In the weeks following our return from touring up North, the sun and warm days seemed to be here to stay. We decided to take a few days to enjoy sitting in the sun, swimming and relaxing while it was still warm enough. We found a wonderful apartment with a pool pretty much in the middle of nowhere (in actual fact it was only an hour from Alicante) but felt like we were somewhere very remote. The village (if you can call it that) had about 10 residences (most of those were Brits) and one hotel restaurant.

We had lunch at the very Spanish bar even though most of the customers on the terrace were Brits it still had such an authenticity to it that can often be lost in other places that have a high population of expats.

With November just around the corner and the weather still warm and sunny we did a couple of local day trips.

We returned to Benicassim to explore the Via Verde del Mar. After 138 years of trains at the edge of the sea crossing the coast that connects Benicàssim with Oropesa, in November 2003 the old railway line was set back several kilometres inland and Via Verde del Mara a walking and cycling track was created.

And then as the amazing weather continued into the middle of November we returned to the lovely coastal village of Alcossebre for lunch and a walk along the promenade. The village is lovely and quiet now but is overflowing with both Spanish and European tourists in summer.

The sunny days have continued but the temperatures have definitely dropped and you know that winter is here. But it’s still warm enough in the middle of the day to find a bench in the park nearby to soak up some sunshine.