Well that has been the hottest day so far. Nine pm now and we've just returned from a balmy nocturnal walk. My clock cum tempature gauge tells me it is 22° outside. Snugly.
We are just south of 'Valencia'. A semi suburban beachside area bordering the 'Parc natural de l'abufera' which comprises various large lakes, rice growing paddy fields and lots of wildlife. (like migrating motorhomers .... lol) It has been a very busy Sunday with the Spanish out in force enjoying this lovely warm day and beachside setting.
There are about twelve motorhomes here all wild parked with not a British number plate to be seen. French and German plus a smattering of Dutch.
I arrived yesterday after having spent the last week up in the hills at Lenny & Win's smallholding near 'Rugat'. They have a lovely villa within a terraced orchard which was eighty five percent complete when purchased last year. Lenny is now thoroughly and enjoyably immersing himself in the remaining projects. He and I walked around the land which comprises about four large curved hillside terraces planted with Plum and Almond trees. There were Rabbits galore running everywhere plus a regular wild pig or two nocturnally visiting and grubbing up the soft and fertile soil. They are besotted with their new home and managing well with solar powered electricity and 'delivered in' water. I helped Lenny with his ingenious system for collecting, filtering and storing rain run off water. As a bonus there is a really good local community and social life mainly comprised of ex pats. A lovely week with good company in a beautiful location.
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There is something very peaceful and deeply satisfying in doing nothing whatsoever except watching and hearing the continual roll of waves smashing into the soft rocky and eroding shallow cliff edge about thirty yards from where we are parked. The feeling is warm, especially so as there is a warm and furry dog nestled in my arms. Transcendent too as all lights are off allowing the full silvery beauty of the clear strong moonlight illuminated scene to parade before us at Sadie's door.
This is 'Peniscola', to be exact, just south of the town on a coast hugging wild track. It is a popular holiday destination with a very attractive and touristy old town complete with fifteenth century fortifications. It is North of 'Burriana' where, amid its maze like orange groves we have been for the last couple of days visiting Jurate (one of my brothers carers) and her family. Sergio, her Mexican husband cooked us all a truly wonderful, and not too 'hot hot', Mexican meal last night. A very pleasant evening out where Ricky, their eight month old Chihuaha took quite some time to settle down after having his territory invaded by a stranger with a furry black dog. Emily worked hard with her school taught English trying to persuade me to stay another day. No luck I'm afraid as I am keen now to move North toward France and hopefully Italy. We shall see.
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Poor Tanya was once again in my arms for some TLC after being traumatized. It happened as I was cooking the evening meal. The damm smoke alarm went off. Tanya with a fearful and painful auditory passion hates the loud BEEEP....BEEEP of the infernal but essential motorhome safety device.
Now timing, when cooking is critical, as I do like my food to be hot when it arrives on my plate. So I was stressed as I frantically flapped a towel around to encourage the offending smoky air to exit via the roof hatch rather than aimlessly wafting around the smoke alarm. A difficult task if, at the same time you are also flipping over nicely browning Tortilla and agitating an onion mushroom and green pepper stir fry. In such a delicately balanced situation the last thing you need is for the very small motorhome foot room space to be invaded by a traumatized dog seeking reassuring leg cuddles. I'm ashamed to admit it but I'm afraid her trauma doubled in intensity as she got serious verbal and foot abuse from me.
All is well that ends well though. She had her moonlight cuddle with plenty of re-assurance and treats and is now fast asleep sprawled in her bed on the turned around drivers seat. She looks to be a happy dog. I guess I'm a well fed doggy owner. It is a beautiful night in a stunning location. Yes, the words peaceful, satisfying and transcendent sum it up well.
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