Monday, October 29, 2007
ESTEPONA/SAN PEDRO DE ALCANTARA
Friday 26th October.
After our trip to Portugal we caught up with our chores on the Winnebago and Brenda hung the washing out to dry! We then had a quiet day at “home” after our travels over the last two weeks.
Saturday 27th October.
We phoned our dear friends Tim and Thea in Colwyn Bay on the Skype phone to check out when they where arriving on Monday only to find out that they where already on the way! So we made plans to contact them on Sunday after they had settled in to their apartment in San Pedro which is only three miles away! At lunchtime Vidal called in to connect the gas bottle to our system which with the help and advice of Frank in Albuferia he was able to do.He then set about another problem we have with the outlet hose and we then found out that the mas/pump had blown a fuse but on checking he found out that it had burnt out-this was some four hours later -a TRUE FRIEND! So on Monday i will have to get onto Dudleys in Oxford and order one to be sent ASAP. We had in the evening asked Vidal and Gissy around for the famous chicken curry but Gissy had picked up a very nasty cold that has been going around,Brenda has a very bad chest and I have been down with it as well so she had to stay in bed and be looked after by Vidal,Gissy not Brenda!!
Sunday28th October.
We had remembered to put the clocks back so we had a little lie in then after some text messages from Tim we arranged to meet them in the square in San Pedro,after a coffee and a quick catch up with the news we shot off to Victors beach bar for lunch on a hot and sunny day but had no joy in trying to get a table for eight with a very nasty host!It was a pity as Vidals brother,Felix plays there every Sunday.We then shot along the coast towards Estepona to go to “Heaven” another beach bar but it was closed but not according to the large sign on the road!! So we gave up a bad job and picked up some stores and went back to their beautiful apartment and had a late afternoon salad on the lawn overlooking the pool.In the evening we all ended up in an Irish bar watching the Liverpool match in the centre of San Pedro and then found a tapas bar around the corner and finished off the day with the local white and a very fine red wine before making our way home.The forcast for the week is hot and sunny everyday so we looking forward to seeing more of the folks during the week.The picture above shows Tim and Thea at the tapas bar in the middle of the evening!!
After our trip to Portugal we caught up with our chores on the Winnebago and Brenda hung the washing out to dry! We then had a quiet day at “home” after our travels over the last two weeks.
Saturday 27th October.
We phoned our dear friends Tim and Thea in Colwyn Bay on the Skype phone to check out when they where arriving on Monday only to find out that they where already on the way! So we made plans to contact them on Sunday after they had settled in to their apartment in San Pedro which is only three miles away! At lunchtime Vidal called in to connect the gas bottle to our system which with the help and advice of Frank in Albuferia he was able to do.He then set about another problem we have with the outlet hose and we then found out that the mas/pump had blown a fuse but on checking he found out that it had burnt out-this was some four hours later -a TRUE FRIEND! So on Monday i will have to get onto Dudleys in Oxford and order one to be sent ASAP. We had in the evening asked Vidal and Gissy around for the famous chicken curry but Gissy had picked up a very nasty cold that has been going around,Brenda has a very bad chest and I have been down with it as well so she had to stay in bed and be looked after by Vidal,Gissy not Brenda!!
Sunday28th October.
We had remembered to put the clocks back so we had a little lie in then after some text messages from Tim we arranged to meet them in the square in San Pedro,after a coffee and a quick catch up with the news we shot off to Victors beach bar for lunch on a hot and sunny day but had no joy in trying to get a table for eight with a very nasty host!It was a pity as Vidals brother,Felix plays there every Sunday.We then shot along the coast towards Estepona to go to “Heaven” another beach bar but it was closed but not according to the large sign on the road!! So we gave up a bad job and picked up some stores and went back to their beautiful apartment and had a late afternoon salad on the lawn overlooking the pool.In the evening we all ended up in an Irish bar watching the Liverpool match in the centre of San Pedro and then found a tapas bar around the corner and finished off the day with the local white and a very fine red wine before making our way home.The forcast for the week is hot and sunny everyday so we looking forward to seeing more of the folks during the week.The picture above shows Tim and Thea at the tapas bar in the middle of the evening!!
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
PORTUGAL
Monday 22nd October.
After last week with Carol and Chris we caught up with all the chores and serviced the Winnebago ,then went for a swim and got ready and packed for our trip to Portugal with Vidal and Gissy on Tuesday morning,In the evening we had pork steaks and lyonaise potatoes,our first meal in for a week!
Tuesday 23rd October.
We set off to Portugal in the morning in Vidals BMW using the same route as we had two weeks ago,but it did not take as long as it does 150 mph on the Autovia and as we arrived we also discovered that Portugal is still on BST,one hour behind us in Spain-we had not noticed this last time! We booked into the same hotel in Villa Real de Santo Antonio for two nights on a cheaper rate than last time,then walked into the old town and had a light lunch of Chicked Piri Piri and salad washed down with the local strong beer! We went over to Olhao to the site where we met Frank and Rosemary last time and who we have been keeping in touch with by e-mail,they welcomed us once again and helped us with some more facts and details-thanks! We then went into the old port of Olhao and had some drinks on the front as the sun set over Faro.In the evening we went again into the old town of VRSA and had dinner at the restaurant we went to last time washed down with a terrible bottle of Portugese sparkling rose!! On the way back we stopped for a coffee and brandy to finish off a good day and make our plans for the next day.
