All the photos in this week’s blog (except for 3 beach photos) were taken while out cycling at the beginning and end of the week.
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On the Sunday at the beginning of the week, I cycled to Aigües and happened upon something nice. An arts and crafts market to benefit animal charities was being set up on the main square of the village:
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I had a nice chat with these women, some of whom were from the dog charity Asoka, which, among other activities, sends puppies for adoption in countries like Germany or Switzerland–and that is how we got our beloved Cheeta in Zurich in 2000. I support them with a quarterly donation, but it was also nice to see them “live”:
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Greyhounds for adoption:
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Looking at me:
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Back home, the magic cactus was at it again:
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On Sunday afternoon, I went to the beach to have a beer and take in the sights. The chiringuito was full, and this young girl looked as if she wanted to sit next to the boy by the yellow ape, but did not dare:
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Children at play:
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Hairy legs:
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On Saturday I wanted to do a long ride down to Santa Pola, so I got out early to beat the heat. My first stop was the Urbanova beach, largely empty at the early hour. As I always do, I stopped for a short break to take in the view of Alicante from the south:
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Urbanova is a nice beach with many bars and restaurants along the promenade. But it also lies in the flight path of nearby Alicante airport:
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I cycled on to Elche and then Santa Pola. At that point I had close to 50 km behind me, so it was time for a drink and a snack. This seagull was hanging around, hoping for a share of my snack, but no luck:
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A tourist boat leaving Santa Pola harbour for the nearby island of Tabarca:
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Maritime traffic:
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Santa Pola is the largest fishing harbour around here; much of the fish and seafood served in Alicante restaurants comes from here. This morning most of the fishing boats were in the harbour:
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The work never ends; once the catch is landed, the nets must be mended:
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From Santa Pola I returned home on the coastal road, one of the prettiest non-mountain rides in my catalogue:
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There are several small shrines to the Virgin of the Rosary along that road:
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Back at Urbanova, about 16 km from home and 66 km done, a last break before continuing. The beach is a lot more crowded now:
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On Sunday morning, I cycled the opposite way, north to Jijona. Things looked a bit cloudy at the beginning of the ride:
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I found the main street of Jijona typically sleepy as it always is on a Sunday morning. But this time things were different. Evidently, there was going to be an outdoor Mass later that morning:
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Complete with white doves to be released:
