Ghouls & Ghosties

Halloween time and this weekend it’s a big event here in Spain, such a pity that the weather has decided to be so damned miserable. 

It’s wet, windy and rather cool for this part of the world and certainly not what we came here for. I think a call is needed to the Spanish tourist board to complain about this awful weather.

The week has been fairly quiet for us so there’s not much to report. Yesterday we had a visit from Vida & Collin, two friends who used to live in Port Talbot and who now live just down the road on the outskirts of Torrevieja. They kindly drove us out to Torrevieja where we waded through the puddles of a visiting thunderstorm to have a nice lunch in the towns centre. Kay did lots of reminiscing with them both about people they all once knew.

Kay Vida & Stu in the Marjal bar

Last night we decided to visit the China House on the way out towards Quesada where we went with Nigel & Lyn before, for a nice €10 for all you can eat meal.

This morning it’s a case of sitting in and waiting for the sun to make an appearance at least the F1 is on the TV.

We have a new RV on site and I’m surprised how dealers are releasing machines without proper servicing or safety concerns for the new owners. For anyone thinking of purchasing an American RV please check.

Tyres: 

Don’t be hoodwinked by the fact they look new and have deep tread patterns it’s the age of them that’s important. This link will give all the information you will need on how to check your tyres age. If they’re over five or six years old think about getting new ones. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=11

Habitation Checks and Damp / leak tests: 

Have these done independently as soon as you can after purchase as the dealers will only want to quickly part with the machine for your cash. I have seen several where the gas input on an Atwood water heater has been so badly corroded that it would be impossible to move the venturi to adjust the gas flame, so I would seriously doubt its had a good service done.

Make a note of the refrigerators make model and serial number and ask the dealer about recalls and have they been done. Even then go on the manufacturer’s web site to check yourself for any recalls as some of these units have gone up in flames be safe not a victim.

Headlights: 

American RV’s are renowned for poor headlights have them checked, they may need upgrading.

Seatbelts: 

New legislation is coming in about them; we had our lap belts changed for the standard three point European ones to prepare for this.

If going to Spain:

Remember to get Spanish adapters for the LPG refill and to check what you need to comply with Spanish traffic laws like spare driving glasses (if you need glasses to drive) two red warning Triangles, Two fluorescent jackets, GB stickers, spare bulbs and headlight adjustment stickers.

Travel Insurance: 

Get it before you depart, as getting it retrospectively can be expensive.

More Anon

Kilometres Clogs’ & Currywurst’s

OK I know you’re trying to figure that one out but it sums up all that’s happened to us since my last post.

Kilometre’s: last Tuesday I joined the Dutch cycling group again, as I’d promised the previous Saturday to keep up my fitness regime, well trying to exercise more than eating and drinking that is. 

Off we went at ten o’clock (their daily starting time) and cycled past the urbanisation of Marina Oasis (the Urban) through Dolores and on to Catral. 

There we stopped for a coffee in a pretty little square just outside the local church, then we returned via Almoradi, Daya Nuvea, Daya Vieja and Sant Fulgenci back to Marjal, a round trip of 49 Kilometres or 31 miles. 

Cafe in Catral

Part of the Dutch group

Now for the Dutch who cycle at least three times a week it was plain sailing but for yours truly who cycles about three times a year, I ended up with severe numb bum syndrome.

Clog’s: Last Saturday we attended a Dutch evening organised by Kase (a Dutch chap on the site) it was a great success, with good food, good music and a chance to meet new people. 

No, we didn’t have to dance in clogs, though we have been informed that they do an afternoon session presenting Dutch music so you never know.

Currywurst’s: On Sunday we visited Lemon Tree Market, why they call it that I’ve no idea apart from the fact that the road leading to it is full of Lemon trees. 

We did have difficulty finding it as the directions given to us by our friend Nigel where a bit confusing. It is a massive market and we initially went looking for (would you believe this) a Staffordshire oatcake man. I kid you not!!!!

He cooks traditional Staffordshire Oatcakes on a flat bake top. I have trouble getting those things in Stoke let alone on the Costa Blanca. 

Sadly he was not there as he visits several markets and it’s a case of being at the right one at the right time. Still we found a German café selling the best Curywursts we’ve tasted since we lived in Germany thirty two years ago although nearly all the staff where English (“Allo want a cuppa char love”).

On Monday we went to Quessada to locate a cycle shop, as from last Tuesday’s experience I needed better padding on my derriere if I was going to continue cycling. 

