Up into the mountains….

September 16th 2014

We left our beachside ‘resort’(!)

[caption id="attachment_2495" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Sunrise….[/caption]

…..to spend the day travelling through the National Park towards the Sierra Nevada.

[caption id="attachment_2490" align="aligncenter" width="640"] A view across the National Park[/caption]

We found ourselves in a pretty little place called La Isleta where the local fishermen had just landed their catch and we watched as the fish were graded ready to supply the local bars and restaurants.

[caption id="attachment_2501" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Local catch...[/caption]

The heavens opened and so we dived into a waterside bar, had a drink and watched as the fishermen sorted their nets for the next day.

[caption id="attachment_2502" align="aligncenter" width="640"] La Isleta[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2503" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Typical of us, we wanted to follow as close to the coast to reach the lighthouse…but the road turned into a very bumpy, dusty track, so we had to turn back and follow the road…like most normal people!![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2504" align="aligncenter" width="640"] This is very typical of the landscape we have been seeing today…disappointing for a National Park...[/caption]

Cabo de Gata is the turning point where one stops driving south and turns to head east along the bottom of Spain. As we drove along towards the lighthouse we passed some wetlands where flamingoes were feeding and resting.

[caption id="attachment_2505" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Flamingoes...[/caption]

It is a strange experience to see birds such as these in their natural habitat....to be honest, we weren’t expecting to see flamingoes at all so it was a real treat.

The view from the headland along the coast looked amazing, and as the clouds parted we caught a glimpse of their true beauty. We had hoped to catch a glimpse of the Sierra Nevada from here too, but as the storm clouds were gathering over the top of them we couldn’t make them out.

[caption id="attachment_2507" align="aligncenter" width="427"] Views from the lighthouse…obscured by cloud and rain...[/caption]

We had read about a village, Trevelez, in the Sierra Nevada that was famous for it’s air dried ham, Jambon, and hand woven rugs and was supposed to be the highest village in Spain. It was decided that we would wend our way there along MANY very wiggly roads and spend the night.

[caption id="attachment_2508" align="aligncenter" width="427"] Views across the Sierra Nevada[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2509" align="aligncenter" width="640"] One very empty reservoir...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2511" align="aligncenter" width="427"] A small village perched above the dry riverbed..[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2512" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Fantastic sky over the mountains...[/caption]

On arrival found a very empty, but very pleasant campsite, just on the edge of the village, where we were able to have a hot shower, a drink at the bar and some wifi access.

[caption id="attachment_2515" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Camping Trevelez[/caption]

A lunar landscape

15th September 2014

BT was up early....Billy is not a morning person as you know...



(especially if the sun hasn’t yet risen in the sky)...and he sat by the river watching the fish swim idly by, occasionally jumping out to greet the morning in style and large flocks of birds silently floating overhead...apparently Billy had missed it all by the time she surfaced!! Not true...as I took in the first warming rays of the morning sun, a flash of turquoise swooped low across the river disappearing into a tree on the far bank....a kingfisher looking for breakfast...my morning treat.

After breakfast we moved into the village and found a local bar open for coffee and croissant. All the womenfolk of the town seemed to have gathered in this bar this morning for coffee and gossip....



 

I think BT felt a little out of place, but he handled it all extremely well. Actually, we really enjoyed being a part of the community, if only for a short while!

On our way out of the town we noticed a water fountain where we were able to fill up our container with fresh drinking water...





then it was time to hit the road. We took a route across country via Lorca. Sumacarcer was the last green place we saw for miles. The landscape rapidly changed to what we can only be described as lunar! It was incredibly barren, no hedges, no trees..lots of quarrying and industrial works in the middle of nowhere.



We arrived El Hornillio and then followed the coast all the way to Carboneras which is right on the boundary of the Parc Naturel de Capo de Gata. We trundled along by the sea looking for a place to camp for the night. From high up we noticed a dirt track that wiggled it’s way down to the beach..so we did a quick ‘u’ turn and made for the track...poor Bluebelle, she was really shaken about, and completely covered in a fine layer of dust once we finally arrived at the beach. It was a quiet remote spot..and gorgeous... which would have been ideal however, we spotted a memorial to a young 14 year old girl who had died on the beach in a heavy rain storm...it came with the warning that if you camped here and it rained you would die as the water would rush down the valley in a huge torrent washing everything out to sea....! Looking at the sky tonight we could tell that it may well rain, so we decided to be safe rather than sorry and head back to another place on the beach that we had seen earlier.

[caption id="attachment_2492" align="aligncenter" width="640"] We saw these brilliantly coloured rocks on our way down to the beach…the stripes of colour continued on through the rock all the way up to the top of the hill[/caption]

What BT had requested earlier on in the day was a lovely spot by the sea with at least two palm trees and a beautiful sunset.....just look where we happened to find for the night!

