Out and About on the Costa Blanca

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Ola Bo & Dud,
Someone turned the thermostat up in Spain, we are currently getting temperatures in the mid 30c and the sun is extremely hot. It’s been far too hot for driving about in the car and site seeing so we’ve been awaiting a little cloud cover before setting out.

Guadalest was top of our list for a visit. This is a historical town perched on one of the highest points of the Costa Blanca - its nickname is “The Eagles Nest”, you will see why when looking at the photographs. Initially, the village was built up around the Castle San Jose; but, an earthquake in 1644 devastated the region and demolished the buttress of the castle. We were able to walk around the east wall overlooking a huge reservoir. There looks to be plenty of water but the lack of rain around the region over the winter mean that it’s not going to last for too long. I was reading a newspaper article last week which stated that the farmers in the most isolated areas of Spain are suffering serious shortages. Their water is being cut so that the coastal areas, (the tourist market) don’t have to go without showers, pools and washing facilities, shocking! Anyway, back to Guadalest .......

Eventually in the 17c, the castle was replaced by Orduna House, now a museum. It has four levels and an attic with several very narrow, twisty staircases leading to it. Half of the house is built on rock while the other half is built over the church which adjoins the house. We were able to walk from the house and climb up to the remains of the castle - another spectacular view and, the family cemetery built at the highest point of the castle. Although we had taken a picnic lunch we felt an energy slump after all the climbing so we rewarded ourselves with coffee and the most delicious pecan and honey tart.

Captain Jac took charge of our next outing - we were off to Valencia. Fortunately, we didn’t drive on this occasion, we went on an organised trip 2 hours each way with only a couple of hours in the city. Again, this is one of those places that I am pleased we visited but we do not plan to return. The city has built up from an industrial port; and, as usual for Spain, they are still filling in every available space; modern and historical side by side - overall I’m not sure. We headed for the centre of Valencia and the Cathedral. The Holy Grail (as used by JC at the Last Supper) can be viewed for a small fee, but looking at the publicity photographs we thought it was unlikely that a bejewelled goblet had been used in the Holy Land 2,000 years ago. We therefore opted for a climb to the top of the Cathedral - 270 steep steps spiralling upwards, upwards, ever upwards. Robert, who celebrated his 70th Birthday just before Christmas, was like a prize greyhound and wasn’t even breathing heavily when he got to the top. I needed oxygen and a brandy - neither of which were available. The climb was well worth the effort and we had a 360 degree view of the city. Great excitement on our return to the coach - one of our party, an elderly lady travelling alone had disappeared. We waited for 20 minutes and Tracey (“as I say”) Tour Guide, made several telephone calls before we abandoned her.

Nigel, (my nephew), knows the area around Javier quite well and had sent us an email with a list of ‘things to do’. We took the opportunity on 1st May, (another Bank Holiday) to take a drive up the coast, have lunch and take some photographs. Our first surprise of the day was on the road from Altea to Calpe - the most magnificent Russian Orthodox Church, an extremely grand building in totally inappropriate surroundings. There were some newly started, but abandoned buildings behind the church; we were told, as with so many buildings in Spain, that permission to build has not been done legally. This means that building work has had to stop while an investigation takes place and it could result in the demolition of the church this would in our opinion by a criminal act.

We worked our way around some of the many viewing points on the coast from Moraira to Javea. From the Cap de la Nau we followed the road down to the bay of Granadella. The bay is obviously very popular with people out sailing for the day, many boats had anchored in the bay and rowed onto the beach for lunch. The smell of the fresh fish was just too tempting, and we had a superb lunch of mixed fish, patatas frittas and salad. As we eat lunch, letting the view sink in, Howard commented on how similar it all was to Lulworth Cove in Dorset - couldn’t quite see it myself!

Over the next few days we will be dismantling our camp once again - this will be our last move in Spain. We’re off to Vilanova about 30 miles to the south of Barcelona - can’t wait.

Love & Hugs & Kisses
H & H x

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