Aire etiquette (2)

Yesterday afternoon at rota sat outside my van reading a book when my Spanish neighbours invite a few friends around they are all sat on chairs drinking, smoking eating and generally seem to be enjoying themselves, without annoying others, spotted police local enter the Carpark and I’m thinking they might tell some of the get together crowd to park their cars in the bays rather than leave them on the access roads. No all that happened is the male from the camper went over to the police and had a chat.
15 minutes later two police national cars arrived 4 armed cops got out and I’m thinking I should not really be sat on a chair outside my van but before I could discreetly hide my chair the 4 cops and about 8 other party goers were all kissing, laughing and chatting. Turns out the camper next me is police. Needless to say felt very safe last night.

Final point the police do drive around at least once a day everyone has chairs out some have table and bbqs the police never say anything. The aire is not over looked by houses or anything else. There are several very empty Carparks around. I know eventually we will lose this aire or standards will be enforces but until then it will remain as a relaxed aire with local businesses benefiting the police being helpful they do advise vans not to park under the trees when it is windy, they smile and wave as they pass by.

There are lots of Aires like this in Spain, especially inland. We decided to try out some village Aires in August and September and even found two with free electricity. The situation with Aires in Spain now is so much better than it was a few years ago. In the summer we try to use only Aires where we can sit out in places that are not overlooked. Only once have we been told it isn't allowed.