San Fulgencio – 3 nights

This site, more properly called a camperpark, is mostly used by long-term motorhomers and there is little turnover – we were lucky to get a pitch for a couple of days. As such it has it's own little community, which the site owner has generally sorted into nationalities although there is some “bleedover”. So there is a big contingent of Germans, a goodly number of Scandinavians, a few Netherlanders and a handful of Brits, all getting on together very well and being equally friendly to us short term stopovers.

Having just a couple of days we didn't venture far but instead enjoyed the company of our friends. There are a number of retail establishments around such as Iceland, who stock mostly UK brands, plus Lidl, Aldi and Mercadonna, all of which got a visit during our stay. There is also the ubiquitous Chinese supermarket; these are generally a huge glorified cash and carry stocking Chinese versions of just about anything you can think of (but not food) and you find them all over Spain in the popular tourist areas. Frankly the stock is tat but you can pick up the odd useful item, although don't buy a watch..........!

On Saturday there is quite a big local market which occupies the streets around the camperpark offering the usual fare. We did notice however that it was relatively poorly attended, the dull threatening weather perhaps having something to do with it. It never did actually rain and indeed we did manage to sit out in the sun for a couple of hours, but the breeze was cool enough to encourage us to take to the shelter of a nice warm motorhome.

Whilst we enjoyed our stay, the lack of local places of interest wouldn't have encouraged us to remain for a longer term – many of the “residents” of course had alternative transport so were in a better position to take days out. There is a regular bus service but it didn't appear to be too reliable, the drivers occasionally “missing out” the local stops. However it suits many so we won't criticise something that is very well suited to motorhomers generally.

But time marches on and we've offered to take a small group of Funsters across to Morocco next week so regretfully we have to leave our friends and move on.

El Pinet – 5 nights then on to San Fulgencio

Well the owner did indeed knock on our door at 10.00 – if you want a pitch you'd better move now! So we quickly finished off our Sunday bacon and eggs, had a quick look round and settled on a nice spot. The pitches are, unusually, very spacious and designed for vans up to 10 metres in length – which is probably why it is so popular with the huge gin palaces, complete with space in the “boot” for a car. Yes really! There were at least 20 of the things, almost a rally! Also each pitch had an articial grass “lawn” mat laid over the shale which saved getting mud etc. in the van and provided a pleasant separator to the next pitch. Not fixed down though, which was a bit of a problem later......

Because, as you've no doubt seen, the weather did take a nasty downturn. Inland there was a couple of feet of snow in the hills and on the motorway. Around the coast just to the north of Alicante there were reports of campsite flooding, property destruction and general mayhem. We certainly had a couple of real humdinger thunderstorms with torrential rain and hail but must have been relatively well sheltered as the only sign afterwards was a few puddles around the site and a number of the green “carpets” blown around.

But it wasn't continuous and there were enough clear, dry breaks to get out, walk the dog etc. We even managed a couple of longer walks, down to the beach which did show some signs of damage and also into the town of La Marina itself. Once the storms had blown themselves out we also managed some time sitting out in the warm sunshine, watching the supervan owners getting their wash brushes out and shining up their pride and joy. Bertie wasn't lucky enough to get so much as a damp rag!

We spoke to our friends a couple of times and, after a false start or two, arranged a meet up in a cafe in La Marina itself; they caught a bus for the 4 kilometre distance but we only had a 15 minute walk. Coffee, a light meal and a couple of hours catching up left us wanting more but how to fit it in? Having decided to move on we arranged to call in to see them after doing some shopping at the Iceland store (yes, the same as UK) next door to their campsite. As luck would have it whilst having coffee a space suddenly appeared when someone moved off unexpectedly – in no time at all we were in the office and claimed the empty pitch. Result! Although it's forced us to amend our onward plans a little but no matter.

So we're now parked up on a very similar site to El Pinet after the princely journey of 4 miles! Okay, it's not the best pitch, being next to the service point, but it'll suit our purposes for a few days. Bren has arranged a hair appointment at British Hairways for tomorrow, Friday 24^th.

