Travels of the Pryces

Portugal & Spain 2012

2012-02-06T10:05:00.005Z

Portugal & Spain Jan 2012

Tue Jan 24th

Up at 04.00, bumbled around getting breakfast and loading final things on van, we then had an inauspicious start getting stuck in the mud by our own gate, had to unhitch the car and finally came unstuck, must have woken the neighbours, finally on the road by 05.30. It was not a good run to Dover, it was raining continuously and there was heavy traffic all the way, the visibility was bad, it was like driving through low cloud and was compounded by the spray from other vehicles, the traffic only eased up just as we approached Dover, we got to the docks at 10.15 and were able to get on the 11.10 sailing, we were booked on the 12.10. It rained all the way across the channel and was still raining when we landed at 12.35, 1.35 local time. We drove to Coquelles to get fuel at Auchan and left there at 2.15 and drove through Boulogne and Abbeville to just below Rouen at a place called Oissels to find an Aire, when we found it there were only had two small campervan spaces, both in use, by now it was dark and we didn’t want to drive any further so we carried on just past the Aire and came to a dead end where there was a square of ground and a boat ramp into the river Seine, we decided to stay there and hope for the best as we were tired and wet, it had not stopped raining for a minute all day. Had a very scrappy meal and an early night with huge barges passing on one side and church bells ringing on the other.

Miles travelled 409 - 254 home to Dover, 155 in France
Fuel £70
+ €78.40

Wed 25th

It had stopped raining overnight and was 9c, there was a mist rising off the river looking very eerie, the trees around us were covered in mistletoe and there were a couple of swans on the water, we seemed to have been parked by a leisure area, newly refurbished, there was basketball and football areas and a nice promenade after breakfast we got away by 0840. We headed for Evreux and Dreux it was grey and damp with poor visibility but not actually raining, we called for fuel at a Carrefour in Bonneval and I got myself a couple of nice cakes. Just after we passed Dreux we saw a strange cloud on the horizon which, as it came towards us, turned out to be a large flock of Lapwing, we saw two more large flocks shortly after. Just outside Chartres we saw the fire brigade attending a nasty looking accident to a car and as we were leaving Chatellerault the carriageway was blocked onto the N10 by recovery workers attending a big, container lorry which had gone over the embankment and tipped on it’s side spilling it’s load, hope the driver is alright as the cab looked badly crushed, we tried to find an alternate route but ended up at the same blockage but by this time deviation signs had been put out so we were able to follow those. The weather had been mixed, drizzling at times and a few times a watery sun almost came out. We arrived at an Aire at Couhe at 3.30, a large, tarmac car park with plenty of space; we parked up and took a short walk round the town which boasts a large, old timber and stone market hall, otherwise a typical small, French town. Quick meal and early night.

Miles travelled 257
Fuel €73.6

Thurs 26th

Got up quite late as I’d not had a good night, Rich slept very well; it was 8c and not so grey this morning. We were on the road by 0930 heading towards Bordeaux; we saw another huge flock of lapwing in a ploughed field just as we left Couhe. We called at a small town called Baignes for fuel and as we approached Bordeaux the sun came out, we saw 3 storks flying over. The N10 was very busy with so many lorries travelling both ways, there were also a lot of road works, there was another heavy shower but it stopped again s we reached Bayonne, we found the Aire at Anglet, just below Bayonne at 2.25, it is a very big one adjacent to the beach, there were a few vans there some looking like hippy types as if they’d been there a while, it was ok though, free in the winter. It started to rain again as we set up, we sat and planned tomorrow’s route and then got tea after which as the rain had almost stopped we took a walk to the beach, there was a long promenade and the surf was very heavy but it was quite mild.

Miles travelled 239
Fuel €68.6

Fri 27th

Up and away by o855, it was cold damp, and overcast. We had a bit of trouble getting away from the Aire ended up doing a bit of a run around, new roundabouts etc. We decided to use the toll road over the border as it is an easier road bypassing, StJean de Luz, we got in a mess again as we tried to get off the toll road, the signs are more confusing because of the Basque language which is very difficult to understand (good excuse) and ended up staying on it longer than we intended. We stopped for fuel at a place called Eibar and then were on a very twisty road over the Pyrenees driving through low cloud and drizzle, we saw a couple of kites; as we got beyond Miranda de Ebro we started to see snow on the mountain peaks and very soon it was alongside the road as well, the drizzle turned to fine snowflakes for a while, as we got past Burgos it cleared and stopped raining, very busy roads with lots of lorries again, we saw another one being recovered from the central reservation. We arrived at the camp site at Cubillas Santa Marta at 2.15, booked in and set up, I think we were the only customers the place was deserted, it was very cold 4c and all the water taps were turned off, got some out of the wash place in the end.

Miles travelled 236
Tolls €8.28
Fuel €60
Site fee €22.75

Sat 28th

A very cold night, it was -1c when we woke, frost on all the plants and icy puddles but a clear blue sky and sunshine. We got away by 9 o’clock stopping fro fuel at the next motorway service. We had a good run as far as Salamanca; it was lovely to see the sun and blue sky, as we by passed Salamanca Rich saw a police car following us, it followed us for 3 or 4 miles, pulling alongside a couple of times for a good look then pulled us up, they were telling us that the car being towed on an A frame is not allowed in Spain, “not possible in Spain”, we showed them the document from Towtal in Spanish but they were still not happy, anyway after a few minutes of shrugs and “not possibles” they let us go, this put a cloud over the day, literally because as we drove off the sun disappeared and we drove into low cloud ! This continued as we went over the mountains and at the summit the ground was frozen and all the plants covered in hoar frost. As we came down the other side the sun came out again with cloudless blue skies, such a change from the last few days, we saw a few storks starting to nest and literally dozens of birds of prey, kites, buzzards etc, we also saw larks running by the carriageway. It was a good run with very little traffic. We arrived at Caceres site at 12.45, booked in and set up, we then sat in the sun for an hour or so, it was only about 13c but no breeze and was lovely. I got tea and we both had showers, this site has a bathroom on each pitch, and another early night, just before I turned in I discovered a large puddle in the kitchen, Rich got out of bed and discovered that the water pump was malfunctioning so we had to turn that off till he can look at it,

Miles travelled 214
Fuel €46
Site fee €20

Sun 29th

Another freezing night, 3c when we got up but clear skies. We were away by 0930 but had a nasty moment leaving the site as there were 4 policemen standing by the exit, we hesitated a bit but decided to go for it and they didn’t follow us, they were not traffic police and I think they may have been policing the football stadium next door. We drove through bright sunshine again and clear skies although there was a general haze, it was amazingly quiet, hardly any cars, and we only saw about a dozen lorries all day, there was more traffic by Huelva than anywhere else, even Seville. We called for fuel twice, once just before we entered Portugal as it is cheaper in Spain. We passed large areas of vines and saw quite a few storks, as we neared Portugal we saw orange groves and lots of almond and cherry trees in blossom. It was such a contrast from the bust roads and bad weather in France. We arrived at Albufeira at 3 o’clock, booked in and found a spot but didn’t set up properly as Rich wants to wash the vehicles. We pitched next to a couple we’d met a couple of years ago. It was wonderfully warm and they said all winter had been the same.

Miles travelled 301
Fuel €71
€52.5
Site fee €17

Total miles travelled 1656
Total Fuel €500

Mon 30th

A very cold night woke up to frost everywhere and 3c, it soon warmed up when the sun came up, clear blue skies again. Rich took the car to wash while I started to sort the van inside, the he came back and took the van to the car wash, I went with him and between us we got it clean and back to pitch to set up, this took us all morning. We sat down for a while then had showers and booked in with the rally stewards, we then went to Lidl for some groceries, back for tea and later we went to the quiz night, didn’t win but it was a bit of fun and we socialised. A very cold, starry night as we walked back to van.

Tue 31st

Another very cold night 2c in morning, but soon warmed up in the sun. Quiet morning we walked up the road to get some oranges, had a bit of lunch then played boules, Rich’s team lost mine didn’t do too bad, I found that I can get an internet connection in the van but it is so weak it won’t let me do anything, I fiddled about with it after tea but no joy.

Wed Feb 1st

Another very cold night, everything frosted over again. Today we went to a market in Quin****** a mini bus went from the site, organised by the rally stewards, there were only 5 of us going and one couple got off in the town, the market was just outside. It was quite disappointing as a market, mainly clothes, textiles and handbags, it appears that the veg market had been kept in the town and the rest moved to this new site, there seemed to be mostly English people, some German but no where near as busy as expected without the locals running into you with their shopping trollies of veg. We noticed that there was an Aire n the site with water, waste disposal etc. When we’d done the market we had a sit and a drink at a café then went round a nearby Lidl, Rich got a nice jacket. Back to site and it was not quite warm enough to sit out so we sat in and had a quiet afternoon, after tea we played Triominoes for a while, first time we’ve felt awake enough.

Thurs Feb 2nd

This morning the temperature was a bit higher, 5c, but there was a cool breeze. We went on a mini bus to a shopping centre, it turned out to be the one we’d cycled to in the past but there was an off shoot with an Iceland. We had a look round then went over to the other side to see what Iceland had got, it was just like an English supermarket but the prices were a bit higher, we went back to the first place and Rich had a coffee while I looked round the shops, it was very quiet and all the shops had sales. We had a Chinese buffet then went to Iceland to get a few things and had a drink waiting for the bus; it was quite cold, although the sun was nice when we were in it there was a very cold wind. When we got back we played boules, it seemed a bit warmer than at the shopping centre but the wind was still cool. Quick tea and game of cards before bed.

Fri Feb 3rd

Another very cold night, -1c this morning. We decided to change the sheets and do the washing this morning, Rich got the machine set up on a separate socket and carried water to and fro, luckily we are very near the tap and drain, just across the road so t worked out ok, the machine did well and we did 6 loads! Decided that we would not save it up again and do smaller loads, it took us about 4 hours, it mostly dried though by the end of the day, just needed a bit of airing. Sat and read in afternoon, sun nice but wind cool. After tea I went to the line dancing, Rich came up with me and had a couple of drinks then went back, it was enjoyable, friendly people and easy dances.

Sat Feb 4th

Minus 1c again and a very cold wind today. Mid morning we walked into Albufeira, they have finished – well almost – the footpath and it is much easier walking than it used to be, like a long park with concrete benches and gazebos along it’s length and an underpass beneath the traffic island, there were lots of small birds flitting about that we couldn’t identify and a couple of small herons. The town was very quiet; we walked around and stopped on the front for a snack then back to get a few things from Chinese shop, the sun was lovely but the wind was bitter. We got back just in time for the boules, only 8 turned up so it was 2 men teams, me and my partner won the cup! We were both very tired after all the fresh air, had a couple of games of cards before turning in.

Sun Feb 5th

Getting boring but another cold, frosty morning, quiet morning showered when sun had come up a bit, rally Sunday lunch at site restaurant, it was a very good lunch. I sat on the terrace for a while in the freezing wind trying to get on the internet and send emails but didn’t have much luck, I spoke to a lady who was telling me all about her I pad and an internet booster she had bought from Amazon will look into it when we get home. The sun was lovely and I sat out sheltered from the wind for a while, lazy afternoon.

Mon Feb 6th

It was much warmer this morning; we could tell as soon as we woke, we were able to get out of bed without freezing, 10c out, quite a change. We went on the rally walk, it was enjoyable lovely and warm and the breeze was quite warm, we walked for a couple of hours and ended up at the café across from the site. I got talking to a woman, Terri, I asked her where she had her hair cut, and it turned out she used to work at our opticians, she said she had her hair cut next door to the café. When we got back I did a bacon bap, lovely rolls from shop on site, and we sat in the very hot sun for a while. We walked across the road for me to make a hair appointment and also to book a massage, this was the rally free gift this year, so Thursday is pamper day. Got tea then went to quiz, quite a fun evening, didn’t win but were 2nd highest score and won one round which got us a box of chocolates.

Tue Feb 7th

Warm again this morning, a couple we’d sat by at Sun lunch came round as we’d asked them for help in finding our way to Moncofa and could they recommend sites; they gave us a couple and were most helpful. After they’d gone we went to Leroy Merlin (B&Q type shop) to get some silicon for Rich to repair the pump. Had a bit of lunch then went to boules, my team got wooden spoon today! Rich mended pump tea and a game before bed.

Wed Feb 8th

Milder again this morning but still cool breeze. We went to Portimao. We found the harbour area which was very empty, a large paved area with lots of closed cafes, we couldn’t find the centre and it was a big town so we drove round a small town called Ferragydo where we saw a few motorhomes which seemed to be wild camping on a wide beach then out to a small area called Canieros, this was a lovely cove surrounded with yellow cliffs with a café overlooking the sea so we had a drink looking out over the surf. We drove on to Lagos and found a parking place by the bus station. We walked around the town, went into a Chinese shop and got some plastic matting to use on the table, a rather “sudden” pink pattern but we will use the back which is white. We then had a sandwich in a café at the top of a street and walked back round the shops that were open, I managed to get a sunshade/visor type hat. We passed a Chinese restaurant with a cheap meal of the day offer and even though we’d not long had a sandwich decided to go for it, it was just a small doorway off the street and we climbed up steep stairs and were surprised to find a terrace overlooking the sea and the canal leading to the marina. After our meal we went back to the car and back to Albufeira calling at Iceland for a few things, then a lazy evening. There is a big, new motorhome service area in Lagos by the Football stadium there were about a dozen vans on it.

Thurs Feb 9th

Cold, frosty morning again, this morning I went to get my hair cut at a small salon which is attached to the café just across the road from the site, I was quite pleased with it, quite short so should last. We went to Lidl for a few things then back for lunch, after lunch Boules, Rich’s team won the cup today. After boules I went for a massage, this was this year’s free gift from the rally, I had to go to one of the bungalows a young girl called Andrea did it and it was so nice and relaxing. After tea we had a couple of games of Triominoes but I couldn’t keep my eyes open I was so relaxed. It had been a sunny day but a cool wind again.

Fri Feb 10th

Frosty again 1c when we woke did some washing this morning. In the afternoon we went into Albufeira and had a meal at the Portuguese Restaurant, it was very good, €9.50 for bread & pate, soup, main course, sweet half bottle of wine and coffee. In the evening I went to line dancing, enjoyed it and met Barbara who we had met the last time we were on a rally at Castillo de Banos.

Sat Feb 11th

Richie’s birthday, not quite so cold this morning. We went to Aldi for me to get some moisturiser Rich ended up buying a planer! Had to pay cash so went to Algarve Shopping to find cash point and got some moisturiser at the Body Shop. We drove back to site on the back road we used to cycle on.
Boules after lunch, my team had wooden spoon!

Sun Feb 12th

Weather continuing the same, rally Sunday lunch at the restaurant otherwise very lazy day.

Mon Feb 13th

Today we drove to Faro, we found the old part of the town by a harbour, we called for a hot drink as the wind was very cold then walked around; the old streets were very interesting and we came to what was obviously an old town or fort wall, there was a very pretty square surrounded by orange trees full of fruit and a church with a tower, I paid €3 to go up the tower where you could see all the bells and a stork standing by it’s nest, there was a good view all over the town and estuary. I had a look in the cathedral as well which was very gloomy but had various side chapels full of statues and gilding but all seemed to be blackened with smoke from candles. We went back to the car and drove to Loule had another drink and a bun and a short walk but not much to see so back to the van.
In the evening we went to the quiz and our team won!

Tue Feb 14th

Didn’t do much this morning but I went up to the terrace to see if I could get internet connection, the waiter said I could sit inside so as Rich had carried the laptop up for me we both went in and had a drink. I was unable to get a connection so was about to leave as I thought it was my computer but the waiter said it was their problem and the boss would be back soon to unplug it and plug it in again, we waited a while but decided to go and return later, we were halfway down the site and he shouted us back to say it was fixed I went back and managed to check the bank (gulp!), publish this and hopefully send a couple of emails. In the afternoon it was boules and my team had the wooden spoon again! Went for a chat with Barbara & Norman while tea was cooking. Couple of games of cards before bed. Sunny but cool wind again.

Wed Feb 15th

We got up early today to go to Faro for a boat trip which we thought went at 10.00, we got there about 9.15 but it didn’t go till 11.30, we booked then went for a drink in a café by the harbour and to use the toilet, Rich went while I ordered but by the time he came back there were two coach loads of people dropped off all wanting the toilet, as there was only one I had to wait over half an hour as there was a continuous stream of women queuing. As we walked round the harbour we saw some swallows. We sat in the car keeping out of the wind until it was time for the trip. We went on a small catamaran to the Ria Formosa National Park, there was a guide on board who was very interesting and told us about the area and was able to point out all the birds, we saw :-
Black Necked Grebe, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Whimbrel, Curlew, Sanderling, Oystercatcher, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Sandwich Tern, Dunlin, Turnstone, Grey Plover, Kentish Plover, Stork, various gulls, Mallard, Spoonbill, and an Osprey which sat and gave us a great view.
The guide then told us about the various shell fish and their life styles and how the locals go out onto the mud flats at low tide to collect them, it was bitterly cold on the boat. When we landed on an island we went to the restaurant and had a drink, we thought we may eat there as it was a sea food restaurant but it was very expensive. We walked out onto the beach and walked along it for about an hour and a half picking up shells, there was a fierce wind but it was sunny. We thought it was a very good trip with so many birds to see and someone to identify them for us, worth €25, the basic ferry was €10. We caught the 2.30 boat back then drove back to Albufeira hoping to have a meal but the restaurant we like was closed for refurbishment, we walked around trying to find somewhere we fancied and ended up in one we’d been in before with Jan & Mike, it had a tourist menu for €10, it was ok but not as nice as the other one, reconstituted fish billed as hake fillet, but good, friendly service. Back to the van very tired and wind burned for an early night.

Thurs Feb 16th

It was a bit warmer this morning. Just a couple of degrees but there was not the cool wind. We did a few loads of washing then went over for a chat with Barbara & Norman who leave on Sat. Boules in the afternoon, Rich & I were on the same team and we got the wooden spoon!

Fri Feb 17th

Went for a drive to Armacao de Pera we parked and there were lots of fishing boats so we went to have a look there were rows of fisherman’s huts and what looked like a market, we watched as a boat came in and was winched up the sand, his catch was octopus, others were preparing bait and sorting nets, very busy and interesting. We carried on walking and there was a pedestrian way above the beach with various small cove below most of which seemed to have cafes in them, we walked back again and stopped for a small picnic out of the wind then back to the car. We went to Shopping Algarve and went into Coninente for a few things then to Iceland but Iceland was closed. We called at the large Chinese shop then back to the van. It had been sunny but windy and in the afternoon it clouded over.
In the evening I went line dancing, which I enjoyed.

Sat Feb 18th

This morning it was quite cloudy but no cooler. We went to Iceland again and it was open today, we asked why it had been shut and it was Portuguese Trading Standards had said their labelling was not clear enough so they had to shut for 3 days to change it all. I asked the girl who served us did she already live over here and she said yes, when the shop opened there were 24 jobs going and 3500 applicants, mostly ex-pats as they had to be able to speak good English.
Back to van over back roads, picked up some oranges, spent ages fitting food into fridge, it’s like a jigsaw puzzle! Then a lazy afternoon.

2011-08-28T18:41:00.008Z

TRIP TO SPAIN AUGUST 2011

Fri 19th

We were ready early so set off at 1050, it was a nice, sunny day. We had a good run down and were going to stop at a pub we’d used before but couldn’t access it so carried on to Wyn’s. We unhooked the car and went off to find a pub and ended up in Shipton Bellinger, we got a drink and sat outside in the sun, the pub closed so I rang Wyn and told him we were there. Went to their house and waited for Karen to come home from work and went for a pub meal with Sid & Wendy at the local George Inn.

154 miles
Fuel £77

Sat 20th

After breakfast we went to Southampton to Jean’s, Shirley, Jen, Jean and I went to Gunwarf Quays, a shopping centre in Portsmouth, and Rich & Derek went to the Spitfire museum. We met Wyn & Karen at “The Bear & Ragged Staff” at Timsbury for a meal, it was a super meal. Back to Wyn’s, Jen stayed the night.

Sun 21st

It was a grey, rainy morning so the walk we were going to take was out, we just sat and chatted till it brightened up then went to find a pub, we ended up at the “Mayfly” in Lechford for another super meal. We took Jen into Salisbury to catch her bus and then had a short walk round before meeting Sid & Wendy for a drink again, didn’t think we’d want to eat but had a snack.

Mon 22nd

We left Wyn’s at 10.15 and went to Southampton, we went to Morrisons, got a snack then some groceries. Jean took us to a local centre for Shirley to change some money at the Post Office. Jean cooked us a meal and then we left for Portsmouth fuelling up on the way, we arrived at the port in good time but it took a very long time to load and we were late sailing. The reclining seats were not very comfortable but we managed to get some sleep.

31 miles
Fuel £47

Tue 23rd

We left Le Havre at 0830 and had a very difficult journey, Gertie seemed to be all over the place, taking us on toll roads and as it was not a route we’d used before it was very confusing and we got lost around Caen, Shirley & I got in the back and had naps, we stopped for lunch at an Aire in Soulange and arrived at Vivonne at 5.50. it was a nice Aire in a tree lined square, we all walked round the small town, (separately) and we watched flocks of starlings coming to roost in the trees we were parked under. I cooked us some ready meals and we made the beds up and we had an early night. It had been a warm sunny day with the odd light shower.

303 miles
Fuel €72
Tolls €18.80

Wed 24th

It rained overnight and was an overcast morning, we were up at 0530, had a quick breakfast and set off at 0700, although it was wet and miserable we had a better journey getting a good run , stopping for lunch at a motorway aire, whe we got to St Jean de Luz the Aire was on a very busy roundabout and impossible for us to get into, we went on to Hendaye, arriving at 2.30, and got on the Aire there, it was by the railway station and got very full as the evening wore on. We had a quick drive round the town but it was very busy and impossible to park, there was a vast marina and it looked like an expensive place to be. The evening turned dry and warm and after another ready meal we had another early night.
We were all impressed by the very imaginative roundabouts in France, beautiful flowers and themes very well kept.

265 miles
Fuel € 65

Thurs 25th

Up early again and on the road by 0730, we took the toll road across the border, it was a warm, sunny day. Going over the Pyrenees there was mist and low cloud hanging in the valleys and it all looked very green but as we got into Spain everywhere was parched and the main crop we saw was sunflowers (there had also been lots of them in France as well) We stopped for fuel and lunch just before Valladolid and from then on we saw dozens of intensive animal breeding sheds scattered across the otherwise barren land, although at one point there was a vast pine forest, it was a lovely, sunny day, Shirley dozed but I managed to stay awake even though I’d not slept much last night. We arrived at Segovia at 2.00, booked in and set up, S&D’s bungalow was very basic – a glorified shed - but easier than all the bed making in the van and at least they could use their own bedding. It was lovely and sunny and we were all very sticky and grubby feeling, Shirl and I had a short swim then we all had showers before tea (the last of our ready meals) sat in the shade and nattered a bit then an early night again.

306 miles
Fuel €59.5
Toll €10.34

Fri 26th

Woke up to grey skies and rain, mountains hidden in cloud. Had a cooked breakfast and at about 11 o’clock decided to go out anyway, before very long it brightened up and became a nice sunny day. We went to Salamanca and had a good day looking at all the magnificent architecture, huge wonderfully carved buildings, the university and cathedral, there was a fantastic great square – Plaza Mayor, as well as smaller plazas, there seemed to be great buildings round every corner. We had a snack and then went to see the old city wall and Roman bridge, this was huge with at least a dozen vast arches, we went back into the city and had a meal then back to the car to find the site of the battle of Salamanca which is actually a few miles out of town at a village called Aropile, there were some really ancient houses which must have been there in 1812, we saw the spot where Wellington ate his lunch then the hill where the battle was commanded from, Derek and I climbed it, then we made our way back to the site We saw a lot more farms with huge animal sheds, it seems to be an intensive farming area with miles of fields that have been harvested of grain We saw an eagle, a few buzzards, a peregrine falcon, quite a few horses and mules, cattle and sheep all seemed in good condition.

Sat 27th

Woke to a clear blue sky but it had been cold in the night, after breakfast we went to Avila an old walled town, it was not as impressive as Salamanca, within the walls it was just shops and cathedrals, we had a stop for coffee and Derek and I went to the tourist office for some information, we decided to go on the tourist train which took us round all the sights, mostly cathedrals, the town was mostly famous for St Teresa. After we got off the train we had lunch then Rich, Derek and I went up the walls and walked along the battlements. We filled up with fuel then went to Lidl and got some groceries then back to site, on the way back I spotted a deer grazing quite near the road, we’d also seen lots of buzzards and an eagle, back at site we had a BBQ.

Sun 28th

Another bright morning, after breakfast we caught the bus into Segovia. Segovia is a fantastic town, with many ancient buildings with red tiled rooves, also lots of churches. We made our way to the Plaza Major (Main Square) and as we entered saw that there was a film crew setting up, all Indians as we stood and watched one of the crew asked us, and a few other people, to walk across when she gave a signal, so Shirley and I are now officially Bollywood film stars, the men wouldn’t do it. We sat at a café and watched them filming for a while then wandered round all the streets and squares to the Roman aqueduct, which is truly magnificent and on a grand scale, has to be seen to be believed. We stopped for lunch and ended up with the wrong food due to language difficulties but it was nice all the same, a good job as it was expensive. We set off back to the bus stop but managed to get lost and had quite a long walk, Shirley managed to trip on a broken paving stone and really hurt her toe, we finally found the bus stop and there was a bus in so we got on it gratefully, all very tired. Back at the site I had a swim and sunbathed while Shirley had a rest and the men chatted, we sat around for the rest of the afternoon, and had beans on toast for tea as we’d all had a good lunch.

Mon 29th

Up early and away from site by 0830, unfortunately we had caught the van on a tree, but very little damage thankfully, it was a nice, sunny morning. We drove via Avila and Plancensia to Caceres, just after Avila we crossed a mountain range over very twisty, steep roads, on the other side the terrain changed and we went through miles and miles of cherry trees, in terraces on either side of the road. We saw quite a lot of cattle, horses and donkies, one donkey we saw was laden with panniers in the old fashioned way, also birds of prey, buzzard, and kestrel. There was also water in some of the rivers and it was quite green.
When we got to Caceres Gertie took us into the city, we went round at least 3 times and into the old historical part with very narrow, cobbled streets, it was a bit hairy and at one point we thought that we’d have to unhook the car to get through, but Rich managed it, we eventually found the site outside the city. A very nice site with bathrooms on each pitch with super showers, also a big pool. S&D had a nice room with air con, TV and bathroom, I had a swim and Derek joined me and jumped in with his hearing aids in! had to get a man to fish them out. Went for chips to terrace bar, had to wait till 8.30 for them to open.

188 miles
Fuel €44

Tue 30th

Up and away by 0830, another bright, sunny morning. Drove to El Roccio, a good journey on the whole except that we went through a small town with very narrow streets and because of parked cars had to unhitch the car, unfortunately we drove the rest of the way with the engine running! No harm done. Arrived at 12.30 and booked in to the site, nice big pitches with a shade, S&D’s bungalow was nice again. As we booked in Rich was waiting at the barrier and a car drove up followed by the police who arrested the driver at gun point and his family were left stranded. We set up and got the washing machine out and started the washing, great at first then it kept tripping the electric and we had to go to the office each time, hung out what had been done then gave up and got tea . Another early (hot) night!!

209 miles
Fuel €57.5

Wed 31st

Awake very early and up at 0600, a lovely pink sky, I took the rest of the washing to the wash room and got it done, tried to plug machine in there but wrong size socket for our adaptor.
After breakfast we went in the car to El Roccio, we were amazed that the lake had dried up and about a hundred horses were grazing where it had been, apparently it dries up every summer, had a drink and walked round for a while then went to Almonte to find a supermarket. Almonte is a pretty town with white painted houses and narrow cobbled streets, got our shopping and sat at a café for a while before going back to the site, it was an overcast, but warm day, and there were a couple of very light showers, it was not pleasant to sit outside as there were so many flies.
We have been surprised at how empty the sites are a lot less people than in the winter months, half of this site is closed off.

Thurs 1st Sept

Overcast again this morning and a very sharp, short shower after breakfast. We went to Acebron Palace, built in 1965 as a hunting lodge, on the long drive to the palace we saw about a dozen hoopoo and some larks, we had a look round the exhibition inside, very interesting about the lives of people in the area in the past, free entrance as well, as we left it started raining so we decided to go to Matalascanas, a seaside town nearby, it rained so heavily that we could hardly see at one point. When we got there we looked for the sea front but didn’t find it so looked for a café, we found one and went in but couldn’t make ourselves understood, we wanted a snack and coffee and they were advertising food but, the girl sent us to another café across the road that only did cakes so we had a drink then had a cake in the car that we’d taken with us, it was still raining heavily so we went back to site. When we got back it was a disaster area, all the stuff we’d left outside was soaked, tables and chairs, barbeque, washing etc, not only wet but all splashed up with gritty sand – a right mess! even worse inside was flooded as well as we’d left the roof light open and the floor and seat were soaked as well, after a mopping up session we had a drink and played Triominoes till tea time, it continued raining all evening.

Fri 2nd

It rained very heavily almost all night but had stopped by the time we got up. We went to Huelva, the road in went through what seemed like miles of industrial area, gas and fuel refineries mostly. We found the football stadium where there is a Wok restaurant we’d been to before then looked for the market, after driving round for a while we saw a large car park and decided that must be it. We walked to the market which was a big, new indoor one, all fruit, veg, meat and fish, it was very busy and very clean, the produce all looked superb, lots of fresh fish, tuna, squid, prawns etc and lovely cuts of meat, it made us wonder how all the stalls could make a living there were so many of them, we just bought some fruit. We then walked to the restaurant which was just opening up so we were the only customers; it was as good as we’d remembered, all the food cooked fresh for us. After lunch we went to La Rabida where there are replicas of Christopher Columbus’s ships, Pint, Nina & Santa Maria, as he sailed from there in 1492. It was interesting to see how small the ships were and how few comforts they had.
It was warm and sunny but very dark clouds threatening rain most os the day but luckily we didn’t see any.

Sat 3rd

A clear morning, quite misty, but it soon burned off. We drove into Almonte and managed to find the car park under Mercadona, went into a cheap shop and got a few things, bucket & broom, then we stopped and had a drink on a corner café watching roadmen wash and sweep the road, then into supermarket for supplies. After lunch Rich and I walked into El Rocio, there seemed to be quite a few people about in the houses, we had a drink and back to site. The site has become very busy with locals, a lot of the chalets and pitches occupied. Cooked fish on BBQ. There seemed to be a wedding party on the site and there was music and explosions going on for a long time.

Sun 4th

A clear, sunny morning, after a lazy breakfast we went into El Rocio, we watched a couple of parades going into the church, they were not as elaborate as last time we’d seen them and a lot less people, we then we had a coffee and lunch, we ordered Tapas, one item of which appeared to be ox tail, it was quite nice though. Looking over the dried up lake amongst the dozens of horses grazing we could see flamingos in the distance in the small amount of water there was. We drove around some back roads trying to get nearer to the lake and flamingos but just ended up in a dead end, we were driving through lots of fenced enclosures with dozens of horses and mules. Back to Van and I had as swim which was very pleasant, then I got a curry for tea and we played cards for a while.

Mon 5th

Another clear, bright morning, quite fresh first thing but soon warmed up. Derek Rich & I went to the Acebon Palace and walked round the lake, it was a nice walk, we saw and heard a few small birds and also some buzzards overhead, in the muddy water we saw a couple of crayfish and in the lake we saw fish jumping and turtles swimming as well as many dragonflies and martins swooping down for a drink, Shirl stopped at the van as the walk was difficult for her.
I had a swim then after a rest we went into El Rocio to get a meal, the place we wanted to eat at was closed and most others were as well, we stopped at the only one that was open that we’d eaten at yesterday and had a nice meal, we didn’t know what we were ordering but it was ok – ox tail and pork something! As we were sitting there half a dozen wagons and riders came by, they were pulled by mules and horses and had brass and bells and bright colours, one man riding a mule with bright red & Yellow ornamentation stopped and posed for a a photo.

Tue 6th

Bad night’s sleep, dogs barking all night so up about 5.30, got packed and ready for away at 0805. We drove past Seville, a huge city, and over a mountain range into La Herradura arriving at 12.30, it was very hot, we set up, managed to take aerial off van with a rope that was holding up a shade cloth, very tight pitches, it was either that or a tree! Took S & D to their hotel which was very nice, had a bit of a sort out of van and changed sheets and washed old ones, washing machine did not work again, very disappointed in it, will get on to the firm when we get back. Although we thought we’d tipped the electric it was actually general, S&D had a short break where they were.
We met up again and looked for food, again nowhere seemed to be open so we went to the only one that was, it was on the beach and very pleasant but expensive for a very ordinary meal. Dropped S&D at hotel and parked car on beach by site as they wanted €5.68 to park it on site.

221 miles
Fuel €49

Wed 7th

Went to look for a hospital for Derek to have a blood test, found one in Almunecar but after quite a wait were told they would not do it. We had a walk round the sea front and had a drink then we drove on to Motril to see if we could find one there, we eventually located it and drove into what we thought was the car park only to have an electronic gate shut behind us, we discovered we were in the sewage works!! Managed to find someone to open the gate and let us out and he showed us the hospital car park, underground. After a bit of interrogation it was decided they could do his blood test so we sat for about an hour and a half while he had it done and waited for result, quite interesting watching the comings and goings, at least a dozen ambulances came and went, they looked more like ice cream vans than ambulances! It was a good job Derek got it done though as they told him he needed to adjust his warfarin a bit. We decided to go on to Castillo de Banos to show them where we’d stayed before, it turned out to be further than we remembered but the site looked very nice in the sunshine and dried out, also cheaper than where we are although the bungalows were very expensive, which is why we’d not booked there. Back to van and bacon & eggs for tea, as we sat outside a vehicle raced by us towing a caravan and we heard a loud crunch! It was wrapped round a wall. Derek took car as they had a space in hotel car park.

Thurs 8th

S&D came after their breakfast and we set off for Gibraltar, a long and tiring trip, about 130 miles, from Malaga onwards there were banks of misty fog coming and going, never enough to reduce visibility but quite eerie looking over the coast, horrible road through Malaga, Marbella and Torremolinos, heavily populated with miles of high rise buildings etc, otherwise the country was rural and mountainous. When we arrived at La Linea it took an hour to get to the Gibraltar border through police controlled queuing area, we made our way to a beach and had a snack at a café, they wanted English money and of course we hadn’t taken any. We made our way to Morrisons and S&D went to look around while we stopped in car in shade for Rich to have a rest, we walked along a park and watched the shipping for a while then had a drink in Morrison’s café. When S&D returned we had a good stock up on groceries and snaked our way back of the rock, there was one road for cars and another for bikes/scooters etc, I have never seen so many motorbikes at once, the whole place was awash with them, the traffic was manic and Morrisons was heaving, apparently it is Gibraltar day in a couple of days, it was quite a hectic day. We drove back on the toll road which was a lot quicker but cost about €12. Unpacked shopping had a bit of tea and bed.

