Visit with Gary Bren and Val

On Friday morning we went over to Bren and Gary’s place near Albox.  During our lovely week with them we re-visited Mojacar an Cabrera as well as a visit up into the hills to see the monastery at Saliente.  It was great to catch up after nearly two years.  Their family has grown since we last met them, Gary’s sister Val now lives with them together with Jessica (their first dog), Darcy and Sasha (two new dogs).  Went out for a fabulous Sunday lunch which set us up for the continuing journey on the Monday morning.  Thanks again for you great hospitality.

Sierras Alcaraz, Segura and Maria

From Cuenca we continued south through the Sierra Cuenca and then onwards to the Sierra de Alcaraz.  If you like mountain scenery the twisty roads the route we have taken this year is just for you!  Stayed at a fabulous little spot down by the river at Camping Rio Mundo at Mesones. 

 The next morning we were back on the mountain rods diverting slightly to visit the source of the Rio Mundo, which appears from a cave in a high cliff.  The route took us through the Sierra de Segura and after a stop for coffee overlooking the Embalse del Tranco we took the pass over Pontones into the plain  with our destination for the night rising grandly in front of us, the Sierra de Maria and a revisit to a favourite campsite of ours, named after it.

Ciudad Encantada and Cuenca

Just a short trip over the Montes Universales towards Cuenca.  The scenery continued to be spectacular as we drove along the mountain roads the warning signs regarding deer were correct as they scattered off the road just in front of the van. 

 Huge cliffs surrounded us as we made our way to Ciudad Encantada, an area of unusual eroded limestone rocks.  A small charge of 3E to get into the park was great value for money and you could spend all day wandering amongst theses marvellous wonders of nature.

From here we drove towards Cuenca and spent the night at Camping caravanning Cuenca. In the morning we were directed to a good size car park at the top of the old town of Cuenca. This old town sits on a spur of rock with the gorges of the Jucar and Huecar rivers. From the car park we walked down into the centre.This town is renowned for it's hanging houses built over the rock face. 

Albarracin

We took a day off from driving to visit the beautifully preserved walled town, dating from the medieval times. Many of the houses are tiered with wooden balconies and the main square is delightful with tiny streets leading off in all directions.. We climbed the walls to the highest point in lovely sunshine and were rewarded with magnificent views of the town and area, as well as our first glimpse of Griffon vultures. Much of the town is perched on the edge of a cliff and the river Guadalaviar runs through the gorge. We found a lovely walk along the river in the shade of the trees with metal steps bonded into the cliff wall where the gorge steepened.  Well worth coming off the main road to visit this area.

Off to the sun.

Left the UK on 27th September having said our goodbyes to all our friends and family. After a night at our favourite Caravan Club CL just outside Dover we took an early  ferry to Calais. Our first night stop in France was the Motorhome Aire at Brezolles, west of Dreux.   A popular place to stop close to the river and gothic church, great location if you don't mind the bells! 

Next day started with rain and showers as we progressed down through Chartres, Tour and Poitiers stopping for the night at Rom, another Aire near Lezay. A very peaceful night was spent here on the edge of the village which had the smallest Boulangerie we have ever been in - fabulous bread though.  We woke up to a misty morning and continued southwards past Bordeaux, Dax  to our third Aire at Salies de Bearn.  Good road signs to this Motorhome Aire ( barrier system into Aire 6E a night).well positioned in the spa town.

 Final day travelling through France a journey we have finally managed to do without tolls. Sun and cloud on route through some gorgeous scenery in the Pyrennees. Then through the Somport tunnel, no toll for this either. 

Exiting the tunnel into Spain, total "wall to wall" sunshine, not a cloud in site. 

Spain - down to Huesca and the arid plains around Zaragoza.  Just past Monreal del Campo we left the main road and headed for the hills.  Our destination was Bronchales, only to discover the campsite was closed.  The next campsite that we knew of was at Albarracin but this meant crossing the Sierra De Albarracin on a tourist scenic route sometimes with single track roads.  The scenery was fantastic and fortunately there were hardly any cars on the route, it made a spectacular end to the day.  We received a warm welcome (and hot clean showers) at the Camping Cuidad de Albarracin.