Wednesday 24th October.
After breakfast at the hotel we shot up to the Autovia that goes across the middle of the Algarve and went down to the most western point in Europe at Cabo de S.Vicente just past the town of Sagres.We had last been here some 35yrs.ago – nothing has changed in this part of Portugal! The pictures show the rocky coast line with the Atantic breakers coming in,sometimes in the winter storms they come over the top!! the lighthouse is really at the end of the world and you can go right up to the cliff edge as the picture of me and the girls shows. We then came back along the old coast road past Sagres towards the old fishing port of Lagos which has changed some what but not for worst,that came next when we went into the concrete jungle that is called Portimao and got lost for a short while-too long!! We then carried on past Lagoa and down into Albufeira and called into the site that we had seen last time-we had a surprise! The people on the main spot who we met on the way across from the ferry and who warned us about the breaks on the trailer had left-sadly due to illness but their friends had taken over the spot ,but just below them there is a very good,large spot with all the amenities that we require but they would not let us reserve it,we offered to pay for a month in advance to get the best rate but the answer was still no!! very uncopertive people in the office.So the folks on the prime spot ,Eve and Barry have taken our details and we are going to keep in touch with a view to a move at the end of the month after we have made our minds up!! We then went down into the old port of Albufeira and walked around all the back streets and down onto the beach front.The pictures show the beach and the old town which have not changed but the rest has become another concrete jungle full of high rise buildings and English beer bars-ug!! The last picture shows the oldest fish restaurant “Ruina” on the front which has not changed-only the prices have gone up!For a change we spotted a very good Chinese restaurant and had a lovely meal as the sun set and the full moon came out. We then headed back to VRSA after one “Helluva” day.
Thursday 25th October.
We took a late breakfast and had a walk around the local market before we set off to Cadiz to show Vidal and Gissy the city, The road in goes over a bridge and into the new part of the city which is a very long straight avenue with over a hundred traffic lights! They change in sequence!! then you go down to the port through the old citywalls where the Atlantic liners come in. We then went for a tapas lunch in our favourite restaurant which we have spoken about before on the beach front and had some magnificent tapas washed down with the local vino blanco which come from just outside Cadiz When we came out we found on the beach a sand sculpter who had made thr largest crocodile that you will ever see! Check the picture out.The road from Cadiz goes through the mountains and past the wind farms to Tarifa past all the kite surfers on the sandy beach around the bay.We had a drink as the sun set over the African Riff mountains in a bar that is built into the very old city walls.We finally called into Estepona marina for a late pasta supper before we got back to the site after 1500kms!! This takes into account when we got lost in a small village,looking for petrol and ended up in the "Dead" centre-the cemetary going round and round!!
After last week with Carol and Chris we caught up with all the chores and serviced the Winnebago ,then went for a swim and got ready and packed for our trip to Portugal with Vidal and Gissy on Tuesday morning,In the evening we had pork steaks and lyonaise potatoes,our first meal in for a week!
Tuesday 23rd October.
We set off to Portugal in the morning in Vidals BMW using the same route as we had two weeks ago,but it did not take as long as it does 150 mph on the Autovia and as we arrived we also discovered that Portugal is still on BST,one hour behind us in Spain-we had not noticed this last time! We booked into the same hotel in Villa Real de Santo Antonio for two nights on a cheaper rate than last time,then walked into the old town and had a light lunch of Chicked Piri Piri and salad washed down with the local strong beer! We went over to Olhao to the site where we met Frank and Rosemary last time and who we have been keeping in touch with by e-mail,they welcomed us once again and helped us with some more facts and details-thanks! We then went into the old port of Olhao and had some drinks on the front as the sun set over Faro.In the evening we went again into the old town of VRSA and had dinner at the restaurant we went to last time washed down with a terrible bottle of Portugese sparkling rose!! On the way back we stopped for a coffee and brandy to finish off a good day and make our plans for the next day.
Wednesday 24th October.
After breakfast at the hotel we shot up to the Autovia that goes across the middle of the Algarve and went down to the most western point in Europe at Cabo de S.Vicente just past the town of Sagres.We had last been here some 35yrs.ago – nothing has changed in this part of Portugal! The pictures show the rocky coast line with the Atantic breakers coming in,sometimes in the winter storms they come over the top!! the lighthouse is really at the end of the world and you can go right up to the cliff edge as the picture of me and the girls shows. We then came back along the old coast road past Sagres towards the old fishing port of Lagos which has changed some what but not for worst,that came next when we went into the concrete jungle that is called Portimao and got lost for a short while-too long!! We then carried on past Lagoa and down into Albufeira and called into the site that we had seen last time-we had a surprise! The people on the main spot who we met on the way across from the ferry and who warned us about the breaks on the trailer had left-sadly due to illness but their friends had taken over the spot ,but just below them there is a very good,large spot with all the amenities that we require but they would not let us reserve it,we offered to pay for a month in advance to get the best rate but the answer was still no!! very uncopertive people in the office.So the folks on the prime spot ,Eve and Barry have taken our details and we are going to keep in touch with a view to a move at the end of the month after we have made our minds up!! We then went down into the old port of Albufeira and walked around all the back streets and down onto the beach front.The pictures show the beach and the old town which have not changed but the rest has become another concrete jungle full of high rise buildings and English beer bars-ug!! The last picture shows the oldest fish restaurant “Ruina” on the front which has not changed-only the prices have gone up!For a change we spotted a very good Chinese restaurant and had a lovely meal as the sun set and the full moon came out. We then headed back to VRSA after one “Helluva” day.
