Merry Christmas from Spain!

I was looking back at where we have been the past few years on Christmas morning. Last year we were in Greece, and Christmas day 2020 we were at the hospital in Antalya, Turkiye having eye surgery! 2019 and 2018 we were at different places in Mexico. 2017 in Texas, and 2016 we had returned to Canada for Christmas in the cold. 

This year, we are parked beside an orange grove in Ulea, Spain.

The first Christmas we had away from Canada was in 2007 and we were in Baja, Mexico. I remember thinking how odd it was to have Christmas with t-shirt weather.

Christmas Day 2007.

Yesterday, we had to find somewhere to do laundry. Both Spain and France have quite a few self serve laundromats that are located at gas stations. We've never used one before, but I found one nearby that would enable us to remain in this area through Christmas.

We drove through the town of Ulea.

Looking down at the town of Ulea on the right.

I had read of a good free camping spot in that orange grove.

And Villanueva on the left.

Arrived at the BP gas station where the laundromat was located. Busy place with a busy self serve car wash as well. There was a line up of people washing their vehicles on this beautiful morning.

The laundromat.

Prices.

We used a single 14 kg machine and a half hour dryer. So €9 ($13.10 CAD, $9.60 USD) for all of our washing, including bedding. Not bad. We spent a few minutes trying to figure out where to put the soap in when I noticed (it helps to read the instructions!) that detergent is included.

With that done, we needed to find somewhere to empty our holding tanks. There is a free full service motorhome aire listed in nearby Archena, and if we parked there we could walk into town to pick up a few grocery items to get us through until Monday. 

Just a parking lot, and a little too busy for our liking.

I think we can do better.

However, we did empty our tanks and park up and walk into town.

Interesting mural above the Texas Grill in Archena, Spain.

We picked up a few groceries, then headed back to the orange grove near Ulea.

Scenery along the way.

It's a neat area!

Yep, this is better!

Parked up for Christmas Eve.

GPS 38.135867, -1.328276

We're beside a road, but it's very quiet. It's morning as I write this, and I think maybe three or four vehicles have driven by since we parked up yesterday afternoon. I actually can't believe it's not busier with motorhomes. A few dog walkers and joggers going by, but that's it.

We're off to do a Christmas morning hike! Did I mention the weather is perfect? Sunny and 24C (75F).

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3D Wall Panels.

And in Canada...

Boxing Day Deals.