Valencia, Spain - return home

 I have actually been home for 2 weeks but am trying to get caught up on my pictures. The last day at the apartment was spent packing, tidying and

trying to finish up the food. As it was I left some for my landlord who would be the next person in residence. My taxi picked me up just as the cleaners arrived.

 I spent a rather miserable night in a hotel by the airport (the air conditioning wasn't working and I was coming down with a cough)

The flight left Valencia at 6am, so I was at the airport by 4am. However I did get a last look down at Canet den Berenguer and Port de Sagunto as the sun was coming up.

 

I then had a 5 hour lay over at Charles de Gaulle where I was able to get a decent breakfast (There would be something terribly wrong if you couldn't get a good cup of coffee and a croissant at a french airport). The pigeon was in the terminal and living on croissant crumbs.

Air France was on time and efficient

and serves cheese at the end of the meal, along with champagne and wine (and I was flying economy)

I always try and get a window seat and every now and then glimpsed this Lufthansa flight accompanying us across the Atlantic.

Sea ice

off the coast of Labrador.

While I was away there had been a flood in my basement. We are assuming that the sump pump failed although it was still working fine. So I had dealt with the insurance while I was away and came home to a basement with all the flooring, baseboards and part of the drywall ripped up in 2 rooms and the hallway. Needless to say I will be replacing the sump pump, I can't risk it being erratic, it is essential.

My cat sitter had taken over care of the geraniums and they were looking fabulous.

 

I immediately got the gardening itch and planted kale and carrots outside and lettuce inside.

Pussy willows from the bank.

To catch up with others in the family

Fiona did some hiking in the Lake District

 

and hit the Chocolate Festival in York.

Mark and Emma moved into their new house

and Mike and the family are in Belize; swimming with sharks and eating cerviche.

Valencia, Spain - last day in the city

 After visiting the Museum of Modern Art I headed into the old city to get a last look at the Fallas and the Virgin.

While Rick was here I relied on his comfort with Google Maps and after he left that reliance moved on to Fiona or Nicola. Personally, I prefer "hard copy" maps but they are a bit cumbersome when you are walking, so I let google be my guide.

 

That didn't stop me from heading down any street or alley that looked interesting

and let Google "recalculate" frequently.

Even small wider areas would have a display

This was knitted with a soft chenille like yarn.

I couldn't read the Spanish signs at the displays but some were pretty clear - No War.

I think her feet hurt.

It was Wednesday,

2 days before

all of these

would go up

in flames.

The streets were crowded

and noisy

with mini parades and

market stalls

This is how deliveries were being managed.

Although I couldn't understand the signage

others could and I would see people pointing to them

and discussing them. The dialogue was obviously part of the experience.

The crowds got thicker

as I neared the square of the Virgin.

There were lots of tour groups.

The presentation of flowers

continues for days until she is entirely robed in them.

The Turia fountain

is also engulfed in floral displays.

I had lunch with a front row seat to the melee in the square

and then made my way back to the Serrano Gate

where the Fallas we had seen being delivered

was now standing

and making a statement.

I sat for a while, getting my breath, at the bus stop. There were no buses running and I contemplated walking up to the bus station to see if anything was running from there. I was tired and overstimulated and opted for a taxi

which took me back to the peace and quiet of Port de Segunto. From there I walked back to 

 

Playa de Canet.

I needed this!