Thursday 25th October.
We took a late breakfast and had a walk around the local market before we set off to Cadiz to show Vidal and Gissy the city, The road in goes over a bridge and into the new part of the city which is a very long straight avenue with over a hundred traffic lights! They change in sequence!! then you go down to the port through the old citywalls where the Atlantic liners come in. We then went for a tapas lunch in our favourite restaurant which we have spoken about before on the beach front and had some magnificent tapas washed down with the local vino blanco which come from just outside Cadiz When we came out we found on the beach a sand sculpter who had made thr largest crocodile that you will ever see! Check the picture out.The road from Cadiz goes through the mountains and past the wind farms to Tarifa past all the kite surfers on the sandy beach around the bay.We had a drink as the sun set over the African Riff mountains in a bar that is built into the very old city walls.We finally called into Estepona marina for a late pasta supper before we got back to the site after 1500kms!! This takes into account when we got lost in a small village,looking for petrol and ended up in the "Dead" centre-the cemetary going round and round!!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
TANGIERS and the COSTA DEL SOL
Friday 19th October
Friday morning was a “Free” time for us all to catch up,we serviced the Winnebago and went for a swim before packing for our weekend stay with Carol and Chris and our trip to Tangiers on Saturday,whilst they spent some time around the pool at the Aparthotel sunbathing.In the evening we went to our favourite restaurant down in Sabinillas and then went around to the marina at Porta Duquesa as Vidal was playing at a bar on the front- a lively night was had by all!!
Saturday 20 th October.
We caught the coach in Sabinillas at 7-30 am which took us to Tarifa to catch the fast ferry to Tangiers. The first two pictures show us shooting across the Straights of Gibralta to Tangiers which is two hours behind us in Spain.We were met off the ferry and onto the coach which took us on a tour of Tangiers,old and new before taking us through the pine forest's and over the hills to the Atlantic coast .The picture of the point where the Atlantic and Meditterrean”Embrace” is also the spot were 202 years ago the battle of Trafalgar took place-we won!! If you look at the picture really hard you can see the grey Atlantic and the blue Meditterrean.We then went into the Caves of Hercules to see the view out to the sea,the next picture shows it-when you can look at this in reverse it is a map of Africa! The guide in the picture followed us around all day as we went from place to place!Our Moroccan lunch which included live music,belly dancing and dancers, finished with Mint Tea.We then went on the coach down to the old part of Tangiers- The Medina and got off the coach and were led through the labyrinth of the Souk to see the Gold shops and the fruit,meat and vegetable markets.We then went into the carpet shops and down into the herbalist were we bought some cures for all our problems! We also got a Kaftan for Brenda and a Jahalaba with hood for me!After running the gauntlet of the street sellers from the age of 4 to 94 we climbed onto the coach and made our way back to the ferry,The last picture of the start of the Souk in the Medina does't give you the full atmosphere,the sound and the smells are something to be had once at least in a lifetime!We are going back in the new year -the ferry ride is worth the money alone! On our return to Manilva we then went out for a late meal on the beach at Sabinillas as the waves crashed in ,we found a Argentina restaurant!El Estribo” and had huge chunks of meat cooked on the open flames amd washed down with an Argentine Malbec,we kept popping out to the English bar along the front to watch the Rugby Final-we lost!!
Sunday 21st October.
The weather has been hot and sunny for most of the week,just a little cloud on one day so as we had a lie in we then went down to the beach for a paddle and then picked up from the local “Polo Pronto” some excellent spit roasted chicken with various salads,fresh bread,and fries and sat on the balcony of the Aparthotel and watched the Grand Prix on Spanish tv-he lost!! In the evening we went into the marina at Estepons and had dinner before finishing off with coffee and Soberano brandy at the music bar-our last night with Carol and Chris -,one “Helluva” week.They are planning to return for the new year celebrations!! Next week we have planned to go back to Portugal for another look with Vidal and Gisela, watch this this space for the pictures that we did not get last time!
Friday morning was a “Free” time for us all to catch up,we serviced the Winnebago and went for a swim before packing for our weekend stay with Carol and Chris and our trip to Tangiers on Saturday,whilst they spent some time around the pool at the Aparthotel sunbathing.In the evening we went to our favourite restaurant down in Sabinillas and then went around to the marina at Porta Duquesa as Vidal was playing at a bar on the front- a lively night was had by all!!
Saturday 20 th October.