Fri 9th

This morning Rich took us into Almunecar to the market, very busy and noisy, we stopped fro a drink then walked round the old quarter which was not very interesting – maybe we missed the main bit! We found out that the bus was not till 4.30 so texted Rich who came to fetch us. We had Morrison’s ready meals for tea, very easy.

Sat 10th

Quiet morning at van then walked to S&D’s hotel where there was free wifi. Very hot morning again.; they came for beans on toast ands a game of Triominoes.

Sun 11th

Quiet day again. Walked up the town a bit into the old part, very steep. Rich watched GrandePrix in bar then ready meals for tea. Chatted outside for a while, in the cool, it had been a very hot day.

Mon 12th

Up quite early and went to the Alhambra Palace, it was very busy with bus loads of people but a wonderful experience again. The gardens were much more colourful, being summer and the wonderful carved arches and tiled walls awe inspiring. It had been a very hot day.

Site fee €190 €27.15 per night; not a brilliant site, facilities adequate, clean but very tired, pitches shaded with trees with branches quite a hazard.

Tue 13th

D&S came for breakfast and said hotel had not been paid, I went back with Derek to sort it out, he had to pay but if I find out it’s been taken twice they will refund it (don’t think it has) they had been charged for parking car which we thought a bit of a cheek, could have parked free on beach. Managed to rip the fire vent off the van getting off the pitch! Finally got away at 0900 and drove to San Javier we decided to use toll roads to save time and make an easier journey, we arrived at 1.45 and set up, after a bit of lunch we drove into Los Alcazares, we showed S&D where Doug and Bren used to live and had a look round big new Chinese shop, all the old ones seemed closed, did some shopping at Mercadona and walked along front and had a coffee then went to Chinese for a meal, good food and good value as always.
Back to van and made beds up as we were all sleeping in it, it was a very hot night but we didn’t sleep too badly.

224 miles
Fuel €63.51
Toll €13
Site fee €32.19, site ok not upgraded at all, charged for € 3.7car and €7.41 for
S&D.

Wed 14th

Up and away by 0815, again used toll roads for speed, arrived at Moncofa at about 12.30, set up and had lunch then had a swim in the pool, last of Morrisons ready meals for tea, another hot night all sharing van as it was €60 for a bungalow but only €16 for S&D in van

193 miles
Fuel €62
Toll €12.75
Site fee €34 a good site, facilities very good, near beach (pebbly) and a lovely pool.

Thurs 15th

Away by 0835 and again used toll roads, we passed through an area where there were a lot of castles and towers on hilltops, then into quite a green area with orange groves and vines, there were a lot of roads being built or abandoned half finished. We arrived at Mataro at about 1245, set up and had a sandwich then I got all the bedding out for an airing and clean sheets. S&D’s bungalow was not bad with more facilities than the others they’d had, but in poor repair. The site was the busiest one we’ve been on, quite full. We had a swim and sunbathe in the afternoon then BBQd steak.

220 miles
Fuel €73
Site fee €97.75 = €33.25 a night

Fri 16th

S< D & I caught free bus into Barcelona, when we got off we looked for a bank and ended up at a money changer for Derek to get some euros. We then walked all down the Rambla, the main tourist, pedestrianised area, lots of souvenir shops, flower stalls and cafes, also quite a few “living statues” some of them very inventive. We then caught the open topped, tourist bus which went all round the city, this took almost 2 hours because of the traffic, it was manic and very congested but it gave us chance to have a good look at the sights, we wanted to see the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s “cathedral” but realised that we were on the wrong bus route, we got off once we’d been all round the red route and got on the blue route, we got off at the Sagrada Familia. Derek and I went in and it is astounding, although very modern it still feels like a cathedral with huge coloured glass windows casting rainbow coloured light throughout and a fantastic centrepiece seemingly floating of the crucifixion, the pillars are fantastic based on the form of tree trunks, in places it looks quite gothic, although it has been under construction since 1882 it is still incomplete relying on donations and visitor revenue to continue building. When we finished in the cathedral we caught the underground back to the Plaza Cataluna, quite an interesting experience getting tickets, there were at least half a dozen armed guards with muzzled dogs around the station barriers. We got something to eat at a Tapas bar, from a not very helpful waiter, but what we ended up with was very nice, then waited for bus back at 7.45, a long, hot and tiring but interesting day. When we got back the site was a lot busier, lots of locals in for the weekend.

Sat 17th

Decided to give the washing machine another try, I don’t know what Rich did but he managed to fix it so that it didn’t trip the electric, he also connected it to a spare point, not the one we were using! Managed to get all the washing done, sheets and towels included, we seemed to provide quite a side show with it.
After lunch we took the courtesy bus into Mataro, we were looking for a supermarket but they must all be on the outskirts. Wandered up the main street and had a drink in a café in a small square then back on bus. All washing dry, got a curry for tea and played Triominoes till midges started biting.

Sun 18th

Up and had breakfast, packed up and away by 0830, it was a grey, overcast morning and had rained a bit in the night. We had not been going long before Gertie got us lost, we ended up in a small village going up a narrow, twisting road which ended up in a cul-de-sac on a hill, almost in someone’s garage, there was a trailer and a car parked there as well, R&D had to unhook the car and move it down a couple of bends then Rich managed to turn the van in the road that was not much wider than the length of the van, the people living in the house looked on in amazement. The day continued overcast and as we approached Girona it was raining, we seemed to follow abandoned road works for many miles, we saw the usual prostitutes alongside the road on the Spanish side of the border and as we approached France more intensive animal sheds. We arrived at Carcassonne at about 1.15 and the reception was not open, we had a sandwich then booked a pitch. We drove into Carcassonne and after looking round fro a while looked for something to eat only to discover that most of the cafes had stopped serving food at 2pm. On our fourth try we found one that did in a busy square full of cafes, we had very nice meals and then made our way back to the site. Showers then read till bed time.

280 miles
Site fees €31.30

Mon 19th

Woke up to a grey, damp morning, no-one slept too well, managed to get away by 0830 but Gertie got us lost looking for a supermarket, found LeClerc eventually and filled up with fuel and food.
A very long, tiring day driving through the Midi Pyrenees, very heavy driving on winding, quite mountainous roads, the weather picked up and we saw a beautiful rainbow at one point then saw quite a bit of sun. Although we were heading for an Aire we found a campsite, Camping Montreal in a village called Saint Germaine Les Belles, it was by a lake and had big, open pitches, S&D got a chalet which was the best they had had and the cheapest at €45.

235 miles
Fuel €74
Site fees €13.90

Tue 20th

Woke up to a very misty cold morning (7°), the lake looked beautiful with the sun shining through the mist. We found a LeClerc and fuelled up and got a couple of things then on the road again by 1015. We saw lots of fruit trees and lots of fields that seemed to have been just left, some had had hay cut on them but a lot just weeds and self set from last years crop or there were lots of wildflowers which seemed strange in the autumn.
We arrived at an Aire at Briollay at 12.35, a very big Aire with toilets (functional but not wonderful) We had a walk round along the river, it was a very old town which was on the flood plain of the River Sarthe. We had some ready meals from Le Clerc which were not very nice then made the beds up and had a game of cards before an early night.

194 miles
Fuel €69

Wed 21st

We were up early; it was a bit milder (15°), set off at 0845, called for fuel again and arrived at St Martin Des Besaces at 12.35. It was an overcast day with some sunny spells, we again saw lots of fruit trees and very pastoral scenery, we drove through a lot of villages and towns that were very pretty with lots of flowers and hanging baskets on houses and streets, it seemed like the French version of Britain in Bloom. The site was very nice, in lovely countryside on an old farm; we had an enhanced pitch which was good but miles from toilets. S&D had B&B which they were very satisfied with. After we’d set up, had a shower and a rest we went to find a restaurant, the first one was not open so we went to a Routier (transport café) and had a very substantial meal with excellent service from a very pleasant, friendly staff, very reasonable price as well. It turned into a damp, mizzly evening.

148 miles
fuel €48
Site fees €126 €23 per night (stay for 3 pay for 2)

Thurs 22nd

We woke up to a nice clear morning but after breakfast it started to rain. We went to a town called Quinvelle to a museum about France during the occupation and then D Day landings, it was very interesting with lots of exhibits but there was not a lot of English on the explanations and what there was was badly translated, it was interesting to see D Day from the French perspective and it brought home the enormity of the undertaking. We had lunch at a small hotel then carried on and visited a couple of monuments and Utah beach where the Free French and the Americans landed, there were what seemed like miles of concrete bunkers still in situ, part of the German defence or “Atlantic Wall”. The day had turned warm and sunny.

Fri 23rd

It had been a clear. Cold night and was a very misty, dewy morning, we went to Bayeux; we drove through back lanes and small villages, very pretty. S, D&I went to see the tapestry, it was quite amazing, a lot longer than I imagined and really quite complete still, there was a commentary which explained it all, after a look round the rest of the museum we had a drink in a café and then a look round the cathedral, quite austere but with some nice stained glass windows, very rich red & Blues. We carried on to the coast and Omaha Beach where we had a look at more monuments to D Day. It had been another nice, sunny day, we wanted to go to the Routier but they were closed so did pork chops on the BBQ.

Sat 24th

Another cold night and chilly, misty morning, today we went to see Gold Beach, the main British landing area, at Arromanches there are the remains of the “Mulberry Harbour” that was assembled for the landings. We tootled along the coast looking at Juno beach, where General De Gaulle landed to rally the Free French and called at St Aubin-Sur-Mer for lunch. We then went to Benouville and the Pegasus Memorial museum. This was the most interesting of them all; we had a short talk explaining the situation and a film, then a guided tour, we saw the original bridge, with many bullet holes and a full size replica of a Horsa glider, in the museum itself there were so many items that we really did not have time to see them all, it was a very moving experience, I also had a “spooky” moment, when the girl was giving us her talk my phone went (embarrassing) it was a text from Jan asking had we been to the Pegasus museum! Another lovely, warm, sunny day. Back to van for a bit of tea and a game of cards.

Sun 25th

We decided to do nothing today so just stayed around the site; it was warm and sunny again, after a chilly, misty start, but a bit of a breeze. As it was such a nice day I decided to have a walk round the village – St Martin Des Besances – a very small place and being Sunday all closed. I had a look round the museum which was about the allies coming through the area after the D Day landings, this town had been the centre of a battle and was quite extensively damaged. After tea we played Triominoes for a while, it was a really mild evening.

Mon 26th

Today we went to Mont St Michel, it was a bit more overcast and rain was forecast but it did stay dry and quite mild. Mont St Michel was very interesting, not quite as far from the land as ours and we were able to walk to it, there were notices saying that the car park would be flooded at high tide at 6pm. There were very narrow streets, at first mainly full of souvenir shops and cafes, then up lots of steps up to the cathedral, we didn’t go in as it was €9 but we had a good mooch round, leaving Shirley in a coffee shop. We got some lunch in a small bar, everyone had a bit of a laugh when a couple of Americans stood up to leave and the one was 7ft 2”, he was a basket ball player, one of the locals and the owners wife had to have her photo taken with him, she came up to his waist! As we were walking out of the town we saw an ambulance crew & gendarmes with a stretcher at the ready and as we drove off they shot by with sirens and lights, hope it wasn’t too serious.
We called at Lidl’s on way back then just sat round till time to start a bit of packing and then to Routier for a meal, steak & chips tonight, very good again.

Tue 27th

We finished packing the van and when S&D came hitched up the car and were away by 10am. Another lovely, sunny day and not a bad trip, a detour along pretty, tree lined, narrow roads and then we ended up on a short ferry ride, free, we noticed the trees were changing colours and looked very pretty, the countryside was very green as well. We made our way to the Aire at Le Havre and I cooked bacon & eggs then we went for fuel at a Carrefour, it was very small and awkward to get to but we managed. Back to the dock to wait for boarding time, we set off at 5pm and tried to rest but it was not very comfortable, we got a sandwich and drink. We docked at 10.30, 9.30 local time and took S&D back to Jean’s then we decided to go to Wyn’s and stay there the night.

107 miles
Fuel €64.50

Wed 28th

We set off at 9 0clock and had a good run, not too much traffic and a lovely, sunny day; we stopped at a lay by snack van for a bacon bap and were home by 12.45.

145 miles

Total miles (in van) 3390
Total Fuel (in van) £911
Miles in car 1800 (fuel not noted)
Total site fees £756

2011-06-27T09:16:00.004Z

TRIP TO LINCOLNSHIRE/YORKSHIRE JUNE 2011

WED 15TH JUNE

We set off from home at 0925, had an uneventful journey, we had to change route as M6 was gridlocked, a nice, sunny day.
We arrived at Andrew’s place in Fishtoft at about 1.15, a big old house in flat, farming land, he bought it because it has land with it and he has 5 sheep and 2 small cows (Dexters), beautiful glossy black animals.

Andrew and Rich worked together about 25years ago and we
haven’t seen much of him over the years. We sat around and caught up then after tea Andrew came and we introduced him to Triominoes.
138 miles

THURS 16TH

Andrew had a job today so was off early, delivering hanging baskets. We went to have a look at Skegness, it was warm and sunny.

We found a car park and walked along the front, pier and main street, I have never seen so many old people in my life, there were walking sticks, wheelchairs, walking frames and mobility scooters of all shapes and sizes, it was like the dodgems to avoid them all, either that or pushchairs, the overwhelming smell was of chips and do-nuts and the noise of amusement arcades. It would be a great place for families with wide sandy beaches and even a life guard; we had fish and chips, seniors special £5.95 with a cup of tea/coffee, bread and butter and an ice cream, then escaped.
We drove to Freiston Shore, an RSPB bird reserve on the mudflats of the wash, had a stroll to a hide and had a look, lots of very noisy black headed gulls, some swans, oystercatchers, terns, moorhen. We then walked on a bit to the top of a dyke, it was very bleak and looked like it was about to rain so we turned back.
In the evening we went to a local pub with Andrew and had a meal, it was a nice place but I didn’t think the steak was very good. A few more games of Triominoes before bed.

FRI 17th

This morning it was a bit cooler with a chilly breeze. Andrew joined us and we went to RAF Coningsby to see the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, it was very interesting and we saw all of the aircraft. We went to see Tattershall castle but it was closed we were told that Gunby Hall was open so went on to there, it was closed but we had a cuppa and piece of cake then went round the gardens and church, lovely gardens and very interesting old church.

After tea we had a few games with Andrew before bed.

Sat 18th

After breakfast Rich went to help Andrew to have a look at one of the cows who was limping, they couldn’t find anything wrong with it though.
Andrew left to go to a show and we packed up and left by 0920. We got to Beacon House site, Flamborough at 12.40 and set up. Had a drive to the lighthouse but didn’t stay as it was quite cool and breezy and paid parking. After tea a few games and bed.
141 miles

Sun 19th

A grey morning but warmer than yesterday. We drove to Filey and walked down to the harbour, there was a cool breeze but quite bright. We had a drink in a café then some potted shrimps sitting on a bench watching the donkeys on the beach; it was quite warm in the sun.

We carried on to Bempton Cliffs bird reserve but were amazed to see it heaving with people, car park chocker and even some coaches. We decided to come back tomorrow when it may be a bit quieter so drove on to Bridlington and got a few things in Morrisons, while we were in there there was a very heavy downpour. Called at a farm shop and picked a few strawberries and back to van for a quiet afternoon, it was cloudy with a few light showers all afternoon.

Mon 20th

Blue skies this morning, after breakfast we went to Bempton Cliffs, it is an RSPB reserve and had to pay £3.50 to park. We walked to the cliffs and stopped at viewing points to watch the birds, there were thousands, and you could hear and smell them before you reached them. The cliff face was full of birds clinging onto the smallest ledges many with chicks, there were kittiwakes, gannets, razorbills, guillemots but very few puffins, as well as those on the cliff faces there were birds flying in and out all the time swooping round the cliffs and thousands more on the water, it was a spectacular sight and continuously noisy. It was lovely and sunny and as we walked along we saw skylarks, jackdaws, a curlew and a wren.
We left Bempton and drove to Bridlington to get fish and chips but after driving round town a couple of times couldn’t find a parking place so we went back to a pub we’d seen offering fish and chips and with a car park. We had a nice meal and then were able to leave the car there to go for a stroll round town. Another busy, noisy seaside town with funfair and amusement arcades but it was pleasant strolling round in the sunshine. On the way back we came upon a model village so had a look round, it was very tired looking and in need of some paint but it was well done. Back to van for lazy afternoon. still sunny but clouding over.
Site fees £48.50 £10 per night plus electric.

Tue 21st

Set off at 0920 and got to Derby at 11.30. Parked on Doug's drive.

Doug took us round in the afternoon to a cafe on a lake where there was water skiing, then on to Ikea, where we had a coffe and a good mooch round, bought a few things! It had been a dry but chilly dayBren and I pooled what food we'd got and Bren cooked it.

Wed 22nd

Today Doug took us to another bargain shop, where we again bought a few things, then Bren got us lunch and we set off for home, as we entered Shropshire the sun came out.

2010-12-19T23:50:00.028Z

Tue Nov 9th

We took off from Heathrow at 10.20pm, the flight was not bad even though we were on an airbus 380 which had recently been having engine troubles; we confidently thought that they had all been checked out; luckily it was a few days later that we heard that Singapore Airlines were only just taking theirs off for checking. The flight from Singapore to Adelaide was a bit bumpy but Otherwise ok.
We landed in Adelaide at about 09.30 local time, Shirley & Derek were there to meet us. We went straight to their house and after unpacking and having a bit of lunch went to the mall – Tee Tree Plaza – for a few things. In the afternoon it rained quite heavily! An early night.

Wed Nov 10th

Slept for about 11 hours, awoke to light rain. We went to the mall again to get some ideas about trips we could make, not much joy, also trouble getting cash out of machines and putting credit on mobile phone.

Thurs Nov 11th

Today we went for lunch at McQeens tavern, special at $8.50, 2 courses and drink; it was very good value and good food. Unfortunately Shirley broke a tooth, she only had fish so was not chewing anything hard.

Fri Nov 12th

Shirley went to work at the shop today; Derek and me went to travel agents again and tried to get some money transferred in their bank with no luck, also still unable to get cash.

Sat Nov 13th

We were up quite early to go to the city on the bus for the Christmas
Pageant, we found a spot to stand amongst the thousands of others, it was cool but pleasant but then we had a shower of light rain. The pageant was fantastic, took nearly 2 hours to pass by, huge floats with various Christmas themes and Santa on his sleigh with icicles!!!
We went for a coffee and sit down and then made our way to the central market, on the way we bumped in to Peter and the girls, amazing with all the thousands of people about. We had lunch in the food hall of the market, We went to a Chinese all you can eat for $650 stall which was not bad but very crowded.

Sun Nov 14th

Today we went to Gepps Cross Market, it was overcast and quite cool, we had a good look round, lots of stalls selling fruit and veg. many different nationalities, also lots of car boot type stalls, I bought a pretty crystal ring tree for $4. After a while Derek started to complain about the heat as the sun had come out so we called for a drink then left, Derek had my scarf round his head as he said his head was burning, we didn’t think it was that hot.

Mon Nov 15th

We went to city to meet up with Friendship Force visitors from Brisbane & South Africa for a tour; we met at the museum which was very interesting, lots of exhibits about Aboriginals, must go back and spend more time there. Our group then got on the free city loop bus and toured round, we changed to a tram and back to city. We all to meet up for lunch but we four decided to go home. After lunch it was nice enough to sunbath for a while but it cooled of in the late afternoon. In the evening we went for a welcome meal for the visitors, it was at a church hall and everyone had taken food, there were a lot of speeches etc but the food was very good and free wine, I discovered I like Moscato. Derek seemed very red from the sun yesterday.

Tue Nov 16th

Quite cool today, went to mall and managed to get credit on phone at last, Vodafone had emailed me instructions, plus some free credit and a girl in the shop sorted it out for me. Derek still very red but got some stuff from chemist.

Wed 17th

Shirley went to dentist and had the tooth that she’d broken filed off, it had been cutting her tongue and was very sore, she will have to have it removed in Jan. Sat in sun for a while it was a lovely day. In the afternoon we took a drive up into hills, we stopped for ice cream at Cuddlee Creek Caravan Park. In the evening I booked car hire online and accommodation at Rawnsley Park Station in the Flinders for next week.

Thurs 18th

Another nice, sunny day if a bit breezy, we went to Ikea and had lunch and a good mooch round then on to Harbour Town a large shopping outlet, Derek & Rich watch aeroplanes at the airport which was just behind, while Shirley & me looked round shops.

Fri 19th

Derek went to the doctor first thing as his face was still so sore, got some cream; apparently it is because he is on Warfarin that his skin is so sensitive.
Shirley & I went to meet some ladies from the F.F. for an Op shop trawl, (opportunity or charity shop to us). We started at Sue’s where we had a glass of champagne and had a look round her neighbour, Bev’s garden and also at the dolls she makes, very clever, Bev is also a F.F. member. We then set off and visited the shops, Salvo’s (Salvation Army) & RSPCA, I got a couple of tops and a scarf. We stopped for lunch at a café cum curio shop which was very nice but the service was slow as she’d never catered for 13 people at once before, we visited one more shop then Barbara drove us to Paradise interchange to get the bus, it took ages as the traffic was so bad. We got home just in time to have a quick cuppa and swill to get ready to go to the F.F.
Farewell dinner, this was held at a catering, training restaurant, the food was very nice and the youngsters all very attentive, more speeches!

Sat 20th

I woke early so did some baking, scones & Welsh cakes to take to Tim’s, it is his youngest daughter’s birthday so Karen had asked us to go. They have moved since we last saw them and now live right by the sea, a surf bay. There was the usual chaos and no tea bags in the house but Karen had brought lunch, the little girls though are very well mannered. We took them round the block on their bikes then sat and chatted for a while.

It is “Schoolies” week, when all the school leavers flock to the coast and “chill” there were a few houses full of them sprawled about drinking and fooling round, Karen said that they were charged $500 to rent one of the houses or camp sites, no parental supervision just groups of youngsters. There were 10,000 youngsters at Victor Harbor on Sat night with only 14 arrests according to the news.
We called for a drink at Port Elliot then drove home, it had been a nice, sunny day.

Sun 21st

It was a lovely day, Rich & Derek stripped and re-painted the veranda decking, S & I sat and read outside.
Derek’s face has been an awful mess, like 3rd degree burns and is all peeling.

Mon 22nd

Up early R & D went on bus to collect hire car, a Toyota Corrolla, while S & I made a picnic, we got the car packed – full boot! And just as we were having a drink before we left Bob & Laine turned up, we stopped and chatted to them for a while then set off at 10.45.
Once out of the city the roads were very quiet, we stopped at Locheil a small town, where we parked in the bus stop and had a picnic, trying to make a cup of tea I got almost boiling water spilled on me, but we managed to get a sandwich and drink with quite a few flies joining in.

There is a large pink,salt lake nearby which has a rubber “Loch Eel Monster” in it made from tyres.
We carried on and at about 2.15 we called at Port Germaine which has the longest wooden jetty in Australia, it used to be a wheat exporting port, the jetty has to be so long as the water is very shallow for a long way. We went into the pub the bar of which was being propped up by four large, sweaty, hairy men, one seemed as big as a sumo wrestler, wearing a grubby vest, a dirty hat, a long shaggy beard and hair, undeterred we asked for a cup of tea/coffee but neither were available so we settled for cold drinks, it was a typical outback pub, very basic, Derek, as usual, chatted to the locals who were quite friendly despite their appearance.
As we drove on we were being bombarded by locusts (what we call grasshoppers), apparently it is a bad year for them, they were crashing into the car like a hail.
We arrived at Rawnsley Park Station at 4.45 and checked in, the cabin was very nice, clean and well equipped. We unpacked and then drove up to the caravan park to see what was available in the shop, the usual caravan site stuff, we saw a couple of kangaroos and some strange pink flowers,

we drove through the “eco friendly” houses which were quite impressive with balconies looking over a super view of the southern end of Wilpena Pound. We then went to the “Woolshed” restaurant for a meal. It was a nice meal, not cheap, Rich & Shirley had T bone steak as the Kangaroo was “off”, I had chicken which was very nice but underdone, I told the waitress and got a free sweet, a lemony thing which Shirl and I shared, it was lovely. Back to cabin for an early night, I tried to stay up to see stars but couldn’t, too much wine.

Tue 23rd

Rich and I were up first so after breakfast we went for a walk, we followed four wheel drive tracks away from the cabins, it was dry, dusty red sandy soil and we saw tracks of many animals and birds, also snakes, we noticed that kangaroos seemed to have tracks going from the level scrub, across the track through a fence and up into the low hills, we later asked the receptionist how they got through the fence and she said they either jumped it or in certain places went under, these would be the tracks we saw. We saw some kangaroos leaping away from us and got bombarded with locusts/grasshoppers. We walked as far as the dry creek bed, although there were signs of recent rain, where I found a fossil, then back to the cabin to get ready to go out. We went to Wilpena Pound

Wilpena Pound is a natural amphitheatre of mountains located 429 kilometres (267 mi) north of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia in the heart of the Flinders Ranges National Park. The Pound is the most northern point with access via a sealed road in this part of the Flinders Ranges. The closest town to the north is Blinman and to the south, Hawker.
Attempts at farming the Pound failed during the early 20th century.

We left Shirl with her book and set off to walk to the homestead, it was hot but under the trees quite nice and shady, the walk took about an hour and was very interesting with many birds, including Emu, we heard their song but could not identify many, there were cockatoos, parrots, shrike, and very small birds with the loudest, very pretty, song. We had a look at the homestead, unable to go in, then Rich & I climbed to the lookout while Derek started back.

We actually arrived back at the same time as Derek; he’d taken some sort of diversion (got lost). Had a cup of tea from flask and watched a bird trying to get it’s youngster to fly, it just sat in a tree, very nervous, we chased aggressive birds away from it but couldn’t do much else. We watched some birds waiting for new vehicles to arrive then feast on the locusts on their grills. We then went onto dirt roads for many miles we drove to Bunyeroo, and Brachina Gorge, taking in some splendid views, it was very bumpy! We were all ready for something to eat by now so headed for Blinman where Shirley said we could get fish & chips at the pub. Blinman – blink and you’ll miss it – is another small, outback town but there was a nice sounding café/craft shop advertised so we went there, closed on Tuesdays! So we went to the pub, we actually went in the hotel side but could see the bar being propped up by replicas of the blokes at Port Germaine! A young man came to us, he would have been quite handsome if he had a few more teeth, or even if the ones he had were not black, anyway he told us that they only served food at meal times, it was 4.20pm, and to try the café, he was very surprised when we told him it was closed, it was all of 50yds away, next try was the general store, advertising fresh baked bread and pies, that sounded ok, but they were sold out, in fact there was very little on any of the shelves. The only thing to do was go back to the caravan site shop and get something to cook as we didn’t want to go to the restaurant again. Back at the shop we gat some frozen chips, pies, frozen peas and chicken and did our best to cook them in a strange kitchen. Another early night, but I did manage to go out later and see the Southern Cross.

Wed 24th

Rich, Derek & I went for a walk again first thing, for about an hour, it was not quite as hot and overcast but still very pleasant, except for flies and locusts. We packed the car up, checked out and set off at 0940. It was warm but overcast and we were being pelted with locusts again, our first stop was Orroroo.
Orroroo
Orroroo, a distinctly Australian place name, though it's origin is uncertain. It has also been credited with the meaning:- "Rendezvous of the magpie", after the ubiquitous, caroling bird of Australia. This idea has been taken up with one local business, a lovely little coffee shop named "Maggie's Rendezvous."
Orroroo perches on Goyders Line, a line drawn up by Surveyor General Goyder, defining, quite accurately, the boundary between areas of reasonable (by Australian standards) and minimal or marginal rainfall. It is a town of roughly a 800 residents nestled in the foothills of the Flinders Ranges.
Orroroo had its own flour mill, several bakeries and carriage manufacturer. It was, and still is, a thriving community.
Orroroo, is still predominantly a farming community, the main products being wheat, wool, sheep, cattle, pigs and a highly successful kangaroo processor

We called for a drink and the food looked so delicious that we decided to have some; Rich had the most fantastic kangaroo burger with egg and bacon. We then went to see the giant gum tree

then headed off intending to see the “magnetic road” where you can stop the car and roll uphill, we seemed to miss this and so carried on to Stone Hut, another small town. It was overcast and as we left Orroroo it started to rain, by the time we got to Stone Hut it was raining very heavily and thundering but humid, the ladies in the shop said how they loved this weather (just as we say how we love it when we get hot sun). We went in the bakery and bought pies and scrumpy, we had intended to eat there but had eaten earlier so just got on our way.
The scenery was ever changing, up in the Flinders it was craggy, hills and scrub land, then after Hawker it changed to more cultivated land with mile upon mile of wheat, barley etc with many areas just left to nature, there were stands of magnificent gum trees along creek beds and low scrub, desert oak and acacia trees. There were fields of sheep, looking very depressed as they were wet and dirty, quite a lot of cattle, the whole landscape was shades of yellow, ochre and browns.

In the afternoon the sky got very threatening with rolling, black clouds. We got home at 5.40pm.

Thurs 25th

It was raining when we got up but we did the washing and hung it out as it was warm, Rich and Derek cleaned the pool out. Went to the supermarket then back and a lazy afternoon, it cleared up and was a nice, warm evening.
Derek’s face is a lot better but he makes sure he keeps his hat & cream on now!

Fri 26th

Shirley off to work today so I did a slow cooker meal for tonight then wrote this.

Sat 27th

Did a bit of washing and not much else, it was quite cool with rain showers in morning. Rich started to do a bit of work on the shade house which is being eaten by white ants. Shirl & I had a go at sorting photos.

Sun 28th

Quite cool this morning with rain showers and grey skies. We went to Karen’s for lunch which was very nice then on to a market where we had a quick mooch and looked at Ugg boots for Emma. As we walked round the market we started to hear “music” some very off key singing, at the end of the market was a bar with what was, presumably, karaoke and people applauded it!!! We left that area quite quickly.

Mon 29th

Cool again this morning, Derek went to doc’s as face still very sore and he feels poorly, he was given some antibiotics. R & D worked on shade house, and then we went for groceries and Derek’s prescription.

Tue 30th

This morning Derek had an appointment with his cardiologist so he dropped S & me in the city where we had lunch & a good mooch round. Derek was told that it is not Warfarin causing the problem but another drug which regulates his heart beat, he was taken off it and given the option to have a pacemaker fitted.
In the evening we went to an Indian restaurant across town and met Jayne & Shane, it was a good evening and the food was good.

Wed Dec 1st

Overcast and showery again but warmer than yesterday. Derek & Rich went to Bunnings to get some more bolts so I went with them and got some more yarn and a handle for bag I am crocheting for Shirl. We sorted some more photos and I booked a hire car for next week.

Thurs 2nd

Brighter this morning, Derek & Rich worked on fence again, I booked some accommodation for next week then we went to lunch at McQueens Tavern. It was a good meal again, such good value. Spent the afternoon reading in garden while R & D worked, a lovely hot day.

Fri 3rd

Didn’t do a lot, started to pack for next week, Shirl was at work at Vinnies. In the evening S & I went to Vinnies Christmas meal at the Paradise Hotel, it was a very good meal.

Sat 4th

A very hot day today, in the 40s so we didn’t do a lot except going for some groceries, R & D finished the shade house, it looked very good.

Sun 5th

Derek took Rich to collect the hire car, Toyota Corrolla and we set off. We stopped at a picnic area just as we entered the Yorke Peninsula, it was smelly and lots of flies so we ate our sandwiches in the car, and we arrived at Ardrossan at 1.30. The motel room was quite nice with a nice wet room, after we settled in we took a walk up the town and along the jetty, we saw the RSL Club and asked a couple who were coming out if they served meals, they said that they did not but we could get a drink and took us in, the local branch had had their Christmas dinner and there were about a dozen or so people left, we got a drink and were made most welcome, given a bowl of fruit salad and asked to join their table where we chatted with them for a while. We then went round the local museum which is housed in the remains of a large factory where Clarence H Smith made “stump jump” ploughs as well as all other agricultural machinery, the plough was designed to jump over the stumps of Mallee trees and rocks, it’s invention enabled farmers to get a crop in before having to spend a lot of time removing stumps, they got a smaller crop but if they had had to wait they could have missed a year’s crop.
We had a meal at the motel which was very nice but quite expensive, and then we had a few games of tri- ominoes before bed. The weather had been a bit overcast and windy by the sea.

