Javea to Barcelona, Spain

Wednesday 13th January, 1982                overcast but fine.

Whilst preparing to leave the camp, Brian and Trudy arrived, excited over our having been - so we followed them over this mountain road back to Javea - phew what scenery but steep - cuts off kilometres to Javea.  Viewed the situation again re van but couldn't proceed beyond the well.  Parked van in town and went to market for roasted chicken, salad and walked the kilometre to Trudy's, where we seemed to feast all day - till late in the evening when we went for a walk, ending up at a bar in Javea.  A lovely Spanish village.  Brian took us on a tour of the town, before we succumbed to a refresher.  Back through lanes to house where Sean and I had the luxury of sleeping in the spare room on straight beds and no movement - after Sean pulled my bed closer to his.  Brian and Trudy are renting a lovely little villa, has orange trees around -  it’s all white with a mushroom chimney, which wasn't A1 at drawing.  So we all suffered smoke inhalation, sometime during the evening.

Thursday 14th January, 1982                   overcast and cool

Beautiful nights sleep, despite wind and rain.  Sandra, Rae & John came up for breakfast about 9 a.m., woke Sean and I with their noise.  Brian had had his car serviced by an Englishman.  So John decided to have it done here if possible, after all the problems Sylvia and John had with the Spanish and Portuguese.  So he booked in for 10 a.m..  We went to the travelling market while away the a.m. Met Brian and Trudy and adjourned to a bar for lunch.  "The imperial", where we whiled away another three hours over Tapas and Tortillas, mineral water and con leches. 

Bar Imperial, Javea

We walked home to Brian and Trudy's whilst John went for the car.  Spent a pleasant afternoon reading, knitting and talking.  Trudy went off to do some more painting.  She has finished 4 and wants to start hawking them in the bars.  Had a visit from Leslie and Mike and their daughter Lisa.  Australians who are returning on Monday after 2 1/2 years absence.  Trudy has captured the image of the fincas (abandon ones) on her paper.

We had tea, and later all clattered down through dark stone hedged lanes to the van.  John pleased with service $65 - up said goodbyes and on way to Valencia.

Friday 15th January, 1982                       cold overcast.

On the road by 10 a.m.  Sandra had to buy one more ball of wool for her cardigan.  It is Ardiller Jogging - a chenille wool made in Spain - will look great when finished.  She is still pale despite the course of iron tablets.  On through Gardia, Oliva Cullera to el Saler, where we are camped at camping Valencia.  El Saler, exceptional camping area. 

Modern toilets, showers and hot water - nice people.  Had lunch in between boys running back and forth to bus stop to Valencia.  Gave up and spent afternoon in a bar.  Sean, Rae and John caught the 4 p.m. bus into town, but were home by 7 p.m.  Whilst writing to Karen and Tony, a Spaniard bought me a drink and had a talk.  To bed reasonably early.

Saturday 16th January, 1982                    fog and crisp.

Up about 8:30a.m, showered again, and on our way, sad goodbye to all that hot water. Stop on the Autopista a few kilometres out of town.  The alternative highway isn't a good surface.  Through orange groves, rice fields, we wound our way towards Castellon.  Stopped to buy oranges and mandarins from side stall - 6 kg of each for 500 pesetas.  On through Segunda lunched at Playa de Moro de Gos, on through Torre Blanca and Beni Casem, and then to Montroig, where we couldn't find an open camp.  Tried Cambrells - no luck so here we are outside a hostel to free camp.  Had a vino Blanco in the bar.

Sean is having fun with his pay.  All along the Costa del Sol, he found pinnies.  Now in Costa del Azahar and the Costa de Dorada.  He is still playing havoc with his pocket money.

Sunday 17th January, 1982                      wet and cold.

Well, what a night outside Don Juan restaurant/hostel/bingo hall/ all nighter.  After tea we began our battle of the van again playing 500.  Sean and I won two games to one, then settled down for the night - then the activity began.  Cars swooping in, music and about 11 p.m., the bingo numbers came out of the clear night - loud and monotonous.  Large trucks pulled up, kids made noises and still the bingo numbers.  About 3:30 a.m. the bingo finished, and we dozed in between the trucks and people going home. 

Monday 18th January, 1982

Awoke about 8 a.m.- washed out.  Used the bar toilets to clean up.  Then on the road.

Along the breach front through Tarragona, Villeneuve.  Along the coastal mountain road that had us all holding our breath.  Raining all the time and on then to Barcelona and a hassle to find a caravan Park.

Plenty of them, but either too dear or dirty.  We are camped at "el Toro Bravo", 11 km from Barcelona. 

Camping at Barcelona 

Plenty of hot water - a long walk to bus along the riverside and site right on beach, and it's still raining.

We tempted fate and did some washing, oh for a washing machine and dryer.  Had another round of battle of the van.  Sandra and John won the only game and to bed - to listen to the jets taking off to all parts of the world from the airport.  Thank goodness for the curfew, and we all went to sleep.

Javea to Barcelona, Spain