PAGE TWO
Costa Blanca - Andrew, Jacqui and both their parents - 2003
Jacqui thought that it was a good idea for our parents to get to know each other for us all to go on a holiday together. So it was that in late April 2003 Andrew, Jacqui and their parents all boarded a flight to Alicante airport and picked up a big old rental car to take us to the area of the Costa Blanca around Moraira.
Our villa - the Casa Cometa
The Gang's All Here!!
Relaxing on the veranda
We arrived at our villa late in the evening, in darkness, and tried to follow the instructions given to us in order to enter. The instructions told us to find the key underneath a stone by the door. We pulled up by the gate and tried to open it. It wouldn’t budge, so we decided that this must surely be the thing we needed the key for. So Andrew and Jacqui, and then eventually anyone else who felt inclined, started to turn over every rock and stone in the vicinity in order to find this mysteriously absent key. This seemed to go on for some time, although it was no doubt only about 10 minutes. Then my father calmly got out of the car and went over to the gate that we had been rattling back and forth. Without any effort at all he slid the gate back (yes, we hadn’t tried sliding it) and sat back in the car.
Andrew with his parents
Andrew sitting by the poolside
This little problem solved we drove the car in, found the key under a stone right next to the door and went into our little villa.
After dinner
Over the course of the next week and a half we spent several days lounging around at the villa. Enjoying the pool and making the most of the sunshine, which at this early time of the year was still quite bearable and lingered until around 7 at night. Jacqui’s Dad in particular acted as a kind of barometer for the sunshine, following it around the villa’s veranda as it disappeared in the evening before heading inside.
Messing around in the water
Four water babies!
Once he was in it was hard to get Andrew back out again
As well as messing around by the pool and generally chilling out at the villa – we also took a few trips out in the local area.
Everyone piled into the car for a drive around the mountains just inland from Benidorm – we looked at Benidorm from the road, but got no closer to it than that!
Stopping at a mountain cafe
A welcome break from mountain roads
Although everyone else was having kittens, I really enjoyed the drive up the switchback roads higher into the hills. Part of the way around we all stopped for lunch at little café in the middle of nowhere which was empty apart from us and the staff. We sat outside in the shade and enjoyed the peace and quiet before heading up the last bit of the mountain to the highest point where there was a viewpoint. Here Jacqui took the photo of me which can be seen below.
The driver and where he's just driven up!
Marvellous Views, Costa Blanca
A stop at the Mirador overlooking Parcent
Jacqui and Andrew, Costa Blanca
Then we headed down the other side, stopping briefly at a Mirador to look out across the valley beyond and the little town of Parcent in the distance. Aside from trying to stop Andrew’s Dad from clambering over the most uneven set of rocks around, it was a very pleasant day out and we were rewarded with some great views.
Andrew's Mum and Dad, Costa Blanca
Group Shot
Another afternoon out was down to the closest town to our villa, Moraira. A little fishing port with a small castle at one end and a picturesque little harbour. Here I got a neat photograph of a local cat making off with part of the fisherman’s catch!
Moraira Castle
Fisherman's pots - arty shot, Moraira
Cheeky Cat making off with the Catch!
Moraira Church
Slightly more unusual fauna was spotted in the shape of the blue cow by the side of the road which would become a well-loved landmark which meant we were nearly home on our expeditions out.
Strange Spanish Fauna (plus a blue cow too!)
Jacqui on an Evening Walk near the Villa
Not far from our villa was the larger town of Calpe. Calpe manages to be somewhere in between the all-out-beach-fest of Benidorm and a more realistic Spanish town with actual Spanish people to be found in it. Physically the town is dominated by a huge Gibraltar-like rock erupting from one end of the beach known as the Peņķn de Ifach. From here a long esplanade runs alongside the beach and this is lined with shops and restaurants. Away from the seafront things are a little more humble and it is a pleasant if unremarkable town.
Stop for Ice Creams in Calpe
Calpe Beach, Costa Del Sol
Group shot including the 'rock of Calpe'
properly called the Peņķn
de Ifach, Calpe
Peņķn de Ifach, Calpe
Who me?
We stopped in Calpe briefly for lunch and a walk along the front. It had a buzzy atmosphere without being crowded.
The mighty Peņķn
de Ifach, Calpe
Calpe's Beach
Jacqui and her Dad in Calpe
The same day we visited a country winery and Jacqui’s Mum selected some wines to take back home with us, whilst Andrew and Jacqui looked silly in sombreros!
Jacqui's Mum choosing her wines carefully
Andrew in silly hat
Jacqui in silly hat!
A few days later, Jacqui and I left our parents at the villa and went off to seek out the town and castle of Guadalest. The Castle seems to be built on random outcrops of rock which tower above the little town which, in itself, towers up above a wide valley below.