We caught the coach in Sabinillas at 7-30 am which took us to Tarifa to catch the fast ferry to Tangiers. The first two pictures show us shooting across the Straights of Gibralta to Tangiers which is two hours behind us in Spain.We were met off the ferry and onto the coach which took us on a tour of Tangiers,old and new before taking us through the pine forest's and over the hills to the Atlantic coast .The picture of the point where the Atlantic and Meditterrean”Embrace” is also the spot were 202 years ago the battle of Trafalgar took place-we won!! If you look at the picture really hard you can see the grey Atlantic and the blue Meditterrean.We then went into the Caves of Hercules to see the view out to the sea,the next picture shows it-when you can look at this in reverse it is a map of Africa! The guide in the picture followed us around all day as we went from place to place!Our Moroccan lunch which included live music,belly dancing and dancers, finished with Mint Tea.We then went on the coach down to the old part of Tangiers- The Medina and got off the coach and were led through the labyrinth of the Souk to see the Gold shops and the fruit,meat and vegetable markets.We then went into the carpet shops and down into the herbalist were we bought some cures for all our problems! We also got a Kaftan for Brenda and a Jahalaba with hood for me!After running the gauntlet of the street sellers from the age of 4 to 94 we climbed onto the coach and made our way back to the ferry,The last picture of the start of the Souk in the Medina does't give you the full atmosphere,the sound and the smells are something to be had once at least in a lifetime!We are going back in the new year -the ferry ride is worth the money alone! On our return to Manilva we then went out for a late meal on the beach at Sabinillas as the waves crashed in ,we found a Argentina restaurant!El Estribo” and had huge chunks of meat cooked on the open flames amd washed down with an Argentine Malbec,we kept popping out to the English bar along the front to watch the Rugby Final-we lost!!
Sunday 21st October.
The weather has been hot and sunny for most of the week,just a little cloud on one day so as we had a lie in we then went down to the beach for a paddle and then picked up from the local “Polo Pronto” some excellent spit roasted chicken with various salads,fresh bread,and fries and sat on the balcony of the Aparthotel and watched the Grand Prix on Spanish tv-he lost!! In the evening we went into the marina at Estepons and had dinner before finishing off with coffee and Soberano brandy at the music bar-our last night with Carol and Chris -,one “Helluva” week.They are planning to return for the new year celebrations!! Next week we have planned to go back to Portugal for another look with Vidal and Gisela, watch this this space for the pictures that we did not get last time!
Friday, October 19, 2007
MANILVA PUERTO DEL BANUS and RHONDA
Wednesday17th October.
The morning was a “Free” so we went for a swim on our site and Carol and Chris did the same in theirs..We called in to see Mano and Anna with Carol and Chris who they know and then went up to Manilva for a tapas lunch.After lunch we went across to Puerto Banus to watch the parade of posers in their cars along the quay and then had a cool drink infront of the boat in the picture! The highlight of the day was dinner-we went to the restaurant”La Menorah” outside Estepona as recommended to us by Mano.It's run by a eccentric Spanish “Gentleman” with his Jewish partner!! We had a memorable meal-Braised Ox-Tail,Baby Lamb cutlets and Brochette of Monfish and Prawns accommpanied with a fine Rioja from a very good and large wine list.The style and service was top class and the restaurant was full of atmosphere-We shall return!
Thursday 18th October
We met Carol and Chris for toast and coffee in Sabinillas before we set off to Ronda.We had booked a trip that took us by bus to Algeciras,then mountain train to Ronda on single-track line built over 100 years ago by the British.We had a hour to spare in Algeciras as the bus took a shortcut thru the Container docks,the largest in Europe, so we found the large market in the square which was full of the best fresh fruit,vegetables,fish and meat we have so far seen in Spain.The spectacular mountain scenery can only be seen by train,with many Victorian stations on route and we have it all on the camcorder! On reaching Rhonda we went to the oldest bull ring in the world,then we explored the old Moorish town and had lunch by the side of the 18th century(new)bridge over the famous El Tajo Gorge.The pictures show the bridge,the restaurante”Don Miguel”Carol and Chris ordering the special whole Roast Leg of Baby Lamb and the view of the valley below.Whilst in the old town we went into the “Hotel San Gabriel” dating back to1736 which is famous around the world for the stars and bull-fighters that have stayed their and still do! It also has the smallest cinema in the world-five seats!! that the stars can watch their films in.We then came back on the bus down the classic Ronda road that took ten years to blast out of the mountains and past the most exclusive properties and golf clubs on the Costa del Sol.We ended the day with some tapas in the marina at Estepona .
The morning was a “Free” so we went for a swim on our site and Carol and Chris did the same in theirs..We called in to see Mano and Anna with Carol and Chris who they know and then went up to Manilva for a tapas lunch.After lunch we went across to Puerto Banus to watch the parade of posers in their cars along the quay and then had a cool drink infront of the boat in the picture! The highlight of the day was dinner-we went to the restaurant”La Menorah” outside Estepona as recommended to us by Mano.It's run by a eccentric Spanish “Gentleman” with his Jewish partner!! We had a memorable meal-Braised Ox-Tail,Baby Lamb cutlets and Brochette of Monfish and Prawns accommpanied with a fine Rioja from a very good and large wine list.The style and service was top class and the restaurant was full of atmosphere-We shall return!
