17-19-21 January 2016 El Saler Valencia, Denia and Calpe

Arrived at Valencia and went up into town for 51/2 Hr. walk about doing our usual mix of touristy and back street walkabouts seeking new things. Next morning cycled up into town from El Saler a great cycle way that took us right up into the centre of town where we stopped at a Costa Coffee shop to have a civilised coffee nothing wrong with Spanish coffee just a bit to  strong (pass another 12 sugars please Maureen). A good stop over at Valencia really enjoyed the cycle.

Down to El Pino at Denia, the women running this site has done wonders for it with the help of some hard working staff. Again walkabout time and a walk up the Baranco to see if the fire damage is recovering from 2 years ago. A short stay here as we drove down to Calpe to try our luck at Calpe Mar Campsite and behold a cancellation wow 10 days lucky us so some cycling to Benidorm and start running again after our Barcelona BUG.

16 January 2016 Benicassim

Last night at Benicassim we have had a lovely 14 days here but unfortunately did not manage to do all we wanted due to us both getting a cold, but it has been good with lots of new things to do. Last night was a parade with the banner of San Antonio Abad.

This afternoon we watched the children been chased by little bulls on wheels in the Bull ring. Tonight we are going up to watch them lighting hundreds of bonfires all over the streets. Hope we can get passed in the morning. This festival lasts all week with bull fights and lots of competitions and craft fairs.

7 Jan 2016 Benicassim

Lovely day today having a rest temp 20 C today. Pictures today are Maureen’s sweets from the 3 Kings Parade these are the ones that actually hit me when thrown from the floats.Ouch!

Good Place to meet a Date on the Promenade

8 Jan 2016 Benicassim

Cycle down to Castellon a really good cycle way follows the coast then turns up into the town 2 1/2 Hr with a stop at town for a really good coffee a good day out. Stopped a Mercadona super market for a soft drink and a Pepito Crema on the way back FAB.

5/1/2016 Benicassim

3 Kings Parade day and the weather is FAB. Had a cycle up to Orpesa and on to Marina d’Or. The below picture is a beach shower you press a button on the elephants leg and the water comes out of the trunk (even these beach showers suffer from poachers, no tusks!)

What a lovely day US below….

31-12-2015 Vilanova I La Geltru

Party Night tonight on the campsite so lots of noise wine beer music and food it will finish about 0200 as they all wait for 0100 when the British celebrate our new year. Been running today with Maureen her first run for a couple of weeks then into Sitges to top our food up for the next few days as all shuts up here in Spain, next BIG thing is the tree kings look forward to the parade at our next stop.

http://irbarcelona.org/christmas-barcelona/three-kings-day/

26-12-2015 Villanova I La Geltru

Had a quiet day Christmas day very unusual for us got our chairs out. Opened our only Christmas present from Brenda at Allonby (see picture) What a wonderful talent who says money does not grow on trees!  Today 26th Darian went for a run this morning then we went into Vilanova but everywhere is so quiet.

22-12-2015 Vilanova I La Geltru

Run today along railway to meet Maureen in Sitges had coffee and while watching the French play Boules on site we noticed a stick insect on our tyre. An image of tree in a school play ground. a recycled shredded plastic bottle Christmas

28-12-2015 Vilanova I La Geltru

Decided this morning to go to Barcelona again. We have one Gaudi experience to see La Pedrera bus in train back.

24-12-2015 Vilanova I La Geltru

Bought new tyre and 2 new inner tubes and immediately got a puncture so fit them by the harbour in Vilanova I La Geltru before setting off back to the campsite. Had a Cycle into Sitges to check the route for cycling with Maureen. Afternoon walked into Sitges (Its only 7 Miles) arrived in time for Tapas and a walk around the town with its Christmas lights on.  Train back to Vilanova I La Geltru to look at their Christmas lights and meet up with some people from the site for a drink.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL.

23-12-2015 Barcelona

After yesterdays punctures cycled into Vilanova to get a new tyre and inner tubes. Good job as I got another puncture so put the new tyre and tube on before returning to the campsite.

Into Barcelona this afternoon to see the Christmas light how very busy it was and a lovely experience.

22-12-2015 Vilanova I La Geltru

We were watching The Davinci Code a few nights ago and it triggered a memory. The Rose line mentioned in the film reminded us of a line we had walked down in a church somewhere in Europe a little investigation took us back to Belogna where in the cathedral of St. Petronius. We walked down a line created by Danti and modernised by Cassini this was the line used to create the Gregorian calendar as we know it. A wonderful reminder that sometimes even Maureen and I forget some of the wonderful things we have seen in 8 years travelling Europe.

http://stelle.bo.astro.it/archivio/2005-anno-cassiniano/meridian_ing.htm

Cycle day today as Maureen is still suffering with her cold…WOW three punctures what an interesting cycle took 2 Hr. to do a 1Hr. 15min cycle. This afternoon walked into Vilanova I La Geltru and came across a wonderful Christmas crib again WOW what an awful amount of work to create and lots of fab characters to spot have fun with the images below.(You can click an Image for a larger Picture)