Sunday 18th November

From Brockenhurst we had a very easy journey to board our ferry at Portsmouth. We left the site just after 18.00 and were at Portsmouth about an hour later, having put some fuel in at a Morrisons on the way. Despite being told that we were being boarded straight away on our arrival it was some two and a half hours later that we embarked and the ferry left port nearly an hour late.

We woke to a bright sunny morning for our arrival at Roscoff where we docked for about an hour to allow the change of crew, fuelling and restocking with food etc. Off we went on yet another flat calm crossing of the Bay of Biscay. After a second night on board we arrived at Santander as the sun came up and were quickly unloaded. We headed to Zaragoza for our first night in Spain as it almost exactly split our journey to the Mediterranean coast in half. We had lovely weather and the autumn colours of the vines as we crossed both the Rioja and Navarra wine regions we emphasised by the glorious blue sky.

Caravan in Zaragoza whose owner was taking no chances with their awning in any winds

A night at Zaragoza brought us to Sunday morning and more sunshine. This was not to last however and as we headed south on the road to Valencia it clouded over and started to rain, not what we expected. This was not the main thing on our minds as we had forgotten that most businesses do not open on a Sunday in Spain and that included garages and filling stations. With the needle of the fuel gauge getting ever closer to the red section we were getting concerned to say the least. Eventually we saw a sign for fuel and pulled off the road to find that we had been directed to an automatic fuel pump on a garage forecourt with instructions on how to operate only in Spanish...... As I finally got a message stating 'transaction complete' (at least the Spanish equivalent) a Spanish driver came to use the adjoining pump and asked if I was OK, a shame he hadn't come in five minutes earlier..

We continued on our way and after crossing a most barren and empty part of Spain took a turning that lead to our destination at Benicassim, just North of Valencia. Rain continued on and off for the rest of the day but we managed a walk along the seafront and back through the town, a delightful unspoiled area that retains a lot of old Spain charm.

Monday we had chores to do like shopping, washing, cleaning the van etc but I did manage to cycle along the coast (a Via Verde) for a few miles enjoying the sunshine that has returned and the beautiful turquoise waters of Mediterranean here.

BBQ'd  Tuna steaks with salad washed down with a glass of wine followed by coconut ice cream in a coconut shell while sitting in the sun  reminded us of why we have come to Spain for the winter.

For a couple of days now the weather has been wet with occasional sunshine. It's saving grace is the fact that the temperature is still very comfortable so a T shirt is ample when out and about. Reading, cycling, walking, cooking have been our pastimes and it has been lovely just to chill out and do nothing in particular. We have discovered a delicious pineapple ice cream that comes served in hollowed out half pineapples/ This is an alternative to the coconut ice cream contained in coconut shells we discovered last time we were here. Sometimes it's just too difficult to decide which is the most delicious.

Saturday saw us leaving Benicassim and what a day to pack up and travel. Rain was coming down in copious quantities and I eventually gave up trying to keep dry and just came to the decision that I would change all my clothes once we were all packed up. Water was flowing down the roads on the site and if you chose to cross it was at your own risk as crocks disappeared beneath the torrent called a road.

We left site and headed towards Alicante and within ten minutes the sun had come out. You just can't win 'em all.  After taking one wrong turning we arrived at our next site called Almafra at the back of Benidorm but far enough away not to be tarred with that towns reputation. Where we are is actually quite nice, situated between the sea and the mountains. Sue is quite happy today as we also have a satellite tv link that allows BBC1 so she can catch up on the Strictly Come Dancing results. Weather today has been much better, mid 20s and sun with clear blue skies.

It can't last of course.

More Time on her pitch near Benidorm with mountains in background