Holiday in Malta January 2008

After we lost Jilly in November 2007 we decided that we would do what we had always promised ourselves and go away for a few weeks to avoid the winter weather. We looked for a bargain and found 3 weeks in Malta at the Hotel Panorama, which is where we stayed the first time we went to Malta. It cost £501 for the two of us for bed & breakfast, we also decided to hire a car whilst we were there.


Thurs 17th Jan

We left home at 0300hrs, we left the car at Airparks and got to Manchester Airport in good time. The flight (BA6822) loaded early but was held up and took off at 0735. It was a good flight and we got good views of the Alps as we flew over. We landed at Luqa at 1215 local time and it was raining. We picked up our hire car and were a bit put out to find that they wanted more money than agreed and they wanted paying in Euros not Sterling, we paid up reluctantly,(when we got home emailed and complained).
We set off for Mellieha and as usual Richie's navigationwas was spot on. We booked in and then walked up the town. It was pouring with rain and there was water cascading down the steps off the upper streets like a waterfall. We went into a restaurant called Randi and had a meal. We went back to the hotel unpacked and had a kip. We had stayed at the Panorama the first time we visited Malta in 1995, we found it not much changed, a new reception area but otherwise the same, still the same bedspreads, curtains and tablecloths!
In the evening we had a drink in the hotel bar where Richie recognised the barman from the last time we'd stayed there! We had a walk round and back for an early night

Fri 18th

We were woken up at 0600 by very loud thunder and lightening echoeing around the bay, it was not raining though. We had breakfast. We found that breakfast alternated, one day it was bacon, boiled eggs and beans, next day sausages, scrambled eggs and beans, there was plenty of bread rolls and jam, also ham and cheese slices. We went out for a drive we went to Cirkewwa which is where the ferry leaves for Gozo then on along the peninsula visiting various small bays. At the end of the peninsula there was a small church and a statue of the Madonna, it was also a preservation area dor Shearwaters. In another bay, Amier Bay, there was a shanty town of holiday homes, there was an old chap picking through seaweed on the beach for fishing bait. We went on the The Red Tower from which there were magnificent views. We then went on to Golden Bay which is where we had stayed on our second visit to Malta. It was very much changed and is now a very upmarket Radisson resort. It was nice and sunny but cool in the breeze. We walked up to the top of the town for a Chinese meal which was very nice.

Sat 19th

After Breakfast we drove a bit further afield, again calling at various small bays one, Gnejna Bay, was very pretty looking toward the cliffs on Gozo. There were a couple of fishing boats being pulled out of the water and a sandy beach. There were also small houses or maybe boat houses/holiday shacks carved out of the cliffs.
We found navigation very difficult as the map would give a road number but the roads themselves had no indication of which number they were, we would follow 2 or 3 signs to where we wanted to go and then there would be no more signs and various turning to choose from. This made for very interesting driving, especially as some of the roads were new, paid for with Euro money, and then they would suddenly turn into the worst of potholed cart track, you could be going for miles on an old rutted road and all of a sudden there would be a couple of miles of new tarmac, sighs of relief and then round the next corner back to potholes, it was quite adventurous at times. We managed to find our way to Dingli cliffs and stopped at Bobbys for a drink. We then made our way back to Gnejna Bay and sat in the car and read/sudokod in the sunshine, it was a bit warmer and the wind had dropped.
As it was V's birthday we went to a restaurant called Ta Peter in Mellieha and had a super meal of 3 different local fish.

Sun 20th

We decided to go to see Popeye Village but the road was closed, an old local chap was sitting in his car and said he would show us the way round, he led us and another car up the bypass to another track which was very kind of him, we were a bit embarresed as we had no change on us and wanted to give him something for his trouble, in fact we thought he would come asking but he didn't he just drove off with a wave. The village was not open but there was a lot of work going on obviousley preparing it for the season. We then drove past the Sulmen Palace hotel again the road gave out and we ended up looking over a cliff with Mellieha bay one side and St Paul's Bay the other. It was a beautiful sunny day and there were lots of wild flowers, the whole countryside was yellow with Oxalis in full flower. We sat and enjoyed the view for a while and then local people started arriving and settling in for the afternoon. There were various small level patches on an otherwise very craggy and rock strewn hillside but on each flat piece of land a family would set up tables and chairs parasols etc childrens bikes and other toys. We went on from there to Mistra Bay which is a small bay in St Paul's Bay and we sat and read/sudokod in the sunshine. There were dozens of families here as well enjoying the sun with their families, they seemed to have half their homes with them, almost camping out with gazebos etc.
We went to the Chinese restaurant again.

