Calpe - Alicante - Spain

Hola!

Here we are in Calpe, our winter stop over. We were told about this site by a couple we met on our travels and first impressions have been very good. 

A smallish site with excellent facilities and it is within walking distance of the beach / promenade and to the centre of Calpe with it's numerous bars / cafes and restaurants. There are several supermarkets near by and there is an excellent Saturday market.

It is certainly a lot warmer here in Calpe than the last few sites we have visited. we have swapped snow capped mountains for sun, sea and sand. Not been swimming in the sea as yet - Harry is saving that for Christmas Day!

We have been to the Tourist Office to get a map of the local area as well as bus and train timetables. We also plan to go up the Penon de Ifach which is this big lump of rock. We are asssured that there is an easy way up!

There is a narrow guage train and tram route which runs between Alicante and Denia stopping at all the pueblos en route. We plan to visit several of the towns, including Benidorm (well you can't comment on it unless you have visited it!) We also want to travel to Valencia by bus and stopover in a hotel for a couple of nights. We shall also hire a car for a few days to explore more of Spain's interior and have already been told of lots of lovely places to visit by our fellow campers.

Because the pace has slowed down somewhat we shall now only post a blog every 2 weeks (otherwise there wouldn't be much to tell you), so our next blog will be due on 12th December.

Love to all

Kath and Harry xxx

Granada - Spain

We arrived at Beas de Granada on a very windy Monday afternoon. We have come to learn that when we experience these strong winds there is usually a change in the weather and usually it is for the worse. On Monday evening it started to rain and it continued for the next 24 hours. We passed our time reading, playing games and went down to the restaurant for a meal and change of scene.

The reason we chose this site was it was ideal for visiting Granada and the Alhambra Palace. It was advisable to prebook our tickets for the Palace and fortunately for us we chose Wednesday which was dry albeit a little chilly. Undeterred, we caught the 8.00am bus, had breakfast in Granada and then made our way to the Alhambra Palace (map in hand). Our day at the Palace was spectacular and still very busy with visitors of all nationalaties. Despite taking over 200 photos between us we were not confident that our efforts would do justice to what is a magnificent architectural achievement dating from the 9th Century. So, just to be sure we bought a book which we will be happy to share when we are boring you all with our tales of the trip! In the meantime here are some of our modest photos from the day.   

A very weary twosome caught the 6.00pm bus back to camp and on waking on Thursday morning we were greeted with this view of the Sierra Nevada. 

After a leisurely breakfast we walked down to the village to send post cards to Loren, Sophie, Ben, Alfie and Louie then found a cafe to enjoy a cafe con leche sitting in the sunshine.

From here we move on to Calpe, a small pueblo in the Comunidad Valenciana where we will spend the winter and from where we will be able to explore more of Spain's interior.

So until next week when we will have put down roots - sounds scary!

Adios

Kath and Harry xxx

Aranjuez - Week 2

Hola!

Aranjuez has been a lovely place to settle awhile. We have particularly enjoyed the gardens and most days have seen us either walking in the gardens or just through them on our way to town. The colours at the moment are spectacular and we have taken umpteen photos and were lucky to get some of the red squirrels that live in the gardens. 

On the lake in the Chinese Garden are 2 black swans with 2 very young cygnets. Mr swan was a very protective father so we kept our distance. Mrs swan was more obliging and didn't object to having her photo taken. 

We visited the Casa de Marinos (boat museum) and the Casa del Labrador - on Wednesday of course!

Sadly we were unable to take photographs but both places were very interesting and well worth a visit. Here in Aranjuez, security has been very high at the various sites that we have visited. The Casa del Labrador was no exception. Small groups (guided tours only which had to be prebooked) accompanied by the tour guide and a security guard bringing up the rear. Airport style security when you first enter the Casa and left luggage lockers for your personal belongings. We also had to wear overshoes to walk around the Casa. Not surprising when you see the fabulous marble floors. At first the security seems a bit over the top, until you see the priceless artifacts and beautiful silk wall coverings. The tour was in Spanish (of course) but the tour guide spoke very slowly and clearly and I was able to follow a lot of what he was saying and in turn was able to translate to Harry. We have also bought a book which covers the Royal Palace, the Casa de Marinos and the Casa del Labrador but the photos are a poor substitute for the real thing.

The trip to Chinchon was good. We caught the bus from the centre of Aranjuez to Chinchon approx an hour's drive. Bus travel is relatively cheap here in Spain and the service very efficient.

Chinchon is  a charming wee village which makes you feel like you have stepped back in time. The heart of the village is it's unique, almost circular Plaza Mayor. In summer the Plaza is converted into a bull ring and it is also a stage for a popular passion play which is performed during Easter week.   

After exploring the streets and alleyways we found ourselves back in the Plaza Mayor where we sat at one of the many cafes/restaurants and enjoyed a glass of wine in the sunshine while waiting for the next bus back to Aranjuez. It was such a pleasant afternoon, the wine was good and the plate of food that appeared on the next table looked very appetising - so, a quick word with our waiter - 2 more glasses of wine and a plate of patatas chulas (fried potatoes cooked in olive oil and garlic and more garlic and spring onions sprinkled on top) - Yummy. Needless to say we caught the later bus!

When we arrive at a camp site we check where we can buy our groceries. Sometimes we can walk or cycle and on the odd occasion we have been in the middle of nowhere. We have never had to starve though, there has always been something in the cupboard that we can rustle up. Here in Aranjuez we have been spoilt. Various supermarkets, one hyper market, indoor and outdoor markets and a shopping mall. At the mall is a pet store and we went and had a look. All the usual - fish, rabbits, song birds, various snakes and iguanas. Saw some parrots (thought of Jane). Saw a tarantula (thought of Clare).!!!

On that note I shall say a fond farewell. Tomorrow we move to just outside Granada for a few days with the highlight of the week being a trip to the Alhambra Palace.

So until next week - Adios!

Lots of love, Kath and Harry xxx