Week 25

14 February 2017
It was all quiet in the van when I woke up at about 7:45. They were soon awake though wanting their porridge. 

Theodore helped Val with the washing and Louis helped me with the washing up before the Boules Championships where Grandpa took a beating. Down to the kids club where the boys played table tennis, went into soft play and did some colouring all before the barbecue back at the van. 

Boules next before swimming at 4:30 and then play park, kids club and boules again all before dinner. Theodore seems to love the game. 

We did the reading and maths that we forgot this morning and then two episodes of Pokemon. It's all go. 

We had a nightcap in the tent before Val got back in the van with the boys. There is some cloud cover tonight so it should be a warmer night than last night. Night night happy campers. 

15 February 2017

We has a quiet start to the day with Louis having breakfast in bed. We read magazines and played a memory game before heading down to the golf. Next play park and then kids club before back to the van for barbecue number two. They really like toasted marshmallow. 

After lunch Theodore did the drying whilst I did the washing up and a very good job we did too. Then it was off to swimming with Mr T much more confident today, he was up and down the pool by himself. Guess what came next. The play park until kids club opened. There seems to be a pattern forming. 

This afternoon it was swimming, play park and kids club. Then one episode of Pokemon followed by homework, dinner and the Sam e episode of Pokemon again. We have run out of French videos so we might have to start at episode one again. 

Once the boys had chatted to Solene It was time for bed for them and a nightcap in the tent for Val and I. The week seems to be flying by. We've been trying to get down to Catral to do some shopping but there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day, especially with the siesta. Fingers crossed for tomorrow. 

16 February 2017

The boys slept almost 12 hours and then had a leisurely breakfast before having a word with papa on the phone. Then we finally drove down to Catral to do some shopping. We ended up in a toy shop where the boys took an hour to part with their €5 and even then they came out with change. Louis bought a game where you search for diamonds for €1. He asked the lady shopkeeper if the diamonds were real. He was disappointed when she said no. We certainly passed a good hour looking at all the toys. Talk about savvy shoppers. 

We gave Theodore the choice of searching for another shop that might sell football cards but he didn't want to miss kids club so it was back to the site pronto. 

After kids club it was barbecue number three. Jacket potatoes, cheese, tuna fish, salad and Chicken Andalusia. Yum yum. Dick and Jackie appeared with their dog Penny and we took her for a walk. Louis was a bit hesitant at first but he was throwing her ball and giving her drinks of water in no time. Another walk tomorrow is on the cards. 

Next came swimming and Theodore had gradually gained in confidence with each session. He took his arm bands off today for the last fifteen minutes without any encouragement from me. Play park until kids club opened and then I played table tennis with Louis who seemed to be able to watch TV with one eye whilst still playing with the other. 

The rest of the day is a blur. At some stage it was homework, dinner, Pokemon videos, chatting to maman, brushing teeth, story time and getting them in bed. 

We had a welcome nightcap in the tent at about 9:00 pm and by that time we were both brain dead. Where has the day gone?  There was time to catch up with the United score 1-0 up at half time but I don't think we'll see full time. Theodore will delight in telling us the score in the morning once he has checked it out online. Night night sleepy campers. 

17 February 2017

We've gone boules mad on the Costa Brava. We were out there first thing this morning. Grandpa, throwing the blue boules and the reigning world champion took one hell of a beating. 

We were down to the kids club for opening time. This time grandpa took another beating at table tennis. Theodore can now count to twenty in Spanish with grandpa lagging behind only being able to count to four. 

We retired to the van for Spaghetti Bolognese, yogurt and toasted marshmallows. The perfect diet just before an hours swimming. 

After the pool it was back to the boules on the top pitches for the last game of the holiday and then everyone's favourite dog Penny and her owner Dick called for the boys so that we could all go for a walk. 

Homework, reading, maths on the iPad, Pokemon videos and a story about someone called Bertie were all done before bedtime. Nana and grandpa then enjoyed a nightcap in the tent before hitting the hay. Four happy campers. 

18 February 2017

We woke up seconds before the alarm went off. Our early morning airport call. After a quick breakfast and no tidying up it was into the car for the half an hour drive to the airport and after kisses, hugs and waves they boys and Val were gone. 

I got back to the van to a text from Val to say they were on the plane and ready to go. So for five days I've been promoted to being boss again. The first job was some serious cleaning inside the van, shortly followed by the tent. The hire car had been used for the last time to pick up some beer and after a quick sweep out I took it back to reception and went into the bar to catch up with the blog. Why else would one go to the bar. 

