Andalucia Day 53 Peñíscola and Salou

Amazingly we have had breakfast and are packed and on our way for 8.15. It's a fine morning, sunny and fresh and little traffic due to the fact it's Sunday. We make good progress, avoiding the toll motorways. Even the other roads in Spain seem to be fast, empty, often two lanes. We pull into Peñíscola for twelve and picnic in the car (goat cheese and bread to make a change from the jamón).

Time for a look around. The historical centre of Peñíscola is really pretty, on a promontory between the beach and the port, the original village is wrapped around the well- conserved castle and walls.

The sun is warm, the views of the white village and sandstone ramparts and blue sea behind really beautiful, a very pleasant place to spend a few hours. There are lots of touristy shops and restaurants, many right in the centre are closed as the November Sunday tourists gravitate to the sunny outside walls and panoramas. There's also a small Sea Museum where the explanations are in three languages: Spanish,  Catalan and English.

After coffee we continue the drive to Salou where we have a room in Hostal Port Mar, nice, clean, recently decorated rooms.

We finally book accommodation for the next few days, more by elimination of unsuitable apartments than by choice of a special one, but at least it's done.

After we go for an evening stroll along Salou's promenade where the many fountains are mostly working but mostly not illuminated. Nevertheless, the promenade is pleasant - wide with palm trees, gardens, three different wide paseos and the beach beyond.

For dinner we have two very ample raciones in Petit Bar - patatas bravas and chipirones fritas, with beer it's more than enough for two for a total cost of 13.50.

More driving awaits us tomorrow.

Kilometres by car: 456

Kilometres on foot: 10