Thursday 18th October
We met Carol and Chris for toast and coffee in Sabinillas before we set off to Ronda.We had booked a trip that took us by bus to Algeciras,then mountain train to Ronda on single-track line built over 100 years ago by the British.We had a hour to spare in Algeciras as the bus took a shortcut thru the Container docks,the largest in Europe, so we found the large market in the square which was full of the best fresh fruit,vegetables,fish and meat we have so far seen in Spain.The spectacular mountain scenery can only be seen by train,with many Victorian stations on route and we have it all on the camcorder! On reaching Rhonda we went to the oldest bull ring in the world,then we explored the old Moorish town and had lunch by the side of the 18th century(new)bridge over the famous El Tajo Gorge.The pictures show the bridge,the restaurante”Don Miguel”Carol and Chris ordering the special whole Roast Leg of Baby Lamb and the view of the valley below.Whilst in the old town we went into the “Hotel San Gabriel” dating back to1736 which is famous around the world for the stars and bull-fighters that have stayed their and still do! It also has the smallest cinema in the world-five seats!! that the stars can watch their films in.We then came back on the bus down the classic Ronda road that took ten years to blast out of the mountains and past the most exclusive properties and golf clubs on the Costa del Sol.We ended the day with some tapas in the marina at Estepona .
Thursday, October 18, 2007
ESTEPONA /MANILVA/GAUCIN/CASARES
Monday 15th.October.
In the morning we serviced the Winnebago and caught up with the jobs so as to give us the rest of the week free to spend time with Carol and Chris.We went for a swim after lunch as the afternoon sun shines on the pool and then set off to Manilva to meet Carol and Chris off the Autovia and take them up to the Manilva Green Aparthotel where we had booked them into a two bedroomed duplex on two levels.Carlos who has just started working there had arranged everything and gave us a royal welcome! The apartment overlooks the Manilva valley with spectacular views to the sea.and Africa on a clear day.As they had arrived a little late we popped down to Puerto de la Duquesa for a quick Italian at”Il Capitano” and caught up with all the family news and then arranged to take them out on Tuesday as the weather was becoming sunnier by the day.
Tuesday 16th October.
On a beautiful sunny day we set off into the hills behind Manilva in their hire car and stopped in Gaucin,one of the famous “White Villages” on top of a mountain for a Tinto de Verano,leaving the car at the end of the village- we then got lost in the narrow streets and cauld not find our way out to the car! In the end sence prevailed and we found the car and set off to Casares,another white village and had a three course Menu Del Dia in one of our favourite “Ventas” We then went down past the wind farm above Manilva and dropped into the Estepona marina for a coffee in the late afternoon sunshine.I spotted a speed boat dropping off some people on the quay and caught up with the owner of the boat and arranged for us to go out for an hour for a spin! The sea had quite a swell and we set off at 25knots for an exhilarating trip down the coast towards Marbella and back to Estepona-whilst we were in the deep water a shoal of Dolphins raced along with us!! The pictures show us on the boat but I was not able to catch a Dolphin in mid-flight !! We arrived back in the harbour along with the fishing boats in the early evening sun shine on a beautifull day,Later in the evening we called into the restaurant at the foot of the hill that we had called into on Friday.We had another super meal washed down with the local Temperillo house wine,which finished off a “Helluva”day.
In the morning we serviced the Winnebago and caught up with the jobs so as to give us the rest of the week free to spend time with Carol and Chris.We went for a swim after lunch as the afternoon sun shines on the pool and then set off to Manilva to meet Carol and Chris off the Autovia and take them up to the Manilva Green Aparthotel where we had booked them into a two bedroomed duplex on two levels.Carlos who has just started working there had arranged everything and gave us a royal welcome! The apartment overlooks the Manilva valley with spectacular views to the sea.and Africa on a clear day.As they had arrived a little late we popped down to Puerto de la Duquesa for a quick Italian at”Il Capitano” and caught up with all the family news and then arranged to take them out on Tuesday as the weather was becoming sunnier by the day.
Tuesday 16th October.
On a beautiful sunny day we set off into the hills behind Manilva in their hire car and stopped in Gaucin,one of the famous “White Villages” on top of a mountain for a Tinto de Verano,leaving the car at the end of the village- we then got lost in the narrow streets and cauld not find our way out to the car! In the end sence prevailed and we found the car and set off to Casares,another white village and had a three course Menu Del Dia in one of our favourite “Ventas” We then went down past the wind farm above Manilva and dropped into the Estepona marina for a coffee in the late afternoon sunshine.I spotted a speed boat dropping off some people on the quay and caught up with the owner of the boat and arranged for us to go out for an hour for a spin! The sea had quite a swell and we set off at 25knots for an exhilarating trip down the coast towards Marbella and back to Estepona-whilst we were in the deep water a shoal of Dolphins raced along with us!! The pictures show us on the boat but I was not able to catch a Dolphin in mid-flight !! We arrived back in the harbour along with the fishing boats in the early evening sun shine on a beautifull day,Later in the evening we called into the restaurant at the foot of the hill that we had called into on Friday.We had another super meal washed down with the local Temperillo house wine,which finished off a “Helluva”day.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Sunday, October 14, 2007
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL
Thurs.11th/Sun14th.October.
