Tue Jan 10th
We were a bit behind with packing the van as I had been poorly for a couple of days, a really nasty chesty cold, but we were more or less ready to go when Rich was checking the lights and the indicator wouldn't work. He tried new bulbs but that didn't help so we had to call Ash to have a look at it, he had to empty all the packing that we had done under the seats and still couldn't find the problem, he realised it must be in the car so they had to unpack all the car as well, it's lucky it was dry.
We finally got away about 3pm, an uneventful journey arriving in Portsmouth about7.
We boarded about 10 and sailed on time at 10.45. We got a meal then went to our cabin and straight to bed.
Wed 11th
Woken about 4.30 so got up and went for a bit of breakfast. I slept better than the last few nights and felt a bit better, still coughing a lot though.
It was pitch black when we drove off and the first thing we looked for was fuel, we stopped to let Crackers stretch her legs then filled up then carried on. It was dark and raining and the traffic heading into Caen was very heavy, not pleasant driving. As daylight came it got a bit easier, we pulled over to have a hot drink and some breakfast then carried on. It drizzled most of the day once or twice the sun thought about coming through but never quite made it, we got past Le Mans and Tours with no trouble.
We arrived at the site,Le Futureiste, near Poitiers at 2pm. Managed to pitch without unhitching, set up , got tea and an early night, it had stopped raining. Although I was feeling better Rich was starting with a sore throat. It has been around 10c.
Miles travelled 229
Fuel €80
Thurs 12th
Not a very good nights sleep and up early in pitch dark, we had breakfast and set off at 0800, it quickly got light and although very misty it was not raining. We stopped for fuel and then a sandwich, not a bad trip, it brightened up briefly but then we had some drizzly rain. We arrived at the site In Toulouse, La Rupe, at 3pm, managed to park without unhitching, had tea and an early night. It has been 13c I was still feeling quite rough and dozed quite a bit of the journey. Rich didn't seem to be developing a cold yet.
Miles travelled 263
Fuel €81
Site fees €17.50
Fri 13th
A slightly better night's sleep with some rain overnight. A brighter morning, high clouds and a bit of blue, not the uniform grey, low clouds of the last two days.
We set off at 08.45 and it was very slow getting through Toulouse. A bit further down there was a road closure which we had to circumnavigate. Gertie took us on a " short cut" along back roads which was very slow and winding. It was the shortest run today but was very slow going. There was bright sunshine but a very cold wind.
When we arrived at the site at Capmany it was bitterly cold and we had a few nasty showers, we had trouble with the electric tripping. The shower block was not very nice and bitterly cold. We just tried to keep warm for the rest of the day.
Miles travelled 161
Fuel € 75
Sat 14th
Slept a bit better, the van heating on low kept us warm enough. We woke to bright skies and very cold winds. The electric tripped first thing again.
I made some soup and then we walked into the town, quite a curious place, everyone friendly though. We sat and had a hot drink and got a baguette, it was bright and sunny but there was a very cold wind, we were glad to get back and eat our soup. A quiet afternoon, electric went of a couple of times. Tea and an early night.
Sun 15th
A very windy night, up and away by 0810. A relatively easy trip, good road and little traffic, the last section was quite hard going very winding. Once we'd got a bit further south it was very sunny and hot in the car.
Arrived at Alegria del Mar at 2pm
We were greeted by Lisa who said that we don't have to change pitch for the last few days as they've had a cancellation which is quite nice news.
Had a meal in café and early night.
Mon 16th
A bright, sunny but breezy morning. Rich set up the awning while I had a sort out inside. A quiet afternoon as I felt quite rough still. Watched a film in the evening.
Tue 17th
A good night's sleep again and felt a bit better.
We drove to Aldi and Chinese shop to get a few things but otherwise had a very quiet day, sunny and warm but breezy.
Wed
18th
Another
good night and woke feeling better again, very cold this morning but
still clear blue sky.
I
prepared a slow cooker meal and we walked almost into town, the wind
was bitterly cold. The beach which last year had been all pebbles was
sandy and the surf was very strong.
It
was quite pleasant sitting in the awning in the afternoon for a
while.
Thurs
19th
My
75th birthday!
Overcast
and cold this morning, bitter wind.
We
drove to Alcossebre to the Chinese Restaurant and had a very nice
meal, we were the only customers.
Whilst
we were in the restaurant it started to rain. We drove back in the
rain and then it got heavier and didn’t stop for the rest of the
day.
Feeling
a lot better but still coughing a bit.
Cold and overcast this morning, we went to the supermarket but they were all shut. We carried on to Vinaros and had a drive round, on the way back we stopped at a small beach and let Crackers have a run, there was a chap trying to surf he left a little dog running round on the beach.
This is the street we drove down
Another
very stormy night heavy surf pounding. When Rich took Crackers out
he said the sea had been higher than ever and he'd seen a car stuck
on the corner which he was helping to move when the police turned up
so he left them to it.
