25. Feb, 2017

SATURDAY 25-2-17

Fortunately we are back to normal with the weather, waking up to a lovely sunny day, though a bit cool until about 10:00.

Today was to be chores day. We are quite strict in such matters. The vehicle is thoroughly aired every day no matter what the weather, and it is stripped out and thoroughly cleaned every week. We have to do that living in such a confined space. Tidiness and cleanliness are very important.

The Chef set about the bathroom whilst I sorted out the rear garage area, it had got in to a bit of a state since we'd arrived. Then it was a spray round with 'Mr Sheen' followed by my having all the carpet and mats out for a good clean and hoovering whilst The Chef went shopping for a few bits.

On the floor we choose to use the fitted carpets. This is for comfort and insulation. Without them stones which get picked up on the bottom of shoes from the hard standing surface on the pitches would tread in to the wooden flooring and do a great deal of damage. In order to keep the carpet clean and protected I bought a few metres of the clear plastic carpet protector used in hallways. It is ribbed on the top surface and has tiny spikes on the underside for grip. Cut to the size and shape of the carpet pieces it works a treat.

I also managed to get my hand washing done and hung up on our newly erected washing line strung between two tree trunks on the edge of the pitch. As the length of the washing line is limited The Chef and I will wash our bits on different days.

After all that we were able to sit and relax and enjoy the sunshine. The two German couples behind us are a bit noisy when they talk. When I'm lying there I can Imagine being an Extras in a war movie. Mind you they're not nearly as annoying as the yapping canine rat one of them has. Last night I dug 'Henry Horn' out and he is now on active standby to clear the wax out of the rats ears.

This afternoon was bedlam over near the swimming pool area. We've had this before when staying here. The campsite has chalets for rent, and at weekends, Spanish kids don't play quietly.

This evenings meal was fish and chips purchased across the road in the supermarket and baked in our portable electric oven. The fish was battered hake. I've never had it before. It was ok, but I wouldn't rush to buy it again, but that's just me.

Rather than sit in this evening we decided to have a walk in to town to see what the night life was like. Not only are we pleased we did but also that I took along the little pocket camera. There in the main street of town was the Carnival, and why? Because it's Carnival Weekend, and that's reason enough. What a lovely surprise it was. We remembered coming across it two years ago when we were here.

The Spanish certainly know how to enjoy themselves and it was a lovely family evening out. There were so many kiddies involved in it watched and photographed by so many proud parents. I was trying so hard not to get in the way of any pictures or videos they were taking. It's a shame I didn't take along the SLR camera. The sodium lighting was playing havoc with the little camera. Never mind we got a few pictures. Afterwards we had a wander down some of the side streets. It is so much livelier than when we see it during the daytime, lots of bars, cafes and restaurants, many of which are really busy, the fact it's the weekend could have something to do with it.

Tomorrow we plan to go for a nice bike ride along the disused railway track which passes behind the campsite then out of town along the coast.

25. Feb, 2017

25. Feb, 2017

25. Feb, 2017

FRIDAY 24-2-17

We had a bit of a lie in this morning as it had rained from about 02:00. It always sounds worse that it really is. If you stood outside you would feel the spot of rain which landed on your head, but you wouldn't feel the spot which landed a few feet away from you.  Come inside and you hear both of them. This necessitated my having to wear a mac over my dressing gown on the way to the shower block, which fortunately is only a stone's throw away.

When it eventually stopped we decided to take a wander in to town wearing fleeces and long trousers as it was so much cooler. They have had a terrible winter down here in Spain this year, the worst for seventy years apparently. Fairly recently they had a huge storm here which trashed a number of campers awnings.

On the way out of the campsite The Chef booked us a table in the restaurant for Sunday Dinner at 19:00. I spoil her I really do.

The' Mercadona' supermarket across the road from the campsite has another branch at the other end of town and so we thought we'd take a look to see if they sold any different lines. This chain of supermarkets have been our favourite when travelling through Spain.

On the way back we passed another supermarket, which was shutting up shop. It, along with most businesses shut between 14:00 and 17:00, the hottest time of the day - siesta time. What a way to run a country, their economy has gone to the dogs and rather than get stuck in to turn things around they go home for a lie down.

As we passed Lidl The Chef wanted to pop in for a couple of bits, I also wanted to check out their non-food items in the hope they may have some cheap Induction hobs for sale. The Chef was lucky and I wasn't.

Back at the campsite we sat out for a while and had a read. I've now started a new book. I'm not much of a book reader. I'll read newspaper and magazine articles all day long, but not often books.

Now I don't do 'Hero's', not in the traditional sense, it's a grossly over-used word. I take nothing away from those individuals who display moments of gallantry, but for me the real heroes are those people who suffer pain and hardship every day of their lives with no likelihood of things ever improving, yet they get up and face yet another day with true courage and dignity.

In my many years spent in the emergency services I never ceased to be humbled by the courage and determination so many people demonstrate in their daily lives. During conversations with them I often sat there thinking 'Where do you get your courage and faith from? How do you manage to keep going despite all of that?' But they do, every day is a whole day of courage, not just a fleeting few minutes. Yet The Establishment doesn't give them a medal or a knighthood, these seem to be reserved for crooks and the grossly overpaid luvvies in show business. It makes my blood boil.

So no, I don't do 'Heroes' but I do have people for whom I have a high degree of admiration. One such character is Guy Martin, the lorry mechanic-cum TT motorbike racer-cum-world record chaser-cum- endurance race character. He's the most unassuming lad there is and I love watching his occasional TV programmes. Well The Chef bought me his latest book 'Worms To Catch' for Christmas, and it's the book I currently have my head in. It is far more entertaining than my last read 'Coalition' written by a boring politician about a group of boring politicians. It is now in the campsite library awaiting some unsuspecting bookworm.

We had to go in about 15:00 due to the coolness. Oh how we miss having an awning with us. Never mind we are hoping that as this trip progresses the temperature will get warmer and we won't have a need for one.

I, in particular, was trying to shed some weight over the Christmas period in preparation for our  'Norwegian Cruise' (my palms have started to sweat just thinking about it), therefore I set aside most of the lovely Christmassy food treats kindly bought by friends and family, as well as a few I had bought myself. We had decided that we would bring them with us on this trip and have the occasional treat at leisure.

That was one of the reasons I wanted to check out the other supermarkets today. Where am I going to find fresh double cream for my Christmas Pudding?

23. Feb, 2017