Why & Where To Stay In San Jose, Cabo de Gata Natural Park, Almeria, Spain

As we come to the end of our unexpectedly long 5 month sojourn here in beautiful San Jose, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on just why we love spending time here so much and why we are considering staying even longer next winter! With wonderful accommodation options, a vibrant community, the great outdoors, cities, history and activities all right on the doorstep, for us it is the perfect base to enjoy a little more stability after our more nomadic periods....especially when we know we have a spectacular base in Pueblo Namara to look forward to again next winter.

Apartment Bon Sejour - A Fantastic Place To Stay in Grimentz, Val d'Anniviers

During our summer adventures of 2016 we stayed in many places. In a tent pitched in the shadow of Mont Blanc, on a boat overlooking the river Nile, in an apartment on the Adriatic Sea. Yet for a combination of comfort and convenience alongside the freedom of the great outdoors it is difficult to think of somewhere more ideal than our stay in Apartment Bon Sejour in Grimentz. As anyone browsing our blog will know we just love spending time in the Val d'Anniviers in the Swiss Alps. Ever since our first trip there in summer 2014 we felt it was an energetic home for us and thanks to Shirley and Robin we were able to rent this wonderful apartment and stay pretty much the whole of October this year enjoying the mountains, clean air and clean water all from their lovely apartment. That is why we felt moved to say how grateful we were to them for all the care and attention they have put in to providing such a wonderful homely place to be based from in this amazing valley.  We wanted to share a few words about the apartment itself for anyone thinking of visiting Switzerland or this area in the future.

Recharging Our Batteries In Venice

Hard to believe its almost a week since we left Cairo, flew overnight to Athens, passed out for a whole 5 hours sleep in the first available BnB, hopped on another plane to Venice and after messing up our bus connections finally flopped into a creaky, cramped and entirely welcome mobile home at Camping Jolly in Marghera. After the luxury of the Nile Fairmont this little patch of Italy that we called home for the last 5 nights may have wobbled every time our adjoining neighbours turned over in bed and been heaving with (mostly) Australian backpackers partying by the pool, but it gave us a much needed base to sleep and rest....plus a day out in nearby Venice too.

Egypt! What Can I Say?

Sitting, reflecting and resting on the outskirts of Venice after our 2 week Egyptian odyssey it's hard to know what to write. It was a trip like no other we had ever taken and not only because of the 5 star luxury of the accommodation and the according cost. Rather it was a trip so full of unexpected gifts and also unexpected and complex challenges that trying to capture everything in a concise yet comprehensive blog post after just a few days of reflection just doesn't feel possible...so I've decided not to try.

Running Joys - Exploring The Beautiful British Countryside - Wollaton Park, Nottingham and Eythrope Park and Gardens, Bucks

As I've mentioned in several other posts, in past years I've not been as big a fan of running as Dan.  However over the last few months I've more and more been enjoying the experience of joining him in lacing up our trainers and getting out to explore local trails in France and Spain.  So now that we are back in Britain and keeping up with the running (in preparation for something we have planned and will write more about shortly) it has given me the opportunity to appreciate more fully the joys of running in the British countryside.  There has been something really special about getting out, depsite the cold and drizzle, in the fresh early morning air or during the early evening just as the light is fading over the rolling green countryside.  It's been wonderful to run through fields, parks and woodlands seeing the many signs of Springtime emerge - daffodils, lambs, buds on the trees and made us very happy to be back in Britain at this time of year.  We've been on several runs since being back but below are some photos from our run through Wollaton Hall, Gardens and Deer Park in Nottingham where we were treated to close encounters with the deer roaming the park and also Eythrope Park and Gardens in Buckinghamshire......

Amazing Views Over Playa de los Genoveses, Beaches Of Cabo de Gata Natural Park

No matter how many times we visit this wonderful beach, we just can't get tired of it. Today we enjoyed another wonderful stroll along Playa de los Genoveses with friends and especially marvellous views over the coastline of Cabo de Gata from the viewpoint of Morron de los Genoveses. We just couldn't resist sharing some of our favourite photos from the day.

Visiting Vallouise and the Ecrins National Park in Autumn

Vallouise is a French commune located in the department of Hautes-Alpes, in the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and has also been our base for the past few days as we have combined some amazing hiking with some much needed rest and recuperation among the autumnal valleys and mountains on the fringe of the Ecrins National Park. Located in the heart of the Massif des Ecrins, Vallouise is at the confluence of the rivers Gyr and Onde, which merge to form the Gyronde river that continues downwards to the valley below. From the village, one can reach the highest summits of the massif: the Barre des Ecrins, the Ailefroide, Pelvoux and the Bans but, as we have discovered, in autumn when the village is empty of most tourists it is also an ideal place to relax and enjoy some peace and quiet as well.

