Off to Moraira

Before leaving for Moraira I walked in to the town on Sunday.  It took about 30 minutes.

Beautiful view of the mountain range on my way in to town.

It’s a very small town.

The main drag...

Lots of oranges after all it is Valencia!

I think these are pomegranates!

Lovely restaurant where I had lunch..

Yummy salad with a glass of vino blanco.

I leave Altea la Vella Monday morning and drive to Valencia to drop off my rental car.  I decide to take the route along the coast which will avoid the toll but take an hour longer.  I really wanted to see more of the towns along the coast.  It is also very windy and I didn’t want to compete with the big rigs on the highway.  My car is small and light and tends to get blown around on the road.

Safely back at the car rental.  Whew!

I have arrived in Moraira....not without a hiccup.  I was told that I could take ALSA bus to Benitachell and then just take taxi to the villa in Moraira.  Sounded easy however this is the second time I have been told to take taxi and there are no taxis!  When I am dropped off by the bus there is a sign there with the phone numbers for the taxi but since I don’t speak Spanish I don’t know how I will describe where I need to be picked up.  I spot a bar across the street so go there and ask the woman running the place if she could call the taxi.  She makes two calls and says “no taxi”, something about Alicante and a whole bunch of Spanish.  NO TAXI!  I have to call Lisa (my housesit) and ask for her assistance.  She tries to get a taxi...no go!  She has to come from Javea, pick me up and drive me to the villa!  It turns out I’m glad she did as it wasn’t as easy as I was led to believe to get to the villa and get settled.  Lisa drives quickly around town and then shows me the villa.  She’s gone and here I am.
I try to go out to eat or get some groceries but it is dark and I am unfamiliar with the area.  I fear I could get lost so decide to just have a snack and go to bed.  I’ll explore in the morning.

Things are always brighter the next day.  I walk about 15 minutes from the house and find a lovely place to have breakfast. So good!  I’m sitting close to the water.

I continue my walk in to town to get groceries...I find a store after visiting Tourist Info office.  With having to purchase water (as well as wine) it’s all too heavy to walk home with everything.  The woman at the store calls a taxi for me. YES!  A taxi comes...go figure and takes me back to the villa (uphill) for 6 euro.  This is a must if I do a big shop.  Settling in.

Altea la Vella

Before I head out to Altea la Vella....

Breakfast at my favourite spot on the beach in Altea...the Casa del Mar.

One last walk down this lovely promenade then it’s in my car and off to Altea La Vella which is only 30 minutes down the road.
Amazing how the GPS can take you on some very interesting routes.  Great way to see “off the beaten path”.  Heaven help me if I all of a sudden lost the signal as I wouldn’t have a clue where I am. Thank heaven for technology.  Don’t fail me now!

Arrived at my housesit in Altea La Vella on Friday.  A very cute small house up in the hills.  Carina welcomed me and showed me around.



This is Nino.  A beautiful boy.

And this is Mamita.  A very affectionate girl!  I am looking forward to some quiet time with the kitties.

On Saturday I drove to Javea to meet Lisa who is my next housesit in Moraira.  She and her partner own this very successful vegan restaurant just off the beach.

The beach and promenade in Javea.  Unfortunately it started to rain so I drove back to Altea La Vella.  Javea looks like a place I would like to explore.  Perhaps another trip as I will be returning my rental car on Monday.

Altea

What a lovely town.  If you go to the old town there are so many winding twisting streets.  Lots of stairs but so worth the climb!

I start down at the sea...

And start the climb...

And climb...

Almost there...

And then you’re rewarded with the most amazing view...

Everywhere you look it’s just beautiful...

And then the walk back down...

And then I reward myself with a plate of mussels and a chilled glass of vino blanco!  Off to my housesit tomorrow at Altea La Vella.

Goodbye Alcossebre...hello Altea

Second to last night in Alcossebre was beautiful. Full moon.

My last dinner at L’Illa...steak!

Went for a beer on the beach the afternoon before I left.  Really is nice....now to pack and get ready to move on.

Early morning as the only train from Alcalà going to Valencia is at 7:30.  Trudy’s husband Simon picks me up just before 7 as there is no other way to get to the train station.  Poor Simon.

I didn’t sleep well as I was so afraid I wouldn’t catch the train and if that happened then my train ticket was garbage and also my car rental and night’s accommodation in Altea would be wasted.  Anyhow...I did make the train.  It was 10 minutes late so everything worked.

Got to Valencia around 9 am and then took the subway to the airport to pick up my car.  No problem getting the car.  

Cute little thing called a Fiat Panda.  I feel rather small when all these cars go whizzing by me.  Speed limit is 120 km and other drivers go past me like I’m standing still.

This was a great place to stay.  Fully equipped one bedroom a block from the beach and in the heart of everything.  I asked for a room in the back so it would be quieter and no problem.  Would definitely stay here again.

Down at the beach.

Ready to explore this town!

My last few days in Alcossebre

Enjoying my lazy days in Alcossebre.

Oranges on a tree that I pass on my way to the market.

Off to lunch...mussels are their specialty and they were good!

The local crest...this is imprinted on the walkways.

A trip down to the marina now that I have a bicycle to use.

Great riding along the boardwalk.

So much beach...pretty quiet at this time of year but I’m told it’s packed in July/August.

They cater to the tourists coming here but still maintain the flavour of Spain.

I’m heading out for dinner tonight...big treat!

We’re back in the clear!

Well it was scary. Two days of being stuck indoors.  High winds, torrential rain, lightning and thunder.  Wow!  Some water came in and I spent time mopping it up.  Gave me something to do.

Morning sunrise....looks promising!

Forecast is great!

I note some damage.  This tree came down and crushed the wall.  There’s a lot of sand around from the flooded streets but they’re already busy cleaning it up.  Some businesses were flooded but not too much that I can tell.

I go for a walk down to the lighthouse.  It’s a beautiful day.

A nice treat...gelato on a warm day.

And back home to cool off with my toes in the pool....there’s no one here!