The afternoon went by quickly and at 7:00 pm it was time for the variety show. It was a charity event with lots of amateur acts with a couple of ex professionals and it was a highly enjoyable and entertaining evening. I had a bit of a stagger on walking back to the van and was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. 

19 February 2017

It was a day with a hangover. The morning was taken up with Sunday's political TV programs and then it was time to do two days washing up and a bit more cleaning in the van. 

With Val in London with the Gregg and Solene I indulged in a relaxing afternoon and evening watching Netflix and doing very little else. I had a visit from Dick who came to collect load of oranges as we had a massive bag full. I kept up with the United' match against Blackburn Rovers on the Internet. 

The evening followed the same pattern and I entertained myself with the TV and got my head down early. 

Week 24

6 February 2017
We were up and at em and in time for the coffee morning which started at 11:00. It helped us plan the week ahead and cleared up how to book the grandchildren in when they arrive.

After lunch we cycled into Catral just in time for siesta. Most of the shops including the Chinese Superstore were just shutting as we got there. We managed to get some supplies at the Dia Supermarket but we had gone to buy some guy ropes for the tent in an effort to stop it blowing away in the strong winds.

Back at the site in an effort to keep personal wifi usage down we called at reception and made use of the sites free wifi. Then it was back to the van to move it into a more permanent spot on our pitch which maximises the best spot for the sunshine and gives the tent a bit of protection from the wind.

After watching a little bit of the BBC News it was time for Quiz Night and we were fortunate to get sat at a table with a good crowd. We had a great night and even managed to win a prize. Yippee.

By the time we got back to the van there was just time to share a beer whilst putting the bed up and another day was almost at an end in sunny Spain. 20 to 23° forecast for tomorrow. Fingers well and truly crossed.

7 February 2017
We gave the Spanish lessons a miss this morning and had a ride down to Catral for a visit to the Chinese Shop. We wanted to check out the price and quality of guy ropes for the tent. We will call at Caravanas Cruz on the way to Alicante on Saturday now that we have something to compare with and maybe pick some up from there.

Back at the site we turned up late for the Pétanque so we had to have our own game. Kev 3-0 Val, get in. Although it was windy, it was warm. 21 - 23° according to Bay Radio. We sat out in the sunshine for the rest of the afternoon. We haven't put the tent back up yet as there are strong winds forecast for tomorrow.

We had been invited out for a trip to one of the Indian Restaurants in town but we fancied a quiet night watching another episode of The Crown, we've not many left to watch before we have seen the whole series.

8 February 2017

We woke late and had a quick shower before just making the trip to the orange picking. We picked two big bags ready to let the boys do some juicing when they arrive. It was lunchtime before we had time to enjoy that first brew of the day. Lovely.....

The afternoon was spent nailing the outside carpets back down as the wind dropped. No sooner had we got them down before it was blowing strongly again. The tent will have to wait until tomorrow. It was hot enough to sit out so we grabbed a few rays before having a beer in the site bar. 

Back to the van for Pointless and then the BBC News at 6:00 which is at 7:00 in Spain. We watched the penultimate episode of The Crown, oh no what will entertain us in future. One more night and then god only knows. We'll have to adopt a British attitude and cross one bridge at a time, not that there are any bridges in The Crown. Anyway, another day was done and dusted, where it went is up for debate. Night, night happy campers. 

9 February 2017

The main priority was to hire a car ready for Gregg and the boys arriving on Saturday. We booked through reception, not the cheapest car hire but the easiest. Tony who did the deal, after a bit of bartering agreed that we could fill up the tank rather than pay €70 to fill it up. Thumbs up. 

Then it was on the bikes to Catral, Dolores and finally Almoradi where we stocked up on provisions. It was At least 22km round trip and we had to be back for a barbecue organised by Dick & Jacks our friends from Northampton starting at 2:00 bells. 

We were home for 1:30 with what I thought was enough time to put the tent up. We were not that late and we had a great afternoon with some good food, good wine and some good company, plus a little Spanish Rum, mmmm...  Who would have remembered what time we got there? Our natural wit and charm would have compensated for our late arrival, we hope. 

We were back in the van for 9:00pm and the final episode of The Crown. Heavens above, what on earth are we going to watch tomorrow?  We'll worry about that when it comes. Night, night happy campers. 

