Oldies On Tour

Wednesday 23rd April 2025

Up early as we had to be out of the apartment this morning but more importantly we had to be at the Vet’s for 1000hrs, he is first on his “list”, so no food since last night.

Breakfasted and car packed, we headed to Campoverde and TT’s fate, arriving just before he opened at 1000hrs, and as soon as the gate was unlocked, Christine took the “poor lad” in while I had to pacify Rosie, she couldn’t understand why Tom was taken alone, they always go everywhere together.   It was strange, the vet is directly opposite our old house and we used to get annoyed when people parked outside the vet, directly in front of our gate, on a yellow line, causing some traffic disruption; yet here I am doing the same thing!!!!    

I had to wait what seemed an eternity but eventually Christine emerged and got straight into the car but was very emotional, naturally I thought it was about Tom-Tom losing his manhood, but no, it was because the vet asked her to hold onto TT whilst he gave him his injection to go to sleep!!

We had arranged to meet Frank and Sue for coffee at the Africa Coffee shop at 1100hrs but had spare time so headed to the dog park so Rosie could have a run around, chasing a ball; her favourite pastime.   She was eager to get out of the car and get into the park because I think she thought she would hook-up with Tom, but alas she was disappointed. We had the ball thrower with us and thought that would do the trick, but no, she wasn’t putting her usual heart and soul into it, in fact we kept having to call her to bring the ball back; she was not a happy bunny.

Back at the coffee house we met up and sat in the warm sunshine and enjoyed “Tostadas” with our coffee and naturally a Soberano in my case.   Frank always enjoys one with me but not today, he is being a “good-boy” as he is on “antibiotics”.  Helena also joined us after her keep fit class.

Our next stop was Mary’s, we had arranged to go to the Chinese in Pilar de La Horadada but unfortunately they won’t allow dogs in.  They do have tables and chairs outside where you can take your dog but unfortunately they are in the shade, and though it is warm in the sun today, it’s cold where the sun doesn’t get to.  The car park on the other hand is totally in the sun!!!   Fortunately the car park was virtually empty and we found one wall that produced shade so parked uptight to there and left windows open, we didn’t want Rose to boil!!!

This Chinese has stood the test of time, the menu has been the same, albeit with a lot of choice, since we were first here in 2005, the decor has changed a bit and the prices have risen moderately but you know that their “menu del dia” is very tasty and good value for money, and today was no exception, we all enjoyed duck dishes.

It’s always nice to meet up with Mary and we were reminded it has been eight years since Barry died, my how time flies by, and it did for us as well today.   We had to be at the vets  to collect Tom-Tom at 1500hrs so took Mary home and left after saying our goodbyes, hopefully next time we won’t be in such a rush. 

Tom safely in the car feeling very sorry for himself, we headed back to Alcalali for the next two nights.   The weather is still very good so a pleasant 2-hour drive giving Tom the chance to relax before arriving at the 36-steps at Martins villa which we think “may” be a little uncomfortable, bearing in mind where his stitches are!!!

These steps are a challenge to us these days but it’s good to keep the joints working, but poor Tom not only had his wound to think about, he also had his head in his protective collar and these two things really gave him a problem, still he got there in the end.   As soon as we were back upstairs Christine fed them, this was the first food since yesterday afternoon, Tom because of his operation, but Rosie, though it was available, she was pining all day.

We watched some tv and Tom-Tom just slept on his duvet at our feet, still making full use of his ‘ordeal” to gain lots os “sympathy”, I’m sure he will be back to normal tomorrow, our last full day in Spain on this trip

Tuesday 22nd April 2025

“Up-n-out” fairly early today and after giving the dogs their walk in the “burr” field, we headed back up to Campoverde.   Our first stop is “Paula’s” the hairdresser we use when we are here, she is good, quick and one doesn’t need a mortgage to have a hair cut, we both use her and car recommend her to anyone.

Job done and we headed of to see “George” the Campoverde vet, he wants to give Tom-Tom the once over before he operates on Wednesday.  Also both dogs need various injections etc., and we also stocked up with essentials that are ridiculously expensive in oU.K.  Unfortunately he was extremely busy so we were sent away and asked to return a couple of hours later so headed to “El Cafe De Africa” just up the road in the village, a small but rather nice coffee shop that also sell Soberano 😂😂 to wait.   Whilst there we met up with Martin, our old neighbour who for years was a builder but semi-retired when we got to know him and just cleaned pools.  We also met his new lady friend, unfortunately Jackie died early last year but it was good to see he is getting on with life again.

Back to the vet for jabs etc., and TT’s checkup which he passed with flying colours; I bet he wished he hadn’t when he knows what’s coming on Friday!!!   Then via the apartment for a quick bite to eat and then off the Daphne and Steve’s for a meet-up.   Daphne and Steve were neighbours when I had the house Torre de La Horadada all those years ago, they are the people we have known the longest in Spain so it is always good to catch-up with them.   When we arrived the sun was shining and it was warm but as the afternoon wore on, the wind got up and it turned quite chilly, even the bottle of wine and the hot canapés Daffers had cooked specially couldn’t keep us warm so reluctantly we left, we couldn’t have stopped much longer as we were out to dinner later!!!

A quick return to the apartment for a shower and change; long trousers, shoes and socks!!,  before heading to Helena and Roger’s for aperitifs before going to the restaurant. 

Roger greeted us at the gate and wow, how well he looks.   The last time we met he was suffering after major surgery, but today he was “bobbing up-n-down like a good-un”; really good news.   Helena had also made some canapés to accompany our aperitifs, and they were lovely.   

