Wednesday 26th December.
After the day befor we had a lie in and when we finally got up the sun was out as it was on xmas day so we had some freshly squezed orange juice and Brenda's famous poached eggs on toast as we got things ready for dinner with Vidal and Gissy once again.We had all the usual vegetables as well as spinach and asparagus to go with the roast beef and yorkshire pudding,so as it was so nice we shot down to the marina for a Boxing Day drink befor we put the beef in the oven.They joined us in the evening and we had a bottle of Mumm to start the evening off.Later on the girls went onto sparkling rose and we went onto drinks as the night drew to a close at 3-00am after more fun and games!!
Thursday 27th December.
We rang over the weekend and Christmas to all the family and friends including Australia on the Skype phone only to find out that Thea in Colwyn Bay and Anna in Manilva both had very bad flu and were in bed -we hope they are now feeling a bit better,As it was so nice we went over to Manilva to see Mano and Anna and had a xmas drink with them.We then came back and had a turkey curry for supper !We have also made some plans for the new year,as we are going on “Holiday” on the 5th January to Calahonda we are going to have day in Malaga to see the Piasso museum and also the “Rodin” sculptures which are on show in the centre of the city,Vidal and Gissy are also coming with us.We are then going to house and dog and cat sit for Mano and Anna when they go to Wales for a couple of weeks at the end of January which will give us a idea of what it is like as we are also placing adverts in the local papers to offer are services as house sitters for short and long term jobs.In February we are going on the new fast train to Madrid from Malaga which only started running on xmas eve.The high speed train,the AVE is the fastest one in Europe and only takes two and half hours to Madrid and travels at over 300kms a hour and the cost of a return ticket is only 30euros!!We have some friends in Madrid,Rafael and Gill and also one of my oldest school friends Alan his daughter,Miranda is working and living there Vidal and Gissy want to come and Mano and Anna also so we are going to stay a night or two and do all the site's including the “Prada” Watch out Madrid.!!
Friday28th December.
Today was the nicest day so far this week so we went and sat in the sun down on the marina and had our first tinto de verano of the week!We also did all our shopping around the town for lightbulbs,
phone cards,cash,newspapers and more food and drink! Tonight we are having fresh burgers from the Spanish butchers in Estepona for supper and tomorrow we are having Lobster-its on offer at “Lidal” The picture below show's Vidal after he hit the ice cream on Xmas day! Just as I am finishing the blog the garage phoned to say that the Smart car will not be ready until next Wednesdayat least as they are now closed for five days!
Friday, December 28, 2007
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL
Friday 21st December.
In between the rain showers we quickly serviced the Winnebago and topped up the water tank as it was forcast to rain for the next few days.It was a curry night and as I started to make it the heavens opened and for the next three days the rain came down with the loudest thunder and lightening we have ever heard !!In the area just either side of us there was severe flooding and damage to the Autovial, the locals said that it was the worst rain in 33 years!,
Saturday 22nd December.
We stayed in and and watched the reports on the TV.of the flooding,Vidal and Gissy on their way back fron a gig on Friday evening down the coast near Manilva had a bad time coming home.We then watched the drawing of the loteria nacional,this is the “ El Gordo “ navidad and is the largest in Europe,one ticket costs 20 euros and the winners can win 300/400 million euros! We had one ticket and had no luck! But over here they take it very much to heart and even form lottery associations in small villages and as in this year the whole village become millionaires !!For dinner we had steak and baked potatoes washed down with a local Rioja and we then watched a film on the TV as the rain still came down.
Sunday 23rd December.
As it was still raining Gissy came around and gave Brenda and I the full works,including facial masks,and cut and styled Brenda:s hair as can be seen in the xmas photo below.The weather was due to change on Monday as we prepaired for the xmas week.
Monday 24th December.
I got up early and was first in the queue at the English butchers to collect our turkey and beef for the xmas period,then I called into the Hypermarket to top up with anything that we had missed.In the evening our neighbours Brenda and Keith joined us for a xmas drink just as Vidal and Gissy called in on their way out to gig so the week started well.We have decorated the inside of the Winnebago and are putting up all the cards as they arrive,there is a post strike in Estepona at the moment so all the carda are late going out as well ! We have white lights all round the windows and also small coloured lights along the inside and with the poinsettia;s in the window the xmas spirit is well and truly started !
Tuesday 25th December.
A very merry xmas and a happy new year to all our family and friends who follow us on our blog-page!! We started the day with scrambled eggs and smoked salmon helped down with a fine rose champagne! We then started to get ready our xmas dinner as Vidal and Gissy where joining us later.The turkey which we had to measure to make sure that it fitted in the oven befor we bought it went on first in its new rosting tray which I had to shoot out and buy in Estepona the day before! Brenda had all the vegetables ready,carrots.sprouts with serrano ham snippits,parsnips inhoney,leeks and cauli in cheese sauce and our famous roast potatoes in duck fat with also a savoury chestnut and sage and onion stuffing and smoked bacon wrapped chipoltas! When Vidal and Gissy arrived we cracked our first bottle of Mumm,then we had a fine Rioja with the meal and then went onto various drinks with the strawberries and ice cream to finish.After the clean up we then played some cards and finially a very competetive game of domino's.The pictures below shows the two “Birds” in my life !!
In between the rain showers we quickly serviced the Winnebago and topped up the water tank as it was forcast to rain for the next few days.It was a curry night and as I started to make it the heavens opened and for the next three days the rain came down with the loudest thunder and lightening we have ever heard !!In the area just either side of us there was severe flooding and damage to the Autovial, the locals said that it was the worst rain in 33 years!,
Saturday 22nd December.
We stayed in and and watched the reports on the TV.of the flooding,Vidal and Gissy on their way back fron a gig on Friday evening down the coast near Manilva had a bad time coming home.We then watched the drawing of the loteria nacional,this is the “ El Gordo “ navidad and is the largest in Europe,one ticket costs 20 euros and the winners can win 300/400 million euros! We had one ticket and had no luck! But over here they take it very much to heart and even form lottery associations in small villages and as in this year the whole village become millionaires !!For dinner we had steak and baked potatoes washed down with a local Rioja and we then watched a film on the TV as the rain still came down.
Sunday 23rd December.
As it was still raining Gissy came around and gave Brenda and I the full works,including facial masks,and cut and styled Brenda:s hair as can be seen in the xmas photo below.The weather was due to change on Monday as we prepaired for the xmas week.
Monday 24th December.
I got up early and was first in the queue at the English butchers to collect our turkey and beef for the xmas period,then I called into the Hypermarket to top up with anything that we had missed.In the evening our neighbours Brenda and Keith joined us for a xmas drink just as Vidal and Gissy called in on their way out to gig so the week started well.We have decorated the inside of the Winnebago and are putting up all the cards as they arrive,there is a post strike in Estepona at the moment so all the carda are late going out as well ! We have white lights all round the windows and also small coloured lights along the inside and with the poinsettia;s in the window the xmas spirit is well and truly started !
Tuesday 25th December.
A very merry xmas and a happy new year to all our family and friends who follow us on our blog-page!! We started the day with scrambled eggs and smoked salmon helped down with a fine rose champagne! We then started to get ready our xmas dinner as Vidal and Gissy where joining us later.The turkey which we had to measure to make sure that it fitted in the oven befor we bought it went on first in its new rosting tray which I had to shoot out and buy in Estepona the day before! Brenda had all the vegetables ready,carrots.sprouts with serrano ham snippits,parsnips inhoney,leeks and cauli in cheese sauce and our famous roast potatoes in duck fat with also a savoury chestnut and sage and onion stuffing and smoked bacon wrapped chipoltas! When Vidal and Gissy arrived we cracked our first bottle of Mumm,then we had a fine Rioja with the meal and then went onto various drinks with the strawberries and ice cream to finish.After the clean up we then played some cards and finially a very competetive game of domino's.The pictures below shows the two “Birds” in my life !!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL -ESTEPONA
Saturday 15th December.
