SPAIN - Dec 2012 - Jan 2013

First may I wish all who are reading this a Happy New Year 2013.

As for news, apart from selling the Toyota mpv just before departing on holiday - and paying for the road tax on the PUG in cash ( £ 20 ), there is little to say. Bearing in mind the reduction in total tax and insurance etc., let alone running costs, motoring should be much cheaper now.

Although there was a slight drizzle on arrival at Alicante, it had stopped by the time the transfer coach reached Denia. In fact, the weather while away was generally superb - still and warm, with a calm sea. My room faced Las Rotas and the sunrise - although on one morning there were worrying clouds, which disappeared during the morning. One night there had obviously been some showers - but the bowls area was dry by 10.00 a.m.

The Hotel Port Denia is something like a club, and many faces from previous years were there.

A video of the TTram journey to Altea market, and another in the form of a slideshow of various pictures taken on excursions from Denia, is on patrickclips ( link on Main site index page ). They cover pictures taken at Moraira, Benidorm, Simat, Javea and Calpe, and of course Denia itself. There are several videoclips of most of these locations taken in previous years on patrickclips.

A selection of pictures follows:

Valencia is the major orange growing area in Spain ( over 40 different varieties ). Lovely fresh produce at a fraction of the cost of an English supermarket ! Other vegetables were equally attractive - Moraira market.

There are several attractive cafe/restaurants on the walk along the Denia Marina promenade. Further afield at Las Rotas, there is the Torre Gerro - but it is steep climb to reach it. ( Bus to Las Rotas from near the Port Denia Hotel ).

In Benidorm the Old Town headland is a favouite spot, where there are cafes. One can see in both directions, the Levante and Poniente beaches - the small beach and marina below the headland, and the island offshore - as well as enjoy the entertainment.

As one walks around there are many birds to see. Last year even a hoopoe visited the hotel.

Simat, and the monastery which is being slowly restored, is worth a visit. At one time the church and monastery building were used to store oranges. The old man has been there as long as I can remember.

At Javea the Fisherman's Church had the traditional creche display. At Calpe, on the East side of the Ifach rock, there is a very long sandy beach, easily reached from the Ifach Hotel, another hotel used by Saga, which although convenient for birdwatching on the inland lake, is quite remote from the TTram station. ( There is a bus up from the marina area to the station ).

Note increases: TTram train - One can no longer get the Pensionista discount by waiving a passport. But the return fare from Denia to Altea is only - Euro 4.10.... ( 3 Zones ) , less for fewer zones. Unless intending to stay a while, and travel frequently, there is little point in applying for a discount card.

The bus fare has also increased, and is now Euro 1.45, per journey.

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