Mon 21st

We went to Bugibba, it was sunny again but a very cool breeze off the sea. As we walked along we got grabbed by a time share salesman and as it was quite cold decided to go with him for an hour or so out of the wind, he promised us wine, beer and perfume just for going to look. It was quite interesting and the apartments were certainly very nice with a lovely sheltered pool area. The girl who gave us the presentation was English and lived in Melleiha. It was interesting to talk to her and she told us that they had a group of people who ran a dog rescue centre and also caught cats and had them neutered, we had certainly noticed that around the hotel instead of being lots of scrawny cats there were only a few who were healthy and plump. This was in Qawra and so we had quite a long walk back along the promenade which was nice but again breezy. We stopped in the square and noticed that there were armed police about, it turned out that they were escorting money to or from the bank. We saw this quite a few times afterwards, armoured cars flanked by police cars with sirens going obviously moving money.
We drove back to Mellieha and went to the Sulmun Palace but drove to the right of it this time and ended up near to St Paul's islands. There was a very different sort of landscape, instead of being rocky it looked like great mounds of dumped soil, we couldn't find out if it was natural or man made. We clambered down to sea level and there were old ruined military buildings. We climbed back up then sat in the car for a while enjoying the sunshine.
For our evening meal we went to the Imperial Band Club and had fish and chips which was very nice and reasonably priced. The club is like a working mens club but is the home of one of the many bands on the island. There were pool tables, a lot of old men sitting around and 2 televisions blaring away.

Tue 22nd

We went to Marsaxlokk it took some finding because of previously reported problem with roads. We went via Birzebbuga and Pretty Bay, Pretty Bay is not very pretty and there is a huge container port looming over it. Ther was a market at Marsaxlokk and lots of boats out of the water being worked on, painting etc. We noticed a difference to last time we were there. It used to be a small fishing harbour but there is now a large new boatyard which was very busy with boats of all sizes being "serviced". It was cloudy with a cold wind so we drove to Dingli and sat in the car for a while. We had our meal at Randi again.

Wed 23rd

It was a cloudy, windy day so we drove up past the Red Tower and sat looking over the ferry port, the ferry was plunging up and down in very rough seas. Went to band club for meal.

Thurs 24th

Woke up to a terrific storm, very strong gale force winds with heavy showers, there had been strong winds blowing all night. We only ventured out to go and post some cards and to go to the cafe on the corner to film the storm, once we got there we had to stay quite a while as it rained so hard, it was difficult to stand against the wind. It was the worst storm for 20 years we were told. Went to the Chinese Restaurant later when the storm abated.

Fri 25th

The weather was better with much reduced wind and some sunny periods, in the afternoon the wind dropped altogether. We drove around the coast through a place called Pembroke and round St George's Bay to Sleima. There were still some pretty impressive waves crashing on the shore with seaweed covering the road in St Paul's Bay and broken boats in St George's Bay.
We went on the craft village at the old airfield in Ta' Qali. We also visited the Aviation museum which was very interesting with quite a few exhibits, including a Spitfire and a Hurricane that had been in the sea since the war.
We had a meal in the cafe at the craft village and it was lovely and sunny. When we got back to Melleiha we called at a snack bar and got some food which we ate on the bench overlooking the sea, it was a lovely calm, mild evening .

Sat 26th

We drove to the statue of the Madonna and walked almost the width of the peninsula. We saw a young couple who seemed to be dangling something off the cliff with fishing line and we couldn't work out what they were doing, when we asked they said they were putting out bait for rats to make the area safe for the Shearwaters to breed. We also saw a chap releasing pigeons, he said there are about 1000 pigeon fanciers in Malta. We went to a cafe on the beach for a snack, it was sheltered there and very hot, we had a short walk along the beach then got a snack from the stall in town and ate it on the bench again.