After our day out on Friday we had a lie in befor we went out to the shops for the weekend goods.The weather is due to change with rain and clouds although it is still warm-ie.17/18 deg. The locals want the rain as it has been dry now for three months! In the evening we had a light supper and watched the films on Spanish TV.
Sunday 16th December.
We went over to Manilva to see Mano and Anna and found out that their daughter Sally Ann had been over for the day on Saturday from Tenerife where she lives and works for a Spanish holiday company.On our way up the hill to Manilva Brenda heard a funny noise from the engine of the Smart car so we checked it out with Mano's help and then set off back to Estepona on the Autopiste.just as we passed Estepona the car cut out and a malfunction sign came on! At the same time the heavens opened as well!! With Mano's help we arranged a pick up truck to come and take us to the Mercedes Smart garage in the town and left it there until Monday morning,Vidal came and picked us up as we were now like drowned rats!! We had soup for supper !!
Monday 17th December.
In the morning Vidal took me down to the garage first thing to get it checked out,only to find out that it had to go to Marbella so we had to arrange another pick up truck to take it through ! The Smart garage is right on the front over looking the beach and is very busy all the time so I had to waite a while to be seen to,The car had to be checked out but the forcast was not good and they said that they would be in touch “Manana “ By then Vidal had very kindly come to pick me up as I was not a very happy bunny!!
Tuesday 18th December.
We serviced the Winnebago and did all the jobs as it had stopped raining but was still cloudy. We then waited for the phone call but it took all day and they said that they would ring on Wednesday as they had still to check some thing's out.
Wednesday 19th December.
The news was not good- the gear box and clutch had gone with some other affected parts !! The parts had to be ordered from Madrid and would not be here till Friday! They are then closed for the xmas holiday's but only till Wednesday, so we might not get it back for the new year if it takes long to fix it. To say the least we are shocked and upset !! I then set to work on the mobiles to arrange things with the bank,as the bill is quiet large and we had to arrange how to pay it with our Debit card's.I then got in touch with Carlos and he very kindly arranged for a hire car to be dropped off within a hour as I had to go to the garage in Marbella to sign the order forms ASAP.
Thursday 20th December.
Today was a xmas shopping day as we had not been out since last Saturday,so we went down to the English butcher's and supermarket and then went to the Hypermarket in Estepona to stock up as the holiday period over here is long as they have the main celebrations on January 5./6th. And every where gets very busy all day. We have been in every day this week as the weather is still not very good and the seven day forcast is rain! Last year at this time it was hot and sunny as we arrived here for the first time,that global warming for you-but the wrong way round!!
After our day out on Friday we had a lie in befor we went out to the shops for the weekend goods.The weather is due to change with rain and clouds although it is still warm-ie.17/18 deg. The locals want the rain as it has been dry now for three months! In the evening we had a light supper and watched the films on Spanish TV.
Sunday 16th December.
We went over to Manilva to see Mano and Anna and found out that their daughter Sally Ann had been over for the day on Saturday from Tenerife where she lives and works for a Spanish holiday company.On our way up the hill to Manilva Brenda heard a funny noise from the engine of the Smart car so we checked it out with Mano's help and then set off back to Estepona on the Autopiste.just as we passed Estepona the car cut out and a malfunction sign came on! At the same time the heavens opened as well!! With Mano's help we arranged a pick up truck to come and take us to the Mercedes Smart garage in the town and left it there until Monday morning,Vidal came and picked us up as we were now like drowned rats!! We had soup for supper !!
Monday 17th December.
In the morning Vidal took me down to the garage first thing to get it checked out,only to find out that it had to go to Marbella so we had to arrange another pick up truck to take it through ! The Smart garage is right on the front over looking the beach and is very busy all the time so I had to waite a while to be seen to,The car had to be checked out but the forcast was not good and they said that they would be in touch “Manana “ By then Vidal had very kindly come to pick me up as I was not a very happy bunny!!
Tuesday 18th December.
We serviced the Winnebago and did all the jobs as it had stopped raining but was still cloudy. We then waited for the phone call but it took all day and they said that they would ring on Wednesday as they had still to check some thing's out.
Wednesday 19th December.
The news was not good- the gear box and clutch had gone with some other affected parts !! The parts had to be ordered from Madrid and would not be here till Friday! They are then closed for the xmas holiday's but only till Wednesday, so we might not get it back for the new year if it takes long to fix it. To say the least we are shocked and upset !! I then set to work on the mobiles to arrange things with the bank,as the bill is quiet large and we had to arrange how to pay it with our Debit card's.I then got in touch with Carlos and he very kindly arranged for a hire car to be dropped off within a hour as I had to go to the garage in Marbella to sign the order forms ASAP.
Thursday 20th December.
Today was a xmas shopping day as we had not been out since last Saturday,so we went down to the English butcher's and supermarket and then went to the Hypermarket in Estepona to stock up as the holiday period over here is long as they have the main celebrations on January 5./6th. And every where gets very busy all day. We have been in every day this week as the weather is still not very good and the seven day forcast is rain! Last year at this time it was hot and sunny as we arrived here for the first time,that global warming for you-but the wrong way round!!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
MARBELLA
Friday 14th December.
We got up early and headed past Marbella to the large shopping mall “ La Canada” to see if we could get any help with my phone-but with no luck so the phone to use at the moment are Brenda's number and our Spanish one.The picture below shows the xmas tree in the centre of the mall-wow!We then went further down the coast to Calahonda to arrange our holiday! We called into the office and booked the first week in January at “Club Playa Vista” where we had our Timeshare until we did a deal earlier in the year and sold it to “The Club”-we have a two bed-de-lux apartment over looking the sea,which we are looking forward to staying in for a change of scene and a bath!! We then headed back to Marbella and called into “Espana Expo-07 exhibition and were shown around by the manager Jorg Dombrowe who was very helpful.In the evening we went out to dinner at the Argentina Grill on the front at Sabrinillas and had two excelent wood -grilled steaks after which we went to the marina at Puerto Duquesa to see Vidal start his xmas gig with some new songs-as the picture above shows.We danced the night away and on the way back we went along the front at Estepona to see the xmas lights to end another “Helluva “ day!
We got up early and headed past Marbella to the large shopping mall “ La Canada” to see if we could get any help with my phone-but with no luck so the phone to use at the moment are Brenda's number and our Spanish one.The picture below shows the xmas tree in the centre of the mall-wow!We then went further down the coast to Calahonda to arrange our holiday! We called into the office and booked the first week in January at “Club Playa Vista” where we had our Timeshare until we did a deal earlier in the year and sold it to “The Club”-we have a two bed-de-lux apartment over looking the sea,which we are looking forward to staying in for a change of scene and a bath!! We then headed back to Marbella and called into “Espana Expo-07 exhibition and were shown around by the manager Jorg Dombrowe who was very helpful.In the evening we went out to dinner at the Argentina Grill on the front at Sabrinillas and had two excelent wood -grilled steaks after which we went to the marina at Puerto Duquesa to see Vidal start his xmas gig with some new songs-as the picture above shows.We danced the night away and on the way back we went along the front at Estepona to see the xmas lights to end another “Helluva “ day!
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL
Wednesday 12th December.
