Sat/22nd.Wed/26th.
After settling in we serviced the Winnebago and went out to the English butchers to top up for the weekend as we had no plans.As it was Saturday Vidal and Gissy called in on their way to a gig to catch up with us after their help when we arrived on Thursday.The weather is very hot and sunny so we went to the marina in Estepona for a drink and some Tapas.On Sunday evening we went out to Marbella to see Vidal at a gig and had a lovely time on a balmy evening.We are now back to our routine of going for a swim in the morning so it was rather nice as it was my birthday on Monday,the celebrations started on Sunday evening with a bottle of champagne and carried on as we went out to lunch at our favourite restaurant in the flower square in Estepona and in the evening we joined Vidal and Gissy at a beach bar on the front and it ended up with Vidal doing his version of “Happy Birthday” by Stevie Wonder!Over the weekend we had called into to see Mano in Manilva and he had helped us by recommending a garage in Marbella to top up the air conditioning on the Smart car so on Tusday we went with Vidal and Gissy to “La Canada” the large shopping mall next to the garage-six hours later we were spent up!!Today it is the hotest yet at 85* so we went out for a cool “Tinto de Verano” in the marina.We have been gathering information on the sites in Portugal and are planning to drive over in the Smart car to check them out as well as some sites on the Atlantic coast above Gibralta as it only takes 4 hrs. but we will stay for the night at a hotel and make a weekend of it!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
NEWSFLASH re FACEBOOK
Fri 21st Sep.
Well I have just joined Facebook !! A old friend contacted me from Facebook and I think I have done what is required but will update my page and post a picture ASAP. We are now sending out messages to all our friends,so watch out.Many thanks to Jane for opening a whole new world to us.Watch this space!!
Well I have just joined Facebook !! A old friend contacted me from Facebook and I think I have done what is required but will update my page and post a picture ASAP. We are now sending out messages to all our friends,so watch out.Many thanks to Jane for opening a whole new world to us.Watch this space!!
PORTSMOUTH TO ESTEPONA
Mon 17th/ Fri 21st Sept.
First thing on Monday morning after a nice weekend in Witney we settled down to get ready for our departure later in the day.A slight problem with the Sky-Sat box was fixed and a good visual check around the Winnebago was ok.The two new bikes went on the new rack and were secured onto the back of the Winnebago above the new tow bar.Next Paul Dudley showed us how to load the Smart car onto the trailer and also how to fix the trailer to the Winnebago.He then checked all the tyre pressures on the trailer,Smart car and the Winnebago before he gave me a quick demo and guide to reversing with a trailer! We set off to the ferry in Portsmouth,all 46 feet of us as can be seen in the picture of the Winnebago at the entrance to the ferry port! The crossing takes 36hrs and on the first night it was quiet rough but then settled down as we entered the Bay of Biscay.We docked at 8,00am Spanish time and we were second off the boat and quickly on our way.not knowing what was about to happen to us!After about 80 miles we stopped for a comfort break outside Burgos and the owner of the Georgetown motorhome that was also towing a car on an a-frame that was in front of us on the ferry came running over to tell us to check the hand brake on the trailer as he had found that his had been put on whilst on the boat?! Ours was on and we had burnt off the bearings and the wheels were red hot !!It was just luck that we stopped at that petrol station so we are very thankfull to Gordon and Fran Jackson from Yorkshire as we went on to drive over 430 miles on Wednesday across the mountains and through the centre of Madrid towards Granada. As we started out of Bilbao some people that we had met on the boat passed us with their caravan and waved at us,we now realize that they where telling us that something was wrong! Watch this space for a update after we speak to PO ferries!! As we approached Madrid we made contact with our friend Rafael who was at a hospital with his sister so we set the Sat-nav and set off across Madrid in the late afternoon traffic,but he caught up with us on the A4 and we pulled over and had some Tapas and beer and caught up with all the news. We then set off towards Jaen and Granada but missed our planned stop-over spot in the Valdepenas wine area and as it was getting to dusk we hit the mountain pass with over 50 hairpin bends! A very friendly truck driver led us in his truck to a truckers park in the dark on the wrong side of the road,where we parked for the night and replenished ourselves.On Thursday we set off past Granada which is the most spectacular drive through the mountains and down to Malaga.We arrived at the site at 4.00pm and was met with the smiling face of our friend Vidal who then proceeded to help us to unload the Smart car and park the Winnebago in our old spot.By 6.00pm we were in the pool for our first swim!Today,Friday we went shopping in Manilva and saw our friend Mano.Anna has just left for Wales.We are now making plans for the weekend and Monday as it is my birthday-please see the next blog as last year we went flying over the English Channel!!
