Simat De La Valldigna

Oh what a night, in late October! The rain pelted, the wind pummelled, and Marge got a natural van wash, which she much needed.

All of this resulted this morning, in Marge being in a puddle. Makes a change from a muddle.

On route out of Xaboa, we passed a very smart garden centre, by the front entrance was a very large whale made of metal. It was very impressive, and a good draw to the centre.

Today we have travelled only a short way to Simat De La Valldigna. It rained most of the way, and felt cold, after weeks of great weather. After a late lunch, the rain now abated, we took a walk into the nearby town. In a large water area, we stopped to look at the fish, and spotted the largest goldfish either of us had ever seen.

At four o' clock the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Valldigna reopened. The building was a real surprise inside. Beautiful stone archways and painted ceilings.

Outside more painted stone work. The monastery has undergone some extensive renovation over the years, but now the funding is no more. Sometimes, it is perhaps best to leave an old building alone, allowing people to enjoy the ruins, and imagine how it once was. Afterwards we walked a little more around the town, visiting the old Arab cemetery, alongside which were many Calvary's. The weather had settled, and the sun even broke through for a few minutes, so we are hopeful for a better day tomorrow as we head further north.

Xabia

This morning, the skies were grey and tormenting, and the temperature 15c, ten degrees lower than yesterday. What had happened to our glorious weather?

Tomorrow's forecast is horrendous, heavy rain all day! Then thank god, we're back to normal. The plus side to the rain is it gives Marge a good wash, which she needs. Having been so near to the coast, we have been a little concerned about how much salt has covered her from the sea spray.

Our original plan today, as you know, was to stop at Benidorm. On the approach, we could see the forest of skyscrapers, reminiscent of Manhattan. It was unbelievable to think that Benidorm was just a little fishing village once. On the approach to the parking area on the edge of town, we saw nothing to entice us to leave Marge. Two very large old apartment blocks looked like they would be better suited to Beirut rather than Benidorm. Once again, we were frustrated at not being able to visit somewhere on our list. But Marge cost a lot of money, and is our home at the moment, which means she contains valuable items we need for our day to day living. Then the rain began, the day couldn't get any worse could it?

After a planned stop at a service point nearby, we moved on to our second point of interest, Penal d'Ifach, at Calp.

It is a rocky outcrop that seems to rise out of the sea. At one thousand and eighty nine feet, this block of limestone looks unclimbable, however on the gentler slope of the seaward side, is a very good path. Once again the parking area was dubious, so John took a walk out first, then Angela as far as the second viewpoint. The rain had ceased, but the nearby angry clouds were forever threatening. After it was again time for Marge to struggle up some pretty severe climbs. We didn't realise just how mountainous this area would be.

Tonight's stop is at Xabia. We parked Marge right in the town opposite a nursery school, where we considered she'd be safe, and walked out around the town and harbour. The fishing boats were refilling their cold store with ice, and nearby at the fish stall, they were doing a good trade.

Originally we were going to be staying overnight by the beach, but there was only one other van, and signs stated no motorhomes, so we sourced another stop over down by the other sandy beach, an area surrounded by restaurants and bars. Marge is now cosied up with about twenty other vans, many of them English. We have never been anywhere, where there has been so many English vans.

Another walk out, passing 'Sandra's English Bar', on the way, made us think of Angela's sister in law, who we'd met in Albuferia on October 3rd. We couldn't believe how quickly the time had passed since then. Opposite the van parking is a large supermarket, and also a large Chinese buffet restaurant. Well it had to be done! What a fantastic place, all the usual food, plus choose your own ingredients from a very full range of vegetables, chicken, beef, prawns, shell fish and fish, and the chef will wok it all up for you in your choice of sauce.

Thai red for us please. We were like children in a sweet shop! Of course we over indulged, but there's always another walk to take. Perhaps two walks.

Two desserts isn't over indulgent is it? Cooking in Marge will never be the same again, we wondered if the chef fancied accompanying us up to the Costa Brava? And at the end of the meal when we asked for our bill, we were asked if we wanted free brandy, grappa or baileys. We'd seen all the other customers with glasses of these, and they looked at least double measures. Surprised as it may sound we declined. Angela has Marge to drive tomorrow, and wine is her only poison! Talking of wine, how does 2.95 euros for a large glass of, not so bad red, sound n a restaurant?

Tomorrow, we will be in no hurry to leave, and will probably spend some time planning our onward journey. In just over two weeks time we will need to be back at Dieppe. In the meantime there is still the rest of the Costa Blanca, the Costa Del Azhar and the Costa Brava to travel through.