10 February 2017

The plan was to cycle to the market at Crevilant but we slept long and hard and woke far too late to go. 

We spent most of what was left of the morning trying to get ready for the boys arrival, sorting out sleeping bags and towels and all the other paraphernalia that might be needed. 

At 1:30 we had arranged to go for the best fish and chips on the Costa Brava. The chippy was in a little town about 10 miles away from the site and we got a lift with Steve and his wife Gill. We ordered the menu-del-dia for €7. The fish was described as medium but with the chips, mushy peas, bread and butter it was hard work to finish it as the portions were that large. Thank god we didn't go in the evening as we wouldn't have had time to digest it before bed. 

When we got back to the site we had to sit down so we went down to the bar and caught up with the email etc. 

Friday night is film night so at 7:00 pm we sat down to watch "Girl on a Train", Val really enjoyed it but it wasn't my cup of tea. We didn't stay for the second film. It was back to the van for half an hour with Bay Radio and a cup of Rosie followed by an early night.

11 February 2017
I set the alarm so I could be at reception at 9:30 to pick up the hire car. Would you believe they forgot the booster seats for the boys. 

First stop was the market in Catral to pick up groceries. Then to the Caravan Shop in Elche which was closed. Lidl next for more groceries and then up to the beach near the airport to wait for Gregg and the boys to arrive. Normally you can see the flights coming in but not today. Lisa tracked the plane on the computer and let us know they had landed so we made our way up to arrivals and collected our cargo. 

First job back at the van was to feed everyone then it was down to the play park and the kids club to explore. Back at the van the boys watched a video whilst we got the tent ready for our first night of sleeping in it. 

Thankfully it wasn't a cold night and after a couple of brandies and a catch up with Gregg we got our heads down. The first days visit gone by in the blink of an eye. 

12 February 2017
We were up early and showered. Val got is all fed and then it was washing up and getting all the sleeping stuff away. Hard work when there is five in the van at the same time. 

First stop was the beach at La Marina where the boys had a great time playing on the climbing frame and dodging the incoming waves. 

Then into San Felipe Niri to a Spanish restaurant for lunch come dinner. It took so long to serve the various course that we seemed to be there the whole afternoon. Gregg kept the boys occupied with Pokemon on his phone which started the day on 83% charged but had run down to 0% by the time we left the restaurant. 

Then it was back to the site for some time on the play park and into the kids club before heading back to the van for more DVD's and a bite to eat before bedtime. 

Night two in the tent and thankfully it was as warm as last night. Another day that has raced by. 

Week 23

30 January 2017
I woke for my first morning in charge to a cloudy start and with Val in the Big Apple I took the executive decision to have a lazy morning watching Victoria Derbyshire and the unfolding story of child abuse that has rocked football. What a sad story. Let's hope the victims receive the support they desperately deserve.

I started feeling guilty just before lunch that I hadn't done much except sit around watching TV so as boss I ordered myself to do some cleaning. The carpets that could be removed were taken outside for a good beating and the ones that couldn't be removed were thoroughly swept. Now I really was behaving like the boss and getting things done, namely some cleaning.

The afternoon was the walk into Catral to visit the Pomegranate Factory. I turned up at 3pm only to find the walkers left at 2pm and not the time stated on the posters. The daisies had already been donned so I set off heading into Catral. As I was perusing the road signs to take me into town my new friend Mike from Bridlington pulled up in his van so I got a lift and caught up with the walkers who set off earlier. Just as I got to the factory everyone was starting to come out and head back to the site so I tagged along and worked up enough thirst to enjoy a welcome beer down at the pub.

Val had left me plenty of food in so it was a TV dinner followed by the FA Cup draw on BBC's the One Show and then a Netflix movie and another day was done and dusted. Just before I climbed into bed I got a call from the girls who were walking over the Brooklyn Bridge heading back to the hotel ready for happy hour.

31 January 2017

I spent most of the morning sat out in the sunshine reading a Tony Hawks book about his adventures buying a house in the Pyrenees until I felt guilty about my lack of meaningful endeavour, so I got off my backside and swept out the tent and the outside carpet. Duty done I jumped on the bike and had a ride into Catral to do a bit of exploring. I found an English pub and an Indian restaurant which I'm sure we'll try on Val's return. 