Sun 27th

We got a bus into Valletta as it was market day. The market was huge and noisy but mostly cheap clothes and so on. We did buy a cheap pair of binoculars because we had not taken any with us as we had not expected to see the variety of birds that we did. When we were there previously there were no birds as they were hunted regularly There were stalls on the market selling finches which when people bought them were put in brown paper bags like sweets, we also saw a few tiny puppies for sale. Another thing we had noticed on this holiday was that there were a lot more pet dogs wheras before there only seemed to be strays. We walked through the town and ended up having lunch in a cafe by the Saluting Battery just in time to see and hear the Noon-Day Gun being fired.

It was a lovely sunny day again.

Mon 28th

We went to Gozo on the ferry, it was very windy on deck.

We drove to the Inland Sea and spent a long time there looking at the millions of fossils in the rocks there. A quick stop at the craft village then on to Marsalform Bay where there were salt pans and more wierd rock formations. We sat for a while and had a picnic then carried on to Ramia Bay and Calypso's Cave, Rich was very brave and climbed down, I chickened out. We drove a bit further and the road ended, it seemed to have been a landslip so we parked and walked, we found ourselves at what had obviously been a grand hotel but was now abandoned and derelict, grand chandeliers were stil there with birds nesting in them, remains of terraces overlooking the sea and a pool, quite spooky. Next stop was Ggantija Temples, awesome ancient rock temples more or less in the centre of the island. After that we got lost and wandered around on atrocious roads for a while, the scenery was wonderful until we found ourselves at sea level on a narrow track in a vast quarry with lorries trying to pass us. We eventually found our way back to the ferry and crossed back to Malta. We had a meal in the Band Club.

Tue 29th


We set off to go to the Nature Reserve but it was closed so we went to a nearby holiday complex which was very nice and had a drink by their pool in a lovely sheltered spot. Sat at the beach cafe for a while then went and sat on the road to Popeye Village and read. Sunny but breezy. Meal in Band Club.

Wed 30th

Went to Mdina, here again we found quite a few changes, firstly there were 5 or 6 people stopping us with leaflets to various attractions, most seemed to be audio visual presentations. There were also a lot of vehicles which seemd to be mostly construction workers, there was a lot of work going on at various buildings. We had a drink at the cafe on the walls then had a walk round Rabat and a quick look at the Roman temple. it was sunny with a cool breeze. Sat in Gnejna Bay and had a picnic and read for a while, there were some very hungry looking dogs around after our biscuits. Meal in Band Club.

Thurs 31st

Lovely day so we hired a couple of sun beds and sat on the beach for most of it, again a breeze but where we were was sheltered and very hot. Meal in Band Club.

Fri 1st Feb

Drove over the island to the coast above Valletta and visited Fort Rinella which is a military museum housing the world's largest canon (100 tons)

Drove back to Valletta and called at Senglea & Kalkara. At Kalkara we were opposite the battery where they fired the noon day gun and as it was noon again we saw it fired directly at us.

We went back via Dingli and called for a drink at Bobby's. It was sunny but windy all day. Meal at the Band Club.

Sat 2nd

We went to the bird Ghadira reserve. It was very interesting and we were amazed at the variety of birds. There were many warblers, including Ceti's, and fly catchers, pochard, sandpiper, little grebe, black necked grebe, coot, moorhen, stonechat, chiffchaff, sparrows. We sat in the hide for an hour or more and then on the way out we were lucky enough to see a chameleon. Having never seen one before we were fascinated to watch it very slowly moving along a branch and change colour from dark to light green as it went, it was quite small probably less than 2". We very annoyed that neither of us had a camera with us. We spent the rest of the day in the sun on the beach. We tried the other band club for a meal, we had tried before but walked out when we hadn't been served for over 5 minutes. Anyway we decided to give them another chance, it seemed more upmarket than the one we had been using, properly laid tables etc. Whilst we were there there were lots of people coming in dressed up and we were told that they were going to be playing round the square in practice for the big carnival in Valletta. They were all band members, from 7 to 70 it seemed, and all dressed up in bright costumes in electric green, shocking pink etc which seemed to have a fish/sea theme. The meal was not very good so we went to the other club for a drink whilst watching the band, they were very slow and it got quite cold waiting.

Sun 3rd

We decided to go to the bird reserve agin, with cameras, in the hope of seeing chameleon again. We were lucky to see not one but two and they were much bigger than the one the day before. One was very green sitting amongst the leaves and the other sitting on a branch was dark grey.