Our Stay in Aiguilles - Light Shows, Fireworks and Markets

Having spent more than 3 weeks enjoying the beauty and tranquillity of our base in Ceillac we both felt we really ought to move on, however, neither of us had the urge to travel too far either. The talking and exploring our feelings that we had made so much progress with was not something we wanted to put on hold if we started touring large distances from region to region and so we were happy to see posters being put up for another local fete, this time a 2 day event in the village of Aiguilles a little further up the Guil valley. It was a strange feeling descending the road from the valley floor up to Ceillac after so long, but we were excited to try somewhere new as well.

Celebrating Ceillac in Summertime

Nestled in the Queyras Regional Park at around 1650m altitude, Ceillac sits at the confluence of two alpine rivers, the Melezet and the Cristillan. Surrounded by jagged, bare mountain tops, forested valley walls and flattened agricultural plains it is an idyllic and picturesque small village that has been our base now for over 3 weeks. So well placed for hiking, cycling, for day trips to other parts of the Queyras and also for quiet reflection that we have felt increasingly at home as the days have passed.

From Lake to Lake - Annecy to Camping de Savel

Here is the third instalment of our catch up.... from Lake Annecy to Lac de Monteynard.  Having arrived quite late in Annecy the night before, after the long drive through Switzerland, we took the morning to take it easy (once we'd found ourselves a permitted parking place).  Immediately we were already feeling better , the sun was shining and the sky was very blue.  Living in a motorhome is just that bit easier in better weather and this felt particularly the case that morning, after a period where I hadn't felt so well.  We'd started to realise that although last year we'd been on the go (in 'holiday mode' as we later reflected on it) from the minute we'd left Holland, maybe this time we'd need to accept that it was OK take some time to do a lot of not much and wind down however excited we were to have hit the road again.   But it still didn't stop us taking the opportunity to explore this beautiful turquoise lake and its surroundings, it's just we'd have to take it slowly.

Beach Walks and Cycles in the Devesa - Albufera Nature Reserve, Valencia - Saying Farewell to the Mediterranean

After 3 wonderful days and nights in the beautiful Val de Laguar, it was time to continue our journey north once more. With over 2300km to reach Holland and our journeys goal, a ferry to Newcastle, we knew we had a long way to. However, we also knew we had a few days in hand to enjoy the journey as well, the only question was where to pause en route? Should we pause by the Pyrenees, tarry in Tarbes or pay a visit to Paris? All enticing prospects, however, saying farewell to the sunshine and blue sky of the Mediterranean Spanish coast for the chill of northern Europe felt like a big step. In the end it was the weather that made our choice for us, we'd stay by the coast and where better to relax than the place we had loved so much on our way south, the Albufera nature reserve.

12 Places to Visit and Things To Do in Cabo de Gata - Nijar Natural Park, Spain

The Cabo de Gata natural park is a quiet and remote part of Spain, offering a peaceful haven for visitors who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the world. However, that doesn't mean that there isn't anything to do here either. If you're interested in nightlife, shopping, bars and restaurants then it is true to say that perhaps the Cabo de Gata natural park might not be for you. However, if you want to experience a slower pace of life, be outdoors, explore some amazing natural beauty and learn about the history and geology of this unique corner of Spain then there is plenty on offer. We've made a shortlist of some of the activities we enjoyed during our winter stay in the Cabo de Gata natural park.

10 Reasons to Visit the Cabo de Gata -Nijar Natural Park - Andalucia, Spain

Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, in the south-eastern corner of Spain, is a paradise for those seeking Mediterranean beauty, peace and quiet. Crammed full with pristine beaches and hidden bays dotted along a magnificent coastline and set against the ochre backdrop of an intriguing volcanic landscape, this wild and isolated park is also the only region in Europe offering a Warm Desert climate. It is also Andalucia's largest coastal protected area. We have completely fallen in love with Cabo de Gata as a perfect European winter destination and have put together this list of our top reasons why.

9 Things to See and Do in Val d'Anniviers, Switzerland

After falling in love with Val d'Anniviers during our two summer visits in 2014 we have so many incredible memories to look back on. Alongside being a hiking wonderland, the valley offers so many other places to visit and things to do that we wanted to put together a list of some of our favourites. Whether you plan to visit Switzerland for a few days or a few weeks, the list below provides some excellent reasons to pay a visit to this remarkable valley.

