Jul 23, 2011 - Peniscola

I’m not too bright so the others head off to explore Peniscola. They arrive back quite pleased with themselves having found some interesting shops in the old part of town. We lunch and then settle to watch the individual time trial on our laptops – the TV here does not show the Le tour until 4pm. The atmosphere quite tense while Cadel rides – please don’t fall off! Very excited at the end – unfortunately all the interviews etc are in French – not Cadel's favourite language by the sound of it. We share the excitement with Judy, who is...

Jul 22, 2011 - And now to the coast

Our first stop some water falls about 14 kms from Albarracin. We decide not to drive back through Albarracin but to take another route. This takes us through some more hills and we reach a height of around 1600 metres. Unfortunately this route also adds considerable time to our trip to Peniscola on the eastern coast of Spain – north of Valencia. As we approach the coast we see non-stop orchards – mainly oranges. We finally reach Peniscola around 5pm – just in time to see the last 10kms of the final Le tour mountain stage. Peniscola is a...

Jun 16, 2011 - Peniscola (Day 5)

Thursday already and another lovely day at the beach. We enjoyed chatting to Samara on skype and had another relaxing day. At 7pm we walked along the beach enjoying the calm water and again the amazing sight of huge castle and old town of Peniscola in the distance. We found a nice restarant with great view of the castle and enjoyed personal service by the Moroccan waiter who was very impressed we had come all the way from Australia to his restaurant!! Walked back to the bright light of the moon and enjoyed a cafe con leche at our favourite...

Jun 15, 2011 - Peniscola (Day 4)

We took the local bus for 1.30euro each to the town of Vinarros (about 30 minutes) and saw all the local sights including the 'bullring'. We were only able to see the outside but a very impressive structure next to the beach. Paul spotted an aircraft carrier out to sea as we walked along the beach. Again another beautiful day about 30 with blue sky and slight breeze, very enjoyable. We walked down the shopping mall but yes it was 2pm so everything closed and deserted, it felt a but Eerie!! Dinner fantastic at an excellent restaurant just...

Jun 14, 2011 - Peniscola (Day 3)

Skype back home to Paul's brother Chris & family, Kenan & Isaac and enjoyed a relaxing day then about 7pm we walked along the beach to the old town of Peniscola.The old town is an amazing sight as it begins to light up in the evening and everybody is out enjoying the cool of dusk and looking for a restaurant to enjoy dinner. We found a fantastic little restaurant right next to the wall of the old castle and enjoyed a fantastic 3 course dinner with local drink, Sangria and also cappacinos all for 9.50 euro each and Heather had her first...

Jun 13, 2011 - Peniscola (Day 2)

Walked along the beach to the next town called Beniscola. We looked around town but as it was now about 1pm everything was beginning to close for the afternoon, like everyday in Spain. We managed to find a nice cafe open and sat down to order cafe con leche (flat white). The couple sitting next to us heard us and introduced themselves, theyre from Kiama, NSW and were very well travelled as this was their third trip to Spain. So they were very helpful with some interesting information and a quick Spanish lesson. We walked back to our beach...

Jun 12, 2011 - Peniscola

Woke to beautiful sunny day and headed off for walk along the beach to old town of Peniscola at the end of the bay. What an incredible sight a walled town perched high up on the hill overlooking the mediterranean coast built back in 1294. It was build on top of the remains of an Arab citadel and occupied by Benedict X111 who used it as a papal palace (the castle). It survived many wars and seiges and was declared a listed building in 1931. The streets are still occupied by locals and there are many street stalls with the local goods. All...