Greetings from Altea and the mediteranean coast
I have proper internet access for the first time since arriving in Spain, so everything is happening in a rush today - including quite confusingly posting a blog I wrote on the ferry over a week ago .............
One correspondent has asked for tales of swash buckling adventure ............. well I'm sorry to say I have yet to rescue any damsels in distress, the same correspondent has complained about too much van detail .......... so all I can say is Lucy is fine (and her fan belt is working like it should).
I'm in Altea, a beautiful old town on the Costa Blanca, I'm staying with Lindsay and her boyfriend Ollie for a few days. As I'm typing I'm looking out across the balcony to the sea and looking forward to my dip in the pool ............ but for now I'll bring you up to speed with my travels ....
When I last posted I was in Madrid soaking up culture and catching up with friends. It's Tuesday today (I think).
On Friday I launched myself east into New Castille and sought out the ancient town of Cuenca. After clearing Madrid and the motorway to Zaragoza we hit the N320 and drove through sweeping open countryside and high plains. This is an area of Spain not often visited by British tourists unless they are blasting down the motorway to Valencia or Barcelona. But as you approach Cuenca the countryside closes in and you enter limestone gorges and deep river valleys. The Rio Jucar snakes through the landscape which is mainly tree covered; small stunted pines on the hills and golden cypress (?) trees in the valley bottom. The old town of Cuenca sits on a limestone promontory, with the upper town guarded by castle gates and it's main square is home to a 12th Century Cathedral. I was slightly stumped to find the campsite shut (despite its website declaring year round opening) and even more disheartened to be told by the owner that the nearest campsite was in Madrid!
The Rio Jucar leads east from Cuenca for about 7km through the most beautiful gorge - climbers frequent the steep cliffs and cyclists and canoeists are drawn to it to. A road runs along the valley bottom and a narrow road cuts back up the hill into the top of the old town. As the light was fading I found a view point overlooking the gorge and decided to camp the night.
I awoke to find that a rather large modern camper van or 'fridge on wheels' had joined me in the night. This didn't spoil the stunning view from my bedroom window. Saturday and Sunday were spent cycling, walking in the hills and visiting the old town. Cuenca is home to a Museum of Abstract Art (Gallery no 5 of the trip so far) - if you look closely at the photo of the van interior you can see my own art collection slowly building. Which included a wonderful picture of Bridget Bardot - which is less than flattering.
I have to say that I'm finding solo travel quite challenging (typing this as I do from the comfort of a friends villa!). I had four days with no one's company but my own and although my tourist Spanish is coming along quite nicely (I can buy things and get directions etc) my naturally sociable personality has not yet adjusted to life on the road. It's early days, so lets see what happens.
I'm sensing this is more than enough words for anyone to read - I hope you like the pictures - they tell the story as well or better than my words. Adios until next time ................ the Van man
One correspondent has asked for tales of swash buckling adventure ............. well I'm sorry to say I have yet to rescue any damsels in distress, the same correspondent has complained about too much van detail .......... so all I can say is Lucy is fine (and her fan belt is working like it should).
I'm in Altea, a beautiful old town on the Costa Blanca, I'm staying with Lindsay and her boyfriend Ollie for a few days. As I'm typing I'm looking out across the balcony to the sea and looking forward to my dip in the pool ............ but for now I'll bring you up to speed with my travels ....
When I last posted I was in Madrid soaking up culture and catching up with friends. It's Tuesday today (I think).
On Friday I launched myself east into New Castille and sought out the ancient town of Cuenca. After clearing Madrid and the motorway to Zaragoza we hit the N320 and drove through sweeping open countryside and high plains. This is an area of Spain not often visited by British tourists unless they are blasting down the motorway to Valencia or Barcelona. But as you approach Cuenca the countryside closes in and you enter limestone gorges and deep river valleys. The Rio Jucar snakes through the landscape which is mainly tree covered; small stunted pines on the hills and golden cypress (?) trees in the valley bottom. The old town of Cuenca sits on a limestone promontory, with the upper town guarded by castle gates and it's main square is home to a 12th Century Cathedral. I was slightly stumped to find the campsite shut (despite its website declaring year round opening) and even more disheartened to be told by the owner that the nearest campsite was in Madrid!
The Rio Jucar leads east from Cuenca for about 7km through the most beautiful gorge - climbers frequent the steep cliffs and cyclists and canoeists are drawn to it to. A road runs along the valley bottom and a narrow road cuts back up the hill into the top of the old town. As the light was fading I found a view point overlooking the gorge and decided to camp the night.
I awoke to find that a rather large modern camper van or 'fridge on wheels' had joined me in the night. This didn't spoil the stunning view from my bedroom window. Saturday and Sunday were spent cycling, walking in the hills and visiting the old town. Cuenca is home to a Museum of Abstract Art (Gallery no 5 of the trip so far) - if you look closely at the photo of the van interior you can see my own art collection slowly building. Which included a wonderful picture of Bridget Bardot - which is less than flattering.
I have to say that I'm finding solo travel quite challenging (typing this as I do from the comfort of a friends villa!). I had four days with no one's company but my own and although my tourist Spanish is coming along quite nicely (I can buy things and get directions etc) my naturally sociable personality has not yet adjusted to life on the road. It's early days, so lets see what happens.
I'm sensing this is more than enough words for anyone to read - I hope you like the pictures - they tell the story as well or better than my words. Adios until next time ................ the Van man
Hey up lad,
ReplyDeleteNo idea how this techno-fangle works but thought (a) I should learn and (b) I should follow you! Hope the fan belt is nicely tweaked and the sun is shining.
Giles