Mon 6th

We were up quite early, the beds were comfy but the room was noisy with air con and fridge motors, we turned the air con off though. There was no provision at all for breakfast so we went to the hotel and asked did they serve breakfast but they didn’t, we were told that we would get some at the bakery. When we asked at the bakery did they serve breakfast we were told no, so I pointed to an advert for bacon & egg rolls and said did they have those available and was told yes! We ordered and sat and ate in their café, we were watching swallows swooping in and out of a garage across the road and under the veranda of our building.
We set off and stopped first at a look out point just outside Ardrossan, looking over the town and a vast dolomite quarry behind it, there were lorries delivering grain and dump trucks crossing the road from the quarry delivering the rocks. We then went on to Billy Goat flat where we walked along an empty beach for a while, they were many very pretty shells and pieces of coral, it seemed like a reef must be breaking up somewhere, there was a sort of causeway out into the sea which we couldn’t decide if it was natural or not, there were lots of cormorants at the end of it, we walked out and got quite near to them and also saw a sandpiper and a tern as well as lots of gulls. We went down the coast a bit further and called at Black point, this is a long curved spit of land and is very built up with lots of plots marked out for future development, then we carried on to Port Vincent. We found a café with a nice shady courtyard and had a coffee, it was quite expensive, we then moved on to Coobowie beach where we had a walk and found more nice shells and lovely white sand, no one else was about. We then drove to Edithburgh and walked the jetty there, there were people fishing but only a couple of people on the beach, we carried on and drove through Yorketown stopping by a pink coloured salt lake which was bordered by Scabious, for a while then on to Wool Bay and Port Giles where there was another jetty and an old lime kiln, we walked the jetty where there were people fishing again, at Port Giles there was an Alpaca farm but it was closed so we couldn’t get in, it was right next to huge grain stores where there were dozens of lorries queuing to deliver. Nearly all the traffic we had seen all day was dozens of huge, double trailer grain lorries, there was very little else in the roads. We went to Stansbury and tried to get lunch but we were too late so we went back to the kiosk at Port Vincent and had the most wonderful fish and chips, Butter fish and Whiting in a lovely light batter with tea and doughnuts. It was a very warm but overcast day and lots of farmers were combining setting up clouds of dust, there were flies and ants everywhere. In the evening it rained.
$200 (126 GBP) for 2 nights in motel

Tue 7th

It rained quite heavily overnight; we slept a bit better as we switched the fridge off. We were up early and decided to find breakfast somewhere else, we stopped at Minlaton where we had a bacon & egg roll in a café then had a look at a famous plane, the “Red Devil” from WW1, we went on to Parsons Beach where we did not stop long as it was very smelly, lots of sea weed then on to Bluff Beach, we saw quite a few Stump Tailed lizard sunning themselves in the road, some dead ones as well, we called at Hardwick Bay for fuel and then drove, mostly on unsealed roads, to Point Turton, we walked the jetty where again there were people fishing, we noticed all along the road sides, up fence posts and plants and all over the road itself millions of small white snails, we were told later that they were an introduced pest that could ruin crops. We went for a drink at the Point Turton Tavern and found out that they didn’t serve food until 5.30 so we wandered along the coast road, very bumpy, we stopped at a small reserve and then got out and watched some people launching a boat, as we were watching a terrific thunder storm blew up and we had to rush back to the car, got soaked in seconds and the sky was black with lightening flashing down into the sea, very dramatic. We got back to the tavern to find that they had a power cut and couldn’t cook, we tried the only other restaurant in the area, the Inland Sea, but although they had a generator they didn’t open till Wed., so we went back to Corny Point and got some pies in the local shop, their power had just come back on so they microwaved them for us, we had just finished eating when our power went off.

Wed 8th

The power came back on sometime in the night but it had rained heavily. After breakfast we set off for Innes National Park, right at the bottom of the peninsula, we saw millions of snails again; stump tailed lizards and more verges of Scabious, the grain lorries were not about today, the rain had obviously stopped the harvesting. We paid for a permit ($7 for seniors) and drove round the park; there were very few other visitors, more beautiful bays and scenic lookouts, one overlooking the wreck of the “Ethel”, wrecked on 1904 and still just about visible, there is also a ruined gypsum mining town, we stopped and had a picnic lunch at one of the look out points we did not see much wildlife, 2 emus, a currawong and too many flies.
We drove back to the Tavern at Turton Point intending to have a steak but found out that it was Smorgasbord night on Wed. so we went to the Inland Sea where we had to wait for them to open but it was worth the wait as the food was very good, fish again, Basa? It was quite expensive.

Thurs 9th

Today we tootled around the coast roads seeing the bays that we hadn’t seen before, lovely beaches, jetties and no people again, it was sunny but a very cool breeze on coast, we saw snails, stump tails, hawks, shrike, terns, pelican and many others that we couldn’t identify. We got fish and chips from local shop and ate them in the cabin then went for a drink at the local tavern the “Howling Dog”, where we went again in the evening for a meal, it was very noisy with a lot of locals, but the meal was not too bad.
The area was beautiful but we felt that the caravan park and the cabin (deluxe) that we stayed in were a bit tired and needed a bit of smartening up, still it was good value $200 (126 GBP) for 3 nights and breakfast was provided with all crockery etc.

Fri 10th

Very overcast and cool this morning, we booked out and went to Hardwick Bay for fuel then we carried on via Maitland to Port Victoria where we stopped and walked along the jetty, an L shaped one, very cold wind. We carried on to Moonta and booked in to the Cornwall Hotel, a very old, traditional style building with a bar, a dining room, pokies and rooms. It was cheap, $120 (76 GBP) for 2 nights, there was no en suite and the ladies bathroom was along 2 corridors, it consisted of a large old bath with ancient shower above and a toilet. Our room had bare wooden floor boards, no sign of a rug, 2 old wooden beds, looking like they were made from recycled wood, a single wardrobe with the door hanging off, circa 1930 and showing it’s age, containing one rusty wire hanger and an equally decrepit small chest with no drawer handles, the Ritz it wasn’t!
We walked up to the tourist information, situated at the old railway station, then we got the car and drove to the heritage museum which was supposed to be open but wasn’t, we had a look around and just as we were about to leave a volunteer came and opened up, we used our National Trust card. It was very interesting with information about the mining in the area, which is known as Little Cornwall because of all the Cornish miners who immigrated there, there was information on Cornish customs and sayings which were really old English customs and sayings for the most part, as with most immigrant communities they seemed to be more Cornish than the Cornish, even using the language. We drove to Moonta Bay and had a short walk on the beach, couldn’t go on the jetty as it was closed for maintenance. We went back and had a meal at the hotel which was quite good.

Sat 11th

Thankfully I hadn’t needed to get up in the night, I went for a shower and had to run the taps for about ten minutes before any hot water came, and then I couldn’t turn them off and had to get Rich to do it. We got breakfast in the common room which was ok.
It was overcast and cool and we drove to Wallaroo, we had a look at where the ferry used to go from and then around the new building that is going on, miles of inlets constructed with luxury houses with their own jetties being built. We carried on to Kadina and looked around the Farmstead museum, National Trust again. This was very interesting with lots of information on Australian agriculture and how they had overcome the difficulties faced in the early years, there was a very interesting section on pioneer family life and the hardships they had to endure, well into the 1920s, also many old farm machines which interested Rich, seeing the similarities and differences. Apparently the Yorke Peninsula is known as the Barley capital of the World, we certainly saw mostly fields of wheat, barley and oats, or stubble being grazed by sheep.
We went back to Moonta and had lunch in a café then drove to the coast and sat reading for an hour or so, it was quite a warm afternoon. We had a meal in the hotel again.

Sun 12th

We had a very disturbed night as an alarm went off at 4.15am, we woke up and realised that we had been hearing banging for a while, we didn’t know what to do so waited for someone to come and tell us to evacuate or not to worry, no one came so Rich had a look out and couldn’t smell smoke or hear anyone about, I was debating whether to call the police or pack quickly and get out when the alarm stopped, it had gone on for about 20mins. We waited a while then decided nothing was going to happen so Rich went back to sleep and I read for a while. We were up early and got breakfast, packed and as we were loading the car we saw Chris, the under manager, in the car park, I told him that we were very disturbed about the alarm going in the night and that nobody had come to either reassure us or tell us what was happening. He said that he had been called out and that there had been an attempted break in and the police told him not to go in as he might compromise the crime scene, it was then that we realised that there had been no one else on the premises but us all night! Apparently no one thought that we ought to be reassured or told what was happening! Chris was apologetic and said if we were in Moonta again we could have a free night’s accommodation and meal.
We were on the road by 8.30 and only stopped in Dublin to get a drink then were back home by 11.30. Derek’s face had got better while we were away and he looked fine again.
In the afternoon Peter dropped Lauren & Vanessa off, they decorated the Christmas tree, sort of, and we played tri-ominoes with them and had tea together.
In the evening Shirley and I went to a Carol concert in the town hall, it was very good, very professional but the carols were not played tradionally but very upbeat.

Mon 13th

Rich and Derek took the car back to Hertz and when they came back were very annoyed because we had been charged more than the estimate, tried to phone and sort it out but got the run around. S, D & I went to the mall and I got my haircut. The weather was not brilliant.

Tue 14th

Didn’t do a lot today, Rich painted the veranda. I contacted Hertz and they agreed to refund us the difference on the fuel, not really happy as the whole organisation wasn’t very satisfactory.
In the afternoon we had to go to the city as Derek had an appointment at the heart clinic, talked about maybe having a pacemaker fitted. Shirley, Rich & I had a drink at a café then sat on a bench in a park waiting for him, it was quite warm. We then we carried on to Unley for the FF meeting and Christmas dinner. It was a good meal and the meeting was not to boring for us as they just made various announcements between courses. There was a “German” band for entertainment, they were not very good but we all had a sing song and a few were dancing, the highlight of the evening was Terri, a member who is a broad Scouser, even though she’s livid in Australia for a long time, she got up and sang “Chinese Opera” which was completely fabricated but was so funny.

Wed 15th

Quiet day, in the evening S&D went to the Lord Mayors reception, S came back pissed!!

Thurs 16th

Lovely hot day today, did a bit of housework, washing and prepared a meal for tonight as Jay (one of S&D’s students) is coming, sunbathed for a short while and read. Got ready for meal at 5pm and waited til 6.10 then rang Jay who had forgotten all about it! We started our meal and he turned up later, a nice evening, Jay, not his real name as it is unpronounceable, is studying wine, we had very interesting conversations about the South Korean culture.

Fri 17th

Overcast with light shower. Shirl at work. Derek took Rich & I to the Aerospace museum at Port Adelaide, we got in free because Derek said he knew someone who volunteers there (Peter’s father-in-law). It was very interesting and they have good exhibits well displayed and you are allowed to sit in some of the aircraft.

Sat 18th

It was overcast and showery this morning, Brian, from next door, came and cut the lawn.
We went into the city to the Central Market, a very multi cultural place full of vegetables and all sorts of exotic food, lots of Asian and Chines people about. We had lunch in the food hall, a Chinese, all you can eat for $6.50. It cleared up in the afternoon and was quite sunny but cool.

Sun 19th

It was overcast this morning with light showers, it remained cool and windy all day, we were going to go for a drive to Hahndorf but decided to go to the pictures instead, S,D & I went to see Made in Dagenham, it was very good. It remained cold all day.

Mon 20th

Cold again today and light showers. Shirl and I worked on her picture frame of family photos most of the day until the printer packed up. Derek had to go and be fitted with a machine to record his heart activity, we encouraged him to have a drink of wine and set off a reaction so they would see what he was experiencing, he did and felt quite poorly.

Tue 21st

Better weather today, warmer and sunny. Went to a different shopping centre to get food for the weekend, Christmas. Shirley & I worked on her picture frame.

Wed 22nd

Warm and sunny again, Shirley & I went into the city to get some last minute things, R & D painted the windows and gutters. In the morning Derek went for a blood test and when he got the results they told him his reading was high, which was a bit worrying, he has to have another test on Fri.

Thurs 23rd

Clear blue skies and warm all day, Derek’s son had rung to say they will be calling on Monday with family so we had to go and get some snacks,I finished the bag I made for Shirley then just read outside. In the evening we went to Heddy’s, Heddy works with Shirley at Vinnies, she is Indian and has a get together every Christmas for family and friends, we had a good evening with some very nice food.

Fri 24th

Very hot today. Lazy day sitting outside and reading, did a bit more of Shirley’s picture frame.

Sat 25th Christmas Day

It was overcast this morning, but not cold, after breakfast we packed the car with food and presents and first drove to Dorothy’s (Derek’s sister) we stopped for a while and chatted, she found some old photos of Derek’s family to borrow for Shirley’s frame. We then went on to Peter’s to give Lauren and Vanessa their presents, as we were leaving Shirley and I were trying to keep a fancy cake from squashing and Peter laughingly said “where’s the garlic potatoes?” and we realised they were still in the freezer! We had to go back and fetch them on the way to Karen’s. Even though we were late we were first there, Karen was busy in the kitchen, she had done a wonderful spread, not a Christmas dinner but a buffet, we sat outside and nibbled and drank for a while then Tim, Jodie and their children arrived, we ate some more and drank some more and the children opened their presents, it got warmer and sunnier as the day went on. We left about 4.30 and when we got home played tri ominoes and then I phoned the children and we had a sandwich before bed.

Sun 26th

Weather quite cool so did not do a lot, quiet day at home.
Mon 27th

Another cool day doing nothing much except buying food for family get together tomorrow.

Tue 28th

In the morning we went to the sales, well Derek took me and S. we had seen a sandwich press on offer, S & D have one and it is much better than our sandwich maker so I checked online to see if I could see one at home but they don’t seem to be available so we decided to get it, $38 so a bargain.
In the afternoon we prepared for Derek’s family coming, made some cakes and did a buffet. Dorothy, Derek’s sister, Jayne & Shane, daughter & partner, Robert & Selena, son & partner and Selena’s 3 children, William, Verity & Ainsley came, they all seemed to have a good time and it was nice for Derek to have his family together.

Wed 29th

As it was a nice day we decided to got to Glenelg, we drove to the Entertainment Centre parked and got on the tram, it is free into the city but we had to pay down to Glenelg, we had a picnic, dipped our toes in the sea and then walked around the marina, it was crowded with lots of people on the beach, very hot. We walked up Jetty Road and got the tram back, that was busy and we had to stand most of the way.

Thurs 30th

Today we went to Adelaide Zoo, we managed to park quite near and as Shirley had booked online went in quite quickly, we had a cup of coffee before we looked round, the main attraction was the Pandas, on loan from China at great cost, they only allow so many people in each hour and we had to queue but it was worth it. The enclosures were wonderful with running water, bamboo trees and rocks, they even had cooled rocks which were directly in front of the glass partition and food was placed around, especially on the cool rocks, so that the pandas walked about and gave a really good show, it was very well planned and they seemed very healthy and happy. It was a very hot day, we had to call for a couple of things on the way home, and then in the evening we went to the Indian restaurant, we had a ticket for a free meal from when we went before, it was another branch nearer to home but the food was excellent again.

Fri 31st

Very hot in the night and when we got up, 100f at 10am. I booked a car for us in a couple of weeks to do another trip. Shirl & I worked on photo frame; D & R went to see Rob King. Simon sent some photos he had taken of the bungalow so we could see how things were progressing, extension not up yet.
We did not stay up to see the new year in.

Sat 1st Jan 2011

Very hot and sticky overnight again but overcast in the morning, it got a lot hotter but not as hot as yesterday and it clouded over in the afternoon with even a few spots of rain.
In the afternoon Russ & Chris called with a student they are hosting, they call him Owen as his name is unpronouncable; he arrived from China yesterday, a very polite young man (20) with good English but wanting to know more.

Sun 2nd

Sunny again but not over hot, a cool breeze. After lunch we drove to the Barossa Valley and called at some wineries,

stopped for a cuppa in Tanunda, a very pleasant afternoon with lovely scenery, Rich drove to give Derek a break.

Mon 3rd

Coolish today, didn’t do a lot except grocery shopping and worked on Shirley’s photo frame & family tree.

Tue 4th

A bit overcast in the morning, Shirley started a cold. D R & I went to chemist to get cold tablets and Richie’s batteries. After lunch we went to go to the Salisbury Wetlands, a conservation park, S & D had not been before and were not sure where it was, after we’d driven round for an hour or more, passed Parafield Airport 3 times and had a half hour trip around some railway siding – with moving trains – we decided to give up so we called at the bottle shop and home.

Wed 5th

Warm and sunny this morning, I booked some accommodation for next week and got a route planned. Shirley’s cold quite bad so Derek, Rich and I went to the Wetlands, having got a map. It was very interesting, sandwiched between 2 main roads and the railway yard, we had been very close to it yesterday, it has been developed to conserve waste water and as a flood defence also give a habitat to native species.
We saw quite a few birds,

pelican, spoonbill, cormorant, martins, swallow, purple bush hen, heron, duck; we also caught a glimpse of a rabbit or hare and a water rat. It was a hot afternoon.

Thurs 6th

Another hot morning, Derek had to got to Dorothy’s, as she had her dog at the vet’s and couldn’t manage to carry it home, the dog is very poorly and she knows she must have it put to sleep very soon but wanted it home.
Roy, Derek’s brother called with some certificates and information about their family to put on the family tree which we’d been working on.
After lunch Derek asked would we like to borrow the car to go to the beach so off we went, straight down Grand Junction Rd. to Semaphore beach, it was lovely, hot and still the sea calm and shallow. Very warm in the shallows, we swam and sat for an hour or so then back home, caught the sun a bit, quite a sticky night.

Fri 7th

It was another nice, hot day, in the morning we went for groceries and then after lunch Derek took Rich & I to Morialta Conservation Park just outside the city. It was beautiful, a tree covered gorge with a creek running through - very little water at this time of year, as we got out of the car Rich spotted a koala sleeping in a tree, a lovely surprise to see one in the wild.

We walked up the gorge, it was vrey hot but luckily there were patches of shade from the trees, there was a chorus of bird song all the while and we spooted lots of small birds, we had a really good view of half a dozen blue wrens, very pretty with iridescant blue plumage, there are 3 waterfalls in the reserve, we made it to the first one which did have a trickle of water. The scenery was terrific with rocks towering high above us and many native trees and yaka growing,

we also saw wild sweet peas and blackberries, a lovely afternoon.

Sat 8th

It was overcast this morning, we did some washing and it rained, it did get dry by the end of the day though. Derek went to Dorothy's as she was having the dog put to sleep today but when he came back he said that the dog had rallied and was a bit better. Packed for our trip tomorrow.
We did our "Christmas" dinner, pork roasted on the webber, roast potatoes etc, very nice. It was humid and sticky all day but cleared up in the evening.

Sun 9th

We were up early and loaded the car and off to Ikea for breakfast, we were early and had to wait for it to open, along with quite a few others, we actually were first in the queue! We then went to collect our hire car, a yellow Hyundai Getz-, S & D left and we set off at 10.20 heading for Murray Bridge and down to Mount Gambier, the coastal road was not very interesting, scrubby land, salt lakes and the sea was a strange greeny colour, at one point we did see at least 100 pelicans flying over. We stopped at Kingston for a drink then carried on inland to Mount Gambier; we saw lots of sheep and cattle and noticed many dead trees (drought?) Between Millicent and Mount Gambier there was mile upon mile of pine forest and we passed a Kimberly Clark factory.
We arrived at the Motel Mt. Gambier and booked in; we were given lots of information about the area and what to see by the manager.

We drove to the Blue Lake, a lake in a volcanic crater then on to Valley Lake and Centenary Tower which we climbed up to and got magnificent views, another helpful lady there gave us more information, it was sunny but very windy. We then went to Humpherson’s Sink Hole, this is a beautiful garden planted in a natural sink hole, it was very impressive. We had a meal at the Federal Hotel which was quite good.
Hotel $86 53.58 GBP

Mon 10th

We got some breakfast in our room, stuff we’d taken with us, boiled eggs and bread and butter, and then set off at 0845 heading for Warrnambool, it was overcast.
We had crossed over the border into Victoria yesterday and noticed different architectural styles, more like English bungalows. We called and had a look at Nelson Beach, very misty and windswept; we saw a wallaby by the roadside and a very pale Kestrel hovering. We drove through more miles of pine forests in misty drizzle and called at Portland for a drink; it was very grey, windy and cold. We went to find Tower Hill Reserve at Koroit, it is a vast crater from an extinct volcano and we found a lookout point but with the bad weather the view was not good with mist/low cloud rising from the vegetation, we found our way down into the reserve and decided to take one of the walks, it was drizzling when we started but soon turned to heavy rain so we got saturated, it was very interesting though with lots of lava rocks and wildlife, we saw koala, wallaby, blue wrens, plover, scrub wren, fantails and rabbits and others we couldn’t name. We had a hot drink in the café then went to book in to our motel, The Mahogany Motel,Warrnambool, quite a nice room light and bright with courtyard, too wet to use! after settling in and changing into dry clothes we went and found the RSL club and had a meal, it was a nice, modern club and we had a window seat overlooking the sea, we had super steaks and the sun actually broke through for a while, we had a brief walk by the guns (every Australian town has at least one memorial gun) and back to bed.

Hotel $110 68.53GBP

Tue 11th

Woke up to heavy rain and set off for the Great Ocean Rd. Between Warrnambool and the coast we saw lots of cattle, we also saw many lines of trees, big conifers, on different angles across the fields, we assumed they were for wind breaks as it was very open country.
We did not call at all the lookout points as it was so wet, not heavy rain but mizzly, enough to soak you, there were quite a few people about, mostly better equipped than us with brollies or ponchos. We were glad to have seen it before in good weather but it is still magnificent with heavy surf and sea mist.

At the twelve Apostles, the biggest attraction, they have made a visitor centre and an underpass, this was the busiest place, we must have seen at least a dozen different nationalities along the way. We stopped at Apollo Bay, briefly, wet & windy but people surfing & swimming! We drove on to Kennett River and stopped at the Koala Café by a caravan site, we’d been told we would see koala there. We had a snack then walked up a lane amongst a bus tour, the tour guide had food and was tempting parrots down from the trees,

we walked on a bit more and saw half a dozen koalas moving round the trees, well worth getting wet for.

We then had to make our way over the mountains on very twisting roads, in fog and rain, not a pleasant drive.

We arrived at the Baronga Motor Inn at Colac, not a bad room, a bit gloomy with unpainted dark brick interior; we got out of our wet clothes and went for a meal in the hotel restaurant, too wet to do anything else, another nice steak.

Hotel $99 61.67GBP

Wed 12th

Heavy rain all night ,managed to set smoke alarm off with toaster! Up and away by 0730. We went to Ballarat intending to go to Sovereign Hill, the reconstructed gold mine town but it was tipping down with rain and quite expensive so we decided not to go, like the Ocean Road we had seen it before 15 years ago but still a bit disappointing to have to miss it.

We went on to Ararat; passing through Beaufort it was flooded. We had some lunch at Ararat it stopped raining briefly but bought an umbrella in the reject shop anyway.

We arrived at Halls Gap, in the Grampians National Park and booked in to Takaru Bush Resort, they were not expecting us until tomorrow but had a cabin free, the cabin was very basic and tired looking but did have lovely white fluffy towels and crisp white sheets, unfortunately there were ants in the “kitchen”. The weather cleared and it was hot and sunny, we went to the information centre to ask about activities and were told that the park was closed because the roads were all breaking up and dangerous, the only thing suggested was a walk round the dam on Lake Bellfield which we did after a stroll round Halls Gap,

the creek was high and you could see where it had been a lot higher the walk over the dam was very pleasant, we then went back to the cabin.

There was a kangaroo sitting outside the cabin when we got there and lots of sulphur crested cockatoos, we got some biscuits and soon had about 20 cockatoos around,

also another bird, either a shrike or a honey eater, must look it up, it had a curved beak with very long tongue and small red wattles under it’s chin. We walked into the meadow behind the site and got very close to some kangaroos, sat and watched them for a while, we heard but did not see a kookaburra.

We got beans on toast for tea.

Cabin $99 61.67GBP

Thurs 13th

We decided to move on as it had rained in the night and the forecast was not good, we had booked 2 nights but were told it would be wise to move on, we were on the road by 0820 in the rain again, we paused at Mt William Creek which was very high. It rained all day, it was unremitting grey skies, low cloud rain and flooded land, many of the roads were under water and as large trucks passed us the spray was awful. We stopped at Ouyen for lunch, it briefly stopped raining and was very humid, we ate in the Victoria Hotel, Ouyen,

a magnificent old building with beautiful engraved and stained glass interior doors, one was labelled “Ladies Parlour” from the days – not that long ago – when women were not allowed in pubs. We had a super lunch and on the road again, more rain, we got to Mildura at 2ish booked in to the Econo Lodge Motel, we explained why we were a day early and they had a room available, nice room. We went as far as the river just to say we’d seen it then got some fish & chips and ate in the room, it rained very heavily all night.

Hotel $82 51GBP very good value

Fri 14th

On the road, in the rain by 0815, we first went to Wentworth to see the confluence of the rivers Murray & Darling, very flooded didn’t stop long even though the sun did try to come out briefly,

tried the back road to Renmark but it was closed because of floods, it was very overcast again and a lot of water over the roads, we saw one house being pumped out. As we crossed back into South Australia the sky cleared and it got sunny, we stopped at Renmark for lunch and it was lovely, very damp as they had been flooded a bit but warm. We called at Banrock Station winery but didn’t stop as the walks were a bit too long for the time we had, it was very hot by now. We got back to Vista Ave at about 4.30 so we took the car back and saved a day’s rental.

It had been an interesting trip, disappointing for us because of the weather, but we couldn’t really grumble because the floods have been devastating with whole towns underwater, even Brisbane, a large, modern city shut down and without power, totally unimaginable, the TV coverage was all about the floods, showing pictures of homes and whole townships up to the rooves in water, cars tossed along like toys and thousands of people homeless having lost everything, a tragic situation. We heard that Halls Gap was evacuated the day we left and were glad to get back to sunny South Australia.
The places we did see were interesting and we saw a lot more of Australia, very much sheep and cattle country in Victoria, it was strange to see creeks which in years past have been just a line of trees meandering across country with a dry bed actually running and overflowing.

Sat 15th

Lovely sunny day, did washing and ironing from holiday.

Sun 16th

Another lovely sunny day, we went to Port Noarlunga, it was quite windy by the sea but still very sunny and warm. After our picnic R & I went in the sea,

then Shirl got a phone call from Karen asking if we could go to Tim's and take him to buy some groceries, we were halfway there so it made more sense than her going all the way. Tim & Jodie are really struggling as he can't get regular work and she is at home till the youngest starts school, the three little girls are so bright and Jodie has done a great job helping them to read and write and have good manners but the system seems against them and they aren't able to get a Trust house so rent is crippleing them.
On the way back we called at Port Elliot for a drink but everywhere was closed so stopped at Mount Compass instead, then when we got back to the city we went to Vili's for tea.

Mon 17th

Overcast morning, today Derek has his pacemaker fitted, he went into hospital at lunchtime and spoke to Shirley after tea and was fine.

Tue 18th

Nice sunny day, did some washing, Derek came home and was fine, said it was easier than having a tooth filled and he carried on as normal.

Wed 19th, my 69th birthday!

We were going to go for a drive into the hills but Derek felt poorly and went for a lie down, he told us to go without him but we didn't and Rich took him to see his GP who said he was okay but take it easy so we had a quiet day at home,other than Shirley having to re visit the dentist as she was still in so much pain. In the evening we went to the Indian restaurant and had a nice meal.

Thurs 20th

We went grocery shopping in the morning and after lunch they lent us the car and we went to the beach, we went to Grange which is a lovely fine, white sandy beach with very shallow water for a long way, it was like a warm bath - heaven!

Fri 21st

Another lovely day and after taking Shirley to the shop they lent us the car again and we drove into the hills to Cleland Animal Sanctuary, it was quite good, hot but the kangaroos were a bit listless and not much interested in the food we'd bought for them but still very cute. We went to get a sandwich before returning to pick Shirley up, we waited over half an hour and so I went and asked for either our food or a refund, they were very apologetic and gave me a refund and a sandwich to take away, but we missed to see the koalas, got back in time for picking Shirley up though.

Sat 22nd

Another hot day, we went to the Plaza and I got a hair cut otherwise just a quiet day, we worked on the family tree in the afternoon.
In the evening we went to Lainies place for a meal with her and Bob, we had a smashing evening, super meal with the biggest and most fruitiest trifle we'd ever seen, lots of laughs.

Sun 23rd

We went to Port Adelaide today, had a good mooch around the large indoor market then went on the dolphin cruise, it was very hot and we saw a 2 or 3 dolphins, we also saw pelicans, cormorants &tern.

Mon 24th

It started off a bit overcast but soon brightened up. Today we took a picnic and went to the harness racing, we just walked in, nobody asked us to pay! it was very colourful and interesting and the horses were beautiful, we stayed for 6 races and of all the horses we chose only one won so it was a good job we didn't put money on them! The races were run on a sandy track and between each race a water tanker would spray the track and a tractor would pull a scuffle to prepare the track for the next race.

Tue 25th

Another hot, sunny day, we went to Birdwood, in the hills, to the Motor Museum. We had lunch in a cafe first then spent a couple of hours in the museum, it was very interesting with a huge collection of all sorts of vehicles http://www.alltry.com.au/yellowbrickroad/natmuseum.html.
In the evening there was a thunder storm and a couple of showers during the night.

Wed 26th Australia Day

A nice morning after the overnight rain, Shirley & I worked on the family tree and then we went to Jayne & Shayne's for supper. Their house is over an hour away and is lovely, they have done a very nice restoration on it with a huge outdoor living space with big BBQ and a pizza oven, they also have a shade garden with a water feature in it. There was just us and Pat, Jayne's mum, and we had a lovely steak and chat.

Thurs 27th

Anothr hot, sunny day, we went for lunch at McQueens for the senior special at $8, another very good meal.salad bar, main course (baramundi & chips), sweet, choice of 3and a glass of wine. We then drove to Stirling a very pretty little town in the hills founded by Scottish settlers, had a stroll round and a coffe and back home.

Fri 28th

Shirley was at the shop today so Derek & I went into the city on the bus & Oban and visited the museum, we spent about 3 hours there and still did not see it all in depth, it is a very good museum with interesting exhibits. It had been a hot day.

Sat 29th

Very hot again, went to Plaza for groceries the worked on family tree.

Sun 30th

Another hot day, Shirley, Rich and me went to Gepps Cross market,Derek didn't come as it was where he had got burned, it was very hot. We then went on to the Junction market which is indoors and I bought a sheepskin rug from the Ugg boot stall. We spent the rest of the day indoors working on family tree, the temperature was over 40c.

Mon 31st

Another very hot day, in the 40s, so stayed indoors, Shirl & I worked on family tree most of the day. Went for an evening meal at the Plaza Hotel, nice steak. Today Dorothy had to have her dog put to sleep.

Tue 1st Feb

Derek had to go to hospital for after op. check up, they went by bus as it was easier for them. We had the car and went to the beach at Grange again, didn't stay long as it was very windy, we could hardly stand up and the sand was blowing everywhere. When we got back I started packing.

Wed 2nd

Shirley and me went into the central market on the bus and oban to get a few souveniers, it was a very hot day again, we got back a bit late as buses wer very slow and congested, Shirl missed her podiatrist appointment, Derek went without her.
In the evening we met Karen and Paul and they treasted us to a lovely meal in the city, we then went to a cafe for coffe and a chat.

Thurs 3rd

Overcast this morning and a light shower but after lunch Rich and I went to the beach, it was quiet and cloudy but plent warm enough.
In the evening we met Russell and Chris for a meal.

Fri 4th

After breakfast finished packing and loading the car and off to the airport, sat and chatted for a while then we decided to go into the departure lounge and S & D could go, said a very sad farewell. Not a bad flight, just long and tedious.

Sat 5th

Simon picked us up at Manchester Airport and had us home by 0930. We were very upset to find that the building work on the bungalow was not finished and it was cold, wet and miserable and like a building site - what a homecoming!

Scotland August 2010

2010-08-17T09:22:00.009Z

SCOTLAND AUGUST 2010

Fri 6th

We set off at 0950 and arrived at Cleugh Head Farm in Cumbria at 2.30, it was a good trip but there were quite a few roadworks. We were the only people on the site which was a Caravan Club CL at a farm, no electric but a toilet.

After we set up and had a bit of a rest we went to find the “Belted Will” a pub near Brampton where we had had a good meal last year. We had a good meal but Rich was disappointed because they did not have pork chops. It rained for most of the night

Miles travelled 189 Site fees £9

Sat 7th

We were up and away by 0850 and it was a much nicer day, sunny and bright, the scenery was lovely along the A701. We arrived at the Royal Highland Showground and had trouble finding where the rally was, a car park attendant helped us in the end, saved us going round for a third time. We were there about 11.45.

After setting up and having lunch we got the park & ride bus into Edinburgh, sussing things out for Mon night. The city was heaving with people as the Fringe and Festival were going on, it was very difficult to get about and there were street performers every where. We made our way up to the castle and had a look at the stands set up for the Tattoo, then we walked back down the Royal Mile and found a bar to get a drink. We then found our way to Waverly to see where we needed to go for the late bus on Mon.

When we got back to the van we were amazed to find that pitched next to us were Pat and Bernard who we had met in Spain, we sat in the sun and chatted to them for a while then I got tea, I managed to leave a plastic potato masher in the oven and it got welded round the shelves and burners! When the sun went down it got quite cool so we went into Pat & Bernard’s van and had a drink and chatted.

Miles travelled 114 Site fees £6 x 3 = £18

Sun 8th

It rained a lot in the night but cleared up a bit by morning. After breakfast we drove to the Caravan Club site to meet Joyce and David, another couple that we had met in Portugal, we had arranged to meet them. We sat in their van and had a drink and a catch up then decided to go to se the Falkirk Wheel, it was a lovely sunny day so we sat with a snack and a drink watching a falconry display for a while then walked along the canal for a while before going back to our van. We later went for a Chinese meal, not brilliant, and took Joyce and David back to their site.

Mon 9th

Wet overnight again. Decided to go to the Edinburgh waterfront at Leith and look round the Royal Yacht Britannia, when we got there we had difficulty finding it as we had to go through a large shopping mall to get to it. It was very impressive though but the Royal apartments were quite small with mostly what looked like utilitarian furniture, it was fitted out in 1953. As we left the heavens opened and we had to make a run for it, we were lucky enough to find a car park where the pay meters were out of order.
We had a bit of a rest then went for the bus into the city. We found the “Wetherspoons” where we had agreed to meet Joyce & David and were an hour early! It was very busy and noisy but we got a drink and hung around till we managed to bag a table. When J & D came we ordered a meal, Richie’s steak was awful but the others fine so they changed it for him. We then walked up to the castle, as we approached the crowd got thicker and thicker and we were just shuffling along, luckily David & I managed to arrange a place to meet after the show before we got parted by the crush, they were on the opposite stand to us. The show was very good, there was a brief scud of rain but it soon passed. It took ages to get out of the stand and to where we were meeting J&D, in fact Dave came back to meet us as they were being moved on by the police for lingering too long, we made our way down the Royal Mile, very slowly it was just a solid mass of people, and caught the bus back to Inglestone and we then took J&D back to their site and said goodbye, it had been nice to catch up with them, it was well after 12 when we got in.

Mon 10th

We had breakfast and packed up then went for a coffee and natter with Pat & Bernard; it had been nice to meet them again.
We set off at 10.30 and found an Asda for fuel, it was in Coatbridge and was huge, you had to go over a bridge from the car park, took a bit of sussing out. We arrived at South Wittliesburn farm at 1.30, it is a Caravan Club CL just above Largs in a lovely glen it seemed very busy and we were put on the car park.

It was a warm, sunny afternoon so we sat out and enjoyed the sun until tea time. We were able to hook up to a satellite dish and watch television.

Miles travelled 80 Fuel £70

Wed 11th

We were woken early by cars on the gravel, people from some of the caravans going to work, went back to sleep and got up quite late. About mid morning we went into Largs and had a walk round, I bought some shoes, it was cool and very breezy; it is a small town but has a ferry terminal and a steamer doing trips.

