Thanks, Prince Harry, Prince Albert……..what’s the difference!
Winter trip to Spain
- Thread starter Ingwe
- Start date
I don't think Albert was a .nobThanks, Prince Harry, Prince Albert……..what’s the difference!
Maybe not, but possibly related?I don't think Albert was a .nob
It
It is a bit more nuanced than that. We are residents but not citizens so do not have “freedom of movement” but in practice so long as we don’t cross an external Schengen border nobody pays any attention. Coming back into France from the UK we have to prove our status. We are in a good position though and grateful for it.
We’ve arrived at Los Pinõs, Denia and it’s as pleasant as ever. There are a few cosmetic changes and the small bar is closed for 14 days. Typical bad timing.
Had a very pleasant surprise to be greeted by Keith a funster (G-RMPS) who’s been here for some time. We’ve been invited round for a drink tomorrow. It’s always nice to meet other funsters; we met DBK and Mrs DBK at St Flour once.
Had a very pleasant surprise to be greeted by Keith a funster (G-RMPS) who’s been here for some time. We’ve been invited round for a drink tomorrow. It’s always nice to meet other funsters; we met DBK and Mrs DBK at St Flour once.
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- Sep 7, 2017
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Looks great. It’s fun to bump into others Funsters isn’t it? We met Lenny HB in Germany last year, he wasn’t too interested in the wine we brought until he realised it was French rather than German.We’ve arrived at Los Pinõs, Denia and it’s as pleasant as ever. There are a few cosmetic changes and the small bar is closed for 14 days. Typical bad timing.
Had a very pleasant surprise to be greeted by Keith a funster (G-RMPS) who’s been here for some time. We’ve been invited round for a drink tomorrow. It’s always nice to meet other funsters; we met DBK and Mrs DBK at St Flour once.View attachment 861095View attachment 861096View attachment 861097
Loads of good advice though, and a nice gin palace.
We were ungratefully unhappy with the pitch provided as it was too shady and we got little sun. But the site operators are always helpful in finding a different pitch, if at all possible. So we have moved to a lovely pitch that has a lot more space, is lighter generally and we get a good three hours of sun.
On Sunday, we went with G-RMPS and Mrs G-RMPS to The Arena, a Dutch-owned bar a pleasant 2.5km walk along the seafront. There was a decent four piece band playing an eclectic range of covers by artists such as Buena Vista Social Club, the Neville Brothers, Leonard Cohen and others. Very pleasant. Also a good range of food including Dutch snacks.
We idled away a good few hours enjoying weiss beer, Spanish beer and a decent red wine washing down bitter balle, patatas bravas, cheeses etc. Good relaxed conversation. A lovely way to spend Sunday afternoon.
Monday was back to ‘household’ chores like moving pitch, filling up with fresh water, toilet emptying and collecting bougainvillaea flowers from the poor plant pruned to within an inch of its life. Today a cycle to the supermarket for bread and other essentials and maybe lunch out at one of the many good, reasonably priced restaurants. The restaurant photos are Saturday’s fayre in Denia.
What a dull life we lead.
If you’re still awake after this, have a good day.
On Sunday, we went with G-RMPS and Mrs G-RMPS to The Arena, a Dutch-owned bar a pleasant 2.5km walk along the seafront. There was a decent four piece band playing an eclectic range of covers by artists such as Buena Vista Social Club, the Neville Brothers, Leonard Cohen and others. Very pleasant. Also a good range of food including Dutch snacks.
We idled away a good few hours enjoying weiss beer, Spanish beer and a decent red wine washing down bitter balle, patatas bravas, cheeses etc. Good relaxed conversation. A lovely way to spend Sunday afternoon.
Monday was back to ‘household’ chores like moving pitch, filling up with fresh water, toilet emptying and collecting bougainvillaea flowers from the poor plant pruned to within an inch of its life. Today a cycle to the supermarket for bread and other essentials and maybe lunch out at one of the many good, reasonably priced restaurants. The restaurant photos are Saturday’s fayre in Denia.
What a dull life we lead.
If you’re still awake after this, have a good day.
- Sep 7, 2017
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It all looks and sounds fabulous ….. not at all jealous 
Stonemags76
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We loved that campsite, but could not get a sunny pitch there, which was a shame! Loving the posts - wish we were back there!
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Stonemags76
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Yes, but I like to pop in & out! We did sit on the beach, & I did love the site! It would be glorious when it’s really hot!
Yesterday was warm enough for Mrs Ingwe to go for a swim but I wussed out. I had however been for a 6km run at 07:40.
