The drive from Palomares was not pleasant – torrential rain and flooding. We were relieved to arrive at the campsite of Los Establos about 4 miles from the town of Novelda. The site was small, quiet, quaint and slightly quirky. Only 9 pitches and these were not all occupied. The site is principally a riding stables. Quite a few animals on the site including Jimmy the water buffalo, geese, chickens, ducks, Guinea fowl, goats, sheep and tortoises.
The first night on site we experienced torrential rain all night. We prepared to go to bed at about midnight and found the bed was saturated with water leaking from a skylight. We adjusted the angle of the van and the leak stopped. We had to sleep on the van floor that night. The following day we were able to dry most of the mattresses and linen outside. The site owners and other campers were very helpful. It appears this leak is a known Adria problem caused by the removal of part of a foam gasket in the rear skylight. The problem only occurs under exceptional rain/wind/angle scenarios.
The site is surrounded by farmland mainly growing grapes. The land has been extensively worked over the decades such that there are now large terraces and reservoirs.
Campsite Los Establos near NoveldaJimmy the blind water buffaloFields of artichokesThe entrance to the Los Establos campsite/stablesPalm trees inside the campsiteJimmy’s neighboursFeeding time!The chicken houseCampsite all to ourselves!
Palomares 16-18 March
We visited our friends Derek and Beverly Bennett in Palomares. They have an apartment in the town and were on one of their regular 3-4 week stays. we camped in the Taiga campsite in Palomares – rather cramped with small pitches. A recent storm had flooded some of the low lying areas including vegetable fields. The flooding had mainly receded but left a good deal of mud and rotting vegetation.
Palomares beach is notorious for hordes of motorhomes staying there illegally. The authorities turn a blind eye until the summer tourist season starts in June.
Palomares is situated just east of VeraOur friends Derek and Bev.The small estuary at the northern end of Palomares beachRun along Palomares beach – probably the warmest day of the trip so far – all of 18°C.Palomares beach looking southPalomares beach looking northIllegal motorhomes on Palomares beachSunset..The morning of departure: torrential rain. A river flowed through the campsite.
Freila: 14-16 March
Camped at the friendly site at Camping Rural la Cabañuela situated next to the Negratin reservoir (Embalse de Negratin) within the Grenada Geo Park. Badlands type geography with plenty of hills. Had one good day’s weather albeit 10°C so did a 7.7 mile run to the village of Freila and back. Freila is fascinating with many of the Troglodyte homes built from within the rock faces and existing caves. Quite strange to see chimneys coming out of what looks like a rocky cliff!
The reservoir This area is officially Europes southernmost desert (the Gorafe); we must have had nearly all the annual rainfall since we arrived!The run to Freila from the campsiteBadlands and BadladThe village of Freila with some of the troglodyte cave dwellingsThis one was more cliff face than cave dwelling..chimneys poking out of the rock; these caves were first excavated and lived in during Medieval times and are still inhabited today.Nice little extension on this cave dwelling.
Córdoba: 12-14 March Camped in a basic parking site in El Higuerón a few miles west of Córdoba city, close to the Moorish archaeological site of Madinat Al-Zahra. Next day we managed to catch the confusing bus service into the city to see the Mosque-Cathedral.
Archaeological site of Madinat Al-Zahra. Built by the Moors from 930 BC. Site excavation started in 1911.Pillars at the Madinat Al-Zahra siteMoorish arches at Madinat Al-ZahraOn our way into the Mosque-Cathedral at CórdobaMoorish architecture Moorish arch but Christian frieze withinAnother example of a Moorish arch with a Christian altar alongsudeClearly Christian style architecture in the middle of the mosque-cathedral Outside view of the mosque-cathedral Roman bridge in the centre of CórdobaVery wet day in Córdoba!Not great weather!Typical alleyway in the old city of CórdobaWasted oranges in Córdoba centreThe River Guadalquivir in coloured full-flow through the centre of CórdobaNesting storks near the campsite taking advantage of electricity pylons We made a couple of friends on the campsite..The LOUDEST donkey in the world!
Granada: 10-12 March
Stayed on a basic motorhome park on the edge of Granada and took a taxi to the centre to see the Alhambra Palace and the Cathedral. Controversially, we thought the Real Alcazar in Sevilla was more impressive than the Alhambra.
Snow on the Sierra Nevada mountains just south of GranadaView from top of Alhambra Palace, GranadaView of the Granada old town from the Alhambra Palace.Courtyard inside the Alhambra PalaceThe 4 lions..One of many cool and peaceful garden courtyards in the AlhambraIs this Morocco? No – one of the Alhambra’s many gardensSheltering from the heavy rain inside the AlhambraAnother view of Granada from the AlhambraOne of many ornate tile mosaics in the Alhambra.A few ornaments in the Alhambra museum.One of the over ornate alters within Granadas very impressive Cathedral,The biggest church organ we have seen in the Granada Cathedral.Now that is what we call a door! (Granada Cathedral).
La Pedrera campsite, Bigastro, Orihuela 7-10 March
Location of La PedreraVery tempting to “find” a few lemons!challenging, hilly run around the La Pedrera campsite. Many lemon trees, full of fruit.surrounded by lemon grovesView from La Pedrera campsite looking towards the town of OrihuelaSome delicacies on display in the Bigastro supermarket; we think (hope) that they are tails in the middle!Well earned break at the dam on the Pedrera reservoir The Pedrera Reservoir13 mile hilly ride to local reservoir
El Tranquillo Campsite, Pinoso 3-7 March
Location of PinosoSculpture outside Pinoso. The town is famous for marble production having the largest marble quarry in the world.Close up of almond orchardAlmond treesmap of trails through nearby national park in very steep hills. The park is used for hunting.Olive treesThe El Tranquillo campsite 3 miles from Pinoso. Quiet and very large, private pitches.
Ebre Delta, L’Ampolla 1 – 3 March
Statue near L’Ampolla; a figurative ’ship of history’ carrying various passengers from the areas history including Pope Adria VI in 1522. The Ebre river was an important route to the Mediterranean from elsewhere in Europe.Flamingos in the Ebre DeltaCanal in the Ebre delta. The canals regulate water levels in the delta where rice is grown in paddy fields.
The Ebre Delta is a haven for birds and wildlife
Crossing the Greenwich Meridian on the way from Zaragoza to the Mediterranean coast. Ebre Delta
Zaragoza 27 February to 1 March
The Imperial Aragon Canal, Zaragoza. The canal was completed in 1790 and was used for irrigation and some freight. The original plan was to connect the Ebro River to the Atlantic but only 110kms were ever constructed.Maze in park next to canalSome idiot in the mazeLondon Plane trees were abundant in the Zaragoza municipal campsite. As were sparrows!
Bilbao: Thursday 27th February.
The Brittany Ferries ferry from Portsmouth arrived in Bilbao at 08:00.
Route of the run to Freila
Bilbao port
Aboard the ferry Salamanca as it berthed in Bilbao early in the morning.
