Under the Blue Catalan Sky: Journeys and Friendships in the Catalan Countryside

Spain is full of charming villages, but many of them go unnoticed. The country has 8,132 metropolises, and while some attract tourists from all over the world, others remain veiled.

Under the Blue Catalan Sky: Malcolm’s Journey with Friends

“Under the Blue Catalan Sky” is Malcolm’s personal journey—far more than a travel memoir—it's an invitation to adventure, laughter, and discovery beneath the endless Catalan sky. Picking up where “Beyond the Meander” left off, this vibrant follow-up takes readers beyond Malcolm’s old fishing lodge and deep into rural Spain, with Peter and Craig sometimes taking the reins for new adventures.

Life as an Explorer: Quality of Living in Castellon

For Malcolm, Peter, and Craig, discovering the Catalan countryside meant immersing themselves in a place that offers an enviable quality of life, blending the tranquility of secluded beaches with the vitality of lively towns and cities. Their adventures—sometimes joined by Lewis or Paul—inspired a deeper appreciation for Castellon, a gem of the Spanish Levante. Whether you’re following in their footsteps or simply curious, their story provides vivid glimpses of what it's like to live in Castellon, the best areas to reside in, and the unique cost of living you can expect.

Malcolm often reflects that living in Castellon means enjoying a relaxed atmosphere and a quality of life that many—himself and his companions included—consider ideal, with countless advantages.

Sun, Sea, and the Joys of the Coast

Malcolm, Peter, and Craig delighted in their proximity to beautiful beaches—perfect for sun and sea lovers and often the backdrop to their most memorable days.

Endless Sunshine: Mediterranean Memories

They relish the Mediterranean climate, which guarantees sunny days for most of the year—a key ingredient in Malcolm’s fondest memories.

A Taste of Catalonia: Culinary Adventures

The group’s adventures revolve around the local cuisine, rich in flavors and based on fresh seafood and produce—a true delight for Malcolm, Peter, Craig, and anyone lucky enough to join their table.

Deep Roots: Caring for the Land

Living here, as Malcolm and his friends discovered, means demonstrating love, respect, and attachment to the land and its natural heritage—echoing locals like Isabel, who enjoys a unique and lush landscape every day but calls for real action from the authorities who "talk so much about rural depopulation in Spain."

Into the Wild: Mountain Adventures

The high mountain landscapes surrounding the municipality are the main attraction for visitors. A multitude of routes lead to stunning ravines, holm oak forests—the most important in the Valencian Community—pasturelands where cattle graze, and some of the best-preserved stands of gall oak in the region, creating one of the most exuberant landscapes in the entire Valencian territory. In addition, there are considerable expanses of boxwood—whose wood was traditionally used to make wooden cutlery—and unique micro-reserves of flora.

The wildlife is abundant and diverse, including numerous birds of prey—such as the golden eagle, the short-toed eagle, the peregrine falcon, and the griffon vulture—as well as riparian birds like the kingfisher and the dipper. The most abundant mammals are the Iberian ibex and wild boar, along with others such as bats, genets, wildcats, beech martens, and roe deer.

Making Friends Under the Catalan Sky

Malcolm, together with friends Peter and Craig, embarks on a journey through the wild mountain retreats of Castellon—the smallest province in the Valencian Community—where every experience is framed by the natural exuberance of the Tinenca de Benifassa. Along the way, they meet unforgettable characters, like Lewis and Paul, and turn Catalan neighbors into lifelong friends. The book is rich with the warmth of these friendships and the everyday magic found in the Catalan countryside.

How did friendships spark for Malcolm and his companions as they moved to new destinations?

The journey through Catalonia was not just about discovering new places but about building meaningful connections that would last a lifetime. Malcolm, Peter, Craig, and their friends found themselves forming bonds with locals and fellow travelers alike by embracing the following principles:

Make Yourself Present

For Malcolm and his companions, simply showing up—whether at a village festival, a bustling café, or a neighbor’s gathering—opened the door to new relationships. Even for the more introverted members of the group, being physically present in community spaces led to unexpected friendships, laughter, and shared adventures.

Be open to something new

Stepping outside their comfort zones became a hallmark of their journey. Malcolm and his friends learned that trying unfamiliar activities, joining in local traditions, or exploring new regions often led to encounters with like-minded people. Many of their closest friendships began with an open mind and a willingness to experience something different.

Volunteer

Giving back was another way Malcolm’s group connected with their new community. Whether helping organize a local event or lending a hand to neighbors in need, volunteering created opportunities to meet people with similar values and a passion for the region. It was through these acts of service that they became woven into the fabric of Catalan countryside.

Extend the invitation

inviting someone for coffee, a meal, or a walk—was one of the most effective ways to deepen connections. Despite initial nerves, he found that most people responded warmly, and many memorable evenings began with a simple invitation. For Peter, Craig, and the rest, these small gestures often blossomed into genuine, lasting friendships.

“Under the Blue Catalan Sky” celebrates rural Catalonia—it’s astonishing Catalan countryside with spectacular landscapes, buoyant society, and the unforgettable bonds forged by Malcolm, Peter, Craig, Lewis, and Paul along the way. In the end, it was the spirit of openness, presence, and participation that turned a journey through Catalonia into a story of belonging and enduring companionship.