Today is a laundry day. Waiting for an empty machine and risking multi-national ire if removing someone’s completed wash from the machine.
Read it’s snowing in Leeds and York.
Too bad, so sad, never mind.
Today is a laundry day. Waiting for an empty machine and risking multi-national ire if removing someone’s completed wash from the machine.
Read it’s snowing in Leeds and York.
Too bad, so sad, never mind. It’s been a bad week for me posting as it’s been cool and drizzly mostly with only short periods of sun and then there was a cold wind that degenerated into a breeze. So domestic chores was the order of the week.
We managed a couple of trips into Denia having lunch in two of the many excellent restaurants in Denia and environs. We looked for sea-glass and enjoyed the patches of sun shining on the wild flowers that grow everywhere along the shore-line.
Finally, on Saturday, the day dawned sunny with blue skies and no breeze. So we cycled into Denia. There we were greeted by loud band marching music. Turns out that yesterday was the 600th anniversary of Christians beating the Moors. That this should be celebrated at the moment or indeed, at any time, is perhaps a bit strange, but it seemed that everyone had a good time and the marchers, dressed variously as Knights of the Templar, units under El-Cid or the healthy ones from Wigan’s Health and Beauty Club, all had broad smiles on their faces.
Yesterday also saw the last night of our new Dutch and German friends who were unable to stay here any longer due to the fullness of the site and pre-booked travellers arriving. So we bode a sad farewell to Giem and Auke, two artists (and their ginger cat Bono) from Vriesland, Netherlands and Harmut and Razi from Bremerhaven, Germany. We sat outside, citronella candles burning, while we exchanged chat and best travel wishes, washed down with Auke’s home made Calvados, red wine, Aperol and a rogue tin of John Smith bitter I’d kept.
One of the real joys of this motorhoming life that we choose, is meeting new friends. Language is seldom a barrier and the exchange of stories, jokes and the sharing of our peripatetic lives, never fails to cheer me up.
G-RMPS and Mrs G-RMPS are also new friends we’ve met and they are still here, we hope, for at the least the next 10 days. We all spend our mornings sitting in the sun after what have been coolish evenings. All pitches get some sun. Ours is probably the worst pitch at this time of year getting little sun but undoubtedly the no 1 pitch in summer. Today being Sunday, I propose treating it as the day of rest, though this is a purely descriptive label given that every other day could also be called a day of rest for me. Hey ho, enjoy your Sunday.
Edit: can’t seem to upload a longer video of the march. So give thanks for small mercies.
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Couldn’t agree more… diverse nationalities but we all have common interests and aspirations. We have met some loverly people whilst travelling!View attachment 866465View attachment 866466View attachment 866467View attachment 866468
View attachment 866469
It’s been a bad week for me posting as it’s been cool and drizzly mostly with only short periods of sun and then there was a cold wind that degenerated into a breeze. So domestic chores was the order of the week.
We managed a couple of trips into Denia having lunch in two of the many excellent restaurants in Denia and environs. We looked for sea-glass and enjoyed the patches of sun shining on the wild flowers that grow everywhere along the shore-line.
Finally, on Saturday, the day dawned sunny with blue skies and no breeze. So we cycled into Denia. There we were greeted by loud band marching music. Turns out that yesterday was the 600th anniversary of Christians beating the Moors. That this should be celebrated at the moment or indeed, at any time, is perhaps a bit strange, but it seemed that everyone had a good time and the marchers, dressed variously as Knights of the Templar, units under El-Cid or the healthy ones from Wigan’s Health and Beauty Club, all had broad smiles on their faces.
Yesterday also saw the last night of our new Dutch and German friends who were unable to stay here any longer due to the fullness of the site and pre-booked travellers arriving. So we bode a sad farewell to Giem and Auke, two artists (and their ginger cat Bono) from Vriesland, Netherlands and Harmut and Razi from Bremerhaven, Germany. We sat outside, citronella candles burning, while we exchanged chat and best travel wishes, washed down with Auke’s home made Calvados, red wine, Aperol and a rogue tin of John Smith bitter I’d kept.
One of the real joys of this motorhoming life that we choose, is meeting new friends. Language is seldom a barrier and the exchange of stories, jokes and the sharing of our peripatetic lives, never fails to cheer me up.
G-RMPS and Mrs G-RMPS are also new friends we’ve met and they are still here, we hope, for at the least the next 10 days. We all spend our mornings sitting in the sun after what have been coolish evenings. All pitches get some sun. Ours is probably the worst pitch at this time of year getting little sun but undoubtedly the no 1 pitch in summer. Today being Sunday, I propose treating it as the day of rest, though this is a purely descriptive label given that every other day could also be called a day of rest for me. Hey ho, enjoy your Sunday.
