It's been 5 years since the timing belt on Cervantes was changed. We are nowhere near the mileage, but are on the limit of time (every 5 years).
Our go-to mechanics in Sangonera (a certified Fiat Professional garage) had it done in a day, so we were all ready to set off on Monday, the thirteenth of March.
TOTAL TOUR STATISTICS
- Distance driven 415km
- Travelling time 7 hours 28 minutes
- Amount of fuel used 39.84 litres
- Cost of fuel used €64.20
- Average fuel consumption 9.73 litres/km (29.3 mpg)
- Nights away 16
- Nights in campsites 16, at a cost of €298.00
- Total distance walked 81km
- Total elevation climbed 734 metres
- Total walking time 18 hours 30 minutes
Monday 13/03/2023 Home to Villajoyosa
N38°29'58.1'' W000°14'56.3'' ///sapping.transact.just
Camping Playa Paraiso. Large pitches on fine gravel for 80 vans (7 on beachside), pool, toilets, washing machines, sinks, toilets, showers, lounge, bar, service point. €21 per night including electric (ACSI price).
Our first stop was at Camping Playa Paraiso, a short walk from the town of Villajoyosa.
Some pitches were on the seafront, only 10 metres from the sea,
but we opted for an ACSI pitch (very big) for only €21 per night, including electric (not metered).
A Mercadona supermarket is only a 5 minute walk away, so we stocked up with food and drink, and spent the rest of the day exploring the coastline, and chilling out.
Villajoyosa, Tuesday 14/03/2023
Bright, warm sunshine today, so we had a good, long walk exploring the adjacent hill with a tower on the top, which overlooked the campsite.
Reading our kindles in the warm spring sunshine was enough for us today, and our Remoska was cooking our meal for tonight.
Prior to that, we were waiting for a technician to visit us to fit a kitchen tap, and replace a broken rooflight blind and a mosquito blind.
After 2 hours dismantling the kitchen unit, the water pipes were still hidden. The only access to the pipes was by dismantling the shower tray and surrounding walls, which we declined.
Once everything had been screwed back together, the bathroom tap had stopped working (it was working when he arrived), which the technician said was due to a failed microswitch in the tap - just a co-incidence?
Villajoyosa, Wednesday 15/03/2023
Today was another scorcher with full sun on our walk to the town of Villajoyosa, last visited by us 10 years ago!
The side by side restaurants lined the seashore for a good kilometre - you can find anything you like here - all types of cuisine at many different prices.
We opted for a seafood one doing a "menu" (3 courses with a drink for a set price) and were super impressed by the Arroz a banda (rice and seafood with no shells) - it was excellent.
Back at our quiet, sunny pitch it was more reading and relaxing - just right!
Villajoyosa, Thursday 16/03/2023
It was our last day here, so at lunchtime we ate at the restaurant near the roundabout, just up the road from the campsite, and very nice it was!
A third walk along the beach on this trip, took us to the top of a high cliff with distant views over the coastline to the south of us - very impressive!
Friday 17/03/2023 Villajoyosa to Jávea
N48°46'58.2'' E000°10'24.3'' ///wrist.snide.batting
212 pitches on crushed gravel, toilets, showers, pool, bar, restaurant, service point, washing machines, sinks, €21 per night (ACSI) with 4 kWh free per day.
73km in 1hr 8min
Moving on today - we will be sorry to leave here with all the facilities to hand, and some great walking.
We phoned ahead to Camping Jávea yesterday, and were outside reception in just over an hour.
A quick walk around the 212 pitches (we only had a choice of 90) and we were on the ramps with the chairs outside.
An evening walk to Jávea, with its lovely beaches,
Jávea, Saturday 18/03/2023
A warm, sunny day today turned into an overcast, windy day with intermittent rain - just right for some time inside to catch up on reading and what's happening in the world.
It was fine later on, so off we went to Jávea, this time turning right at the sea.
It was absolutely buzzing there, with live bands on a stage, and people and dogs (everyone seemed to have a dog!) everywhere.
We grabbed a front row table for a cocktail to do some people watching,
then chose a restaurant (among the overwhelming choice) to eat at.
Our choice at Posidonia proved to be a winner, as the food, drink and service was excellent.