Things are very expensive here but needs must and we managed to get a good pair of cycling pants and mittens. 

So this morning (Tuesday) I was well equipped and ready to go, well after applying copious amounts of cold crème to ease the saddle sore syndrome.

Off we went, this time all the way up to the west of Catral just four Kilometres short of our new camp site, the one we will be moving to soon, and stopped for a coffee. 

Then we returned through the countryside to Marjal this time we’d cycled another 49 Kilometres, but we did stop for a second time in Rojales at a nice Dutch café & bakery.

So here I sit (painfully) at the lap top hoping that this coming Saturday my rear end will be tough enough to sustain yet another 49 to 50 Kilometres of cycling.

We have had two unusual visitors who delighted in residing on our front windscreen both very large and hungry looking, I wonder if its Kay's cooking or me they're intrested in?

A Grasshopper

 and a Praying Mantis

More Anon

The Rain in Spain…

Fell on us this morning…

We shouldn’t be complaining should we, after all from the time we arrived here (nearly a month ago) there’s not been enough rain to fill a thimble. The ominous signs where the thunder and lightning that disturbed our sleep last night as a huge storm made its way in from the Med to give us a good soaking.

Last week we’ve been busy getting involved with the local community here on the camp at Marjal. 

We have visited the market at the Marina Urbanisation or Urb as the locals call it and have now got our old phone unlocked and purchased a Spanish sim card. 

Phone call charges to and from the UK are a real rip off with these ridiculous roaming charges they make you pay.

I attended an art group to do some watercolours, we also tried the bingo two nights ago, which sadly failed to materialise and we ended up drinking with people from the site in the bar, yet again.

Yesterday Bob and Angie (two residents on the site) put on a street party complete with live music and dancing. 

Bob is a talented guitarist and singer and Angie who is not only the resident hair stylist, and line dance teacher, but is also a talented vocalist and comedienne. 

By the end of the day we had eaten and drank far too much again…. but it was great fun to watch all the different nationalities joining in the fun. Though I’ve made a name for myself with the crowd here as maraca player….say no more.

I managed to get out on the cycle last Tuesday with the resident Dutch cyclists who take it all very seriously. We cycled from or camp here at Guardamar through San Fulgencio to Almoradi a distance of 37 Km there and back using mostly very small country roads, which took us just over two and half hours to complete, allowing a half hour stop for a coffee.

Marjal to Almoradi

They are very well organised group and safety is paramount with them, so I have decided to cycle with this group at least twice a week from now on. 

This will also allow me to get to know the local area better. Sadly one of the German lads Bernie who I had become quite friendly with and who also joined me on the cycle rides has had to return to his home in Frankfurt, I hope he gets the chance to return to us in the New Year.

The rain has meant that I could at least complete some minor repair jobs that where needed on the RV, The RV’s Radio now works and a heater control panel that had become loose on the dash has been secured, though the Camos Dome (Mk4) still refuses to pick up the Astra 2 south satellite so we have to rely on the sites own TV bollard connection which gives us BBC1 & 2 and ITV 1 & 2.

The rain has now stopped and the sun is out drying the roads and a pair of my soaked shoes so hopefully it’s back to wall to wall sunshine.

More Anon.

Siesta! what’s that?

Well you would have thought that by now, that Kay and I would be in the siesta frame of mind as the weather here has been in the constant high 30’s by midday and 28 degrees in the shade. 

Most of the locals and the long term Brits find that from 12 to 2 its time to siesta for a few hours to relax, but not us… oh no.

It’s up at day break, which is 8 o’clock in the morning here just as the sun clears the sky line, a leisurely breakfast and then out on the cycles for a ride down onto the Guardarmar sea front. A short stop for a tea and bagget and then a cycle back just as the sun is getting midway up the skyline.

Notice that apart from the time we get up I've not stated what the time was? That’s because we don’t bother to wear our watches; well we have all day so what’s the point in clock watching.

We’d cycle up the river past the hide tower, down the ford across the river back down the other side of the river past the urbanizations to the marina. There’s a friendly little taverna on the marina as well as a reasonably good restaurant. 

Kay going down the ford

Kay crossing the ford

The Riu Segura landward

The Riu Segura Seaward

The marina is packed with expensive looking yachts and loads of fishermen who line the breakwater and naturally the river itself looking for that catch of the day. 

Then it’s through the dunes on a purpose built footpath and cycle way surrounded by a forest plantation and park of Alfonso the XIII to the Sea front at Guardamar.

