So what did I travel all this way for? Well, a nice little holiday home complete with a pool 20 metres away for one.
Then there was the English Tapas…pork pie, cheddar, Branston pickle which was served upon my arrival. Not to mention the home made scones with PROPER CREAM and a good cuppa tea!!
The house is situated near a town called Cuidad Quesada, which is a bit like Britain only sunnier and with far more cranes per capita. Being somewhere in that state between brain dead zombie and adrenalin junkie, it was inevitable that I awoke early on my first full day in Spain (I think it was Friday but needed reminding). The plus side was watching the sunrise over the newly planted tomato fields out of my window.
Morning tea with pain au chocolat perked me up somewhat and with that we headed out into the country, generally taking wrong turns and driving down potholed roads.
It’s a bit of a strange mixture out here - big shiny holiday home estates mixed with the odd run down stone building dotted around a landscape of salt lakes, barren ridges and fields of lemon trees. Lots of lemon trees.
Morning tea with pain au chocolat perked me up somewhat and with that we headed out into the country, generally taking wrong turns and driving down potholed roads.
All of this was evident as we headed to Embalse de la Pedrera, a reservoir tucked away over some rocky hills with a strange glacial blue colour, despite the clear absence of any glaciers nearby.
On the other side of the lake was a small untouristy town called Torremendo, with not much but a small town square, a tiny bar and of course a church with some old women hanging around gossiping. It was really peaceful and quiet and delightfully tucked away.From Torremendo it was back to the coast which, coming from the beautiful beaches of Australia, I am struggling to appreciate. It just seems so bizarre to see so many people crammed onto a strip of sand…I’ve obviously been away too long! Still, I wasn’t complaining sat in the sun tucking into some food overlooking the beach at La Zenia. Later in the day (after obligatory dip and siesta) we returned to the coast for a short walk at Torrelemata and had some food in Benijofar before calling it quits for the day.
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The next day we headed first to the busy town of Santa Pola, full or Mercado loving locals and visitors and with more pretty but crammed beaches. Further out of Santa Pola, the development decreased and the road following the coast with a rocky ridge running inland. This seemed to be a place for the Spaniards and it seemed there wasn’t a Pom in sight.
The road eventually led to Alicante where I had a great time exploring some of the old buildings and streets, such a contrast to down under! We stumbled across an alleyway lined with tables and settled in for some lunch at one of these.
The next day we headed first to the busy town of Santa Pola, full or Mercado loving locals and visitors and with more pretty but crammed beaches. Further out of Santa Pola, the development decreased and the road following the coast with a rocky ridge running inland. This seemed to be a place for the Spaniards and it seemed there wasn’t a Pom in sight.
The road eventually led to Alicante where I had a great time exploring some of the old buildings and streets, such a contrast to down under! We stumbled across an alleyway lined with tables and settled in for some lunch at one of these.Here’s the folks enjoying the culture.
There are a few other sights in Alicante, including the obligatory packed out beach, marina with shiny “I’m considerably richer than you” boats and palm tree lined promenades. However, dominating the landscape is Castell de Santa Barbara, perched upon a large rocky outcrop high over the town.
There’s a lift which goes up from near the beach to the castle but it was closed due to technical failure (or, more probable, siesta time). This meant a few u-turns and roundabouts later we found the road up to the castle, from where there were some great views and interesting old sights.
There’s a lift which goes up from near the beach to the castle but it was closed due to technical failure (or, more probable, siesta time). This meant a few u-turns and roundabouts later we found the road up to the castle, from where there were some great views and interesting old sights.
It was pretty warm up and there were plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. Here I am right up the top, looking like I’ve eaten a bit too much paella or had one too many cervezas I reckon!! 
I think this little turret could’ve been the broom cupboard or where those pesky Spanish soldiers disappeared for a quick nibble of a chorizo or something!
After an hour or so exploring, we drove back down to sea level and whizzed along the roads to Quesada (just make yourself a damn quesadilla) for more siesta type lounging before a night out with Rob & Lynne, another couple of Devonians (Westcoutry, la la la!). This consisted for me of a huge shoulder of lamb for dinner, a couple of G&Ts and a few of the old amber nectars…leading to a quiet morning of blog writing the next day!
I think this little turret could’ve been the broom cupboard or where those pesky Spanish soldiers disappeared for a quick nibble of a chorizo or something!After an hour or so exploring, we drove back down to sea level and whizzed along the roads to Quesada (just make yourself a damn quesadilla) for more siesta type lounging before a night out with Rob & Lynne, another couple of Devonians (Westcoutry, la la la!). This consisted for me of a huge shoulder of lamb for dinner, a couple of G&Ts and a few of the old amber nectars…leading to a quiet morning of blog writing the next day!
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