After our trip to Portugal we settled back into our routine aand serviced the Winnebago and caught up with the chore's as our friends and neighbours called in to catch up with our news.On Friday we went out to the hypermarket and called into the port for a Tinto de Verano and some tapas and in the evening we had Spanish Pork Chops and pommes llayonaise washed down with the local red wine.We had planned to go to a new gig with Vidal and Gissy down the coast past Manilva later on Saturday evening so we called into a restaurant that Mano had suggested we try and had a beautiful meal of Fried John Dory in a lemon sauce and a Argentian Steak and frits before we joined Vidal and Gissy at a beach bar and danced the night away!As the weather is on the change we popped out to the marina at Marbella and had a drink in the late Sunday afternoon sunshine.The rest of Spain and along the coast above Malaga especially have had severe thunder storms and heavy rain witch we have so far missed! On Monday our friends Carol and Chris fly into Jerez so we are looking forward to going out and about with them.We would like to make contact with some friends who contacted us on the blog page earlier in the year; Nigelnews from Llandudno,we called in a few times but missed you but we did leave a message-How are you? Al and Jan fron Rhos on Sea we tried to look for the Autotrail but cauld not spot you as we don't have a contact number and we had some maps and info.to pass on! Gordon Hardy from Canterbury who we spoke to whilst we were in England – we are sorry we ran out of time and our travel plans changed -next time! If there is any body else that we have missed I have listed below are details and we will also send you e-mailsASAP; sextonstravels.blogspot.com
malcolmbrenda@hotmail.co.uk
malcolm.sexton@googlemail.com
Malcolm Lawrence Sexton on Facebook.
Malcolm.Sexton on Skype.
After our trip to Portugal we settled back into our routine aand serviced the Winnebago and caught up with the chore's as our friends and neighbours called in to catch up with our news.On Friday we went out to the hypermarket and called into the port for a Tinto de Verano and some tapas and in the evening we had Spanish Pork Chops and pommes llayonaise washed down with the local red wine.We had planned to go to a new gig with Vidal and Gissy down the coast past Manilva later on Saturday evening so we called into a restaurant that Mano had suggested we try and had a beautiful meal of Fried John Dory in a lemon sauce and a Argentian Steak and frits before we joined Vidal and Gissy at a beach bar and danced the night away!As the weather is on the change we popped out to the marina at Marbella and had a drink in the late Sunday afternoon sunshine.The rest of Spain and along the coast above Malaga especially have had severe thunder storms and heavy rain witch we have so far missed! On Monday our friends Carol and Chris fly into Jerez so we are looking forward to going out and about with them.We would like to make contact with some friends who contacted us on the blog page earlier in the year; Nigelnews from Llandudno,we called in a few times but missed you but we did leave a message-How are you? Al and Jan fron Rhos on Sea we tried to look for the Autotrail but cauld not spot you as we don't have a contact number and we had some maps and info.to pass on! Gordon Hardy from Canterbury who we spoke to whilst we were in England – we are sorry we ran out of time and our travel plans changed -next time! If there is any body else that we have missed I have listed below are details and we will also send you e-mailsASAP; sextonstravels.blogspot.com
malcolmbrenda@hotmail.co.uk
malcolm.sexton@googlemail.com
Malcolm Lawrence Sexton on Facebook.
Malcolm.Sexton on Skype.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
PORTUGAL
Mon.8th/Wed10th October.
We set off early on Monday morning in the Smart car towards Gibraltar then turning at Los Barrios onto the Autovia to Jerez then onto Savilla using the sat-nav from the Winnebago to take us across the bridge at Savilla and on the road to Huelva above the border with Portugal.After four hours we crossed another spectacular bridge into Portugal.We then turned off the Autovia and dropped down into the small and very pretty town of “Villa Real de Santo Antonio” where we found a hotel in the centre of the town next to the shopping area and bars and restaurants;the Hotel Apolo was very reasonable and had its' own swimming pool just below our balcony.After refreshing ouselves and a light lunch we set off to check out two sites,the first one was terrible at Monte Gordo but the second one at Olhao was very good.Olhao is a very large fishing port below Faro and the site is just outside the town.As we looked around the site we met a couple,Frank and Rosemary who had a large RV and who were very helpful with all sorts of information and as they had been on the road all over Europe, they also gave us lots of advice on some of our technical problems,We exchanged our details and they were very interested in our 02 data card on the PC.They also do a lot of “Wild Camping” as they have solar panels on their roof and told us about their travels in Morroco and Sardinia.On Monday evening we went out for dinner in the old town which is traffic free and found the restaurant”O”Curacao do Marques” and had a beautiful meal of grilled sole.The weather was hot on Monday and very sunny and Tuesday was no different if not even hotter! We went down to Albufeira below Faro which was our hunting ground some 35 years ago when we first went to Portugal and met a loverly Portugese man Snr.Nunes who was the first person to sell his land to Charles Forte and from that the Algarve was started!! We found the site just a mile outside Albufeira and after touring around it met Peter Edwards who gave us lots of info.and pointed us over to a large RV on another spot-it turned out to be a “Georgetown” and was the same one that advised us about our brake problem after coming off the ferry,Gordan Jackson was out so we left him a postcard to say we called -its'a small world! We then found our way down to the old Square and front at Albufeira by the rock tunnel under the Hotel Solamar and had lunch overlooking the very busy beach.The spit-roasted chiken piri-piri had not changed but the rest of Albufeira has!! After some shopping in the “White Linen Shop” Brenda came out with some unusual baggy trousers and I acquired a white shirt but was not allowed to buy the matching trousers as I was told a looked like “King Faruke”!! We then went back along the coast road past Faro and then went down to Quarteira to look at a site,as we made our way down we came into what was once the small village of Almancil-its;changed -it is now a concrete town with strip joints-Snr Nunes will be turning in his grave!We went out for dinner to the same restaurant in Villa Real de Santo Antonio and had two superb Portugaise steak and eggs with fresh frits and the local red wine,Next day on Wednesday morrning we set off back to Spain but on the advise of Frank and Rosemary we headed for a site below Cadiz to check it out.We stopped in Cadiz for some tapas at the restaurant Arte Serrano which we had visited earlier in the year,its unbelievable as it has one of the largest selection of hot and cold tapas in Andulcia.The town of Conil de la Frontera is on the Atlantic coast and after a few false starts we found the site which is not in any guide books -we are going back in a couple of weeks to check it out properly.The drive along the coast road is very spectacular and passes the largest wind farm in Europe ,them we passed the beache's above Tarifa and saw the largest gathering of kite surfers taking part in a competion -What a sight!! We called into our local haunts to wet the spots on our way to our site were we caught up with some e-mails and started making plans for the visit of Carol and Chris next week.We have booked them into the Manilva Aparthotel which has just opened and is where Carlos now works.Sorry there are no pictures of our trip to Portugal due to a technical fault! Watch this space as we are going back with Vidal and Gissy shortly.