Today was a service and clean day as it was cloudy and not too warm-17o only!We then went out for a tapas lunch and in the evening as it was Gissy's bithday we had them round for drinks and watched a DVD.
Thursday 13th December.
As It was warm and dry Brenda did all the washing and then was able to hang it out to dry in the afternoon sun.Xmas cards have started to arrive from family and friends including from Tim and Thea our dear friends in Colwyn Bay some new “Stickies” to put on the Smart car-as you can see in the picture above.As you can see from the pictures below we have already had a visit from Father Xmas !!!
Today was a service and clean day as it was cloudy and not too warm-17o only!We then went out for a tapas lunch and in the evening as it was Gissy's bithday we had them round for drinks and watched a DVD.
Thursday 13th December.
As It was warm and dry Brenda did all the washing and then was able to hang it out to dry in the afternoon sun.Xmas cards have started to arrive from family and friends including from Tim and Thea our dear friends in Colwyn Bay some new “Stickies” to put on the Smart car-as you can see in the picture above.As you can see from the pictures below we have already had a visit from Father Xmas !!!
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL -ESTEPONA
Sunday 9th December.
It was warm and sunny as we got up so we got ready and went over to Manilva to see Mano and Ann,they where having a at home day as they waited for some phone calls so we watched some English TV including The X Factor for the first time this year! On the way back we picked up a spit roasted chicken for supper with some salad .
Monday10th December.
Over the weekend Brenda has been writing all the xmas cards so we went down to the marina and posted them all-watch out for yours! We hope that we have not missed anybody-if we have sorry!!
In Estepona along thr front and in the main street all the xmas lights have been put up so we will go down one evening to see them,over here they go to town with the lights and particulary on the palm trees and on the roundabouts they also use hundreds of Poinsetia's which we saw for the first time last year at the same time in Madrid,In the evening we had Pork chops from the English butchers
with caramelised Apple slices.
Tuesday 11th December.
Tuesday was a shopping day so we went to the old market in Estepone and then on to the Hypermarket on the way back where we spotted for the first time a small tapas bar just outside the entrance and we had some lovely spicy goulash and savoury fried potatoe's as the owners are German.We had for supper pan fried fillets of Halibut with green vegatables washed down with a bottle of the local vino blanco!The picture below of the xmas Dolphins is the background for the small card inside the xmas cards which is our first and not very good attempt at printing!!
It was warm and sunny as we got up so we got ready and went over to Manilva to see Mano and Ann,they where having a at home day as they waited for some phone calls so we watched some English TV including The X Factor for the first time this year! On the way back we picked up a spit roasted chicken for supper with some salad .
Monday10th December.
Over the weekend Brenda has been writing all the xmas cards so we went down to the marina and posted them all-watch out for yours! We hope that we have not missed anybody-if we have sorry!!
In Estepona along thr front and in the main street all the xmas lights have been put up so we will go down one evening to see them,over here they go to town with the lights and particulary on the palm trees and on the roundabouts they also use hundreds of Poinsetia's which we saw for the first time last year at the same time in Madrid,In the evening we had Pork chops from the English butchers
with caramelised Apple slices.
Tuesday 11th December.
Tuesday was a shopping day so we went to the old market in Estepone and then on to the Hypermarket on the way back where we spotted for the first time a small tapas bar just outside the entrance and we had some lovely spicy goulash and savoury fried potatoe's as the owners are German.We had for supper pan fried fillets of Halibut with green vegatables washed down with a bottle of the local vino blanco!The picture below of the xmas Dolphins is the background for the small card inside the xmas cards which is our first and not very good attempt at printing!!
Saturday, December 08, 2007
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL
Wednesday 5th December.
Yet another sunny day and the forcast for the next week is the same and warmer.so we are out and about all the time.After a light breakfast we caught up with some shopping then went into the flower square for lunch at our favourite restaurant then when we got back we saw Vidal who is going to do some more work on the Winnebago next week. We had a late supper,individual Spanish omelette's with the filling cooked separate and then added before folding them! A dvd.finished the day.
Thursday 6th December.
We woke up to find out that it was a bank holiday,no traffic on the roads and different programmes on the TV.so the shops are closed and it's a long weekend as it is also a holiday on Saturday as well.
We went up to Manilva to see Mano and Anna and also so that we could use there phone to call the UK. And sort out the PC problem. We then came back to the site and I cooked a pan of stew with all the vegetables that Brenda could find!( 10 different sorts )
Friday 7th December.
After servicing the Winnebago we went and topped up the shopping and Brenda called into the card shop for the xmas cards ,so she has started to write them-her favourite job.We are still not back on line yet but hope to be by the weekend.
Saturday 8th December.
We have just returned from the butchers and after another call to the UK we are now on line! On the site we are starting to see some people returning from earlier in the year,whilst others are planning to go home to England for xmas.We are having a quiet weekend here as we are going to go out and about next week including calling to see if we can use our time share just after xmas for a change of scenery .Tonight it's steak and frit night!!
Yet another sunny day and the forcast for the next week is the same and warmer.so we are out and about all the time.After a light breakfast we caught up with some shopping then went into the flower square for lunch at our favourite restaurant then when we got back we saw Vidal who is going to do some more work on the Winnebago next week. We had a late supper,individual Spanish omelette's with the filling cooked separate and then added before folding them! A dvd.finished the day.
Thursday 6th December.
We woke up to find out that it was a bank holiday,no traffic on the roads and different programmes on the TV.so the shops are closed and it's a long weekend as it is also a holiday on Saturday as well.
We went up to Manilva to see Mano and Anna and also so that we could use there phone to call the UK. And sort out the PC problem. We then came back to the site and I cooked a pan of stew with all the vegetables that Brenda could find!( 10 different sorts )
Friday 7th December.
After servicing the Winnebago we went and topped up the shopping and Brenda called into the card shop for the xmas cards ,so she has started to write them-her favourite job.We are still not back on line yet but hope to be by the weekend.
Saturday 8th December.
We have just returned from the butchers and after another call to the UK we are now on line! On the site we are starting to see some people returning from earlier in the year,whilst others are planning to go home to England for xmas.We are having a quiet weekend here as we are going to go out and about next week including calling to see if we can use our time share just after xmas for a change of scenery .Tonight it's steak and frit night!!
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL -ESTEPONA
Tuesday 4th December.
It is still sunny and hot every day so we go down to the marina and have a drink and read the papers at lunch time and do any shopping on the way home.After sending our address e-mail to all our contacts we have had a great response from all over the world! But we have been off line from Wednesday to Saturday as the O2 data card system went off!! due to over demand.We had about ten contacts come back as not known so we will re-check these asap.We have not heard from Al/Thomas in Rhos on Sea or Nigelnews in Llandudo if you are still following us in the blog? One of the e-mails was from the USA from the first couple we met on our travels,many thanks to Tony and Kay Turner for keeping up with us! We also heard from Brenda's family in Australia and lots of the contacts updated their addresse's-so thanks!Our debit cards had still not arrived in the morning so I had to make another call to the bank,they had been sent in the post not by courier so they cancelled them and they planned to send new ones by courier -as I put the phone down they arrived in the post!- 7 days late !! After another call to England they managed to halt the cancellation and we then went out to get some cash only to find out that one of them was not working!! So yet another call to our bank manager this time, as she had just returned from a Carribean cruise, to sort out the mess and also we had all the phone calls( £50 ) paid for by the bank! This still leaves us with another problem-The two phones are now out of credit and we can't change the top up details,ie. change the card details or top them up in Spain as they are English -Help!!
