Valencia- Rail and Rock, Sand and Style

When the train pulled into Valencia Nord station, I thought ‘Mike - this is where your walking starts’ and felt a little anxious to be honest. But any sense of anxiety disappeared when I walked out of the station and met Eric, a good friend who walked with me on the Camino del Norte last year.

The train from Barcelona was the slow one, that travelled south along the coast.

Like - right along the coast.

Past lots of orange trees- surprise, surprise…

Eric drove me to my accommodation - the Urban Youth Hostel. I reckon that means ‘for the young - and the young at heart’

Then we went and had some beers and tapas …

And later went along with his friends to the Toneladas Rock Club to listen to bands that they knew.

A great night , that concluded with us playing guitar and singing on the sand until . . . (not saying)

I was back there this morning for a swim - it is a short walk to the Port from my hostel 

Then a left turn to the beach

Followed by a long sandy walk to the water.

 I wondered if my toes and feet would be as happy in a few days time.

 This afternoon I walked into the old city and dropped by the Cathedral to get a stamp on my Camino Credencial (this is a type of passport that shows you are a pilgrim and allows access to albergue accommodation)

There is some peculiar stuff in this Cathedral. This is a relic of St Vincent  - who was martyred for not denying his faith in Christ, although some probably thought he was (h)armless. Obviously now he is.

You have to ‘hand it’ to the people of Valencia- this city has style.

‘Hats off to Valencia’

There is more to it than . . .