It seems that, due to potential property sale and purchase, our friends have decided not to go to Morocco this year in case of a sudden need to return home – no problem from Spain but Morocco is another story. So we've published our plan to cross to Tanger-Med on Wednesday next week in case anybody wishes to join us – two takers so far. Meanwhile we'll just relax here for a few days.

Saturday 18 January 2020 – Nr. Valencia to El Pinet

Nr. Valencia to El Pino - 129 miles

An earlyish start to a somewhat dull and cloudy day although not cold. We're moving on today so after breakfast did a full service on the van, cleared up after a somewhat subdued Jamie was sick (he knows we're travelling again and we think he doesn't like being cooped up in his cage all day), paid the lady and away. Our plan is to head south to the Alicante area to try and keep clear of the weather system that is moving in, but first a big shop to restock the fridge and cupboards. We soon found a big Carrefour we've used before and spent an hour filling up a trolley.

Then out onto the main road but we soon noticed the AP7, running more or less alongside us, was no longer tolled so at the next opportunity joined it to get some fast and easy miles under the wheels. We've heard that the company that was operating the toll motorway has gone bust and the government decided it was cheaper to just remove the tolls rather than subsidise them. As an added benefit, of course, it has taken quite a lot of traffic off the main roads through towns and villages. Seems this has happened to a few Spanish motorways, although as we generally avoid them it won't make a lot of difference to us.

Around Denia we paused at a service area for some lunch and to exercise Jamie before putting our destination into TomTom, who nearly threw a wobbler when he couldn't calculate a non-toll route. Ah just ignore it, we'll sort it out later! The non-toll section ran out at Alicante, after passing one or two well known resorts, such as the high rises of Benidorm, but we were turning off anyway, past the huge airport and onto the coast road.

We actually really enjoyed this part of the run as it passed through the coastal mountains making it far more interesting than British motorways! Up to now, once we had cleared our shopping stop, it had been bright but it became very hazy with high cloud starting to mask out the sunshine.

We were heading for San Fulgencio where we hoped to be able to get into a camper park we used some years ago but have never been able to since, and where we'd hoped to meet up with our friends. So we really weren't surprised to find it full, the two alternatives both also chokka with several vans parked up outside, ostensibly waiting for a vacancy but probably intending to “wild camp” overnight. Best of luck with that; last year the police were roaming around, moving folk on. But when doing our research we'd spotted another on one of the apps we use, about 10 mins north and which had excellent reviews so decided to give it a try although we did have some alternatives in mind.

When we arrived there was a “Full” sign up at the gate but, nothing ventured nothing gained so Terry walked in and asked. They were indeed full but the friendly French owner offered a temporary place overnight – it was actually his own parking space but he moved his cars – and could offer us a proper pitch tomorrow. The app did comment on how friendly and helpful the owners were so of course we accepted!

So now we're safely esconced at what looks to be an excellent camperstop with all the facilities we need and at a very reasonable price – no wonder it's popular! But we're learning that changing sites at the weekend is not a good idea as the Spanish love to come out for the weekend, but then disappear on Sunday night!

However we've been rechecking the weather forecast and it's pretty clear that our efforts to avoid the rain are coming to nothing, with heavy showers expected here over the next 2/3 days. Ah well, not to worry as we can survive a few days of wet.

Devesa Gardens, nr Valencia - 5 nights

When we came here last year it appeared that it had just been taken over by another company as various improvements were being made. These seem to have been completed and what was a very nice site is now very attractive; the pitches have all been cleared of overhanging trees and relaid with gravel to level them off, with new electricity and water points for each. The facilities are first-class and kept scrupulously clean with heated showers and plenty of hot water.

And it's not the most expensive campsite either – with the ACSI card we're paying only €18 per night, fully inclusive of electricity and all facilities (well those that are open!)