Touring in the Swiss Alps Without Breaking the Bank - 12 Ways We Kept Cost Down

When we tell people about the magnificent time we had touring in the Swiss Alps this Summer and recommend they visit, one of the first things they say is "but it's really expensive". Switzerland does have the image as being one of the most expensive places in Europe to visit.  However, we found that it really wasn't that difficult to keep costs down.  By making a few minor changes to our buying habits and being mindful of how our activities related to costs we actually found that our average costs in Switzerland were the same as the average costs for our trip overall. Obviously motorhome touring saves on hotel costs but below are a few other ways we kept costs down.  We know that not all of the ways we saved money will apply and be suitable for everybody, but we hope this list might convince those considering a trip to Switzerland that you can sample some of the most dramatic scenery in Europe without breaking the bank.

Why we fell in love with Val d'Anniviers, Valais, Switzerland

For lovers of high mountains and majestic alpine panoramas, the Val d'Anniviers in the Valaisan Alps of Switzerland is the ideal summer destination. With a collection of authentic mountain villages made up of traditional, sun blackened houses serviced by an excellent network of buses the area is both accessible and idyllic. Lying above these villages are high mountains peaks, including five 4000m plus summits at the crown of the valley. But you don't have to be a climber to have fun either, with hundreds of kilometres of well marked hiking trails that make up a hikers playground and a selection of unobtrusive cable cars and ski lifts making the most stunning vantage points accessible to everyone.

Escape the Crowds and Discover Unspoiled Valleys in the Swiss Alps

If I'd been asked to name some Swiss mountains and resorts before we set off on our motorhome adventure I'd almost certainly have come up with places like Zermatt and the Matterhorn and Interlaken and the Jungfrau, Monach and Eiger. Indeed, it's places like this that have produced some of the most iconic images of Swiss wilderness and that many people seeking some alpine beauty will conjure in their minds. However, as we also discovered this year, the beauty and fame of the most well known resorts has both pros and cons. With accessibility and popularity also comes congestion and commercialism that we could find off putting when we were seeking remote mountain landscapes. But all is not lost either, it is still possible to escape the crowds and discover unspoiled valleys in the Swiss Alps.

7 Reasons to Visit the Ecrins National Park, French Alps

The Ecrins National Park, sandwiched between Gap, Grenoble and Briancon, is the largest and oldest of the 10 French national parks. The dramatic high mountains of the Massif des Écrins, which occupies most of the park, boasts the southernmost 4000m summit in the Alps (Barre des Écrins: 4102m) plus 42 more summits over 3000m.  This compact yet intricate group of peaks and valleys, with mountains huts (Refuges) in amazing locations, reveals some unforgettable scenery. Whether you're looking for a multi day hike, challenging day walk or a scenic holiday base you should definitely consider the Ecrins National Park. Here's why...

Flamingoes and a Mediterranean Sunset - Faro de Cabo de Gata and Las Salinas

Although we had already visited the Las Salinas salt flats to see the over-wintering flamingos and cycle past the lighthouse (Faro) on the tip of Cabo de Gata during our cycle tour of the cape, it was an exciting treat to return to these sites once more this weekend with Esther's parents. The expansive flattened plain which extends all the way from the hills of the Cabo de Gata natural park, heading both inland to the Sierra Almahillas and along the Andalusian coastline to Almeria before the ground rises into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada rests in stark contrast to those surrounding mountains. With miles of sandy beach combined with spectacular views and distant horizons, we were looking forward to visiting again and showing them some more of the diverse beauty of this south east corner of Spain.

Calar Alto Observatory & the Sierra Nevada - Car Touring the Sierra's of Almeria

Although having a home that moves is one of the most exciting parts of motorhome life, throughout our adventure we have tried wherever possible not to use our motorhome as a 'run around' vehicle. We much prefer to park on an aire or campsite for a while then explore an area by foot, bike or public transport both reducing our motorhome mileage, carbon footprint and, we feel, really getting to know our surroundings better than whizzing past at 90 kph. However, with temporary access to a hire car courtesy of Esther's parents staying with us, it was a rare and exciting treat on Friday (16/01) to take to the road in a much smaller, quicker and fuel efficient Citroen C4 to get a closer look at some of the spectacular mountains and scenery just beyond the Cabo de Gata natural park.