Had
a quiet morning and after lunch walked along the coast, the police
had got tape across stopping cars and there was a digger there doing
some clearing up. The whole road was littered with debris, whole
trees, sand pebbles, some sleepers out of a wall had been tossed
around and solid concrete benches thrown across the road. The waves
were still coming up over the road with great ferocity. We walked as
far as the ramble which was full of water with cormorants and gulls
sitting on it.
Late
afternoon the sun came out very briefly.
After
tea we went to the bar for an hour or so, Harry wanted to let them
know his electric problem was sorted, the socket had been reverse
polarity,
Mon23rd
A
quieter night, still a lot of rain but hear the surf pounding. It
was a bit brighter and the clouds were starting to break up when we
got up.
David
and Rachel came over to visit Harry & Loraine, we all went to the
cafe for lunch then walked along the front. There had been quite a
bit of clearing up done with piles of sand and gravel pushed back
onto the beach and the benches all righted, it was still an awful
mess though. The water in the rambla had gone down and we were able
to walk across.
A
quiet afternoon, I had an ocular migraine, so just sat quietly.
Harry
& Loraine came round for a game of cards.
Tue
24th
More
rain again overnight but clouds breaking up in the morning. We did
our washing and the machine was playing up, the spin dryer didn’t
want to work but we managed, did a bit of washing for Loraine as
well. There was a very cold wind but it was quite sunny. The washing
dried quite well.
Popped
to Aldi for some bread and the Chinese then a quiet afternoon.
We
did tea for Harry & Loraine then had a game of cards.
Wed
25th
Another
bright but chilly day. We went into Benicarlo and had a look round
the market, got a bit of food. In the afternoon Loraine and I did a
bit of sewing and after tea we went to theirs for a game of
triominoes. It had been warm out of the wind but cold otherwise.
Thurs
26th
Another
bright,chilly morning. Had a quiet day on site, sat in sun a bit and
did a bit of sewing. Told reception wifi wasn’t very good and they
reset it for me. Clouded over in the evening. Cards before bed.
Fri
27th
More
rain overnight and an overcast morning, sunny and quite qarm in the
afternoon.
Quiet
day on site did a bit of sewing, and had a game in the evening.
Sat
28th
Rain
again and thunder and lightening over night but dry in the morning.
Sunny and breezy most of the day. Another quiet day on site, cards in
evening.
Sun
29th
Cold and overcast this morning, we went to the supermarket but they were all shut. We carried on to Vinaros and had a drive round, on the way back we stopped at a small beach and let Crackers have a run, there was a chap trying to surf he left a little dog running round on the beach.
We
went back to the van for a drink then drove into Benicarlo, there was
an artichoke festival going on. It was very interesting, stalls
selling all sorts of food all including artichoke, there were some
very colourful and imaginative displays. We found out that you
bought a plate and a ticket and then could purchase which food and
drink you liked, we tried a few different things. While we were
standing eating in the street the sun was really hot.
Back
to the van for a quiet afternoon sewing. It was warm enough to sit
out for a while.
Sun
29th
coming
back to harbour at Benicarlo.Cold and overcast this morning, we went
to the supermarket but they were all shut. We carried on to Vinaros
and had a drive round, one,.the way back we stopped at a small beach
and let Crackers have a run, there was a chap trying to surf he left
a little dog running round on the beach.
We
went back to the van for a drink then drove into Benicarlo, there was
an artichoke festival going on. It was very interesting, stalls
selling all sorts of food all including artichoke, there were some
very colourful and imaginative displays. We found out that you
bought a plate and a ticket and then could purchase which food and
drink you liked, we tried a few different things. While we were
standing eatng in the street the sun was really hot.
Back
to the van for a quiet afternoon sewing. It was warm enough to sit
out for a while.
Mon
30th
Overcast
this morning Harry & Loraine went to Tropicana to see David &
Rachel.
We
went to Aldi for a few things.
At
lunchtime we went to the cafe for lunch and they were barbecuing
calcots, large spring onions that are burned on the barbecue, very
tasty.
Sat
out a bit in the afternoon then took the dog a walk. We saw at least
a dozen fishing boats heading into harbour.
Tue
31st
A
very heavy,wet mist this morning which took a long time to clear, it
was quite mild though.
Went
to shops with H & L then after lunch did some sewing. The sun
broke through at tea time. Cards before bed.
Wed
Feb 1st
Overcast
this morning. We went into town to the market and had a bit of a
wander round.
Back
to site and after lunch we sewed and th rmrn walked the dog.
It
was quite a sunny afternoon but still the cool breeze.
A
game before bed.
Thurs
Feb 2nd
A
bit misty and damp this morning but quite mild. It rained for a
couple of hours midday but was not cold a quiet day I did some
embroidery.
David
& Rachel came and we had lunch in the cafe with them.