Villajoyosa

The sun shone on Marge this morning, but over the town, sat a threatening sky. We know the weather is due to be unsettled for a few days, but are hoping it's is nothing too severe, as we're not ready to give up on the sun and warmth just yet. Today we had planned to travel through Alicante and stop near to Benidorm. We drove right through the centre of Alicante, glad it was a Sunday, and the traffic light. In the marina, sat a fleet of yachts, the total cost of them all we couldn't evaluate. Today was going to be a little more restful, and after missing the turn to our chosen overnight stop, we found ourselves at Playa el Paraiso, Villajoysa.

Whilst we ate our lunch, the police arrived. The owner of the other van here, asked them if we could stay overnight. We had heard from a German man who had not long left, that the police were moving vans on between here and Valencia. For us a result. It would be no problem. So Marge, what's it like to be sat beside a little bit of paradise. If the weather had been really sunny, you would have thought we were beside a beach in the Caribbean. From our vantage point, we could see the date palms and the Illa de Benidorm, a wedged shaped island just of the coast from Benidorm. On a walk out after lunch, we commented on how the area was so quiet, now the official holiday season was over. Good for us, as we could park Marge up overnight easily, now restrictions on vans had been relaxed. Also, we get to enjoy somewhere, without throngs of people joining us.

Along the seafront, next to the campsite, old lifeboats were stored in a yard, the tubular holders around their gunwales, suggested they were used for firework displays during the main holiday season.

Further along, we stopped to photograph some bind weed, if only the bind weed in our garden had such pretty purple flowers, we might tolerate it a little more.

In some undergrowth nearby, John spotted a pomegranate tree. We had reminisced about having pomegranates as children, when we saw them growing a few days ago, so he picked a couple. Will they still be as magical as when we were children, mesmerised by their little ruby jewels?

The storm clouds had been gathering and dispersing all day, but it has remained warm and sunny at times, offering just a few spots or rain.

The rock formations along the beach, remind us of those at Lyme Regis in Dorset, but unlike there, we can see no fossils.

All round the area, the mountains loom, and behind us, there is a particular high one, whose shape, makes us think it was probably once a volcano.

Tonight the sunset, turned the already dark sky from pink to purple. Our German neighbour decided to suddenly leave his beach chair, from where he'd been watching the sunset, strip to his swimming trunks, and wade into the cold waters of the Med. He appears to be alone, and has been sat contemplating most of the afternoon. We hoped this wasn't about to become a Reggie Perrin moment!

Tomorrow, if we can find a safe place to park Marge, we plan to call in at Benidorm and visit the Sol Pelicanos Ocas hotel, known as the Solana in the television programme Benidorm.

Angela may even call in at their hair salon, Blow and Go, as John thinks she's now styling her hair on Michael Heseltine's coiffured look.

Torrevieja

Late last night, we took another walk out to top up John's ten thousand daily steps. The lighthouse above put out four wands of white light. The sea below, catching the lights, still and serene. Marge also looked serene, settled beneath yet another palm tree, just needing a camel beside her to complete the picture.

After breakfast today we drove up the coast, leaving the architectural influence of North Africa, which we had liked. Instead, towers of apartments, in white, cream, terracotta, yellow and blue. Welcome to the Costa Blanca Marge. We know, it's a bit in your face, and not our kind of place. The original plan for our trip, was to travel the Atlantic coast of France, north Coast of Spain, west Coast of Portugal and south and east coasts of Spain, which we have pretty much done, diverting inland once in a while.

Now we have arrived in Torrevieja, we are thinking of moving a little inland. The area is not really us, we prefer quiet, unspoilt coves.

Also, we are a little worried about Marge. One man who is staying alongside us tonight, has had his van broken into twice. Once in Marseille, and recently in Barcelona. Both of the places are hot spots. Looking on the internet, there are only a few places in this area that appear totally safe, unless you pay to stay on a campsite. A lot of the vans with us are from Scandinavia, having recently arrived for the winter. An English couple, out walking their dog, who had moved here from Scotland four years ago, were amazed that we were heading back to the U.K., when everyone else was looking for winter sun. We explained that if we had a choice, we'd be staying longer. Next year we definitely will.

This afternoon, Angela treated John to his first meal out. Coffee and cake. For the same price, he could have a had coffee and a tart! By late afternoon, the wind was up, ruffling the sea, giving the Mediterranean some character.

As we walked along the seafront, passing a residence for the third age, (nice, right on the seafront), we noticed the beaches were beginning to empty, despite it still feeling warm, the wind was enough to send the holidaymakers back to their various accommodations, for an early gin and tonic or glass of wine.

On the seafront a couple entered Kiosco Gloria, he dressed like a cowboy, her like a Dolly Parton look a like. We were a little concerned about the way the woman walked. Looking at her face, which had been lifted to the maximum, we wondered if her buttocks had just received the same treatment, and she was going through the post op period in some discomfort.

In the morning, we will make a decision as to our onward journey. The weather is due to become a little unsettled for a few days, so we will also consider this when deciding our route.