Blogs from Valencian Community, Spain, Europe - page 3

Had to take the hire car back today so decided to drive into the city, hand it in and then do some more city sightseeing before taking the bus back to the campsite. Satnav took us straight to the car hire place. So glad Bob thought to bring the spare Satnav with us. Our old one which we use in the car, as we have a 'big vehicle' version for use in the motorhome to hopefully avoid being taken down an inaccessible rat run. Handed the car keys in and grabbed a taxi from just outside to take us to the Central market. First stop the old Silk market (La Lonja de la Seda) as advised by cousin Gillian to be a place not to be missed. Indeed it was not. Wonderful building and fair oozing ... read more

We had been warned. We had seen it on the weather forecast. Well several actually as, as you do, we checked others having found we didn't like the first one. No use. They were all of one mind, it was going to rain for 48 hours and rain it did. I know there are lots of Spanish people who are saying....oh good, we need rain to fill the reservoirs but I do wish they could have waited until we had enjoyed just a little bit more dry and sunny weather. If I had wanted to see so much rain I could have stayed at home but this trip was for a bit of winter sun. I must not complain. We have had wonderful weather up to now and the fact that the temperature is now down ... read more

Absolutely perhissed it down all night.. We were prepared though and had tucked the outside table and chairs away as the bad weather had been forecast. In fact it forecast much worse than we had. We caught the bus into Valencia again to pick up the hired car we had ordered. Went slightly later than planned as needed the rain to stop first, didn't want to stand waiting for the bus in the pouring rain. In Valencia we then grabbed a taxi as the car pickup was over 2km away from the bus stop and our feet were still complaining after yesterday. Car Hire at GoldCar Rent which we had found via DoyouSpain.com was fine and very reasonably priced. Handed over our reservation, used card to secure insurance deposit and we drove out in a sweet ... read more

Moving on day and this time as far south as we are going this trip, to Valencia. Filled up with fuel as we left Blanes at a fully automated garage. Goodness knows what you do if it eats your card. Motorway all the way and we have been down some of these same stretches of busy motorway before when we've visited Barcelona and Tarragona. At least 10 years ago though but probably busier now than before. Lots of trucks sharing the road and sometimes our lane. Delighted to find all the toll stations are out of action which made the drive cheaper than it might have been. As usual the views were on Bob's side so the camera missed most of them. The scenery is varied with mountainous backdrops in places, lots and lots of fruit ... read more

http://www.heygo.com 15th March - Montserrat In 1025, Oliba, Abbot of Ripoll and Bishop of Vic, founded a new monastery at the hermitage of Santa Maria de Montserrat. The little monastery soon began to receive pilgrims and visitors who contributed to the spread of stories of miracles and wonders performed by the Virgin. In 1409 the monastery of Montserrat became an independent abbey. From 1493 to 1835, a period in which the monastery underwent great reforms, growing and increasing in splendour, Montserrat was part of the Valladolid Congregation. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the Monastery of Montserrat became a cultural centre of the first order. The Montserrat Music School produced important composers. The French War (1808-1811) and disentailment in 1835 brought destruction and abandonment, but in 1844 began the restor... read more