The
rain cleared late afternoon so Rich & I had a walk on the beach.
Game of cards before bed.
Fri
Feb 3rd
Quite
a cloudy morning. We did some washing and I cleaned the van. A very
strong wind came up and dried the sheets very quickly.
After
lunch we did a bit of shopping and took the dog for a walk. The
afternoon was quite sunny and a bit warmer. Game before bed.
Sat
Feb 4th
it
was a bit warmer and sunny today. Harry & Loraine went shopping
in the morning and we sat outside in the sun. Walked on the beach in
the afternoon. Cards before bed.
Sun
Feb 5th
Thought
it was going to be nice again but had quite a heavy squall, stayed in
and sewed. The afternoon was bright and sunny but very strong winds,
awnings taking a hammering. Walk on the beach after lunch.
Harry
cooked tea for us which was very nice.
Mon
Feb 6th
What
a night!!! hardly any sleep, very strong winds all night,reports
varied between 20 and 50 mph, the van was rocking and the awning
flapping all night, we were worried we may lose it, one couple on
site did. We were having a cup of tea at 0530, I read until
daylight.
Went
to Lidl for some shopping then a quiet afternoon, it was hot enough
to sit in sun for a while.
Rich
and I went for a meal in the café then an early night, it was quite
blowey again and we hope for a quieter night.
Tue
Feb 7th
A
mild morning, lovely sunrise. We had a drive out, we called at Les
Cases d',Alcanar, a very pretty fishing port with lovely whitewashed
houses and palm lined promenade. We had a drink and a walk around
then drove on to the Delta De L'Ebra. A very flat area of reclaimed
land with dykes and sluices controlling the water. We went there
last year and watched tractors working and kicking up clouds of
dust, today the fields had not been worked and were either very muddy
or standing in water. We are a month earlier than last year and it
has been very wet, we’ve heard that supermarkets at home are
rationing lettuce because of Spain's poor harvest and we can quite
see why. We stopped at various pools and lakes and there were
thousands of birds. We saw Heron, in their dozens, Egrets,
Cormorants, Plover, Gulls, Flamingos and Storks, hundreds and
hundreds of them, it was amazing to see. There were some small
thatched cottages along the dyke edges called Barracas
We
stopped by the sea where there was miles of sand and let the dog have
a good run. It was a beautiful, hot sunny morning.
In
the afternoon we sat in the sun for a while. Harry decided to take
his awning down as more wind is forecast and he didn't want another
worrying night, a couple of other people did the same.
Wed
Feb 8th
The
wind got very fierce in the night again and was blowing very strong
when we got up, Rich decided it would be best to take our awning down
as there were more very strong winds forecast – gusts of up to
50mph. We got it down without too much trouble, a couple of
neighbours came to help and held it down while Rich finished.
We
went to the Chinese shop to get a new kettle as ours wasn't working.
At
lunch time we went to the café for paella and sangria and a flamenco
show, it was very good, I didn’t have paella. The wind was still
very strong and the canvas sides and roof of the café were billowing
noisily all the time.
A
quite afternoon then a game of cards before bed. The wind hadn’t
stopped all day.
Thurs
Feb 9th
A
calm clear morning, the wind dropped sometime in the night thank
goodness.
We
drove to Benicassim, it was a lovely drive, the countryside was quite
green and the almond blossom was coming out, so pretty in various
shade of pink.
We
went to the market in Benicassim which was very quite, a lot less
stalls and none of the crowds there used to be at the markets.
We
then went to Bonterra Park and had fish and chips in their restaurant
and a look around the site.
We
carried on to Alcossebre and found the cafe we used to go to , San
Antonio, open again so we called for a coffee, it was different
people running it and it seemd to have been tidied up a bit and more
work going on.
Called
at Tropicana for the supermarket which was closed so back to site.
It
had been a lovely, sunny day, with just a coolish breeze.
Game
before bed.
Fri
Feb 10th
Overcast
and chilly this morning. We went to Vinaros to find a patchwork shop
I'd found online. We had trouble driving round the one way system
but eventually managd to park and found it in the old town, it was
shut down! Went into art shop next door and they told us where
another one was. We had a drink in a square by the market, it was
quite sunny. Loraine and I went to find shop whilst the men had a
look in the market. When we found the shop it was great, loads of
fabric and embroidery thread, I managed to get a couple of colours
almost a match for ones I'm running out of. Called at supermarket.
After
lunch the men put up the awnings again.
Sat
Feb 11th
Richie's
birthday. Overcast and cool.
We
drove to Alcossebre and called at the supermarket on Tropicana for a
few things. Then we went to the Chinese restaurant, we had a lovely
meal, the service was a bit slow at the end as they got very busy.
The waitress had a nasty black eye, last year when we were there she
was very bruised, wonder what's going on?
Quiet
afternoon reading and dozing, then a game of cards before bed.
