10.156 ¡Adios!
I’ve had two completely lazy days at the villa, spent a couple of days racing and hiking around local high points, looked down on Benidorm, encountered a snake, visited Xàbia and its beautiful, modern church (at a more leisurely pace), spent time on the beach and seen some amazing sunsets. And all the while, the weather has been glorious. But now it’s time to go.
10.155 Action packed
The last full day of any trip for me always seems to be the most frantic. I spend half the time mentally noting things I must do, places I must see before the end of the trip, then suddenly it is the end of the trip and the mental checklist remains.
10.154 Stormy sunset
Sunsets can be so difficult to photograph, at least in any way that does them justice, but I think the added cloud cover and the moisture in the air added such an extra dimension this evening.
10.153 Xàbia
One thing that truly stood out in Xàbia – initially like a sore thumb – is the church near the port. Rising slightly above its neighbours, built of plain concrete and adorned with what appear at first to be spikes, Our Lady of Loreto church could not possibly be more incongruous.
10.152 Sierra Helada
The path became a climb, rising steeply for about 15 minutes where it seemed that the crest was forever just out of sight, until, suddenly, it just stopped. The ground levelled out for all of about 2 metres, and then fell away, hundreds of metres to the ocean below.
10.151 Alfresco dining
Completing the alfresco ambience, there’s a picnic table, with umbrellas for when the sun’s too bright. It’s fantastic. Did I mention it’s next to the pool?
10.150 Lazy Sunday
So… not a great deal was done today. This photograph, taken as the sun started to fade at the end of a very hot day, pretty much illustrates the focal point of today’s activities.
10.149 ¡hola!
I’ve rented a friend’s villa for the week, near the coast roughly half way between Valencia and Alicante. I’ve been here before and will doubtless come again, as it’s just perfect for short escapes.