Edit: can’t seem to upload a longer video of the march. So give thanks for small mercies.
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With a heavy heart, we left Los Pinos on Wednesday 28th February. We’d planned to stay a month but forgot it’s a leap year! As it happens, I was quite pleased to move on after 28 days as the weather had become cooler and very windy and a lot of our fellow campers simply stayed in their vans, as did we. The normally delightful cycle along the sea front into Denia became a bit of a struggle against gale force winds and the number of wild campers along the shoreline decreased to zero.
The site is now so popular that people book for the next year on the day they arrive if not earlier. For us it does take away a lot of the spontaneity of travelling, one of the things we like best about this lifestyle. When we checked out, we asked if there was any space for next February and were told to check back around October to see if there are any cancellations.
We headed back to El Saler just outside Valencia for a night. When we stayed there a month earlier, it was almost empty. Now, it was packed, full of mainly German and Dutch vans and a few Spanish, but there were still plenty of spaces in most of the five available parking spots. Made for a safe, peaceful night and we awoke to brilliant sun and almost no wind. Shorts, t shirt and sandals weather. After breakfasting on avocado on toast, tea and coffee, we drove through Valencia to Vall d’uxio and parked up free at the Caves to Saint Jospeh. We wanted to tour the caves so decided to stay there tonight. The designated motorhome spaces were all taken but almost every other space in the very large car park was filled by motorhomes. There is fresh water and black and grey water dump facilities available. We were a bit anxious about parking in the main car park but some German motorhomers, who’d spent the last two nights here, said it was all pretty relaxed and being out of season, no-one minded. Whilst we were talking, a Guardia Civil car drove in, drove round slowly and then drove away. So we’re staying here for the night.
There is a number of cafés and restaurants near to the cave ticket office and, having booked the 2pm tour, we had bacon and avocado toasties, fresh orange juice and a coffee for lunch before the tour. I wasn’t expecting much from the tour for €10 each (pensioner rate) but was pleasantly surprised. The caves are a constant 20° so I was fine in my shorts and t shirt. You enter the well-lit caves and after about 50 metres, you arrive at a small platform where you alight into a small skiff which holds about 10 people and two guides. You sit on alternative sides of the boat so it’s balanced and then you set off, slowly, dreamily, into the cave network. They warn you to look ahead and for good reason. The roof, stalactites and stalagmites (whichever) drop down and you could fracture your skull very easily if caught unawares. It was a pleasant experience to not have to wear protective gear, something I’d come to expect in our litigious and over-protective world. The whole tour lasts about 40 minutes and is excellent value.
At one point, the boat stopped and there was a son et lumiere show demonstrating the excellent acoustics and was a great advert for a concert available where choirs of fifty sing acapella tunes in the cave for only €15 lasting 55 minutes. Had there been a performance tonight, we’d have gone.
Anyway, we came out of the gloom of the caves into the brilliant sunshine and blue sky and walked the five minutes back to our van. We’d forgotten to put the fridge onto gas as soon as we’d arrived but no harm; everything was still frozen.
There is a humungous German van next to us and we were enjoying a post-cave cuppa when we could smell cigarettes. The occupant in the neighbouring van had decided to have a fag and, to spare her own van, had leant out of her window and was blowing her smoke our way. The first officer and navigator (she shares the roles) gave a hard look and the head disappeared back into the van sharpish. Wars are fought over less.
Tomorrow, we head inland a bit. Every site in Peniscola is full so we’ve opted to go inland and are staying for two nights at the Orangerie run by a French couple near Càlig which with ACSI is €21 per night including ECU. About 2 hours from here. Taking a slow amble back through Spain and France with a ferry booked from Cherbourg on the 14th March.
Car park (free) at El Saler
Car park (free) at Caves St Joseph, Vall d’uxió
Café /restaurant at Caves St Joseph
Inside the caves (not my photo)
Caves (not my photo).
The site is now so popular that people book for the next year on the day they arrive if not earlier. For us it does take away a lot of the spontaneity of travelling, one of the things we like best about this lifestyle. When we checked out, we asked if there was any space for next February and were told to check back around October to see if there are any cancellations.