There is an interesting story about this plantation it was built to stop the sand dunes invading the village of Guardamar by Francisco Mira Y Botella and the local village folk. It’s a long story but if you set your Google to translate here is the story http://www.alicantevivo.org/2007/10/las-dunas-de-guardamar.html

Guardamar Marina

Boat at the Entrance to the Marina

Cycle / Footpath through the Dunes

Kay on the Path

Each day seems to fly by as we get out and about exploring the area, we are either looking for new places to shop like the Urbanization of La Marina. 

Here the whole hillside is one huge complex of newly built villas and a main shopping street. We complain in Britain if ghettos are formed by immigrants who refuse to integrate with the local community yet here it’s us Brits that are ghettoising the place. 

La Marina could be a sunny estate in the UK there are so many English speakers there.

Kay has attended Line dancing in the resort of La Marina on the coast and I have gone cycling with a group to Rojales a nearby town to see the caves. These are not caves as we think of them but a troglodyte settlement on the edge of Rojales.

Rojales from the Sea Shell House

Troglodyte Bar

The Sea Shell House,
This has taken the owner 12 years to complete

More troglodyte houses

We are trying to keep under control our eating and drinking as it is only too easy to get into a routine of eating out every night or being too involved with the scene and drinking all the time.

The group I cycled to Rojales with
left Bernie from Germany, right is Caroline & John from the UK
and behind is Alex our Spanish Guide 

We have made many new friends of English, German, Swiss and French nationalities it’s a wonder how the poor Spanish manage with so many different languages being spoken to them.

There is a nice young Spanish lad who organises some of the Animations (entertainment and events) here called Alex he must have the patience of a saint to have to deal with so many different peoples.

Kay and I visited the new site of Marjel Costa Blanca with Nigel & Lyn to look at our plot locations. The first plot we were offered was unsuitable due to our American RV having its waste outlet on the left of the vehicle and the sites waste connection was on the right. 

This would have meant the waste pipe running under the RV and out to where our Awning is situated and we would have had the smell of the waste as we ate our food, not a good location at all. The second had a steep slope towards the road and as we need to raise the front of the RV even on flat ground we would have had to have extra blocks under the front of the RV to get level.

The next plot was excellent flat and the waste was on the correct side at first it looked like two pitches but trees had been placed in the wrong location so these we have been informed will be removed. It means we have what is called a Lux pitch in size so we can fit not only the RV but our trailer and car all on the same pitch.

Our meeting with Costas at the new Site

Fountains in the Plaza

The new Plaza

Plots gradually taking shape

Costas the Director of the new site took us on a guided tour all around and the whole area; it is a hive of activity as workmen busy themselves to get the site completed on time. It will be interesting if as Costa has promised that everything will be up and running by the 11^th of November.

More Anon

Mad Dogs and Englishman

Go out in the midday sun, well that ditty certainly applied to us yesterday. 

We decided to go out for a short walk to stretch our legs, well we had been complaining of the lack of exercise so it seemed like a good idea. 

I had initially suggested a bike ride but Kay insisted on a walk into town, I don’t think she’s too confident of tackling the roads on her bike just yet. 

The nearest town of course is Guardamar that lies just across the Riu (river) Sergura. It doesn’t look that far away but the route you have to take to get there isn’t a straight forward route, you have to walk up one side of the river to a crossing which is the other side of the N-332 highway some miles inland.

Entrance to our Camp site Marjel

So off we went up the dirt track that runs alongside a fresh water irrigation channel which eventually flows down into the Segura River near to the sea.

After we crossed that we then strolled alongside the main river itself up towards the highway. The Segura's a sea water inlet that before its gone 4 miles inland dries to a barren river bed and upstream just the other side of the N-332 highway (where the highway crosses the river) is a newly laid concrete ford.

We had passed cultivated fields of citrus fruits and pomegranates, oranges and corn, how they get this stuff to grow in what appears to be barren dust is beyond belief. There were loads of wild birds including lots of huge Herons swooping down over the river which appears to be teaming with fish. We eventually arrived at the ford crossed the river and climbed the road from the river up towards the centre of the town which seems to sit on a small plateau just below an ancient castle. All the streets meander from the town centre down to the sea shore to a large modern promenade.

Festival Band

Iglesia Sant Jaume

We were fortunate that yesterday there was a local festival going on, the festival of virgen del Rosario (Lady of the Rosary). There were street bands and loads of cracker jacks going off with church bells ringing that culminated that night at ten o’clock in a large firework display that could be seen from our camp site.

