24th - 26th March Camping Eden Peniscola

24th – 26th 4 nights at Peniscola.
Camping Eden was virtually full, its occupation was roughly, 70% German, 15% Dutch with the rest being mainly Spanish or Swedish. We were the only English on the site. Most ‘residents’ were here for the winter. There was an almost unintended exclusivity about it, with language being the main barrier to any English who would even consider wintering here. The Germans were friendly but tended to socialize together in groups it would be difficult but not impossible to join in their fun if you couldn’t speak their language. This didn’t stop Pickles, who on one of his more energetic ventures wandered onto the next pitch and just stood with a group of chatting Germans, he must have been stood there for about 10 minutes, like the exiled bullied kid in most schools he just stood and looked, hoping to be invited into the party until one sympathetic lady acknowledged him and then they all spotted him and then pointed to the van and all burst out laughing.  As a reward for his entertainment value they each gave him a friendly pat whilst continuing to look with laughter at the side of our van. It took me a full day to realize it but they had merely been making comparisons between him and his alter ego photograph in the side window.
The weather generally during these few days was good, a mixture of blue sunny skies and cloud. It was shorts weather and we spent most of the time cycling or walking along the sea front. The old town situated on a promontory was its main attraction, its castle walls looked down in disgust at the long promenade of bars, hotels and restaurants that extended all the way to Benicarlo, the next town. But for the typical tourist this promenade served its purpose offering good walks and a huge choice of eating and drinking places each offering menu’s of the day at competing prices. The beach and the sea were clean and well cared for. There was a good choice of campsites and camperstops and for the more adventurous wild campers there were one or two options available most notably at the port or behind the football stadium. The latter being the quieter option. On our last night here we took advantage of the one off voucher for a meal at the camps excellent restaurant. We were given a 4 course meal with a free bottle of Rioja for the value price of 9 euros each. 24th – 26th 4 nights at Peniscola.
Camping Eden was virtually full, its occupation was roughly, 70% German, 15% Dutch with the rest being mainly Spanish or Swedish. We were the only English on the site. Most ‘residents’ were here for the winter. There was an almost unintended exclusivity about it, with language being the main barrier to any English who would even consider wintering here. The Germans were friendly but tended to socialize together in groups it would be difficult but not impossible to join in their fun if you couldn’t speak their language. This didn’t stop Pickles, who on one of his more energetic ventures wandered onto the next pitch and just stood with a group of chatting Germans, he must have been stood there for about 10 minutes, like the exiled bullied kid in most schools he just stood and looked, hoping to be invited into the party until one sympathetic lady acknowledged him and then they all spotted him and then pointed to the van and all burst out laughing.  As a reward for his entertainment value they each gave him a friendly pat whilst continuing to look with laughter at the side of our van. It took me a full day to realize it but they had merely been making comparisons between him and his alter ego photograph in the side window.
The weather generally during these few days was good, a mixture of blue sunny skies and cloud. It was shorts weather and we spent most of the time cycling or walking along the sea front. The old town situated on a promontory was its main attraction, its castle walls looked down in disgust at the long promenade of bars, hotels and restaurants that extended all the way to Benicarlo, the next town. But for the typical tourist this promenade served its purpose offering good walks and a huge choice of eating and drinking places each offering menu’s of the day at competing prices. The beach and the sea were clean and well cared for. There was a good choice of campsites and camperstops and for the more adventurous wild campers there were one or two options available most notably at the port or behind the football stadium. The latter being the quieter option.
We were looking forward to a return to one of our favourite sites, camping Ribamar at Alcossebre.