On Easter Sunday 27th March 2005 Mike and I (Cathy) flew from Stansted to Valencia in Spain where we picked up our car and headed off to Orba. A small town between Alicante and Valencia. We were going to stay for 12 days.

This was quite an adventure for the two of us as as it was our first time in mainland Spain. Everything had been organised over the internet and we were to stay in a small apartment attached to a villa in an urbanisation just outside the main town.

The accommodation was superb and very comfortable. Just one bedroom with en-suite bathroom, lounge and kitchen but everything that the two of us would need for a very enjoyable stay. The apartment was quite luxurious and we also had access to gardens, a patio and a private swimming pool.

There were a few hiccups at the start of the holiday but then everything settled down and we had a lovely time.

If you are interested you can view some of the photographs that were taken of our holiday.

A black winged stilt in the salt lake in Calpe. 

The only bull we saw! This was taken from the car as we travelled on the N332. 

A better photo of the Penon de Ifach. 

An old watch tower in Calpe. 

Even higher we climbed before turning around and driving back down to Orba. 

Cherry trees in Vall de Laguart.

Campell a view of the village from further up the mountains. This was quite high up.

Campbell was a truly Spanish village and there didn't appear to be any building taking place here. 

On the last day before leaving this lovely part of Spain I persuaded Mike he would love to drive up into the mountains to the Vall de Laguart. These are the cherry tress in blossom at Fontilles. (This is where we saw the donkeys.)

Other than these goats and a couple of donkeys and one horse we saw no other animal life. Not a chicken or pig or sheep or cow or even a sniff of a bull. 

Wildlife! 

Deep in the forest. (Actually it was a property at the back of the villa.) 

Xabia, another beautiful seaside resort that sits in a bay. Another lovely place for families. 

Xabia looking up at the Cabo de San Antonio. 

Mike was fascinated by the postal system. These are the post boxes for the local area.

A thistle of some sort. 

These pretty little yellow flowers grew in abundance near the lighthouse. 

It looks like a very small leaved holly but it bears little acorns. What is it called? 

The lighthouse on the Cabo de San Antonio. 

Cabo de San Antonio with Xabia on the right hand side.

Cabo de San Antonio. This was a stunning place to visit, part of a natural park and the views were magnificent. 

El Capso from a different viewpoint with the mountains as a backdrop.

El Capso, an urbanisation close to Palmeria where we were staying. 

Oranges and blossom at the same time. 

Orange groves close the the villa.