We watched them fascinated for ages, other people coming by saw what we were looking at and dismissed them saying that they had them in their gardens all the time! We went and sat on the cliff by the Madonna statue for a while then called back at the bird reserve to see if there was anything different about in the afternoon, it was actually quieter. Meal at Band Club.

Mon 4th

Went to Valletta to see the carnival, we couldn't get on one bus it was so full but got on the next one standing, got seats before too long as people got off. The carnival floats were all standing in the bus station and they were fantastic, huge and very brightly coloured with many moving parts, loud music playing and all the children dressed up, we saw lots of princesses and princes, and more spider men than we could count.





We walked into the town and it was absolutely heaving with people, very noisy lots of excited children.




We ended up in the cafe by the battery at noon again had lunch and saw the gun beeing fired yet again. We also watched the sea plane coming in to land. When we got back to Melleiha we had a snack at the beach cafe.

Tue 5th

Went to Siggiewi to have a look at "The Limeston Heritage" an attraction which explained the history of the way that local limestone had been worked and how it had been used in the buildings in Malta.

It was interesting and very well presented. Drove on to Marsaxlokk, it was a lot busier than the week before.


We walked round the market and then along the fishing boats to a small beach, then we went to a cafe for a meal. The service was very slow, almost an hour, but we didn't mind as it was such a pleasant spot to sit in the sun just watching the people and their boats.
Called at Gnejna Bay and sat for a while.


Sunny but breezy again.

Wed 6th

Drove to Paradise bay and went down to the beach, nobody there just workmen getting the cafe ready for the season. Had a walk around the lanes above and came across the dog rescue centre. Spent the rest of the day on the beach. Went to have meal at Band Club but no cooking as usual couple were having a night off. Went to Chinese Restaurant.

Thurs 7th

Off to airport after breakfast, there in plenty of time, flight was announced as beeing half an hour late but in the end it was only about 15-20 mins. When we arrived at Manchester had to wait about 20 mins in the cold for bus to car park. Beeing rush hour it took us 2 hours to drive home.

All in all we had a very good, relaxing holiday, the weather was good except for a couple of stormy days and we were able to get out and enjoy the sunshine. Being out of season there was not much choice of restaurants and so we seemed to spend a lot of money on our evening meals, in hindsight it would probably be better to go self catering or pay a bit more for all inclusive. We chose the Panorama because we knew that it was not in a high rise area and that it had good views, unfortunately the hotel faced north, in the summer this was not a problem,except that the pool was never warm, but in winter it meant that there was no sun on the balconies or terrace. We were glad we had hired a car because we were able to find a nice sunny view point and sit in it rather than in the hotel room.
The hotel was alright but it let itself down with maintenance problems that could have easily been solved. The curtains were hanging off the rail, the bedspreads were old and had rips and cigarette burns, there were no shelves or hooks, we bought some cheap self stick ones and stuck them to the wardrobe. In the bathroom there was nowhere to put anything, just one tiny shelf, a loose loo seat and a drain smell, we bought incense sticks and burnt them. There were no proper hangers in the wardrobe, just a few ropey, mostly broken, ones left by other visitors. The linen was changed regularly and was nice and white and the cleaner came every day she never seemed to get into the corners or behind the bathroom door and there were a few mildew marks on the walls. All these things could so easily have been put right to give an overall much more positive impression. On the plus side the mattresses were very good and the air con/heating unit was very efficient and we were never cold and there was always plenty of hot water and clean towels.
The guests were mixed, quite a few English on long stays, quite a few older men on their own and some women but it seemed to fill up at weekends with Germans who just stayed for a few days, by the time we left it was full mostly with Germans.
We noticed quite a few differences on the island, the green buses had all gone, we were told that they were bring sunk (minus their engines) off shore to make an artificial reef. Most of the old, clapped out british cars had gone, the few we saw had been restored as classic cars, all chrome and gleaming paintwork. There was a lot of building work going on, we were told that instead of the whole island being governed from Valletta each town now has it's own local council, these have been allocated money for redevelopment. There are also a few new roads, even dual carriageways, unfortuneatly the Maltese don't seem to know what to do with them, they either straddle the white line or stay in the right hand lane, they don't seem to get the concept that it is for overtaking.

The country was lovely and green and the farmers were busy with theire rotavators getting their planting done. There were wild flowers in abundance so I am enclosing some of the pictures I took of them.

