Just a quickie

Hi All
Well, arrived in Mojacar on Sunday as planned after a pleasant trip- one very long day driving which in true Gambrill fashion turned out to be longer than I had anticipated- was heading for Caravaca de la Cruz to visit the Knights Templar castle ( had seen it on my way to Cuenca in April and as I hadn't got time to visit had earmarked it for this trip). Had looked on line to find a campsite and found one in a town about 15ks away so headed for there, arrived around 6.30; as I had been driving since 11 I was feeling weary and hot and really looking forward to a nice shower. What I hadn't appreciated ( the site was in Spanish) was that the campsite was another 8 k's into the campo, well I started driving down these wee little lanes and as they got even narrower and the surface got more bumpy I decided to call a halt to this expedition and head back, unfortunately there wasnt much of a turning place...... My reversing is really improving.

Anyway, got back on the road to C de la C and by 7.30 had  found myself a very nice overnight spot in a beautiful parkland area, in the carpark, with the blessing of the cafe owner, so all ended well.

I really enjoyed visiting the town, and discovered that I was in yet another pilgrimage centre - seems to becoming a common theme this trip- but it was also a really nice town- v spanish and didnt hear an English voice all the time I was there. (The photo below shows a statue celebrating the Moorish and Christian heritage  very common in this part of Spain.)

So have really enjoyed being back in Mojacar and catching up with old friends and renewing friendships from last winter -Lynne and Tony have been so kind opening up their home to me again, there's been lots of jollity, good food and red wine and the sunshine has been lovely - somedays been a bit too warm but I remember that I dont get the sympathy vote for that!
My plan was to stay a couple of days and then head off back on the road but that has changed and instead I am off up into the mountains near Granada to stay for a week at a yoga centre - looks fab, lots of other activities as well - just got to get Betsy up there; shes not too keen on mountains nowadays. So for those of you who think that this week doesnt fall into the category of Janes Big Adventure - trust me the journey will be!!

Will leave there on the 1st and then will be flying back to the UK on the 6th ready to start work again - haven't quite got my head around that yet. So will have a few more days in Mojacar when hopefully I will sort out my accommodation for the winter and have a last sunbathe.

Thats my lot for now - hope everyone is keeping well, hasta luego
x

Some nice photos and a good story

So, I left you as I was about to head off to Montserrat which is about 50k's north of Barcelona and is  the spiritual mountain- a pilgrimage centre to the Virgin Mary and also a monastery and centre for religious studies- very similar to Meteora in Greece. A lovely place, very well organised, can take a funicular up the mountain or a cable car or walk as the pilgrims did in the old days but wouldn't recommend that as it is very very high; there are some lovely walks up onto the mountain and away from the crowds. Stayed a night in the car park, wasn't sure where to go next then spotted a small entry about a walled town called Montblanc outside which is the largest Cistercian monastery in Spain- well that had my name on it, so off I went and thats how I got to sleep in the car park of a monastery and enjoy a very peaceful night.

The next morning I was prepared for a long drive- I  wanted to visit a village called Albarracin- one of the 20 most beautiful villages in Spain  in an area called Aragon  - this is an inland area, very traditional Spain - lots of plains but high mountains as well with little villages and small towns dotted all over the place and a number of big cities. But it was a long way, much further than I thought so I was  feeling very weary when I eventually arrived in Teruel my stop for the night. This is also interesting in its own right as it has a lot of interesting architecture from the Moslem days so was looking forward to seeing it. As is the routine i went to the tourist office to get a map and also ask where I could sleep for the night- oh no problem said she - the car park by the bus station - looked really easy to find from where I was parked so decided to have a drink and a wander round town which I duly did, arriving at the aforesaid car park about 7pm - only to discover that it was height barriered - 2.1 and Betsy is 2.4 - oops! So I followed the signs for the autobuses and went down into the garage to ask for help - only to discover that yes - this was the place - amongst the buses!

and to add insult to injury it cost 14e's! Well, by that time I really didnt have a choice so after a bout of hysterical laughter got sorted and went out to find a glass or two of good red wine as felt I was going to need help sleeping. But it wasn't that bad- once the 11.15pm bus to Madrid left and then the shutters were closed at midnight all was peace and quiet again till 6am when they opened them up again - then of course the early buses started so by 8am I was driving out and breathing gulps of good fresh air - well, lifes never dull.

