Tuesday 8 January – Valderrobres to Peniscola

Valderrobres to Peniscola - 84 miles

Well that was probably the coldest night we've ever spent in the van! Not realising we were 3000 ft up in the mountains the temperature went well below freezing and on getting up we found that the waste pipes, both into and out of the tank, were frozen up. We sorted the inlet as we could get at the trap under the van but the outlet had to wait until later.

But it was a lovely morning and once the heating had brought us back to a reasonable temperature and the sun had got onto the van we were fine. The shenanigans had delayed us of course but we were only a couple of hours from the coast so it wasn't a problem.

After breakfast we managed to empty the loo and persuaded the water tap to let us fill the fresh water tank. Then we headed south, along a “scenic” route which took us through the mountains and then eventually onto the coast at Benicarlo. Our plan was a big shop, gas if possible, then find a nice campsite for a few days to unwind after being on the road over a week.

We ventured into Benicarlo but it was obvious there wasn't what we needed then nearly got stuck, having to reverse out of a road that, due to parked cars and vans, was too narrow for us. We had stayed at Peniscola, the next town south, before so headed there and spotted a Mercadona supermarket, which proved ideal for our needs. No LPG at any of the fuel stations we saw but as we intend to have electric hookup for the next few days we weren't worried.

Having checked our campsite book we thought we'd have a look at the three or four sites in Peniscola and eventually settled on Camping Eden, where we had stayed a couple of years ago. Squeezed ourselves onto a nice pitch which seemed to offer all day sunshine then settled in with a very late lunch.

We've finally arrived in the sunshine; although it was quite late in the afternoon it was still comfortably warm although once the sun went down so did the temperature. However the forecast is dry and sunny for at least the next few days so here we'll stay.


WE STAYED AT Camping Eden, Ave. Papa Luna, Peniscola. ACSI rate €20 per night with full services, excellent facilities. The swimming pool and main restaurant were closed but a smaller cafe/restaurant was open. Larger pitches at slightly increased cost although all had been taken. Around 1km along the promenade to town centre.
Note; winter season so very little open. Bread can be ordered on site but only Mercadona for full shopping, around 2km.