I’m in Javea, or as the Valencieenes say, Xabia. Lots of the road signs have been spray painted to show the Valencia version, which reminds me they used to do that in Wales with the signs having both Welsh and English versions. Must say that seem separatists here, not like when I was in Gerona last year…… crikey!

Went walking up in the mountains today, drizzle and cloudy, but lots of beautiful olive blossom, and orange and lemons on the trees, a great walk about ten miles. Of course, tried a local bar in the village, bought some local honey, and tapas...the village was called Taberna I think. Also around Partence which is a small village just below a mountainous ridge which we also walked

No studying today though, and starting to feel a bit of pressure. The thing I need to do next is reference my Cleopatra essay, as I have the assignment written out in draft. But haven’t even started on my work on Dr Faustus, even though I know what I’m going to say and understand the play well enough. Got about ten days to get it all completed and sent in so it still feels ok… For sure though need to put more time into the study of Cezanne, and need all of my stuff, images / text around me which is always a problem when travelling. Seem to  be studying on the move a lot at the moment and haven’t as yet got a coherent study plan

Seemed to me today, being around these mountain villages, that there is a strong sense of community there. Of course, the locals are very welcoming, but at the same time seem very proud of what they have. Makes me sad to see that because it doesn’t seem to exist at all back home. Maybe that’s why I love Spain so much, and its easy, wandering around the orange and lemon groves in the sunshine, paying a few Euros for decent coffee or a small beer…