Sun
Feb 12th
Very
overcast and quite damp first thing. We did some washing which dried
okay, the sun came out for a while and there was a breeze. Harry and
I tried a bit of painting, Rich went on beach with metal detector but
Crackers didn't like it! Game before bed.
Mon
Feb 13th
More
rain overnight and in the morning all the vehicles were covered with
sandy streaks.
Stayed
in all morning but around midday the sun came out and it was quite
hot for a while, everyone was out washing their units. We all went
for a walk on the beach but it had clouded over again and it was
quite windy, the sea was very grey and angry with heavy surf rolling
in.
We
sewed in the afternoon and the men had a game of boules.
Cards
before bed, raining again but not cold.
Tue
Feb 14th
We
went to Benicarlo to see if Harry could get his warfarin test at a
pharmacy, he could but at a cost of €200, he was given the address
of a clinic to try.
We
went on to Peniscola, it was hard going for Harry and Loraine as it
is so hilly but we managed to walk around a bit, we found the
café\brewery we'd been to last year but it was closed. We looked for
a café but everywhere was closed, there was a lot of work going on
in a lot of the shops and cafés, getting ready for the season. It
had been nice and sunny but as we approached Peniscola a heavy mist
descended and it cooled off.
We
found a café by the port and sat outside where it was sunny. As we
sat there a couple of trawlers came in, one towing the other, they
tied up right in front of where we were sitting.
We had a meal then
back to the car and drove to St Margarita Del Pulpis, a small town
Harry fancied looking at, we drove through it following a sign for a
castle but the road petered out, we were driving past abandoned
terraces with ancient carob trees planted, we saw some miniature
daffodils, really tiny, growing wild. We drove a bit out the other
side of the town through more almond and carob trees then went back
to look at the church, this was huge and impressive but not pretty.
There was a café\bar in the square and we went in for a drink, there
ware about a dozen men playing cards, very noisily.
Back
to site and a quiet afternoon and evening.
Wed
15th
Feb
Harry
took Loraine and I into Benicarlo, he was looking for a clinic but
couldn’t find it. He dropped us in town and we found a
hairdressers where I got a hair cut, by a chap who looked more like a
labourer than a hairdresser but it was a good cut anyway.
We
had a walk round and went to the Post Office and a café then met
Harry again. He had managed to get his test done and the results
were not very good.
Quiet
afternoon, we had a drink in the barf and a walk round the site. It
had been an overcast day but quite warm. In the evening Rich and I
had a meal at the bar.
Thurs
16th
Feb.
Harry
took Loraine and I into Vinaros as we wanted to go to the material
shop again, managed to get some fabric and threads. As we drove in we
saw the local prostitute being spoken to by the police but when we
drove back she was still there.
Back
on site Rich had gone for a walk so I thought id go and see if I
could find him, I walked to the outskirts of town and didn't see him
so came back, he wasn't far behind me, said he'd seen me but too far
behind to shout. It was lovely and sunny so sat in the sun for a
while. It was cool and damp early and late. Game before bed.
Fri
17th
Feb.
We
had a drive out to see the airport that had been built but we thought
wasn’t used but there was obviously some traffic as there were cars
parked and it seemed to be open, there was a very weird statue on the
approach road.
We
carried on and stopped in a small town, La Pobla Tornesa, and had a
drink at a roadside café sitting by the weirdest, ugliest tree with
horrible gnarled roots about 4 ft above ground, while we were sitting
in it's shade a bird pooped on me!. We carried on to Vilafame a
hilltop, walled, medieval town, it was an amazing place, narrow
cobbled streets with very steep gradients, we managed to squeeze our
way into a small square and out the other side but it was very
difficult to find anywhere to stop so we took a few photos and left.
We
came back by a different route through miles and miles of countryside
covered in almond trees in full blossom, there were lots of olive
trees as well, it seemed to us to be a more cultivated and prosperous
area, everything seemed tidier and the houses less decrepit. We
passed through a few small towns which also looked neater. We stopped at one, Mas de Barberanians, for a while where there was a huge rock suspended on the hillside, 22million years old.
It
was a lovely sunny day so we sat in the sun in the afternoon and had
a meal at the bar in the evening.
Sat
18th
Feb.
A
bright, clear morning with a very heavy dew, everything in the awning
was damp.
We
went to Carrefour and Chinese shop then did some washing.
In
the afternoon sat in the sun for a while then men went for a walk
while we sewed.
It
had been a lovely, warm, sunny day with just a bit of breeze.
Game
of cards before bed.
Sun
19th
Feb.
A
damp, cool morning which soon warmed up and became nice and sunny.
A
quiet morning on site and after lunch we drove to the harbour area
and had a wander round then onto a promenade at the end of the town.
Sat outside when we got back, the sun was lovely.