First thing on Monday morning after a nice weekend in Witney we settled down to get ready for our departure later in the day.A slight problem with the Sky-Sat box was fixed and a good visual check around the Winnebago was ok.The two new bikes went on the new rack and were secured onto the back of the Winnebago above the new tow bar.Next Paul Dudley showed us how to load the Smart car onto the trailer and also how to fix the trailer to the Winnebago.He then checked all the tyre pressures on the trailer,Smart car and the Winnebago before he gave me a quick demo and guide to reversing with a trailer! We set off to the ferry in Portsmouth,all 46 feet of us as can be seen in the picture of the Winnebago at the entrance to the ferry port! The crossing takes 36hrs and on the first night it was quiet rough but then settled down as we entered the Bay of Biscay.We docked at 8,00am Spanish time and we were second off the boat and quickly on our way.not knowing what was about to happen to us!After about 80 miles we stopped for a comfort break outside Burgos and the owner of the Georgetown motorhome that was also towing a car on an a-frame that was in front of us on the ferry came running over to tell us to check the hand brake on the trailer as he had found that his had been put on whilst on the boat?! Ours was on and we had burnt off the bearings and the wheels were red hot !!It was just luck that we stopped at that petrol station so we are very thankfull to Gordon and Fran Jackson from Yorkshire as we went on to drive over 430 miles on Wednesday across the mountains and through the centre of Madrid towards Granada. As we started out of Bilbao some people that we had met on the boat passed us with their caravan and waved at us,we now realize that they where telling us that something was wrong! Watch this space for a update after we speak to PO ferries!! As we approached Madrid we made contact with our friend Rafael who was at a hospital with his sister so we set the Sat-nav and set off across Madrid in the late afternoon traffic,but he caught up with us on the A4 and we pulled over and had some Tapas and beer and caught up with all the news. We then set off towards Jaen and Granada but missed our planned stop-over spot in the Valdepenas wine area and as it was getting to dusk we hit the mountain pass with over 50 hairpin bends! A very friendly truck driver led us in his truck to a truckers park in the dark on the wrong side of the road,where we parked for the night and replenished ourselves.On Thursday we set off past Granada which is the most spectacular drive through the mountains and down to Malaga.We arrived at the site at 4.00pm and was met with the smiling face of our friend Vidal who then proceeded to help us to unload the Smart car and park the Winnebago in our old spot.By 6.00pm we were in the pool for our first swim!Today,Friday we went shopping in Manilva and saw our friend Mano.Anna has just left for Wales.We are now making plans for the weekend and Monday as it is my birthday-please see the next blog as last year we went flying over the English Channel!!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
WILLASTON ON THE WIRRAL and WITNEY
Mon10th/Sun16th,September.
Well we had a“Helluva” weekend at Carol's ! On Saturday we traveled up to the Wirral ,Carol had booked a table at “The Boathouse” at Parkgate and we had another super meal as the sun went down over the Dee Estuary.We got up early on Sunday and put the Rib of Beef in the oven as the family where due at 1.oopm.With Brenda's help we sat down to a traditional 3 course Sunday lunch with all the trimmings including my special Roast Potatoes cooked in Duck Fat!!During the next three days we did some last minute shopping and dropped into one of Brends's sisters to say goodbye.On Thursday after saying our goodbyes and thanks to Carol and Chris we came back to Witney and the Winnebago to prepare for our next adventures!! Over the weekend we have stocked up with the essentials and checked out the Winnebago.All the jobs are done so we have put the two new bikes on the rack and we will load the Smart car onto the trailer on Monday morning.On Saturday evening we went out for dinner at “The Fleece”in Witney,whilst on Sunday as it was hot and sunny we decided to go down to Portsmouth and check out the route into the ferry port as we will be towing the trailer for the first time!We had lunch next to the”Spinnaker Tower”on the waterfront,our last meal in the country for a year! The next blog will be from Spain-watch this space.
Well we had a“Helluva” weekend at Carol's ! On Saturday we traveled up to the Wirral ,Carol had booked a table at “The Boathouse” at Parkgate and we had another super meal as the sun went down over the Dee Estuary.We got up early on Sunday and put the Rib of Beef in the oven as the family where due at 1.oopm.With Brenda's help we sat down to a traditional 3 course Sunday lunch with all the trimmings including my special Roast Potatoes cooked in Duck Fat!!During the next three days we did some last minute shopping and dropped into one of Brends's sisters to say goodbye.On Thursday after saying our goodbyes and thanks to Carol and Chris we came back to Witney and the Winnebago to prepare for our next adventures!! Over the weekend we have stocked up with the essentials and checked out the Winnebago.All the jobs are done so we have put the two new bikes on the rack and we will load the Smart car onto the trailer on Monday morning.On Saturday evening we went out for dinner at “The Fleece”in Witney,whilst on Sunday as it was hot and sunny we decided to go down to Portsmouth and check out the route into the ferry port as we will be towing the trailer for the first time!We had lunch next to the”Spinnaker Tower”on the waterfront,our last meal in the country for a year! The next blog will be from Spain-watch this space.
Friday, September 07, 2007
THE WYE VALLEY and THE COTSWOLDS.
Sat 1st/Sun9th September.