It is still sunny and hot every day so we go down to the marina and have a drink and read the papers at lunch time and do any shopping on the way home.After sending our address e-mail to all our contacts we have had a great response from all over the world! But we have been off line from Wednesday to Saturday as the O2 data card system went off!! due to over demand.We had about ten contacts come back as not known so we will re-check these asap.We have not heard from Al/Thomas in Rhos on Sea or Nigelnews in Llandudo if you are still following us in the blog? One of the e-mails was from the USA from the first couple we met on our travels,many thanks to Tony and Kay Turner for keeping up with us! We also heard from Brenda's family in Australia and lots of the contacts updated their addresse's-so thanks!Our debit cards had still not arrived in the morning so I had to make another call to the bank,they had been sent in the post not by courier so they cancelled them and they planned to send new ones by courier -as I put the phone down they arrived in the post!- 7 days late !! After another call to England they managed to halt the cancellation and we then went out to get some cash only to find out that one of them was not working!! So yet another call to our bank manager this time, as she had just returned from a Carribean cruise, to sort out the mess and also we had all the phone calls( £50 ) paid for by the bank! This still leaves us with another problem-The two phones are now out of credit and we can't change the top up details,ie. change the card details or top them up in Spain as they are English -Help!!
Monday, December 03, 2007
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL -ESTEPONA
Saturday 1st December.
Today was an at home day as Brenda caught up with the washing and then hung it out to dry in the hot sun.After a snack lunch we then did all the chores around the Winnebago which is now OK. On the repair front everythink is working as required so when Vidal returns on Sunday there are only a couple of small jobs to do!In the evening after supper of Sirloin steak and chips we settled down to a DVD-Tom Cruise in “Collateral-”very good!
Sunday2nd December.
The weather at the moment is warm and sunny for the next week so we are planning to go out and about in the Smart car to all the local places to catch the spots at their best.We got the Roast leg of Lamb in the oven and Brenda prepared the vegatable's,Broccoli,Carrots,Honey roast Parsnips and Leeks in cheese sauce whilst I did the now famous Roast potatoes in Goose fat! Vidal had come back in the early morning from Germany so he joined us for dinner with Gissy and we caught up with all the news both fron here and in Gerrmany-the lamb was from the English butchers and was beautiful and a great evening was had by all!
Monday 3rd December.
In the morning we serviced the Winnebago then as it was so nice with blue skies and warm sunshine we popped down to the marina in Estepona then as it was going warmer we drove along the coast and stopped at Victors beach bar just past Puerto de Banus and then went into Marbella and dropped down to the marina,the pictures above show the Costa del Sol at its best on a December day!
Today was an at home day as Brenda caught up with the washing and then hung it out to dry in the hot sun.After a snack lunch we then did all the chores around the Winnebago which is now OK. On the repair front everythink is working as required so when Vidal returns on Sunday there are only a couple of small jobs to do!In the evening after supper of Sirloin steak and chips we settled down to a DVD-Tom Cruise in “Collateral-”very good!
Sunday2nd December.
The weather at the moment is warm and sunny for the next week so we are planning to go out and about in the Smart car to all the local places to catch the spots at their best.We got the Roast leg of Lamb in the oven and Brenda prepared the vegatable's,Broccoli,Carrots,Honey roast Parsnips and Leeks in cheese sauce whilst I did the now famous Roast potatoes in Goose fat! Vidal had come back in the early morning from Germany so he joined us for dinner with Gissy and we caught up with all the news both fron here and in Gerrmany-the lamb was from the English butchers and was beautiful and a great evening was had by all!
Monday 3rd December.
In the morning we serviced the Winnebago then as it was so nice with blue skies and warm sunshine we popped down to the marina in Estepona then as it was going warmer we drove along the coast and stopped at Victors beach bar just past Puerto de Banus and then went into Marbella and dropped down to the marina,the pictures above show the Costa del Sol at its best on a December day!
Friday, November 30, 2007
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL
Thursday 29th November.
The nights are cool but in the morning as the sun comes up at 8-ooam it goes warmer as the day goes on and by the late afternoon it is hot with clear blue skies. After a late start we went out and did some shopping to keep us going as the cards have still not arrived! We had asked Gissy to join us for dinner and we started the evening with a nice bottle of pink champagne before we went across the road to our local restaurant,the picture below showes us with Gisssy towards the end of the evening after the brandy had started to take effect! We had a lovely meal of crispy Duck and Orange sauce and Beef Strogonoff all washed down with the local tinto blanco and Riojo!
Friday 30th November.
Yet another beautiful day with blue skies, so after a light breakfast we went out to Estepona to get a new gas bottle from the industrial estate and post a card to Brenda's sister in Australia for her birthday next week.We then went in the other direction to the English butchers to pick up the leg of lamb for Sunday lunch when Vidal comes back from Germany,As it is so nice we then went down to the marina for a tinto de verano and as you can see in the picture above it is a “Helluva “day.The other pictures below show Brenda and I after 36 years of marriage and starting the 37th!! We have also in the blog below put our address here in Estepona so if any body out there wants to send us a card ! We are also going to send cards this year as we did not quiet manage it last xmas!
The nights are cool but in the morning as the sun comes up at 8-ooam it goes warmer as the day goes on and by the late afternoon it is hot with clear blue skies. After a late start we went out and did some shopping to keep us going as the cards have still not arrived! We had asked Gissy to join us for dinner and we started the evening with a nice bottle of pink champagne before we went across the road to our local restaurant,the picture below showes us with Gisssy towards the end of the evening after the brandy had started to take effect! We had a lovely meal of crispy Duck and Orange sauce and Beef Strogonoff all washed down with the local tinto blanco and Riojo!
Friday 30th November.
Yet another beautiful day with blue skies, so after a light breakfast we went out to Estepona to get a new gas bottle from the industrial estate and post a card to Brenda's sister in Australia for her birthday next week.We then went in the other direction to the English butchers to pick up the leg of lamb for Sunday lunch when Vidal comes back from Germany,As it is so nice we then went down to the marina for a tinto de verano and as you can see in the picture above it is a “Helluva “day.The other pictures below show Brenda and I after 36 years of marriage and starting the 37th!! We have also in the blog below put our address here in Estepona so if any body out there wants to send us a card ! We are also going to send cards this year as we did not quiet manage it last xmas!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL -ESTEPONA
Tuesday 27th November.
As the weather is so nice we are still able to wear summer clothes and when we go out for lunch we can still sit outside in the warm sun. After breakfast we serviced the Winnebago and did all the chores then popped into the hypermarket to check out the prices of the batteries as Gissy is lending us some cash until the new cards arrive so we can go out tomorrow and catch up with the shopping and buy the battery.In the evening we had some pork fillets with a creamy pepper sauce and then watched the James Bond film-Moonraker.
Wednesday 28th November.
We got up early and with Keiths help I took the battery out and then we went down to the hypermarket and found a matching one in the car department and again with Keith 's help we fitted the new one and checked out all the systems on the Winnebago-AOK! During the afternoon Gissy called in and told us that Vidal is back on Sunday so we are going to roast a leg of lamb for dinner with the famous roast potatoes in Goose fat and all Brenda's vegetables! In the evening Gissy had some problems with the RV,so she joined us for supper and in the morning we shall have a look at the gas and electric problems.During the day the bank rang us from Colwyn Bay and confirmed that the new cards are on the way! It is our wedding anniversary tomorrow-36 years !! so we are going out for dinner after cracking a bottle of champagne during the day.Watch out for the anniversary picture in the next couple of days.
As the weather is so nice we are still able to wear summer clothes and when we go out for lunch we can still sit outside in the warm sun. After breakfast we serviced the Winnebago and did all the chores then popped into the hypermarket to check out the prices of the batteries as Gissy is lending us some cash until the new cards arrive so we can go out tomorrow and catch up with the shopping and buy the battery.In the evening we had some pork fillets with a creamy pepper sauce and then watched the James Bond film-Moonraker.