Shell Island October 2007

http://www.shellisland.co.uk/

Fri 19th

We drove through glorious sunshine to Shell Island and arrived about noon. We drove around for a while to find where we wanted to park, there was plenty of choice. It was possible to park more or less anywhere on the island and it was very quiet. The rules say that with a motorhome you have to have a tent as well, then the motorhome becomes you r vehicle to travel in. We put up a small beach shelter to comply but no one else seemed to bother. We decided to park at the end of the car park overlooking the beach, we wanted Jilly to be able to get down onto the sand easily. After a bit of lunch we walked along the beach picking up shells, as you do. Whilst sitting in the van in the afternoon we watched at least 3, maybe 4, porpoises playing in the sea. We drove the van to the bar/cafe for a meal. The food was ok but the bar had some very noisy people in it.

Jilly went on the beach, was not very enthusiastic but had a bit of a mooch.

There was a gorgeous sunset.

I had to take Jilly out in the middle of the night but I didn't mind as the night sky was breathtaking. With little light polution and a clear sky I saw more stars than I have done a long time. I could also see the Milky Way which I haven't seen for years.

Sat 20th


When we first woke up we looked out of the windaw and saw 2 hares just outside the van. Walked along the beach again at low tide and there were hundreds of star fish stranded along the shore, some had been pecked at by birds, oyster catchers, turnstones, redshank. We also saw crows, curlew, heron and lots of gulls.


After lunch we walked across the island to the harbour, again in glorious sunshine. We called at the cafe for tea, again it was not very wonderful, then walked back to the van.

Sun 21st

Cooler this morning and breezy. Packed up and drove home via Harlech, Llangyneg and Bala. Autumn colours lovely on the hillsides.

Weekend in Shardlow October 2007

Fri 5th

We set off early and arrived at Shardlow Marina about 11am. We parked the van then drove to Ilkeston where we visited Regal Furnishings, we are thinking of having the van reupholsterd. We met Barry, the owner, and he was very helpul and we had a good look at samples of fabric and discussed what we would want. We saw a fabric we both liked but decided to go away and think about it. We got back to the site and set up properly. After a bit of lunch took a walk around the gravel pits. We saw 2 kingfisers together, a kestrel perched on a tree, moorhen, various ducks and some swans. We went to the pub on site for a meal and it was lovely, fish and chips.

Sat 6th

Having talked about the upholstery we decided to go and order it. We went to Ilkeston first thing and got a date of 22nd Nov to have it done. Had late breakfast/lunch then Rich watched Grand Prix practise. After lunch we walked all around the site. We went to Brenda and Doug's about 5 oclock to return the key for the house in Spain. They took us to the Rugby Club for a meal. Across the road from the club there is a water buffalo, called Oink, in a field. As we went to have a look at it it's owner turned up with a snack for it - two large loaves of bread and 36 weetabix disappeared without a trace! all the time it was eating it was making "oinking" noises. We had a reasonable meal in a very noisy club room then went back to B & D's and then on back to the van.



Sun 7th

After breakfast went a walk round the gravel pits, saw a flock of linnets and kingfisher again. Rich watched Grands Prix then we packed up and left by 2oclock.

Spain September 2007

We were able to borrow Brenda & Doug's house in Los Alcazares, Murcia, Spain for a reasonable sum so we decided to go with Margaret & Brian and booked cheap flights with Ryanair - £122.50 each return.

Tue 11th

We set off mid morning & drove to Stafford where we had a meal at the Luck Penny with Marg & Bri, Bri then drove us to East Midland Airport. We arrived in good time and got priority boarding passes. The flight took off a few minutes early - about 17:15. It was a good flight and we landed at Murcia 15 minutes early at 21:00 local time. Dave, a friend of Doug & Brenda's, met us and drove us to the house. It was a very warm night, but Dave told us it had rained that day. We decided to find the Chinese Restaurant, Richie knew where it was. After wandering around for about 3/4 hour finally found it! Had a nice meal and left as they were closing at midnight.

Wed 12th

It was a warm day but cloudy and breezy, the rain the day before had left sand all over the terraces so R & B washed them down. After unpacking we went to nearest supermarket, El Arbol and bought food and drink. We had lunch then walked around the area for a while, we were looking to find a tourist information office but didn't. Cooked some pork steaks that we had bought but they were not very successful - strange meat, strange oven?!