We stopped for lunch at a pub then went back to the car and drove along the coast road as far as Greenock, it was too cool to get out so went back to the site, we drove up past the site and carried on over the hill for miles, very bleak but picturesque, we ended up at a visitor centre for the Greenock Cut which was a system for bringing clean water to Greenock in the 18th century, very interesting, also found out that James Watt & Tate & Lyle were from Greenock. Back to van for tea and TV did not work tonight.

Site fees £12.50 x 2 £25

A nice site with electric hook up and shower and toilet which were adequate.

Thurs 12th

A nice, sunny morning we drove to a site near Portpatrick, a small CL. When we arrived we couldn’t find anyone about so another camper told us to set up and he would be around sometime. We set up on the edge of the field overlooking the sea, a beautiful spot, it was bright but windy, and there were various breeds of sheep and cattle in the fields. After a bit of lunch we drove to Portpatrick and had a walk around, again it was very windy but dry and sunny, we spotted a cormorant entangled with fishing line and reported it to the harbourmaster, he said he would try to get to it.
Back for tea and bed.

Miles travelled 94

Fri 13th

Another dry but sunny, windy day, after breakfast we drove to the Mull of Galloway, the most southern point of Scotland, on the way we called at the site of Kirkmadrine Stones, we thought it would be a stone circle but it was actually the earliest Christian stones and they were displayed in a small church.

We carried on and stopped at Sandhead, which was beautiful, then on to the lighthouse on the Mull of Galloway,

after a look at the seabird colony there we carried on to Port Logan where we had a nice meal. Back at site I finally managed to track down the owner and pay him

The site was in a lovely spot and had shower and toilet which were adequate.

Site fees £8.5 x 2 = £17

Sat 14th

Woke up to a beautiful sunny, calm morning, after breakfast we packed up , hooked up and were away for 10.10. We called at Lidl in Stranraer and Rich bought a storage box then on to Asda Carlisle where we got some lunch and fuel and decided to head for home where we arrived at 5.15.

Miles travelled 305 Fuel £52

Total miles 782
Total site fees £69

Wales June 2010

2010-06-24T13:21:00.004Z

Sun 6th June

We left home at 0920 and arrived at Henllan at about 10.15. We set up and then got ready to go for the family meal in the club. It was a very good meal, as usual, and good to catch up with the family. We went up to Emma's afterwards just to say hello.

Miles travelled 27 Site fee £16

Mon 7th

We set off just after 9am and arrived at the farm CS at 11.30, it was a nice site in a field very close to the cliff overlooking the Irish Sea.

We went for a walk along the cliff top as it was quite a nice afternoon, if a bit breezy, we saw grey seals on the rocks below, we just got back to the van before it started to rain heavily.

Miles Travelled 80

Tue 8th

The weather was not too good so we drove around, went to Abersoch and Pwhelli, where we went into "pensioner mode" and ate our sandwiches sitting in the car looking at the sea!. We had a good drive round and the scenery was beautiful. After tea we went down to the beach below the farm and mooched for a while, it was a lovely, warm, calm evening and we watched the sun go down over the sea, we saw a pair of choughs on the cliffs.

Wed 9th

We drove to Anglesey and visited Plas Newdd ,a National Trust property, again we drove through beautiful countryside and the weather was better, sunny and warm. We walked in the woods on the estate looking over the Menai Straits and the Bridge, then we went round the house. The weather atarted to deteriorate so we sat in the car and had our sandwiches and drove back to the site.
Site fees £36

Thurs 9th

We left the site and drove to Phillip and Daisy's in Kerry. We parked on their drive and after a chat we went to visit Judith and Bob in Abermule, they moved there 3 years ago and have a beautiful place right on top of the hill, very isolated, we had a good chat then went back to Phillip's, we had our tea and then sat with Phillip and chatted as Daisy was on a walk.

Miles travelled 90

Fri 10th

We were going to visit John and Jean but couldn't get John on the phone and John and Jean were shearing so decided they would be too busy. We decided to go home and then drive back in tomorrow.

Sat 11th

We drove to Powis Castle and saw Emma, Aaron & James, it was a lovely, sunny day, we had a look round then we went to visit Sue &Rich Bennet in Meifod, had a good visit with them then back home.

Peterborough Show

2010-04-28T14:22:00.004Z

Thurs 22 April 2010

We set off at 0950 and met up with Jan & Mike at a service area just outside Peterborough, we arrived at the show ground at 1pm. It was a lovely, sunny day, we set up then had a walk around the show. In the evening we introduced Jan & Mike to Triominoes.

Fri 23rd April

Woke to another sunny day and had a good look round the show, it was very busy and there were lots of exhibitors, we found a kitchen tent for half the price we'd seen them in Spain or on the internet, £149, so bought that, we also bought a few odds and ends. We spoke to the people at "Towtal" and they told us they had a Citroen C1 for sale which we decided to go and have a look at next week. We met Lyn, the line dance teacher from Albufiera and another couple we'd met at Castillo. We had a BBQ with J & M then in the evening we wnt to the show which was Country & Western band who were good.

Sat 24th April

Jan & I went in to Peterborough on the bus and had a look around, we went in to the cathederal and the shops. We played a game of "Chocolate Trivial Pursuits" which was quite a laugh.

Sun 25th

There was a shower in the morning but when it cleared we had another look round the show, we packed up awning while it was dry then Jan did a meal for us and we played cards

It had been a good show, the weather was great, it was very busy with thousands of vans on site.

Travelled 259 miles Fuel £73

2010-02-18T14:08:00.039Z

TRIP TO PORTUGAL & SPAIN JAN 2010

Fuel £58.42

Sunday Jan 24th

We set off from home at 0610 and had a good run to Dover arriving at 1030, we checked in, had a sandwich and Rich had a nap. The ferry was punctual leaving at 12.20, it was a calm crossing and we arrived in Calais and first went to Sainsbury’s and Auchan for wine and fuel.
We left there at 3.40 (French time) and arrived in Cleres at 6.30. We had a quick meal and an early night. There was evidence of lots of snow on the roadsides, some drifts hanging on and sodden, waterlogged fields, the roads were dry and although cloudy it was quite bright.

Miles travelled Fuel €59

Monday Jan 25th

Had a good nights sleep but heard it raining for most of the night, quite heavy at times. Didn’t get up till 9 o’clock and the rain had stopped and it was quite bright. We set off at 10.30 heading for Rouen, we managed to get past without going wrong, just outside Rouen there is an island with concrete cows on it,

the next island has Roman columns, after that one we saw real goats grazing by the roadside. We called at an Aire at Marboue to have our lunch, it was a nice Aire, just off the main road and by a river, there was a children’s playground and a boules pitch there as well as lots of picnic tables by the river. We set off again and called for fuel, it was a lovely, sunny afternoon, we saw kestrels, some deer and even a stoat running across the road. We arrived at St Maure de Touraine at 4.15, got dinner and an early night again.

Miles travelled 213 Fuel €51

Tuesday Jan 26th

Woke quite late again, so dark in mornings, there had been a very heavy ground frost and there was a solid grey sky. We set off at 0930 down the N10 and passed Poitier, by mid morning it had brightened up a bit, we stopped in a very busy motorway Aire for lunch, just outside Bordeaux, the road was very busy passing Bordeaux, lots of lorries. We saw at least a dozen kestrels and some deer, we noticed that the landscape was changing and were soon passing vineyards; the sun came out in the afternoon. We were interested to see that where the storm had blown down thousands of trees last year it was mostly cleared up, lots of timber lorries on road and one large area was flattened with mountains of logs piled.

We found the town where the Aire was, Parentis en Born, but went up and down looking for it, finally found it in Super U car park, we emptied toilet and waste water then parked behind the supermarket.

Tea and another early night.

Miles travelled 246 fuel €56.87

Wed Jan 27th

Managed to get up a bit earlier, while it was still dark, got breakfast and went to get some milk in Super U but it was not open. As we set off the sun was appearing over the horizon huge and red, it was quite spectacular, as we left Parentis en Born we saw flocks of what we took to be flamingos, there were several groups flying in V formation and we saw some on the ground on a ploughed field they appeared to be grazing and they were browny buff coloured? As we neared the border with Spain we noticed road signs in dual language, French & Basque. Passing San Sebastian was a nightmare, busy roads, very twisty and full of lorries. We were surprised to see less snow than last year, in fact none! Just a very faint scattering on a short stretch, it was very cold and there was snow higher up but no great depth. We arrived at Miranda de Ebro and called at a Le Clerc to get some milk and filled up with fuel as it was cheap, we then went straight to the Aire, Gertie did well, and in fact she got us through the nightmare traffic superbly. There was a proper water tap and facilities to empty toilet and waste but the parking was beside the river and a bit muddy, also quite near the town we filled up with water and parked and ate our lunch, as we sat there we saw 6 cormorants on a tree and one struggling to swim against the strong current, we also saw a wren.

It was only about 2.30 and we decided that we would move to the site at Haro that we’d used before as we weren’t too happy about where we were, I’d not slept too well the night before being in a car park. We drove through Miranda de Ebro which is a big industrial town, lots of traffic, and arrived at Haro at 3 o’clock and booked in. We got tea and then had a shower – bliss after 3 days without and great to wash my hair!

Miles travelled 219 fuel €34.53

Thurs Jan 28th

Up quite early and set off at 08.45, as we left the site there were workmen coming in with all sorts of heavy machinery, looked like they were going to tarmac the roads. There was a nice sunrise again, just outside Haro there was snow lying in the furrows between the vines.

The road bypassed Burgos, Gertie got confused, she also got confused in Salamanca and we ended up in the city centre. After Burgos we noticed that there was no snow it was still very cold though even though there was clear blue skies, there was ice on puddles and furrows in the fields, on some roadsides where the sun hadn’t reached there were icicles formed on rocks where water had seeped. It was a good road, new motorway for most of the way, the scenery was rolling, undulating plains, mostly ploughed or showing new spring growth, after Beja it changed and was a lot more rocky, we also saw olive trees for the first time after Beja. We saw lots of larks hopping on the roadside, quite a few kites, some eagles and a couple of lapwings, there were a few storks starting to make nests. The sun had shone out of a cloudless sky all day and it got very hot in the van. We decided not to stop at Salamanca but to push on to Plascencia where we arrived at 2.50.

We booked in and it was lovely and sunny so we had a short walk round the site, the place was alive with azure magpies, they were in all the trees, lots of sparrows and chaffinches and kites flying over, there were some horses in a field above the site with a deer in the pen with them. Tea, shower and early night.
Miles travelled 296

Fri Jan 29th

We were up early, while it was still dark, and got away by 0800, we called for fuel at the first motorway station and headed for Seville, the sun rose at about 0845 big & bright in a cloudless sky.

The scenery at first was short rounded trees which we think are cork oak, then it was quite agricultural with many herds of cows and sheep, with lambs, we saw stork & lapwing. As we got beyond Caceres it seemed to get colder and there was a heavy frost on the ground, as we neared Merida we saw eucalyptus trees and beyond there we saw miles of vines, olive groves and fruit trees, there was more arable land with spring growth showing but very waterlogged and then rocky, boulder strewn areas with more cork oaks. As we approached Seville we saw our first orange groves.
We stopped for lunch just beyond Seville and just after we set off there was a traffic jam with armed police by the side of the carriageway we crawled for about a mile then had to filter into one lane, again waved on by armed police, with machine gun! There was an area of small cones and several police vehicles, two vehicles appeared to have been stopped with “stingers”, more police with whistles were waving us through and I saw one policeman with his machine gun pointing in the window of one of the stopped vehicles, we’ll never know what that was all about! The day continued bright and sunny with cloudless blue skies, I saw some swallows and more storks nesting on pylons, we also drove through more orange groves; there were yellow flowers-Oxalis?-on the verges and blossom on the trees (almond?) As we drove into Portugal it started to get a bit cloudy,

we arrived at the site in Albufiera at 2.45 (1.45 Portuguese time) we booked in pitched the van and apart from asking at reception for some gravel for the pitch that was all we did, tired after a long day’s travel. It was 17 degrees and sunny but cloudy with a coolish breeze. We got tea and played cards before bed. – Gravel didn’t come!

Distance travelled 349 miles fuel €99

Total miles 1722 Total fuel €367 0r £321.82

Sat Jan 30th
Had a really good nights sleep and woke feeling a lot better, sunny morning but heavy dew, temperature 6c, it had been 0-3 all other mornings. After breakfast had a bit of a clean & cupboard sort out, Rich washed van, sat out for a bit as sun was nice. Had a text off Vicki with the sad news that Eleanor had died last night.
After lunch went for a game of boules, my team won! It clouded over & got very chilly. After tea I went to terrace to get wifi, got on line but emails didn’t go, it was very dark and couldn’t see, will try again tomorrow.

Sun Jan 31st

Woke up to cloudy skies but it felt warmer 10c. Did not do much this morning but I had another go at emails and think I’ve sorted it. We walked into town, all through the road works, very quiet in town, we wandered around a bit then found a restaurant to have a meal, it was a super restaurant, local but had a tourist menu, Rich had a huge T. bone for €9, it was done to perfection, I had the menu of the day, pate, soup, fish/pork chops, I had the fish, sweet, half bottle of wine and coffee, very good value at €9.50. As we got back to the square we saw our bus in the stand so did not have to walk back. Lazy afternoon reading etc, I came out in a weird itchy rash, like urticaria but very small lumps in clusters, was it something I ate?, we didn’t want anything to eat so played cards before bed.

Mon Feb 1st

Woke to clear skies and a heavy dew again, 6c. I did some washing quite a load as it was all the stuff we travelled down in. We went to reception again to see about the gravel, I managed to get a sympathy card from the rally steward and wrote a letter to Peter, as I was doing that the gravel arrived. We had lunch then put the sunshade, windbreak & mat out. We then walked up the road to the orange seller and got a big bag of oranges, not a very pleasant walk alongside the busy, rubbish strewn main road but we did see blossom trees (almond) which smelt very sweet.

We sat outside as it was such a lovely day, clear blue sky warm and sunny. I sent a couple of emails then got tea. Played cards, new card shuffler broke!!

Tue Feb 2nd

Grey and a bit overcast first thing but sun came through; Rich was not feeling too good so we sat quiet for a while. We set off about 10.15 for the market, we got a bit lost through the houses and ended up going through the gypsy shanty town, a couple of dogs came barking and sniffing but otherwise no problem, there was a young woman doing housework in a shack made of tin sheeting and cardboard with an earth floor, she had 3 children and there was a dog in a plastic kennel outside,we think we arepoor but when you see something like that you realise we're not. We wandered round the market for quite a while, it wasn’t as busy as last year and didn’t seem quite as big, maybe because it is a bit earlier in the year. We got some carrots, figs, eggs and nuts.

We walked down to Lidl and got some bread then walked back to the site, the sun was warm but there was a very chilly wind. We were a bit late for boules, and too tired! Had a sit down then a BBQ steak for tea. Played cards for a while and I watched a film.

Wed Feb 3rd

It rained quite a bit in the night and was still raining when we got up. As we were sitting having a cup of tea a breakdown truck pulled up, it went to the van behind us and we watched them as they had a look under the bonnet and then start to pull it off the pitch, the couple were having to unload a lot of stuff as it was being winched onto the truck and taken away, luckily it had stopped raining by now but there was a cool breeze. I went over to ask if they wanted any help, to leave stuff with us or stay in the warm while it was being seen to, they said that they were going to go with it to see what was going on but would be very grateful if we could look after their dog, Hattie a spaniel, of course we didn’t mind at all. As it happened there was only one seat in the truck so if Val wanted to go the driver said that she would have to lie down in the back of their van so the police couldn’t see her! As the van was not tied down on the truck at all she declined and came and sat with us and had a coffee. After a while she went to use the internet and left Hattie with us, she was very good made no fuss at all and just slept. After I’d had a sandwich I went up to email and I hadn’t been there long when her husband came back so we went back to get Hattie. It was still quite cool so we watched a film in the afternoon then got tea and had a game of Tri-ominoes, Emma had given it to Rich for Christmas, it was quite good, took a lot of thinking about. It had started to rain again as we had tea and rained solidly all evening, and was still raining when we went to bed.

Thurs Feb 4th

Woke up to rain again, it did clear by mid morning and the sun came out a bit. The lady who’s dog we had looked after brought us over a bottle of wine to say “thank you”, a nice gesture but unnecessary. We cycled to the shopping mall, David from the next door van came with us, his wife didn’t want to come, not much for cycling, we were attacked by a pack of about 10 dogs as we cycled by some houses didn’t actually touch us though we just kept going and ignored them. When we were parking our bikes a security guard on a quad bike told us we couldn’t stay there (tied to a post at the back where we’d parked last year) and he escorted us to bike racks at the front and explained how to use them! We had a look round then got a few things in the supermarket and had lunch at a chicken grill, it was ok and good value at €4.99, it came to €21 though because we were charged for the starters, bread, pate & cheese, the mall was very quiet. We cycled back a lot quicker as it is downhill; the lanes were very potholed and wet, not too muddy as it is so stony. We got back in time for boules, it got very chilly and started to rain, Rich’s team got the wooden spoon. I went up to send emails and it bucketed down. Got a bit of tea then played Tri-ominoes and cards.

Fri Feb 5th

It had rained again in the night but it was a clear blue sky when we got up with sun rising. It was such a nice day that we did not do a lot but sat and enjoyed the sunshine In the evening we went to the line dancing, as the sun went down we heard the cicadas chirping. I went to the dancing with Joyce from the next van and David, her husband, and Rich stayed in the bar. The dancing was enjoyable, we did a few easy ones, some I hadn’t done before and a few I knew. I’d met the teacher at the sinks earlier and we’d been talking about dancing, she’d asked me which ones I knew so I told her a few, when she played one of them I was the only one ho got up! A bit embarrassing but I had to just go for it, it happened again a bit later on so I ended up doing 2 solos, except for the teacher, still it was fun. As we were leaving another couple said they were going into the bar for the Karaoke so we went to watch, Rich had had enough as they’d been doing it for a while so he went home and I stayed with Joyce & David till about 11.30, as we walked back to vans it was a beautiful starry night, but cold.

Sat Feb 6th

Awake to another clear, cold morning. I washed the sheets and then we walked to Lidl for a few things, back for lunch then a game of boules, it was a lovely, sunny day. Tri-ominoes & cards before an early night.

Sun Feb 7th

Grey and quite cool this morning, I put a meal in the slow cooker then we went into town,

we caught a bus down wandered around a bit then walked back via Lidl to get some bread. After tea (chops a bit tough) game of tri-ominoes and cards and bed.

Mon Feb 8th

Rained overnight and overcast but mild (14c) when we got up. We met at rally tent to go on walk, it started to look grey and overcast, threatening to rain, we set off anyway, 54 of us, as we left the site gates it started to pour down, we were the only 2 who had not got our waterproofs with us! We carried on anyway and slogged up a hill in the heaviest downpour imaginable for about 15 minutes, we were thoroughly soaked through to the skin, then the sun came and we carried on and got drier as we went, 26 dropped out, those with the serious walking boots and sticks!

The walk lasted about 2½ hours and would have been interesting but we did not have time to look around but just kept up with leader. We ended up at the café across the road from the site where we had a drink and toastie and stayed to chat for quiet a while with David and Joyce, the leaders and their cronies all sat round one big table.
We went back to site and sat around vans talking til we got tea and went up to the quiz night which was quite good, we missed being first by 1 point.

Tue Feb 9th

Sunny but white clouds this morning and we just stayed round the van. We played boules in the afternoon and Bob put our names down for a game tomorrow against locals.

In the evening we went up to a local restaurant up the road with Joyce and David, we walked up the main road to it, it was a large, barn like place and the girls serving were very friendly but had little English, the food was not wonderful but good value for money €6.50 for 3 courses plus wine, had a good evening chatting with Joyce and David but we suddenly looked round and the place had emptied at about 9.30 so walked back, I was a bit upset to find I had lost one of my good earrings.

Wed Feb 10th

Rained overnight and raining heavily when we got up, we had a good look for my earring, we’d found the back in the van, Rich got the metal detector out and I walked up to gate looking, Rich found one cheap earring but not mine. We were not looking forward to boules in the rain but Bob had said it would go on come hail rain or snow. As we were having our cup of tea Bob came round to tell us the match was cancelled much to our relief.
The rain did ease up a bit in the afternoon and so we went for a short walk up the road looking for my earring, and we found it!! It had been run over and the stone was missing but I think it can be repaired, (it was too expensive when I asked). Stayed in the van and played cards till bedtime.

Thurs Feb 11th

Richie’s birthday 65 !! We went into Albufeira and Rich got 2 pairs of shoes, I tried to return a clock I’d bought the other day which didn’t work, the shop keeper didn’t want to know, (Chinese shop) she did change it with very bad grace but I don’t think this one will work either, (it did eventually). I found a hairdresser and got my hair cut, was quite pleased with it and for €10 couldn’t grumble. We had a short walk on the beach watching the breakers then went for a meal at the same place we’d been to the other day, special of the day €9.5. We got the bus back and were just in time to play boules. It had been a nice, sunny day, a bit cloudy and cool breeze out of the sun but much better than yesterday. We did most of the packing.

Fri Feb 12th

Heard it raining about 6am and it didn’t stop, we waited until it stopped but it didn’t so eventually we had to pack the rest of the stuff, mat & windbreaks, in the pouring rain paddling inches deep in water!

We both got soaked to the skin. We drove up to Lidl to stock up and finally left Albufeira at 11.05. It was raining very heavily and just outside Albufeira we saw a car upside down on the opposite carriageway with emergency services attending. We arrived in El Roccio at 1.30 (2.30 Spanish time) I went to rally tent and had to wait for ages in the rain before anyone came out, when the steward, Mick, did come and told us which pitch was ours we asked for a different one a bit nearer the facilities and he wasn't very pleased, said the one he'd offered us was not as waterlogged but we had the one we wanted, we didn't want to have to go too far in the rain for showers etc. we got pitched again getting soaked. Didn’t set up just stayed in out of the rain, it was very cold after Albufeira.
The site was a lot neater than Albufeira but smaller pitches, all hedged around, the showers were quite good and clean and washing sinks indoors.

Miles travelled 129

We enjoyed the rally and the site, despite being very wet, was good, free wifi is a bonus, the rally activities were ok, we enjoyed the quiz and I enjoyed the dancing the stewards were always available and had a well organised tent, we found the stewards a bit cliquey but all the ralliers were very friendly, the shower/toilet block was scrupulously clean always.

Sat Feb 13th

Heard it raining in the night but it was not raining when we got up, it was grey and cloudy though and a keen wind, felt cold. After breakfast we put up the awning and mat then walked in to El Roccio, it is a very strange town, looks like the towns you see in Mexico in westerns, no paved roads just very wide, potholed, sandy streets, it was very quite as we walked in but when we got to the square there were quite a lot of people about, there were various shops selling clothes for riders, very specific for the horsemen and flamenco dresses for women,

there were also shops selling religious souvenirs as the town is a place of pilgrimage, we went into the church and it is fantastic with a statue of the Virgin Mary and a towering, gold alter.

We saw what we thought were swallows nests on the outside of the church but when we looked they were actually sparrows going in and out of them. As we walked round we saw a few people on horses, there were 3 young boys showing off, they stopped and posed for us and they were fantastic riders with the horses prancing about, they had to try out their English on us as they rode by.

We called for a coffee at a café and as we were there a couple of men on horseback came and were served outside without dismounting; there was a special, high shelf for them to put their food and drinks on.

We walked back to the site and I paid for a weeks internet, €14.90.
I sent a few emails and looked at my photos then we had tea, a couple of games before bed.

Sun Feb 14th

It was cold again this morning 6c, grey sky but quite bright, while we were having breakfast the stewards came round with a red carnation for me and some chocolates for Rich as it was St Valentines day, there is a dinner dance tonight but at €25 a head we won’t be going, not that we would have anyway!
Rich got the bikes down and I made some sandwiches and we rode into El Roccio, quite difficult on the soft, wet sand. As we approached we heard loud bangs and drums and there were great crowds of people, we locked the bikes up and followed the crowds.

It was a religious parade, there were drums and pipes (like recorders) being played and banners carried as well as a large “Gold” representation on the Virgin Mary, rockets or flares were being set off at intervals with a resounding bang. We followed the parade to the church where they waited for a while, the bells started ringing and they were let into the church. We wlked towards the lake and there were ponies giving rides to children, some very small and some pulling small carts as well. We called at a café for a coffee and then went and sat by the lake to eat our sandwich, although it was bright there was a cold wind. We walked back to the church and had a look at the side chapel where people lit candles, it was amazing, the roof and walls were black and there was a large extractor fan taking the smoke out, it was amazingly warm with the heat from hundreds of candles. We called at another café so we could use the toilet, there was a large queue and a woman handing out toilet paper and taking money, I joined the queue, there were 2 toilets, one men’s one ladies, the ladies were allowed in the men’s if there was no man waiting but the attendant had to spray air freshener in it first, if a man came along he jumped the queue, also a young mother with a small girl was allowed to jump the queue for the girl but she waited her turn for herself, one of the strangest toilet encounters I’ve had. We saw a few horses but today seemed to be all about religion.
We cycled back to the van calling at the supermarket for a couple of things. It started to rain while we were having tea and rained all night.

Mon Feb 15th

We were woken by someone (steward’s wife) banging on the door and shouting “your awning is full of water!!” we shot out of bed, it was still quite dark, and found that the awning was almost collapsed, one of the legs had given way and it was bulging with water, Rich went out and got the broom to push it up and the broom handle broke! He managed to move one of the legs and the water cascaded down. It was still raining heavily and continued most of the morning, but it was a lot milder than yesterday 10c. I had not been able to get the internet yesterday and still couldn’t this morning, the girl on reception had said if it went wrong it was nothing to do with them and I had to ring the number on the card, I went to ask the steward’s advice and he said “nonsense it is their responsibility” and that he would sort it out for me, he came round a while later with Fernandez, the Spanish liaison officer, who said that the internet was out in the area and he would let me know when it was back, I hope that he allows for missed days.
As I am typing this the sun has actually come out, there is a patch of blue sky and it has stopped raining!

The rest of the day was sunshine (brief) and showers (heavy) we just stayed in the van, watched a film, sewed etc.

Tue Feb 16th

When we got up the sky was not as overall grey as it had been, more broken cloud and it felt warmer, it rained a lot in the night and as we were getting up though. I put a casserole in the slow cooker and as the morning went on it looked better weather so I did some washing and hung it out it was very windy but sunny. In the afternoon there was a game of boules in the “road” so we joined in, very different to other games, men against women (some of the women were men as there were not enough real ones) up and down the road, it made a change though to get out and meet people, the women won 2 games to none.
Tea, a few games and bed.

Wed Feb 17th
Rained again overnight, still raining when we got up, it eased off and was bright but very windy. I did a bit more washing but had to keep my eye on it as it kept blowing off the line.
In the afternoon we had a lift to a Chinese Buffet meal, it was in Heulva which took nearly an hour to get to, the ride was through the Donana National Park which is huge, very flat and sandy with gum trees and pines, we saw mimosa starting to blossom and buds coming on trees, there was a lot of standing water and at one point the road was flooded right over both carriageways. Heulva is a port and very industrialised, gas works, fertiliser, oil, cement all sorts, not pretty and quite smelly. When we got to the restaurant it was in a huge concrete edifice. The meal was super, all you could eat for €9.95, there was lots of salads and starters and also a big section where you chose your fresh food and had it cooked there and then, the choice was fantastic, fish, meat, veg of all kinds, really enjoyable. Mike, the steward, was talking to us and saying that it was situated within a football stadium, the oldest club in Spain, 1899, which explained the strange concrete building. It was really odd because as we were there, 3pm (2pm at home) Eleanor’s funeral was being held in the stadium in Shrewsbury, I was feeling a bit emotional as it was but that really choked me. After the meal we went on to a shopping mall where there was a C & A, I got a nice top. We drove back to the site and Sue & Adrian, our drivers, said they would take us to the market on Fri. It was still dry and sunny but very breezy.

Thurs Feb 18th

Woke up to grey skies again and as we got breakfast it started to rain and didn’t stop all day, the wind had dropped and it was heavy drizzle that felt like you were walking through clouds and really soaked you. Stayed in van. Rich did not feel too good so we had an early night and I watched a film.

Fri Feb 19th

A bit better day, sunny with a wind and clouds but not overcast. I did a bit of washing and then we were taken to Almonte by Sue & Adrian, who had taken us to Huelva. We parked at Mercadona and agreed to meet back there later, we all went to the indoor market where I bought some meat and fish

and then we left the group and walked around the street market and on to Mercadona where we stocked up, taking advantage of having a car to carry shopping. Back at the van it was a nice afternoon so we at outside for a while in the sun – lovely! I cooked the chops I’d bought at the market and they were quite nice. Played a few games before bed.

Sat Feb 20th

Woke up to clear skies and a very heavy dew, Mick, the steward, had told us about a bike ride we could go on so we decided to go. We went through El Rocio and turned off into the park through some fancy pillared gates and cycled on a nice tarmac road for about 5kms we ended up at the Acebon Palace which was a hunting lodge originally but is now an information centre, there were interesting exhibits about the local life and culture, we had a good look at them and then went on the board walk around the marshy grounds.

The walk was quite a long one and took us over peaty, flooded marshes and then into woodland, there were pine trees, cork oaks and eucalyptus, the broom was just coming into flower, we carried on hoping that the walk would be a circular one taking us back to the car park, where we’d left our bikes, we started to see people who’d been in front of us coming back but carried on anyway and found that the board walk was under water, as we both had sandals and short trousers on we decided to paddle through it and it did eventually lead us back to the car park.

As we cycled back through the park I’m sure I saw a Lynx, there were signs warning that they were about and I saw a very large, dark cat just about to cross the road, not quite as big as a Jack Russell, it turned back as soon as it saw us so couldn’t make a positive identification. We cycled back to El Rocio and found it very difficult going on the wet, sandy streets, we were also having to dodge vehicles winding their way round pot holes, no such thing, we got a bit lost so stopped for a drink and then managed to find our way and get back to the site, we had probably cycled about 12 miles. We got back too late to play boules but after the game they had a “tea party” so we all went and sat by the rally tent and had a drink and biscuit. The couple from over the road asked us if we’d like to go with them, they were getting the bus to a nearby town where there was a festival, the bus didn’t go till 5pm and didn’t get back till after 11pm so we said no, Rich’s back was hurting after the bike ride. I got on line again as they have decided to give me the 2 days I lost.

Sun Feb 21st

There was very heavy rain overnight with bursts of very strong wind but when we got up the sky was clearing. We walked into town and the streets were wetter than ever with streams running down them. We walked around for a bit and got some strawberries. We met Phil & Shelia from the site and stood in the church watching the service, the choir was wonderful, more like flamenco guitar music. We went to a café for a drink and then watched another parade when the heavens opened, we sheltered for a while and started back when it stopped, we had nearly got out of town when it rained again in torrents, we had to run for shelter and wait it out, eventually got back rather wet.
In the evening we went to the rally meal at the site restaurant, €12 for 3 courses and a drink, there was also a happy hour where drinks were half price, it was a good evening, we sat with Shelia & Phil, Sue & Adrian and June & Brian, after the meal Brian played his banjo and sang a few songs.

Mon Feb 22nd

Not too bad a morning, a bit blustery but sunny, I did a bit of washing and had a bit of a clean of the van then went to the “coffee morning” ie all sitting around outside while Mick told us the weeks programme, pity we didn’t have one last week so we’d have known about a few things, it was impossible because of the rain though last week. Had a short stroll round the site area.
The road alongside the site led out into the country on the outskirts of town, there were a lot of horses hobbled without much grazing, they looked awfully poor and skinny, in sharp contrast to the horses we’d seen being ridden around the town which were glossy and well fed with manes and tails combed cut and curled. Although it was quite warm and sunny the wind was very strong, at least it kept the rain away.
We went to the quiz evening and were on a team with Shelia & Phil, came 2nd to last but it was a bit of fun, raining when we walked back.

The site was not bad, well ordered pitches but not all that big, it was unfortunate that there had been so much rain as it made it impossible to go anywhere without getting sand and damp into the van, it also meant that things had to be cancelled and we were unable to go into the park. The showers and toilets were clean, not as spotless as Albufeira though and smaller, the stewards were not as available as on other rallies but were helpful when asked, we felt we got of on the wrong foot by asking to have a different pitch to the one allocated, Mick liked to direct everyone on to pitch and off and Christine waved a chequered flag whenever anyone left.
We were glad to have come to El Rocio, it is certainly a very different town to any we’ve ever seen, it seems to exist only for the religious festival which happens at Pentecost, there are large houses which are owned by Catholic Brotherhoods from all over Spain, they are only used during the pilgrimage, they are mostly built in a square block around a central courtyard and each one has a bell over the gate and usually the name of the brotherhood and the year it was founded. We saw a couple of parades on Sunday where they take their banners out and parade to the church with drums, pipes and large baskets of flowers, many people carry large staffs with gold or silver ornamented tops as well as the banners, they all seam to wear religious medals. The church has a fantastic gold covered alter wall with a statue of the Virgin central. We stood and listened to part of a service and the choir sung beautifully from a balcony, more like Flamenco music with guitars and tambourines.
In the town most of the shops were selling items to do with the pilgrimage, religious icons, medals, souveniers and candles, other shops sold accoutrements for horses and the specialised clothing associated with the region, short jackets, tight trousers, flat boater type hats for the men with leather chaps and boots, wonderful flamenco dresses for the women, they apparently have to have this years style, last years won’t do.

Tue Feb 23rd

Got packed up and said goodbye to people, we managed to get off pitch without Mick “helping” and Christine didn’t have time to get her flag out but everyone was waving as we left. It is quite sad to leave a place and people that you have got used to and liked.
We left the site at 0950 and went for fuel, there was a car in a terrible state, obviously rolled just outside the site, and opposite the fuel station a man was lunging his horse, we saw Shelia & Phil as we drove past the site they were on their way to Seville. It was a bright, sunny morning with a strong wind, it stayed dry till we were past Seville and then we had some very heavy showers, we seemed to drive out of them and were soon on a smaller road, very narrow and twisting, the damage from the rain was very obvious with nearly all the fields having channels gouged out by the water, in some places there were gorges down the fields, there were olive groves with sodden silt all over them and vineyards in the same condition, mud everywhere. The narrow road we were on seemed in danger of collapsing in many places and at one point it had given way and there were workmen directing traffic whilst it was shored up with huge rocks. It was quite different country, very green and hilly, lots of cattle. As we left Arcos we saw 2 eagles very low over the road. We arrived at Los Gazules camp site at 1.15 and booked in; luckily there was gravel on the pitch so it was quite clean. We had a walk up the road outside the site into a park, as we walked we were joined by 2 dogs, a Samoyed and Jack Russell type, bit like TIa. There were 2 horses just loose in the road, they were very nervous of us and a whole pack of dogs, it was very rugged country and would be a lovely walk with more time and better weather, it was still sunny, breezy and quite warm. We went to check at the restaurant and decided to eat there. There were a British couple parked by us and I had a chat to them, saw eagles overhead as we were talking, we also saw vultures overhead, soaring very high. I went for a shower and was there at the same time as the lady I had been talking to, she was surprised when I turned mine on that hers lost pressure and changed temperature, she had been the only one on site up till then, it was quite amusing both of us trying to get our temperature right. We had our meal in the restaurant, €30 for 2 people, bread & olives, tuna salad, ham & cheese, a bottle of water & a bottle of Rioja, for our main course we both had steak & chips, the whole meal was very nice and plenty of it, unfortunately the steak was very tough but we had had enough to eat so just ate what we could of it. The television was on in the room and there was a lot of news coverage of the flooding in Spain, it is very wide spread. It was quite a warm evening and we as we chatted to the other couple on the way back we saw bats flying around and frogs were croaking loudly. I watched a film, the temperature was 16c.