However I am pleased to say that it was worth it to see the beauty that is Albarracin - originally built in the 10thc its like walking through a history book and the campsite is so peaceful ( this is the view from my pitch) that I have stayed an extra day and just enjoyed being in the mountains.

So, as usual all's well etc - will be heading towards Mojacar tomorrow but will take a couple of days I guess cause there's a couple of places I want to visit on the way - I'm not far from Cuenca where I broke down in March, was thinking of popping in for old times sake but I'm guessing his English wont have improved neither has my Spanish so it seems a long way for a nod and hug.

So, thats it for today, hope you enjoyed the story, Bye for now
Jx

success!

Just a quickie

 Amazed to discover that it's only been about a week since I was raving about Collioure, since then I've seen some jaw dropping sights that make up the Dali Triangle - for those of you who don't know about it it is formed of Cadaques, the fishing village where he lived for over 40 years, the Dali Museum in Figueres and the Castle in Pubol which he renovated and gave to his muse Gala, he then moved there after she died.

(This is Cadaques- unfortunately the photo uploading gremlins are back so will have to post them at another time)
There is so much to see in the Museum- every where you look there's something happening, its just too much to take in and then you go to the Jewels and wow just doesn't describe it. Probably some of the most exquisite designs ever made - I urge you to google them.

The Castle is very different- much calmer but with the occasional elephant on stick legs in the garden as you'd expect- the building and the surroundings are just lovely and peaceful.

After there i dropped into Gerona for a night- would have missed it if Dee hadn't mentioned it- thanks because it was really worth the trip - a lovely medieval town.  This area is Catalonia; they are very pro independence so all around are their flags with signs saying We Want to Vote Too in English and Catalan - dont think they stand a chance somehow.

So after all this sightseeing I decided it was time for a rest- well, its tiring this holidaying you know - so have just had a few days stop on a campsite just north of Barcelona. Am heading off again tomorrow to visit Montserrat the spiritual mountain about 60ks from here then will start making my way south to Mojacar as have just realised the date.

Will try and get the photos on, till next time
Hasta luego

I'm in Love!

No apologies for popping into your inboxes again so soon but just had to share my news- yes, I am in love with one of the loveliest place I have visited on all my travels- Collioure - just close to  the French Spanish border. I had been advised to visit by a French lady I met on the ferry from Greece on my first trip and boy, was she right! It has everything - beautiful countryside with vineyards tumbling down the mountains, ochre coloured roofs and an azure sea - over the years the colours have inspired artists- including Matisse and his compatriots- started the Fauvism style of painting.

As you can see the weather is lovely- not too hot, the campsite is very good, lovely showers and only 200 metres from the beach and about a kilometre and a half walk from the town. Lots of lovely restaurants serving the local delicacy- anchovies, amongst other things; delicious local rose and the chocolate is heavenly. Add to that the shops all have their summer clothes on half price - what more can a girl want now that George is married! So, for the sake of my bank balance and my hips/liver I will be on the move in a day or so.
And to think that on the way here I was thrilled to be in a town where Hannibal camped in 218 on his way over the Pyrenees- that just pales into insignificance! Two minor negatives- there are some mighty hungry beasties - little black flies who have taken a liking to human flesh and are not affected by anti bug spray and secondly the Modern Art Museum is closed this week - all the more reason for a repeat visit- so not really a negative.

Right- thats my lot - as I say, will be heading into Spain soon, first stop Figueres and the Dali Museum- how lucky am I???
Adieu.xx