Thurs 13th

A Hot day with a breeze. After lunch we went to the beach for a swim, it was a bit choppy but very nice. Back for siesta. Went to Chinese Restaurant again. It was very good value with a special menue for around £5 our money, includind sangria and prawn crackers to start, a large spring roll, a main course of your choice and half a bottle of wine each, it finished with a liquer and they left the bottle, we were also given a bottle of wine to take home, so very good value.

Fri 14th

Another very hot day, we walked along to the shopping centre by the Mercadona supermarket. Found an "English" paper shop, the man in there told us about The Post Box where we could arrange car hire. We also found a bar. the "Ilu" where the men would be able to watch the Grande Prix. We arranged the car hire for next Wed. then had a snack at a kiosk and walked back. Cooked bacon and egg for tea.

Sat 15th

After breakfast we went to the beach for a swim, it was very hot and sea very calm. R & B went to bar to watch Grande Prix practice, V & M had a walk and then went to meet the men. We walked back along the sea front and stopped at a beach bar for a meal. V & M had fish which was ok but men had steak which they could not eat.

Sun 16th

After breakfast took a walk the other way along the sea to Playa Carrion, a small marina. Another very hot day. Back for lunch then the men went to Ilu to watch the race. V & M stayed in shade and read. In the evening we went to the Chinese restaurant again and strolled back along beach.

Mon 17th

After breakfast did some washing and tidying round then went for a swim. Had lunch then went to supermarket, bought some chicken which we cooked and then ate outside, quite nice and a lovely evening.

Tue 18th

Another very hot day, went round market in streets by the house then after lunch went for a swim. Went to a bar by the church for evening meal but the service was bad and food not very good.

Wed 19th

Went and collected the hire car at 10am then went back to house to make some sandwiches and drove down the "Strip" of La Manga, saw two police cars attending an incident where there was a body lying on the pavement shrouded in a sheet, very unsettling. Stopped by water on way back to eat picnic. Went to Chinese restaurant again.

Thurs 20th

Drove to San Pedro del Pinatar and on to Lo Pagan. Walked along the salt/mud flats, watched dozens of people covering themselves in the black, smelly mud - supposed to be a cure all! Saw many birds, Flocks of flamingoes, duck, little grebes, plover, sandpipers.
Started off cloudy but warm and as we finished the walk the sun came out very hot again. Called at a cafe for a meal, the service was very slow but fish and chips was ok.

Fri 21st

Drove to Cartagena, had a drink and walk round harbour then got on a double decker open topped tour bus to go round the town, it started to rain while we were on the bus but not a lot. We then walked round the town for a while and as it started to rain again went into a cafe. Great difficulty understanding menu/waiter, ended up with tortilla and salad which was quite nice. While we were in the cafe a group of people with a donkey dresed up like Romans and beating on drums went by, advertising some sort of festival, we think. As they came back down they all stopped for a drink, the donkey left his calling card all over the street!! We walked back towards the harbour there were green parrots flying all around we went up the steps through the old town walls to a park where there was a good lookout point over the harbour and town. In the evening we cooked bacon & egg and watched a terrific thunder storm with very heavy rain.

Sat 22nd

There was very heavy rain overnight and it was overcast in the morning, but still warm. The rain deposited red sand all over terraces again.
We went out to go to Almoradi for a market but got a bit lost, as it was raining we decided to give up and went back to Pilar de la Horadada and found teh Chinese restaurant there. We had a very good meal and very resonable, we felt it was even better value than the one in Los Alcazares. Did a bit of shopping at Alsi then went back to the house. The evening turned fine so went for a walk alonf front.

Sun 23rd

Went to a huge market at Cabo de Palos. We then went on to the lighthouse and walked up to it then around the harbour, we had a drink then went back to Los Bolones for a meal. The Oasis restaurant we wanted to go to was closed so went to a Spanish one Bar Rierpi, not a bad meal. Back for a rest then stroll along the front.

Mon 24th

Drove to Portman which is an old military establishment, looked at old amunition stores and gun emplacements then went back down and sat and had a picnic before returning to the house. In the afternoon we had a swim and went to the Chinese restaurant or the last time.

Tue 25th

In the morning we packed, washe the sheets, towels etc and cleaned the house and terraces. Went to Los Bolonese again to get a meal at Oasis but it did not open in the daytime weekdays. Went to the Village which was almost next door and did English food. It was run by an English man and we had English food ordered from someone who understood us for the first time in the holiday! Sat and read until time to go to the airport at 21:00. Got booked in and flight was on time, good flight landed at 23:20 ome time. Drove to Stafford where we stayed the ight with M & B then drove home Wed morning.

