Postcard from Navajas

chasncath
chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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edited January 2015 in Your stories #1

Navajas is about 60 km inland from Valencia. It's not far from the A23 Autovia and is, in consequence, a popular night halt for campers heading to the seaside. The town is a mixture of old Moorish streets, modern villas and stylish, lavishly-decorated 18th century villas. You can walk from the campsite to the town, where there is a scattering of bakers, butchers and a couple of mini-markets.

The centre piece of the town, aside from the church spire and dome, is the 1,000 year-old elm tree in the Plaza del Olma: it's here that the Friday market is held and you can have a morning coffee at the corner bar.

From the station you can catch the train for a day out in Valencia. However, there are abundant walks and cycle paths of varying difficulty, starting from and passing Navajas. Just below the town in the gorge there are waterfalls all within walking distance. The Via Verde passes the campsite: it is an old railway track, and so the gradients are very gradual. There are tunnels along the path with switch-activated lights. You can enjoy the mountain scenery at your leisure, regardless of your fitness level.

The main centre of activity in Navajas may well be the campsite and its restaurant. It's Friday night, so we're awaiting the arrival of Spanish families to light up the many static vans!

You need a bit of Spanglish for the shops and market. Today having managed to find the (closed) Post Office (La Officina de Correos) with the help of passers-by, we were guided to the Tobacconist (El Estanco) to get some stamps. Another local suggested that post our letter at the post office - famously Chas replied "Correos es cerda!" It was later that he realized he had said “The post office is Pork"! (Cerrado = closed).

http://www.campingaltomira.com/en/
ACSI 16€ or stay 7 nights for 12€ night

Comments

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited January 2015 #2

    Here are Via Verde photos

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited January 2015 #3

    Smile Many thanks as usual Chasncath for bringing some warmth into a very chilly end of January back home!

  • LynniB
    LynniB Forum Participant Posts: 32
    edited January 2015 #4

    Ditto!  Keep them coming as we plan to head for Spain in April and from past experience value your reviews.

  • RowenaBCAMC
    RowenaBCAMC Forum Participant Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2015 #5

    Another great postcard and pics. Chasncath can you email me a couple of the pics? Would be great to include in the Club Together column of the magazine and bring some sunshine to the pages. Smile

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited January 2015 #6

    Thanks for the compliments! We came here for two nights and we're staying for five. It's still sunny, but the wind has turned a bit chilly. 

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited February 2015 #7

    Today, Sunday, we walked 2 miles along the Via Verde to the next town of Altura.

    We went to the Plaza Mayor

    For our morning coffee.

    Chas is looking a bit 'grumpy' as he had stumbled elbowing through the swing doors and, to everyone's concern then amusement, threw both cups into the air. The cafe owner served us with replacements free of charge!

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2015 #8

    The pics are so clear the air must be the same! Hope the elbow is ok, look forward to some more postcards.

  • DavefromTamworth
    DavefromTamworth Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited February 2015 #9

    Would you believe we are on the next pitch to these 2 wanderers and they have been amusing us with their stories around France, Spain and Croatia et al! We can confirm that the area is well worth a visit and although the wind is chilly, the sun is shining
    and if you get a sheltered spot, quite warm. We will be following them further south this week and hopefully the weather will get better!

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited February 2015 #10

    We met some really nice people at Navajas, but it was time to move on. We're now at Kiko Park!

    So it's Hasta la Vista to Barbara & Mike, Paul & Maddie ( hope Poppy the dog gets better soon) and our recent neighbours 'Tamworth' Dave & Leslie.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2015 #11

    Great story and photo's chasncath, keep um coming to brighten up a cold East Coast

  • royandsharont
    royandsharont Forum Participant Posts: 735
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    edited February 2015 #12

    Hi Chas & Cath, thanks for all that information it is very helpful, as you know, to us without cars. I look forward to hearing how the rest of the tour goes. Regards, Roy

  • winston
    winston Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited February 2015 #13

    Hi great story, we are planning a long winter trip later this year into next, are picking up as much information as I can, it looks great and have put on our must visit list on our way down, can't wait. Regards Stephen.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2015 #14

    Hi chasncath, the photos look great can't believe how blue the skies are. How are the sites this year? I only ask as I think you said last year they were very busy and some sites were full as some folk had not gone home because of the bad weather in the
    UK, is it less busy this year. Looking forward to your next post.

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited February 2015 #15

    We had a choice of pitches at Navajas and again here at Kiko Park, Tammygirl. We're heading further south on Wednesday, but we haven't heard anything on the grapevine yet about sites being full. 

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2015 #16

    Thanks, were not doing a winter away just yet but gathering information and hoping to do one in the near future. Last year must have just been a busy year then. Have a great time I'm getting lots of ideas from your stories, hope the weather picks up for
    you.

  • royandsharont
    royandsharont Forum Participant Posts: 735
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    edited February 2015 #17

    They say it is Spain's coldest winter for a long time. Our friends who live at El Camoli on the Mar Menor have recently said how bad the strong winds and cold temperatures were there. The good thing for the likes of us is we can move easily!!!! Regards,
    Roy