Month: November 2019

We rode out on the bikes yesterday (to obtain wine for dinner). It’s a pleasant 15 to 20 minute jaunt from the campsite at Ribamar to the Consum in Alcossebre, though the first (and final) mile threatens to shake the fillings loose from one’s teeth.

Wine, beer and nibbles obtained, we cycled home again. Having regained the final mile on dirt track, I was toiling up the gradient when I saw a large black dog lumbering up the way in front of me. I imagined it to be the Newfoundland that is staying on the site here… but it’s owners were nowhere in sight.

It was only as I got closer that the dog turned through 90° and revealed itself to be a wild pig. I think it to have been a Boar sow rather than a Boar boar (confusing, isn’t it?) as it was only large and not enormous. It appeared to be elderly, unhurried and quite confident. Judging by the tunnel under the wire fence that was visible as we passed, this beast was on a regular route.

Sorry no photo but, you know, /on the bike/…

Here’s a link that might be interesting and may go some way towards explaining why we like it so much here, having found those other parts of the Costas that we have passed through to be not in the least to our taste: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/secret-garden-explore-valencias-sierra-de-irta-1667123.html

The site that we are on is placed within the boundaries of the national park. It’s a fabulous place for a quiet holiday.

Ah, the Spanish campsite of a weekend: feral children in abundance and constantly barking dogs. Fun for all the family, but perhaps not so much for us. Certainly not fun for Dusty, who keeps retreating to the parcel shelf in the van.

I was hoping that he would have plenty of outdoors time today and be ready for bed when the time comes. Last night he dozed the evening away and I knew that he was going to be a problem later…

Indeed, the wee chap was very perky in the early hours, setting off the four-way flashers, playing with his jingly toy and asking for food. 04:45 hrs. He was up and at ’em again, looking for a way out of the van as dawn broke. We had left the blinds open to prevent his wrecking them in the night but the extra light admitted woke him too soon for our liking.

Blinds closed tonight, we think and I shall be prodding him every time that he looks like nodding off…

The flies here are sending all three of us demented but I shall be cooking outdoors anyway – we are having curry and I do not plan to stink the van out. We might eat early before the evening chill settles so that we can also eat outdoors.

All being well we shall be away on Monday and Dusty can look forward to some grass, a few pine trees and far more peace and quiet. No doubt the flies will be hellish. Also… the expected overnight temperature at our destination when we arrive is forecast to be -2°C. Can’t have everything, eh?

Looking forward to Portugal now, with its lovely empty and peaceful campsites. Let us not forget the curry either – Holi Diwali, here we come! Then of course there are the well-known custard tarts (and the lesser-known but equally appreciated chocolate-filled doughnuts..)