We headed back to El Saler just outside Valencia for a night. When we stayed there a month earlier, it was almost empty. Now, it was packed, full of mainly German and Dutch vans and a few Spanish, but there were still plenty of spaces in most of the five available parking spots. Made for a safe, peaceful night and we awoke to brilliant sun and almost no wind. Shorts, t shirt and sandals weather. After breakfasting on avocado on toast, tea and coffee, we drove through Valencia to Vall d’uxio and parked up free at the Caves to Saint Jospeh. We wanted to tour the caves so decided to stay there tonight. The designated motorhome spaces were all taken but almost every other space in the very large car park was filled by motorhomes. There is fresh water and black and grey water dump facilities available. We were a bit anxious about parking in the main car park but some German motorhomers, who’d spent the last two nights here, said it was all pretty relaxed and being out of season, no-one minded. Whilst we were talking, a Guardia Civil car drove in, drove round slowly and then drove away. So we’re staying here for the night.
There is a number of cafés and restaurants near to the cave ticket office and, having booked the 2pm tour, we had bacon and avocado toasties, fresh orange juice and a coffee for lunch before the tour. I wasn’t expecting much from the tour for €10 each (pensioner rate) but was pleasantly surprised. The caves are a constant 20° so I was fine in my shorts and t shirt. You enter the well-lit caves and after about 50 metres, you arrive at a small platform where you alight into a small skiff which holds about 10 people and two guides. You sit on alternative sides of the boat so it’s balanced and then you set off, slowly, dreamily, into the cave network. They warn you to look ahead and for good reason. The roof, stalactites and stalagmites (whichever) drop down and you could fracture your skull very easily if caught unawares. It was a pleasant experience to not have to wear protective gear, something I’d come to expect in our litigious and over-protective world. The whole tour lasts about 40 minutes and is excellent value.
At one point, the boat stopped and there was a son et lumiere show demonstrating the excellent acoustics and was a great advert for a concert available where choirs of fifty sing acapella tunes in the cave for only €15 lasting 55 minutes. Had there been a performance tonight, we’d have gone.
Anyway, we came out of the gloom of the caves into the brilliant sunshine and blue sky and walked the five minutes back to our van. We’d forgotten to put the fridge onto gas as soon as we’d arrived but no harm; everything was still frozen.
There is a humungous German van next to us and we were enjoying a post-cave cuppa when we could smell cigarettes. The occupant in the neighbouring van had decided to have a fag and, to spare her own van, had leant out of her window and was blowing her smoke our way. The first officer and navigator (she shares the roles) gave a hard look and the head disappeared back into the van sharpish. Wars are fought over less
.Tomorrow, we head inland a bit. Every site in Peniscola is full so we’ve opted to go inland and are staying for two nights at the Orangerie run by a French couple near Càlig which with ACSI is €21 per night including ECU. About 2 hours from here. Taking a slow amble back through Spain and France with a ferry booked from Cherbourg on the 14th March.
Car park (free) at El Saler
Car park (free) at Caves St Joseph, Vall d’uxió
Café /restaurant at Caves St Joseph
Inside the caves (not my photo)
Caves (not my photo).
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- Jun 20, 2022
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Your van looks very low on the rear. Lots of wine?
stowaways!
Seriously, it always has. Don’t believe there’s any issue. Alko chassis maybe something to do with it but not sure.
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Also anything perishable can travel along with animal transport & feed. i've always found plenty of trucks on French roads at weekends? always wondered what they were carrying
do what I used to do in the old van that used to do 80kph flat out. just move over to the left then they can pass without "overtaking"
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The campsite, Orangerie in Calig turns out now to be Camping Paradis, the original French couple who owned the site having sold it to a French company. The result is now a large site, growing larger every year and losing what was for many, its main selling point i.e. small, welcoming, pretty and tranquil.
A tiny part of the site only was available as the construction of a second swimming pool is well underway. The original pool was empty. The site is set in lovely space amongst old olive trees and also some orange groves. But what was once space reserved for caravans and motorhomes, is now filling with boring, fairly ugly chalets in rows. A Dutch couple who have been coming here for 20 years said this is their final visit. They told us of the sale by the French couple to corporate interests and with it the site’s soul. One could empathise with them.
Still, the facilities are fairly good even if they are someway from the space allocated for non-chalet campers. The showers are in a modern block and are clean with plenty of hot water albeit on timed push buttons that keep the flow going long enough to take the lid off the shampoo and get the bottle half way to your head. The toilets are also clean, with paper but the wash hand cubicles don’t have soap so remember to bring yours along.