Miles travelled 137 Fuel €49 Site fee €12.50

Wed Feb 24th

There was heavy rain in the night and we woke up to grey skies, it was warmer though 15c, there were birds twittering in the trees, we were told that they were serin. We set off at 09.20, we had been worried about getting off the pitch but Rich managed it quite easily, we retraced our footsteps for quite a way as there was a road closed in the nearest town, we had not gone far when a largish, brown speckled, blunt headed bird flew in front of us, we both thought it was an owl, further along the road we were pleased to see a farmer taking hay out to his cattle, usually they seemed to have to forage for what they could get, the hay was being carried by a donkey, 6 bales loading the poor thing down. There was more evidence of flood damage, quite a lot of slippages on the banks of the road; a few of them were being repaired and you could see at a couple of places that the silt had been bulldozed off the carriageway. We passed out of cattle country and the terrain became more rugged, rocky with many cork oaks and as we climbed higher there were wind farms as far as the eye could see, we saw eagles, kites, vultures and storks, there were lots of storks by a reservoir we passed, one flew overhead with a beak full of twigs.
We arrived at La Linea and after a false start got ourselves across the border to Gibraltar, we found Morrisons, thank goodness for Gertie as it seemed very roundabout route. It was very strange to be suddenly thrust back into “England”, the store was exactly the same as those at home with all the familiar brands and English speaking staff, we stocked up with food, especially bacon, butter & cereals, I got a bottle of gin for under £4, we took it back to the van then thought we would try and park, we followed signs to a car park at the foot of the cable car, thinking we would then go up to the top, the car park would not take any vehicle over 1.5 tons, we carried on along ever narrower and steeper streets and it was not allowed to park anywhere, we eventually managed to negotiate our way out of the town and over the border. We then found the patch of waste ground we had heard about and as there were a few Motorhomes there we parked up and walked back across the border. We picked up a taxi which took us on a guided tour, €70. It was very interesting and the driver gave us a lot of information, he said that they do not want to belong to Spain and had quite recently had a referendum, they are all bi-lingual and proud to be British, he had a British father who arrived with the Navy and married a Gibraltan, he had family in Norwich and his son was going to Norwich University, their whole lifestyle is probably more British than the British.
We visited St. Michael’s cave first this was amazing one of the most spectacular caves we have seen, it is used as a theatre at times, as we came out we saw a monkey running off with some postcards from a stand, being chased by the stall holder. We then went to a viewing point where they feed the apes, the driver gave us some peanuts and asked would we like to have a monkey sit on us, I declined but while Rich was deciding a huge one – the alpha male – came and sat on his head!

We then went to the siege tunnels, another interesting place, started in the 1780s as a defence position with gun ports it was enlarged in the 2nd World War to include a hospital which was never used. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip and when we were dropped off went back to the van and set off again, we had another false start trying to get away and ended up in some more narrow back streets, we left at 4pm and set off along the coast road past Malaga, Torremolinos and Marbella, it was very different scenery, mostly built up with lots of new buildings, hotels and touristy areas. The day had been warm and sunny and along the coast there seemed a lot less evidence of flooding and it was the first day for ages we had not had any rain. We arrived at el Pino Camping, Torrox-Costa at 6.25 booked in and got tea. It was a warm evening and the 3rd night we had not put the fire on, things are looking up!

Miles travelled 193 Fuel £25 (filled up at Morrisons 69p litre)
Site fee €13

Thurs Feb 25th

We had not been very impressed with the site as the pitch we were on was very awkward to get onto and was sloping we were parked under avocado trees ,but when we walked around this morning we saw that there were better pitches on a terrace above us, there was also a very well stocked shop with some English items run by an English man. We walked out of the site and tried to get to the sea but didn’t, it seemed a nice place though and was a pleasant, warm morning, we asked in the shop and were told it was about 10 minutes walk the front but we’d turned left not right. We left at 11am and it was similar scenery to yesterday, not quite as intensively built up though, the new road was good with a couple of tunnels, we turned off onto a smaller road and passed Nerja, as we were just beyond it I saw a gorge with what looked like a fantastic 3 tiered, brick aqueduct straddling it. We stopped at one point to have a look at the view then carried on, unfortunately we had not got co-ordinates and got a bit lost ending up going round Almunecar, we eventually found the camp site after going round La Herradura on all the back roads, twist, narrow and hilly, at one point the road had been washed away completely so they had just closed that side of it! We booked in and it seemed a very small site with lots of trees making it difficult to get around and get pitched, we found a pitch on a terrace with no trees so went there.

There seemed to be lots of vans that had been there for a long time, well entrenched with fences and plants, we spoke to the couple nearest to us and they had been out since Boxing Day. The showers and toilets were old fashioned with plenty of hot water to showers but not wash basins, each plot had it’s own sink, except the one we were on but there was one a few feet away. We walked into town along the sea front and it seemed to be a nice little town, palm trees on the beach and tiled pavements,

plenty of restaurants with reasonable menus of the day, from €9, we stopped for a drink at the far end and there were people parascending, then we walked back, we reckoned it must have been a couple of miles and there were at least 30 cafes & restaurants, there is a town centre away from the sea front as well.

It was a pleasant temperature and although overcast was very bright it did not seem to be as waterlogged as everywhere else we’d been although there was water flowing over the road in a couple of places. Got tea and had a couple of games before bed. It started to rain as we had tea but not as heavily as it had been before.
Miles travelled 28 Site fee €17.50

Fri Feb 26th

There were a few light showers in the night but we woke to bright cloudy skies with the sun breaking through, 15c. We set off at 10.00am and tootled quietly along, the road was very twisty and was along the coast with awful drops down to the rocky shore below, at one point we saw a lorry that had jack-knifed and gone over the edge, it’s cab was dangling in space and it was only the trailer that was keeping it from plunging hundreds of feet down onto houses below. At one point there was road works where they were repairing the road that had caved in.

We detoured to have a look at another site and found a beach where there were a couple of vans overnighting, we thought we would not mind staying there so made a not of it. We arrived at Castillo De Banos at 11.30 and looked for a good pitch, as we were looking a couple said they were going tomorrow so we decided to park overnight in the next pitch and move tomorrow, it was a reasonably level pitch and had 16amp electricity rather than the 5amp on most of the site, it was also in sight and sound of the sea. We found the rally stewards, David & Marion, very pleasant and helpful and the amount of things to do advertised in the tent were many and varied, I immediately put our names down for the rally meal, fish & chips and a trip up into the mountains, chatting to them they were saying that they were ordering washing machines and having them delivered here so we decided to get one, we had been thinking about it for a while and the washing is such a pain that it has got to be easier. We went to the bar to get on the internet, which is free, it was not ideal as there were no plugs so decided to pay to have it in the van for the time we are here. We found everyone on the site very friendly and on a walk round were stopping to talk to nearly everyone, we saw a couple who had been at Albufeira last year and Sue & Adrian from El Rocio. We had a short walk on the beach, it is a small beach and more gravely than sandy but still lovely to hear it and mooch along the shore.

Miles travelled 35

Sat Feb 27th

The couple next door left as we were having breakfast, there had been some doubt as to whether they would go or not as there had been reports of road closures due to land slips but they did get off, so after we'd had breakfast we moved over, it is a lovely, level pitch with quite a bit of sun and we got the awning and windbreaks out.
There had been a “scrapheap challenge” to make a musical instrument out of rubbish; a chap across the road had been making pan pipes out of bamboo since yesterday. We went up to see the judging and it was very funny, as well as his pan pipes he had made a music stand out of bamboo and put a piece of “music” on it he’d got a mate to be conductor with a baton made of bamboo, they made a play of adjusting the stand as it was a bit uneven then he tapped his baton and started conducting, another group had made a drum and a guitar and maracas, one of them had a carrier bag with drain pipes in it for bagpipes, people are very ingenious.
In the afternoon a group of us walked to La Mamola, the next little town, we started going along the beach then had to go along the main road, rather than go through the road tunnel we scrambled down to the beach again and went that way, it is a small town with a short promenade, the beach is closed off as work is going on there. We went to a café and had a drink and a chat and then walked back. It was warm enough to eat outside. After tea we met up with the couple whose dog we had looked after in Albufeira.
It had been a lovely warm day 20c at one point and we’d been warm enough to wear shorts and sit out for a while.
Later in the evening, just as it got dark, a storm blew up, very fierce wind but still warm so we had to go out and lash the awning down 2 or 3 times. The storm carried on all evening and was quite scary, there was no rain but very strong gale force winds and it was very warm, 23c at 11.30pm, an awning from behind us got blown away. The electricity kept going off during the storm.

Sun Feb 28th

It was a lot calmer this morning and cooler, just a bit breezy, we tidied up the storm damage, luckily not much just leaves and debris in the awning plus tent pegs and bits, including a towel up a tree, from the awning that got blown down, Rich checked that all the pegs were secure and we were glad that we had not had any damage. We were told that there would be a BBQ and “silly games” at 1 o’clock so I got some trout out of the freezer and made some salad. We had to cook at the van but most people had portable BBQs, the couple on the next table had their dinner in a Remoska, it looked lovely, I think I will get one.

After we’d eaten we had the games, we were split into teams and had to play the games that were set up, hitting plastic golf balls into a crab basket, horseshoes, getting boules onto a target, getting balls into buckets, Aunt Sally, and how many pegs could you get of a line and hold in one hand, we did each game twice and it was good fun, got to know people and have a laugh, my team were last!

it was quite cool but the sun came out and the sky was clear and blue by about 4.30.

it was quite cool but the sun came out and the sky was clear and blue by about 4.30 but by 9 o’clock it had started to rain and very soon there was a thunder storm which passed over quite quickly,it went quite cool and we put the fire on for a while whilst we were playing cards.

Mon March 1st
There was quite a bit of rain in the night but blue skies and sun when we woke up. We walked into Castillo. It is a very small village, a few holiday apartments, one café/restaurant and a few houses, there is a small supermarket which is very well stocked though and within in it is a butcher which everybody says had good meat, we got a couple of things and walked back and sat in the sun for a while. In the afternoon we played boules and then showered ready for rally meal.

The meal was most enjoyable, really good food, soup, salad, pork chop with fried potatoes, sweet and half bottle of wine each for €10. After the meal we had a sing song, Men of Harlech and We’ll Keep a Welcome for St David’s day and then others, Marion, Steward, played keyboard, it was fun and we somehow got “volunteered” to be in a skiffle group for Saturday night! It was not a late night we left about 10pm.

Tue Mar 2nd
Grey skies when we woke this morning, quite cool, quiet morning, we walked to the beach to see the sea pounding rollers on the beach, grey and forbidding, then we had a walk round the site and out the other end. At 12.30 we met to go for a walk to a village up in the hills, the weather was not too good, cloudy and grey, threatening rain, we went out of the site through the gate we’d gone through earlier and started to walk up the river course, usually this is dry but because of all the rain it had quite a bit of water flowing, it was uphill but not too hard going, the group leader, Brian, thought that my footwear – walking sandals – was not suitable and I may get my feet wet but as they are my best walking shoes I didn’t bother, everyone else had on “serious” walking boots. It took us about an hour and we had to cross the river a couple of times, it was mostly scrambling up rocky hillside but when we reached the village there was a very steep, concrete path, as we arrived at the restaurant it started to really rain, it had been spitting all the way up. We had a good meal, salad, a sort of potato/egg mayonnaise, plenty of bread, chicken noodle soup, chicken & chips, glass of wine/beer and an ice cream €8, it was a very clean café with a resident parrot, as we ate it was raining very heavily, as we were gearing up to walk back in the rain Sue & Adrian, who had come up in their car were offering lifts so Val & I took them up on their offer, no point getting soaked unnecessarily. We got back about 3.45 and Rich arrived back at 4.30, he was wet but he’d had waterproofs and umbrella so was not too bad.
In the evening we went to the quiz night, which we didn’t win, it was a lot cooler but had stopped raining.

Wed Mar 3rd

We had to get up quite early as we were going on a trip, it was cool but bright. We got on the coach and set off towards Motril and then turned off into the mountains, Sierra Nevada, we went through a gorge and stopped for coffee and a short visit to an olive oil museum/shop, the scenery was stunning with snow capped mountains in the distance showing above lower clouds, there was a lot of water rushing down the river, greeny, snow melt water. We stopped at a dam at the end of a reservoir, Presa de Rules, it was amazing there was spray high in the air above the dam from the water gushing out and a rainbow in the mist, reminiscent of Niagara but on a much smaller scale. After we’d taken some pictures we carried on, still climbing, along narrow, mountain roads zig zagging up the mountains, there were so many hairpin bends and so many wonderful vistas but it was quite scary, in a couple of places the road was partially blocked by landslides, we were actually not going on the route we should have because it was impossible to get there, the driver was very good, a local man who lived in the mountains so knew his way around, thank goodness! We went through a town called Orgiva where there is a large hippy community, it was quite a large town, and we then carried on climbing through Caratuanas to a village called Pampaneira where we stopped for a while. It was a pretty place, all white houses built up the hillside with narrow cobbled streets, some with water flowing down them, there were half a dozen shops selling rugs and other items, nice stuff, glass jewellery, local pottery and leather goods, and a nice square all set out with tables and chairs for cafes, Rich got a drink while I had a look at the shops. Back in the coach and we climbed even higher up more hairpin bends with more landslips to a restaurant for dinner. It was a nice, clean restaurant and the meal was good, soup, almond flavoured, then ham, sausage, black pudding, sautéed potatoes and poached egg, followed by a crème caramel, there was a rose wine and a liqueur to finish, it was all very nice, we sat with a couple who we’d been in the quiz team with last night, from Handsacre. When we came out of the restaurant the weather had changed the cloud had come down and it was cold and wet and raining. We went back down a slightly different way, the other side of the valley where the reservoir was and through a spa town Lanjoran, we saw ibex on the hillside between Motril and Castillo, we got back about 5pm, it had been a very interesting trip. It started raining soon after we got back and didn’t stop all evening.

Thurs Mar 4th
It rained for most of the night and when it stopped the wind got up and was very stormy but we woke to clearer skies, the day turned out quite nice, although windy the sun was quite hot and the skies were clear except for a few small, white clouds. There was a lot of water still flowing down the road and into the awning of the couple across the road and another 2 pitches away from us, someone from the site came and gave the man a mattock and shovel to try to dig a trench to divert it, Rich borrowed the tools and dug a trench as well to help the people across the road, they decided to move pitchers anyway to the next one down. Wee didn’t do anything much, a bit of a tidy up and I made some Welsh cakes, it was nice enough to sit outside for quite a while.
In the evening we went to the restaurant for fish & chips, €5 including a bottle of wine, very nice and good value. We sat with Bernard & Pat, who we’d been on a boules team with, it was a good evening and Bernard & Pat came back for a coffee and Welsh cake, which they’d never had before.

Fri Mar 5th
When I woke up and looked out of the window there was a wonderful sunrise, the whole sky a beautiful red, I went to take a photo but the gate was closed and I couldn’t get the right angle, also by this time the moment had passed. I had an email to say that the washing machine I’d ordered would be cancelled as I hadn’t sent the extra postage so I sent a confirmation and request for a refund. I’d got a lot of washing piled up – nearly 3 weeks – so did a load, Rich helped me carrying water.
At lunch time we joined a group to go to “Nico’s” for Tapas, this involved walking over the river bed which still had quite a bit of water flowing and into a very small village quite close by, it was sunny and quite warm. It was a nice clean restaurant and Nico, the owner, was very attentive,

the food just kept coming, lots of bread, salad, potato salad, fried aubergine/courgettes, chicken, pork chops, chips, stew, fried eggs on a bed of veg, small burgers, chips, fish, pork in almond sauce, there was loads of it and it was very nice, we finished with ice cream, crème caramel or coffee, €9 a head, wonderful value, luckily it wasn’t too far to walk back. We read and dozed the afternoon away, Bernard called to ask us round for a drink at 8pm, the day turned quite cool and breezy, the washing was almost dry as it got dark so we got it in and draped it round. The Spaniards arrived at their van next to us and found the awning full of water, an animated conversation was heard and they were given a spade and started digging, unfortunately they diverted the water to our pitch. We went round to Pat & Bernard’s and sat and chatted for a couple of hours and tried Pat’s home made “Tia Maria” which was very nice, she is going to send me the recipe. It was a coincedence that their caravan had the same upholstery as we'd had done on our van

Sat Mar 6th
There were a couple of light showers in the night and we woke up to grey skies, it was a bit cooler. We washed the sheets and got them on the line and walked to the little supermarket. Walking round the site it seemed that the water problem was pretty general; every street seemed to be having a problem and some people were talking about defecting to Don Cactus, the sister site, apparently the family who own both had spent money upgrading that one. The problem with the water seems to be that, because of the exceptional rain, the water table is overflowing setting off streams that have been dormant for years, and it is certainly clean water that is flowing down all the trenches people have dug, it seems to flow faster each day. Stayed in van all day and had shower ready to go to the dance but David came round to say it was cancelled, we went up to the bar to see if anyone was about but it was very noisy with young lads watching football so we had a quick drink and left.

Sun Mar 7th
The sea calmed down in the night and was not pounding so loudly, woke to grey skies and cool. Bernard & Pat came to say goodbye as they were off to La Manga. We walked to the village supermarket for some water but they were shut so got some from site shop. We went for a walk up the river bed as it wasn’t too cold when we were walking, lots of water coming down, lots of piles of rotting cucumbers, quite a few birds about, there was quite a lot of traffic driving up the “river” and we realised that it had been a road, or track, that had been washed away so they were still using it, back to site to find that the BBQ and games had been cancelled. Getting a bit fed up with weather, you can only keep cheerful for so long when cold and damp, forecast doesn’t look any better for next week. Spent the rest of the day in the van, Rich did dig a bit more of the trench though, the sun came out for a short while but it was still cool with a few showers. . BBQd chicken from local shop with rest of our steak and it was nice. Watched a film.

Mon Mar 8th
The sea was a bit calmer for a while but still quite rough. We went to the coffee morning/meeting, quite a bit of discussion about the visit from “Carefree” and the state of the site, mainly the toilet/shower block, the TV was on in the restaurant and there were pictures of quite deep snow in Valencia and Bilbao. Washed towels as it was a great drying day, windy with some sun. A group of people in the other street were installing pipes to try and get rid of the water;

Rich had another go at our trench as well. After lunch we played boules, there were only 8 of us playing this week, 4 teams, we came 2nd. It was not a bad day but very windy and cool.
At about 5pm David called us all together to say that the water was rising in the room where the mains electricity is, they were pumping it out but if anyone wanted to move to Don Cactus, the sister site, they could, he didn’t think it would be a problem but there was a possibility that the power would go off. Most people decided to stay. As we were looking at the room to asses the problem we spotted 3 Ibex on the hillside across the road.
After tea the wind got up again and it started to rain at about 9.30.

Tue Mar 9th
The rain stopped for a while in the early hours but started again as we had breakfast, cool again but the wind had dropped. I went to get bread from the visiting baker at 9am only to be told he didn’t come till 10.30, but I saw Brian who said that the walk was off because of the rain. I went back for bread just before 11 and the baker had been and gone! We stayed in for most of the morning with the fire on watching the rain. It eased up a bit so we thought that we would walk to La Mamola as we needed to get some cash. It was actually quite warm when we were walking, although the sea continued to lash against the rocks. When we got to La Mamola the sun came out and it was pleasant, we called at the cash machine then had a drink at small café, walked to the end of the town, looked into the small supermarkets and walked back. We had to brave the cold showers in the afternoon – not pleasant! We tuned TV in to Spanish programmes and saw that there had been a lot of snow in Barcelona and the French border, caused quite a lot of disruption, roads closed, trains cancelled. The day remained still but cool and thankfully the rain held off.
While we were just finishing tea a cherry picker turned up and started to chop down a tree next door, we’d noticed that the tree had been strapped t another and when I’d looked it’d been pulled up by it’s roots and had fallen onto the Spaniard’s caravan next door. The two haps cut it down bit by bit from the cherry picker, no safety equipment, no warning cones, just 2 blokes and a chain saw! They were chucking all the branches down and we were a bit worried that some may hit us. This is the 2nd tree we’ve seen down today on the site.They moved round to the back of the tree to get to the other side and got the machine bogged down so they left it there. We went up to the quiz night and were in a team with Barbara & Tony from across the road, we didn’t win but were 2nd, as we walked back the sky was clear and the stars were very bright.

Wed Mar 10th
Woke up to sunshine!! Took advantage of weather and did a bit of washing, a lady at sinks let me use her spin dryer, what a help, she and her husband have a site in France which we have got the details of. Walked to supermarket in Castillo, went to pay Marion for meals etc and she invited us in for coffee so we had a natter to her and then spent the rest of the day sitting in the sun. They came to do a bit more to the trees but didn’t touch the one next door to us, just tatted about topping some others, they left all the branches that they had cut yesterday just where they’d dropped, Rich cleared the ones from the roadway. Tea and a few games before bed.

Thurs Mar 11th
Sunshine again this morning but a cool wind, we walked to La Mamola as there was a market there, o walk to La Mamola we first go through Castillo - half a dozen houses and a couple of apartment blocks, with water flowing down the street where they're pumping water out of basements, then on to the main road, without a barrier but after a while there is a barrier to cower behind as lorries thunder by, then you either have to walk through the road tunnel or climb down onto the beach and walk along that,

at the end of the beach there is a gully to negotiate where the water is gushing down in many streams from the floods, then you clamber up onto the "promenade" which is being repaired so has a chain link fence and machines along it with men repairing the sea wall. The market was all along the sea wall, not very good, mostly cheap clothes and shoes; we got some broad beans, strawberries and some nuts, and I bought a beautiful geranium for €2, we called for a drink and walked back. When we got back we found that Marion & David had moves as well, apparently everyone helped them. We sat out for a while but it got very cool. We went for fish & chips at 7pm and it was very good again, Marion played her keyboard for a singalong, had a good natter then back to van. As I’m writing this it is starting to rain (10pm).

Fri Mar 12th
It rained quite a bit in the night but had stopped by morning; we were pleased as we would not have been going out in the rain. We met up with Bob & Margaret, who were giving us a lift to Almuneca but it was decided we would go with Barbara & Norman as they had a larger vehicle with more leg room, we drove to Almuneca, following Bob, the roads were very bad in a couple of places with great cracks across them, a bit worrying as they sre so close to cliffs! When we arrived we spent ages looking for 2 parking spaces, in the end Bob parked Norman let us out, arranging to meet later and then went to find a parking place. It was a huge market, no fruit or veg though, lots of clothes, shoes, watches, sunglasses, Rich got a pair of clip ons for driving, been looking for ages. We finished in the market, having bought rain capes, fruit basket, knives & nuts, then we went to a nearby Chinese shop, we met the others at MacDonald’s for a coffee and Barbara & Norman said they were going to get some food and go and eat it on the beach so we said we would join them, we called at a supermarket and then dropped most of shopping off into car and found a bench to sit and picnic, it was lovely and warm and sunny. After we’d eaten we walked on round the corner and found the older part of the town with a lovely promenade with cafes on the beach, we met some others off the site as we walked along, almost at the end of the promenade we saw some people with a King Charles Spaniel that had been paralysed and had some wheels for his back legs, he was only young and was running round after a ball, we gathered that a vet had given him an injection that had caused the damage. We walked back to the car and then drove back to site arriving about 5pm as we neared Castillo it got cooler and we didn’t think that they had had the lovely weather we had. We had had a super day out, Almuneca is a very nice town and the fact that it was warm and sunny was a bonus, Barbara & Norman were good company and it was good of them to take us. We got our tea then went to play whist, Bob said he’d give us lessons, we quite enjoyed it and I didn’t do too badly having never played before.

Sat Mar 13th
Quite sunny first thing but cool, I washed the sheets and Bob asked did I want to go to the butchers with them to the next town, Castello de Ferras, so I went and got some steak. The Spaniards in the caravans next to us had arrived and were moving pitches, we thought that they would go away from the rally area but they went on two of the better pitches at the bottom of row C. It was quite a cool day.
. We went up to the “dance” it was in the “Plastic Palace” and it started raining as we went up, there were only 8 couples there altogether I put a skirt and sandals on, thinking it was appropriate but it was cold and damp, everyone else was in trousers, Barbara had on trousers, socks, boot, 2 jumpers and her husband’s long johns! And still she was cold, David was playing music on his sound system and we just sat and nattered with Barbara & Norman, between songs Val gave us a bit of entertainment, she read out a poem she had written about the digging etc on site, it was very good, she also did Victoria Wood’s “Ballad of Barry & Freda”, she got the Irish couple up to sing and me and another woman to do actions to “Alloutta”, I did “A Mother’s Lament” as a bonus! We stopped till 9.30 then went home.

Sun Mar 14th
It was quite sunny when we woke up, cool though, there was due to be a BBQ then games at 1.30 but it clashed with the grand Prix, Barbara & Tony ha arranged to watch it in the bar with Rich, I walked up with them at 12 and ate Richie’s omelette then went back to the van and sat outside doing a bit of sewing. Barbara came to check on Henry (her dog) so I said I would look after him, I took him a walk round the site, having to lift him over all the puddles as he has a nasty wound on his back leg which he has been seeing the vat about, he has a plastic collar to stop him chewing his stitches. He settled down once we were back at the van but we hadn’t been sitting long when there was an almighty rumble of thunder, I got the sheets off the line, put the chairs away and had just got inside when Barbara came back, we had arranged to have our BBQ with them after the games but when I went to see about them David said they would probably be called off as the sky over the hills was very threatening, sure enough the rain started so we stayed in the van and watched a film. Rich BBQd our streak in the thunder storm

Mon Mar 15th
Woke up to sun again but still a bit cool, Barbara called round and asked would we like to go out for the day so we said yes please, we were only going to go to the coffee morning. We met them at 10.30 and decided to go to La Herradura as we’d told them about the site there and they said they would like to see it. When we got there we parked and had a walk round the site which they thought was nice, then we had a walk along the sea front, it was lovely, warm and sunny, we had our picnic in a small park with benches it was very peaceful. After we’d eaten we decided to walk around the headland a bit but as we got round the corner we saw that the road was closed to traffic, this was the road we had driven on a couple of weeks ago, we walked round the corner and saw why the road was closed, it was completely blocked by a rock fall, quite a sight, as we walked back we asked a local – in pantomime – when it had happened and he said 3 nights ago and it woke them up with an awful noise. We walked for a while longer then drove back, we stopped at Lidl and Al Campisto and also a do it yourself store, it had been a lovely day hot and sunny. Barbara & Norman thought that La Herradura would be a nice place to stay.
When we got Back Rich did not feel very well and went straight to sleep, I had a shower ready to go out, at 7pm I was busy typing this when David called to see if we were going to dinner, I thought it was 8 not 7, quickly got dressed and left Rich sleeping, entered room to round of applause! Barbara & Norman had not arrived either and rushed in after David had called on them as well, another round of applause, the meal was a lot more subdued then previously, only 12 couples there, Rich was missing and the other Barbara as she had had the bug. Didn’t stay late and when I got back Rich was sleeping, it was a still, starlit night but I woke at 2pm and the surf was pounding so loudly I thought it was a gale, by the time I checked it out I was wide awake and didn’t get back to sleep for ages.
Tue Mar 16th
Rich felt a bit better this morning, another bright sunny morning and the sun felt really warm for the first time, had a lie in till Rich felt like moving. I did a bit of washing and went to see if we’d got a lift to the Alhambra tomorrow, David & Doreen are taking us, they’d been at El Rocio at the same time as us but we hadn’t seen much of them. Sat in the sun for rest of morning and after lunch Rich felt better so we went for a walk along the old road to Castello de Ferres, everyone had said that it had collapsed quite spectacularly so we thought we’d have a look. We must have walked a good couple of miles, we didn’t get as far as the collapse but did see some very large cracks in the road surface, at least 4” deep in places, but the road hadn’t been closed, not a lot of traffic on it though, it was sunny but windy with a clear blue sky but the surf was still pounding. We called at Nico’s for a drink and then back to site, there seemed to be more water than ever going down the river.. After tea we went to the Plastic Palace for a Beetle Drive, it was different and a bit of fun, said goodbye to Barbara & Norman as they are leaving tomorrow.

Wed Mar 17th
Got up early to go to the Alhambra, we got a lift with David & Doreen; it was a nice sunny morning. We had not been on the road long when we went round a corner to find a boulder the size of a house in our carriageway! Braked and swerved and got round it. We arrived at 10.30 found a parking space and headed for the entrance; we paid and got an audio commentary for $4. We decided to stick together with David & Doreen as the visits to the main palace were timed and if we went together we would be out together. We found our way to the Palace Carlos V which was a huge square building but once inside it was circular, open to the sky with great pillars made from the most unusual material which looked like large pebbles in concrete smoothed until it looked like marble, we stopped for a coffee and then it was time to go into the Palacios Nazaries, we had to wait to be let in, it seemed that only so many are allowed in at a time. It was absolutely stunning, talk about the wow factor! Huge high ceilings intricately carved, all the walls tiled and carved, archways with pierced, carved stonework giving views over the town of Granada or into cool, shady courtyards,

it was just amazing, there were lots of rooms, each seemed grander than the last and courtyards with fountains and trees for shade, it was unfortunate that we were in amongst lots of coach tours and school trips, it was difficult to get round and impossible to get the tranquil feel of the place as it would have been. We met up with David & Doreen outside and then walked around the Alcazaba, the most amazing gardens, again with lots of water trickling and spouting for a relaxing ambience, there were shady walks with high, hedges, tiled walks with more carved archways with views, as we left there we were watching two cats having a “stand off” by a tree and then we were watching some small lizards, as we watched them one of the cats crept round the tree and shot his paw out, grabbed a lizard and ate it! We then went on to the Generalife which was the fortified part of the complex, again lots to see, climbed the Vela Tower which has a bell on top (famous), from the top we could see caves that people live in. We called for a drink and I had 2 cakes I was so hungry, 3pm by then, it had been a great visit, so much to see, a lovely hot day but tiring, lots of steps and a very big complex , would like to go back again as there was so much to take in. We got back by 4.30, quicker than we went, it was downhill! David was a very fast, erratic driver so glad to get back.
As soon as we got back we packed up the site, we washed the groundsheet in the water being pumped out of the “function room”, we noticed that the tree on our pitch, the one we’d lashed our awning to, was falling over and it’s roots being pulled up, told one of the site workers who just shrugged! We had showers got beans on toast then had a couple of games of cards and bed, I was very tired and felt a bit off, it had been a long day and I had not eaten properly, hope I’m not getting the bug, David has it today.

Thurs Mar 18th
Up quite early, overcast but bright, finished packing and said goodbye to everyone, David was up and about and said he felt a bit better, Tony also was better. Set off at 0950, we called at the supermarket in Banos for some meat the on the road. The first part of the journey was a bit hairy as the roads were in a bad state, stop go boards in a couple of places where it had collapsed over the edge and was being repaired, in other places there were huge cracks and the surface was badly buckled, we were glad to get off the coast road. All the way to Almeria and beyond there were miles and miles of plastic greenhouses, from the coast to the foothills and sometimes up the hills as well, it was not very scenic. As we got further along it changed and was very rocky, dramatic and unforgiving looking, in parts it looked like a moonscape and in others like an enormous quarry with the hills looking like huge, conical piles of stone. The colours of the rocks was amazing and varied, in places grey, red, orange, purple, yellow, as the road was quite new and cut through hills it was fascinating to see the rock strata in the cuts, as I said before all colours and all shapes. We stopped for fuel and a sandwich and after that, round about the Rio Almanzora; the scenery changed again and was a wide, cultivated valley with farms and fruit trees, quite pretty after the grim, rocky hills earlier, the day was overcast but bright. We arrived at the Mar Menor at 2.20 and found that the site had changed, it is now fenced off from the beach and a bit smaller, Rich drove through hoping to park on front but the receptionist chased us and told us to go back! We parked in the top corner. It did try to rain a bit but only a few spots. We had a short walk round then got tea going.
Miles travelled 208 Fuel €55

It was sad to leave the rally, despite the water we had enjoyed it, we had met some nice people, had some good evenings and enjoyable trips, David & Marion were very nice and ran a good rally, and they managed to stay upbeat and cheerful despite the setbacks.
The site was not bad; it is only 2 star after all, the toilet/shower block could do with an upgrade, although they were washed thoroughly every day, everywhere hosed down and scrubbed, the inside of the doors were not cleaned and were covered in graffiti, locks were a bit iffy, and tiles cracked. The bar was ok with reasonable priced drinks and happy hour when all drinks were €1, Tapas sometimes came with a drink. The little shop was ok for water and cheap wine but did not have a lot of stock, fresh bread was available, this did not matter as the supermarket in Banos was brilliant, well stocked with all you could want, and more, and a very good butcher, and only 2 minutes walk away. It was difficult to hold rally activities in the restaurant as it got very noisy and smoky, the “Plastic Palace” was also available, this was a terrace area with blinds and awning – like a large safari room – and ok if warm and dry but on cold, wet evenings not nice to hold a dance in, there was supposed to be a room available but it had flooded, all the time we were there there was a continuous stream of water being pumped out of it, this was very useful for washing ground sheets. Some of the trees were too low on the pitches and seemed a bit unsafe, 2 fell down while we were there and one on our pitch was going, being pulled out by the roots. The main problem of course was water, this could not be helped, it was an unprecedented event, there had been so much rain and presumably the water table was too full, the water started to flow down the site when it rained but just got worse and worse, the site owners did nothing about it except make tools available for people to dig ditches to try and divert it, there were a few days of frantic digging and pitch moving but it didn’t do much good every road was a quagmire and people were paddling in their awnings.