Harry
was very upset by some building work behind his pitch, it had been
going on for about ten days at all hours, early mornings and late
evenings, there was hammering, sawing, grinding, welding and
demolishing, also large lorries and cranes it was very very noisy and
dusty, he and his neighbour went to office to complain.
Game
before bed.
Mon
20th
Feb.
A
very cool but bright morning. We decided to have a drive and look
for tapas in some local bar. We ended up in a place called Els
Valentins, a very small town with a bar along the main road, when we
went in we were surprised to find it quite large and set out with
nice tables and chairs. We ordered from the counter, just pointing
at things, when it came it was very interesting, one dish appeared to
be tripe in a sauce the other octopus, there were small fish,
olives, meat balls and lovely bread. We all enjoyed it. We carried on
and went through a place called La Senia which seemed to have at
least a dozen furniture factories/showrooms, some were deserted. We
went up into the hills and came across a gorge, there were towering
cliffs above but the valley was very green, we stopped by a
restaurant and it was situated by a beautiful pool and river flowing
down the gorge. We carried on and at the top of the winding road
there was a dam with a large reservoir, the view was stunning, helped
by the glorious sunshine. On the way back down we saw an ibex on the
road, it climbed up a steep wall into the trees.
Back
to site a sat in the sun for a while and a short walk on the beach.
Game before bed.
Tue
21st
Feb.
Harry
took Loraine and I into Vinaros to the patchwork shop where we got
some fabric. Sat in the sun for a while then the men played boules
and we cut out some patches. It was a lovely, sunny day. Game before
bed.
Wed
22rd
Feb.
Another
cold night and sunny morning but a bit more overcast.
We
went into Peniscola and had a look round another camp site then went
to find the local brewery where we got some beer.
Back
to site for paella and flamenco dancing which was very good. Cuppa
and natter in the afternoon and a quiet evening.
Thurs
23th
Feb.
Overcast
this morning and it didn't clear all day although some hazy sun came
through for a while in the afternoon and it was quite warm.
We
drove into town and had a look round a couple of shops and Lidl while
Rich took Crackers on the beach, I bought a set of plastic drawers
and when I got them home they were broken!
In
the afternoon the men played boules and we sewed. Cards before bed.
Fri
24th
Feb'
Rained
most of the night and a very wet morning. We stayed in but after
lunch it cleared up so we went for a drive round. At one point we
came across a police check and they pulled us in, 6 police wearing
sun machine guns, a bit worrying! They pointed out that Harry was not
wearing his seat belt and said it was €100 fine but waved us on our
way, obviously looking for more important criminals, Harry had taken
his coat off and must have forgotten to put his belt back on. We saw
another couple of police cars at the next roundabout.
We
drove through miles of very tidy olive groves and at one point went
down a small track into a valley with just a few houses and terraced
fields.
We
ended up in a small hillside town with very narrow streets but
couldn’t find a café so carried on back to site. As we drove back
through La Senia we saw great flocks of starlings swooping round. We
did a bit of sewing before tea then had a game before bed.
Sat
25th
Feb.
Lovely
sunny morning so did some washing. In the afternoon Rich and I walked
to the first bar in town had a drink and walked back. A bit of
sewing then cards before bed.
Sun
26th
Another
bright, sunny day. In the morning we all went a walk along the
beach. Rich and I had Sunday lunch at the bar, which was very nice,
and a lazy afternoon in the sun.
Mon
27th Feb
Harry
and Loraine went shopping, we stayed and had a lazy morning. In the
afternoon men played boules and we sewed, game before bed. A lovely
hot day.
The building work started again.
The building work started again.
Tue
28th
Feb.
Quite
overcast today. We went into Vinaros, I got a couple more embroidery
threads for the kit I'm
doing which keeps running out of colours.
We
went on to Els Valentins to the bar L'Angel and had tapas again.
The
men walked Crackers and we did some more sewing. Game before bed.
Wed
1st
March
A
lovely, sunny day. We did some shopping at Lidl then Rich and I went
for a meal at the bar, paella and sangria day, there was
entertainment, a blues singer that we didn't reckon much to. We sent
to the harbour to watch the fishing fleet come in then had a quiet
evening.
Thurs
2nd March
A
lovely sunny day, we drove to Les Cases D'Alcanar, we had a look at a
camp site there which seemed quite nice, right by the beach but the
pitches were very small and tight. We had a walk round the town and a
drink at a café then drove on to the delta. It was a lot drier than
last time we went and one or two fields had been worked, though many
were just dried, cracked mud still. We did not see as many birds
though we did see quite a lot of herons and egrets along the ditches,
also a couple of large birds of prey.
We
found a café and had some tapas which was very nice. Back to the
van and a quiet afternoon in the sun. Game before bed.
Fri
3rd March
Overcast
this morning and quite chilly. We went to Peniscola, had a look
round and a drink then back to site. The men walked the dog while we
did a bit of sewing. It remained overcast all day and was quite
chilly at times.
Cards
before bed.