Wednesday 28th November.
We got up early and with Keiths help I took the battery out and then we went down to the hypermarket and found a matching one in the car department and again with Keith 's help we fitted the new one and checked out all the systems on the Winnebago-AOK! During the afternoon Gissy called in and told us that Vidal is back on Sunday so we are going to roast a leg of lamb for dinner with the famous roast potatoes in Goose fat and all Brenda's vegetables! In the evening Gissy had some problems with the RV,so she joined us for supper and in the morning we shall have a look at the gas and electric problems.During the day the bank rang us from Colwyn Bay and confirmed that the new cards are on the way! It is our wedding anniversary tomorrow-36 years !! so we are going out for dinner after cracking a bottle of champagne during the day.Watch out for the anniversary picture in the next couple of days.
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL
Sunday 25th November.
The forcast for the next ten days is warm and sunny and today was no exception so we had a late start because the LPG gas alarm had started going off in the middle of the night ! We have three alarms in the Winnebago,one for smoke,one for carbon monoxide and the LPgas alarm,so when the alarm went off we jumped into action and opened the doors and windows and checked all the equiptment and turned off the gas at the tank! We then checked the operator manual as there was no smell and the alarm was still going off and not showing a faualt.The LP alarm is connected to the main house batteries and fuse system and everything was ok,so after two hours it had stopped and we went back to bed.We went up to Manilva and caught up with Mano and once again stopped the night as we did the rounds and drunk the village dry! Whilst in the village I went to get some cash from the local machine and it took my card and told me to contact the bank.Earlier in the week Brenda's card would not work and after checking with the bank on Friday we found out that it had been cancelled as the new one had not reached us, so they arranged for another one to be sent to us direct- when I phoned on Sunday we found out that they had cancelled mine by mistake so we have ended up with no cards and cash! They are now sending two new cards by courier asap.
Monday 26th November.
On our way back from Manilva we had Breakfast in the port as it was hot and sunny at the start of another week. I had contacted Paul Dudley on Sunday to check thing out about the alarm and he called me back from the USA where he was visiting the Winnebago factory and suggested some other things to check! When we got back to the Winnebago I soon found out that we had a battery problem after turning on the main engine with some difficulty and checking the battery compartment under the steps. I asked one of our friends,Keith to check things out with me for a second opinion-He has now been appointed assistant engineer in Vidals absence!! We are waiting for the cards to arrive so as we can go and buy a new battery from the hypermarket. As the sun sets in the evening Gissy calls in for a chat and news update as she passes and we have a drink to start the evening
The forcast for the next ten days is warm and sunny and today was no exception so we had a late start because the LPG gas alarm had started going off in the middle of the night ! We have three alarms in the Winnebago,one for smoke,one for carbon monoxide and the LPgas alarm,so when the alarm went off we jumped into action and opened the doors and windows and checked all the equiptment and turned off the gas at the tank! We then checked the operator manual as there was no smell and the alarm was still going off and not showing a faualt.The LP alarm is connected to the main house batteries and fuse system and everything was ok,so after two hours it had stopped and we went back to bed.We went up to Manilva and caught up with Mano and once again stopped the night as we did the rounds and drunk the village dry! Whilst in the village I went to get some cash from the local machine and it took my card and told me to contact the bank.Earlier in the week Brenda's card would not work and after checking with the bank on Friday we found out that it had been cancelled as the new one had not reached us, so they arranged for another one to be sent to us direct- when I phoned on Sunday we found out that they had cancelled mine by mistake so we have ended up with no cards and cash! They are now sending two new cards by courier asap.
Monday 26th November.
On our way back from Manilva we had Breakfast in the port as it was hot and sunny at the start of another week. I had contacted Paul Dudley on Sunday to check thing out about the alarm and he called me back from the USA where he was visiting the Winnebago factory and suggested some other things to check! When we got back to the Winnebago I soon found out that we had a battery problem after turning on the main engine with some difficulty and checking the battery compartment under the steps. I asked one of our friends,Keith to check things out with me for a second opinion-He has now been appointed assistant engineer in Vidals absence!! We are waiting for the cards to arrive so as we can go and buy a new battery from the hypermarket. As the sun sets in the evening Gissy calls in for a chat and news update as she passes and we have a drink to start the evening
Saturday, November 24, 2007
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL
OUR ADDRESS FOR CARDS/LETTERS !!
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL
Ctra. A-7 km 162.2
29680 Estepona
MALAGA
SPAIN
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL
Ctra. A-7 km 162.2
29680 Estepona
MALAGA
SPAIN
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL
Monday 19th November.
The forecast for the week was not good so we took the chance whilst the weather was dry and fine to service the Winnebago and do all the chores.October has been very dry and sunny,in fact it is the driest October in 30 years! But it looks like November is going to make up for it although it is still warm during the day-18/20dgrs.We went out in the afternoon to the hypermarket to stock up with the essentials for the week.
Tuesday 20th November.
The storms that are forecast are quite severe so we have checked out everything on the Winnebago and the car and are watching the TV news foe updates;It hit Sevilla in the afternoon with bad flooding and a tornedo just outside the city;we missed the worst but the heavy rains came in the evening and we had a call from Gissy at 11-oopm for help! The heavy plastic covering over the tent and RV. Was forming a lake due to the amount of rain falling and not being able to drain quickly so I cut a hole at the side to drain it off-which worked too well-it emptied over me!!-but this was only the start!
Wednesday 21st November.
During the night the weather got a lot worse and the rain became very severe-at about 4-ooam Gissy rang for help again-the same problem as before but this time the lake was on top of the tent and the poles where bending under the weight, as I got there they broke and the roof of the tent became the largest lake in Estepona!! This time we cut the tent roof and plastic covering with the same result!!
In the morning we went round to see what we could do to fix things and with the help of one of Gissy's neighbours,Dennis-who is 80 years old, who had some new sheeting and rope we where able to erect a new cover over the tent and Rv with Gissy and Brenda helping-five hours later it was finished and it had not started to rain again-luckily! After a warm shower we settled down to a late supper of Pork escalops with some cabbage that we had spotted in the market,finished with smoked bacon crispy bits!!
Thursday 22nd November.
We went into Estepona on a sunny start to the day to get some x-ray results from the dentists and as it was so nice we popped over to marina and had a light tapas lunch sat outside in the sun! In the evening we watched the Spain match on the TV and followed the England match on the PC as we had a light supper.
Friday 23rd November.
After servicing the Winnebago we decided it was a curry night so we went out on a fine dry day to the butchers and got our weekend supplies in as the forecast was rain over the weekend. We also showed Gissy the way to her bank as she is not used to the roads around here and she then followed us to the shops in the BMW as Vidal is not due back for another week or so. In the evening we had a “Helluva” curry even if I do say so myself!! The aromas stay around for days and we also freeze some for the following week.
Saturday 24th November.
When we got up the day was grey and wet and is still the same as I am typing this so we are having a “at home” day and watching the live football from England-its Arsenal-Wigan! In Spanish.! Tonight we are having Sirloin steak and all the trimming with baked potatoes for dinner .We spoke to Mano this lunchtime as Anna and Carlos have gone over to Wales for a long weekend,Carlos is going to the City match and Anna is seeing some old friends, so we might see Mano on Sunday if the weather picks up-the forecast next week is sun,sun!!and more sun.
