It is time to start the journey home. Our Autumn trip is nearly behind us, but we have such good memories of Switzerland, Italy, and Spain—not to be forgotten—and our journey through southern France, the country we will return home to in a few days. Having had breakfast with friends and said our goodbyes, we made a late start on the road.
Leaving the coast behind us at Benicarlo, we head inland. The N232 is an old road zig-zagging up the steep hillsides, offering lovely views across the now-changing surroundings.
The hilltop town of Morella is one of the most attractive towns in the Province of Castellon. A medieval fortress town rising out of the plain, with commanding views all around, recovered from the Moors in the thirteenth century.
Leaving the coast behind us at Benicarlo, we head inland. The N232 is an old road zig-zagging up the steep hillsides, offering lovely views across the now-changing surroundings.
The hilltop town of Morella is one of the most attractive towns in the Province of Castellon. A medieval fortress town rising out of the plain, with commanding views all around, recovered from the Moors in the thirteenth century.
With the short days of winter, Morella will be our night stop. Our earlier travels had brought us this way, but we only stopped for a distant photograph. On this occasion, we will visit the town and watch the sunset.
In the morning, fog shrouds the town, but as the sun rises, it diminishes.
A fictional feel as the battlements appear, an El Sid moment!
We are further north now, leaving the sun behind us and entering the gloom. A murmuration of Starlings heads into their roost, as we should soon.
Across the border into France. Tarnos seems a good place for a lunch stop. I take a wind-blown walk out on the dyke, in anticipation of spotting the Lesser Crested Turn; it has been resident for some time.
Alas, it is not to be.
The Turnstones look bright for the camera.
How good is that! These are my first good photos of Purple Sandpipers. The Latin name Calidris maritima is fitting in this environment.
Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima).
Now that is showing off! The Turnstone nudges the Purple Sandpiper out of the camera shot.
What a poseur!
What a poseur!
Having spent so long photographing the waders, it has become too late to continue the journey.
We head down to Tarnos-Plage for the night.
We arrive at the beach just in time to see the last rays of the sun go down behind the ferocious sea.
We both stand windswept as the darkness creeps over us and the beach, our thoughts with the seamen out there as we return to the cosy warmth of the camping car.
Glad to be on dry land!
Happy Days!
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