The pizza oven (on public view to everyone) cooked the pizzas to perfection.
The walk home was a bit strange, with a drunk, legless youth just in front of us. We managed to avoid him eventually, and got home safe and sound.
Jávea, Sunday 19/03/2023
Another sunny day today, so it was off to the old town of Jávea.
A short 15 minute walk later we were outside the very impressive church, which was even more impressive inside.
We wandered the streets, and ended up at a bar in the sun, so sat and had a glass of wine. The wind was gusting, and the very large umbrella above us suddenly launched itself in the wind, knocking my glass of wine over (Glynis's was OK - she got her priorities right!) and generally trashing the table. Lots of sorrys and another glass of wine later, we were on the adjacent table, wondering how much they would knock off the price, bearing in mind that the umbrella crashed into Glynis's shoulder on the way down (the answer was nothing).
Back at Cervantes, the sun is "cracking the flags", so we prepped Remoskita
It's lovely and quiet here today, which is very unusual at the weekend.
Jávea, Monday 20/03/2023
We woke to hot, Spanish sunshine, so being that this was the last day here, we set off for the towers on top of the cliffs opposite us.
We walked 9km in 2 hours with 230 metres of climbing, and had a spectacular view from the top - the Mediterranean sea, the beach, inland to the campsite, and the mighty Montgo mountain - fabulous.
It was an impromptu lunch back at Cervantes of bread and cheese in the scorching sunshine, after a celebratory drink in the town square.
Another Remoskita triumph tonight for next to nothing money-wise.
We've paid today for our 4 nights here (€84) and were well within our 4kWh per day limit for electric, so no extra cost there.
We've booked into what sounds like a nice aire in Calpe for our next stop, so we'll be off first thing tomorrow, although we'll be sorry to leave this site - it has everything we like and has a lot of room, and the silence is golden!
Tuesday 21/03/2023 Jávea to Calpe
N38°39'05.9'' E000°04'09.3'' ///winner.results.rings
77 pitches on fine gravel, free WiFi, toilets, showers, cafe/bar, clothes and dishes sinks. Beach is a 5 minute walk away.
35km in 1hr 2min
An early start today to get to Calpe and Mediterraneo Camping - a bit cramped, but it serves its purpose.
There's lots to see and do in Calpe. There is a Mercadona supermarket, a Consum supermarket and a Lidl within 300 metres of the aire, so no problem shopping here.
We had a good walk to town, then along the seafront, looking at the huge range of menus outside many, many restaurants.
The one we chose was excellent, with home-cooked food to a high standard, and at a very reasonable price. We really were spoilt for choice.
The facilities on the campsite are basic but functional. The water is hot for a shower, and everything works.
So far it's been very quiet here - hope it continues. We've paid for 4 nights here at €16 per night, which includes 5 kWh of electric per day - plenty for what we use.
Calpe, Wednesday 22/03/2023
Another bright sunshine day with a strong, chilly breeze - just right for walking.
At the sea we turned left and followed a narrow walking path high above the rocky sea shore.
40 minutes later, we were at a harbour with a large restaurant, and many small boats in the adjoining harbour.
From here we walked uphill, passing many fine, large, detached houses until we got to the CV746 road.
We turned left to walk back to the busy town of Calpe.
On the way we passed a bar/restaurant called "Grizzly's" which had wooden, carved bears and cubs everywhere amongst the seating areas.
 |
| I thought the salad was fine! |
It also had some stunning flower gardens, which must have taken a lot of maintenance.
After a well-deserved beer, we carried on to Calpe where we had an excellent menu overlooking the sea.
Calpe, Thursday 23/03/2023
Sunny but chilly this morning, and we were down by the Lonja, or the fish market, where boats empty their catch from the sea, and the Lonja sells the fish to the highest bidder.
Outside the Lonja there are 15+ restaurants (all with fresh fish on the menu), and the choice is impossible.
We plumped for one next to the beach, with a stunning view of the Peñon de Ifach in front of us.
A leisurely walk back via the Mercadona supermarket, and we were kindle-reading outside in the warm sunshine.
The aire is already full, with some very large motorhomes opposite us - massive Morelo, Dethleffs and Concorde motorhomes - worth a fortune!!
