Chilly morning at Refugio, went for walk down more straightforward track to mill, then on a little way, but couldn’t find track. Retraced our steps. Wonderful place, cliffs, river. Later got overview of where we had been and saw the way we should have gone, but by now drizzling.
Set off 12.40, not so bad going back up track. Drove about 160 miles to Calpe, heavy rain some of the way, over the mountains. No rest places on motorway, except commercial ones, but did stop at one of these briefly for Ash to pee – awful, couldn’t find parking place!
Finally arrived about 3.45pm, booked in, probably 3 nights. Not a place for us, rows of tight vans, all nationalities, several Brits who have been here since Sept and had rain much of the time. Showery rain.
Tuesday 23rd November. Rain, thunder and lightning overnight, cloudy am. Did chores, hand washing, filling water tank and emptying loo. Waited for weather to clear then walked through town and back along front. Warm in sun but breezy. Watched hang-gliders landing on beach – hairy! Ash felt a bit under the weather with headache, returned to van, then later shopped across the road at MyMercat.
Wednesday 24th November. Woke late, rain in night. Ash a bit better. Had rained again overnight, cloudy but improved, though never warm. Walked (left 11.30am) to old town, small and mostly rebuilt/renovated, but pleasant. Then down to front, coffee outside, along front to Ifach, big rock and up onto ”Parc Naturel”. Good views. Back to van 3.45, late lunch. Ash tired.
Thursday 25th November. Weather warmer, sunnier. Set off 11am for walk in nearby hills. Got to Emitag de St Francesco, 333m. Long zig-zag ascent on rough track. Met German couple who have Apartment in Altea, sold car sales business so retired – can’t be more than 50! Lunch then descent by a more roundabout route, though narrow and difficult in places. Got back 3.45pm. Shopped, then video and bed.