The pleasure in small things

No aquarium excitement today, just a collection of little events that each include their own joy. A slow morning of packing up in the sunshine - the pleasingly familiar routine, which Kevin and I now progress without need to confer; and the (slightly OCD) satisfaction of returning everything to its place. Then a little drive through beautiful countryside, with terraces of orange and olive trees carved into the hillsides, some carpeted in a delicate white wildflower so the trees appear to be floating in cloud. And the excitement of a new campsite - each has their own feel, their own view, and of course their own specific facilities - the camper's obsession. (This one is pretty with lots of trees, if slightly unkempt, and right next to the beach.) 

Lunch - in short sleeves, outside, in the sun, in November, with a view of the beach (and the sound of the rock band for tonight doing their very loud, very lengthy sound check - but every rose has its thorn...). Then a trip to the play park, and a bike ride along the marble boardwalk and coastal bike path, chasing the setting sun as it moved down the coast, and finding a tiny fishing port and a pretty little village that you can't drive to. And finally an ice cream on the way back, without Jemima getting it everywhere (a first), and my new favourite Spanish word: cucurucho (cone); and homecoming to a little dinner from my perfectly formed mini kitchen. No fireworks, but a beguiling day.

The play park:

The bike ride:

Waking Jemima up for her ice cream:

Javea to Altea (again, we took the coast road which this doesn't show):