Calpe, Friday 24/03/2023
Sunny and windy today, and a trip to Moraira was planned. A bus leaves Calpe in the morning and returns in the afternoon - just right for us.
The bus ride was a real rollercoaster ride on steep hills both up and down with very tight bends. The bus driver was brilliant and took it all in his stride - he does this 3 times a day!
Moraira was posh in parts, and scruffy in others, and were charging top dollar for food and drink at the quayside bars and restaurants.
There is some good walking up the coast to some excellent viewpoints - a great view of Calpe, with Benidorm in the background.
Back in Calpe, we ate at one of the many bars for €18 - an average of the cost on the promenade. We shared a table with a chimp, but he didn't eat much!
Saturday 25/03/2023 Calpe to San Juan
N38°23'30.9'' W000°24'45.2'' ///plaster.burying.cockle
Area Natur Playa Muchavista
€12 per day plus €4.50 per day electric, 75 pitches on crushed gravel, free WiFi, showers, toilets, sinks, service point, small shop in reception.
66km in 1hr 15min
All packed up for an early start this morning, and we were on the road for 9:45, on our way to San Juan, just above Alicante.
It was a new aire for 75 vans, and was quite full.
The approach to it was compromised by some long-term road works on the southbound N332, which stopped us accessing the aire as we wanted. We took a detour, and got here by an alternative, longer route.
It's a big site with a nice reception and all the facilities, but with limited showers and toilets (as was the aire in Calpe) for so many people.
A walk along the seafront revealed that a lot of the bars and restaurants were closed, but we found one that was open - it's in the high 20's today, so a cold beer was very welcome!
The shower and toilet block at the campsite has music playing continuously to drown the noises of straining, thrusting and other noises associated with toilets - it works perfectly!!
San Juan, Sunday 26/03/2023
A walk to the beach in the sun turned into a 5km walk along the seashore. The walking was flat and smooth on the wide promenade where everyone was walking or cycling.
It was another 30° day, so a couple of ice-cold beers was very welcome.
We were feeling the walk a bit, so we got the tram back to our nearest station, then walked back to Cervantes.
We were side-tracked on the way back, and ended up in a cafe with a huge ice cream - obligatory when you're on holiday!
A spot of kindle reading in the sun, and a brilliant one-pot Remoska meal was just what we needed before watching a film on DVD.
San Juan, Monday 27/03/2023
The heatwave is still with us in the high 20's - there are wildfires predicted inland due to the high temperatures and lack of rain for the last couple of months - we'll be steering well wide of them!!
Today we went on a tram to Alicante. They run just a 10 minute walk from the campsite, every 30 minutes for a cost of €1.95 - what a bargain.
The first port of call was the indoor market - usually buzzing, but a bit quiet today, being a Monday.
Nevertheless, it was great fun walking round listening to the people behind the counters shouting their wares.
Next was the cathedral - we just got in 10 minutes before it was closed for a service.
There were some very ornate figures, a stunning altar and a floating pipe organ (halfway up a wall) we were lucky enough to hear being played.
A menu del dia was next - it was a difficult choice with so many to choose from, then a walk to the marina to look at some of the stunning boats.
San Juan, Tuesday 28/03/2022
Up to the campsite 200 metres up the road from us for coffee and toast this morning - excellent.
Reading in the sun afterwards, Glynis (the master sleuth) found that there was an archaeological site in El Campello, so it was off on the tram to have a look around before they closed the gates at 2pm.
We were there for just after 1pm (Glyn again with spot-on logistics) and spent a good hour walking around the plots and reading the very good information boards on every exhibit, - an excellent place to visit if you can.
The temperature was in the high 20's again, and we were in need of a drink, so we called into a small French restaurant with a couple of tables outside for a cold beer - lovely!!
We read the menu outside, had a look inside, and were soon sat at a table having the menu del dia for €14 each.
The food and drink was excellent, with a great atmosphere.
Back at Cervantes we are steadily packing up for our journey home tomorrow, where we have a car that needs MOT`ing!
Wednesday 29/03/2023 San Juan to Home
109km in 1hr 48min
Home again, to start our research into our tour to Portugal in the summer.
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