Tuesday 18th April 2023

Couldn’t believe it, actually had to leave the roof of Max up this morning, a bit of rain in the air, but we were off to the coast and we could see the sun ahead of us. Now just because we are in spain don’t think we have become beach babies😲. You know us better than that. We were actually going to Albufera, a coastal lagoon near Valencia.

The drive had its hiccups, Serena, our satnav, who has behaved impecably all holiday threw a bit of a wobble. We soon recovered though, although Valencia port is delightful🤣. Once in El Palmar where public car parks were not sign posted, only the private ones we were led a merry dance. We only went the wrong way up a one way street once, we think!

El Palmar is the main town in the region and another place where Paella originated!? The do have acres and acres of rice fields, and lots of boats for hire to take tourists out onto the lagoon. Our captain was very knowledgeable and hilarious, we think! He spoke no English and our Spanish is limited! It was a very good boat trip though, and we saw flamingos and traditional houses along with lots of bamboo reeds.

After lunch we headed for Cullero and its Islamic castle. The castle was shut so we walked on to the Fort above it where we had panoramic views along the coastline, across the rice fields to the mountains beyond. It stayed lovely and warm all day despite the weather forecast. Back to our last night in the Gaudi House where we found a group of brits on our terrace😲, first ones we’ve spoken to since we left GB.