Guadalest
Andrew and Jacqui in Guadalest
The castle dates to the 1200s but has suffered over the centuries due to its exposed position. So a lot of the walls and towers have long since gone, leaving isolated bits and pieces of the castle dotted around giving it a very fractured look.
Looking up to the Castle, Guadalest
A view of Guadalest Castle
Guadalest is something of a high tourism spot – it is only a few miles from Benidorm and as such is often the target for holidaymakers in that town who fancy a bit of a trip out to somewhere cultural. This was evidenced by the huge car park which even this early in the season contained a fair number of tour buses.
Climbing slowly higher, Guadalest
And higher ...
Looking down on Guadalest Church
From the little town square the climb up to the ramparts of the castle was quite strenuous. Up and up we went, the views below us becoming more and more vertical as we went. At the highest point of the castle stands a little tower with a window that you can look over and see straight down the cliff face. Despite being centuries old you don’t feel entirely like you are on solid ground here!
... until you reach the top!
On the way back to the villa we briefly stopped at the Feuntes del Algar – a series of little waterfalls which tumble through a pleasantly overgrown valley where the cooling water at least made the temperature drop a bit.
The Fuentes del Algar
Another view of the Fuentes del Algar
More Cooling Water, Fuentes del Algar
Andrew at the Fuentes del Algar
Largest Fall at the Fuentes del Algar
Looking over the Fuentes del Algar
The Welcoming Rush of the Fuentes del Algar
The last day of our trip we travelled the furthest, to the very attractive town of Denia. Denia received an award a few years ago as being the best place in Europe to live – this seems quite reasonable as not only is it attractive and historic, but it also has friendly people, good food and a pleasant climate.
Denia Castle from the harbour
Harbour and Castle, Denia
Attractive restaurant front - arty shot 2, Denia
Roundabout Sculpture 1, Denia
We parked out on the road to the Harbour and had a superb view of the castle across the bay. Before moving down to the harbour-side for a very pleasant fish meal in a typically colourful courtyard restaurant.
Roundabout Sculpture 2, Denia
Heading for the Castle, Denia
Castle Walls, Denia
After lunch Jacqui and I headed off for the castle whilst the Mums and Dads hung around the Harbour area sunning themselves and looking around shops.
Looking down on Denia Church
Castle Walls, Denia
Castle and Town, Denia
The Castle itself wasn’t open, unfortunately, we had timed our visit badly and it was shut for the siesta. However, parts of the grounds were accessible and we were treated to some nice views across the town and out to sea. Afterwards we rejoined the others and drove back to the villa for our last evening.
Attractive houses in old Denia town
This turned out to be the only holiday we got to spend with all the parents and as such it is one of those very precious times – thank God Jacqui had the idea in the first place.
Costa del Azahar - Andrew and Jacqui and her parents - 2003/2004
Andrew, Jacqui and her parents returned to Spain at the end of 2003 – the VERY end of 2003 – to see the New Year in at a little apartment in Alcossebre on the Costa del Azahar (Orange Blossom Coast). Alcossebre was a tiny little town without much development – and in December it was mostly shut for the year. Even so, it was certainly warm enough to wander around.
Our apartment in Alcossebre
Playing 'Jenga' in our apartment
On the Promenade, Alcossebre
All of us in Alcossebre
Sunset on 2003
We spent most of the first day or two in and around Alcossebre. On 31 December 2003 we greeted the New Year with a local wine and a bit of food.
Happy New Year for 2004!
The next year (and the next day!) – we drove up the steep hill just outside of town which is crowned with the ancient church of Santa Lucia. Although the church is quite plain we had seen its massive bronzed doors glinting in the sun even from our apartment. It also afforded a wide view along the coast line and over Alcossebre.
Santa Lucia Church, high above Alcossebre
View of Alcossebre from Santa Lucia's Church
Later that day we drove to nearby Alcala de Xivert where there was a little market in the square by the church. Here we bought a fantastic artisan mirror which we subsequently had fun getting back on the airplane!
Tower of the Church in Alcala de Xivert
Close by, and on the horizon for the whole drive, is the Castle of Xivert. We decided to try to get close by it and so I set off on a series of dusty, bumpy and increasingly small roads which seemed to travel in every direction except the one we wanted. We did eventually get quite close to the castle, but the road up to it had been completely washed away in floods a month or so before, so we never actually got to go to the castle itself! Nevertheless, I persevered, seeing on the map a cut through to Alcossebre close by.
Unfortunately, this cut through ended up being inaccessible as the road ended in a gnarled area of churned up concrete where the same flood had washed the road downriver and into the sea. So we turned around and retraced our drive all the way back to Alcala de Xivert. On the way we pulled over by the roadside and Jacqui’s Mum nipped out to pick some of the oranges that were growing, apparently unattended, on the trees. They were some of the sweetest oranges I’ve ever tasted!