After lunch it was time for Pétanque. I was teamed up with two old dudes called John and Trev and a younger lady of lesbian tendencies named Pauline. Together we made up Team E, although the three older members of the team called us Team D and Team F on numerous occasions. Only Pauline seemed to keep a clear picture of who we were. We played four games in total and managed two wins, a draw and a heavy defeat. I retired to the pub to lick my wounds. The girls phoned and sounded to be having a great time. It was 10am and snowing in the Big Apple. They had enjoyed a good breakfast and were headed to the Ice Skating Rink. 

My evening followed a familiar pattern. I enjoyed chilli-con-carne kindly left by Val to keep me going until her return. I only had to cook the rice following the step by step instructions, and very nice it was too. Washed down with a little vino tinto and a drop of brandy. Happy camper. 

1 February 2017

The first day of February started cloudy but by lunchtime the sun was cracking the flags. After a late start I headed out on the bike to do a bit of shopping down in town. 

The early afternoon was spent reclining in the sunshine with my Tony Hawks book. Expecting a call from the girls round about 2:30 pm I made my way down to the bar so that I could get my latest updates through Facebook, email and over the phone. The holiday sounded everything that the girls had anticipated. It was just after breakfast in the Big Apple and after enjoying Phantom of the Opera on Broadway last night, this morning they were heading to the Empire State Building. 

After the phone call and downloading a film on Netflix for tonight's entertainment it was back to the van to soak up some more rays. Both the sun and the temperature started to gradually fall around about 5:30pm. 

In the evening I enjoyed some more of Val's chilli but this time with noodles. Well, variety is the spice of life. I was a bit boring in sticking to the ritual of a little vino tinto to wash it down before another Netflix movie. Happy days. 

2 February 2017

It was a cloudy start to the day but I was up in plenty of time for the bike ride that started at 11:00am. I was breakfasted, showered and had even managed the washing up and up at the clubhouse with ten minutes to spare. Out of the clubhouse walks Jackie Parker, you could have blown me down with a feather. We were supposed to meet up with Dick and Jackie on the third of next month but here they were. It's a small world. 

It was too late to catch up as the bike ride was starting so off we cyclists went for a trip to a nearby nature reserve. It took us about half an hour to get there and then another half hour to follow the board walk around the watering hole where we parked the bikes. Then it was off to an observation tower a couple of kilometres further along. We had a coffee stop in a small village near Catral and the back to the site for about 1:30pm. 

After a spot of lunch it was time to go and catch up with Dick and Jackie who I hadn't seen since the Balloon Festival in Bristol back in about September last year. We chewed the fat and Dick even had a word with Val as her phone call coincided with my visit. After a trip down to reception to catch up on Lisa's emails and to look at the girls posts on Facebook it was half five before I knew what was happening. 

The evening followed its usual course. I had chilli for the third night on the run followed by a couple of small glasses of vino tinto and a video we had swapped with a couple we met a few weeks back. The DVD had three films on is so I was spoiled for choice. I chose Gwyneth Paltrow and Anthony Hopkins which proved a success. 

After a call from the girls who were tired after a hard day's sightseeing and ready to head off to the airport to get their flight I got my head down. The next time I speak To the girls they will be in the UK.

3 February 2017

I was up with the alarm for a trip out to Elche to visit Caravanas Cruz to buy some parts for the van. I have been back filling the gas through the Barbeque Point but when we used the fire we have been getting fumes in the van. I'd seen a fiends set up and it was a case of getting what's called a pig tail connection. Caravanas Cruz is Motorhome outlet with what they described as Super-market of accessories and they duly had the right connectors. When I hooked the gas bottle up in the normal way the fume problem was cured. Yeah. 

After lunch I walked down to the bar to catch up with emails and to update the blog using the sites wifi. I got a call from the girls who were on their way to Crouch End to meet the boys from school and to see Madeleine. I downloaded an episode of The Crown ready for Val's return tomorrow afternoon. Then it was back to the van to soak-up some sun and finally finish my Tony Hawks book. 

Tonight's entertainment was film night in the clubhouse. Bridget Jones Baby was followed by The Light Between Oceans. The first film was great with plenty of laugh out load moments. Rene Zellweger looked unnatural, she had obviously had lots of surgery. I suppose it's the way of the world these days but her face had lost its prettiness. The second film was a dour Australian drama and not to be recommended. 

I'd made up the bed before I went to the clubhouse so it was straight in the scratcher and I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillows. 