Ok, enough boring stuff about the site. There is a green cycle track immediately outside the camping and a short cycle (about 2 km) brings you into Calig. A very quiet and non-exceptional little town but not without its charm. Narrow streets with plants on both sides of the road. Little trees with oranges provides a lovely touch of colour. We found the pastellerie which was a huge bakery. When we arrived at about 16:30, they were busy loading a small van with delicious looking pastries and also serving mums with small kids, having just collected them from school. We felt a little harried so couldn’t make up our minds and ended up buying a rather boring baguette type loaf. We intended to return on Saturday to buy some of the lovely looking savoury pastries but, as it turned out, Saturday was overcast, cool and hugely windy. Apart from a short walk around the construction site (sorry campsite) we joined other campers in sitting inside our vans reading and listening to the radio.
We met a lovely couple from Mull who arrived with a tiny but attractive caravan called a Barefoot. They connected it up to an awning and it all looked very cosy and certainly adequate for two. Apart from them, our fellow campers are either Dutch or German with one Spanish couple. Storms were forecast for Saturday night and all day Sunday. It blew hard all night and there was a little rain but not so one would notice. Our mat, table and chairs were blown all over the place and we got them back in the morning. It was pointless putting them out again, so strong is the wind. But today, Sunday is at least sunny and, if you can shelter from the unrelenting wind, quite warm. We will stay here one more night (ACSI price €21 per night with 6amp ECU). Then onwards towards Zaragoza…….
Apologies for the exceptionally dull post. But nothing more to report.
Camping Paradis
Calig
camping Paradis at dusk
Pitch at Camping Paradis (Orangerie).
A tiny part of the site only was available as the construction of a second swimming pool is well underway. The original pool was empty. The site is set in lovely space amongst old olive trees and also some orange groves. But what was once space reserved for caravans and motorhomes, is now filling with boring, fairly ugly chalets in rows. A Dutch couple who have been coming here for 20 years said this is their final visit. They told us of the sale by the French couple to corporate interests and with it the site’s soul. One could empathise with them.
Still, the facilities are fairly good even if they are someway from the space allocated for non-chalet campers. The showers are in a modern block and are clean with plenty of hot water albeit on timed push buttons that keep the flow going long enough to take the lid off the shampoo and get the bottle half way to your head. The toilets are also clean, with paper but the wash hand cubicles don’t have soap so remember to bring yours along.
Ok, enough boring stuff about the site. There is a green cycle track immediately outside the camping and a short cycle (about 2 km) brings you into Calig. A very quiet and non-exceptional little town but not without its charm. Narrow streets with plants on both sides of the road. Little trees with oranges provides a lovely touch of colour. We found the pastellerie which was a huge bakery. When we arrived at about 16:30, they were busy loading a small van with delicious looking pastries and also serving mums with small kids, having just collected them from school. We felt a little harried so couldn’t make up our minds and ended up buying a rather boring baguette type loaf. We intended to return on Saturday to buy some of the lovely looking savoury pastries but, as it turned out, Saturday was overcast, cool and hugely windy. Apart from a short walk around the construction site (sorry campsite) we joined other campers in sitting inside our vans reading and listening to the radio.
We met a lovely couple from Mull who arrived with a tiny but attractive caravan called a Barefoot. They connected it up to an awning and it all looked very cosy and certainly adequate for two. Apart from them, our fellow campers are either Dutch or German with one Spanish couple. Storms were forecast for Saturday night and all day Sunday. It blew hard all night and there was a little rain but not so one would notice. Our mat, table and chairs were blown all over the place and we got them back in the morning. It was pointless putting them out again, so strong is the wind. But today, Sunday is at least sunny and, if you can shelter from the unrelenting wind, quite warm. We will stay here one more night (ACSI price €21 per night with 6amp ECU). Then onwards towards Zaragoza…….
Apologies for the exceptionally dull post. But nothing more to report.
Camping Paradis
Calig
camping Paradis at dusk
Pitch at Camping Paradis (Orangerie).
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Not dull at all, I found it interesting and have noted the site down as a potential stopover.
After emptying the toilet, filling with 50 litres of water and a quick breakfast of muesli, we set off the whole 45 miles or so to Morella. Virtually empty roads but still quite windy and we parked at the splendidly sited car park at the top of the impressive hill-top city. You can stay the night there in the off-season and there was one other van there when we arrived.
We explored the narrow streets but decided against visiting the castle perched right at the top of the hill on two grounds; neither of us fancied the steep climb against the wind and also the €3 each entry charge. There is one narrow main shopping street with a number of bars, restaurants and shops selling local delicacies. The latter really are enticing but we were spared expense by them being closed for lunch, not opening again until 4p.m.