Well we are in Witney for another two weeks as we could not get on the ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao until Monday 17th ! Over the weekend Carol and Chris came over and brought the rest of our things that we could not get into “The Hairdryer” so we went into Witney and had a smashing Sunday lunch at “The Fleece” on the green.After they had set off home Brenda decided to try out oue new bikes around the car park- she is now walking around with a black eye and a very badly bruised thigh !! after a slight”Wobble”and a quick dismount !! On Monday and Tuesday we caught up with the chores and serviced the Winnebago.We set off to Ross on Wye to stay with my oldest friend Allan and his wife Glenys,as we arrived we had a lovely surprise-Allan had picked up his mother from her nursing home and we sat and had tea and cakes and caught up with all the news.What is so special is that “Aunty Ann” is 99years old and going strong,with a great memory and her sense of humour intact! We had a lovely dinner and rounded off the evening with Torres Cognac and Mount Gay rum cuba libres,s Allans daughter Miranda is living and working in Madrid teaching English after studying in Granada,whilst their sons,Mark and Michael have gone to university and out into the big wild world,Allan has just retired this year after a long career with L'Oreal.The next morning as the weather was hot and sunny we drove down the Wye valley to Symonds Yat East and went for a boat trip along the Wye in this most beautiful part of the country.We then called into “TheThree Salmons “ at Usk for a splendid old fashioned lunch including Steak and Kidney Pudding! served by a old Spanish waiter who has worked there for 40 years!!In the afternoon we set off back towards the Cotswolds through the Forest of Dean and made our way to Stow-on -the-Wold where we found a rather special room at a very reasonable rate at the Kings Arms hotel in the square.In the evening after a walk around the town we had dinner at “The Eagle and Child”located next to “The Royalist Hotel” both said to be the oldest hotel and inn in England dating back to 947AD! Dinner was right up to date!!Today,Friday we are back at the site in Witney.On arriving back I found out that Ihad missed out on a driving job-they have taken down to the Isle of Wight 7 Winnebago,s to be on display at the festival over the weekend and had asked for some help from anybody on site,they also want help bringing them back on Tuesday! We have arranged to go back up to the Wirral and stay with Carol on Saturday as the Ben and Michelle are coming over on Sunday for lunch with their partners and Iam cooking lunch with Brenda,s help.We are staying for a few days next week before we come back down to prepare for the ferry on Monday 17th !The pictures show the new bike,Witney,Symonds Yat and the Wye,Stow-on the-Wold,the Hotel and our room with the large bed on the balcony.
Well we are in Witney for another two weeks as we could not get on the ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao until Monday 17th ! Over the weekend Carol and Chris came over and brought the rest of our things that we could not get into “The Hairdryer” so we went into Witney and had a smashing Sunday lunch at “The Fleece” on the green.After they had set off home Brenda decided to try out oue new bikes around the car park- she is now walking around with a black eye and a very badly bruised thigh !! after a slight”Wobble”and a quick dismount !! On Monday and Tuesday we caught up with the chores and serviced the Winnebago.We set off to Ross on Wye to stay with my oldest friend Allan and his wife Glenys,as we arrived we had a lovely surprise-Allan had picked up his mother from her nursing home and we sat and had tea and cakes and caught up with all the news.What is so special is that “Aunty Ann” is 99years old and going strong,with a great memory and her sense of humour intact! We had a lovely dinner and rounded off the evening with Torres Cognac and Mount Gay rum cuba libres,s Allans daughter Miranda is living and working in Madrid teaching English after studying in Granada,whilst their sons,Mark and Michael have gone to university and out into the big wild world,Allan has just retired this year after a long career with L'Oreal.The next morning as the weather was hot and sunny we drove down the Wye valley to Symonds Yat East and went for a boat trip along the Wye in this most beautiful part of the country.We then called into “TheThree Salmons “ at Usk for a splendid old fashioned lunch including Steak and Kidney Pudding! served by a old Spanish waiter who has worked there for 40 years!!In the afternoon we set off back towards the Cotswolds through the Forest of Dean and made our way to Stow-on -the-Wold where we found a rather special room at a very reasonable rate at the Kings Arms hotel in the square.In the evening after a walk around the town we had dinner at “The Eagle and Child”located next to “The Royalist Hotel” both said to be the oldest hotel and inn in England dating back to 947AD! Dinner was right up to date!!Today,Friday we are back at the site in Witney.On arriving back I found out that Ihad missed out on a driving job-they have taken down to the Isle of Wight 7 Winnebago,s to be on display at the festival over the weekend and had asked for some help from anybody on site,they also want help bringing them back on Tuesday! We have arranged to go back up to the Wirral and stay with Carol on Saturday as the Ben and Michelle are coming over on Sunday for lunch with their partners and Iam cooking lunch with Brenda,s help.We are staying for a few days next week before we come back down to prepare for the ferry on Monday 17th !The pictures show the new bike,Witney,Symonds Yat and the Wye,Stow-on the-Wold,the Hotel and our room with the large bed on the balcony.
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