The forecast for the week was not good so we took the chance whilst the weather was dry and fine to service the Winnebago and do all the chores.October has been very dry and sunny,in fact it is the driest October in 30 years! But it looks like November is going to make up for it although it is still warm during the day-18/20dgrs.We went out in the afternoon to the hypermarket to stock up with the essentials for the week.
Tuesday 20th November.
The storms that are forecast are quite severe so we have checked out everything on the Winnebago and the car and are watching the TV news foe updates;It hit Sevilla in the afternoon with bad flooding and a tornedo just outside the city;we missed the worst but the heavy rains came in the evening and we had a call from Gissy at 11-oopm for help! The heavy plastic covering over the tent and RV. Was forming a lake due to the amount of rain falling and not being able to drain quickly so I cut a hole at the side to drain it off-which worked too well-it emptied over me!!-but this was only the start!
Wednesday 21st November.
During the night the weather got a lot worse and the rain became very severe-at about 4-ooam Gissy rang for help again-the same problem as before but this time the lake was on top of the tent and the poles where bending under the weight, as I got there they broke and the roof of the tent became the largest lake in Estepona!! This time we cut the tent roof and plastic covering with the same result!!
In the morning we went round to see what we could do to fix things and with the help of one of Gissy's neighbours,Dennis-who is 80 years old, who had some new sheeting and rope we where able to erect a new cover over the tent and Rv with Gissy and Brenda helping-five hours later it was finished and it had not started to rain again-luckily! After a warm shower we settled down to a late supper of Pork escalops with some cabbage that we had spotted in the market,finished with smoked bacon crispy bits!!
Thursday 22nd November.
We went into Estepona on a sunny start to the day to get some x-ray results from the dentists and as it was so nice we popped over to marina and had a light tapas lunch sat outside in the sun! In the evening we watched the Spain match on the TV and followed the England match on the PC as we had a light supper.
Friday 23rd November.
After servicing the Winnebago we decided it was a curry night so we went out on a fine dry day to the butchers and got our weekend supplies in as the forecast was rain over the weekend. We also showed Gissy the way to her bank as she is not used to the roads around here and she then followed us to the shops in the BMW as Vidal is not due back for another week or so. In the evening we had a “Helluva” curry even if I do say so myself!! The aromas stay around for days and we also freeze some for the following week.
Saturday 24th November.
When we got up the day was grey and wet and is still the same as I am typing this so we are having a “at home” day and watching the live football from England-its Arsenal-Wigan! In Spanish.! Tonight we are having Sirloin steak and all the trimming with baked potatoes for dinner .We spoke to Mano this lunchtime as Anna and Carlos have gone over to Wales for a long weekend,Carlos is going to the City match and Anna is seeing some old friends, so we might see Mano on Sunday if the weather picks up-the forecast next week is sun,sun!!and more sun.
Monday, November 19, 2007
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL -ESTEPONA
Wednesday 14th November.
On Wednesday evening we went into Estepona as Brenda had an appointment at the dentists at 5-30pm to have some x-rays,and when we came out we were surprised to see so many people in the town as when we are there in the early afternoon it goes quite for the siesta time but the town comes to life again as the shops open and the locals come out to promenade thru the town centre as the evening sun goes down.In the evening we had a light supper and watched TV.
Thursday 15th November.
We had a quiet day at home and in the afternoon I made a dish of Lamb Chops Boulangere which we had for supper with some local red wine.
Friday 16th November.
We went to the Congress Centre in Estepona in the morning as there was a “Over 50s” lifestyle show on for two days-we had a look around but there was too many old people and the first stand by the entrance was for funeral plans!! We stopped off in the flower square for lunch at our favourite restaurant but it was closed so we went to another one and had a nice meal of Pork stew
and Calamaris with the local tinto blanco. In the evening we watched a DVD.
Saturday 17th November.
We went out to do the weekend shopping after servicing the Winnebago and called into Manilva to pick up a spit roasted chicken as we had invited Gissy around for supper which consisted of Fresh Asparagus,smoked salmon and Chicken salad washed down with a local tinto rose which Gissy likes; the evening was finished off when Vidal rang from Germany!
Sunday 18th November.
The morning started off grey but went hot and sunny by the time we set off to Manilva for the tapas run,we met Mano,Anna and Carlos in the main street and five hours later we ended up staying the night at Mano's where we had a late supper of fried local eggs,peppers and chips!! Yet again one “Helluva” day.
On Wednesday evening we went into Estepona as Brenda had an appointment at the dentists at 5-30pm to have some x-rays,and when we came out we were surprised to see so many people in the town as when we are there in the early afternoon it goes quite for the siesta time but the town comes to life again as the shops open and the locals come out to promenade thru the town centre as the evening sun goes down.In the evening we had a light supper and watched TV.
Thursday 15th November.
We had a quiet day at home and in the afternoon I made a dish of Lamb Chops Boulangere which we had for supper with some local red wine.
Friday 16th November.
We went to the Congress Centre in Estepona in the morning as there was a “Over 50s” lifestyle show on for two days-we had a look around but there was too many old people and the first stand by the entrance was for funeral plans!! We stopped off in the flower square for lunch at our favourite restaurant but it was closed so we went to another one and had a nice meal of Pork stew
and Calamaris with the local tinto blanco. In the evening we watched a DVD.
Saturday 17th November.
We went out to do the weekend shopping after servicing the Winnebago and called into Manilva to pick up a spit roasted chicken as we had invited Gissy around for supper which consisted of Fresh Asparagus,smoked salmon and Chicken salad washed down with a local tinto rose which Gissy likes; the evening was finished off when Vidal rang from Germany!
Sunday 18th November.
The morning started off grey but went hot and sunny by the time we set off to Manilva for the tapas run,we met Mano,Anna and Carlos in the main street and five hours later we ended up staying the night at Mano's where we had a late supper of fried local eggs,peppers and chips!! Yet again one “Helluva” day.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL -ESTEPONA
Saturday 10th November.
At the moment the weather starts off grey and cool but then by lunchtime it is hot and sunny so we go out after having a snack to our local haunts for a cool drink and watch the world go by.Vidal has been working on his RV for a change! Before he goes off to Germany on Sunday on business for a couple of weeks so we asked him and Gissy around for supper;we had bought some Pork brochette's from the hypermarket so I grilled them and made some savoury fried rice and a tomatoe herb sauce all washed down with the local vino blanco and for Vidal-Baileys on ice(he likes it)!! We then found our pocket edition Trvial Pursuit and finished the evening with a lively game with two teams fighting to win!
Sunday 11th November.
After a late start we went over to Manilva to see Mano and Anna and found them in the main street that was closed to traffic with their grandson-Fabio,The local council has started a Tapas route on Sunday lunchtime around 11 bars with them serving a tapas and a drink for 1,50e! We soon joined in and went to three bars and got our book stamped to join in with the draw next year!! Later in the day we then went down to the beach front at Sabinillas with Mano and Carlos to watch the Manchester City match in the sports bar on the front and found next to it a BurgerKing bar that overlooks the sea, so at half time we had Big Woppers and fries washed down with beer. We shall return in the next few weeks to get our book stamped and try all the different tapas,Manchester City drew!!
Monday 12th November.
On Monday morning we went into Estepona to make a appointment at the dentists for Brenda and after a coffee we had a look around the shops and then went for a walk around the old part of town in the narrow streets then drove into another part of the old town in the Smart car,which is ideal! Before we dropped down to the marina for a tinto verano and a read of the papers and also we picked up the free local glossy gossip books to catch up with the local news.After supper we watched a Jame Bond film on Spanish tv-they are showing all the films in order every week right from the start-this week it was The Man with the Golden Gun!!
Tuesday 13th November.