The church looks standard (for the region) but inside it is spectacular. As someone who gets quickly bored looking at churches, I was quite impressed with this church in terms of the over the top splendour. The churches I attended in SA were Dutch Reformed and, to describe them as dour and boring, would be understating matters. These Catholic churches are the antithesis of the Gereformeerde Kerke I snoozed in as a lad before being prodded awake by the deacon with a stern demeanour with his shepherd’s crook.
In the narrow streets, cars are improbably parked and there are stacks of firewood outside houses. The plastic bottles of water one sees outside some house are apparently there so people walking their dogs can wash down the front doors after the dogs have peed on them! Maybe when I get home to York, I’ll try leaving a toilet roll outside our house in the hope that the nocturnal dog walker who’s mutt frequently leaves a pile of sh1t on the pavement takes the hint!
By the time we’d exhausted the delights of Morella and returned to the van, we were the only people parking there. It was windy and we felt a trifle vulnerable so decided to drive the 2-3km to the free aire provided by the municipality. There were a half a dozen vans already parked there but there was plenty of space so we selected a level pitch and parked up. There is black and grey waste facilities here as well as fresh water. A lovely view of the city which, we are advised, is lit up at night. So after a coffee, a couple of empallidillas (one pisto, one pollo) we set the fridge onto gas and are whiling away the afternoon planning our much longer drive tomorrow towards Olite (3 hours, fifty minutes) thereby avoiding Zaragoza and possibly Pamplona.
I heartily recommend visiting Morella.
Morella hill top parking
View from Morella
Morella
Local delicacies
Firewood
Statue of a local who was something big in local textiles (my poor Spanish translation)
The understated church interior
Morella motorhome free aire with view of the city
We explored the narrow streets but decided against visiting the castle perched right at the top of the hill on two grounds; neither of us fancied the steep climb against the wind and also the €3 each entry charge. There is one narrow main shopping street with a number of bars, restaurants and shops selling local delicacies. The latter really are enticing but we were spared expense by them being closed for lunch, not opening again until 4p.m.
The church looks standard (for the region) but inside it is spectacular. As someone who gets quickly bored looking at churches, I was quite impressed with this church in terms of the over the top splendour. The churches I attended in SA were Dutch Reformed and, to describe them as dour and boring, would be understating matters. These Catholic churches are the antithesis of the Gereformeerde Kerke I snoozed in as a lad before being prodded awake by the deacon with a stern demeanour with his shepherd’s crook.
In the narrow streets, cars are improbably parked and there are stacks of firewood outside houses. The plastic bottles of water one sees outside some house are apparently there so people walking their dogs can wash down the front doors after the dogs have peed on them! Maybe when I get home to York, I’ll try leaving a toilet roll outside our house in the hope that the nocturnal dog walker who’s mutt frequently leaves a pile of sh1t on the pavement takes the hint!
By the time we’d exhausted the delights of Morella and returned to the van, we were the only people parking there. It was windy and we felt a trifle vulnerable so decided to drive the 2-3km to the free aire provided by the municipality. There were a half a dozen vans already parked there but there was plenty of space so we selected a level pitch and parked up. There is black and grey waste facilities here as well as fresh water. A lovely view of the city which, we are advised, is lit up at night. So after a coffee, a couple of empallidillas (one pisto, one pollo) we set the fridge onto gas and are whiling away the afternoon planning our much longer drive tomorrow towards Olite (3 hours, fifty minutes) thereby avoiding Zaragoza and possibly Pamplona.
I heartily recommend visiting Morella.
Morella hill top parking
View from Morella
Morella
Local delicacies
Firewood
Statue of a local who was something big in local textiles (my poor Spanish translation)
The understated church interior
Morella motorhome free aire with view of the city
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Funnily enough we drove past Morella yesterday too on a 350km slog to Cascantes near Tudela. The wind over the mountains was really quite iffy with unpredictable buffeting. Plenty of snow in places and down as low as 4 degrees. Now at Morcenx la Nouvelle, another 360 km day, a new CCP site off the A63 in France with only about 3 hours to home tomorrow if Bordeaux is kind.After emptying the toilet, filling with 50 litres of water and a quick breakfast of muesli, we set off the whole 45 miles or so to Morella. Virtually empty roads but still quite windy and we parked at the splendidly sited car park at the top of the impressive hill-top city. You can stay the night there in the off-season and there was one other van there when we arrived.
We explored the narrow streets but decided against visiting the castle perched right at the top of the hill on two grounds; neither of us fancied the steep climb against the wind and also the €3 each entry charge. There is one narrow main shopping street with a number of bars, restaurants and shops selling local delicacies. The latter really are enticing but we were spared expense by them being closed for lunch, not opening again until 4p.m.
