Apologies

Sorry for the abrupt ending to our trip, but we got so settled at Las Palmeras, that we failed to continue the blog.
So in a nutshell..... we went to Tarragona

Then explored the headland, walking through the forest with its magnificent views, until, on the third attempt, we reached the Tower!

By the last week of May, it was decided to begin pottering into France with a stop at St. Pierre le Mer,
before pointing the van northwards up the famous and free A75, which takes us a third of the wavy through the country.
We stopped at Moulins by the River Allier, but forgot to take the camera into the town.
Next overnighter was at the medieval town of Provin. A few assorted pics of a delightful stop over.

Moving much further north, we stayed at a lakeside campsite called Villiers des Carpes.
Our final night was spent at the Aire de la Cite which was a stone’s throw from the Eurotunnel, ready for our early morning ride back to the UK.
By the time we pulled up on my drive, the van had taken us 4,000miles, we had lived, comfortably, for  9 weeks, learnt a little more Spanish and met many, like minded  travellers, with whom we had shared sunshine, sand and sangria. Safe travels everyone. Hola, adios x

Roots or Routes

Having mentioned that the bar was to the right,as you go out through the gates, well to the left, is the
wooded headland with its many paths and delightful views.

A gradual climb through sand is the start of our walk.
However, despite the many routes through the woodland, there are many “roots” to be avoided.

There are the sandal trippers, the ankle grinders and the toe tossers

Then there are those that produce steps, crossroads and hand rails!!

Our trek takes us through strangely shaped arches, past gnarled trunks and palms but always to our left are glorious views across the sparkling, blue sea.

There are small, secluded bays, eroded cliffs and a distant tower which we have yet to to reach!!

Sue thought twice about sky diving into the clear blue waters.
It was a long way down

Tomorrow we are off with the Bentos to Tarragona for  an input of culture into our wayward hippie existence. 

Heavy load!!

This motorhoming lark is all very pleasant, but there are times when nature plays a hand in slightly tarnishing the image. Not least of all when the disposal of the unprintable is concerned.
Lovely though our present location is, it’s a very long walk to the toilets,

So we have come up with this Heath Robinson contraption. Our little trolley and a bungee, fastened to the back of a bike, and away we go.

Zooming along on the battery bike with the cassette in tow, is a head turner!!!

Valencia isn’t just about paella.

We spent Bank Holiday Monday in Valencia so that we could visit Turia Park.
Having spent time doing the old cultural sites on our last visit, we decided to explore the famous Turia Park. It is a dried up river bed, which has been developed into a 9 kilometre, urban Park.

There are areas for open air concerts, ball games, fountains, trees and flowers. But it is also an area

where cyclists, joggers and walkers can roam at leisure, away from vehicles and their fumes.
There are 18 bridges, both old and modern plus Valencia’s version of the Crystal Palace.

You can actually hear birdsong above the background hum of city traffic.
At the Eastern end is a huge Biopark and zoo. At the other, a huge complex of modern architectural buildings. These are what we came to see!!
We began our stroll at the half way point and in true D and S style, we set off in the wrong direction
After the greenery of the park, the towering structure of the Opera House loomed over us.

Rapidly followed by the Oceanography Centre.

 the Museum.

Very modern, enclosed , tree-lined walkways and terrific use of water and lighting. We will have to find it on YouTube. 

There is more to follow as construction continues

But it was a lovely day out. Local bus, train and taxi made it a little easier on the feet. 

Sorry 😐 about the big gap!!

Ouch !!

Old ladies and push scooters just don’t mix..
Having had an accident-free holiday thus far, the inevitable happened.
This is how Sue tells the tale.
“So off she went to get bread.....on her scooter.
Be careful I shouted. How are you going to scoot and carry a baguette?
As it happened, she didn’t get that far. Her scooter, being low, bottomed out on a speed bump. 

Scooter stopped but Daf kept on going......over the handle bars!!! 🛴🛴🛴
She was brought back, limping and bleeding, by two Spanish cleaning ladies, one holding her up and the other wheeling the scooter, which, with a wry smile, she parked it by a tree. ” Hola !
Medication  soon followed.

 We only asked for a glass each, but, hey this is Spain, so we accepted the jug full..
I suppose the nurse deserved a treat so this is what enjoying a chocolate croissant looks like.

Curiosity got the better of us!

Despit the delightful surroundings that we are in, being this close to Benidorm was an opportunity not to be missed. Is it really like the TV programme?
We hiked to the station and caught a train.

Three stops down the line and we arrived, having seen the beginning of the notorious skyline from the windows of the tram.

Immediately, we were faced with the noise and smell of traffic fumes as we walked downhill into the town centre.
There was an opportunity to follow a marble, pedestrian routeway, past a mock amphitheater, almost to the sea.

The giant, high rise developments cast shadows over the cafes, bars and tacky shops.

But nothing prepared us for the vast number of mobility scooters, whose drivers used the promenade as their own Formula 1 circuit.Blink and you could have been road kill !!

When we saw a two seater version we cracked up 😂

The sandy beach was glorious if you could see it between the sun beds.

The bars were busy with stag and hen parties and the Brits were sat outside turning a gentle, lobster pink, that you knew, would be very painful later in the day.

Most things were written in English and gaudily painted boards advertised what was on offer.

The old town, with its narrow streets was quite attractive, but many of the people working there, were simply selling food or tourist junk.

After four hours we’d had enough and seen all that we wanted to  see. I was surprised that we lasted that long. We could imagine Benidorm by night and didn’t feel that it was necessary to be there to sample it.
As we walked “ home “, our senses were assaulted by the perfume of orange blossom and lavender, Not a greasy burger to be sniffed anywhere ... thank goodness.

We spent our evening at the campsite restaurant, overlooking the beach , listening to the waves creating background music, and reflecting on the day. We must be getting old!!!!

At this point we realised that neither of us had bought the obligatory stick of rock.!!!