Between the sea and sky

It’s been a busy few days and I’ve been walking my paws off! I’m only short so I’ve needed a rest before writing something new for my doggie followers. Today it’s raining – and I do mean RAINING so we’ve decided to spend the day relaxing in the flat with just a little doggie excursion for – let’s just say the necessities of life!

So today I thought I’d tell you a bit about where we are staying. We have a lovely holiday apartment overlooking the sea where we will be for the next six weeks. There’s plenty to do and I love going for walks along the long promenade. There are plenty of dog friendly parks and beaches to visit too but more of that later.

Peniscola has been a holiday destination for a long time and unlike where we live back in Sevilla province, there are mainly French and German visitors because it is much closer to the French boarder. In the Costa del Sol, back home, it’s mainly British.

Visitors have been a big part of this area way back to the Arabs in the 12th century. Peniscola was originally a little village on a rocky outcrop protecting this part of Spain from invaders. The first castle was built by the knights templar around 1300 and you can still visit it today.

The whole of the old town is surrounded by thick fortified walls and you go into the maze of little white-washed streets through the main gate, down by the port. It’s very narrow and full of cobbles. I don’t like the streets much because the stones hurt my feet but I do like exploring!

We walk up the steep hill towards the castle at the top and pass so many gift shops, cafes and restaurants that it makes me dizzy! We reach the town museum and the cannon which stands guard over the battlements scares me. It’s freaking me out and I’m pleased we don’t stop long to look at the view.

Onwards and upwards until we finally reach the old town square with its gardens and the entrance to the castle. This was the home to Papa Luna in 1411. Yes it was the home to the real Pope – better known as Pope Benedict XIII. Dad says there was a lot of religious trouble back then (ain’t there always!) and Pope Benedict was poisoned twice while he was in Rome. That’s why he move back to Peniscola and manage to lead a quiet(er) life until he died here in 1423. You can still see various relics and other religious stuff in the castle but I’m not that bothered so we go and find a nice cafe for a drink and a cake!

The other thing that Peniscola is famous for is it’s starring role in the 1961 film, El Cid. In the big battle scene you can see the castle in the background. Just think I take my daily walk on the very beach that Charlton Heston also stood on! How good is that! No photos please! Signed autographs by arrangement!