Valencia, Spain - Sunday walk

 I am still fighting a cough that started about a week ago and, of course, jet lag too, so today was a "take it easy day".  

Also because I slept quite badly and saw yet another sunrise.

I googled how to use the Dolce Gusto coffee maker and was glad I did as I hadn't realized it had a dial to change the cup size. The only pods I found at the grocery store were expresso so I used a LOT of milk and created a fair latte. I love European Greek style yogurt. It is so much creamier than the North American kind. Of course I googled this question and found out that it is made differently - milk from specific breeds of cows and sometimes sheep or goats, different bacterial cultures, less sugar, less (often no) gelatin or added starch and slower low temperature heating.

After my usual morning routine of 2 coffees, breakfast, facebook, emails, Duolingo and the New York Times puzzles I thought it was probably warm outside now and went for a walk.

Out of the gate and turned left (north) on "the Passeig" and realized it was Sunday, lots of people about and a couple of restaurants open.

 

The beach side is dunes, grasses, shrubs, trees and

paths to the beach.

The other side starts as apartments and hotels then low rise buildings and private homes interspersed with green space

and parking lots. I imagine this area is crazy in the summer. Such a huge beach and lots of accommodations.

People were strolling, walking, jogging, biking, roller blading and using electric scooters. It was a bit of a free for all because not everyone kept to the right of the path. There were people in winter coats but most had them over their arm and I saw some in t-shirts. I started with a fleece and vest on but shortly peeled down to a long sleeved t-shirt and was too hot.

A flock of birds flew across the path and into the long grasses. There were flashes of bright orange so I tried to get a good look.

Took a bit of googling (now a verb) but they were Common Waxwings. Native to Africa but found in Spain. First I've ever seen.

I walked until I had to choose between walking on a road or the beach and chose the beach. Sign about protecting the dunes.

3 catamarans and a Laser dinghy were awaiting warmer water. 

I sat on the stony sand and just soaked it all in - the sun, light breeze, sound of waves on the beach (video follows for those who also enjoy that sound)

I walked back along the beach for a while, lovely sea smoothed stones at the high tide edge.

Mum would have called him a "wooferly dog"

wet and bedraggled he was having a great time chasing his young owner in and out of the waves.

As I headed back off the beach I took some photos 

that I may use in future

paintings.

Someone is looking after the feral cats...food and water

I couldn't see a notch in their ears

so unfortunately they haven't been spayed.

Light lunch and then I started on a painting.

Valencia, Spain - travel and arrival

Last year I splurged and flew first class when I went to Thailand. Mark told me it would spoil me and I would not want to go back to economy. He was right. I again splurged for the flights to Spain. I really just wanted to sleep better and not arrive so exhausted. On the way back, daytime flights, I am taking economy.

This meant that after Rick dropped me at the airport, got checked in and through security, I could sit in comfort in the KLM lounge, eating and drinking for free. Then just walk to the gate and walk right on the plane. I'd really like to get used to this (but can't justify or afford it regularly)

 

I settled into my "pod" with champagne and water.

With the safety video KLM's Delft theme started.

Along with cushions, a blanket,  and a little pouch (containing a sleep mask, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste, lip balm and hand lotion) in the pod, there was also a menu for dinner, breakfast and drinks, to order from.

I had a light meal: soup, salad and a desert. Chris asked if I would get real cutlery. Yes!

Lying down I did get a good four hours sleep but then they cruelly turn on the cabin lights and hustle you to have breakfast as the sun is coming up.

The Delft theme continues.

I was also given this little ceramic house with gin inside it.

 

KLM's Delft houses started in the 1950s as a clever way to bypass regulations against airline gifts by presenting miniature Dutch houses filled with Bols gin, making them unique cocktail vessels for World Business Class passengers. These sought-after collectibles, replicas of real Dutch buildings, became a permanent tradition, with a new house introduced annually on KLM's October 7th anniversary, keeping pace with the airline's age since 1994, and growing into a major cultural phenomenon and collector's item.  AI summary.

The one I have is the 106th design. They are for sale on etsy priced from about $15 and up, depending on their rarity.

I landed in Amsterdam where it was cold, grey and rainy. Which actually was a relief because flights had been terribly disrupted by winter snow storms over the previous week and there was another one coming.

 

There wasn't a lounge close to my gate and Amsterdam airport is huge, so lots of walking. So I sat and people and plane watched for a couple of hours before boarding a "city hopper" for the 2hr flight to Valencia.

 

I picked up my luggage, called the hotel for the shuttle and was in my room by 5:30 to read this rather effusive welcome letter

which was accompanied by water and a slice of apple cake. That was supper because I was too exhausted to go looking for food. I managed to stay awake until 8pm and slept on and off until 6am. Wide awake so down to breakfast and then taxi to the apartment.

From the balcony. I did a little unpacking but wanted to get out into that sun and to grocery shop before the jet lag set in again.

This is Passeig Maritim 9 Octubre which is pedestrian and runs along between the buildings and the beach.

October 9th in Spain, known as 9 d'Octubre, is the official Day of the Valencian Community, commemorating King James I's conquest of Valencia from the Moors in 1238, symbolizing the region's identity, autonomy, and cultural heritage, while also being the feast day of Sant Dionís (Saint Denis), the patron saint of lovers AI Overview.

A pathway through the dunes

 

brings you to a long sand beach.

Sunny and clear, about 14 degrees, but a cool wind so I was wearing a fleece. Most people were in winter coats.

Looking back at my building

That's my balcony. It faces East and is in the shade of the L of the building so I don't think it will get sun in the months that I am here.

It was a 15 minute walk to the grocery store and I was really flagging carrying this lot back. (backpack for the heavy stuff and 2 bags)

First grocery shop $46 Euro (About $75) There is another grocery store so I will compare them for prices and variety but for now I have breakfast, lunch and a couple of dinners covered.

The rest of the day I spent finishing unpacking, organizing, bringing in the laundry that had been left to dry outside and reading. Pretty wiped out but trying to make it to 9pm tonight.

New Years Day, Niagara Falls

For the second year, (this may become a tradition) Rick and I went to Niagara Falls on New Years Day.

We took the slow route, driving along the Lake all the way.

 

Marveled at 

the impact of the high water, waves and winds from

the storm the previous week.

There were cottages on the edge of the lake that were encased in ice.

Watched a couple of Bald Eagles

hunting out on the ice

Cold wind but the sun was very welcome after so many grey days.

At one stop we could see the Point Abino lighthouse in one direction

and the Buffalo skyline in the other.

We drove down the Niagara River

Lots of ducks and at one point a beautiful Bald Eagle in a tree right beside the road. Unfortunately I had cars behind me so couldn't pull over to take a photo.

We stayed at the Marriot this year and had great views from our room.

Two chairs faced the window and we drank wine and snacked

while watching the moon rise and

the lights come on

below us.

Still very cold and windy so we didn't want to go far for dinner. Rick thought he had made a reservation at an Italian restaurant but when we got there it was Brazilian. I ordered just sides and Rick had the main menu. Wait staff just walked around with huge skewers of grilled meat that they carved off for you (cuts of beef, pork, chicken, shrimp and salmon). All you can eat is basically wasted on us any more but I found the sides delicious and the whole thing entertaining.

Back to the room in time to watch the fireworks.

The buffet breakfast was excellent and we would usually have used the swimming pool and hot tub but the area was cold so we continued on our drive down the Niagara River

until we got to Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Rick couldn't believe that I had never been. We walked around, in and out of stores and galleries. Then continued the drive home.