taraabit

Wednesday 27th December 2023

We spent part of the morning at what described as a flea/bric a brac market but in reality the majority of stalls were just selling second hand clothes, from there we used the hire car to go to a larger supermarket to stock up with a few bits and pieces including meat for `Layla.

After lunch Alison and Peter opted to go for a bike ride that also turned into a walk up Calp rock, we decided to explore an area of Calpe that we hadn’t explored before. We walked southwards along the sea front where eventually the path ran out and we had to climb a series of steep steps followed by and even steeper road to a footpath that ran along the cliffs above the beach.

Eventually the path ran out at an area of private housing so we headed back towards the town centre and made our way to the old quarter.

Calp originally consisted of a fishing village with a walled old town surrounding the church.

The parish church of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves is located in the heart of the old town, this attractive building was built in 1975 with a mixture of modern and traditional design.

There were lots of buildings with marvellous decorations.

We know there were other streets well worthy of exploring but the afternoon was drawing in and legs were tired so we headed back covering a distance of 3.5 miles. If time allows we will go back before we depart.

Tuesday 26th December 2023

This afternoon we headed south in the hire car to head inland to a mountainous road to the Col de Rates. Initially we headed to the town of Callosa d’en Sarria where the route to the Col began. All along the road there are oranges and lemons growing commercially and although to us it appeared as an eyesore the farmers protected the trees with huge areas of netting.

Part way up the mountain road we came to the village of Tarbena, very Spanish and not touristy, having said that they provided for motorhomes and two were parked in a specially designated area.

From Tarbena the road continued steeply uphill on a road that twisted and turned, we stopped at a view point to take a few photos.

Eventually we reached the Col where there was a parking area, again populated with two motorhomes, both from Germany.

The views from the Col were very impressive, you could see for miles inland and when you turned round you could see the Mediterranean in the distance.

At the correct time of year we could have enjoyed a refreshing drink in the bar cafe, sadly it was shut.

The road down was as twisty as that up but eventually the road levelled out and we headed for the town of Benissa, it was late afternoon when we arrived but sadly not late enough for the shops to open at 5pm, we had a drink outside a cafe where unfortunately most of the locals were smoking, something we are not used to any more in the UK.

Saturday 30th December 2023

After spending time again at the local market we all decided to spend the afternoon taking a trip in the hire car to Castell de Guadalest.

We stopped en route just short of our destination at what turned out to be a motorbike museum.

We didn’t feel inclined to pay the entrance fee but it was a good stopover to take a few photos.

Next door to the museum was a shop selling local artefacts and food stuffs, wine, nuts, oranges, lemons, honey etc . They had for sale pottery and also cotton rugs, Michelle took a liking for two to replace the ones in Homer that one day recently had a bath in pineapple juice😵‍💫 I found a bottle of Oporto port which was also purchased.We drove on from there stopping on occasion for photo opportunities until we reached Castell de Guadalest.

The road twisted and turned its way gradually climbing higher and higher and The Castell became more apparent. as we got closer.

There were problems with the car park payment barriers but a council worker ran back and forth to the car park entrances and collected the 2 euros fee. Below our car park was one where motorhomes could stay overnight for 6 euros.

The route to the upper level was via the village streets, I didn’t make it to the top but Alison and Peter did.

Below the castle in the valley is a huge reservoir which currently has very little water in it, we have been told it hasn’t rained for months here, the reservoir supplies the towns on the coast.

You had to pay a fee and climb more steps to get to the very top, sadly my legs aren’t up to it so we wandered around the lower level instead.

Michelle and I walked slowly back down hill and explored the shops meeting up with Alison and Peter in the car park, we drove back in twilight with it being dark when we returned home, it was interesting to see the lights of houses etc coming on in the hills.

Dec 24th 2023

As befitting a Christmas Day we had an easy start to the day, we sent out masses of texts to friends and relatives and had a family Whatsapp video call from daughters Steph and Emma. We watched the antics of new puppy Pippin and the grandsons pleased with the first tranche of their presents they had opened, didn’t stop them fighting over the presents😂😂😂

At approx midday we walked the 800m to the sea front where Michelle succeeded in her bucket wish list of having a Pina Colada on the beach on Christmas Day😊🥂

We then walked about 100m along the sea front and sat at a bar with Peter and Alison for a lunch time drink.

The beach and sea front was very busy with everyone enjoying the sunshine.

We had pre-prepared the Christmas meal before we left so upon our return we carefully timed the cooking of the meal in two separate motorhomes so everything arrived on the table at the correct moment. We had quite a spread and it was a very enjoyable meal taken leisurely in the sunshine.

Sat 23rd December 2023.

A short distance from the Russian church we parked at the harbour in Altea, it was rammed with boats.

We enjoyed the walk along the sea front where again dogs are banned from the beach even on the pebbly areas.

Whilst walking along the sea front we saw a sign that showed a walk away from the sea leading uphill through narrow streets to a church at the top of the hill. It seemed very interesting so off we went.

There were areas on the way up you could look out over the sea and there was a variety of sculptures on display.

It was a steep uphill climb on cobbled streets, every so often opening out onto a small square with cafes and restaurants.

When we eventually reached the top we treated ourselves to a cold drink in a cafe next to the church.