Tonight we went to a new bar/restaurant that has recently opened, next door to where Gama supermarket used to be and it is Belgian; in fact it seemed quite strange to hear everybody talking in French!!   The four of us had a really good evening and though it isn’t quite the place one would go for a slap-up meal, what we had was extremely tasty though I do wonder if there is space for another bar/restaurant in Campoverde🤔🤔.

After a fun evening we said our goodbyes and headed back to the apartment after a very enjoyable day though we did over-indulge food wise today🤭🤭. Tonight is Tom-Tom’s last night as an in-tact male dog, poor chap, he won’t know what he has missed!!!

Monday 21stApril 2025

Being in an apartment, even on the ground floor, we just can’t open the door and let the dogs out, so as Christine was disturbed early, she dressed and took them down the road.   Fortunately there is a large field next door so they had plenty of space to run around, but the unfortunate issue here is: they collected “burrs”, not just one or two, oh no, loads so we knew we would have “fun-n-games” getting them out later!!!!

Around mid morning we headed out and we’re surprised to note most supermarkets were open so took the opportunity to stock up with two “essentials” to take back to home, Tio-Pepe and Soberano, one you can’t buy in U.K. and the other is unrealistically expensive.   Whilst in Campoverde, we also made more use of the doggy park and it was nice to see they had topped it up with tennis balls!!!

Lunch today was back in the apartment before heading back to Campoverde so meet-up with Rita and Rodney.   I think the last time we we were together was back in U.K. for Hilda’s (Rita’s mum) funeral.   As usual we had a laugh and the time flew past before leaving.

Another quick run round the doggy park before heading back.   Tonight Christine is cooking another “Pork Fillet”.   The ones in uk are very small compared to their Spanish counterparts and twice the price, so we are taking the opportunity to “fill our boots” before returning.   Normally we would take a few back but “this government” has decided to ban all meats being brought in this way; confiscations and fines if caught 👹👹.

After a fairly quiet day we hit the sack, tomorrow will be a busy day

Sunday 20th April 2025

Up fairly early as we are moving out for three nights today and have a few “timed” appointments including a music event in Campoverde.  A quick breakfast, pack the car and headed off dressed in shorts and summer tops.   Though this morning was a little chilly we took the decision it would soon warm up.

Our first stop was near Crevillent, Jim and Hazel have sold their Campoverde home were due to move into a “Finca” nearby but at the eleventh hour, the owners, ie a “Bank”, couldn’t sell as it turned out they hadn’t got the property properly registered to sell!!!  They are now renting part of a big house of multiple occupants.

We arrived as agreed for a coffee break en-route, it also gave us time on our own to catch up.   Thursday was great but there were many people around all wanting a part of “Birthday-girl”.   When we arrived we were greeted with 7-dogs, oh well, two more won’t matter but they all got on extremely well, no fighting or squabbling, even over the ball!,

Time to leave so headed to our next time slot, 2-pm at Mil Palmera Beach Apartamentos, our home for the next three nights.    En route we received a message to say this afternoons music event which is outside in Campoverde had been cancelled due to the inclement weather, they obviously know more than us, as it was still sunny!!

Arriving at the appointed hour ie 2-pm, we were told our apartment wasn’t ready, in fact it took ‘till well after 3-pm before it was; good job the music event had been cancelled!!!  Collected the key and headed to the 2nd floor, opened the door and wow, what a sea view🤠🤠.  Back down to the car for the rest of our stuff plus the dogs and headed back inside but we’re pulled up by reception queering the dogs.   Christine got her booking out to show we had booked in the dogs, anyway after a bit of argy-bargy, we were allowed in but not in the room on the second floor, no: they  are only allowed on the ground floor apartments; no problem so changed rooms but still had to wait for the new room to be prepped!!!   We then had to transfer all our stuff including all the food Christine had un-packed and placed in the fridge.

With all the “faffing-about”, the afternoon had gone and we had to get ready to meet Sue and Frank for dinner.   The sky had now clouded over so it was back into long trousers and fleeces before we headed to Campoverde.

As we left Pilar de La Horadada and headed towards Campoverde, the sky was very, very black, just where we are going👹👹.   A quick stop at the dog park before heading to Juanita’s to meet up.  Soon after we had sorted ourselves out the heavens opened, thank goodness we got in just before or we would have been soaked!!!

We had a super evening, enjoyed our meals and caught up with everything before heading back to Mil Parmera, fortunately the rain had stopped and the sun came out and there was a lovely rainbow as well.

Back at the apartment, bed called however I waited until 1130-pm to watch the Saudi Grand Prix highlights; by the end I really wondered why, it wasn’t that exciting after the first lap!!

Saturday 19th April 2025

Nothing on today so after our usual leisurely breakfast we headed to the Eco walk, though Christine was on her own so I dropped her one end and headed off to the other and waited; I had some “logs” to catch up with.

Once back at the car we went to the bike cafe; I do like their unusual and very”moorish” carrot cakes, though I have to discipline myself and “only” have one each time.   Today Christine tried the Vegan Fudge Cake, yuk, but she said it was lovely.

We enjoyed our drink and cakes but my goodness it was windy up here today and a very cold wind as well, so being outside didn’t hang about and headed to Benissa.   There is a Mercadona in Benissa and being Easter probably won’t be open Sunday and Monday so took the opportunity to get a few provisions before returning to the ranch.

After a “light” lunch Christine decided that having had a big chocolate brownie she needed another walk so dragged the poor dogs out and we headed to the eco-park; I waited in the car!! Back home, then we sat out in the sun, fortunately the direction of the wind didn’t trouble us too much and as soon as the sun went over the “yardarm” we broke out the wine and enjoyed it with nuts and olives.   Neither dog fancied a swim today, that was good!!!

Dinner, followed by tv which included the Saudi Grand Prix qualifying, before heading to bed, much later than usual.