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.