Thankfully downhill was much easier😊

Sat 23rd December 2023.

This afternoon we piled into the hire car for an afternoon ride out, Peter had discovered an interesting church en route to Altea and that was our first port of call.

After the end of the cold war the coastal resorts north of Alicante became popular with Russians. But until 2007 many of the Russians in the area didn’t have a suitable place to worship.

A Russian entrepreneur decided to change that funding the construction of Spain’s first purpose built orthodox church.The magnificent structure is built largely from wood, designed to be a copy of a 17th century church, the materials were imported from Russia and built by specialised Russian craftsmen.

The interior is adorned as you would expect to see inside a Russian church, and on the outside it has golden onion shaped domes.

It’s impossible not to appreciate the art work and skills of all those involved but for me it’s a little too much over the top.

Wednesday 20 th December 2023.

Well after driving 175 miles today we finally arrived at our destination and resting place for the next two weeks. We have covered in total 1,253 miles over 10 days.

It’s not a large site and and laid out in such a way that each pitch is surrounded by a hedge and all the facilities you need are on your pitch. We spent some time unpacking, putting out the awning chairs etc knowing they won’t have to be put away again for some time. Late afternoon the four of us went for a walk to explore a little, approx 800m from the site you reach the Mediterranean Sea.

Of course we had to have the obligatory photo taken next to the town sign.

Dusk began to gather so we sat at a beach side bar and enjoyed a drink whilst we sat and listened to the waves and watched lights gradually getting brighter including those of fishing boats off shore.

Tuesday 19th December 2023.

It was a cold frosty start to the day but after attending to the various necessary tasks we were soon on our way, for once it wasn’t too complicated a route to follow. The roads were straight and traffic was very light.

Virtually the whole of the journey was through flat agricultural land with very few towns and villages.

There were one or two steep climbs where we needed to drop a gear or two but Homer managed well and eventually we dropped down into Teruel where according to my altitude app our stopover is at 945m above sea level and the forecast is for it to be -3 C tonight.

We are parked approx 1 mile from the old part of the city and after lunch we walked in.

Teruel is a high altitude town in the mountainous Aragon region of eastern Spain, it is known for it’s Mudejar architecture a style combining Gothic and Islamic elements.

The Santa Maria Mediavilla Cathedral is an example dating back to the 12c.

The Torre de El Salvador is a 14c Mudejar tower and has an intricate facade and stairs to the top.

Site seeing is always thirsty work and refreshments were needed.

On the walk back we stopped to look at the outside of the town’s bullring, I’m sure it would look better from inside.

After we returned we popped over the road to the Mercado supermarket to stock up with a few items, there was an impressive range of fish and some other items of food and drink we looked at were far cheaper than in the UK.

Monday 18th December 2023

Todays destination was a shorter journey at 87 miles than some as we are breaking the journey up into smaller sections.

When we left the previous nights stopover at Pamplona the outside temperature was minus two and we soon drove into fog that as the journey progressed got thicker and thicker making for an unpleasant journey, thankfully a few miles short of our destination we emerged into bright sunshine. The aire is 5 euros a night paid into a honesty box and has all the facilities we need.

After lunch we decided to walk around the village which being quite small we knew wouldn’t take long.

Thankfully we didn’t have to drive through the village to get to the aire as the streets were very narrow, the route to the aire had a unique road sign.

The village is famous for its church which has UNESCO heritage status it looks fascinating but unfortunately wasn’t open.

The village is surrounded by agricultural land and olive trees seemed to be very prominent, there wasn’t a shop in the village or any other signs of industry, there is however a bar.

As you can see from the photos we had brilliant sunshine all afternoon and wearing a coat we were able to sit outside for a few hours and enjoy the fresh air.

The local information about the village recommended the local bar as being friendly with very reasonably priced drinks. It seemed impolite not to support the local commerce so earlier this evening we wandered around to the bar to find it closed😵‍💫Thankfully we had the back up of Peters drinks cabinet😊🍺🍷

Sunday 17th December 2023

Our day started with a trip to Lidl just inside the French border where we stocked up with a few basics. We had selected a non motorway route to Pamplona and once we were on the route it became very enjoyable. The road wended it’s way through the foothills of the Pyrenees gaining and losing height as we went along with the road passing through numerous tunnels.

The scenery was pleasant without being over dramatic.

As we drove into Pamplona we were stopped in our tracks by a procession of motorbikes doing a Santa run.

Our stopover was on a large free parking area next to the above grandiose building. After lunch we walked into Pamplona as the city is elevated help has been provided in the form of a lift to save weary legs.

We walked into the city via The Citadel and through a labyrinth of narrow streets to emerge at the Town Hall.

Of course you can’t visit Pamplona without knowing it is famous for bull fighting and the annual “ bull run” where the bulls run through the city centre and fools throw themselves in front of the bulls.

We stood and looked in the shop window which was rammed with these Bocadillo but were weren’t tempted at all, especially Peter as he is vegetarian. I think the fact that we have been in Spain less than 24 hours is showing, we sat at a table outside a cafe and when after 20 mins the waitress had continued to ignore us we left, not yet into the slow pace of life😊

Eventually after walking a considerable distance and seeing most of the sites we wended our way back to the motorhomes.