Front of the Church of Alcala de Xivert
A day or so later, Jacqui and I set off inland towards the town of Morella where I had heard there was an impressive castle to be seen. As we drove the temperature began to drop … and drop … and drop. A short distance before we reached Morella the car made a sudden chiming noise and we wondered what the hell was going on – it turned out it was telling us that the temperature had now dropped below zero.
The temperature stayed below zero for our whole time in Morella and we had not come dressed for such temperatures, so it was a rather chilly wander around the town.
City Gate, Morella
Morella felt really remote, we passed little other habitation for miles approaching it and from the view points higher up in town there didn’t seem to be any sign of buildings.
Street in Morella
The whole town climbs up an increasingly steep slope to the castle at the top. About halfway up you reach Morella’s Cathedral which looks rather plain on the outside, but inside is considerably more ornate and actually dates to 13th Century making it quite venerable.
Street in Morella
The Altar in Morella Cathedral
Old Buildings in Morella
Morella Town
Beyond that and the going gets steeper, the last bit up to the top of the castle is quite a scramble and Jacqui didn’t get up this bit – already being excessively cold she didn’t fancy clambering over shale just to get to the top.
Andrew on the way up to the Castle in Morella
Halfway up Morella Castle
I, naturally enough, felt obliged to do this and was treated to okay views – but in all honesty, not much better than they were from in the town itself. The castle is big enough, but a bit empty at the top – few rooms to explore, mostly just walls. So I scrambled back down to meet up with Jacqui (standing inside a little wall tower sheltering from the wind that had suddenly sprung up just to make it that bit colder).
A glimpse of blue sky at Morella Castle
We wandered back into town and checked out a few shops before giving in to the continuously dropping temperature and making back to the car. As we got closer to the cost, so the temperature rose and became comfortable. It had been an interesting trip, but perhaps we didn’t fully appreciate Morella as much as we might have done had it been a tad warmer!
Morella from the Castle
View of the surrounding countryside from the Castle, Morella
Another day trip with all four of us was a bit more warm and comfortable. Along the coast from Alcossebre is the ancient and very attractive town of Peņiscola. The town is built on a peninsula with wide beaches on either side. At the end of the peninsula is a castle and the old town below it. The movie El Cid was filmed here and the locals were so proud of this that they have kept some of the bits of set in situ in the town.
View of Peņiscola
Town gateway, Peņiscola
Jacqui's Dad in Peņiscola
Jacqui's Mum in Peņiscola
From our parking spot we walked along the marina towards the edge of the old town. Here we left Jacqui’s Mum and Dad and she and I went up into the maze of cobbled streets that lead up ever more steeply to the castle.
Another view of Peņiscola,
Andrew in Peņiscola
The Fortifications of Peņiscola
Another view of Peņiscola
Andrew and Jacqui on the fortifications of Peņiscola
The castle is surprisingly large when you reach it with a myriad of rooms and chambers and an impressive great hall. We made our way up and out onto the roof from where you got expansive views of both beaches and the town down below, as well as inland to the distant mountains.
Jacqui at the main gate to Peņiscola Castle
Inside Peņiscola Castle
Andrew on the roof of Peņiscola Castle
Jacqui and Andrew atop Peņiscola Castle
Looking out to sea from Peņiscola
Peņiscola Church
Coming back down again we found the Shell House – an old town house decorated with shells and passed by Peņiscola’s relatively modest church before meeting up with Jaqui’s Mum and Dad again by the Marina. We walked back along and had a nice meal before heading back to Alcossebre having thoroughly enjoyed Peņiscola – a town which is surprisingly absent from most peoples’ list of great Spanish resorts.
The House of Shells, Peņiscola
Street in Peņiscola
Peņiscola Beach
El Dia de los Reyes Magos (Day of the Three Kings) - an Epiphany Festival taking place in Alcossebre Harbour
El Dia de los Reyes Magos (Day of the
Three Kings) - an Epiphany Festival
taking place in Alcossebre Harbour
Kings waiting to leave the harbour, Alcossebre
Another picture of the Epiphany Celebrations in Alcossebre
Our last full day in Alcossebre was January 6th – Epiphany. On this day we encountered a nice local tradition whereby three men, dressed as the Three Kings from The Bible, arrive on the quayside and process into town. From there they move off visiting local hospitals and homes on a tour which eventually ends up at the local large town, Castellon de la Plana. It was a nice way to end our little New Year visit to Spain.
Baltazar's entourage, Alcossebre
Ladies with Moustaches! Alcossebre
And the Three Kings ride out of town, Alcossebre
Go
to Spain Page One
Go to Spain Page Three
Go to Spain Page Four
Š Text copyright - Raving
Loony Productions and Andrew J.
Müller, Jacqui Harris, Roy Barton and
Shaun and Alison Runham
Š Photos and Artwork - Andrew J. Müller, Jacqui Harris, Roy Barton
and
Shaun and Alison Runham
Š Web Design and Layout - Andrew J. Müller
2026
