3 Oct 2011 – Javea

We were pleased to have good weather, and a good turn out, for our first walk after the summer break.

 We normally walk from Arenal, but that involves a long road walk at the end.  So today we drove to a suitable car park on the outskirts of Javea.

After a few days of grey skies, and even some heavy rain, we expected the worse for today.  But were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by 30c and a clear blue sky.  And the sea views were pretty impressive too.

My favourite part of this walk is around Cabo San Martin, a nature reserve with good paths and lots of shade

There are also many suitable “water stop” points……..

……with breath taking sea views….

….including these scuba divers

Our collection of ladies who do……walking (of course)

Then it was a short walk to the beach at Portixol

Where we had our picnic lunch break 

The journey back to Javea is along the beach

 Climbing over the rocks

With a suitable photo stop

 Another climb (of course)

And back to Javea

Next Week

After our long summer break it was lovely to meet up with the group again and catch up on what everyone had been doing for the past four months.   This was an excellent first walk, particularly on such a warm day.   Not too difficult and cool sea breeze.

Next week will be Bernia, via the forat.    Meet at the usual car park at 1000.

10 Sep 2011 – Stuart and Family

Our first meal out together was to our local Tramonti restraurant in Parcent.   We could all walk down together, so we didn’t have to worry about taking the car.

Jack is a “big boy” now and very well behaved at meals.   Georgia has some way to go to reach that standard.  Fortunately she was in a very good mood today, and was no trouble at all.

Our second meal out was at the Piscina restraurant, also in Parcent.   We had to use the car to get us all there, which involved two trips.

This was Jan’s official birthday meal, and Jack was given the task of passing over the presents

He as not so sure that he wanted to give a birthday kiss…….

….but finally agreed – just one mind

Georgia couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about, but her snack kept her busy – and quiet.   All you can really ask for if you take a one year old out for lunch.

19 Sep 2011 - Birthday Treat

Its Jan’s birthday tomorrow.   But this year we are experimenting with a week of birthday treats.   We have already had bacon rolls in Calpe and German cake in Javea.   Today was a special treat – Apple Strudel at the Col de Rates restaurant.

Col de Rates is our local mountain, this is the view from our naya.

We often walk there from the house, but today we drove.   It was much too hot to walk, and it would not have been much of a birthday treat.

The view from the car park is one of the best in the whole area.   Centre is Parcent, with our house on the hill behind

The reason we choose Col de Rates is so that we could have a short walk before our birthday treat

It is a lovely walk from the car park to this finca.   It is usually empty, though obviously being renovated.  Each time we visit another job has been done.  Today it was an outdoor kitchen area.

After a short break at the finca to enjoy the views, it was back to the restaurant

The “almost birthday girl” was taken aback when she saw the price – 7.20 euro each for cake and coffee……

……but worth every penny!   This may well become a birthday tradition for us both.

29 Aug 2011 – Stuart and Family

We were fortunate that it is a little cooler than earlier in the month, but with the water at 30c it was still warm enough to use the pool.

After his morning run and workout, not to mention his 100 lengths of the pool,  Stuart would have quite liked to spend some time soaking up the rays.

Georgia has other ideas, and wanted her dad to push her around the pool

Michelle was quick to take Stuart’s place in the boat

But he made sure that she did not get too comfortable

28 Aug 2011 – Stuart and Family

 It’s two years since Stuart, Michelle and Jack were last in Parcent.   Last summer Michelle presented Jack with a little sister, and Georgia was too young to travel.   Their arrival brought to an abrupt end our relaxed and very quiet life style

Stuart and Michelle are keen on keep fit, and started their first day with a three mile run around the village, including the steep road back to the house.   So they were quite happy for a more sedate walk around the village before lunch

They particularly liked the Co Operativea, with its selection of ice cream.   Georgia coped with the heat by having a mid morning snooze.

But she was soon awake again and spotted the play area on the terrace

This was also a favourite with Jack when he was last here.  That is his arm opening the window so that Georgia can close it again.   Proud dad is quite happy to keep watch on them both.

13 Aug 2011 – Parcent Fiesta

Hard to tell from this photo of a deserted Parcent, but the annual fiesta is in full swing.   It all happens at night, usually very late a night.   In the past week we have been treated to very loud music each night, from about midnight to 6am.   Even though we live outside the village, it is still loud enough to ensure a sleepless night.

Today is children’s day.   The village square was transformed into a play area for small children.   Behind the camera is a large portable stage for the nightly disco.

We were quite surprised that there were so few children, but perhaps their parents were sleeping off last nights disco.

The fiesta is a celebration of the “coming of age” of the village teenagers.   The home of each “festeros” is decorated and the road painted.   As you walk around the village you can see the faded decorated pavements and street.

This is a particularly impressive example.

Another square was closed for the children’s tennis match.   Not a lot of spectators, obviously another example of recovering from last night’s entertainment

In previous years the decoration seemed to be more traditional, hand drawn with name, year and perhaps a flower or similar.   This year Lightening McQueen seemed to be particularly popular, and many seemed to be very professional.

2 Aug 2011 – Calpe Old Town

 It’s too hot to do much during the day, so we have decided to spend one evening a week looking for new restaurants

 This week it was Calpe.  We discovered the old town many years ago, but have not been back for a meal recently

 It was just after 8pm when we arrived, too late for the tourists and too early for the Spanish

 Its quite an expensive area to eat, and there was no sign of our much preferred menu del dia

 There is lots of choice, many of the small streets packed with tables

Dos Canones, close to the old town gate, was our choice