Sea front Guardamar

Sand sculpture

We wandered down onto the sea front, where it was packed with tourists and sun worshippers but unfortunately also loads of Moroccan hawkers flogging sun glasses, purses and tea shirts. There were even a couple of people offering to give body massages on the sand…Yuk.

We stopped off at a sea front tavern for a light lunch of a Spanish omelette but what came to our table more resembled a 2” thick half wheel of cheese with the garlic mayonnaise (Alioli Sauce) and salad it was more than enough to fill us up for the walk back.

By now the sun was at its zenith and as we trudged down the dusty track with the midday heat beating down upon us, we were starting to flag. Typical English abroad (Mad dogs comes to mind again) we hadn’t purchased any water to keep with us, Kay didn’t have a hat and both of us had only put on light flip flop types of shoes. Luckily we had donned a covering of maximum factor suntan cream, to which the dust found was an excellent medium for sticking to.

By the time we returned to the RV we were both well and truly shattered, Kay collapsed on the bed and I feeling the need to cool down jumped into my swim wear and spent and enjoyable hour in the cool water of the out door pool.

That evening as Kay relaxed with her book I went to watch Nigel run his the poker school in the bar while supping a few cold beers.

Card games have never really interested me but I might join in a game of cribbage later on.

Today we drove down the coast to Torrevieja to a very large Carrefore store, to get Kay a new swim suit and some shorts & trainers. 

Driving isn’t as straight forward as it looks here, roads can run alongside each other joining and leaving at roundabouts, so you think you’ve carried on the main road only to find you’ve turned off and have to find your way back on at the next intersection, that’s if it goes that far.

Still we eventually made it after a few wrong turns. Sadly we only found Kay some trainers as all the summer wear had been removed, summer shorts and swimwear were not to be found anywhere as the Spanish are now dressing for their winter but for us it’s still summer.

Clothes are not cheap in Spain and meals are also quite expensive, you really have to shop around, a good British mail order setup with UK prices would go down a storm here.

Its Sunday tomorrow, so I think it’s going to be feet up time while relaxing and watching the Japanese Grand Prix.

More Anon

Gastronomy heaven

Now let’s get one thing straight I’m no snob, I’ve eaten Irish stew mixed with Christmas pudding in a mess tin in a field while camping in the forces that would turn the nose of a starving tramp. But tonight my taste buds had a delightful experience.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. 

This morning I attended an art class on the site that was a little disappointing in that I would have liked it to have been a bit better organised, but its early days yet so things can only improve. There I met a delightful diminutive Spanish lady who paints fantastic images, her name is Shari Gonzales her paintings can be viewed on http://www.artes.org she is the teacher of the young man Alex who takes the class. 

She was polite and attentive and even though I produced a piece of water colour rubbish on plain paper she still gave me complimentary support. 

In the afternoon Kay attended a line dancing class and enjoyed the company of other females and also no doubt the opportunity to get away from me for a couple of hours.

We also found out that tomorrow it is going to be a public holiday here and that the shops will all be closed, so it was a quick jaunt down to Mercadona to top up our wine and food supplies.

Now that we have our Cadac BBQ grill working, it was my turn this evening to do the cooking (well joking cooking as Kay had prepared everything, I just did the man thing and threw it on the BBQ)

Kay had put the chicken thighs in a Slovaki marinade this morning and by tea time they were well and truly ready. She prepared fresh green beans drizzled in lemon and boiled potatoes covered in butter. 

We had chilled Montecielo Rosada (Rose wine to you and me) and afterwards my favourite of Goats cheese and a rustic French baget. 

Kay enjoyed her Brie and Emental and for afters Italian we had Tiramisu.

Unless you’ve never tried Goats cheese with red wine then you’re missing a culinary delight, it sends my taste buds wild, it’s equivalent to offering someone a strip of marzipan who has never tasted it before.

I know we are supposed to be dieting; well it is healthy food and low in fat (apart from the Tiramisu) it just means we will have to get out and exercise more.

The site is filling up now with more and more English people who are here like us escaping the dreariness of a UK winter, the snow birds have arrived. There are people from all over Europe here and last night I had the chance to refresh my German language skills as couple of Germans stopped by for a chat. I am still surprised at how some languages stick while others seem to take ages to pick up, it could be my age.

Well time to go out and relax in the warm barmy evening air…..now where did I put that bottle of!!!!

More Anon

Swelter, Swelter

Well folks, that’s what we came here for so we shouldn't complain should we? The temperature at the moment is a very hot 28 degrees and we’ve quickly sought the cool of the awning’s shade after a delightful lunch.