The church looks standard (for the region) but inside it is spectacular. As someone who gets quickly bored looking at churches, I was quite impressed with this church in terms of the over the top splendour. The churches I attended in SA were Dutch Reformed and, to describe them as dour and boring, would be understating matters. These Catholic churches are the antithesis of the Gereformeerde Kerke I snoozed in as a lad before being prodded awake by the deacon with a stern demeanour with his shepherd’s crook.
In the narrow streets, cars are improbably parked and there are stacks of firewood outside houses. The plastic bottles of water one sees outside some house are apparently there so people walking their dogs can wash down the front doors after the dogs have peed on them! Maybe when I get home to York, I’ll try leaving a toilet roll outside our house in the hope that the nocturnal dog walker who’s mutt frequently leaves a pile of sh1t on the pavement takes the hint!
By the time we’d exhausted the delights of Morella and returned to the van, we were the only people parking there. It was windy and we felt a trifle vulnerable so decided to drive the 2-3km to the free aire provided by the municipality. There were a half a dozen vans already parked there but there was plenty of space so we selected a level pitch and parked up. There is black and grey waste facilities here as well as fresh water. A lovely view of the city which, we are advised, is lit up at night. So after a coffee, a couple of empallidillas (one pisto, one pollo) we set the fridge onto gas and are whiling away the afternoon planning our much longer drive tomorrow towards Olite (3 hours, fifty minutes) thereby avoiding Zaragoza and possibly Pamplona.
I heartily recommend visiting Morella.
Morella hill top parking
View attachment 871187
View from Morella
View attachment 871188
Morella
View attachment 871189
Local delicacies
View attachment 871190
Firewood
View attachment 871191
Statue of a local who was something big in local textiles (my poor Spanish translation)
View attachment 871198
The understated church interior
View attachment 871199
Morella motorhome free aire with view of the city
View attachment 871200
- Aug 18, 2011
- 12,420
- 18,740
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Weird that..watched a couple on You Tube only last night Andy and Helen who parked in the aire and walked into Morella..They climbed up to the Castle..very impressive and as you say the church is a stunner.We have passed a few times but have always been heading for the ferry..Next time we will allow more time. BUSBY.After emptying the toilet, filling with 50 litres of water and a quick breakfast of muesli, we set off the whole 45 miles or so to Morella. Virtually empty roads but still quite windy and we parked at the splendidly sited car park at the top of the impressive hill-top city. You can stay the night there in the off-season and there was one other van there when we arrived.
We explored the narrow streets but decided against visiting the castle perched right at the top of the hill on two grounds; neither of us fancied the steep climb against the wind and also the €3 each entry charge. There is one narrow main shopping street with a number of bars, restaurants and shops selling local delicacies. The latter really are enticing but we were spared expense by them being closed for lunch, not opening again until 4p.m.
The church looks standard (for the region) but inside it is spectacular. As someone who gets quickly bored looking at churches, I was quite impressed with this church in terms of the over the top splendour. The churches I attended in SA were Dutch Reformed and, to describe them as dour and boring, would be understating matters. These Catholic churches are the antithesis of the Gereformeerde Kerke I snoozed in as a lad before being prodded awake by the deacon with a stern demeanour with his shepherd’s crook.
In the narrow streets, cars are improbably parked and there are stacks of firewood outside houses. The plastic bottles of water one sees outside some house are apparently there so people walking their dogs can wash down the front doors after the dogs have peed on them! Maybe when I get home to York, I’ll try leaving a toilet roll outside our house in the hope that the nocturnal dog walker who’s mutt frequently leaves a pile of sh1t on the pavement takes the hint!
By the time we’d exhausted the delights of Morella and returned to the van, we were the only people parking there. It was windy and we felt a trifle vulnerable so decided to drive the 2-3km to the free aire provided by the municipality. There were a half a dozen vans already parked there but there was plenty of space so we selected a level pitch and parked up. There is black and grey waste facilities here as well as fresh water. A lovely view of the city which, we are advised, is lit up at night. So after a coffee, a couple of empallidillas (one pisto, one pollo) we set the fridge onto gas and are whiling away the afternoon planning our much longer drive tomorrow towards Olite (3 hours, fifty minutes) thereby avoiding Zaragoza and possibly Pamplona.
I heartily recommend visiting Morella.
Morella hill top parking
View attachment 871187
View from Morella
View attachment 871188
Morella
View attachment 871189
Local delicacies
View attachment 871190
Firewood
View attachment 871191
Statue of a local who was something big in local textiles (my poor Spanish translation)
View attachment 871198
The understated church interior
View attachment 871199
Morella motorhome free aire with view of the city
View attachment 871200
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- Sep 7, 2017
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We are all the same then, vicariously getting our travel fix from YouTube when we aren’t away.
