Thursday 16th May 2013 - Monday 20th May 2013

Valencia, Pinedo, Coll Vert (N39 23'47" W0 19' 58")...continued......

Thursday, we skip the historic buildings bit, and cycle the whole of the Jardines del Turia Park.

It is amazingly well organised, with a cycle track circling the whole park. They even have speed "cameras" for bicycles!

Kathleen is being a good cyclist and keeping within the speed limit, as the smiley face shows!

I even get a photograph of the purple blossom on the trees.








Sunday, so, it is "going to church day".

We cycle into Valencia, where there is a Mass at the Cathederal, every hour on Sunday Mornings, clearly, either no shortage of Catholic Priests here, or, they work longer hours.

I am told, it is Pentecost Sunday, which might explain the hectic "goings on" in Valencia.

First we emerge from the Turia Park, at the Royal Bridge, to find, we cannot cross the road into the city centre, because there is a Valencian version of the Great North Run going on. Much to Kathleen's irritation, we must go back down the ramp to the park, and back up another ramp, on the other side of the road. 

We soon notice, in addition to the run, there are several women, and men, dressed in rather exotic traditional costumes.

While Kathleen is at church, I wander the streets and manage this rather poor photgraph of some of them.

In a square near the church, there are literally hundreds of tables and chairs set out, along with a couple of

childrens bouncy castles, and some VERY loud music.

This is presumably going to be a mammoth Paella cooking and eating party, this group are setting up to begin cooking giant paella in the street.

When Kathleen emerges from church, we wander among the crowds for a while, before cycling back to the campsite.

Enroute, we stop off for a beer or two. Two major achievements occur, first, I convince Kathleen to try one of the "snacks" on offer, she agrees to try "Patatas Bravas", if I can order it without the Mayonnaise, I cannot get her to try the Calamary, so, I am forced to eat that all to myself. The second achievement, is, I manage to speak to the waitress, in Spanish, and obtain Patatas Bravas, without mayonnaise.

Leave Valencia and head North (on our way slowly home now), toward Peniscola.

We have chosen two possible Aires from the Spain and Portugal Aires book, La Moreras (N40 23.398’ E0 24.607’), and La  Mersera (N40 23.876’ E0 24.758’), both in Peniscola, within half a mile of each other, and, both are closed, defunct.

In addition, the approach to La Moreras is more suited to a 4x4, than a campervan!.

Not to worry, there are other Aires signposted, and we end up at Viz Mar, Peniscola (N40 23’32” E0 24’25”), 10Euro a night including Electric, toilets, showers etc, or 6Euro per night, no electric. This is a sort of Aire, attached to a campsite. It is not clear to me what the difference is between the Aire and the Campsite (which is in the ACSI book).

The campsite is only about 50 yards from an excellent cycle track, which takes you onto the promenade at Peniscola.

At one end is an old castle, which, presumably was the original Peniscola, ie, before tourism.

Six miles north, and the promenade is still going on, although, not quite finished at this point!

So, that gives more than 12 miles of easy cycling!

In the evening, our Belgian neighbour gives an impromptu Spanish Guitar recital, in between barbequing the evening meal, for himself and his wife.

When commenting on Campsites, or Aires, people often remark on things like traffic noise, church bells, etc.

Well, let me tell you, a Donkey in the field next to the campsite is a big turn off.

They make an incredibly annoying noise!

You have been warned!

Monday 13th May 2013 - Wednesday 15th May 2013

Monday, leave Gandia, and drive the 50 miles or so to Valencia.

Valencia, Pinedo, Coll Vert (N39 23'47" W0 19' 58"), is extremely well placed for visiting Valencia, you can cycle there, on a dedicated cycle track (about 4 miles), or, get the bus from just outside the campsite.

Tuesday, it is raining when we wake up!

But, by the time breakfast is over, the sun is out again, and off we go to Valencia on our bicycles.

First along the beach, then past the container port, we are soon in the "Jardin del Turia".

This area of Valencia is amazing.

It was formerly the course of the River Turia. But, after several disasterous floods, the river was diverted, (in the 1960's or thereabouts), and the old river bed, which cuts through the middle of the city, has been converted into a park area.

At the end nearest the sea, they have built many enormous modern buildings, including an enormous aquarium.

The area is laid out with footpaths and cycletracks, plus, water features and fountains.

All very people friendly, although, personally, I prefer the park area, which is criss crossed with bridges,

from the days when it was a river.

The traffic passes above, while you can make your way right through the heart of the city, either on foot, or on a bicycle.

It is not really what I would call a "formal" park, although it is kept very neat and tidy, considering it's city centre location.

There are some quite stunning displays of flowers.

Also, some rather impressive displays of trees in bloom, spring is clearly the best time to see them.

But, you will have to take my word for it, because, I omitted to take a photograph.

Another feature, which we have seen

in other parts of Spain, is the provision of free exercise equipment, for public use, in the parks, and even in the streets.

Kathleen cannot resist having a go.

These areas appear to much used, but do not appear to be abused or vandalised, as you would expect in the UK.

Of course, given that Valencia dates back to Roman times, there is an "old quarter".

Not much evidence of Roman buildings, that I am aware of, but, lots of the narrow streets and courtyards which I believe are a legacy of the Moors.

There is of course, an impressive Cathederal, which incorporates parts of an earlier Mosque.

The Germans might have paid for all of the smart new buildings, with their Euro, but, I think the inside of the Cathederal must have been paid for by the Aztecs and Incas, when the

Spaniards plundered the "New World".

We stop for lunch, and Kathleen, not the most adventerous person when it comes to trying different food, is very pleased to learn that her choice (Tortilla con patatas, or Spanish Omelete as we would call it), is actually included in the list of Tapas, so, now she can say, she has eaten at least one Tapa!

Tuesday ends with a thunderstorm, but, not before we make it back to the van!

The area we are staying in is called "l'albufera Natural Park". There is a large salt water lagoon, just a short distance away. It is, if my memory of "Google Facts" is correct, the second largest lake in Spain.

Wednesday, we cycle to El Palmar, on the shore of the lagoon.

It is a town which seems to consist of houses, lots of restaurants, (and I mean lots, there are streets of them) and one shop.

The building which once appears to have been the church, is now, yes, you guessed, a restaurant!

We cycle back, to complete 14 miles, just before the rain and thunder starts again!

Fortunately, it is gone as quickly as it came, and the sun is soon shining again.