Last night Kay & I sat in the barmy warmth of a Mediterranean evening as a gentle breeze wafted through the trees while the cicadas chirped merrily away, we sipped on our cool tall glasses of Vino Tinto and had plenty of time to reflect on what we have achieved.

It’s nice to have your dreams come true if even for just a short while and here’s hoping that they continue for a long time to come.

Our new friends Nigel & Lyn had invited us for a drink at the Marjel bar where we were introduced to another couple who are working here as site inspectors for the Caravan Club now there’s a dream job.

Last night I tried some Tapas and Sardines which I found quite enjoyable which for me is unusual as I normally can’t taste fish. We’ve noticed that the Vino Tinto is being consumed at a much higher rate than normal so at some point this has to stop, as it’s both our aims to lose some weight not put more on.

As we strolled back to our RV in the fading dusk I was fascinated by quite a large colony of bats that flew so close I could almost touch them as they fluttered around us chasing insects.

Our new Pitch till November

Secluded & Private

 

Today we had a visit from the Repsol engineer who after checking over our gas connections gave us a certificate of gas worthiness. So now we can have our LPG for domestic purposes delivered here on site instead of having to motor up to our nearest Repsol depot in Alacanti. If you have an RV with the ExstendaStay valve fitted and you want to fit an external bottle you will need to be aware of this regulation.

The cost of the inspection and the certificate costs €40 but lasts for 5 years. Here in Marjel they will then supply you with the large 13 Kg bottles of LPG to your pitch though you do pay a refundable deposit of €30 for the first bottle but the refills will then only cost you €14.50.

If you intend to return each year (as we do) it will work out quite economical and far less hassle than having to move off pitch or drive out to get refills.

Millionaires Row

Our Shady Nook

Today we missed out on an organised walk to the local market in Guadamar as we had to wait here for the Repsol engineer, but we did manage to attend the first Spanish for beginners class yesterday and we have found out that they also have art classes which will be fine for me and line dancing classes that will be right up Kay’s street.

They also organise cycle trips and walking trips which we will both be attending so it looks as if there’s no shortage of things for us to do.

 

More Anon 

A great evening out

Last night was a great success as Kay and I ventured out to the nearby town of Rojales with seven other Brits, who are residing here at Marjel, for a Chinese meal at the China Town Laguna restaurant.

We shared a car to the restaurant with one of the gents (Eddie) who is here on his own, he had a nice large KIA Sorrento so he offered to drive us in his car as he would have felt a bit cramped in the back of our little Toyota IQ.

The meal at the restaurant was first rate it was all you could eat for just €11 a head and you could have anything that was on the menu. I had satay chicken & crispy spring rolls for starters then sweet and sour chicken with special fried rice, followed by crispy shredded beef with chilli & egg fried rice. I did try some fried squid, fried vegetables and crispy seaweed which I must admit was delicious. 

Kay had curry samosas & chicken Satay with fried vegetables then beef & mushrooms with plain rice and chicken with cashew nuts.

Two large beers and a peach snaps washed down the nights fare. The company was excellent and we later stopped off at the Marjel campsite’s bar for a nightcap.

Today we were inundated with loads of boys and girls from some local basketball teams; they are camping just a few yards up from us in a secure compound. They are a credit to Spain, their behaviour has been exceptional. They are full of the joys of youth without the attitude that some kids in the UK seem to have and the UK kids could do well to emulate these well-mannered youngsters. 

The leaders had sent them out today in groups to achieve a list of things they had to complete around the site, i.e. to obtain a neck tie, a pair of shoes and other things. 

One was to arm-wrestle someone on the site while being filmed by their friends. No prizes for guessing who got roped in three times for this one. They were polite and good fun and some of them spoke reasonable English while others tried their best, which was far better than I could do.

The kids are only here for the one night so normality will resume tomorrow, they have an organised disco down by the pool tonight so an early night sleep is not on the cards.

I’ve jury rigged a lead from the pitches bollard to the TV to get UK ITV and BBC but the strength of signal on the sites satellite means it often breaks up, we are hoping the pitch we move to tomorrow will allow me to link to our own satellite dish without any trees being in the way.

We have the Skype up and running on the lap top and the reception is strong enough for us to have had a live video conference with our Kristina who is in North Wales doing some recording.

Well that’s another day coming to an end in this little paradise and so far we have only had one small shower to dampen the air that occurred first thing early this morning then it was back to full sunshine.

More Anon