Sat
4th March
A
very disturbed night with an horrendous thunder storm almost over
head, it rumbled round for ages, Crackers ended up on my bed.
It
turned out to be a very sunny day and we did some washing and had a
quiet day on site, did a bit of sunbathing, men played boules while
we chatted for a while.
Cards
before bed.
Sun
5th
March
Another
disturbed night, this time it was some awful “music” that went on
until about 5am. Seemed to be coming from the beach.
It
was a bit overcast, Rich helped Harry take his awning down. It
turned nice and sunny so sat in the sun sewing for a while.
After
lunch we went to the bar with Harry & Loraine and their
neighbours Harry & Carol, had a drink and a natter, they are
Tynesiders and had got on well with Harry & Loraine, they told
them that their daughter and grandchildren had been murdered by their
son-in-law and he was due out on parole, how do you live with
something like that? They had two lovely dogs a huge standard poodle
and a cockerpoo, a nice couple.
After
tea we went and had a natter with Harry & Loraine, we all needed
an early night after two disturbed ones.
Mon
6th March
We
saw Harry & Loraine off to Vilanova and the other Harry was
taking Carol to the airport, she had to go home as her brother had
died.
We
decided to go for a drive. We went to Fredes which was 3900 ft above
sea level, we drove past the reservoir we'd been to before and just
before we got there we saw at least a dozen huge birds, we stopped to
look with binoculars and identified them as griffin vultures. We
carried on up an increasingly steep and winding road around the
mountain, very hairy but spectacular views passing a monastery on
one inaccessible peak. The road was so twisting we couldn’t believe
that there could be a town up there.
3900 ft high
When we finally got there it
was not so much a town as a cluster of houses round an ancient
church, there was a taverna but it was closed. 
We went to
Restaurant Europa which was just outside the town and had menu of the
day, we had beef ribs which were nothing like we'd seen before and
very tough, Rich enjoyed his soup though which was full of bones and
stuff! Back down the same winding road, we saw trees full of
caterpillar nests and lots of them on the ground processing or
squashed.
Back
on site it was very hot with a hot wind.
Tue
7th March
A
very hot day, after lunch we walked into town along the lanes and
stopped for a drink by the harbour. We were given free tapas,
croquettes and patatas bravas which was very nice. Sat in sun for a
while before an early night.
Wed
8th March
Quite
windy for a while in the night but a nice morning. Rich found a tic
on Crackers so I gent to vets and got her a flea collar.
We
drove down to Oroposa del Mar, when we got there we realised we had
stayed at a camp site there a few years ago, had a quick look at the
beach
then drove to Alcossebre, called at Tropicana shop then went for a meal at the Chinese. A nice trip, a lot of the almond trees wed seen in blossom were now in full leaf, quite a few fields being tended to as well. I saw some clouds with rainbow effect in them as we were driving, very unusual and pretty.
Quiet afternoon.
then drove to Alcossebre, called at Tropicana shop then went for a meal at the Chinese. A nice trip, a lot of the almond trees wed seen in blossom were now in full leaf, quite a few fields being tended to as well. I saw some clouds with rainbow effect in them as we were driving, very unusual and pretty.
Quiet afternoon.
Thurs
March 9th
A
lovely,hot day. We spent the morning breaking camp and packing
everything up. A bit of lunch and a sit in the sun for a while then
a last walk along the beach before a shower and meal at the bar.
Fri
March 10th
Finished
packing, a bit later than hoped but got away by 0950, a nice farewell
from Lisa & Daisy.
We
went on the Toll road AP7, so it was an uneventful, smooth journey,
the tolls came to €31.9 but we must have saved fuel and time.
Arrived at Roses at 2pm. We waited at the supermarket for Harry &
Loraine then when they arrived booked in, we were given the same
pitch as last year, which we wanted.
We
set up our awning which took until about 5.30, it was very hot. We
got some tea and an early night. It was cold in the night.
Miles
travelled 217
Fuel
€42
Sat
March 11th
A
cold night but a clear morning that turned very hot.
We
went to Lidle for some shopping then sat round for most of the day,
just took a short walk onto the front. An early night.
Sun
March 12th
There
was a shower overnight and it was very cold, overcast in the morning.
We
did some washing and after lunch drove into town to find a clinic for
Harry to get his blood test, back to site and a quiet afternoon. The
washing dried quite well despite there being little sunshine. Game
of cards before bed.
Mon
March13th
Not
as overcast today but a cold wind. We drove around Empuriabrava
looking at all the yachts then found a vet and made an appointment
for Crackers for the day we leave. We stopped at a pottery shop as
Harry was looking for presents. We carried on and drove to the
National Park on the cape, very rough twisting roads, got a bit lost
ended up at the sea in a dead end.
It
was very interesting, lots of wild flowers out and huge bushes of
white heather, beautiful views of the bay. It had been bright and
sunny but quite a chilly breeze, especially on the top.