Morecambe August 2007

Sat Aug 24th 2007

We set off about 8am and met up with Emma and family at Mile End Roundabout near Oswestry. We filled up with fuel then set off. We arrived at Red Bank Farm camping site, Bolton-le-Sands, by about 11am. The site was larger than expected, two big fields plus some statics, and very busy. It is on a working farm and there were animals that the children could pet. Sheep, pigs, goats, rabbits etc.
We sited ourselves ourselves in the middle but there was plenty of space.Took quite a bit of setting up with Emma having her trailer tent for the first time and our awning playing up in the wind, finally set up by about 1pm. It was sunny but very windy. After a bit of lunch we took Emma's dogs to the beach, not your usual sandy beach but vast areas of muddy sand with wonderful views towards the Lake District one way and Morecambe the other. There was an old car stuck halfway out to sea, spoke to a chap who had been cockle picking on a quad bike he said it was idiots trying to "off road".

Sun 25th

After breakfast Veronica, Emma, Shannon & James went to a car boot sale seen advertised at Carnforth, not a lot there so didn't stop. Went on to Morecambe. Managed to park on the street and had a walk around the Festivel Market, a large undercover market and there was also a continental market outside. Walked down the town and stopped at Winter Gardens where there was a flea market the building looked interesting so we booked a tour for later. Walked on down to Lifeboat shop. Went back for the tour of the Winter Gardens, it was very interesting, it has been closed for many years but is still basically intact and people are trying to get it restored, click the following link to find out more. http://www.thewintergardensmorecambe.co.uk/

Went back to site and had another walk on beach. It had been another sunny but windy day.

Mon 26th

Took a bike ride along the coast and salt marshes. Saw heron,hawks, plover& oyster catchers amongst others. After lunch went to Heysham to have a look at the port, not able to see much or get very close. Called at Morrisons for a bit of shopping then back to site. Barry & Shelia, who live in Lancaster, came to visit and we had a BBQ. The evening was a bit less windy so able to sit out.

Tue Aug 27th

In the morning we went to the Lakeland Wildlife Oasis at Milnthope just north of Carnforth. It was a brilliant little place with plenty to see and hands on activities for the children.

The following link takes you to their site. http://www.wildlifeoasis.co.uk/ .
We carried on th Leighton Hall which was not far away and had a picnic in the garden before a guided tour of the house. A large country house that is still lived in. There was also a hawk flying demonstration but the bird flew off!!
Back to site for BBQ and another walk on beach. A bit of drizzle in evening but otherwise dry.

Wed Aug 28th

In the morning we went to Lancaster, we intended to go round the castle but when we got there it was swarming with uniformed men and we discovered it is a working prison and the prison wardens were on strike!. We enquired and found out that you can go ound but the enterance is the other side, we decided against it. We went down a very steep path with lots of steps to the river bank, it was very interesting as we got there to see the tide coming in very quickly against the flow of the river. We went to the Maritime Museum which was interesting and then on to Williamson Park where we had a picnic sitting in the sun by a lake. We walked on round the park which is dominated by the Ashton Memorial.
This is a large building which can be seen for miles around, built by Lord Ashton in memory of his wife in Edwardian times. Emma spotted signs for the Pendle Witch trail and we decided to follow them, ended up on a wild goose chase up on the moors, very nice views though. Back to site and a walk on the beach, Shannon & James "fell " in the mud and got covered all over, had to shower them off then clean showers out!! Warm & sunny again but site very windy. Had a few games with children before bed.

Thurs 29th

Went in to Morecambe again. Looked round market which was a lot quieter than at weekend, then walked on down and had a look at Eric Morecambe's memorial.
Took Shannon & James on funfair then walked down the Stone Jetty and had a drink in cafe, it was very windy again. Back to van for lunch, walked to sea at high tide then tried to fly kites. When the tide went out Shannon & James went to have fun in the mud again, this time in swim wear!!
After tea a few games again then bed.

Fri 30th

When we woke up the sky was very grey & threatening looked like rain coming so we started to pack up so that the tent and awning would be dry. Quick bacon butty then on the road by 10am.