With our boys safely back home, we packed up once again and continued our journey further north along the coast. Unfortunately, John was still feeling the after-effects of the weekend’s festivities, so progress was slow. Very slow. In fact, we barely made it far before an emergency stop was required… for tea and cake of course.
As we meandered our way up the coastline sometimes hugging the sea, other times drifting inland through quieter villages we mixed our stays between paid sites and free Aires, depending on how safe and comfortable each place felt. Motorhome life is always a balance between adventure, instinct, and finding somewhere level enough to sleep without rolling into each other during the night.
The weather certainly kept us guessing. One day we’d be sitting outside in glorious sunshine, the next we’d be watching thunderstorms roll in while desperately trying to keep muddy footprints out of the van. Rain, storms, sunshine… sometimes all before lunchtime.
Amposta was certainly memorable. The Aire allows free stays for up to 72 hours and, with the annual festival taking place that weekend, the town was getting busy with people everywhere. Unfortunately, festival fever seemed to spill over into the motorhome area too. Tensions started bubbling between a few motorhomers and the man overseeing the site, eventually escalating into full-on fisty cuffs not exactly the peaceful evening we’d planned! Before long the police arrived, adding even more drama to the entertainment.
After enough childish behaviour to fill a school playground, we along with our French neighbours decided enough is enough and we’re moving on and soon it felt like vultures were circling for our parking spot before we’d even finished our breakfast.
Although, if the famous “day rule” was actually enforced properly, half the vans here would be packing up too… but strangely nobody seems too eager to mention that part. Well, only John who was more than happy to stir up international relations on behalf of the Brits
Some stops were calmer than others.
In a not so glamorous Benissa we made a cake stop while Daimus gave us a classic motorhome moment getting told off for not registering at reception quickly enough. Apparently “we’ve only just parked up” wasn’t considered a valid excuse!
At Castello De la Plana we parked with fantastic views across the sea, watching enormous cargo ships anchor on the horizon.
In Peniscola the rain returned so we only managed a walk along the sea front but still had great views of the castle perched above the sea.
We continued on through Cambrills, enjoying a walk along the promenade and stopping for a cheap beer or two.
Having visited Barcelona before, we decided to avoid the city chaos this time and instead stayed overnight at La Colonia Guell. It was much quieter, and a perfect escape from busy city traffic and overpriced parking.
Then on to Palamos, where the slower pace, fishing boats, and sea air reminded us exactly why we love travelling this way
Further up the coast we stopped at Roses, where the sea views and the dramatic landing of an helicopter on the beach draws quite a crowd with some hurrying to get out of the huge sandstorm it created.
Finally, we reached Llanca where, almost as soon as we arrived, we realised we’d actually been there before… although last time we’d simply driven through without stopping. This time we decided to park up properly and head out for a walk. It’s a chilly day but we still walk along the waterfront with zipped up hoodies watching the boats bobbing up and down in the port.
Llanca marks our final stop in Spain before crossing back into France, bringing another unforgettable stretch of coastline to an end. Another chapter filled with sea views, storms, laughter, unexpected drama, and plenty of motorhome madness now behind us as we point the van north once again.
We spend one night in Daimus it’s a small quiet town on the coast
We walk to the next town Gaudia where the weekly market is taking place
We have a great view of the cargo ships anchored along the coast of Castelló de la Plana tonight
It might be a small airfield but it’s a busy little airport with parachute jumps, pleasure flights and potential pilots clocking up their hours
Castelló de la Plana Marina
Quick walk along the seafront towards Peniscola old town before the rain returns
Heavy rain all afternoon in Peniscola floods the entrance to the site we are staying at but by the following morning the sun returns
Amposta Suspension Bridge was inspired by the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, the first bridge built in the world using this technique.
Searching for a bargain at the market in Amposta
Amposta campsite where tensions are higher than the awnings in a storm. This morning the police returned, closely followed by the site manager, and out came the legendary red and white tape like we were entering a crime scene episode of CSI
There’s always one determined to test Spanish relations first thing in the morning
Apparently our spot has now become the hottest real estate in Amposta, with everyone fighting for prime position ahead of the fiesta weekend. You’d think we were parked on beachfront property in Monaco, not a patch of dusty, gravel carpark
We find a free park up in Cambrills and go for a walk along the seafront towards the Marina
We park up for the night in La Colònia Guell, the carpark is used for school picks and the football stadium next door
Historic houses in La Colònia Güell
La Colònia Güell and the local police are seeing the children safely into school
Plaça Joan Güell in the village square
The Church of Colònia Güell is an unfinished work by Antoni Gaudí. It was built as a place of worship for the people on a hillside in a manufacturing area in Santa Coloma de Cervelló, near Barcelona.
Tapas with a view in Palamos
Landing on the beach in Palamós, the air ambulance whipped up a dramatic sandstorm as it touched down, sending sand swirling across the beach while emergency crews moved quickly into action.
It’s a bright but chilly afternoon in Roses
Ciutadella de Roses is a historic fortress in Roses it was designed to protect the town from pirate attacks and invasions from the sea.
In Llanca the Aire is just a dusty carpark but it free
The name of this sculpture is ‘Roots that firmly hold up our land and our country’ it represents a deep connection between the people, the sea, and their homeland.
Carles Bros created this body of work as a tribute to the physical pencil and physical writing, serving as a contrast to our modern era of computers and mobile phones.
It’s a quiet Monday morning walk into Llanca town
Aires and campsites used in Spain
Benissa
N 38° 43′ 16
E 0° 3′ 36
Daimús
N 38° 58′ 11
W 0° 8′ 41
Castelló de la Plana
N 39° 59′ 56
E 0° 1′ 43
Peñiscola
N 40° 23′ 38
E 0° 24′ 31
Amposta
N 40° 42′ 19
E 0° 35′ 9
La Colònia Güell, Barcelona
N 41° 21′ 53
E 2° 1′ 32
Palamós
N 41° 51′ 28
E 3° 6′ 52
Roses
N 42° 16′ 7
E 3° 9′ 22
Llançà
N 42° 22′ 1
E 3° 9′ 18