Today was a washing day including theWinnebago,the Smart car, together with all the washing hanging on the line and also the hoover was working overtime on both of them!Over the weekend we had some great news from England-the birth of Matt and Michelle,s beautiful daughter Hollie May Jessica on Saturday,they are now home in Preston and fine as the picture shows.It only feels like yesterday when we took Michelle and her mum Carol to Lanzarote and Michelle had just become a teenager!!
At the moment the weather starts off grey and cool but then by lunchtime it is hot and sunny so we go out after having a snack to our local haunts for a cool drink and watch the world go by.Vidal has been working on his RV for a change! Before he goes off to Germany on Sunday on business for a couple of weeks so we asked him and Gissy around for supper;we had bought some Pork brochette's from the hypermarket so I grilled them and made some savoury fried rice and a tomatoe herb sauce all washed down with the local vino blanco and for Vidal-Baileys on ice(he likes it)!! We then found our pocket edition Trvial Pursuit and finished the evening with a lively game with two teams fighting to win!
Sunday 11th November.
After a late start we went over to Manilva to see Mano and Anna and found them in the main street that was closed to traffic with their grandson-Fabio,The local council has started a Tapas route on Sunday lunchtime around 11 bars with them serving a tapas and a drink for 1,50e! We soon joined in and went to three bars and got our book stamped to join in with the draw next year!! Later in the day we then went down to the beach front at Sabinillas with Mano and Carlos to watch the Manchester City match in the sports bar on the front and found next to it a BurgerKing bar that overlooks the sea, so at half time we had Big Woppers and fries washed down with beer. We shall return in the next few weeks to get our book stamped and try all the different tapas,Manchester City drew!!
Monday 12th November.
On Monday morning we went into Estepona to make a appointment at the dentists for Brenda and after a coffee we had a look around the shops and then went for a walk around the old part of town in the narrow streets then drove into another part of the old town in the Smart car,which is ideal! Before we dropped down to the marina for a tinto verano and a read of the papers and also we picked up the free local glossy gossip books to catch up with the local news.After supper we watched a Jame Bond film on Spanish tv-they are showing all the films in order every week right from the start-this week it was The Man with the Golden Gun!!
Tuesday 13th November.
Today was a washing day including theWinnebago,the Smart car, together with all the washing hanging on the line and also the hoover was working overtime on both of them!Over the weekend we had some great news from England-the birth of Matt and Michelle,s beautiful daughter Hollie May Jessica on Saturday,they are now home in Preston and fine as the picture shows.It only feels like yesterday when we took Michelle and her mum Carol to Lanzarote and Michelle had just become a teenager!!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
NEWSFLASH
Saturday 10th November 2007
Great news from England- Michelle gave birth to a beautiful bouncing baby girl at 06-31 am.Mother and baby are fine-weight of 7lb 12oz-Congratulations to Matt and Michelle-Lots of love to you both and hugs and kisses to Hollie May Jessica!!
Malcolm and Brenda xxx
Great news from England- Michelle gave birth to a beautiful bouncing baby girl at 06-31 am.Mother and baby are fine-weight of 7lb 12oz-Congratulations to Matt and Michelle-Lots of love to you both and hugs and kisses to Hollie May Jessica!!
Malcolm and Brenda xxx
Friday, November 09, 2007
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL
Sunday 4th November.
After the last four weeks of running around,friends visiting,trips to Portugal and so on we have settled back to our life in the Winnebago on the site in Estepona.The roof being back on the pool has started to help warm up the water as the temperature is now about 22/23os each day but can go quite cold in the evening so we will get back in to our morning dip in the next few days.We went down to the marina for a tapas lunch after Brenda had put the washing out to dry in the warm sunshine and caught up with the news reading the local and national papers which are now printed on the same day,We do not watch any English TV. As the sat/dish is behind trees so we are watching and learning from all the Spanish programes and then check in the papers to see what we think is going on – is!In the evening we had a light supper and watched a DVD.
Monday 5th November.
In the morning we have cereals,toast and tea to start the day before we make up our minds what are plans are for the day and week to follow.Vidal called in after lunch to start work again on fixing the mass/pump and try some other pipes that we have found on the site.This then turned into a three day job.with visits to various plumbers in Estepona before he managed to get plastic pipes to fit and was able to finish the job on Wednesday to his satisfaction! I help by passing the tools and glue as and when needed!! Later in the afternoon I started to make the now famous Chicken curry for supper as Vidal and Gissy where going to join us – but Gissy was still not well after her heavy cold and bad cough so they took a rain ticket for another day.The curry was one of my best-even if I do say so myself! I used all the usual ingredients to make the sauce,diced onion and apple,pineapple chunks,with pineapple juice and lime juice,desiccated coconut,three sorts of curry powder and the secret extras !! The aromas travel around the camp and stay in the Winnebago for days! We serve the curry with nan bread and sliced bananas.
Tuesday 6th November.
We had to go into Estepona for some makeup for Brenda and to make an appointment at the dentists for her to have a check up.We love the town and the old part behind the flower square is beautiful and on a blue sky,warm day we sat outside in the square at our favourite restaurant and had Fried Monkfish and Chicken breast with fresh “Frits” with Tinto de Verano made with Seven-Up. We called into Carrefort to do some shopping later in the afternoon when it is not so busy due to the “siesta “time of the locals. In the evening we had a smoked salmon omelette for supper made with local eggs.
Wednesday 7th November.
As Vidal finished the work on the new pump which is now working fine with no leaks I started to make a stew for dinner as Brenda had prepared all the vegetables at lunch time.The diced beef from the Hypermarket is very good and I used leeks,carrots,turnips.celery,runner beans,onion,red and yellow peppers,mushrooms.with diced potatoes,garlic and the secret ingredients once again to make another memorable stew! Vidal is now working all the time on his own RV as he is planning to go to Germany next week on some business and is making sure that everything is all right as Gissy is staying here.
Thursday 8th November.
The weather starts off cool in the morning but as the sun come up it soon warms up and by lunchtime the sun block is required ! At the moment we are watching the e-mail all the time and expecting a phone call at any time from Carol as Michelle,her youngest daughter is due to give birth to her first baby today! Come on Michelle!! In the evening I went down to Estepona and picked up a chinese meal from our favourite restaurant for us and Vidal and Gissy - who carried on working on his RV as Vidal has got a flight on Sunday morning,Gissy is not going as she is still not right and is still taking medicine.
Friday 9th November.
Today it was cloudy as we went out to do some shopping and when we returned we had a bowl of soup and crusty bread to warm us up-we are not used to no sun!! The forecast for the weekend is better and we will be out and about to all our local haunts as normal.The picture below shows Brenda in her new outfit and with her latest short haircut that Gissy did on Thursday as well as giving me a quick trim and cut to the growing ponytail.
After the last four weeks of running around,friends visiting,trips to Portugal and so on we have settled back to our life in the Winnebago on the site in Estepona.The roof being back on the pool has started to help warm up the water as the temperature is now about 22/23os each day but can go quite cold in the evening so we will get back in to our morning dip in the next few days.We went down to the marina for a tapas lunch after Brenda had put the washing out to dry in the warm sunshine and caught up with the news reading the local and national papers which are now printed on the same day,We do not watch any English TV. As the sat/dish is behind trees so we are watching and learning from all the Spanish programes and then check in the papers to see what we think is going on – is!In the evening we had a light supper and watched a DVD.
Monday 5th November.
