Oldies On Tour

Today has been spent on washing, ironing, cleaning, packing everything away, getting ship shape for our trip to Italy, Geoff made sure that everything was ok in the engine department, whilst I stripped the beds and washed everything I possibly could, including the quilts.

Geoff went to crib, whilst I was finishing up, Pat called on me, which was lovely as we will not be seeing each other for a while, we were both so grateful for letting us stay at her house when Hissing Sid disabled our engine.

It took us most of the day to finish off, but by the evening we were eventually ready to leave first thing.

Up very early, walked the dogs, quick breakfast and away by 10.00am, and travelled 270 miles to San Rafael, half way between France and Spain. We want to get out of Spain as quickly as possible, as they do not have the facilities that the French have. We actually stayed in a very quiet area, the campsite was actually closed, but we were allowed to stay overnight.

Camping at the wine farm

7.30am up and away, another 270 miles, I quickly took the dogs for a walk, they had fun chasing the rabbits, then we set off, stopping for breakfast about 10am, we were going to a place just over the border Port Vendres, when we arrived, it was so crowded, Motor homes parked everywhere, we turned around, and moved on. Geoff was getting hungry by then, so patience was not his middle name, but I quickly found another place to try, this was a wine Farm, at Saleilles, called Mass Alert, we have never done this before so it was interesting, we have a travel book called France Passion, (it is a membership only place, where a lot of farmers, and

Grapes everywhere you look

wine growers allow you to park for free) we have not worked out why yet, but you can stay overnight, you just have to say Hello, and you do not have to buy anything.

We arrived, and went up this dusty single track path, with vines either side, the owner appeared, and told us where to park, so far so good. It was lovely and peaceful, better still completely free, and Geoff had a chance to practise his French.

What a lovely peaceful site, vines stretching for miles, we walked the dogs along one of the paths, and Bella was trying to get into the rabbits holes, glad we couldn’t get into the other place.

With hissing Sid spoiling our plans to go to Italy, Jane decided to come to us in Spain, so off to the airport to meet her, we had just enough time to drop the cases back to Rosie, then off to play boules for the evening. We had two or three games, then down to the pub for tapas, lovely evening, sitting out and just catching up.

Think I will be in trouble publishing this photo!

Up early, walking the dogs, Geoff went and bought some croissants, naughty naughty!! We had a lazy breakfast, then Geoff went to crib, and Daphne joined us for a girly morning. Although we went to the pool Daf was not allowed in as she is recovering from an op on her tummy poor thing. We had a few swims, then back for some snacks and wine, how civil is that. Geoff came back and we had lunch, and continued the lazy theme.

Saturday, we went for a swim on the beach, it was lovely and warm, a bit crowded but fantastic, we then had a drink at the bar, not sure what it was called, rum, mint, ice, lemonade and sugar, it was a lovely cocktail, then onto the ice cream parlour, good job we are on diets!!

In the evening we walked to the Latino Square, where we managed to eat yet again, not sure where all this food is going, but will put the scales away for a couple of weeks.

Grand Prix and Wimbledon final, so Geoff went to Steve’s while Daf came to us, we listened to most of the tennis, and I watched some of the race, we then had a BBQ with Geoff’s huge chops, and Daf had made a lemon meringue which was lovely, but we were so full up, we will eat it tomorrow.

Daf, Steve and Jane

Up early and into Torrejveika to get my bike sorted, we did some shopping whilst waiting, Jane bought me some lovely beach towels, they are brilliant. We had a tapas at lunch time, then went home bike is not ready until later in the week. We had a piece of Daf’s pudding, it was lovely, thanks Daf.

Bella after being down a rabbit hole

Nearly a week has gone by, it is amazing, it has gone far too fast, we have had such a good time, we have thoroughly enjoyed the pool at the campsite, glad we decided to stay here. Geoff went to get my prescription, and to see his friends in Campoverde, Jane and I had another lazy morning by the pool, we sunbathed, and swam. In the evening we went to the steak house, what a lovely meal we had, the food was excellent, thanks Jane.

Geoff and I went to get my bike, they cannot do it for three weeks, as they are waiting for parts, so it will have to wait until we get back in October, we went to Campoverde I had my hair cut, then did some shopping, picked Jane up back to the beach, a quick swim, another cocktail, then home for lunch, and sadly take Jane to the airport. What a lovely relaxing week, no hassle, no stress, everyone pulling together, considering we were very cramped for space, I think we all did very well.

Everything is in a mess on Rosie, the fridge smells, everything needs a good clean. I changed the sheets, had a good clean up, then went up to Pat’s and did  the same, striped the bed we were sleeping in, washed ironed and put back on bed, cleaned the kitchen up, left everything how I found it. Pat has gone away for a few days, and had kindly let us stay there, Geoff went to crib.

Lunch time we had arranged to meet Herbert and Liz as they are leaving today, we had another Chinese meal, and they left to catch the flight.  Thank you both so very much for all your help, and use of your car, hopefully next time, we will be at home, and things will be more relaxing!!

Friday my bike was booked in for some remedial work, as there is a noise that shouldn’t be there, when we arrived, they were so busy, we have arranged to come back another day, so back home for relax day, I feel exhausted, sore throat, and ache, so not doing much.

We were supposed to have left for Italy yesterday, but have run out of time, so now Jane is coming to Spain on Wednesday, can’t wait to see her.