Fri Mar 19th
We woke up to lovely, warm sunshine, so nice that we ate breakfast outside, unfortunately it didn’t last and although it stayed quite warm it became overcast and there were a couple of light showers. I had a shower but it was cold, not pleasant! Rich had one later in the day and it was hot, they had had a problem. I did a bit of washing and we stayed and had a quiet day. We watched a lot of bats flying round as it began to get dark. A couple of games and bed.

Sat Mar 20th
Overcast again this morning but quite warm, after breakfast we cycled into Los Alcazares. We mooched round the Chinese shops, bought a few things and then went to the Chinese restaurant for a meal, still very good value, and prices not gone up. WE noticed a dew changes in the town, different shops open others closed, it looked a bit shabbier to me but that may have been because the sun was not shining. We called at Mercadona on the way back and once back on site we had a chat to a chap we’d met a couple of times before then a lazy afternoon sleeping off food and wine. Packed up what few things we’d had out and had a lovely. Hot shower. As it was going dark we watched the bats again and a breeze sprang up giving us a hazy view of the strip for the first time today, there had been a heavy haze all day. There was not a lot of bird life around, sparrows, blackbird, robin and a couple of parrots flew over, and we did see one swift and larks as we rode into town. After dinner a wind blew up and the Strip was visible for the first time, it started to rain, we had a couple of games before bed.
Sun Mar 21st
We woke up to grey skies and rain but it was quite warm, 16c. We packed up and were on the road by 0915. It was not a very nice journey, scenery not pretty or dramatic just uninteresting and it was grey and raining which didn’t help, we went up to Elche inland bypassing Torreveija, then bypassed Alicante and went inland up what we thought were toll roads but Gertie took us on them and we didn’t have to pay, we passed Valencia and stopped for fuel and a sandwich, then on past Castellon and Benicassim arriving at Orepesa at 1.50, the scenery improved a bit and there were lots of almond and olive trees, it had rained on and off most of the day but was dry when we arrived. We set up and then went for a walk to the beach, there was a board walk which made it easy walking but we hadn’t got far when it started to rain even though it was still warm, 20c, so we went back to the van. It was a very stony beach but the sea was quite calm, there was an abandoned camp site next door to the one we were on with rubbish just left abandoned, a real mess. Our site was nice with big pitches, a bit tight to get in on some, nice toilet/shower block with plenty of hot water.
After tea we went to the indoor swimming pool, it was about 12ft x 6ft, you could just about do 3 strokes down the length but it was so hot it was lovely like a hot bath and it had fierce jets so we had a good soak and then went back to bed, very relaxing.

Miles travelled 227 Fuel €52 Site fee €11(ACSI)

Mon Mar 22nd

We were up and away by 0915, it had rained most of the night and was a grey and overcast, but warm, morning. Most of our route today was built up areas, through old Spanish towns and shopping areas strung along the main road. We passed over the Delta De Le Ebre which was very flat and laid out in neat fields. We made our way to Tarragona as we wanted to call at a caravan sales place I’d seen on the internet, we wanted to look at some kitchen tents, all the Spanish & Germans seem to have them and they seem like a good alternative to an awning, I’d got GPS off the internet but we hadn’t counted on there being a new road which bypassed the place we wanted, we took next turn off and got back to it. We didn’t see one we wanted to buy but got a good idea of what we are looking for. We stopped for a short while for a sandwich then carried on through miles of fruit & olive trees; there were a lot of quarries and cement works, very ugly and lots of nurseries selling trees, some pruned into fancy shapes. After Tarragona there were also lots of vineyards, we went inland to Villefranca and on to Barcelona via a quite hilly road, the roads round Barcelona were their usual nightmare, lane swapping to get on different sections of road, Spanish drivers etc, Rich did a sterling job as usual. We arrived at Mataro at just gone 3pm and booked in to the site, it was a nice site with a restaurant and shop, a few animals, and a pool, not open yet, it was across a road and railway line from the beach. We walked round the site and under a tunnel to the, very small, beach. The site runs a shuttle bus to all the local amenities, free in low season, and also a bus to Barcelona which is a big plus, toilet/showers ok. The weather had been grey and overcast all day, it rained in the evening. I’d been sneezing all day, think I’m getting a cold.

Miles travelled 202 Site fees €15 (ACSI)

Tue Mar 23rd
Woke up to a very heavy mist, I had had a bad night as I’d started a cold and had difficulty sleeping for sneezing etc. We set off at 0905 and it was very misty all along the coast, there was a car with its front end bashed in almost outside the site. Once we turned away from the coast and started to climb on the N11 towards Girona the mist cleared and it was a nice sunny day. The scenery was very different again, quite green and lots of vines. We were amazed to see prostitutes (well that’s what we assumed they were) they’d be sitting or standing by the side of the road all tarted up, make up, black tights, boots and not much else! This was both sides of the border from Girona to Perpignan. As we left Perpignan we passed a deserted town or camp, it seemed to be some kind of a monument as I saw a marker stone but could not read it, must look it up sometime. After Perpignan Gertie threw a fit and put us on a back road, D5, no idea why, probably got confused by new bits of road. We ended up on a narrow, twisting, mountainous road – the Burway X 100, luckily we met very little traffic coming towards us as there was very little room to pass and we were on the outside bends! There were a few cyclists huffing and puffing up and down, she wanted to take us further on this type of road but once we’d sussed out what had happened we over rode her and headed for the N9, we passed through a couple of remote towns tucked away in the hills but managed to eventually get back on track. We managed to get past Narbonne and headed for Carcassonne, when we arrived we ended up going round the town a couple of times as Gertie got confused again, we even found ourselves passing under a bridge with 2.9 metres clearance, our height is 2.9! We eventually found the site by following road signs not Gertie, arriving at 2.40, a long, hard drive. We set up then sat in the sun for an hour, it was a lovely, warm evening with a bit of a breeze. Felt really rough so had an early night
Miles travelled 189 Fuel €55.77

Wed Mar 24th
Rained a bit in the night and it was overcast in the morning, I woke up feeling dreadful, got up slowly took a few more tablets and sat quiet for a while, I began to feel a bit better and the day brightened a bit so we decided to go into Carcassonne, a short walk from the site along a small stream bordered by huge, gnarled plane trees, we saw a few daffodils on the bank. We had a look round Carcassonne which is a mediaeval walled town, all cobbles and narrow alleys, it was interesting but seemed to be nothing but cafes and tourist shops, quite good quality goods on sale though, also the ubiquitous parties of school children running and shrieking about the place. We stopped at a small café and had a bowl of onion soup which was very nice, warming and filling, the café seemed to be family run, a young woman and her father out front with maman in the kitchen. After this we had another walk round and then made our way round the outskirts of the walls and down onto street level, we had a look for a shop for food but didn’t find one so went back to the van. Had a BBQ and then packed up the van. A couple of games and bed.
Site fees €32.50

Thurs Mar 25th
Woke up to quite a bright morning, I felt a lot better, headache gone just a bit sinusy, thank goodness. We set off at 0915 past Beziers, Pezenas and Montpellier, Gertie threw another fit and wanted to take us a long way round so we over rode hr again. We stopped at a small Aldi for a few groceries but it was not a very good one we found a Le Clerc for fuel and I got a couple of more things there. We found a caravan accessory showroom and went to see if we could get a replacement water filler cap (Rich left ours at Mataro, I think he’s just stopped kicking himself!) the shop was closed for lunch till 3pm so we decided to wait, about 50mins so we had a rest. We managed to get a cap and a brush Rich wanted. Carried on past Nimes and got past there fine but once again we ended up in the wrong place and going round in circles, we eventually found the Aire at Comps a small town on the river Rhone, it was very pleasant by the river under trees. There was another Aire behind what we took to be a flood defence wall, more square and organised looking and by a boules court. We had a walk round the town, very small, then while I was getting tea a chap came up selling goats cheese, I bought some and it made a good starter, then a couple of lads came round trying to bum a cigarette. The weather had been mixed, quite bright at times then cloudy and threatening rain, cool and breezy, the country we passed through was mostly vines and there were workers in a lot of the fields dressed for winter and looking very cold.
Miles travelled 162 Fuel €48
Fri Mar 26th
Windy and light rain overnight, started raining heavily as we were having breakfast. We set off at 0905 and followed the Rhone valley, it was a much prettier route than previous days, lots of vines and blossom with a backdrop of hills and the river appearing every now and then, we passed Montelimar which seems to be the home of nougat, then through Valence and still following the Rhone valley to an Aire at Touron arriving at 12, it was on a large, busy car park by the river and there was a fun fair set up there as well. We had our lunch and then had a walk round, there was a castle built onto the rocks and we walked halfway over a footbridge and back round the car park, we decided to move as the fair may have been a bit noisy, the Aire was filling up as we left. We carried on to Beausemblant and arrived at 1.45 and found a nice, quite Aire behind some house in the small town. I did a bit of washing and had a sweep out, Rich cleaned windows then we sat in lovely sun for a couple of hours while dinner cooked, the only drawback was the church clock bell which chimed twice on every hour and at one point chimed 45 times!! The Aire filled up by evening. It was so sunny and breezy that washing dried, wished I’d done more! We had a couple of games before settling down.
Miles travelled 113

Sat Mar 27th
A nice, quiet night, the church bell must switch off overnight, a grey morning, we set off at 0900 and continued along the Rhone valley. We had to pass Lyon and it was a very industrialised area with chemical works and quarries, not very pretty, as well as many vineyards, we passed a small, pretty town called Lozanne and then the scenery became more rural, there was lots of mistletoe in the trees and we saw cowslips by the road side, there were also a lot of timber mills and piles of timber everywhere. We were travelling on D roads which were narrow and winding but scenic, but the weather was not too good, grey and damp. We heard an odd noise from the van, similar to the other day, and pulled in for a break but found nothing so carried on, as we came to a small town called Aigueperse we saw a crown by the war memorial holding some sort of ceremony, one of the men turned to look at us as we passed and pointed to our wheel, another man marshalling traffic did the same so we pulled up and found the tyre absolutely flat, we’d been running on the rim and Rich hadn’t felt it at all! I called our insurers and after calling me back to say the policy had run out said they would get someone out, this was about 1.15 and by now it was raining heavily. Rich got out and started to get van jacked up and wheel off, and then we sat and waited, very cold, for man to arrive. When he arrived he got on with the job, Rich trying to hold umbrella over him, they both got soaked, he got the wheel changed only to find that the spare was flat!! So much for servicing!! They pumped it up as much as possible with Richie’s small pump and he told us where the nearest garage was so we went very steadily to there, it was 2.45 by now, it was only a small village garage but we managed to get it pumped up and went on our way. We were only a few miles from our destination, Dompierre-les-Ormes, and arrived at 3.30. There was no one at reception but a notice to tell us to find a pitch which we did, we parked and got electric hooked up and Rich went to find where the facilities were only to find the whole block wasn’t working, it was bucketing down with rain all this time with a fierce, cold wind. I explored a bit further and found another small block that was working so that was ok. We finally got in and got warm and tried to dry everything out, at least the electric is 16amps. It seems like a nice site in an idyllic setting with great views which would be lovely in nice weather. We had tea then a shower and an early night.

Miles travelled 120 Fuel €68.74 Site fee €15.20 (ACSI)

Sun Mar 28th
Woke up to rain and grey skies, set off at 0900, it continued raining most of the day. We went past Charolles and saw lots of Charolaise cows around, we were looking for a supermarket as we’d run out of tea butr being Sunday in France had no luck, we saw one or two that said they were open Sun morning but couldn’t get to them, we tried to find a couple, going off the motorway then gave up, we weren’t sure of the time, whether the clocks had changed or not, they had. The roads were so quiet that we decided to get beyond Orleans the look for an Aire; in fact the roads were that quiet that we only overtook twice all day. We couldn’t find an Aire and carried on to Chartres and the Aire we went for turned out to be a municipal camp site so we decided to stay. We had to park on roadway as grass too wet, no problem as site almost empty. It had just about stopped raining but once we’d set up there was another heavy shower. There was a stadium across from the site and lots of activity going on with band music. Once the shower passed we walked into Chartres, through a very muddy park and along the river, we walked to the cathedral and had a look inside, it was very impressive, vast and full of carvings but there was a service going on so we didn’t linger, the town was very nice with cobbled streets, half timbered houses and some lovely shops that I would have liked to mooch around. We found our way back out of town and back to site; it was very muddy and seemed to have been flooded recently. Had tea quite late for us because of walk and clock change.
Miles travelled 255 Site fees €13.10 (ACSI)

Mon Mar 29th
Woke up to a lovely, spring morning, birds singing a woodpecker pecking away all the trees hazed with green and sun shining, what a change, I saw a nuthatch in tree behind the van. We set off at 10.20 and first went to LeClerc to fill up with fuel and get some tea bags, then on past Dreux and Evereux – the most boring of French roads – and on to Les Andelys arriving at 1 o’clock. We set up, had a bite to eat and then went for a walk round the town and along the river, the sun was shining and although there was a breeze it was pleasant, we sat for a while watching a “boatel” getting ready to leave. We went to a Routier across the road from the site and had a super meal, trouble was we couldn’t eat all that was offered, there was a great selection of salad then a choice of steak, rabbit in mustard sauce or stuffed endive, I had steak Rich had rabbit, then there was cheese and dessert which we couldn’t manage, the owner didn’t speak English but there was a customer in who was English so he told us the options. As we walked there there was a terrific thunder storm, luckily the rain held off till we got there, but was very heavy for an hour or so.

Miles travelled 76 Fuel €37.50

Tue Mar 30th
A very blustery morning, we packed a picnic and climbed up to the Chateau, it was quite a stiff climb but well worth it, the views were terrific, we were almost the only people up there, about 4 other people and a dog, also the obligatory school party! They were no trouble though they kept in a group by the teacher being taught and weren’t let run riot.
We were going to have picnic by the river but the wind was very fierce so decided to have it back at van, I called at a boulangerie and got some fresh bread and a lovely meringue. The afternoon continued grey and windy with a thunder storm and hail, it was alternately sunny and windy or raining heavily. I tripped the electric getting tea. We had a few games before bed and I “chatted” to Emma on IM.

Wed Mar 31st
We managed to trip the electric again getting breakfast. Got away at 11.15, managed to get off the grass ok, others were getting stuck, we lent our yellow grip strips to neighbours who had bogged down, the site was not particularly wet, but once you spun you’d had it. We arrived at Marielle- Sur-Seine at 12 oclock, a lovely Aire by the side of the Seine with marked pitches, a notice said it was €5 but also said only between 1 st April and 31st Oct. we drove to another Aire in a neighbouring village which was also on the Seine, it was like a mini site with electricity if wanted but we decided to go back to the first one.
We parked up and walked into small town, it was bitterly cold with a strong wind, we had lunch and decided that we would go to Calais tomorrow and see if we could get on next ferry, we had five days left but would be driving around using fuel and it was to cold to get out and sight see so we decided to cut our losses. The afternoon was mixture of sunshine and showers some hail, but there was always a very cold wind. We sat and watched large ships and barges going up and down, the river came up over the bank but then started to go down and we realised that it is tidal; it went down a very long way. We were going to go to a restaurant that was right by the Aire but it was closed so we walked into town and found the butcher still open and got a couple of pork chops and cooked them in the van, they were absolutely beautiful. We had a few games before a quite late night.

Miles travelled 55 Site fees €30

Thurs Apr 1st
We were up quite early to a grey, damp morning and we left the Aire at 08.30 it continued to be very windy. We drove up through Yvetot, and by passed Neufchatel-en-Bray, Abbeville, Montreuil and Boulogne, between Nouvion and Montreuil by a small place called Vron a lorry threw up a large stone that hit the windscreen, bounced off the Luton and hit the windscreen again, a crack immediately appeared at the top of the windscreen, it started at about 2” long and we watched it creep down the windscreen at an alarming rate. Driving through parts of France we saw a scattering of snow on the verges. We arrived at Sainsbury’s at 12.00 and bought the wine we wanted, I tried to ring the insurance and Autoglass about the windscreen but was just put on hold so gave up, we decided to go straight to the port and see if we could get on a ferry then ring once we were in England. We made three false starts to get to Sea France desk but finally made it and when I asked could we change out booking she said yes there’s one leaving in 5 minutes so before we knew it we were on board and sailing. We arrived in Dover at 1.45 local time. We stopped in a lay-by and contacted Autoglass who assured us that the windscreen would not shatter on us so we rang Wyn and arranged to call there and spend the night, it was dryer and quite bright in England but still very cold.

2009-11-01T15:30:00.007Z

Scotland Oct 2009

Thurs 15th

Set off from home at 8.50 and had a good run to Brownhills at Chester le Street arriving at 2.10, where we had a free stopover for two nights. It had been misty and drizzly most of the day. We got tea and had a game of cards before bed.

Distance travelled 237 miles

Fri 16th

Today we went to Beamish open air museum, it was about ten minutes from Brownhills, we went at 10.30 and got back 4.30, it was very interesting.
There was a colliery with a short section of mine to go down, pit cottages, a school, a church and a home farm then on to a small town with some houses, a bank, a Masonic hall, a Co-op,

where we had lunch, further on down to the manor house, original, fortified part 1400s (fortified against Scots border raids) then there was a Waggoner’s way with working steam engine.

It was bright and sunny but a very cold wind.

Sat 17th

We were away by 0920 and arrived at the Haltwhistle site at 1030, it had rained a bit overnight and been quite cold but was a bright, sunny morning.

We booked in and then went for a drive round looking for Hadrian’s Wall, we found a bit by a fort but didn’t want to pay so carried on and went to Haltwhistle, we parked and had a walk round and got super fish and chips then a couple of things at Sainsburys, it was a glorious, sunny day but cold, the colours in the trees were lovely. Back at the van we tried to get TV going for Grand Prix but it wouldn’t work, found out that the area had gone totally digital and we had not brought our freeview box and dish!!! I had a shower and we sat and read/sudokod. The site was nice, small and by a river. Distance travelled 46 miles Site fee £8.81 x 2 = £17.62

Sun 18th

Grey, damp morning, had been a very cold night, after breakfast we went to Housestead Fort, the best preserved Roman fort on Hadrian’s Wall, it was bleak and cold with a sharp wind, the remains are quite impressive, once within the wall it was very sheltered.

We carried on looking for a pub and finally found one after miles of driving up hill and down vale through very sparsely populated country (except for sheep and cows) over the border in Cumbria, The Belted Will, it was called and we had a really good meal. Back to the van, read and sewed for a while, took a short walk in the woods along the river bank – wonderful dog walk now we haven’t got dogs! Had a game of cards then shower and early night, quite a bit milder tonight.

Mon 19th

Set off at 0930 and had a wet journey, arrived at Riverview Monifieth at 2.30. We set up and had a short walk on the beach; the water – Tay estuary – was very calm.

Andre and Jean, Aaron's paretns picked us up and too us to a Premier Inn for a meal which they insisted on paying for, we had a nice meal and they stopped for a coffee before going home. Distance travelled 195 miles Site fee £18 x 3 = £54

Tue 20th

A very blustery night and grey, cool day. We went to find the Discovery, where the wedding was being held, and Inchture hotel, reception, and where we would park overnight, before heading to a bird reserve, saw many geese etc. It was not a very nice day at all. Started to rain at 6.30 and the water was very rough.

Wed 21st

Up quite early to take Emma’s dress etc to the hotel, it took nearly an hour to get to the hotel as the traffic was so bad, crawling most of the way. We unloaded the stuff then went back into Dundee to the Discovery for a wedding rehearsal. The weather was awful, wet, cold and blustery, we met the wedding coordinator and went on board, Emma was very upset that the weather made the ship inhospitable and it was suggested that the ceremony be in the wardroom, we went down to look at it and agreed that if the weather was the same tomorrow it would have to be there, the deck and bridge were bitterly cold and wet, the wind funnelling down off the water. We went back to the hotel to meet Marg & Bri who had arrived and we had a very nice lunch with them at the hotel. We then drove back to our van and sat in the warm and dry playing scrabble as the weather was too awful to be outside. Marg & Bri went back after a bit of tea and we followed a bit later. When we got to the hotel Jan & Mike had arrived and then we got together with Emma, Aaron and their friends for a few drinks. Back to van quite late.

Thurs 22nd

We left the site after breakfast, allowing time for traffic to clear, called at Tesco for food and fuel and got to the hotel for about 10.30, we were spending the night parked there. There was a lot of activity getting Emma and the bridesmaids ready and they all looked beautiful. I had a shower in Jan’s room then we had a sandwich with Jan & Mike in the van before it was time to get dressed and set off for the Discovery. There was a courtesy mini bus provided by the hotel and Marg & Bri, Jan & Mike and me were on the first trip. As we arrived at the ship the piper started playing, Ode to Joy, lovely! The weather was very different to yesterday calm and dry with the sun coming out sporadically and the wedding coordinators had set up the chairs on the bridge, which was Emma’s preferred location. Quite a bit of hanging around then waiting for others to arrive, as each group arrived the piper was playing which made for a lovely atmosphere, and then finally Emma & Rich arrived in a stretch Limo. The ceremony went very well and as Rich walked with Emma the piper played the Welsh National Anthem, cue sniffles!

There were drinks served on the deck whilst photos were being taken and Emma & Aaron were presented with a pair of crystal glasses from the ship.

Back to the hotel at last, it was beginning to get quite cold as the afternoon wore on, and a super reception, the meal was very good and Emma had decorated the tables beautifully. A late night again.

Fri 23rd

After seeing everyone off we left the van at the hotel and went to find an optician as I’d lost a pad off my glasses. We tried to find a car park in Dundee but ended up on the Tay Bridge and so went over to Newport; we parked and found an optician who charged £4 for new pads!

We had a short walk but nothing much to see, dilapidated buildings and a very small inaccessible harbour. Back over the bridge to go to Arbroath but managed to get tied up in road works and diversions, we arrived in Arbroath eventually and met Emma and Aaron’s family in a fish & chip buffet restaurant by the Bell Rock lighthouse. A very nice meal – all you could eat for £6.50. We had a very quick look round the museum then back to collect the van and get on our way. We left the hotel at 2.45 and arrived at a farm in Methven at 3.25.

We got pitched with Smart hitched up, had a bit off tea and a very early night, the weather had turned nasty again and it rained all night.

Distance travelled 23 miles Site fee £5

Sat 24th

Up and away for 9.30 heading for Lancaster but when we stopped for lunch Rich decided to head for home as the weather was awful, rain and low cloud.

We got home at 4.45. Distance travelled 343 miles

2009-11-01T15:29:00.004Z

AUSTRIA Sept 2009

Thurs 17th

Having stayed overnight in Stafford with Margaret & Brian we set off for Northwich, arriving at 08.40. When we got out of the car we met up with Mary & Tom and our cases were loaded onto the coach, we were a bit worried to see Clive underneath the coach doing some repairs and when we said we would go to Tesco and get breakfast Clive told us to take our time! Tesco was disappointing as the café had been replaced with a fancy coffee bar; we made do with plasticy bacon toasties. Back at the garage Clive was still under the coach with Robert and a mechanic, we were told to get on board as it would be about half an hour. After an hour or so Clive came and told us it would be a bit longer, it was decided at some point in the morning that Sarah would drive Clive’s coach to pick up other passengers, Maureen (courier) and Hazel (Sarah’s mum) went with her. As the day wore on they were still trying to fix the problem (brake pipes) fetching parts etc. Sarah had picked up her passengers and carried on to Hull, by late afternoon it was decided that she should carry on and board the ferry but she hadn’t got her passport with her as she wasn’t on her own coach, someone came to take it to her and we heard that he had got it to her with five minutes to spare. It was 5.30pm by then and too late to get to Hull for the ferry so we had to find an hotel, some who lived near went home and Clive took us, in the now repaired coach, to a motel, “Happy Guest” we had a warm welcome and an evening meal then bed.

Fri 18th

Did not sleep well and we were up early for breakfast. Clive picked us up at 0930 and we set off for Leeds where we stopped for morning coffee at a large shopping centre, Rich managed to buy some swimming trunks as he had left his at home. We carried on to Hull where we boarded the ferry at about 6pm. We settled in our cabins then met for a drink and dinner; it was a very good buffet meal and as we were eating it we set sail. We went to the Sky lounge for a drink then bed.

Sat 19th

Slept heavily and woke with a start when the breakfast announcement was made at 0700, a great rush as we were meeting at 0745 to disembark. Rich sat with our bags while I went for breakfast and I found out that we were docking an hour later as it was the weekend so we both managed some breakfast.
We set off from Rotterdam at about 0930, Clive said that he was going to do the two days travel in one to catch up with the other coach, we didn’t stop till 1220 and it was at a McDonalds because the place we were supposed to stop was closed because of roadworks,

we were plagued with roadworks all day,
we left McDonalds at 1300 and carried on with a quick toilet stop ,coffee stop and fuel stop reaching Ulm at 2130 – 12 hours travel, we were very tired and glad to arrive, we were met by Sarah glad to have her case and a change of clothes, we had a quick meal and bed.

Sun 20th

Set off at 0930 with Sarah driving, we encountered lots of traffic hold ups including an overturned lorry down an embankment, it was very slow going, we stopped a couple of times, for coffee and toilet, and then stopped in a lay by for lunch, there were picnic tables but so many wasps about we stayed on the coach to eat after a wee behind the hedge!, we had wine with our lunch which Tom & Mary had provided. We set off again and the scenery began to change, the mountains were spectacular and we started to see typical Tyrolean houses, wooden chalet types with masses of colourful hanging baskets.

We arrived at Hotel Schloss Rosenegg at 1815 and finally got our cases, we had time for a shower and change before dinner, the meal was not wonderful and the staff were a bit disorganised so service was not good. Our room was nice, we were next to Marg & Brian & Mary & Tom in the “dungeons”, they had asked to be near the swimming pool, the hotel was on many levels and seemed to encompass quite a few buildings with a road in between, there was a stream running outside our rooms, we had to go up and down various flights of stairs to get anywhere else in the hotel. It had been hot & sunny all day.

Mon 21st

We were up early and got breakfast, it was a good breakfast with lots of choice. We met Thomas, an hotel employee, who took us on an orientation walk around the village. We walked along a pretty, wooded path by the river, there was a wooden house with beautiful hanging baskets and in the garden were some michaelmas daisies which were alive with dozens of butterflies and we then went up to the church; it was sunny and very hot.

We had a look into the church and a drink from the special spring that supposedly cures fevers and everything else, the town was named after this fever fountain, we then carried on through the town and back to the hotel. In the afternoon the coach took us into Kitzbuhel a medieval town, on the way we had lunch on the coach, a nice buffet served by Robert.
We stopped for a drink then had a walk round the town, very pretty, cobbled streets and colourful houses many with painted shutters or murals on the walls, Kitzbuhel is, like Fieberbrunn, a ski resort.

When we were back on the coach there was a birthday cake for Mary and a celebratory drink. Back at the hotel we had a swim then dinner, the food was again not very good and service bad, the staff were pleasant but there did not seem to be any organisation in the serving method, we waited ages for our main course. There was music and dancing in the bar after dinner.

Tue 22nd

We got breakfast quite early and then went on a modern coach for a trip to the Glossglockner, at 3798 m high the highest mountain in Austria, the route was along the Glossglockner High Alpine Road, a very scary ride with numerous hairpin bends and the road built out on pillars some of the time. We passed waterfalls and there was a lot of snow on the mountain tops.

When we arrived we had to get a lift up one level then get on a mini bus which took us up to a restaurant by the glacier, we had lunch with a glass of wine then walked to an observation tower to take a close look at the glacier, it was an impressive sight but is apparently melting at an alarming rate.

We saw marmots on the hillside, they were bigger than we expected, quite badger like,

and some very pretty wild flowers, gentian, edelweiss and a pretty pink, many headed crocus like flower, there were ibex about but we did not spot any. We saw eagles and alpine chough.
A bit of a mix up picking people up and some were in the wrong place so driver took us back the way we’d come instead of a different route we were going to take. Back at the hotel I had a quick swim before dinner; service was a bit better tonight. After dinner we had a “torchlight” walk with Thomas, we were all given candles and walked along a river path, about 80 of us, we stopped and had to blow our candles out to look up at the stars, it was quite spectacular and the milky way was clearly visible, Thomas then gave us a few moments of calming meditation before relighting the candles and heading back, it was certainly different but spoiled by the fact that I (and others) got candle wax on our clothes.

Wed 23rd

Today was as free day with no trips planned so we got up a bit later and walked into Fieberbrunn along the river and back, as we walked back to the town we saw at least a dozen types of wild flower in a meadow. We had lunch in a café on the corner by the hotel and while we were there we saw the cows being brought down from their summer pastures, they were driven through the streets amongst the traffic with their bells clanging, one of them was wearing a headdress that looked like a Christmas tree, the brown and white cattle that we mostly saw are Pinzgauer.

We had a rest then a swim, another rest and dinner. It had been another beautiful hot, sunny day.

Thurs 24th

Today we went to Zell Um See, we had tea and biscuits on the coach and Mary produced” Austrian” hats which we had to wear! As we were taking photos outside the coach we became quite an attraction with other tourists, they were taking our picture and having their picture taken with us.

We walked down to the lake which is very picturesque and walked along it for a while stopping to get a drink and some chips.

When we got back to Fieberbrunn we were taken up on a ski lift for apple strudel and a drink, this was very nice, a huge piece of cake, some of us then decided to go up to the next stage on the ski lift, it was fantastic with wonderful views over the town and surrounding countryside,

it was very peaceful and the sun was glorious. Back at the hotel we were treated to some Tyrolean dances before dinner.

Fri 25th

Today we had a trip to Salzburg, it was quite a distance and took a couple of hours to get there, when we got there there was a bit of a mix up as the park and ride system had stopped operating and so the coaches had to dive us to a drop off place near the town. We waited at a café in the square for a drink but did not get served so went to a market stall and had one from there. Rich & Brian were very interested in a stall of wooden objects and managed to have a conversation with the stallholder about his work.
We took a ride around the town in a landau

and then just wandered round the markets, they were very interesting with all sorts of crafts being carried out, woodworking, ironworking, stone masons, distilling, jewellery, costume making, pottery etc. it was all very interesting and we also saw quite a lot of people, men and women, in national dress, it was very pleasant wandering round in the sunshine. When we set off back to the coach we found that the city was bigger than we thought and kept finding more squares, markets and another funfair we kept the castle on our right and finally ended up in St Peter’s church yard full of mausoleums, very well maintained. We finally spotted Mary & Tom so knew we were on the right track and got back to the coach. We left at 3pm and had only travelled 10km in an almost an hour as the motorway was solid with traffic and very slow as we were by a service area a “police” van pulled both coaches over and Clive was told that he had not got the correct pass for travelling in Austria and they were fined almost £1000, they had bought passes when first entering Austria but had not been told that there were different passes for different situation, going from Fieberbrunn to Salzburg took us in and out of Germany and so different passes were needed. Tom took a collection to help with the fines. We were also told that the road would be closed for 3 hours as there was an overturned lorry. We finally set of at 7pm after hanging round the service station all this time. We arrived back at the hotel at 8.20pm; the meal this evening was at 6pm and was a special buffet, “Schlossherren” or Lord of the Manor with Austrian dancing. The meal had been saved for us so we just had it and went to bed, no time to wash and brush up, it was a nice buffet, one of the better meals, pity it was so rushed.

Sat 25th

Today we set off for home it was very misty when we started but soon cleared up to be another sunny day. We left Fieberbrunn at 0955, we had a couple of stops and lunch on the coach and had time to stop for 20 mins at Dinkelsbuhl a small, very pretty town in Germany, there were a lot of horses about and it appeared to be a hunt, some of the riders were in hunting jackets.
We set off again for Wurzburg, although this was a distance of just over 70 miles we didn’t arrive until 10pm, we were plagued by roadworks again so the going was very slow and when we got near the drivers were unable to find the hotel, we went round in circles for ages and finally had to get a local taxi to come and lead us to it, no wonder we couldn’t find it as it was halfway up a mountain along unlit twisty roads. The hotel was nice and the welcome we got was wonderful, again we did not have to wash and brush up but just had to go straight to the dining room, the service was very good and an excellent meal served quickly and efficiently by friendly staff, plenty of wine with meal. Straight to bed.

Sun 26th

I got up and had a swim before breakfast and as we were early we had a bit of a walk round, there were super views although the morning was misty. The breakfast was not as good as at the other hotel, not much variety. Just after we set off we pulled up to look at a miniature church by the roadside, we also found a walnut tree and collected quite a lot.

By the time we’d got fuel it was 11 30 before we set off, we stopped to have lunch on board the coach and then set off again at 2.30, we arrived at the Novotel Wuppertal at 5.15pm. It had been a lovely, sunny day again. Clive wanted to take us on the mono rail and most of us decided to go, Clive had seen it in 1946 when it was devastated by the war. First of all we had to find where to park, Clive got directions from locals then we had to get 40 tickets out of the machine, this took ages with the usual chaos of everyone thinking they knew best. We finally got aboard on a coach full of what we took to be football hooligans, chanting and shouting. We travelled about 10 stops and got off, it was very interesting but the city, or what we saw of it, was not very inviting, industrialised, dirty and neglected looking.

We then found that we had to get more tickets for the return journey luckily a couple of transport police turned up and helped. It was dark by the time we got back to the hotel at 8.20pm, dinner was at 8! One chap off Clive’s coach was having a go at Maureen because he wasn’t happy about a late dinner, he was very nasty, he was the only person who had moaned all holiday. Meal not bad.

Mon 28th

We left Wuppertal at 09.35 and headed for Arnhem, when we got there we thought we would be stopping for a look round but the other coach did not want to stop so we carried on and had lunch on the coach. Carried on and stopped at a small town with a windmill, walked around for a bit, I got a saddle for my bike. Back on coach and got to Rotterdam about 5.30 and boarded the ferry. Settled in cabin then met for a drink before dinner, again a nice buffet meal.

Tue 29th

Docked at 08.45, late because there had been an emergency evacuation of a crew member the night before. We stopped at an outlet village, Junction 32 at Castleford, where we had a drink and a muffin then a bit of a look round. Set off again and back at Northwich for about 2.30. Bri drove us back to Stafford and we were home by about 4.30pm.

