Week 6 to Week 8 just reached Marjal camp site

Week 6
06/02/13

Simon's birthday, Skyped him. Cycled to Oropesa and Mira D'or 29Km

07/02/13

Market day. Watched Kill Bill. Had coffee with Nuala.

08/02/13

Found water pump was leading. Took it all out and redid joints with ABRO that Brian had. It's a blue RTV Silicone 31 Gasket Maker.

09/02/13

(48025;42;1286) Left Bonterra, paid up €375. Pump still faulty. We all went up to the monastery and had a walk round. Didn't go to the Monastery further up. Decided not to stay on car park in case the wind got up again. Went to free space near to the river bed in Benicassim, which had now been made into pedestrian walkway. Bit dusty but free, went down to hotel to wifi to see where I could get a new pump. Came up with something. (free)

The ruined Monastery and Benicassim

10/02/13

Stayed again on rough ground. ( free)

11/02/13

(48160;135;1421) Headed toward Villa Real so 2B's could fill up with gas. Convenient station. Then we tried to find the place I got off the internet to buy a pump, to no avail. Went through Valencia and headed towards El Saler and found Camping Albuferia for €11 a night, not a lot there, no electricity, not as noisy as the campsite up the road we had stayed in last time. I went off to Caravan shop in Valencia not far away and got a reconditioned pump for €70. Fixed it on straight away.

12/02/13

Carcaixent Municipal Camping. It looked like it was €15 a night but found out next morning that it was free and we could have four nights! Lots of Germans, Dutch and Belgians there. Brilliant space. Drive in a bit hairy through narrow lanes with high walls each side. Great weather. We went for walk up mountain through the orange groves. Beautiful.

The parking space for motorhomes

View through my side window

The orange groves, towards valley in distance

Parked up and the hill behind 2B's did their 8km walk!

Week 7

13/02/13

Great weather, went for another walk into the valley, got a bit lost but eventually found our way back. At least 5 km. Some Brits arrived and I went and twisted my right ankle again!

14/02/13

2B's went for a walk. It was very warm, so I rested ankle, read and sunbathed. 3.30pm arrived and I expected 2B's back, put on the kettle at 4pm and they arrived at 4.20pm. Hot cups of coffee/tea whilst Brian soaked his feet in hot water. When they got to the top, they should have turned round and come back the same way, but they went on and the path got very bad. They had walked at least 8.5km judging by the sign at the entrance gate which none of us had studied before walking.

15/02/13

Rested ankle again, so did 2B's, exhausted after their long walk.

16/02/13

(48233;73;1494) We decided to go to Gandia, didn't know campsite however we went across country and it was very scenic. Wish the weather had been better so we could have seen more of the countryside. Went in Lidl's as soon as we got there, it was a tight squeeze, someone had parked right up my backside! Camp site OK is a bit old. I didn't have electricity at €5 a night. Sun was out during the day. 2B's had ACSI.

17/02/13

We got the bikes out and rode along the long promenade, sunny, bit windy, a few shops, marina with Moroccan motorhome parked up.

18/02/13

Cycled into Gandia by the many cycle paths got a bit lost, looked around, found the Borja Palace which we would visit tomorrow, as it was about to close for lunch and not open again till 3.30pm. Came back by the river path.

The outside of the Palace, couldn't take photos inside

The children in school below the Palace roller blading or skating during playtime or a lesson.  In UK, I don't think so!

The river and in front the cycle path we found that took us back rather than go through town

Typical street, Gandia

Very impressive dress shop

We managed to steer clear of this cake shop

The Marina at Gandia, Moroccan motorhome parked here

19/02/13

My birthday, chocolate from girls, big tin of biscuits from 2B's and Barbara did me dinner in the evening. Lovely. We visited the Borja Palace during the day, it was well worth the €5 OAP's to get in. You could look down on the school kids who were roller blading during their lunch break with 2 teachers, joining in a sweeping any bad bits off the playground so the children could skate freely. Amazing, they wouldn't be allowed to do that in UK. Simon phoned me. Sally phoned me too, spoke for 15 minutes.

Week 8

20/02/13

Rode along sea front again, found the Mercadonna by the river, parked bikes outside. Good shop. Phone down to £18

21/02/13

The river by Mercadonna in the port

We rode out bikes into town looking for different places. Got hungry so decided to go into McDonalds for lunch. Was OK.

22/02/13

Cycle ride again. Found the Museo Fallers which would have told us about the bonfires if it had been open! So just rode along the beach again, we did 9 miles.

23/02/13

2B's left today to go back to UK as they had a lot to do at home before they returned to Holland at the beginning of April. Very sad to see them go they were good company. Didn't do a lot to day, just lazed around.

24/02/13

Went for bike ride to beach, didn't stay long it began to get very cold again. €50

25/02/13

Marjal, Alicante (48341;108;1602) Because I had stayed over 7 days got a good rateat the Gandia campsite.  

Decided to go to Marjal to meet David and Jean. Bought gas and diesel. Large site a bit bare, trees hadn't matured yet, however good facilities, swimming, sports hall, fitness room, restaurants and bars, with a good shop if a little expensive. €15

26/02/13 Jean getting ready to leave tomorrow. €14 ACSI