Another BIG day out;
With the alarm set for 5.45am we were to the station and by 7.20 am, on the train leaving Alcala de Xivert (a 15 minute drive from our base in Alcossebre), for a 90 minute train ride;
arriving in Valencia at 9am....such a lovely time to see the city in a state of quiet (only the workers scurrying around) and great for photography light. Arriving by train immediately set the tone for the city for us - a beautifully tiled Station Del Nord and we were very close for wandering the city centre through the lovely tree lined streets, to where some of the shopping and business areas open into large pedestrian friendly spaces - the first plaza, with the perimeter circled with flower stalls. The distinctive feature of their very beautiful architecture is its wealth of elaborate facades - they are on almost every building. Beautifully embellished Baroque effects from many centuries past. The day was perfect for sightseeing - lovely temperature of 25 degrees with a light breeze.

Valencia is the third largest city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona. Its urban area extends beyond the city limits with a population of around 1.5–1.6 million people. The Port of Valencia is the 5th busiest container port in Europe and the busiest container port on the Mediterranean Sea- one beach so long, that Amelia said ; "if I started to walk, I could carry on all the way to Barcelona and she could pick me up there"!!!

Valencia was founded as a Roman colony in 138 BC. In 714 Moroccan and Arab Moors occupied the city, introducing their language, religion and customs; they implemented improved irrigation systems and the cultivation of new crops as well. Its historic centre is one of the largest in Spain, with approximately 169 hectares; this heritage of ancient monuments, views and cultural attractions, makes Valencia fantastic for sightseeing on foot. Our morning was just starting and there was the HOP ON bus- first one of the day and we were almost the only couple up on top on the open deck to get our overview of this beautiful city. Tree lined streets with grand buildings either side and altogether a WOW from us. After the city, our route on the bus took us out past the ZOO - a 100,000 metre world famous attraction that immerses its visitors into the animals' habitat- its unique design with no visual barriers between the visitors and the animals. The park’s animal inhabitants are separated from visitors by a series of rivers, ponds, streams, and rock outcroppings. 

The port city of Valencia lies on Spain’s southeastern coast, where the Turia River meets the Mediterranean Sea. It’s known as the City of Arts and Sciences, with futuristic structures including a planetarium, an oceanarium and an interactive museum. Valencia also has several beaches, including some within nearby Albufera Park, a wetlands reserve with a lake and walking trails. After severe flooding of the city in the 1950's, the Franco led Government agreed to reroute the river away from the town center and out to sea, leaving an 8 kilometer stretch of dried up river bed which has been transformed into a landscaped park. Lovely gardens and trees now, where once the river flowed. The ancient stone bridges still remain, but the riverbed now houses cycle and footpaths, football pitches and Europe's largest Cultural and sporting complex.
Meeting with our friend Amelia -"under the big clock" outside the Nord (railway station) at 1.30pm, we set off again on foot. "It is HOT" she said, "and we will go somewhere quiet and cool" - upstairs to a typical very tastefully decorated Spanish Tapa/Paella restaurant - looking out through a wall of windows to a canopy of trees from the street below, for a shandy and Rabbit Paella.....just a beautiful couple of hours spent talking and eating....then we were off again - walking our legs off (as Garry would say). Amelia, originally from the Basque country in the North, teaches and has lived in Valencia for many years. She knows this city intimately and is justifiably very proud of it ....a perfect guide. One of the many beautiful buildings we entered was featuring an exhibition by a Spanish photographer who has returned from Syria with some very 'moving' photography - I share just one with you.

By 5 o'clock, on passing through another lane in the old quarter, I said " I feel like a Sangria"  - perfect; and in we waltzed to Café de lass Horas (a favorite café of our host). While Garry watched the barman make from scratch, an individual 1 litre jug of Sangria, labourisly cutting up all the fruit before pouring in assorted liquors, then topping the whole lot up with red wine,I had my head spinning in circles taking in their sumptuous décor (floor to ceiling) from some century long ago. We emerged an hour later, feeling like we had had another memorable experience in a time warp.

With our batteries recharged, we set out on foot over one of the many bridges across the 'riverbed' park, catching a bus to Amelia's apartment to collect her car. She wanted to show us the America's cup village scene, Port and main beach before getting us back to our 8.10pm train...... If we thought we had seen it all up to 6 o'clock, the next 2 hours were on overdrive- whizzing in and out of traffic, Amelia stopping to let me take pics, and when she could not stop, just going around a roundabout a couple of times while I leant out with my camera!!!. Dropping us at the station in the full sunshine at 7.45pm on a Friday evening. We made our way with the 'weekenders' and their overnight bags, onto our train (Gelato in hand) for home and a 90 minute snooze.
A 17 hour day for us ....and will remember it for a lifetime.

Nestled up over the hills and in a valley, an hours drive inland from Alcossebre, lies the sleepy little village of Salsa Della. Every year on the first weekend in June they have an all weekend Cherry festival. Their cherries are all ripe and ready for market. Richard drove, with Garry, Viv and I enjoying the scenery of the back country roads. The fields all lined with dry rock walls, and olive,almond and cherry trees growing. The festival was in full swing by the time we got there with huge slabs of cherry pie, and cherry liquor on sale and many other handcrafts and tasty treats being offered by local Artisans. . We enjoyed watching Romanian/gypsy dancing- seemed a mix of belly/folk and flamingo to us, all accompanied to Moroccan sounding music and hearty clapping by those watching. We departed several hours later having filled our tummies with hot cherry pie, and café con Lecche....Richard purchased extra cherry pie to bring home to enjoy again.

After leaving the festival the journey home was via a different route, travelling further down the valley. Along some of the road edges we saw stone cairns - small basic rock shelters. Not sure if they are still being used, but they have sure stood the test of time. This particular area was home to Prehistoric man and has many protected caves and rock drawings. This is considered to be the nucleus of cave/rock drawings in the world....unfortunately when we got to the museum to see the caves, they were just closing for siesta .....something to save for another time.

We are now on countdown...2 days before we depart from this Idyllic village, Alcossebre..
Do NOT mess with the Spanish Guardia Civil (Police);  they were on duty late this afternoon as the first of the Tuesday evening markets got under way. We went to gas up the "little red shoe" (our Suzuki Alto) - and there is only one way in and the Police were on heavy duty. As we returned we were bought to a HALT on the roundabout up on the main road in; one Policeman doing the questions (Drivers door) and one with the AK47 almost on our bonnet and in an 'on guard' position. Nice to be reminded there is strict security here on who enters this village. One last pic for the BLOG at the market and who should we run into but English friends David and Maureen we socialized with here 4 years ago.
I had been trying to purchase a gift voucher from the local supermarket to give to our hosts..... simple one would think , BUT NO....NO one knew what I was talking about - many staff and customers get involved in the conversation that goes round and round while standing at the checkout, but after 2 supermarket calls, and no one understanding my needs we realize our POOR Spanish is totally inadequate and reinforces for me how we are only such small fish with our English language and take easy conversation for granted..
Tomorrow Pepita and Jesus arrive from Barcelona - a last evening meal out together and bags packed we shall have an early departure in time for our 9am check in for the flight from Barcelona to Rome.
The next BLOG will be called "life on the ocean waves"