It always did have the air of a holiday resort, rather than just a campsite, with chalets for hire, a swimming pool and games complex, restaurant and small supermarket, but these appear to have been refreshed and another whole area turned over to holiday homes.

It's surprising, therefore that it is so quiet! Although there has been a small turnover in visitors, the camping area has never been more than half full and there are no “long-term residents” either. Okay none of the chalets are occupied, presumably because it is out of season, and just maybe the distance from Valencia, about 20 mins by bus, has a bearing. Also the beach isn't very easy to get to but once there it's beautiful with miles of soft golden sand, almost totally deserted.

But that just means it's nice and quiet for us (despite the now 3 dogs, cat and two young children next door) and we've been able to enjoy late mornings and plenty of sitting out in the sun time. We've had Jamie to the beach a couple of times but generally, apart from the usual domestic chores, we've done, well, not a lot!

However now (Friday) the weather is showing signs of turning being quite breezy today and high cloud quietly moving over. The forecast over the next few days is not good with torrential rain and thunderstorms predicted, so we've decided to move on tomorrow further south to the Alicante area where the forecast is for it not to be so severe. We had intended heading that way anyway as we're planning to meet up with our friends when they fly back in this weekend but were going to give it a couple of days longer.

So with the laundry brought up to date and most of our kit put away we'll try for an earlyish start tomorrow so we can find a big supermarket to restock the fridge and also pick up a few other non-food items we need before trying to find somewhere reasonably sheltered for the next few days.

Watch this space!

Monday 13 January 2020 – Peniscola to nr Valencia

Peniscola to Devesa Gardens - 106 miles

The failing smoke alarm batteries warning beeps woke the dog who got all upset and wanted out so Terry crawled out of bed, threw on a coat and jeans and exited into a frosty and misty dawn; well it was only 8.00 am and not yet light! But at least the walk woke him up and as we were moving on today the early start was handy.

Breakfast, tidy and service the van then pay the lady for our stay, getting away for 10.30 which is good for us although actually we were in no rush. Not yet having decided where to go, for the moment just south with a bit of shopping thrown in, we stuck to the N340, having seen that the adjacent A7 and AP7 were very busy – everybody back to work after New Year.

A nice gentle run enjoying the scenery and sunshine we encountered a Lidl so paused to top up the groceries. We also could have done with a pharmacy but, like policemen, there's never one around when you want one; not to worry, Brens cold seems to have cleared up but again she's left with that persistent cough which we know will take ages to clear up.

Around lunchtime we pulled off the main road and headed for the sea with a view to finding a beach for Jamie to have a run around and us to have some lunch. Following signs we ended up at a nudist beach, but it was deserted and anyway still a bit too cold for that sort of thing! Jamie got his run around and we had a leisurely lunch before deciding we'd give Devesa Gardens, just south of Valencia, a try for a few days stopover having enjoyed the place on a couple of previous trips.

TomTom took us straight through the centre of this busy modern city with no problems and eventually to the site, between the Mediterranean Sea and a large inland lake, called Albufeira, which is a huge nature reserve. Although busier than last year there was still plenty of room so we chose a nice sunny pitch and booked in for 5 nights, maybe longer if we wished. No Germans here although plenty of Dutch – oops sorry, they prefer to be called Nederlanders now. A few Brits too including a motorhome we'd seen at Peniscola on the next pitch over and a young family with a chihuaha dog and a cat, which sent Jamie into apoplexy once again until we tapped his nose to shut him up.

It doesn't take us long to set up these days and we were soon enjoying a cuppa and the late afternoon sun, more of which is promised in the forecast – far better than the storms, gales and rain at home!

Peniscola – 4 nights

Well much to our surprise it rained overnight and showers continued through most of Friday, but as we weren't planning to do much anyway apart from a bit of cleaning and maybe some laundry it didn't bother us too much. Staying in just meant getting the hobbies out.

It's a very nice campsite with all facilities including electric in the price and is quite full, just the odd space which fills up at the end of the day. It's a short walk to a beautiful sandy beach, which has “No Dogs” signs but they don't seem to be universally obeyed. The modern town centre is along a smart promenade which leads to the old town and the castle of Papa Luna, an historic Pope. There's a modern fishing port too.