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All in all we had a good holiday, the weather was fantastic, hot and sunny every day, reaching 70 degrees some days, the Austrian countryside was spectacular with vibrant green meadows, a lot of them being cut and turned for hay or silage, there were lots of wildflowers and impressive snow topped, mountains, we saw many birds of prey, including eagles, also a lot of brown & white Pinzgauer cows grazing on the rich grass. We had expected it to be quite cool, especially in the mountains and so had the wrong clothes with us, also we were quite late for meals a few times and did not have time to wash and change which, after long, hot journeys was a bit annoying. The distances travelled, even without the holdups, were long and very tiring, and we felt that there was not enough time to stop and enjoy the various places we went to. Overall though it was a good holiday with good company and lots of fun, the Regency Road Pullman Company is very different and the staff, Sarah, Robert, Clive & Maureen were friendly and fun and went out of their way to be helpful, the lunches we had on board the coach were good and nicely presented.

2009-11-01T15:14:00.000Z

Tenby Aug 2009

Sun 23rd Aug

Having loaded the van the day before we set off at 08.20, an uneventful journey with a couple of showers and we arrived on site at 11.50. As we came to unhitch the Smart we realised that we had left the keys for it at home!! We rang Emma to ask could they fetch them for us and then realised what a cheek that was so instead Emma suggested she post them to us, still quite an effort but really appreciated. It was very wet, Rich watched the Grande Prix I crocheted and listened to music. After tea we watched a bit of TV then bed.

Distance Travelled 131 miles

Mon 24th

Quite a bright morning so we went for a walk to Amroth, a small, very pretty seaside town, the tide was in but we were told that there were miles of lovely sand.

Back to the van and it was nice enough to sit out in the sun for a while. I’d left a meal in the slow cooker which turned out alright, it was very showery again in the evening and there was a super rainbow for ages.

I was very tired so we had an early night.

Tue 25th

We both managed a shower in the van and then just waited around for the post. The keys arrived at about 2pm, we unhitched the car and started to put the awning up, this took ages as people kept stopping to talk and then the zip broke so we had to stitch it up. By the time we were finished it was tea time, after tea watched a bit of TV before bed.

Wed 26th

Woke up to a very grey, very wet morning. After breakfast we went to Tesco in Pembroke Dock for a few things and to try and get a new phone. Argos was next door to Tesco and I got one there. Marg & Bri were coming over for a couple of days so waited in for them whilst learning my new phone. M & B arrived about 1pm, we had a bit of lunch then went to find them a B&B, found a nice one in Amroth and they booked in. We then went for a bit of a drive round, the weather having improved a bit, went to Wiseman’s Bridge, Saundersfoot and Tenby, we didn’t stop anywhere. M & B went to their digs and us back to van. We went for tea and Welsh cakes at Steward’s tent which was nice. We met M & B at 6.30 at the Amroth Arms and had a nice meal, it turned out to be a nice evening.

Thurs 27th

Rain first thing but brightened up a bit later. M & B called for us and we went to Pembroke Dock looking for a museum to Sunderland Flying Boats, took us a few trips round the docks but finally found it, it was very interesting, they are raising, bit by bit, a Sunderland that sunk in the docks and restoring it. We then went to a museum in a Martello Tower, also very interesting, the weather was not too good and there was a very cool wind. We had lunch in a pub opposite the tower then went on to Pembroke Castle. Had a good look around the many remaining parts of the very large castle got a cup of tea then back to van where I cooked a quick meal. We had been invited to a badger watch at M & B’s digs but the weather had turned awful, all enveloping clouds and rain so we thought it would be off. However about 8.30 it brightened up again and they texted to say it was on. We went down and had a superb view of 4 or 5 badgers eating outside the kitchen window. Back to van and bed.

Fri 28th

Heavy rain again first thing so got up very slowly. Rich’s back was giving him pain so we didn’t go out for a while but when he felt better we went to St David’s, we got a bit lost around Haverfordwest but got there eventually. We went to Porthclais harbour first, a small inlet where people were canoeing. We then went into the town, parked and walked round for a while; we priced a boat trip then had fish and chips – lovely! We went to St Justinian’s where the boat trip would leave from and looked round the lifeboat station; there was a very strong, cool wind all day. We went back to the van via Asda where we got a couple of things, including a deep fat fryer. As we got back to the van the sky went very black and there was a thunder storm.

Sat 29th

Another grey morning, Rich watched Grande Prix and by the time it had finished it had brightened up. We went to Wisemans Bridge and parked then walked along the coast to Saundersfoot, there is a good path on the site of an old railway which goes through 3 tunnels in the rocks. Saundersfoot was very busy, lots of people on the beach and in the sea, in the sun it was very warm but there was a very cool breeze.

We walked back to the car, Wisemans Bridge was also very busy, and went back to van. We went for a coffee at the steward’s tent but only 2 other people there, our very garrulous neighbours! Rain again in the evening.

Sun 30th

Another grey, wet morning, low clouds hiding the view, stayed in, Rich watched Grand Prix, it didn’t stop raining all day so we stayed in the van.

Mon 31st

Grey, overcast and damp this morning but cleared up to blue, cloudy sky with quite strong wind. We went to Tenby and got on the park and ride to the harbour. We walked round the harbour and headland area which was very windy then went to the Tudor Merchant’s House a National Trust property, this was interesting showing how a merchant would have lived in the 14th/15th century. We then wandered round the town, very pretty with small interconnecting streets surrounded by town walls; also very busy being a Bank Holiday Monday.

We stopped for lunch at what must have been the scruffiest pub in Tenby and had a toasted sandwich, when we left we saw a notice saying Prince William had been drinking there!! We went on to Pembroke Dock to Asda and Poundland then back to van, watched an old film on TV, Rich did chips in new deep fat fryer.

Tue 1st Sept

A bit brighter but cooler and still strong wind. After breakfast we packed awning up as it was just about dry then we went to Scolton Manor near Haverfordwest, there was a lot to see, woodland walks, farm implements, blacksmith, a restored train and the manor house. We stopped for lunch and it couldn’t have been more different to yesterday, clean, bright& efficient, a couple of £s dearer but worth it. Managed to stay dry until we were leaving when there was a heavy shower. Called at Summerhill farm shop on way back, I bought a book as well as sausages and bacon etc. the girl told me that the books were being sold for charity “CRY”, Cardiac Risk in the Young, she told me that her husband had died suddenly 2 yrs ago aged 28 just 3 weeks after they had opened the shop. Back to van and into Amroth for meal. Watch TV for a while then bed.

Wed 2nd Sept

It was quite bright when we woke but showers imminent; we had breakfast and finished packing up. When we came to leave we got stuck so the steward called for the farmer with his tractor, they couldn’t start the tractor so Bob pulled us with his 4WD, it didn’t take much but everything got very muddy, hitched the Smart up and away by 11am., drove through a lot of rain, went via Rhayader and home by 2.45.

Distance travelled 147 miles

We had enjoyed ourselves despite the weather, the stewards were very friendly and helpful and the site is in a lovely position. We managed well showering in the van.

2009-11-01T15:11:00.006Z

Portugal March 2009.

Fri 6th

We decide to set off early as we were all ready so we left home at 14.25; we got to Dover for 19.15 and were able to get on the 21.00 ferry. We got to Calais at 22.45 and set off for Cleres arriving at 01.45, it had been dry but started to rain as we neared Cleres, the Aire was good, well marked pitches with hedges round each one, electricity was available if wanted. It was very cold but we soon got off to sleep.

Distance travelled 393 miles Fuel £57.41

Sat 7th

Woke at 0830 local time, it was bitterly cold, 4 c, had a quick breakfast and away by 10.45, it was dry and there were sunny spells but it started mizzling mid morning. We arrived at St Maure de Touraine at about 15.00hrs but we had trouble finding the Aire, we went to a camp site first, arrived at 15.20. We got a meal then took a walk round the town to the church & chateau (ruined), it was a very old town, a bit dilapidated but peaceful, it was a lot milder than last night, we had a very early night.

Distance Travelled 218 miles Fuel €39

Sun 8th

We set off at 0835. The drive was a bit easier today all down the N10, it was cloudy but bright. There were a lot of granaries but as we got near Bordeaux we started to see vineyards. We stopped for lunch at about 12 o’clock then carried on, it was a good fairly new road and it was a bit sad to see that it had cut through villages and that there were a lot of house abandoned and garages and cafes as well, the new road had obviously affected them. We started to see some blossom on trees, gorse was blooming as well. We found the Aire at Hostens, arriving at 1.30; it was outside a camp site (closed) in a pine forest. We walked through the forest to a lake for about an hour, there were literally hundreds of trees fallen down, many had been over the track, which had been cleared, but most lay where they had fallen, either snapped in half or uprooted.

There was a site with some fossilised wood and descriptions of an ancient (500 million year old) tropical forest that had once been in the area. After we had tea another motorhome turned up with an English couple in, Mike & Elaine, we chatted and they came over for a drink and to give us some advice on our route and available stopping places, they had been doing the run for a few years and knew a lot more about it than us. They had been out since before Christmas and were returning to manage a site near Glastonbury, it was interesting talking to them and they stayed till after 10.00.

Distance travelled 212 miles

Mon 9th

It rained overnight and there was a shower as we were getting ready to leave, we set off at 0840. It was a harder drive than yesterday over the Pyrenees, although a toll road it was not very good and was very twisty in places, there was also a lot of heavy traffic, especially around San Sebastian. As we passed through mile upon mile of pine forests we saw the same devastation that we had seen by the site, hundreds of trees down, there must have been a terrific storm very recently as all that appeared to have been done was to clear roads which would have been a mammoth task. It was sunny at times but there were a few very nasty showers, when we were at the top of the mountains we saw a thin covering of hail lying on the roadside. We stopped for a sandwich at about 12.30 and watched a couple of fly catchers by the roadside. We saw Mimosa in blossom, Camellias, Primroses, Cowslips and gorse. We arrived at Haro at 1.20 in beautiful sunshine, it was a nice site with well marked out pitches and very warm, clean toilet/shower blocks, although no toilet seats, it was beside a river and ringed by distant mountain peaks, some with a scattering of snow.
We booked in, had a shower then took a walk into the town. There was nothing open except a few bars, it was a very old town with lots of houses fallen down, it had a lovely square and magnificent old buildings adorned with balconies, we watched storks soaring above the town and there were a few nests on chimney pots. Back to the van where we had tea and an early night.

Distance travelled 223 miles Fuel €54.81 Tolls €11.45.

Tue 10th

Very cold when we woke, 2c, heavy frost. Had breakfast then on the road for 0845 and it was lovely and sunny, we could see the high mountains in the distance covered with snow. The road was not too good up until Burgos, quite twisty, we passed a few small towns that all seemed to be having new estates built. Burgos was a very dirty industrial town with a pall of smoke over it, there were lots of gravel pits and cement works. After Burgos the road was dual carriageway and much easier to travel, there was snow lying in small pockets beside the road. We stopped for lunch overlooking a vast plain, an English lorry driver stopped to chat to us; we saw wagtails and skylarks as well as a large hawk (buzzard/kite?) Alongside the road there were baskets on poles with model storks on them, we presumed to attract storks to nest. We had difficulty finding the site and went round Salamanca 3 times, got there eventually at 2.15. It was lovely and warm and sunny so we got the chairs out and sat and enjoyed it. The site got quite busy, it was ok but only 2 showers, but they were clean, an English chap said he paid €20 (should have been 23) so camping cheque was good value at £10.

Distance travelled 226 miles Fuel€39

Wed 11th

Cold when we woke up, 3c, but no frost. We set off at 0850. The first part of the journey was along dual carriageway and very easy. We saw very colourful model cows alongside the motorway as well as many long horn cattle in fields. At 0920 we were pulled over by the police for a random weight check but we were waved on without having a check. As we passed onto Portugal the terrain changed dramatically and became very rugged and mountainous with granite boulders outcropping. Spring seemed to be more advanced as well with lots of blossom, mimosa, cherry etc. the trees were also greening up with new growth. We saw processional caterpillar nests in conifer trees and storks nests in trees and chimneys, there were also miles of eucalyptus trees being grown and harvested. We saw concrete channels which reminded us of the levadas in Madeira but instead of going along terraces they all went down to streams or drainage ditches. Some of the small towns we passed through had streets cobbled with granite sets. The middle part of the journey was along a winding, minor road through very pretty country with sheep, cattle, olives and corn; it all looked very green and pretty. We arrived at Evora at 2.45 (our time clocks gone back an hour), it was a large congested car park in the shadow of an ancient viaduct. Rich managed to squeeze in.

Distance travelled 272 miles Fuel€ 31.50

Thurs 12th

We did not get much sleep as the road and car park was very busy and we were a bit nervous as the only motorhome overnighting, I set alarm for 7am but it went off at 4 (3 Portuguese time!) but we didn’t realise till we were up and had breakfast! It was a lot warmer, 13degrees dropping to 12. We waited until it got light at 06.30 and set off into the sunrise with a full moon behind us. It was similar country to yesterday, lots of cattle and some sheep, we saw more storks nests and a lot of ibis, also a hoopoe flew in front of us, quite a few vines and cherry blossom, the roads were lined with big gum trees for a lot of the way. We called at a small town to find a supermarket we got stuck in narrow streets but couldn’t get to it we went on and found a Lidl in the next town, Silves. We stopped for a few groceries and carried on. We arrived at Turiscampo at10.45, after a false start at another site. We booked in and got sited; Jan had found us a nice, sunny pitch next door but one to them. We had a shower then had lunch with J & M sitting in the sun, chatted for a while then got an early night. The site is nice, large pitches, a lot are shady but we were lucky enough to have a sunny one, thanks to Jan, showers lovely and new and very clean. It had been lovely and sunny all day.

Distance travelled 160 miles Fuel €45

Fri 13th

Woke up to a lovely sunny day. There were azure magpies and serrin flying round the site.
We got the bus into Lagos, walked across the bridge to the marina,

stopped for a drink then wandered round the town and had a nice lunch in a small restaurant. We went to a supermarket for a few things and back on the bus. J & M came for a game of cards before bed.

Sat 14th

Woke up to another lovely, sunny day. Jan & I walked to the village, Espiche, to the fish market and bought fish and strawberries. We had a BBQ in the afternoon and sat and enjoyed the sun nattering.

Sun 15th

We walked into Luz, it was a long walk and very hilly and hot, it is a pretty little seaside town with a nice beach and cafes along the promenade, famous, or infamous, for the place where Madeline McCann was taken from.

Sat and read in afternoon, in evening J & M came and we showed them our Australian pics.

Mon 16th

Another hot day, we went for a buffet lunch in the site restaurant then sat in sun and read. J & M came for cards.

Tue 17th

Hot and sunny again but windy. We got the bus into Lagos and had a walk round the old town, very quaint with whitewashed houses; there were some old houses falling down and building work going on in places. We had a drink in a small café then walked along the promenade, the sea was very rough.

We walked round the marina to supermarket then back and sat in the sun out of the wind for a while before getting the bus back. Got dinner and early night.

Wed 18th

Another hot, windy day did some washing and Jan cooked dinner for us, we sat around chatting most of the afternoon then after tea had a game of cards before bed.

Thurs 19th

Cloudy and cooler this morning, by lunchtime it had brightened up a bit and we decided to go to a restaurant Jan & Mike had been to before on the outskirts of Lagos. We caught the bus and when we got off had a wander round before Jan found the restaurant, it was local and noisy but the food was very good, home cooked, fish and fresh veg with wine and sweet. We then walked on to the coast; it was still cloudy but windy, not cold though. We went down lots of steps to the beach and ther were fantastic fossilised shells &rocky cliffs with outcrops that had eroded away making stacks and archways.

We carried on to the lighthouse and down some more steps to the “grotto” even more fantastic rock formations with the sea crashing around them and sea birds wheeling above. Slogged back to the main road where J & M decided to walk to the bus station but we decided to sit at the nearest bus stop, we ended up on different buses, we had the one that went round all the outskirts and villages, got back very tired at 7.15, supper and early night.

Fri 20th

A lot calmer this morning, still a bit cloudy but that soon cleared and it was a lovely hot day. Washed sheets but otherwise sat around van all day in sun reading. Game of cards before bed.

Sat 21st

Another sunny, lazy day, walked to Espiche in morning to fish market,

got some fish and strawberries. We had a BBQ then sat around in afternoon in sun. Game of cards before bed.

Sun 22nd

Cloudy this morning, sun trying but not succeeding very well, hot when it did come out. We went for all you can eat buffet lunch at restaurant on site which was very good value, lazy afternoon game of cards before bed.

Mon 23rd

A very windy but sunny day, cool in breeze but sun hot. We caught a bus to Sagres; it is a small fishing port with quite a large newish harbour, it is the point that Christopher Columbus left from to discover the new world. We had a walk round, didn’t take long! Got some bread in supermarket then had sandwiches in a sheltered spot on harbour, overlooking road! Walked round harbour it was very exhilarating with the wind and the waves crashing on the harbour wall. While waiting for the return bus we walked on the cliffs above the harbour.

Back to van, tea and cards before bed.

Tue 24th

Another hot, sunny day, sat outside and read in morning, in afternoon had a game of boules, surprised myself by doing quite well! Team were pleased with me and we won. In the evening we met up with a group from the rally and walked into Espiche to a restaurant, http://www.algarve-retreats.co.uk/sub_page.cfm/title/Restauarants%20in%20Espiche,%20Algarve%20-%20Adega%20do%20Papagaio/section/services/editID/379 Papagaio , it was decorated with lots of parrots, ornaments and pictures, apparently Papagaio means parrot in Portuguese.

We had meats brought to the table and cooked them on a hot stone, it was very good and we had unlimited chips and wine, we had a very good evening Rich & Jan both enjoyed the wine! We staggered home after 10.30.

Wed 25th

Another hot, sunny day had a quiet day reading and sunbathing, one of the couples who had been with us last night called and they had got me a tee shirt from the restaurant (I’d asked but didn’t wait for it). In the afternoon the four of us played boules and had an early night.

Thurs 26th

A bit cloudy this morning, but warm and still, we walked to a Chinese restaurant on the way to Luz and had a very nice lunch.

We carried on into Luz, got a few things at the supermarket then got the bus back to Espiche, a lot easier than walking up the long hill. Sat in sun for rest of day, game of cards before bed.

Fri 27th

A bit cloudy this morning but soon cleared. We got the bus into Lagos, had a look around Chinese shops then R & I had lunch at café on marina and J & M went to supermarket met at bus station and back to site. Got mostly packed up before bed.

Sat 28th
Moving on to Albufiera today.
Light shower when we woke up and it had rained a bit in the night, glad we’d packed sunshade & mat away last night. Finished packing up and left by 09.30. We went into Lagos to Lidl to stock up and then met J & M on services and carried on together to Albufeira, arriving at about 11.30. We checked in with rally stewards and got ourselves sited, the ground was muddy as they had had heavy rain overnight, it did not seem as warm as in Espiche and site was not as well organised, cool wind blowing. R tried to get TV set up for Grande Prix but no joy. R & I decided to walk to Albufeira to see if there was a bar showing it, also I needed my glasses looking at as I’d lost the nose pad. It was a long, difficult walk along a busy road with lots of road works and we took a wrong turn and so walked further than we needed! We found the bar which was not going to show race and the opticians which was shut! Slogged back to site (we reckoned about 7miles in all) got tea and early night, clocks going forward tonight.

Distance travelled 39 miles

Sun 29th

Quite cold when we woke up 8c, and cold wind blowing even though sun shining, decided to have a quite day so stayed on site, it warmed up a bit in afternoon out of the wind. R & I wet to restaurant on site for a meal, hoped to see Grand Prix but no luck, meal ok.

Mon 30th

Woke up to a cold morning, 8c. We went to catch bus into Albufeira; we’d been told it was every half hour and cost 1euro 10c. We got on a bus and he charged us 1euro 90c, took us to the bus terminal and told us to get off!! We went for help at the information desk and were told that the best way into town was to walk!! There were no timetables to be had or any help. We walked into the town and I found an optician to repair my glasses, we went to the Tourist Information office then we then went and sat by the beach and ate our sandwiches.

We wandered about a bit more and then caught a little train for a trip round, it was the most uninteresting train we’d ever been on, just went round houses and back to where we started!! Walked back and got the bus back to the site, we realised that we had got on the wrong bus in the morning– a long distance rather than a local bus but were a bit put out by the lack of information or help.
In the evening we went to the quiz night organised by the rally, it was a good night even though we didn’t win we met some nice people.

Tue 31st

Cold again this morning so decided not to have a shower, the shower blocks here are not heated so it’s a bit Spartan! We went for a boules match in the afternoon, it was good fun. Game of cards before bed.

Wed April 1st

Cloudy when we woke up but not quite as cold as the last couple of days. We got the bikes off and cycled (and pushed) to the Algarve Shopping Centre, it was a hilly ride through mostly farm tracks, but as it was sunny it was not too bad.

We arrived and found something to eat, R & I had Chinese, J & M went to a small restaurant. We found the shop we were looking for, R wanted to get a site book for Spain with coordinates in which he’d been told he'd maybe get there but they didn’t have one. Had a bit of a look round but it was all designer shops so we went to the supermarket and got a few things before cycling back, mostly downhill! J & M went to bingo. The sun had been hot but there was a cool breeze all day.

Thurs 2nd

Cool again in the morning but sunny and hot later. Played boules in the afternoon and J & M were going to dinner dance but Mike was not feeling too well so Jan asked would I go with her, I’d already had tea but that didn’t matter. The meal was very nice, soup, kebabs with rice, chips & salad then a sweet, also all the wine or water you could drink and a port or brandy to finish – all very nice. We sat with some nice people, Sue & John and had a good chat. The music was a girl singing to backing tapes, mostly 60s music and very good. Jan & I had quite a few jives; we had a thoroughly good timed stayed till the end getting home at midnight.

Fri 3rd

We got the bus into Albufeira, the right one this time! Wandered about looking for a bar showing Grande Prix and found one that said they would show it so had a drink there, we then went for a meal at another small restaurant which was fish, chips & salad for €5 Walked slowly back to bus and back to site, Mike was feeling under the weather again – low blood sugar so R & I watched a DVD.

Sat 4th

Weather a bit better today, warm all day & the wind didn’t get up. R & I played boules; Jan forgot about it and was having her dinner, otherwise just sat about. Game of cards before bed.

Sun 5th

Rich & Mike went into town early to see the Grand Prix in a bar; they came back at lunch time pleased to have been able to see it. It was the hottest day yet and we just sat around.

Mon 6th

Cooler in the morning when we woke up but turned hot and sunny, though breezy. We decided to cycle to Ferreiras, a nearby town, but my bike had a puncture so J & M went ahead. Rich mended the puncture 3 times and finally got it to stay up, the ride was uphill all the way and along a busy road, we met up with J & M in the square, they were just about to return, the fish market was not open as they don’t fish on Sunday so no fish Mon. They went to find a supermarket and we had a look round a Chinese shop and had a drink in a small café before setting off back. We called at an orange seller by the side of the road, there was and “antique” display which consisted of many old farm implements, mainly for use with mules, and old chests, singer sewing machines and bedsteads full of worm and dust, we bought a bag of oranges and went back to site, it was easy, downhill all the way. As we had no fish we got some pies from the site shop for tea, Rich re-mended my bike. In the evening we went to the quiz, came joint first but lost on tie break. I was up half the night with a very upset tummy.

Tue 7th

I felt a bit better so decided to risk going out. We got the bus to go to the market, we were astonished to ride round Albufeira for nearly ¾ hr, it made quite a nice trip. It was a huge, noisy market so we decided to split up, lots of very cheap clothes, shoes etc. R & I went to get bus back but decided to walk following a couple off the site (Fred & ?), ended up walking with them, they come from very near Barry & Shelia in Lancaster. Jan & Mike weren’t back so we went to play boules borrowing some off Fred. Still didn’t feel 100% but much better. Game of cards before bed.

Wed 8th

Quite cool again this morning but soon warmed up. Rich & I walked to Lidl, just for the walk really but got a few things, it was quite a nice walk, uphill going but not hard, on the way back we took a shortcut through an old fig/almond orchard. Had a BBQ with J & M then a lazy afternoon.

Cards before bed.

Thurs 9th

26th wedding anniversary, another lovely, hot day, not much wind. We got the bus into Albufeira and walked to “The Strip", further than we expected, looked for somewhere to eat and found the English fish & chip shop, we sat down to order but when we saw that it was€15changed our minds! We found a local restaurant that did fish & chips and it was only €8.50 and very nice, complementary glass of port as well.

We separated from J & M and went to the beach at the bottom of the strip and decided to walk back along the coast path, except there wasn’t one! We scrambled about for a while and made our way along, suffering quite a few scratches, it was very dramatic and there were lots of fossils in the rocks. We finally made our way back up into the town and called for a drink before getting the bus back. When we returned to the site it was a different place to the one we’d left, it had filled up with lots of locals. Game of cards before bed.

Fri 10th

Cooler today and very windy, stayed round site had a game of boules with J & M in afternoon, cards before bed.

Sat 11th

It was not quite as cold this morning and very still, we cycled to the shopping centre, it turned very grey, windy and cloudy and we felt a bit of rain in the wind but it didn’t come to anything. R & I had a meal in the Chinese buffet again And J & M went to a restaurant. We did our bit of shopping and rode back to the site, too cool and breezy to sit out so had a read (and snooze) in the van. J & M came for cards, early night.

Sun 12th

Stayed round the site and packed up slowly over the day, another nice, sunny, breezy day. Early night.

Mon 13th

Up early and had breakfast, away by 0800. We went to a garage down the road to try and fix the tyre which had been losing pressure, air line was out of order, drove on to Ferreiras to a tyre place that was not open, went on down the road until we saw services and called in, Rich managed to fix it by changing the valve.

We carried on stopping for lunch at about I o’clock. We passed through orange & olive groves, saw many horses and mules, lots of cattle, we also saw storks nesting on pylons, sometimes 3 or 4 nests to one pylon, at one point there was a row of pylons disappearing into the distance, each with a nest on top. We passed through swarms of insects until the windscreen was covered in them, there were swifts swooping on them as well. We saw quite a few kites an eagle and a hoopoe.
We caught up with J & M not far from the site and arrived together at 3.20 (4.20 Spanish time) Gertie took us right to it! We sat in the sun for a while then had a meal in the site restaurant. The site is in a lovely spot but the facilities are not wonderful, there was free WIFI but no signal!

Distance travelled 351 miles Fuel €59.30

Tue 14th

Up early, grey skies, away by 0820. We pumped the wheel up again when we got fuel. Passed through countryside with lots of cattle again, saw many kites and storks, a hoopoe an eagle, there was lots of broom in flower, the sky was grey and cloudy but sunny spells, we passed through miles of road works and pieces of new road, Gertie got very confused! Between Valladolid & Burgos it was very industrialised and there were lots of lorries on the road – heading for the ferry at Santander or Bilbao. Less livestock and more crops. We arrived at Haro at 2.40, when we’d found a pitch we asked at reception if they could tell us of a tyre place, which they did. We decided to go and see if we could get it fixed, we found the place easily and they could not have been more helpful, we drove in and the chap immediately spotted a nail in the tyre! With no further ado he set to work and within 20 mins it was fixed!

He even fixed Rich’s bike tyre – Rich had taken the valve out to put in the van wheel, this was despite us not speaking Spanish and him not speaking English and all he charged was 15 euro. We got back to site and had tea, I’d paid for WIFI (8 euro 24 hr) so spent the rest of the evening on the computer, it rained heavily from about 8 o’clock.

Distance travelled 298 miles Fuel 37 Euro Tyre repair 15 euro

Wed 15th

Up early again and had a shower and got ready to set off, left at 0920, it was a lovely spring morning. We drove over the Pyrenees on a very twisty, bust road, there was a busy little border the scenery was completely different, very green and ordered looking with avenues of plane trees. Signs seemed to be in different languages which I presumed was the Basque language. The road was very busy with lorries around Bayonne & Bordeaux, but it was sunny most of the day. We followed Gertie to find an Aire from the book, using co-ordinates but ended in a field. When we were retracing our route a lady stopped and asked could she help, in English, she said we could park at her place, a B & B so we followed her to a lovely Chateau which was also a vineyard, she thought it would be €10 or € 20 for the night and we were just about to leave when her husband came along and said it would be free, so we stopped! She invited us to a wine tasting in the evening. We had a walk around the vineyard and saw her husband and another lady working on the vines and then got tea. We went to the 6.30 chateau at about 6.30 and Margaret introduced us to her husband Roger, a young lad, Batiste and the son of the previous owner, who was a bit simple. We sat at a bar in their kitchen and were given wine, a friend, Clothilde, and another young woman turned up and everyone was having a drink. Margaret & Roger had been in the place for 6 or 7 years and had done it up from a ruin, they had both been Swiss Bankers but had wanted a life change, she was Swedish but he had French forbears who had been in the wine business. The house was beautiful and had obviously been a lot of hard work; they had dogs, cats and sheep as well. We had a couple of drinks and then were asked if we wanted to buy a bottle of wine, we bought a bottle of burgundy, €4.75. It was a nice sunny evening, we had an early night.

Thurs 16th

Didn’t rush to get up, it was a lovely morning again. We set off at 09.30 and at St Savin, close to where we’d spent the night, we found an Aire by an information centre, we dumped our waste and I went in and got a leaflet about the 16 Aires in the region, nearby I saw lots of wild orchids. We passed through mainly farmland, lots of fields of rape, there was also lots of wisteria and miles and miles of cowslips on hedge banks.
We went to St Jean D’Angly, arriving at 12.30, where we parked by the river, there were some children having sailing lessons in small boats. We walked into the town and had a very nice lunch in a café off the square. Back to the van and sat for a while with a cup of tea before setting off again at 2.00 pm. We had a bit of trouble navigating round Chattellerault but arrived on the Aire at St Maure de Touraine at 5.15. The site was a different one to the one we’d used on the way down, a new one, it was very nice with electric hook up, toilets and showers. We took a walk round the wood which was full of wildflowers, violets, cowslips, wild strawberry, celandines etc. The chap who owned it had a workshop where he restored and made various items, horse harness, carriage wheels, wheelbarrow planters and so on, he had two beautiful horses, one, a heavy horse that he said he used to fetch logs out of the woods. There was a beautiful sunset.

Distance travelled 180 Fuel €35.79 +€2 electric +€ 3 toilet dump + €2 shower + €1 bread = €0

Fri 17th

Woke up to a beautiful spring morning, sunny with heavy, misty dew. We had showers and settled up with the owner, we set off at 100 o’clock, we were doing ok till we tried to find the Aire at St Germaine de Pasquill, we ended up on small back roads and eventually decided to forget it as it got narrower and narrower. We changed directions for Cleres and Gertie led us a right dance around Rouen, we finally exited and got to Cleres at 4 pm. On the journey we saw lots of farmland again, rape, cereal etc, we also saw many cherry trees in full blossom, cowslips again, bluebells and primroses, I saw a deer and a hare in fields. When we arrived Rich immediately fell asleep so after I’d had a cup of tea I walked into the town, it was only 5 mins walk, it is a very pretty Norman town with a small river, the Clerette, running through it with small bridges spanning it along the street. There is an ancient market hall where I got some eggs and butter, back to the van where we had tea and an early night.

Distance travelled 244 miles Fuel €41

Sat 18th

It rained overnight and was very grey and damp when we woke. We set off at 0930 and by the time we were passing Boulogne, about 11 the rain had stopped, we arrived at Sainsbury’s in Calais and stocked up with wine, we then went to a café and had a meal. We decided to go to the port and see if we could get on a ferry sooner than the one we’d booked - 0645, we arrived at 3pm and got straight on the next ferry which we did, at a charge of £23. We’d no sooner got on board than we were away, we arrived in Dover at 5pm – 4pm English Summer Time and got home at 8.15.

Distance travelled 39 miles + 258 miles Fuel €40
Total mileage 3489
Total fuel £536.46

Australia Jan/Feb 2009

2009-01-01T06:35:00.057Z

Thurs Jan 1st 2009

We all got up a bit late after last night's party, Shirley seems to have caught the cold, Rich and I are a lot better.
Sunbathed and did washing, in the afternoon R & D had another go at the fence

Fri Jan 2nd

A lovely sunny day, Shirley a bit better. We went to Maclaren Vale, a winery region. We called at a couple of wineries and had tasters, the second one we called at, Kays, was at the top of a hill with wonderful views.

We went down into the town and had lunch at a Chinese restaurant, well we thought it was lunchtime butit was actually 2.30 and we wondered why they were so quiet! we only realised when we left at 3.40 that they closed at 3! still it was lovely food.

Sat 3rd Jan

A lovely hot sunny day again, did a bit of washing and sat outside and read, after lunch we went to Mawson Lakes, this is a newish suburb, very expensive houses built round lakes, lots of green grass and flowers on the road leading up to them, very different to the usual sunburned ground. S & I were looking for a hairdresser that had been recommended, we found him and made an appointment for next week and got some groceries. Sat out again till tea time, I booked a trip for next week to Kangaroo Island. Rich & I took a walk along the creek, saw lots of birds.

Sun 4th Jan

Another lovely, sunny day. We went to Williamstown to Kim & Adin's for a BBQ, lots of lovely food sitting in the sun and chatting, all their children & grandchildren were there plus some other friends, had a laugh at Adin's magpie again, she'd gone missing overnight and he had been so worried but she turned up this morning, she is frightened of the wild birds as they attack her.

Mon 5th Jan

Shirley and I took the bus to the Marion shopping centre, it took about an hour and a half. There were sales on but they were much the same as in the city and Tea Tree Plaza, different branches of the same shops, still we had a good mooch round and a bit of lunch. We were looking for Harvey Norman as we had seen MP3 players advertised very cheap, on asking we were told that it was not in the centre so we got back on the bus and the driver dropped us where we could walk to it, we both bought a 2gig MP3 player for $48 (£24) which we thought was good value. It was a lovely hot day. When we got back I packed for tomorrow .

Tue 6th Jan

We got up very early and Derek took us to the bus station to catch the coach for a trip to Kangaroo Island, off the coast of South Australia it is 90 miles long x40 miles wide. There was a bit of a mix up to start as there were 3 coaches and the man in the ticket office told us bay 2 but none of the buses were in there, eventually it got sorted out and we got on the last one (having been almost first to arrive!) A long journey to Cape Jervis down the Fleurie Peninsular, we saw a few kangaroos. As we got further down the scenery changed and was quite hilly, low rounded hills and yellow with dry grass. When we arrived at the ferry office we had to put our cases on a van then go aboard as foot passengers. It was a lovely hot sunny day so we spent the 40 mins journey on the deck, we ate the sandwiches we had brought with us and enjoyed the sunshine, we spotted some dolphins as we neared Kangaroo Island.

When we got off the ferry we reclaimed our case and got allocated to one of three coaches, two passengers were missing and turned up after about ten minutes and we were the last coach to leave. Our driver was Les, who turned out to be the very friendly and informative making the trip most enjoyable for us.
The first stop was at Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery. http://www.emuridge.com.au/
We were shown round by the owner, Larry, and it was interesting to see how they distill the oil from eucalyptus leaves using only materials that are local and sustainable, the process is just like distilling alcohol , Larry had taken over the farm from his father but changed it from sheep rearing when they were struggling in the 90s reviving the oil distilling industry that had once been the major industry on the island.