In the morning we have cereals,toast and tea to start the day before we make up our minds what are plans are for the day and week to follow.Vidal called in after lunch to start work again on fixing the mass/pump and try some other pipes that we have found on the site.This then turned into a three day job.with visits to various plumbers in Estepona before he managed to get plastic pipes to fit and was able to finish the job on Wednesday to his satisfaction! I help by passing the tools and glue as and when needed!! Later in the afternoon I started to make the now famous Chicken curry for supper as Vidal and Gissy where going to join us – but Gissy was still not well after her heavy cold and bad cough so they took a rain ticket for another day.The curry was one of my best-even if I do say so myself! I used all the usual ingredients to make the sauce,diced onion and apple,pineapple chunks,with pineapple juice and lime juice,desiccated coconut,three sorts of curry powder and the secret extras !! The aromas travel around the camp and stay in the Winnebago for days! We serve the curry with nan bread and sliced bananas.
Tuesday 6th November.
We had to go into Estepona for some makeup for Brenda and to make an appointment at the dentists for her to have a check up.We love the town and the old part behind the flower square is beautiful and on a blue sky,warm day we sat outside in the square at our favourite restaurant and had Fried Monkfish and Chicken breast with fresh “Frits” with Tinto de Verano made with Seven-Up. We called into Carrefort to do some shopping later in the afternoon when it is not so busy due to the “siesta “time of the locals. In the evening we had a smoked salmon omelette for supper made with local eggs.
Wednesday 7th November.
As Vidal finished the work on the new pump which is now working fine with no leaks I started to make a stew for dinner as Brenda had prepared all the vegetables at lunch time.The diced beef from the Hypermarket is very good and I used leeks,carrots,turnips.celery,runner beans,onion,red and yellow peppers,mushrooms.with diced potatoes,garlic and the secret ingredients once again to make another memorable stew! Vidal is now working all the time on his own RV as he is planning to go to Germany next week on some business and is making sure that everything is all right as Gissy is staying here.
Thursday 8th November.
The weather starts off cool in the morning but as the sun come up it soon warms up and by lunchtime the sun block is required ! At the moment we are watching the e-mail all the time and expecting a phone call at any time from Carol as Michelle,her youngest daughter is due to give birth to her first baby today! Come on Michelle!! In the evening I went down to Estepona and picked up a chinese meal from our favourite restaurant for us and Vidal and Gissy - who carried on working on his RV as Vidal has got a flight on Sunday morning,Gissy is not going as she is still not right and is still taking medicine.
Friday 9th November.
Today it was cloudy as we went out to do some shopping and when we returned we had a bowl of soup and crusty bread to warm us up-we are not used to no sun!! The forecast for the weekend is better and we will be out and about to all our local haunts as normal.The picture below shows Brenda in her new outfit and with her latest short haircut that Gissy did on Thursday as well as giving me a quick trim and cut to the growing ponytail.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Saturday, November 03, 2007
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL - MIJAS
Monday 29th October.
After our day out with Tim,Thea.Jo,Ben and their friends Patrick and Beth we left them to enjoy the lovely apartment on the Los Arqueros Golf and Country Club out side San Pedro de Alcantara and caught up with our chores on the Winnebago.Over the weekend we had a major problem when the Mas/pump burnt out as we were using it so first thing on Monday morning I got on the Skype phone to Oxford and ordered another one which arrived on Tuesday afternoon by UPS courier!
Tuesday 30th October.
Vidal called in and started to fit the new pump but we had some problems with the electrics first and then the piping to plumb into the Winnebago but in the end he managed to fix things until we are able to find a stronger pipe.We had a quiet night in with the now famous Mushroom Omelette for supper.
Wednesday 31st October.
In the morning we had an appointment at the Doctors in Estepona for a check up on us both -MOT passed ok! And had a light tapas lunch at the marina in the warm sun.In the evening we went out for dinner in the old town of Estepona,which was quiet lively with the Halloween festivies and a had another special meal at “Rafael's” of Calves Liver-English style.
Thursday 1st November.
We received a text message from Tim as we were out for dinner asking us to go with them to Mijas at lunch time and back to the apartment for a BBQ later in the day so we shot over in the Smart car and they followed us up to Mijas.The picture above shows one of the steep old streets in the centre of the old town where we had a coffee and a light lunch after browsing around the shops.We then went back down to San Pedro and found out that it was Saints Day and the Supermarket was closed so after a bit of a hunt around we found the 365 Opencar hypermarket open! I came back to the Winnebago and brought back two disposible bbq trays we had not needed and we had our BBQ later in the evening with some fine red wine to end the day with our dear friends. They went back on Saturday so we said our goodbyes-”Hasta Luego” and see you in August 2008!
Friday 2nd November.
The weather this week has been fine and sunny but it goes chilly in the evening as the nights draw in so I made a chicken curry for supper as we had a quiet day after catching up with the shopping in the morning.
Saturday3rd November.
The roof on the pool has been put back on so we went for a swim in the afternoon after we had gone out to the English butchers to stock up with Lamb Chops and steak!! The gardener has found the strong pipes we need to finish the job with the pump so Vidal is going to finish the work on Monday as they have two gigs over the weekend. We have also decided to stay on the site and not move down to Portugal at the moment,in the new year we are going to think about it again and by then we will have also been across to Morroco again to check out the site's so we are looking forward to spending Xmas here with our friends and to Carol and Chris coming out for the New Year.
After our day out with Tim,Thea.Jo,Ben and their friends Patrick and Beth we left them to enjoy the lovely apartment on the Los Arqueros Golf and Country Club out side San Pedro de Alcantara and caught up with our chores on the Winnebago.Over the weekend we had a major problem when the Mas/pump burnt out as we were using it so first thing on Monday morning I got on the Skype phone to Oxford and ordered another one which arrived on Tuesday afternoon by UPS courier!
Tuesday 30th October.
Vidal called in and started to fit the new pump but we had some problems with the electrics first and then the piping to plumb into the Winnebago but in the end he managed to fix things until we are able to find a stronger pipe.We had a quiet night in with the now famous Mushroom Omelette for supper.
Wednesday 31st October.
In the morning we had an appointment at the Doctors in Estepona for a check up on us both -MOT passed ok! And had a light tapas lunch at the marina in the warm sun.In the evening we went out for dinner in the old town of Estepona,which was quiet lively with the Halloween festivies and a had another special meal at “Rafael's” of Calves Liver-English style.
Thursday 1st November.
We received a text message from Tim as we were out for dinner asking us to go with them to Mijas at lunch time and back to the apartment for a BBQ later in the day so we shot over in the Smart car and they followed us up to Mijas.The picture above shows one of the steep old streets in the centre of the old town where we had a coffee and a light lunch after browsing around the shops.We then went back down to San Pedro and found out that it was Saints Day and the Supermarket was closed so after a bit of a hunt around we found the 365 Opencar hypermarket open! I came back to the Winnebago and brought back two disposible bbq trays we had not needed and we had our BBQ later in the evening with some fine red wine to end the day with our dear friends. They went back on Saturday so we said our goodbyes-”Hasta Luego” and see you in August 2008!
Friday 2nd November.
The weather this week has been fine and sunny but it goes chilly in the evening as the nights draw in so I made a chicken curry for supper as we had a quiet day after catching up with the shopping in the morning.
Saturday3rd November.
The roof on the pool has been put back on so we went for a swim in the afternoon after we had gone out to the English butchers to stock up with Lamb Chops and steak!! The gardener has found the strong pipes we need to finish the job with the pump so Vidal is going to finish the work on Monday as they have two gigs over the weekend. We have also decided to stay on the site and not move down to Portugal at the moment,in the new year we are going to think about it again and by then we will have also been across to Morroco again to check out the site's so we are looking forward to spending Xmas here with our friends and to Carol and Chris coming out for the New Year.
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
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