Mayor of Benidorm commented that "these figures reflect that tourism is the main engine of the local economy. The high return rates prove Benidorm manages to maintain its level of attraction and competitiveness over other holiday destinations".

The week before we had a fire burning as it was that cold and yet this week I was doing a bbq for lunch... bizarre or what!