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Grua de Gandia, l'Alqueria (N38 59'10" W0 9'49")... continued...
Friday, we need to replentish our food and drink stocks, so a bit of a frantic day, for some... riding the mile and a half to Lidl, and carrying the shopping back on my bicycle, then of course, it all has to be put away, so exhausting, in this heat.
Something I have not metioned, mainly because I have been unable to get any photographs so far, but, there are lots and lots of sparrows here, far more than we are used to seeing at home.
It is spring of course, nesting time, and there are lots of chicks still being fed by their mothers, even although the chick is big enough to fly.
The chick follows the mother around, making cheeping noises and sort of fluttering it's wings in a pathetic way, until, the mother relents and feeds it.
There is one particular (male) adult bird, which I have christened as a Sparrow version of a benefit scrounger.
Even although he is fully grown, and has his adult plumage, he follows adult females around, fluttering the wings and making the cheeping sounds, in the hope they will feed him.
Just like the human version, he appears to be perfectly healthy and capable of fending for himself, but, it would appear, he prefers to freeload. Sometimes he gets fed, but, sometimes the bird he is pestering for food, appears to loose patience, and chase him.
Never seen anything like this before.
The weekend, brings another spate of what we assume are "stag parties". Groups of young men turn up, with one of them wandering around dressed in a form of fancy dress. Usually, they are dressed as a woman, but last weekend, there was one in a Superman outfit, and this weekend one in a Chicken Costume, with a live hen to accompany him. Despite what you might expect, they are polite and not troublesome.
Sunday, we have a 17.5 mile cycle ride, exploring various cycle routes, inland, via a "natural" park area and then along the coast.
There are lots of people out and about, enjoying the sunshine.
We stop off for a very pleasant lunch.
Yes, that is Kathleen, having a Gin and Tonic in a glass the size of your average goldfish bowl.
Grua de Gandia, l'Alqueria (N38 59'10" W0 9'49")... continued...
Monday is a chores day, clothes washing, well I suppose it cannot all be fun.
Our English neighbours are washing too, they are posh and have a little "camping twin tub".
Aren't women amazing, give them a sink, some hot water, and some dirty clothes and they will play for hours quite happily.
Food shopping, and Washing done, we head off for a walk (and a beer or two) along the promenade.
Life really is just so hard, But, we struggle by.
The most excitement today occurs when the chap from the Dutch Campervan near us, gets himself locked in the shower! The site maintenace team are summoned by his wife and are soon on hand to release him.
Tuesday dawns overcast, what a disappointment, but, as the day wears on, not only does the sun reappear, but it becomes hotter than ever. We explore to the end of Gandia Promenade, on our bicycles, 3 miles of excellent promenade, backed by, almost empty, clean, sandy, beach. Like South Shields, with sun.
Wednesday, we cycle to Oliva via the coast route, staying clear of any Orange Groves, to find out where we went wrong on Sunday, more miles and miles of beautiful, well kept promenade and clean sandy beach.
I know it is not PC to talk about our Muslim brothers, but, sometimes, you have to admit, they may have a bit of a valid grumble about their treatment in the past at the hands of the Catholic Church.
Wandering around the old part of Gandia, and came across a Catholic Church, with, this explanation of its origins.
First they build a church, on top of their mosque. Then, even after they have agreed to convert to Christianity, and donated to the church building fund, they get kicked out anyway.
Not sure what the European Court of Human Rights would have had to say about that.
El Berro, Alhama de Murcia, Sierra Espuna continued...
It is beautiful here, but, a combination of anxieties on Kathleen's part (she is anxious about having to drive back down to civilisation, and in case I have another "Cordoba episode", when we are in such a remote area), mean it is decided we will not stay here.
I do not have any photographs of the drive, I did threaten Kathleen with either taking the photographs, or, driving the van whilst I took the photographs, but, nothing would induce her to stop holding onto the seat with both hands.
Quite what good that would have done, if we had gone over the drop, is beyond me.
So, Friday, we arrive at Grua de Gandia, l'Alqueria (N38 59'10" W0 9'49"), another ASCI site.
This is a large site, on the edge of town, and about 1 km from the sea. It was one of the "recommendations" collected by Kathleen from people we have met on our travels.
It is a very "Spanish" site, not many foreigners here, one other Brit, a couple of German Vans and a couple of French Vans.
We have English "neighbours", Alan and Glenise. Glenise certainly has a remarkable story to tell, two knee replacements done at the same time, and a hip replacement which dislocated shortly after the operation and had to be corrected. All of this in the past 12 months, and she is here riding about on a bicycle. You have to admire some peoples positive outlook and determination not to give in!
It is hair washing day, so I am typing this whilst waiting for completion, then, we are going to the Saturday Market, cannot wait, I am so excited.
The Saturday market has lots and lots of Handbag, Scarves, and Clothes stalls, and, no Beer tent, so, that is a 1/10.
Gandia "old" town is very pleasant, nice squares and pavement bars, just about makes up for being dragged around the market.
Church for Kathleen has been dispensed with on Saturday evening.
So, Sunday, we cycle to a town called Oliva, about eight miles south, along an excellent cycle track.
I suspect the cycle track is an old railway line, nice and level through Orange Groves.
Oliva, the town is quite a lively place, with an "old" quarter of narrow winding streets, as well as a more modern part with wide avenues.
We make our way to the beach, and the marina, here we find another ASCI campsite, much more upmarket that where we are it is called Kiko Park, Oliva (N38 55'58", W0 5' 51"), worth remembering for future reference.
While nosing around the campsite, we meet an English couple, who explain how to get to the Marina Restaurant, and how to cycle back to Gandia via the Coast (more of this later).
First, lunch at the Marina, very pleasant it is too, spoiled only by Kathleen's insistence on having only one glass of Red Wine, instead of a bottle, on the basis, we have to ride our bicycles back to Gandia.
It was 8 miles here (to Oliva), and we have done another couple to find the beach and Marina, so, we have done 10 miles so far.
After lunch, we set off to follow the directions to return via the coast route. Let us just say, it does not go as planned. Kathleen loses patience (how unusual), and asks directions. It turns out, the lady she asks is from Latvia, but, living in Spain, and she kindly drives slowly so, we can follow her out of the maze of lanes in the Orange Plantation!.
We return to Gandia having cycled 24 miles, so, that is 8 miles there, 14 miles back!
Kathleen is resolved to never again listen to directions for an alternative route!