Up early again, as we have arranged with Herbert to take us to the garage again, this time we used tom tom, and ended up at completely the wrong place, apparently there are two roads with the same name and post code!  Eventually we got to the garage, to find that Rosie had been striped down already, and was waiting for new parts, the problem was very simple, apparently a snake had crawled into the engine department and made itself at home, when we had tried to start it,’ hissing Sid’ had wound itself around a pulley, breaking some belts, and messing up the pulley! Now that is a first for us, and I expect many others, but for the garage, they had had another one the previous week, which had been even bigger.

Anyway progress was being made, so we left there, and treated Herbert and Liz to a meal at the Wok, which was lovely, accept Liz and I would prefer to be waited on, instead of having to help yourself.

Tuesday was hospital day, I had my bone density test in the morning, and Geoff saw the Consultant in the afternoon.  Geoff has to go back in six months, when they are going to do a scan, and blood tests which is good news, I have to go to the Doctors for results next week.

Wednesday we finally got Rosie back, everything is coming together again, we decided to go to the Air conditioning place on way back, where they told us the unit was not worth repairing, so we have had a new one fitted.  We then eventually managed to get Sooty and Bella out of the kennels, and took them to Boules with us, they were so excited, they would not settle down, we then went for tapas afterwards.

We moved again, this time to Pat’s, at this point I am quite tearful, as I am tired, and fed up, but I soon got into shifting things, cleaning the rooms,and soon we were settled into our new home for a few days, this time without wifi, still we will survive.

Daf's Paella

In the afternoon we went to Daf and Steve’s, she had read about our Paella in France, and said hers would be better, so we had to try it. We had a lovely afternoon and evening, and we both agreed it was ‘simply the best’, so tasty moist and full of goodies, and better still made by an English lady. We could not

Cheers

fault it.

On Sunday it was the Valencia Grand Prix, so we went to Herbert and Liz to watch, we had a light lunch, followed after the race, by a Sunday Roast at a local restaurant.  The race was good, it would have been better if my man had not be knocked off the track.

Back to Pat’s to find she was watching England play Italy, well I am not sure England were playing really, no wonder we do not win anything, they are awful. The right team went through.

The weeks have just flown by, and this week is no exception.  Liz and Herbert kindly took us to Cartagena, on route we called in at a Caravan shop, as our air conditioning unit has packed up, we have never used it up until now, as the weather has not been good until we arrived in Spain, anyway it chucks out warm air instead of cold, and it is so noisy, that I cannot bare to have it on!  Anyway they will look at it, but the model is obsolete so not much help there. Onto Cartagena, where our bank is now, as we chose to stay with Esther, as she is so efficient, that at least when we are travelling we can get things sorted.  It was lovely seeing her again, although sadly she is not happy, as the big white chief watches all the staff, does he not know if people are happy they will work better!!

Back into the old routine, we went to Boules on Wednesday, and Geoff went to crib on Thursday, it has been good catching up.

Friday we had the results of our blood tests, and we are still living, more important Geoff’s PSA level is lower than last time,and my cholesterol is down too, we went onto our favourite steak house with Herbert and Liz to celebrate. Four enormous steaks, two fillets, two sirloins, Geoff was the only one to finish his, there’s a surprise, still he was under Doctors orders to eat red meat, as he is anaemic, so he had an excuse.

Pat and Vince working hard

Pat and Vince working on stall

Sunday we went up to the market, then Pat and Vince came over for a BBQ, Geoff used his new toy, and we had the thick pork chops, they were lovely, and cooked to perfection.

Monday we went over to Herbert and Liz’s for a spot of lunch,

Lovely pool at Cabo Roig

and a swim in there lovely pool, it is huge, and very deep, so you can do proper lengths, another good day was had by all.

Wednesday was the day we were going to have the air conditioning unit fixed, or replaced, so we were up early, walked the dogs, had breakfast, tidied up, and we were ready for the off, accept ‘Rosie’ would not start, very strange, as she has always been a good starter. Fortunately we had breakdown cover, so they were duly called, nothing left to do but sit back and wait. An engineer turned up about 10.00am, with a battery charger, we told him the batteries were fine, but he still checked, when it would not start he said it was electrical, and we would have to be towed into the garage. We were told it would take about twenty minutes, well 8 hours later, with a lot of calls between England and Spain the truck arrived.  After a lot of shunting etc., they finally had it on the

Oh dear Rosie

lorry, only for the man to say, he would have to take it off again, as he had run out of hours, well you can imagine what Geoff said, the air was blue.  Fortunately the lady on reception was very helpful, and translated between Geoff and the driver, eventually ‘Rosie’ was sent to the local compound to be collected in the morning.  The rules here are, that the owners have to arrive at the garage the same time as the van/car, not sure what happens if you have to go to hospital!!

Goodbye Rosie

Temporary home

We booked into the chalet next door to us, which was fine, although no dogs were allowed, it was comfortable enough, although the beds were bad, so we slept in the two rooms, and we sneaked the dogs in late at night, can only book for three nights as it is booked for Saturday.

Herbert again came to rescue, and took Geoff over to the garage, which was in the middle of nowhere, they are saying it is the Cam belt, so it is going to be expensive….. Oh dear!!!

Not knowing what was going to happen to Rosie, I had booked my bike into garage for it’s first service, so we decided to do that, as it has to be done, we arrived at 11am, to find the garage, and it was market day, so whilst waiting for the work to be done, we wondered around, bought some fruit, had some coffee and churus with chocolate sauce, picked the bike up, back to the camp site.

Geoff phoned the garage, and they said, they could not strip it down until they had a guarantor for monies etc., well Geoff was furious, why had they not rung in the morning, they are now closed until Monday. We are now homeless, frustrated as Jane is coming out to Italy on Wednesday, and it looks as though we are not going to go anywhere!!