What is their YouTube channel called?
Riverbankannie
LIFE MEMBER
That’s a shame about Camping l’Orangerie. It was lovely there and I have often recommended it.
- Aug 18, 2011
- 12,420
- 18,740
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- Exp
- since 2007.Tugger before since 1970
Search for Andy and Helen motorhome tour. BUSBYWe are all the same then, vicariously getting our travel fix from YouTube when we aren’t away.
What is their YouTube channel called?
Yes I agree it is a shame. From what we gathered from the Dutch couple who had stayed there many times, Camping l’Orangerie had been a haven of tranquility. Last year they said it was like staying on a construction site and this year was the same. We can vouch for this year-getting to the showers involved dodging between diggers and cement trucks.
Much longer drive today. 205 miles from Morella to Olite. Took a little over four not unpleasant hours. The N232 is a great road to use especially now that, apparently, most of the hairpin turns have been straightened out. The road was very light of traffic and it reinforces just why I dislike driving long distances in any vehicle in the UK. It is just so much more relaxing to drive without constantly making sure that you’re far enough back from the vehicle in front and having a car filling your rear-view mirror, two feet from your boot!
Stopped at a LIDL at Alcaniz for some bread, pastries, veg, fruit and a new box of tissues. We both caught colds at Denia and, while the colds themselves moved on after three days or so, we’re both left with horrendous catarrh and the navigator has a really bad cough too. Affects her use of the sextant but we coped.
Stopped for a cuppa and slice at a road-side parking. Very quiet and we ate at the picnic tables that were built as solidly as the u-boat pens at Saint-Nazaire! Arrived at Litole Camping at about 16:30 and we have a space on a field with our own key to our personal toilet and shower. We can use the larger shower block but they’re further away on the main chalet section of the campsite. There is one other motorhome here but it’s relative early so it could fill up.
Tomorrow we head off to either Urrugne (again) or else a CPP aire at Biarritz. So tonight may be this year’s final night in Spain this year. A mixed feeling as this year it’s all been a little more anxiety provoking as a lot of the aires are either closed or full. Same with a lot of campsites all of which have increased their prices considerably more than inflation. Not blaming them too much as their costs will have shot up too. But it reduces the pleasure if you find yourself watching every penny. A first world problem I know!
Late edit: the black waste point here is shown as being the same as the grey water grill. I doubt this is right but I have to say, there was a similar drain at last night’s aire at Morella. When I went to empty ours, I changed my mind as it was so disgusting. The grid was cover3d with faeces and paper and had almost blocked the grid. Interestingly, there was a desert spoon abandoned there. Not sure what was happening there but to be candid, I’m not going to speculate. And, believe it or not, it’s almost time to start preparing our supper.
Picnic spot on N232.
Stopped at a LIDL at Alcaniz for some bread, pastries, veg, fruit and a new box of tissues. We both caught colds at Denia and, while the colds themselves moved on after three days or so, we’re both left with horrendous catarrh and the navigator has a really bad cough too. Affects her use of the sextant but we coped.
Stopped for a cuppa and slice at a road-side parking. Very quiet and we ate at the picnic tables that were built as solidly as the u-boat pens at Saint-Nazaire! Arrived at Litole Camping at about 16:30 and we have a space on a field with our own key to our personal toilet and shower. We can use the larger shower block but they’re further away on the main chalet section of the campsite. There is one other motorhome here but it’s relative early so it could fill up.
Tomorrow we head off to either Urrugne (again) or else a CPP aire at Biarritz. So tonight may be this year’s final night in Spain this year. A mixed feeling as this year it’s all been a little more anxiety provoking as a lot of the aires are either closed or full. Same with a lot of campsites all of which have increased their prices considerably more than inflation. Not blaming them too much as their costs will have shot up too. But it reduces the pleasure if you find yourself watching every penny. A first world problem I know!
Late edit: the black waste point here is shown as being the same as the grey water grill. I doubt this is right but I have to say, there was a similar drain at last night’s aire at Morella. When I went to empty ours, I changed my mind as it was so disgusting. The grid was cover3d with faeces and paper and had almost blocked the grid. Interestingly, there was a desert spoon abandoned there. Not sure what was happening there but to be candid, I’m not going to speculate. And, believe it or not, it’s almost time to start preparing our supper.
Picnic spot on N232.
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Last edited:
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