Sunday 8 January 2017

Alcover to Peniscola - 102 miles

Woken by Jamie at 08.10 announcing he wanted to go outside; unfortunately we weren't quick enough so we got a big wet patch on the carpet to clean up....... Knew we should have left the carpets at home!

But never mind it was a glorious morning with no frost, in fact it was almost warm and the sun was beating down out of a clear blue sky so we took advantage of the earlier start and, after breakfast and clearing up, we took Jamie for a walk into the town.

Alcover is a typical walled town with lots of narrow alleyways and tall buildings, but really had not much going for it so we returned to Bertie, emptied the waste tank and set off. We had almost reached our objective, the coast at Tarragona, so continued there before turning south west along the coast, just bumbling along now enjoying the warm sunshine with nothing really in mind except moving south.

Around lunchtime we turned off the main road to the small village of Alcanor, looking for somewhere to stop for an hour. It's not a big place and we ended up driving down what appeared to be a pedestrianised street – but we literally had nowhere else to go and anyway several cars followed us........ Managed to get out onto the seafront promenade and parked on the roadside next to the beach.

LOOK - Sunshine and palm trees!

We've been on the road for seven days now and are both ready for a few days break so we checked out the maps for somewhere suitable with full facilities as there's some washing to be done. About half an hour away is the town of Peniscola where we identified a number of campsites and aires. We made towards one candidate but discovered it was some way out of the town and the beach so tried another which was much better placed although somewhat more expensive. They had plenty of room so we found a nice pitch with full all-day sunshine and settled in. 

Mission accomplished!

Later we took Jamie for a walk along the seafront, noticing a sign saying no dogs on the beach – but it didn't appear to be stopping others though! Returned to Camping Eden (for that's what it's called) and having a mooch around met and chatted with some more Brits who had been here since October. Seems December was very wet and stormy but it's been fine since Christmas Day; long may it continue. But it was now getting cold as the sun set so return indoors for tea and another quiet evening, spoiled when Jamie had another “accident” despite us watching him – we just were not quick enough. Be glad when we can take him off the tablets!

We've paid for 4 nights which should be long enough to get ourselves sorted and relax for a while (€105 including the dog and a small “seniors” discount if you're interested. There's a swimming pool, sauna and cafe/bar open until 1800; the site restaurant is currently closed as are many around the area at this time of year). This is an ACSI site, that is, part of the ACSI discount scheme. Unfortunately our 2017 membership card and books had not arrived when we left and the receptionist would not take our 2016 card. We know it's possible to buy the ACSI card at some campsites so we'll have to look out for one - we would have saved €5 a night!