4 February 2016

After sleeping like a log for about eleven hours I woke just before Val was boarding her plane at Gatwick. After some breakfast and a shower I got the van packed up ready to go. I called at Caravanas Cruz on the way to Alicante but had no joy in trying to purchase a Carbon Monoxide detector. 

Next stop was a wild camping spot on the beach about seven kilometres from the airport. I watched Val's plane fly overhead as she came into land. We had camped at the same spot when we got back from the UK after Christmas. 

She gave me a missed call for the signal to pick her up at the prearranged spot and we were on our way in no time at all. A trip to Aldi to stock up for the boys arrival next Saturday came next and then it was back to the site. 

After dinner Val managed an episode of The Crown only dozing two or three time. A quick rewind or two got her to the end before we called it a night. Tired campers. 

5 February 2017

We woke up to a windy morning, so windy that we moved the van into a position that gave the tent some protection. The wind got stronger as the morning progressed so much so that whilst Val was in the shower the tent started to blow down. Fortunately the lady next next door noticed my predicament and helped me get it down into a safe position. When Val got back we packed it in a fashion and we got it into the van out of the wind. I had a walk over to our friends Dick and Jackie to see if I could help with their tent which had blown down but they were out. 

The afternoon was spent cleaning the vans interior, Val seemed to find dust everywhere. I followed up with a drying cloth and it didn't take that long. We went for a walk about half three and ended up in the bar just in time for the match at five. Whilst I watched a great performance from the boys Val got stuck into the wifi and communicated with the outside world. We got some great videos and photographs of Madeleine and the boys. 

After mellowing in the United result we had a longed for spag bol. I was having cravings whilst Val was away. Then it was another episode of The Crown and another day was done and dusted on the Costa Brava. Happy Campers. 

Week 22

25th January 2017
Today we seemed to return to the land of the living, we'll, semi living. Val as always was her bubbly self, even though she's not one hundred percent running on all cylinders. She spent most of the day talking to family and friends back in Blighty and when not doing that she was trying to get some upgraded insurance for her trip to The Big Apple. We think we have it sorted, fingers crossed.

We moved to a new pitch, where have I wrote that before. I had to ok it with the rally stewards and the site. It was hard work but well worth it. It's firmer ground with a better view and we're on the end of the row which is more private. We met a guy from Bridlington who chatted for a good hour telling us all about the wonderful cycle routes.

I was up and down like a woman of the nights drawers, to reception to make use of the Wifi so it was late afternoon before we good get out for a walk and have a look at our new surroundings. It's a big site so we haven't seen it all but we've made a start.

We have BBC1, BBC2, ITV1 and ITV2 but just to give us an alternative I downloaded a couple of episodes of The Crown. We can also pick up The Bay radio, it's not the one from back home but the format and scheduling suggests it's the same company. There is a Burns Night on the rally but it's unfortunately come a little to soon in the recovery process. The Spanish lessons in the morning" is a different matter. On the mend happy campers.

26 January 2017

We were off to class in the nick of time. Images of Sister Ranilda's French class flooded my mind and I was back in 1965, bloody hell, daydreaming already and we've only been in the classroom five minutes. Get a grip this is Spanish not French. 

An hour later and school was out, time to do the washing and get everything out on the clothes horse we got from reception, €15 deposit. In between Val had to deal with a veritable plethora of bureaucratic gobbledegook being thrown at her by the insurance company. It looks like she is going to be chaperoned back to London after having some kind of fit to fly test before boarding the plane. 

Pétanque was the afternoon activity with me trying to pick Val's boules up. We played together and won three out of the four matches we played. Not bad to say that some of our opponents were wily old dogs. It was good exercise and we ended up meeting someone who was on the Albufiera Rally last year. 

The big question of the evening was found Manchester United grasp the wonderful opportunity of progressing to the final of the League Cup. We made our way down to the sites clubhouse as opposed to the rallies clubhouse, more in hope than expectation. It was banging music that greeted us as we walked through the door and a gathering of old git's much like ourselves trying to gyrate in some kind of rhythmic way, without much success I hasten to add. There was football on TV but it was Lionel Messi and co. We headed back to the van for an episode of The Crown and kept an ear on the radio to try to catch a score update. We got the result we wanted to hear and climbed into bed happy bunny campers. 