We set off early on Monday morning in the Smart car towards Gibraltar then turning at Los Barrios onto the Autovia to Jerez then onto Savilla using the sat-nav from the Winnebago to take us across the bridge at Savilla and on the road to Huelva above the border with Portugal.After four hours we crossed another spectacular bridge into Portugal.We then turned off the Autovia and dropped down into the small and very pretty town of “Villa Real de Santo Antonio” where we found a hotel in the centre of the town next to the shopping area and bars and restaurants;the Hotel Apolo was very reasonable and had its' own swimming pool just below our balcony.After refreshing ouselves and a light lunch we set off to check out two sites,the first one was terrible at Monte Gordo but the second one at Olhao was very good.Olhao is a very large fishing port below Faro and the site is just outside the town.As we looked around the site we met a couple,Frank and Rosemary who had a large RV and who were very helpful with all sorts of information and as they had been on the road all over Europe, they also gave us lots of advice on some of our technical problems,We exchanged our details and they were very interested in our 02 data card on the PC.They also do a lot of “Wild Camping” as they have solar panels on their roof and told us about their travels in Morroco and Sardinia.On Monday evening we went out for dinner in the old town which is traffic free and found the restaurant”O”Curacao do Marques” and had a beautiful meal of grilled sole.The weather was hot on Monday and very sunny and Tuesday was no different if not even hotter! We went down to Albufeira below Faro which was our hunting ground some 35 years ago when we first went to Portugal and met a loverly Portugese man Snr.Nunes who was the first person to sell his land to Charles Forte and from that the Algarve was started!! We found the site just a mile outside Albufeira and after touring around it met Peter Edwards who gave us lots of info.and pointed us over to a large RV on another spot-it turned out to be a “Georgetown” and was the same one that advised us about our brake problem after coming off the ferry,Gordan Jackson was out so we left him a postcard to say we called -its'a small world! We then found our way down to the old Square and front at Albufeira by the rock tunnel under the Hotel Solamar and had lunch overlooking the very busy beach.The spit-roasted chiken piri-piri had not changed but the rest of Albufeira has!! After some shopping in the “White Linen Shop” Brenda came out with some unusual baggy trousers and I acquired a white shirt but was not allowed to buy the matching trousers as I was told a looked like “King Faruke”!! We then went back along the coast road past Faro and then went down to Quarteira to look at a site,as we made our way down we came into what was once the small village of Almancil-its;changed -it is now a concrete town with strip joints-Snr Nunes will be turning in his grave!We went out for dinner to the same restaurant in Villa Real de Santo Antonio and had two superb Portugaise steak and eggs with fresh frits and the local red wine,Next day on Wednesday morrning we set off back to Spain but on the advise of Frank and Rosemary we headed for a site below Cadiz to check it out.We stopped in Cadiz for some tapas at the restaurant Arte Serrano which we had visited earlier in the year,its unbelievable as it has one of the largest selection of hot and cold tapas in Andulcia.The town of Conil de la Frontera is on the Atlantic coast and after a few false starts we found the site which is not in any guide books -we are going back in a couple of weeks to check it out properly.The drive along the coast road is very spectacular and passes the largest wind farm in Europe ,them we passed the beache's above Tarifa and saw the largest gathering of kite surfers taking part in a competion -What a sight!! We called into our local haunts to wet the spots on our way to our site were we caught up with some e-mails and started making plans for the visit of Carol and Chris next week.We have booked them into the Manilva Aparthotel which has just opened and is where Carlos now works.Sorry there are no pictures of our trip to Portugal due to a technical fault! Watch this space as we are going back with Vidal and Gissy shortly.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
ESTEPONA /MANILVA
Thurs.4th/Sun.7th Oct.