We then went on to Seal Bay Cafe for lunch, it was a good lunch, meat, salad, veg and finished with a pavlova. After lunch we went to Vivonne Bay, a beautiful spot with turquoise sea and gentle surf, Les told us his family used to have a shack there when they were boys.

We then went on to a Birds of Prey Free Flight demonstration, this was interesting, only a small place with birds that seemed very happy and quite tame.

Les made a short stop to show us the local "Post Office" which consisted of various post boxes for families that lived away from the road, the "post boxes" were various, an old washing machine drum, a tumble dryer, plastic containers, oil drums and what looked like small kennels on poles, the people would come and collect their mail and the post man would take any to be posted.

We carried on to Seal Bay where we were taken to the beach to see sealions, these have come back since being almost wiped out by fur traders in the first years of colonization, they are wild and we could only go within 8 metres of them so as not to disturb them.

Then we continued to Parndana Wildlife Park. With a quick detour around the town of Parndana.
http://bestofkangarooisland.com.au/parndarna/index.html
This is a small park where it is possible to feed kangaroos and get close to them and koalas as well as other animals and birds, it is a refuge for injured and orphaned animals.

Next stop was Island Pure Sheep Dairy.
http://goodfoodkangarooisland.com/midnortheast/islandpure/index.asp
Here they milk sheep in a milking parlour which is a small version of a cattle parlour, they make cheese and yoghurt, we watched the sheep being milked and tasted the cheese and yoghurt, some of the cheese was very nice.

At the end of this busy day we started dropping people off at their accomodation, most people were staying in Kingscote so there were just 6 of us to go on to Penneshaw which was about an hours drive We booked in to our B & B, Seaview Lodge, this was very nice, an old homestead renovated to modern standard, we had a small room with en suite, Barbara, the owner, was very welcoming and friendly, it was more like being a guest in someones very elegant home.

Barbara took us in to town after we had freshened up a bit. We had a meal in the pub and then went on a Penguin Watch walk. We saw a few penguins but as there was quite a few children it was not a very sucessful trip. We walked a couple of times round the very small town before we found the way back!

Wed 7th Jan

Up early to a super cooked breakfast and out ready to be picked up at 07.30, it had rained overnight and was still raining lightly. There were only 4 of us a one couple had gone back on the ferry last night so we were lucky enought to get the front seat. On the journey to Kingscote Les was as entertaining as ever giving us information and stopping when he saw kangaroos for us to film, he also took us to Pennington Bay which we hadn't time to go to yesterday.

Once we had picked up all the other people we went to Clifford's Honey Farm where the owner gave us a talk about bee keeping and honey production, the bees on Kangaroo Island are Ligurian bees and are protected with other bees being excluded, we tasted various products, bought a honey ice cream and were off again. Les told us that he had been full of arthritis but one day he got caught in a swarm of bees and stung many times and althought this was not pleasant at the time since then he had been free from arthritis! Someone wanted to buy something from the Eucalyptus Distillery so Les made a detour then on to Kelly Hill Caves. These are Limestone caves which we were taken down to see stalactites and stalegmites, then on for lunch at Beckwiths Farm, by this time the day had cleared and it was sunny again. The lunch was good again, soup, meat, salad etc. When we had finished Les walked us through the gum trees to see koalas, unfortunately we didn't see any which Les said was very unusual, we did see a couple of wallabys. In the grounds there was a public phone box which was actually an old bakers van from about the 20s, it had shafts for a horse, apparently when they applied for a public phone they were told they would have to supply the booth so they utilised what they had available!

After lunch we went on to Flinders Chase National Park, this occupies one third of the island and has never been cleared of natural vegetation, there were winding, hilly roads like a switchback, Les amused us all by pretending to run at them and fly over the top! There had been a fire in 2007 which had destroyed many trees and thousands of animals (probably why we didn't see any wild koalas), the vegetation was starting to regenerate, the only plant that was not destroyed was the Yakka, Les told us how they harvested the gum from this plant which was then used as a fire retardent material. We stopped at Remarkable Rocks wierd granite formations weatherd by wind and sea, then on to Cape du Couedic lighthouse and down to Admirals Arch, another rock formation where there were dozens of seals lying and swimming around.

Back to Kingscote again to watch Pelicans being fed by an old chap who does it every day of the year.

We then drove back to Penneshaw where we had time for fish and chips before getting on the ferry. We got back to Adelaide about 10.20 and Derek was waiting to meet us at the bus staion.
We'd had a wonderful, if busy, couple of days, the trip was very good, the scenery was amazing and the roads so long and straight for most of the way, only one tarmacked road all the rest were graded tracks the trees are different to the mainland, lots of Mallee, which are multi trunk trees that regenerate if cut down. We saw kangaroos and guanas (lizards), cockatoos, we did not see any cats but apparently the island has a real problem with feral cats, descended from lost/abandoned domestic pets, they are killing many native small animals and everyone tries to kill as many as they can, there were cat skins on display at the Eucalyptus Distillery. The only downside to me was the amount of roadkill, there were literally dozens of dead kangaroos, wallabys, possums, guanas etc as well as piles of bones everywhere, there is a law on the island that you are not allowed to move any animal that you kill ??? which leaves the roads strewn with dead animals, this was apparently because some officials came for a day and took a drive round, they didn't see any kangaroos so they decided that they were endangered and forbade anyone to kill them or remove the carcass of any accidently killed. Les told us that they lived almost exclusivly on kangaroo meat when they first farmed, before they got stock fences up and had their own animals, he and his brother would get pocket money by preparing and selling the hides.
We (and everyone else on the bus) felt that the trip was made extra special by Les. He is a real character and so informative, he told us how his family came to the island in 1951, his father came as part of the Retired Soldiers Scheme (RSL). The government allocated land to any returned soldiers who wanted it. The first 15 came out in 1948, they stayed in a camp for 3 years and cleared land and built houses, they then moved onto the cleared land and the next 15 families came, they stayed in the camp for 3 years and so it carried on. There were 3 catagories catagory 1 they were completely reliant on the government who paid them an allowance, catagory 2 they were semi self reliant then catagory 3 they were self sufficient and had to pay back the loan. Les's father had died in his 50s from his war wounds, his brother took on the farm but he died in his 30s in a trailer accident so the farm was sold. Les started his own transport business when he was very young and ended up with the largest haulage firm on the island, he gave up when the ferry was stopped from Kingscote, he only had to put his trailers on the ferry then they would be hitched up on the mainland by someone else and taken to Adelaide. He told us so many stories about the old people on the island and their way of life, we told him he should write a book.

http://www.walkabout.com.au/locations/SAKangarooIsland.shtml#Things%20to%20see

Thurs Jan 8th

Lovely sunny day, sorted photos and played about with new MP3s,didn't do a lot else, S & I went to get hair cut in the afternoon, a bit better than the last one.

Fri Jan 9th

Shirley went to work, I wrote this. A lovely hot sunny day.

Sat Jan 10th

Another scorcher, S & I went for groceries and got food ready for tomorrow.

Sun Jan 11th

Set off early for Victor Harbour,

Derek had a F.F. meeting so we all went, it was a drive of about an hour and a half, we dropped Derek off and aftre dropping the food off at Tim's into the town, Tim is Karen's son and he and his partner have 3 little girls. We had a look around the market first, it was mostly fresh fruit, crafts and second hand stalls. We then walked over the causway to Granite Island just off the coast, the causway is a wooden walkway - like a jetty- but it has tram tracks for the horse drawn tram that rund back and forth.

We had a walk round the small island and then caught the tram back. Then we drove to the Bluff, an old whalers lookout point, we then went to Tim's for lunch. Tim's little girls were not at all shy and very well mannered for ones so young, I'd taken them a book each and they were thrilled and wanted to read them straight away, they are very bright.

We then went to see if Derek was ready but as he wasn't we went to look around Port Elliot, another small town nearby, there were craft and second hand shops and a small market, lovely old style houses and shops, I got some "Croc" sandals, we stopped for a drink then went back for Derek, he still hadn't finished - 6 hours later!! we waited about half an hour for him then set off for home. When we got back to Adelaide we called at Vili's, a very famous pie shop, for supper. Vili is Hungarian and when he arrived he was a poor immigrant but after eating a bought pie decided he could make them better himself so he did. http://www.vilis.com/

Mon Jan 12th

Another hot day, did not do much, S & I went to the library to see if we could get some CDs or crochet patterns. The library is amazing, very big, they supply mini shopping trollies to collect your books in, there were a couple of dozen computers, nearly all being used, and as well as books, CDs & DVDs they loan magazines, games and jigsaw puzzles, they also have a large section of talking books, it was quite an eye opener. We borrowed some CDS and books, you can have as many as you like and they give you a list on a till roll of what you have taken.

Rich and Derek started cutting down the palm trees, cut the first one by hand, then went and hired a chain saw.

Tue Jan 13th

Very hot day, R & D started on the trees very early, had them finished and logged by 09.30.

We went to supermarket for groceries and when we got back it was so hot - over 100c we had to stay in with air con. on.

There was a bush fire reported up in Port Lincoln, no fatalities but at least 2 homes destroyed. In the evening we watched an awful film we'd got from the library, a Western with Fred Astaire in it!

Wed Jan 14th

Another hot day, Rich tidied up the front garden while it was relatively cool, S & I went to Spotlight, a large craft store. Did not do much else as it was too hot again.
Another hot day, not quite as hot as yesterday

Thurs Jan 15th

Rich & I decided to go to Carrick Hill, a house and gardens just outside the city. We got the bus into the city and when we got on the bus to go there the driver said it was not open today so we decided to take a bus to Port Adelaide, we waited almost 3/4hr for a bus but finally got there, we had lunch in the Lighthouse pub, it was lovely, we sat and watched the river for a while then got the bus back, it had been very hot again.

Fri Jan 16th

Shirley at work today so did not do much, another hot day

Sat Jan 17th

Derek took us to Cuddly Creek wildlife park, it was super, lots of kangaroos to walk amongst and feed and we were able to hold a koala, beautiful birds and animals, a super hot day.

In the evening we went into the city to the Strathmore Hotel for a meal for our birthdays, it was great, we had stonegrilled meals, raw meat brought to you with a stone heated to 400 degrees and you cooked your meat as you wanted it, great.

Sun Jan 18th

Derek drove us to the railway station in good time to book in, we booked in then looked around the place took some pics etc. The train left spot on time, 12.20, we were welcomed on board by Jessica the cabin steward, she showed us to our cabin & explained how to make up the bunks, the cabin was snug but private. not long after we'd started we stopped for about half an hour to let the Indian Pacific and a goods train pass, we passed through Snowtown then Crystal Brook, this is where the railway lines for three services converge, we then passed through Coonamia near Port Pirie and on to Port Augusta where we stopped for 5 minutes & could get off to stretch our legs and for smokers to have their last cigarette before Alice Springs in 24 hours! The scenery was various types of bush and scrub and beyond Port Augusta the earth was red, we saw salt lakes but little water and what we did see looked muddy and brackish, we saw some sheep , emus and 3 Major Mitchell's Cockatoos, it became ovrecast as the day went on. We had the sandwiches we had taken for lunch then a cup of tea and a snack about 4pm and a "meal" at 7,30. Jessica saw Rich with a bottle of beer and said we were not allowed to bring our own drink on board, she was very good about it and said she hadn't seen it, we told her it was all we had (liars) we made sure the door was closed whenever we got it out after that! The food was very disappointing, in a plastic takeaway container with plastic cutlery, like airline food only worse. The dining car was pleasant with large windows with views to either side, our cabin had a smaller window with a view of just one side. Rich got the bunks sorted and we settled down for the night, Rich did not sleep well as he had the top bunk and no window, it was very close to the roof and claustrophobic. We stopped for 3 hours during the night, this was to change from South Australian driver to Northern Territories driver, we also had to change watches by an hour.

Mon 19th Jan

Woke early and managed to get washed and dressed in very confined space, we had wash basin in the cabinRich went for a cup of tea, he met Jessica who was bringing us a cha,pagne breakfast to our cabin for my birthday which was very nice, consequently I dozed for a while! The scenery was much the same as yesterday, various scrub, red, sandy earth , a few small hills and a little brackish water, we saw 4 horses, quite a few birds of prey and some cattle also more Major Mitchells, there were also quite a few rusted cars beside the track, there seemed to be a track running alongside the railway most of the way. We passed into the Northern Territory at about 11 AM and it became overcast and started to rain just south of Alice Springs, had another not very good snack, we passed through Heavitree Gap and arrived in Alice at 1.40 N.T. time.

We got a taxi to our hotel, Heavitree Gap Outback Lodge, as we booked in we enquired about the shuttle bus and were told that it was not running, we wanted to go and film the Ghan leaving. We settled in our room which was ok, there were hundreds of crickets jumpoing all over the place, we then had a swim in the pool and decided to walk into town, it took us over an hour and even though it was trying to rain it was very humid (over 2 miles) we had to wait for the train to leave and when we had filmed it walked back, again over an hour.

We went to the Tavern which was attached to the hotel and had a marvelous steak, the tavern was a proper outback pub with pokies, there was one old chap sitting at the pokies all the time we were there and he kept dropping off, we felt sure he would end up on the floor as he was on a high bar stool. After the meal we went to see the Black Footed Rock Wallabies that come down to feed.

Tue 20th Jan

http://www.aptouring.com.au/content.asp?Document_ID=25107

We had to be up early to be picked up for our trip at 06.15 but as I'd forgotten to change the time on my phone we were up at 0400 instead of 0500!! then the bus did not arrive si I rang up and was told it was not due until 0650. It had rained over night. The bus finally arrived and it was a nice new air conditioned one, there were only 15 people on board. We sat just behind the driver but regreted it as he was the most fidgety driver we'd ever seen, he was constantly shifting position, running his hands through his hair, scratching his head, leaning back then hunching forward and steering with his arms whilst he cracked all his knuckles or picked at his finger nails, it was very off putting, especially as he spent most of his time driving over the white line on the wrong side of the road then yanking back to the right side, we felt he was an accident waiting to happen, luckily the roads were long and straight with very little other traffic. His name was Karl and he was a nice enough chap and gave us lots of interesting information throughout the trip. We drove along the Stuart Highway, named after John MacDouall Stuart an explorer, then turned onto the Lasseter Highway, named after a man named Lasseter who claimed to have found a fabulous gold reef in the centre of Australia, he never was able to find it again even though he mounted several expeditions, he died in the outback on his last attempt and his journal said he had found it again but no one else has ever seen it. We stopped at the Ebenezer Road House for a drink, there were camel rides available but no one took the offer up, there were lots of crickets around again and Rainbow Bee Eaters were swooping down in a flash of iridescant green and catching them in flight. We then stopped and climbed a red sand dune beside the road to take pictures of Conners Mount, a large, flat topped mountain in the distance and also a salt lake the other side of the dune.

The bus stopped at the junction to let two people off to get onto another coach so we moved back to their seats. We crossed the Finke River, which had a few puddles in it only, it is said to be one of the pldest rivers in the world, it forms in the MacDonnell Ranges and runs only when it rains but only occasionaly it's entire length where it disappears into the Simpson Desert. We continued to Kata Tjuta and took a walk through Walpa Gorge,

this was quite a steep climb in 40 degree heat, it was hard going and not a lot to see at the end, but spectacular views, we had bought fly nets and thought we would look daft wearing them but we were so glad of them as the flies were awful, also nearly everyone was wearing them.

We then continued to the Outback Pioneers Lodge at Ayers Rock Resort and booked in, the room was basic but adequate, we had been worried that we would have to share as our itinery said "shared accomodation" but it was the washing/toilet facilities that were shared, like on camp sites, so we were very relieved to have a cabin to ourselves. We got on the shuttle bus that ran around the resort to a small shopping mall and got a bit of food which was very expensive as all that was there were three or four hotels. We were picked up later to go to watch Uluru at sunset, we had chairs provided to sit down and nibbles and wine, we chatted to people off the coach, Jan & Gene and two other couples, all doing as we're doing and having a "pensioners gap year", as we were sitting there Rich spotted a small insect that looked just like a grass seed head blowing around, we showed it to Karl and he hadn't seen one before and afterwards he told us he'd asked all the other guides if they recognised it but they didn't, he said we should have caught it as it may be a previously unknown species. The sunset was spectacular and the colours ovre Uluru wonderful, we had been worried we would not see a lot as it was quite cloudy. We were back in the resort by 8.30 had a snack and bed.

Wed 21st Jan

We were picked up at 0545 to go to see Uluru at sunrise, again we had the chairs and cups of tea and biscuits, the sunrise colours were not as spectacular as last night but the sky behind was vrey pretty. We then went on the Mala walk, this took us along the base of Uluru and Karl explained about the geology, Uluru is one gigantic stone called an inselberg with more below ground than above, it was formed as sandstone in a vast inland sea that once covered Australia and was uptilted to 90 degrees by tectonic plate movement then worn away by the elements.

Karl also told us about various plants and also about the Mala, a small kangaroo that almost became extinct but is now in a breeding programme trying to reintroduce it to the wild, but they don't think they will be successful as the few they had set loose were soon killed by, feral cats, foxes etc.

We then went on another short walk to a water hole it was very hot around 38 - 40 degrees, we then went on to the Cultural Centre where they were selling items made by Abotiginals, there were two sitting doing dot paintings, the Aboriginals now own Uluru but allow tours to go there with various restrictions. We booked out of the Pioneer Lodge and travelled on to Watarrka National Park

we stopped at Kings Creek Station for a drink and then on to our accomodation at Kings Canyon Lodge, again basic with shared facilities, much more basic though just like a garage! but they had a nice pool, we hadn't brought ou swimming costumes with us so we went in in our clothes it was that hot! We then went to watch the sunset over the George Gill Range behind our site, it was another spectacular sunset, then an early night.

Thurs 22nd Jan

Picked up at 0545 again for a walk into Kings Canyon,

again Karl was very interesting about the geology,vegetation, bush tucker and Aboriginal beliefs, there were lovely flowes magnificant Red River Gums and Desert Oaks, we saw a Grey Shrike Thrush and another small bird also a Kangroo with her young, it started off quite cool but was very hot by the time we finished.

We went back to the accomodation and had another swim before being picked up at 11.30we travelled back by the Lasseter Highway and Stuart Highway, calling again at Kings Creek Roadhouse and Erldunda Roadhouse, we also picked up some more people, it was another hot day 40 degrees again, scenery much as it had been, Spinifax, Desert Oaks Wattle, and scrub on red earth, it was a lot greener than usual as they had had rain. We arrived back in Heavitree Gap by 5.30.

We went for a swim but the pool was crowded with people who were there for a wedding of a staff member and was full of childrenb jumping and splashing, we had a cool down though then went for a steak at the Tavern again.

Fri 23rd Jan

We were picked up by the Alice Shuttle, a hop on hop off bus, our first stop was at the Old Telegraph Station,

Alice Springs grew from this site, they set up an overland telegraph line from Darwin in 1872 and this was the first European settlement in the outback, in the 1930s when the telegraph station closed the site was used as a "home" called "The Bungalow" for the half caste children that were taken from their parents (known as the lost generation) the authorities thought that they would be better off being brought up in European ways, some children never saw their families again.

We called at Anzac Hill, the war memorial, wonderful views over the whole town and then went on to the School of the Air, this was very interesting providing education for children living up to a thousand Kms away, it started by using the Flying Doctor radio but now is all done by satellite and computer, it was lovely and cool in there and we got a cup of tea. Then we went on to the National Transport Hall of Fame and Kenworth Dealer Hall of Fame, Kenworth present them with a new model each year for the collection, with only delivery mileage on! this was very interesting again, especially to Rich,

they had the original Road Train converted from an ex army vehicle,

we stopped for a snack and had an interesting chat with the lady volunteer who told us that they all got free lodgings while they worked there, she also told us that a road was out because of rain so supplies were not getting through, and Darwin had run out of milk! you cannot got East or West out of Alice only up or down so it is a long way round if you want to go East or West. We did not have time to see the Old Ghan museum. We then went to the Cultural Centre where we met up with Jan & Gene from our bus, we'd passed them a couple of times during the day. We looked round the Old Gaol, very grim , and the Pioneer Womens Heritage Centre, we then went to Todd Mall the old town centre, now pedestrianised,

we stopped for a cool drink and I bought a bag, it was a very hot day again and then we got on the shuttle again and went to pick Jan & Gene up at the Aviation Museum (he was in aviation and had wanted to see the DC3, the plane he'd first worked on) and they had been hanging around as it had closed at 4.00. The driver told us that property prices in Alice are very high as there is a shortage of building land, the town has now spread out as far as it can go and meets the Aboriginal lands or Pastoral leases (farms) so there is no more land available for the town to grow, they are trying to negotiate witht the Aboriginals but it is proving difficult. The Todd River begins in the Mac Donnell Ranges and goes through Heavitree Gap and Alice Springs, this is a dry, sandy river bed most of the year until it rains. We went back to Hotel had another dip in pool full of kids. We went for a takeawy but it was closed so had a meal in the tavern again, then went to feed the Black Footed Rock Wallabies, so cute! and a Kangaroo came down to drink.

Some insects seen at Heavitree Gap

Sat 24th Jan

Picked up at 0700 by Groovy Grape tour bus, mini bus! We got on board and there were youngsters asleep all over the place and backpacks all over the floor, we were just wondering where on earth we would be able to sit when a lad got up and gave us his seat ( 2 seats) there were 12 young girls, mostly Dutch and 2 boys, Danny, an Asustralian who gave us his seat, and a Dutch lad and Mark the driver. It is 950 miles from Alice to Adelaide. We set off at 0700 and our first stop was at Erldunda Roadhouse at 0900, most of the youngsters slept all the way. We stopped at Marla at about 1 pm for a picnic,

there was a tin roof propped up with tree trunks with a table and about 6 chairs - all very dirty and dusty - a sink of sorts and a bench. Mark got boxes out of the trailer and passed out chopping boards, we all helped to chop up tomatoes, cucumber, peppers & lettuce and he produced packs of cooked meat, bread & Wraps, Mayonaise & sauces with apples for after, we all had our snack, I attempted to make a wrap but was not very successful and got laughed at for it, it was also difficult trying to eat through a fly net ! we then cleared up, throwing away all the unused food, and were on the road again by 2 pm. We arrived at Coober Pedy at about 4.30 ( 428 miles)

Mark took us to our accomodation,

it was an underground bunk house carved out of the hillside with curtained alcoves all along and bunk beds, we were issued with a pillow, pillow case, top sheet and bottom sheet to make our beds up, it was a cross between a prison and a hospital! We were then taken to an opal mine where we had a film about opals and how they are formed and mined & then for a look down a mine where we could see the opal in the rock,

you first see "potch" and that, hopefully, leads you to an opal seam. Coober Pedy only exists because of opals being found there and as it is so hot people decided it is better to live underground in the old mine openings, Coober Pedy is Aborigine for white man's burrows, the majority of people still live underground as it is just too hot otherwise.

We were taken into an underground house and it has all modern comforts, fitted kitchen etc, they have no heating or cooling bills but water is very expensive.

It is against the law to mine within the town limits now (they blast with home made explosives) but if you say that you are "improving" your house you can still dig by hand, apparently there is one house with 21 rooms! After the mine tour we had a look round the shop where they sell the opals, I happened to see a pair of earings that had the same setting as my opal ring so I had to buy them! We went for a drink in an underground bar before meeting Mark again at a pizza place for our tea (food was provided on this trip) we had quite a jolly evening with all the youngsters, especially Danny who was a bit nuts!

Straight to bed and actually slept! it was quite, dark & cool.

Sun 25th Jan

Up at 4 am,

stripped our beds and got breakfast, cereal & toast and on the road by 05.15, had a bit of a doze until the first stop at Glendambo at 0800, the youngsters were all asleep again, they'd been partying till all hours. We carried on and stopped at Lake Hart, a vast salt lake, where we got out to have a look, we had to cross the Ghan track to get to it.

When we got back on the bus we realised that a bottle of pop, new and unopened, had burst all over my leather rucksack, it was a terrible mess, everything sticky and swimming in pop!!, we mopped up as best we could but when we got home and checked it out had to throw my organiser and all the photos in it away, managed to save addresses and phone no's though. We carried on and arrived at Port Germain at 1.30where we stopped for lunch,

today we were on the sea front in a huge shed by the longest jetty in Australia, the jetty is so long because pearls used to be brought by boat from Broome and the sea is so shallow and goes out so far, the shed we had our picnic in was an old pearl sorting shed. When the boats had delivered the pearls they would take fleeces back from the farmers in the Flinders. We had our picnic and chatted to Mark, he used to drive road trains, we then got on the road again, Mark played "On the Road Again" from my MP3 player and I had to find 'Danny Boy" for Danny and play that. The youngsters all slept again, we arrived in Adelaide at 4.30 (525 miles), we dropped some of the girls off at hostels, they mostly seemed to be travelling alone, and Derek picked us up from the bus station.

Mon 26th Jan

Australia Day, we went into the city with S & D as they were in the parade with the Friendship Force, we left them in Hindmarch Square and walked to Elder Park where the parade ended, it was very hot.

We watched the parade which was very colourful, various ethnic groups in national costume, Koreans, Poles, Nepalese, German, Chinese, Japanese, Cook Islanders, Iranians and many more, there were old cars, MGs, Fords, re-enactment societies, Australian Marines, Australian Light Horse, a coopers dray and other horses, pipe bands.

It was very interesting, good natured and colourful. When the parade was finished we stayed at the park for a while for the formalities, including a 21 gun salute, and new Australians taking the vow. We then went to Glenelg, it was VERY busy and VERY hot, you could hardly move for people, mostly youngsters, we made our way to the beach and found a spot, Derek went into the town, S paddled and R & I swam but it was so noisy and packed with people, mostly teens yelling at the top of their voices showing off to each other, when you looked up to the jetty it was like ants continually going to and fro. Lads where jumping off the jetty despite being told not to by the police, it is an offence. We met up with Deek again and had a drink in a pub before going home.

Tue Jan 27th

Very hot again, S & I went to a cheap grocery shop and got some bargains, then back and started sorting her fabric out, Karen is having a "Garage Sale" as she is moving so S decided to get rid of fabric she no longer wants. Temprature in the 43c

Wed Jan 28th

S had to go to meeting in the city so I went with her and went round Ayres House, a mansion of one of the early settlers who made good, got in free with my National Trust membership. I then met Shirley and we had a quick look round shops and back. It had been the hottest day for 70 yrs.

Thurs Jan 29th

Restless night as so hot, 35 degrees at midnight. Finished sorting fabric then went grocery shopping. In the evening we went to Bobbi & Robin's, Robin's sister and her husband were there also and two students, one Korean and one Chinese, the chinese lad was very interested in learning about our culture and asked a lot of questions about England and the seasons, he told us a lot about how he and his family live as well, he was very enthusiastic, we had a very good evening.

Fri Jan 30th

Another very hot night, S went to work but came home at 2 oclock as it was so hot, it was a couple of degrees cooler than yesterday though. In the afternoon Derek "tested" the sprinklers in the shade house and we all happened to be standing there at the time!!!

Sat Jan 31st

Another very hot day. In the afternon we ent to Adelaide Central Market where there is a large Chinse/Asian section and there were Chinese New Year celebrations going on which we watched for a while, very colouful.

Sun Feb 1st

Stayed in with air con an all day as another very hot day.

Mon Feb 2nd

Derek had a meeting for Friendship Force so S took us to the beach, great fun, surf quite rough and could hardly stand but enjoyed it and cooled of fine.

Tue Feb 3rd

Stayed in, baked a cake, hot again.

Wed Feb 4th

It was just a bit cooler today, I was able to eat my breakfast on the veranda. Derek took us to the Barossa Valley up through Jacobs Creek, we called at Angaston first, this was where Uncle Harry had his last ministry, a lovely old town where the buildings seemed to have not changed for 100 years, we had a walk round got a bit of lunch then walked down to the war memorial and a statue to a Clydsedale horse, the horse had been very important to the history of the town as in the early days everything had to be brought in by horse and farmers needed them for ploughing.

"Angaston is perhaps the most uncharacteristic of the Barossa's major towns. Nestled in the Barossa Ranges at the eastern end of the valley, it has two beautiful parks a small creek flows through its centre and good examples of colonial architecture are dotted throughout the town. Its main industries are wine and dried fruit, principally apricots and other stone fruit. It boasts two of the Barossa's oldest wineries, and a dried fruit outlet. The valley's German influence is over shadowed here by the character of George Fife Angas, a founder of South Australia and sponsor of many of the valley's early German settlers. "

We then went on to Peter Lehman's Winery and had a tasting, it was set by a creek with a lovely garden and they were setting the grounds up for a concert by Simply Red at the weekend, we then on to Richmond Grove Winery which was almost next door, then Cockatoo Ridge and Vine Estates, a smaller concern, we bought some wine at Vine Estates. We were heading for Bethany when Shirley spotted a patchwork shop, in a cottage in the middle of nowhere, we stopped there and S & I had a look round, there were classes being held and some wonderful quilts. We went on to Bethany;

"BETHANY
This is the valley's oldest German settlement, founded in 1842 by a group of Lutheran families - the settlements biblical name an indication of their devotion. They mapped out their village along prussian lines. The cottages facing the road replicate those the settlers lived in before coming to Australia. Several have been restored and are open to the public in the form of craft shops and art galleries. The village reserve is a great spot for a picnic, even down to the idyllic creek flowing through it. It has a strong resemblance to villages in northern Germany and Poland."

We called at the family run winery there, it was set on the hillside and had wonderful views. We travelled back via Tanunda, Lyndoch and Gawler.

"Population: l5.000 Gawler is South Australia's oldest country town, and boasts more grand colonial buildings than most. It was laid out in 1839 and is one of the many places in the state to bear the second South Australian governor's name. In the I9th century it was known as the 'Modern Athens' a reference to the literary nature of its early residents. The 'Song of Australia' was written here by Carl Linger. The town's importance can be seen in its many old classic colonial buildings. Of special note is the entire Church Hill district, one of the few declared heritage areas in the state."

Thurs Feb 5th

Another hot day, just a bit cooler but not much. S & D had a meeting in the city so we decided to go to Glenelg on the tram.

We got there about 12.30 and had a nice Chinese meal then walked slowly down to the beach, there was a very heavy surf and we had fun trying, but not succeeeding, to stand up in it, there was a very strong, but hot, wind on the beach and the sea was very warm. We watched a couple with two Jack Russells throwing a ball into the waves over and over again, both little dogs would pounce over the strong surf to fetch it back but only one got it every time the other just acted as escort, just like Jilly & Janey used to.

We sat on a bench and watched Malaysia Air fly out at 3.30 thinking that next week we would be abourd it looking down saying farewell. We got back first with S & D following soon after.

Fri Feb 6th

Hot again, S went to work I sorted photos. Shirl started to show me how to make patchwork place mats with a piece I had bought the other day.

Sat Feb 7th

Another very hot day, early afternoon there was a terrific dust storm blowing across the valley and it started to cool down. S D & I went to supermarket and to take stuff to Karen's. Called at the cemetery. Did a bit more sewing.

Sun Feb 8th

S & I went to Karen's and helped her do a bit of packing, when we got home I started to pack our cases and S started to pack for their visit to Perth. We did a bit more sewing. It was an overcast, cooler day, high of 27/28, there had been a slight shower overnight and a very few spots of rain fell during the morning. The news was full of the devastating bush fires in Victoria, whole towns wiped out, 65 people dead and many homes lost.

Mon Feb 9th

It was sunny again but definately cooler, in the morning D & R struggled to get their old 3 piece suite out of the house, took about 2 hours!! we cleared the unit and after lunch Paul & Alex arrived with their suite which they were giving to S & D. Spent afternoon rearranging furniture. R & I took a short walk down to creek after dinner, saw a kookaburru, went to look how they were getting on on the building site, quite cool.

Tue Feb 10th

Went to Tee Tree Plaza, S, D & I had hair cut. In the evening we went to the Friendship Force meeting. A cooler day.

Wed Feb 11th

We all went over to Karen's to help her move, a very busyday with the men moving furniture and boxes and us cleaning, it's a good job that it was a cooler day. Karen's new house is lovely, very light and airy and modern, backing on to a park.

In the evening we went to a Japanese restaurant in town which was very different but nice.

Thurs 12th

Finished packing then hung around waiting for it to be time to go. Bob picked us up at 12.00 and took us all to the airport, S & D were flying to Perth at the same time as us (coincedence). We sat and chatted until it was time to go through to departures then we made a tearful farewell.

We took off a bit late but it was a good flight, although there was quite a bit of turbulence plane half empty so were able to spread out, nice food and good service, we slept a bit. We had to wait in Kuala Lumpur airport for more than the 3 hours scheduled as the flight had missed it's slot over Afghanistan so had wait for the next one. We had to cross the airport on a speedy little train, the toilets in the airport, although modern, were hole in the floor type!

A long flight, again with quite a bit of turbulence but managed to sleep a bit. We landed early at 0515 (3.45 pm in Adelaide) The taxi was waiting and made good time and we were home by 0830

We had had a fantastic holiday and the three months seemed to have gone by so fast, we enjoyed staying with Shirley & Derek and meeting their friends, they were very good and took us out somewhere interesting most weeks so apart from the trips we made we saw so many interesting places. The scenery was fantastic, the gum trees are magnificent and there is such a variety of them with many different coloured bark, I could never get enough of them, also koalas and kangaroos.

Interesting things that I noticed:-
Stobie poles, these are instead of out wooden telegraph poles, wood gets eaten by termites so a man called Stobie from Kangaroo Island, invented them by putting 2 RSJs side by side and infilling with concrete.
White cars, the majority of cars seemed to be white, the cheapest colour according to Derek, also no MOT so lots of dented and old cars around. "P" plates, obligatory for the first year after passing the test. Driving on 3 or 4 lanes and using any lane and passing on either side - scary!
Lots of Bottle Shops, drive ins.
Car washes big business, it is illegal to wash your own car with a hose, there are also dog washes and "Puppy pre-school"
Pokies - fruit machines/one armed bandits to us, most pubs provided cheap food and had Pokies going all day and night, gambling laws must be different.
Manchester - what they call linen or bedding.
Lounge - what they call a three piece suite - lounge room is where they put it.
Garden plants covered up as we would cover them against frost but covered against excessive heat.
Dogs for sale in shop windows, various mixed breeds, Laboodles, Caveloodles, Moodles (Maltes/Poodle?) Maltese very popular breed.