The campsite population is predominantly German, though there are a few of most other western European nations – but hardly any French, probably because it's too expensive for them! Maybe half a dozen Brits and we've met and spoken to a few during our time here. AS ever, quite a few dogs, whom Jamie has been “warning off”, but with a large open area just outside the gates dog walking is not an inconvenience.......

Saturday was much better, in fact from thereon we didn't see a cloud in the sky, so Bren got in early to get a couple of loads of washing done while Terry got the tanks etc. sorted. Later we took Jamie for a long walk into the town which, as expected, was pretty well deserted with only the odd restaurant open. We had wanted to visit the pharmacy to top up the medications Bren has been getting through but that was closed as well – however the cash dispenser worked! We've visited the old town before so didn't venture that way this time but instead returned to the van and deployed the deck chairs for an hour or so.

Sunday was a little warmer once the sun was up so we had a little lie-in followed of course by our usual Full English, which turned out to be more brunch rather than breakfast, but who cares! With all the washing dry and put away it was back to the deckchairs to do what we came here to do – get some rays! However in reality it wasn't really all that warm, maybe 12 deg, and out of the sun a warm top was needed.

I'm writing this on Sunday evening and we've decided to move on tomorrow, mainly because the weather forecast indicates it'll be a few degrees warmer further south – we'd only booked four nights anyway but it would have been no problem to stay longer if we'd so wished.

Thursday 9 January 2020 - El Catllar to Peniscola

El Catllar to Peniscola - 98 miles

Again not as cold overnight and the morning was bright and sunny. A fairly standard start as we are wanting to be on our way but are actually in no rush now we have reached our objective i.e. the Mediterranean coast. Breakfast then service the van – which we always do if there are facilities available as we generally don't know where we're going to be next – incurring the wrath of a local who seemed to object when we emptied the toilet into the (correct) receptacle whilst he was filling water bottles (incorrectly) at the adjacent tap. Mind it did whiff a bit and he did start calling us names, some of which sounded a bit rude! Just ignored him, which seemed to make him worse! Tough.

Never mind, we finished and got back onto the road, initially going the wrong way but quickly sorting that out, with our aims this morning to do some shopping, refill the gas bottles and maybe refuel at the same time. In Tarragona the latter two were easily accomplished at one Repsol station but we had a few attempts at finding supermarkets before we pulled onto a Mercadonna, one of the better places we've found in Spain. There was actually an Aldi next to it too.

A trolley full later we decided to have an early lunch before heading south along the coast. With no real destination in mind we settled on Benicarlo and enjoyed a nice hours run on the empty A7/N340 main road, which more or less runs alongside the AP7. The AutoPista is supposed to be a toll road but we've learned that the tolls are being removed on many AP's in Spain and judging by the amount of traffic on it, this section may well now be toll-free. Whatever, we're in no rush and soon turned off at the junction for Peniscola, headed for an apparently new ACSI campsite, advertised to be in Benicarlo.

It isn't – in Benicarlo that is – and although we did in fact call in to have a look it definitely wasn't to our taste even if (and probably why) it was in the cheapest ACSI bracket. So instead we made our way to the more expensive site, which we've used several times, at El Eden in Peniscola itself. Made to feel very welcome again, we found a suitable pitch on this almost full campsite and settled in. The majority of our neighbours were German, which in itself is a good indicator of the quality – Germans only go for the best in everything – although we did park on the next pitch to a Brit caravan.

We've booked for four nights here with a view to settling down after all the travel and catch up with the laundry etc. Bren's cold is getting better but we'd like to visit a pharmacy to top up on the medications she's been getting through. At least it feels a lot warmer here and the forecast still seems settled. The only fly in the oitment is that there seems to be some serious demolition work going on closeby with a pneumatic hammer going right up until dusk – hope that's going to stop.