Game
before bed.
Tue
March 14th
A
lovely sunny day. Rich and I walked to the Chinese shop along the
lanes, some flowers but not as many as last year, we are a couple of
weeks earlier.
In
the afternoon it was very hot, had to sit in the shade as I came out
in a very
itchy
heat rash, covered in huge spots.
Game
of cards before bed.
Wed
March 15th
Quite
cold this morning but the sun soon warmed up.
We
drove over the Cap de Crues again over twisty mountain roads and went
to Port de Selva, we had a walk round, it is a very pretty fishing
village. We had tapas at the place we'd eaten at last year, it was
okay, not wonderful, not as rustic as we'd had before. We headed back
and called at Cadaques, another pretty town with connections to
Salvador Dali. Had a drink sitting looking over the bay then back to
site for a quiet late afternoon and evening.
Thurs
March 16th
Cold
first thing but soon got hot. We went to Lidl for some shopping and
after lunch Rich and I went to fill up with fuel and get a couple of
things from Aldi. We all walked to the front and sat for a while in
the sun watching a man sail boarding, he was going back and forward
for ages. As we walked back Rich and Loraine stopped to watch some
builders and I was cold so walked on Harry caught me up and we went
to the local bar thinking the others would catch up, they did
eventually and we all had a drink I had gone very cold as there was a
breeze and we were out of the sun. Back to van for a warm up and
tea. Game before bed.
Fri
March 17th
another
very cold morning but again warmed up pretty soon. We drove to Sant
Pere Pescador and looked at a couple of caravan sites, L'Amfora and
Aquarius. We took a walk on the beach and Crackers was really silly chasing sticks and diving head first into the sand for them, she ended up with mouth, eyes and beard full of sand. We had been to L'Amfora before, I think the first time we
came out. We had tapas in a bar in Sant Pere Pescador which was very
nice. Back for a quiet afternoon, cards before bed.
Sat
March 18th
Chilly
again this morning. We did some washing in the morning than after
lunch drove a few streets away and then walked along the front for a
while, we were disappointed to find that the restaurant we'd used
last year was closed, in fact very little was open but there were a
lot of people about.
Quiet
afternoon men played boules and we sewed, quite a cool breeze sprang
up. The site got very full. Game before bed.
Sun
March 19th
Another
chilly morning which soon warmed up.
We
went to the market which was huge I got a bag and some scarves. It
was very hot. Quiet afternoon, the site is very full.
Crackers
has been off colour for a few days so we took her flea collar off,
think the pesticides may be affecting her and we weren’t sure she
had a tick anyway
Watched
a film.
Mon
March 20th
Chilly
again this morning but soon warmed up.
Harry
took Loraine and I to have a look round the shops, there were not
many open. We sat and had a drink and some churros. While we were
away Rich took Crackers a long walk. Sat out sewed and nattered in
the sun.
A couple across the road had a Norwich terrier and it was interesting to see how like it Crackers is.
Cards before bed.
Tue
Mar 21st
Another
chilly morning which turned sunny.
We
drove to a town down the coast, L'Escala, where there are some Greek
and Roman ruins, Empuries. The site was much larger than wed
expected and was quite hilly, Harry and Loraine had to give up half
way as it was difficult walking, we quickly did the rest then went to
join them. There were some spectacular mosaics on the floors of the
houses, they had been covered up for the winter and archeologists
were in the process of uncovering them.
We'd called for snacks at
supermarket and drove to the coast and sat on a bench eating them, we
could see right round the bay to Roses.
We
called at Aldi on the way back to site. It clouded over and went
really cool with a chilly breeze.
Game
before bed.
Wed 22nd March
Chilly and a bit overcast. Harry took
Loraine and I into town, we had a wander round the shops again but
they were as disappointing as the other day, very few open and either
expensive or geared for youngsters. After lunch Rich and I walked
Crackers along the lane, the sun came out and it was nice and hot
again but clouds started to build up and it cooled off. I suddenly
realised that the car insurance had run out and spent ages trying to
ring and renew it, stuck on hold with awful hold music. Eventually
got through and renewed it and he reminded me that house insurance
was also due so paid that as well. Quiet afternoon sewing and a game
before bed.
Thurs 23rd March
Loraine's birthday, quite a bright
morning but clouds rolling in over mountains and a few spots of rain.
We went to the Pot Shop as Harry was
looking for something which he didnt find, then onto Chinese shop.
Loraine and I both got a top from there. Rich walked Crackers back
down the lane and I drove to pick them up.
Mid afternoon we drove into town to
find a restaurant for Loraine's birthday meal. The one we chose was
very nice and we all enjoyed the food, menu of the day for €12.50.
Back on site we had a cuppa and cake with them then a quiet evening.
The weather had been mixed with blue
skies one minute but storm clouds the next, quite cool except when in
full sun then hot. There was some beautiful wisteria in the public
square in town, a lovely sweet scent from it.
