| Update We spent a couple of days in Alicante thinking that there would be quite a lot of historical stuff to see but was actually very disappointed that after the Castillo de Santa Barbara there really wasn't very much else!!!!!
This was confirmed by taking the usual 1hr blue tourist bus where there was a distinct lake of commentary - this was because there wasn't actually very much to talk about!!!!
Castillo de Santa Barbara Having said the above, the Castillo was well worth a visit, particularly the way a lift shaft goes up the centre of the rock to deposit you at the top - very easy. Cathy & Charlie were relieved as they saw another hike up the hill in a scorching heat coming their way when we arrived.
View of the Castillo de Santa Barbara from the bottom looking north.
The tunnel under the Castillo leading to the lift shaft. "OK Charlie, let me read the instructions and we'll get going!!!!"
The history is quite something and yet again you find the British Army in there holding the castle for some time. That was until the Spanish built a tunnel into the bottom of the rock, poured an enormous amount of gunpowder in and blew up the castle from underneath. You can see signs of this from the outside in the way some of the rock has been destroyed.
Once up on the top, the views were stunning and we had a lovely clear day for it. The spanish have really worked hard to make the Castillo look it's best and they had done a great job. It was interesting with a multimedia presentation on the rise of Alicante and other rooms with historical pictures of the history of the city. We even got an english version of the film show.
Views from the top looking over the marina where Watermark IV was berthed.
Views across the top looking East.
Cathy & Mark at one of the castle's lookout points.
View from the back of the boat the night before we moved on.......
The Town Centre The promenade in Alicante is also well designed and also well kept. Many people walk it in the evenings with the marina being a fashionable area for restaurants and bars. We stayed clear with the belief that you always get a better experience a couple of streets back. Alicante didn't let us down on this front and we found a delightful spanish Tapas bar.
The main promenade between the town and marina.
The marina front.
Halfway through some of our Tapas. There would have been a full layout but Charlie got to it first before I could get to the camera. "I was hungry Marky!!!!"
What's great about travelling around is that you do get to meet lots of other people. Whilst eating our Tapas we found ourselves sat next to Haley and Stephanie from Warrington who were on holiday in Alicante for a few days. We had a great time chatting over a glass of wine with them.
Group picture in the Tapas Bar......
Views looking up the Alicante side streets. We just love the late nights and the way the spanish eat out.
There's as much to see again by looking up the buildings, not just along the streets.
The Beach Having been around the Castillo, walked the town and done the tourist bus in pretty short order we had some time left before moving on for Charlie to go to the beach. He absolutely loves the sea, the beach and his swimming. The beach was pretty good for a city centre beach with lovely golden sand.
View looking east along the beach. this was a great sandy beach.
Yes, the whale has taken to the water and a tsunami comes charging in. "Marky, that's my blow up ring - give it back - you'll explode it......" screams Charlie
Is that Cathy in the water. Yes - it is. Crickey, water must be warm.
Latest reaction to the prospect of more schoolwork We still push hard to keep the schoolwork going but sometimes we do not get the reaction we expect.......
"I'm not listening, I'm not listening - la, la, la la.........>??????!!!!!"
Next step We leave in the morning for our next leg. The plan is to make for Puerto de Calpe. Just a short hop of 32nm.
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