We set off down to Estepona to do some shopping and stopped in the flower square for some lunch at our favourite restaurant,on a very warm and sunny Thursday.As it was so nice we went up to Manilva and called on Mano and Anna to catch up with the news.We then went into the village and visited a few bars.ending up with some very nice hot meat Tapas in a bar that we had not seen before.we then fell back down to Mano's house and put the world to rights!We stayed the night and on Friday as we headed home we called into Estepona for coffee and hot toasted rolls then we serviced the Winnebago and caught up with our jobs.Saturday was hot and sunny as we went to the butchers for our weekend stock up! In the evening Vidal and Gissy suggested we had a Chinese take-away and we watched a film on the DVD player as we had a few glasses of rose wine and Bacardi and Coke to round off the weekend. On Sunday we started to get ready for our trip to Portugal on Tuesday with Vidal and Gissy as they wanted to join us and suggested that we go in their BMW,but they then got a call to do a two day corporate gig at a top hotel in Estepona so they had to call off joining us.We are now setting off on Monday morning in the “Hairdryer” to check out the sites along the Algarve coast with the help of two guide books and a new CD map and guide that I have just installed on the PC. Watch out for the blog pictures from sunny Portugal! The two pictures below show the old town of Estepona on Friday morning and Brenda's latest cut and colour which Gisela did on Saturday afternoon as well as giving my ponytail the once-over!(Its still growing).
We set off down to Estepona to do some shopping and stopped in the flower square for some lunch at our favourite restaurant,on a very warm and sunny Thursday.As it was so nice we went up to Manilva and called on Mano and Anna to catch up with the news.We then went into the village and visited a few bars.ending up with some very nice hot meat Tapas in a bar that we had not seen before.we then fell back down to Mano's house and put the world to rights!We stayed the night and on Friday as we headed home we called into Estepona for coffee and hot toasted rolls then we serviced the Winnebago and caught up with our jobs.Saturday was hot and sunny as we went to the butchers for our weekend stock up! In the evening Vidal and Gissy suggested we had a Chinese take-away and we watched a film on the DVD player as we had a few glasses of rose wine and Bacardi and Coke to round off the weekend. On Sunday we started to get ready for our trip to Portugal on Tuesday with Vidal and Gissy as they wanted to join us and suggested that we go in their BMW,but they then got a call to do a two day corporate gig at a top hotel in Estepona so they had to call off joining us.We are now setting off on Monday morning in the “Hairdryer” to check out the sites along the Algarve coast with the help of two guide books and a new CD map and guide that I have just installed on the PC. Watch out for the blog pictures from sunny Portugal! The two pictures below show the old town of Estepona on Friday morning and Brenda's latest cut and colour which Gisela did on Saturday afternoon as well as giving my ponytail the once-over!(Its still growing).
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL
Thurs27th Sept./Wed 3rd.Oct.
As the weather has been so nice we are out and about in the “Hairdryer” all the time to all the old haunts in Estepona and Manilva .Thursday was a at home day to service the Winnebago and do all the chores so on Friday we called into Manilva to see Anna who had returned from North Wales and whilst we were there Carlos called in so we caught up with the news about his new job.As Vidal has been so helpful in fixing and repairing all the small things that go wrong and he didn't have a gig on Saturday we invited them around for the now “Famous” chicken curry and later our neighbour on the next site to us-Keith and Brenda called in for a drink as they were moving on to another site in Almeria on Sunday,thankfully we don't have far to go to bed!On Sunday we went down to the marina as Vidal had arranged to buy a Hard-disk with over 21,000 songs on it from a “Dodgy”DJ from Marbella so I was roped in to play the part of a innocent buyer and get a good price as Vidal acted as bodyguard ! Watch this space for the ongoing story!!Monday was a very hot and sunny day so we ended up at Laguna Beach for the “Happy Hour” on the start of a new month-1st.October,the picture below shows the bar and pool at its best.We had planned to go out on Tuesday but the weather forcast was for a severe rain storm all over the the coast which hit us later on in the day but not as bad as in some places which had very bad floods and damage.Wednesday was much better so we went down the coast past Gibraltar to check out the sites past Tarifa,the surfers paradise.The views across to Africa were unbelievably clear,you could almost see the people in the coast towns at the foot of the mountains! The sites are all on the sandy beach and bay but are not what we are looking for so we plan to go around the coast to Portugal next week.
As the weather has been so nice we are out and about in the “Hairdryer” all the time to all the old haunts in Estepona and Manilva .Thursday was a at home day to service the Winnebago and do all the chores so on Friday we called into Manilva to see Anna who had returned from North Wales and whilst we were there Carlos called in so we caught up with the news about his new job.As Vidal has been so helpful in fixing and repairing all the small things that go wrong and he didn't have a gig on Saturday we invited them around for the now “Famous” chicken curry and later our neighbour on the next site to us-Keith and Brenda called in for a drink as they were moving on to another site in Almeria on Sunday,thankfully we don't have far to go to bed!On Sunday we went down to the marina as Vidal had arranged to buy a Hard-disk with over 21,000 songs on it from a “Dodgy”DJ from Marbella so I was roped in to play the part of a innocent buyer and get a good price as Vidal acted as bodyguard ! Watch this space for the ongoing story!!Monday was a very hot and sunny day so we ended up at Laguna Beach for the “Happy Hour” on the start of a new month-1st.October,the picture below shows the bar and pool at its best.We had planned to go out on Tuesday but the weather forcast was for a severe rain storm all over the the coast which hit us later on in the day but not as bad as in some places which had very bad floods and damage.Wednesday was much better so we went down the coast past Gibraltar to check out the sites past Tarifa,the surfers paradise.The views across to Africa were unbelievably clear,you could almost see the people in the coast towns at the foot of the mountains! The sites are all on the sandy beach and bay but are not what we are looking for so we plan to go around the coast to Portugal next week.
Monday, October 01, 2007
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