Fri 24th March
Very grey skies this morning and it
soon started to rain.
Rich and I went to supermarkets for
some groceries and after lunch Loraine came round and the men walked
the dog. It didn’t stop raining all day. Game before bed.
Sat 25th March
There was a thunderstorm in the night
which gave us a disturbed night, ended up with the dog on my bed
again and reading for quite a while til it calmed down, it was very
windy with heavy rain as well.
Grey and overcast this morning but the
rain stopped and we had some sunshine. Harry and Loraine packed up
their van ready to leave tomorrow. After lunch we had a stroll round
the site and went to the bar in the next street for a drink. Cards
before bed.
Sun 26th March
A bright, sunny morning everything
dried nicely.
Harry & Loraine got away by about
10.15 and we started to pack up. We were done by about midday and
then we pooped to Aldi for a few last minute things and had a quiet
afternoon in the sun which was lovely and hot. Walked down the lane
before tea tehn an early night.
We enjoyed our time in Roses, the site
is good with good amenities, the shower heads could do with changing
though as they are all clogged up and spray everywhere.
The site was busier than last year we
thought with lots of huge,expensive motorhomes and very few caravans.
Mon 27th March
Up and away by 0930. I felt very sad
to be leaving this time, hope we come again.
We took Crackers o the vet, who thought
she was beautiful and left there at 10.20.
A very uneventful journey as we used
the toll road, at a cost of €34, it did make the journey les
stressful and shorter. It was a nice day, sunny and warm, there were
signs of spring everywhere .
we stopped for lunch on a lovely rest
stop overlooking the Mediterranean but there were caterpillars under
the trees. We saw a bank of snowdrops in France.
We arrived at Le Rupe campsite at 2.15
The site is okay for a night, secure with CCTV, the facilities are
clean but mixed sex and there is no soap or toilet paper.
Miles travelled 177
Tolls €34
Site fee €17.60
Tue 28th March
Quite misty this morning. Up and away
by 0845. We decided to take the toll road again as it missed out a
lot of small towns and slow roads joining them. The toll road took
us over the open countryside and hills of the Lot Valley and
Dordogne, there were quite a few bridges over the road designated as
wildlife corridors. Rich saw a deer and I saw an eagle. Lots of
blossom and flowers in bloom, Broom, Gorse, Forsythia cowslips
amongst others.
We arrived at Le Futeriste site near
Poitiers, at about 3pm, pitched and sat in the sun for a while, it
was lovely and hot. We sat out again after tea talking to a
Dutch/Canadian man who Rich had helped move his caravan, then took
the dog a walk.
Miles Travelled 255
Tolls €20.30
Site Fee €19.88
Wed 29th March
Away by 0845, a cold morning, 6c, but
sunny.
A very tiring trip because we used the
old road it was not dual carriageway for long and lots of roundabouts
and small towns to negotiate. We tried to get a direct route but
Gertie wouldn’t let us so we set her for half way then changed, she
hen proceeded to take us along back roads and short cuts so we got in
quite a muddle at one point.
Arrived in Caen at about 3pm, having
first been to the site that was closed. Harry & Loraine were
already there and we sat in the sun for the rest of the afternoon
chatting. Early night.
Miles travelled 237
Fuel €68
Site fees €43.30
Thurs 30th March
A mild night and morning. Rich and I
went to supermarket in Ranville then back for lunch. Harry &
Loraine went to look at the military cemetery. It was a lovely day
so I decided to walk into the village. I had a mooch round the
centre park the war cemetery and the church. Lots of new buildings
and very neat and pretty. The cemetery was very sobering, over 2000
graves from the assault on Pegasus bridge. The church showed signs
of artillery fire, the inside was quite plain and the graves had huge
monuments.
Back to site and a quiet afternoon
sitting in the sun sewing, while the men played boules.
Rich and Harry moved the vans and
hitched up for an early start tomorrow.
The site was okay in a pleasant rural
area with reasonable facilities.
Fri 31st March
A hot night and mild morning. Up at
05.30 to get to the port. When we booked in we were searched by the
police. It seemed a long wait to board. We found somewhere to sit
and then realised that we had booked reclining seats but Harry &
Loraine had not, we didn’t realise we'd booked the same ferry at
first. We had quite a relaxing trip on the whole. Arrived in
Portsmouth at 1.15 BST.
A very good trip on the whole,the
weather was disappointing in the beginning but did improve and we had
a few weeks with some sunshine. It was a bit different in the caravan
but nice to have the car as we did quite a few interesting trips.
We stayed at Dibles park for a few days
meeting family, unfortunately we were unable to meet Jen as I had a
nasty upset stomach and was too ill to go out. As it happened it was
a good job as we'd made a mistake with our booking thinking we'd
booked four nights but had only booked three so we had to pack up
quickly and get on the road. Home by mid afternoon.