[caption id="attachment_2498" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Two palm trees and a castle…what more could we want?[/caption]

A picnic in the park

September 14th 2014

There is an amazing science park at the seaward end of the old riverbed…now a beautiful park…which we managed to park close to. We had a brilliant couple of hours here...

[caption id="attachment_2469" align="aligncenter" width="427"] Preparing to visit the science park[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2475" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Fantastic architecture[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2474" align="aligncenter" width="427"] More fab reflections...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2473" align="aligncenter" width="640"] This building houses iMac, 360 degree cinema showing a variety of films. We went to see one about the stars and planets…it was awesome...[/caption]





[caption id="attachment_2470" align="aligncenter" width="640"] An exhibition space...[/caption]

It was then time to hop onto our bikes and cycle the length of the park ...

[caption id="attachment_2476" align="aligncenter" width="640"] A circular pond built under the bridge on the dry riverbed..[/caption]



[caption id="attachment_2478" align="aligncenter" width="640"] We came across this amazing fish festival taking place in the park...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2479" align="aligncenter" width="640"] These are the original gates into the city of Valencia[/caption]

Then it was time to meet our very special friends Javier, Emily, Zoe and Lila for a picnic at the far end of the park….



 

[caption id="attachment_2482" align="aligncenter" width="427"] No…it wasn't me tickling your neck…..[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2481" align="aligncenter" width="427"] ….I'm just so cute and innocent…..[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2483" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Bike ride with daddy...[/caption]

We had the most brilliant time sharing lunch…Emily your tortilla is just the best…drinking beer and catching up. Javier introduced us to the local tipple….s bottle of which he had stashed away in his car. It tasted like brandy on steroids…delicious…and BT got stuck in!!

All too soon it was time to leave each others company…we had 9kms to cycle through the park back to Bluebelle and the family had to get some tired children home and ready for school the next day.

Javier had recommended a spot in a town called Anna about an hour south of the city and we headed off in that direction.

As we turned off the main road to follow the river, we turned a corner only to find a police road block in place! They we breathalyzing EVERYONE including BT…..can you imagine how we felt???? We NEVER drink and drive, yet today we gave it no thought….our hearts were in our mouths…well Billys'…BT had a breathalyzer in his!!! Fortunately, and to our enormous relief, BT was found to be under the limit, so we could drive away, free men once more!!! We just can't imagine what would have happened had he been found to be over the limit!

As you can imagine, it was a relief to finally stop for the day….at a lovely village called Sumacarcer…overlooking a wonderfully clean ,cool river…where we had a swim before making dinner and settling down for the night.

Valencia

September 13th 2014

Valencia is calling us today…we decided to catch a train into the city today…

The station itself is absolutely stunning..I wish I had taken more photos as it was a real feast for the eyes. It was constructed between 1906 hand 1917 and has many original features still in place. The lobby itself is just a delight.

[caption id="attachment_2451" align="aligncenter" width="480"] This is the station at Valencia. The lobby is covered in the most amazing[/caption]

Mosaics of flowers and fruits adorn the walls and ceiling



[caption id="attachment_2454" align="aligncenter" width="480"] The ceiling...[/caption]

stained glass windows loom large above the floor



and the carving on the woodwork is delightful.

[caption id="attachment_2455" align="aligncenter" width="480"] The station building….[/caption]

We were feeling very naughty today ...

[caption id="attachment_2456" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Fantastic sweet shop…we needed a sugar fix!!!![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2457" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Then, it was frozen watermelon with yoghurt and fruit….[/caption]

Ok…enough eating, time to wander the city...

The market was beautiful and buzzing. A place of community. A real treat for the senses. Colours, smells, tastes and textures around every corner….

[caption id="attachment_2458" align="aligncenter" width="480"] The market hall…just look at that tiled ceiling….[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2459" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Fish of every kind….[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2461" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Jambon[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2462" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Fruit...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2460" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Domed ceiling of the market[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2463" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Gorgeous architecture around every corner….[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2465" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Isn't this beautiful?[/caption]



 

Back in the 1950's the river Turia used to flow right through the centre of the city, but then there was a terrible flood that destroyed many buildings and killed at least 81 people. the government at that time then decided to re route the river away from the city centre resulting in a dry riverbed running through the heart of the city. This riverbed has now been turned into a 9km long park…filled with sports stadiums, playgrounds, picnic spots, cycle tracks, museums etc…It is absolutely fantastic and a real triumph for the city...

[caption id="attachment_2464" align="aligncenter" width="640"] A bridge over the riverbed/park...[/caption]

Tomorrow we will return and cycle through the park, and hopefully meet Javier and his family for a picnic...

Valencia is a beautiful city which we probably haven't really given enough time to explore all that it has to offer or taken the time to read much in preparation, however, it's definitely a place we would return to again one day…there is so much more to discover. We loved the architecture, the narrow streets, the wide plazas and especially the wonderful park.