Valencia, Spain - into the city with Nic, Dave and Fi

 Fiona arrived via Dublin, jet lagged

so, to keep her awake, we went for a walk, had coffee and then ice cream at a cafe that Nic and Dave had found.

 

Then today it was on to the bus and into Valencia.

Still keeping us all fired up with coffee. The pigeons are going to love all those croissant crumbs. As you can see from our clothing, we are in a cool spell. About 15 degrees, cloudy, occasional light drizzle and very windy.

It was fun seeing them enjoy the city, taking photos, noticing things. As usual Rick and I saw things we hadn't noticed before. There is so much to see.

Neo Hobo is a distinctive street art project in Valencia, Spain, created by artist Ismael Barcelón (@stka_mx). Focused on urban intervention, this work contributes to the city’s vibrant street art scene, particularly within the historic Barrio del Carmen, which is known for murals by artists like Escif and Blu. from AI summary.

We went into the Placa de la Virgin where the fountain was in full flow again.

 

Dave was quite prepared to pose,

Fi, not so thrilled with the idea.

We skipped the Cathedral

but peaked in the church where there was a mass in progress.

From there we went around to the back, where the others went into the Archeological Museum and I sat and sketched/painted on the steps outside, while listening to the fireworks display going on, very noisily at the city hall square.

From there it 

was through

the streets and squares

with a focus on

gargoyles,

Until we got to the market.

Here we loaded up with our choices which ranged from ham and cheese baguette, though shrimp salad pincho to caviar and croquettes. We took them outside and sat on a bench to eat and then

returned for round 2. This was caramelized pumpkin in a pastry sprinkled with sugar. We had no idea what we were getting but it looked good, tasted a bit odd, but that didn't stop us trying it.

Then to the Silk Exchange

where I sat and sketched in the courtyard,

while they went inside. Photo by Nicola.

Photo by Nicola.

We made our way back to the bus

snapping

as we went.

'Knitting pattern" of wires.

We stopped to talk to 

this young painter. The painting was being donated to a charity auction. More of his work at www.smiralles.online.

When we got home the wind was really whipping up

the sea

and the palm trees.

Valencia, Spain - relaxed start

 On weekends there are fewer buses running into Valencia so the start to Nic and Dave's holiday has been pretty relaxed. They are walking every day and enjoying the warmer and, mostly, sunny weather.

Saturday they went, with Rick, to the Port de Segunto market (which also involved some eating and drinking out and learning the name of a yummy dessert) I went for a short walk, noting the emergence of leaves.

 

A solitary wild poppy in a vacant lot.

A rather scruffy looking Mimosa shrub, the only one I have seen here so far.

A new sign indicating no bikes on the passieg between June 1 and Sept 30. It must be too crowded with people, for bikes to be safe.

Sunday we went to the Canet market. Stood in line at the bakery stall for quite a while, enjoying the rapid fire Spanish exchanges and planning our order: a baguette, 4 chocolate covered bread sticks and a slice of apple tart (big enough for 4)

We bought olives at 2 different stalls (we will know next week to buy from the second, cheaper). Also got bananas, yellow kiwi and strawberries. And Rick ate a chocolate croissant which he says doesn't count as it didn't make it out of the market area. 

In the market, both weeks, we talked to a gentleman from Yorkshire who lived here. He recommended a cafe for market morning, so we tried it out. It was hopping. Olives and potato chips, free, even though we only ordered a coffee and an agua con gas. 

Nic and I walked up the beach later and saw this monster heading into Port de Sagunto.

More surf fishing and

a surprisingly friendly cat.

We made pinchos for lunch, putting different toppings on the slices of fresh baguette (they are only good for such a short time) Then Nic and Dave walked to Canet village and Rick, to the marina. 

I worked on this painting of the row of houses down by the marina in Valencia and

 

then we sat on the "back patio" in the sun. When there is a cool wind off the sea, the "back patio" on the other side of the building doesn't have a great view (parking lot, garbage cans, soccer area) but the afternoon sun is nice and warm.

Valencia, Spain - Nic and Dave arrive

 Nic and Dave arrived having made their flights and the taxi pick up with no problem. They did really well staying up and Nic even had a work meeting before going to bed.

The next day we walked to Port de Sagunto. Saw jellyfish on the beach.

 

Washed up and I assume dead. Makes me sad as I was fascinated by all the jellyfish at the aquarium. Carla asked Nic to bring one home - not going to happen!

 Jellyfish wash up on shore primarily because they are weak swimmers, making them helpless against strong onshore winds, tides, and ocean currents that push them out of deep water. These, often seasonal, mass strandings occur when large blooms (groups) of jellyfish are caught in unfavorable weather, leading to mass mortality, as they cannot survive long out of the water. from AI summary.

Beautiful purple colouring and

 

a black, scalloped fringe.

Surf fishing and

thinking about swimming. I am less inclined now I have seen the jellyfish.

Big and small, having a great time chasing in and out of the water.

Dredger was back at it

and there were some serious swimmers at Port de Segunto beach.

Nic and Dave bought some cooler weather but were still happy to eat and drink outside at a cafe.