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There is an area between the beach where the campground is and the dog beach, about 350 meters away, that is like a marshy, wet, mudflat contained by a little peninsula of sand. It’s quite wet and parts of it are like a pond. The dogs like to walk around the edges where the sand and mud is cool on their feet. Today I saw the most incredible thing. At first I thought it was a wayward flamingo but obviously, there aren’t any flamingoes in Spain. I’ve tried to look it up but can’t find any birds native to this area that look like the one I saw. I’m guessing it’s some sort of crane. Pure white head and back, bright orange belly and black under the wings with an orange beak and long legs. A wader for sure. Absolutely beautiful.

Today was another scorcher – easily into the 90’s. The sand at the beach is hot enough to peel the skin off your feet! Definitely can’t go walking barefoot. I bought “cool vests” for the dogs. Soak them in water, wring them out and when the dogs wear them the evaporation helps to keep them cool. Unfortunately, Henry and Polly act as though it’s some form of punishment! I have them wearing the vests anyway it’s just so hot.

I also saw a lot more rocks today…

I have to admit that I’m pretty new to this blog stuff. I haven’t been writing anything every day because we are still sitting in Bolnuevo at the beach and there’s not a lot happening. However, a friend came to meet me to say goodbye and said “You need to write every day, even if it’s just about the rocks!” So, today I’m writing about the rocks.

When we walked at the shore this morning I couldn’t help but be amazed again at the colors of the rocks we were walking on. This morning I saw mauve, lavender, jade green, orange, red and multiple shades of gray – so beautiful! One rock was striated with blue, red, orange and white. How do they get to look like that? I think it’s fascinating. It’s a good thing I’m limited on weight or I’d be tempted to pick up one of every color. In all the walks we’ve taken over the last six weeks I’ve never seen a piece of sea glass and have found exactly one seashell. I wonder why that is. There are people out fishing all the time from the shore, but as far as I know, no one’s caught anything. Again, why? Just some of the things that go through my mind while we’re walking. I’m really not off my rocks, ya know? Just curious.

Henry and Polly are loving the seashore. There are lots of interesting smells right at the waters edge, as long as they don’t get their toes wet!. I think they’re going to miss it when we leave. Nine more days now, and counting.

I’ve now set my itinerary through France. Leaving Bolnuevo on July 4th (yes, Independence Day for my American family and friends!) I’ll be traveling up the Mediterranean coast. First stop will be Benicassim, Spain, then Girona. By the 9th I’ll be crossing over the border into France and staying in Touzac. I’m excited about the next stop, it’s at Le Chateau du L’Eperviere in Gigny Sur Saone. From the pictures it is on the grounds of an enormous chateau and looks amazing. The last stop in France will be in Laon. I hope that just naming the towns it will inspire anyone reading this to do a little European geography search!

On to Belgium!

Well, here I am at the Campground Playa de Mazarron in Bolnuevo. Many of you have asked that I keep in touch during my journey so I’ll do that using my blog. Hopefully, I’ll be able to either have a link on FaceBook or WhatsApp.

The dogs and I have been here for a month now. After many trials and tribulations I have a brand new refrigerator so I can now have fresh and frozen foods. Such a treat! The dogs and I walk on the beach every day. Strangely enough, since neither of them like water, they like to get as close to the sea as possible without actually getting wet (although that has happened a time it two!) I’m amazed every day at the colors of the small rocks and pebbles along the shore. They come in every color imaginable – pink, red, green, blue, orange, yellow, grey, black and the most brilliant white, as though each rock has been carefully polished until they gleam. I love being next to the sea where I can hear the waves against the shore day and night.

There are so many dogs here. Unfortunately, Henry has reverted to his growly self and, if you can picture this, tries to take on a pair of St. Bernard’s with Polly as backup. Needless to say we’re not very popular with the other dog owners.

I think that’s it for now. We’ll be leaving here two weeks from tomorrow (July 4th ) and we’re booked into campsites up to about a third of the way through France. More to follow….