27 January 2017

The weather forecast predicted rain but the actual weather was warm and sunny. Val's insurance team seemed to be permanently on the phone. They couldn't get a chaperone on her scheduled flight to Gatwick and wanted to transfer her on to a flight to Manchester. They got a shock when she informed them she was flying on to New York. 

We went out on the bikes for a couple of hours for a bit of exercise and to get some shopping. The nearest small town of Catral is only about a couple of miles away so after a run along the country lanes we headed there to pick up some supplies. 

It sounds like the insurance company have given up on the idea of chaperoning Val back to the UK as there are no spare seats left on her flight. They have suggested her being escorted from a different airport here in Spain and to a different airport back in the England. All suggestions would mean lots of extra hours travel, extra stress and would not necessarily fit in with her onward flight. Poor Miguel who had the job of phoning has finally bit the bullet. 

We managed a couple of hours reclining in the sunshine. It's not been the warmest of days but when the sun shines it's very pleasant. We have had the odd spot of rain but hardly any. 

It's film night in the clubhouse with two films that have us salivating with anticipation. Tarzan and the Apes is preceded by Independence Day. I don't know if there's a new Tarzan field doing the rounds but it's probably not going to be Johnny Wiesmuller. We were talking with a chap called Ian earlier, a pragmatic Mancunian whose assessment of Independence Day was America using big bazookas against a load of Ailiens and giving them a good spanking. 

28 January 2017

The day dawned bright and breezy. So much so that our tent was slewed sideways in the wind and needed more pegs to hold it down. 

It was a day of admin and packing ready for Val's trip. Boots were cleaned with some spit and polish and clothes were neatly folded. We kept in touch with the FA Cup through Bay Radio and at 7:00 pm it was time for the Sausage Sizzle. Two old fashioned sausages on a roll with onions and mustard, delicious. We didn't stop for the race night but rather came back to the van for a couple of episodes of The Crown. 

An early night with the alarm set to get Val to the airport for 9:30 in the morning. 

29 January 2017

Val was in the shower before the alarm went off. We were packed up and on our way to Alicante airport ten minutes ahead of schedule. I dropped a nervous Val off and then had to wait for a text letting me know she was boarding, then another text to say she had landed in the UK. I was almost as nervous as Val that everything went off without a hitch. I think she had visions of not being allowed to board the plane because of her recent heart attack. 

Mid afternoon Lisa let me know the first part of the trip had gone well and the girls were checking in for the transatlantic part of the journey and were enjoying the fare in one of the airport lounges. I spoke to the girls on the phone and they were enjoying themselves and all Val's fears were unfounded. 

My entertainment was mapped out by the football starting at 5:00 pm Spain time. There was a great radio show leading up to kick off with the highlight being the Top 10 from January 1967. There where one or two tracks I hadn't heard for a while. Another week has flown by. It's not been the best week weather wise but it's much warmer and drier than the weather at home. The forecast for the next few days is good with temperatures predicted to reach 18°. Fingers crossed. 

Week 21

16 January 2017
The day dawned with wall to wall, glorious sunshine. It's now 138 days since we left Grosvenor Park?  After a lazy morning we set of like the proverbial hare and the tortoise into Torrevieja. Val obviously being the hare.

We took the scenic route along the sea front and came across a small gathering of Motorhome's who incontestably knew about a wild camping spot that wasn't on any of our app's. We copied down the coordinates from the iPhone just in case we might want to visit spot at some time in the not to distant future.

The city centre beckoned and we headed in but not before stopping for a cerveza medio on route. After the waiter brought our half pints of beer we sat out in the early afternoon sunshine enjoying today's Daily Mail which I found lying on the bar. After no time at all my mind was reeling from the torrent of new and interesting information from one of the worst culprits of the UK's sensationalist tabloid newspapers. That is top of the list of things we don't miss about being away from our green and pleasant land.

We didn't stray far from the sea front where there were lots of unusual sights to have a butchers at. We found lots of attractions that Val had researched and saved to Pocket. Our penultimate port of call on our sightseeing expedition was the Orient Plaza. We scoured the back streets with the help of a map we had picked up from one of the many tourist information offices. It was a lovely square with a modern church which was unfortunately closed. Then it was on to the town hall and after taking a few photographs we found a tiny tapas bar where the bar tender had a good grasp of the Queens English. We enjoyed a couple of beers each and about eight tapas to share and all for the unbelievable price of €11, mmmmmmm.

We thought we in for a quiet evening by ourselves but alas, no. We got a text from Ian and Glenys, a couple of friends from Morecambe, asking where we were and ten minutes later they were on our doorstep. Next it was a FaceTime from Gregg and the boys and then a bike examiner from DSA got in touch to arrange a catch up in Torrevieja tomorrow. We hadn't even time to watch a movie as the evening just flew by.

17 January 2017

The morning changed from a sunny start to cloudy with a cold wind. It felt more like a day in the UK. The temperature on the internet said 13° but it felt much colder. Our plan was to move down to Torrevieja to a spot overlooking the sea but we quickly adopted plan b and headed north to an aire with electricity and hot showers. 

Ghol aire: 38°07′05.86″N 00°39′20.33″W - €7 per night

On route we had a good drive round Guadamar where we intend to visit either tomorrow or Thursday. Sean tried to take us under a low bridge but he doesn't now he's guiding a ten foot tall van around. We found a few wild camping spots with lots of French, Dutch and German vans parked up. 

Apart from the low bridge we parked up in San Fulgencio without much incident. We plugged the into the hook-up and switched the electric heater on to warm things up. The first job was to acknowledge out heritage with the cup of tea ritual. Then some friends from Blackburn arrived and we spent a couple of hours catching up, more tea. They and two other couples share a house close by in La Zenia and get to use it four months of the year and they also have a Motorhome. It was good to meet up, catch up and share some information. 

After they left we went for a walk to the Lidl which was close by. They have an offer on a decent Cava at the moment at €1.39. Imagine our bitter disappointment when the store was closed. The Spanish are big on their fates and festivals and we could only put it down one of those. The only place open was a Chinese Bazaar which stocks everything including the kitchen sink, but no Cava.  It did entertain us for half an hour walking round. 

In the evening we had short bursts of rain and hail stones, that's not supposed to happen. We waited with an apolitical sense of foreboding for the thunder claps and jagged bolts of white lightening but either fortunately or unfortunately depending on your point of view they didn't materialise. We had an entertaining evening back in Benicasim a while back with a storm that stayed overhead all night, with the most amazing streak lightening. 

The day went by in the blink of an eye. We had a quiet evening and with good wifi so the movies were on permanent download. Val did us another gourmet meal which we enjoyed with a drop of vino tinto. We even found an English radio station playing the hits of yesteryear. Happy days. 

18 January 2017

We were greeted with the news of snow to both the north and the south of our location here in San Fulgencio. There a dark grey clouds gathering above us and it can only be a matter of time before we get a covering. The British chap a few vans down has been into reception to complain. I think he's a glass is half empty kind of guy. I told him there's a blizzard forecast and last saw him marching towards the site office. 

The highlight of our day was a walk to Lidl and Iceland. The Cava was no longer on offer but we managed to stock up on some much needed liquid refreshment. Iceland was a mystery to me, they sell English goods at inflated prices. Even when the original price is printed on the box they still hike it up. It doesn't seem to deter our fellow Brits. The place was packed and doing a roaring trade. 

The rest of the day was all about the weather. The thunderclaps and ferrous streaks of lightning we waited for yesterday turned up a day late. The ground under the van seemed to vibrate with each clap. Needless to say we were stuck in most of the day. We had rain, hail, snow then back to rain. The Costa del Sol turned into the Costa del Snow. It's feels like home. 

We both started with a cold and didn't think much of it. We kept ourselves entertained with the help of the wifi. We had a combination of Tidal, the radio, Netflix and last but not least a good book. Happy Campers. 

19 January 2017 - 23 January 2017

These few day are much of a blur. We both had coughing fits on Thursday the 19th and as the day wore on Val started feeling very unwell. Our friends Ian & Glenys who were close by kindly ran us to the nearest health centre and from there it wasn't long before Val was admitted to hospital after suffering another heart attack. The attack was thankfully a mild one and has not caused any more damage to the heart. They stayed with us the hours it took before I could leave Val and then they run me back to the site where the van was parked. 

For me the other few days were spent going backwards and forwards which was made difficult by the flu. I felt like a decrepit octogenarian and struggled with holding a thought for more than a few seconds, not to mention the effort needed for even simple tasks. This is the first time I have experienced real flu and fingers crossed, it's the last. 

Val came home on Monday 22nd. I had already booked in to our rally site for the next five weeks, a good site with top class amenities. Hopefully we'll get involved in the rally in the coming days when we both feel more recovered.