Spain 22nd Dec - 1st Feb 2009

Torrox Beach Club 22nd - 27th Dec 08 We decided to leave the campsite this morning & head on down to the beach were we had spent a few nights previously. We spent most of the day sunbathing & preparing the food for the evening. Late afternoon we headed off to Torrox Beach Club to set up ready for the Wilson's arrival at around 9.30pm. We decided to put a notice on our door to say we were staying at one of the apartments (within minutes we had 2 ladies reading our note - whilst we sat inside!!) Mal hopped out of the van to check they were ok.....using his McFee charms he soon had them telling him he would be fine to park in the spot, so residents on side we felt a little more relaxed!

The Wilson clan glided into town at about 9.30pm, whilst they unpacked in their apartment we warmed all the food up, curry, chilli (for those who won't eat curry...Woggy), etc. The food went down a storm & we all sat back relaxed & caught up on the past few months travelling, life in the UK etc. Clearly we downed a few snifters too, but not too many!

Next day it was off to Euroski at Valez Malaga for 'THE' big shop....turkey (Pavo), brussel sprouts, lots of booze and all the additional bits required for a cool yule. We also had to buy a Christmas tree, lights, trimmings etc. With all that done & unpacked back at home, we took a great stroll along the beach - fabulous weather & company!

Chris peeling chestnuts for the stuffing with uncle Mal!

Mal & Helen on Christmas Eve

Chris with his hair freshly styled into that footballers look! Helen & Neil

Christmas Eve!! - Today commenced at a leisurely pace, followed by a trip into town for the last bits of shopping. Mal had completed a cookathon, so we had dinner for tonight planned. We stopped off in town for a nice bottle of red overlooking the sea at the Balcon de Europe, although Neil did give Helen a hard time as it was a bit windy & we chose a bar that she had always wanted to frequent....he said there's only Helen who could choose somewhere cold on such a great day! But we all thoroughly enjoyed it. An ex colleague had sent me a link for 'Norad tracks Santa'....it was an amazing website were you could follow Santa, play games, it had a countdown to his next destination too, well Christopher (Mal's Nephew) thought it was fab so we spent some time following Santa around the globe on & off throughout the evening! We had a leisurely evening, a lovely meal followed by a few drinks & lots of excitement, Helen had put together Christmas stockings for everyone to open tonight, we received an array of items, xmas socks, sweets, earrings, beer glasses, chocolate you name it! Unfortunately whilst testing my sweets my filling dropped out - oops!! A job for the New year! Not too late to bed tonight - I made Christopher promise to wake us up in the morning when 'he' (Santa) had been.

The Wilsons (Sam, Neil, Helen & Christopher). Chris & Uncle Mal completing the sudoku

Christmas Day!! - Yippee

We had an early morning call (still dark) from Sam & Chris can't recall what time (but it was early). Then it was presents time, the boys were so excited & received wonderful gifts from everyone. Mal & I had some great gifts from Mal's Sisters & their respective families, they were rather naughty as we had decided not to do presents once we started travelling. After presents we all enjoyed a family breakfast, Mr Pavo was in the oven. Later we took a stroll along the beach stopping off at one of the beach restaurants for a jug of Sangria - wonderful, beautiful sunshine! The boys decided they would like to go in the pool, so we headed there with a few tins to add to the relaxed nature of our day! We have various webcam calls planned with the families so at about 3pm Mal & I headed off to commence them, as is the norm everyone was late for the calls except Wendy & Jmel (they are always on time & so very efficient). It was great to catch up with everyone, although my Mum didn't make to Paula's so I was a little sad & disappointed. After that it was Christmas dinner on the patio, which turned out a little bit hectic & disorganised - but hey ho none of us minded! Then we had music, dancing, playing on the Wii fit etc.

Uncle Mal proudly displaying Chris's WWE belt! Christmas pudding - thanks Wilsons!

Boxing day was a stroll along the front in Torrox we found a nice little bar & again enjoyed a sangria, whilst Sam & Chris played backgammon - it was a very windy stroll today! Tonight the two boys cooked turkey curry with me which they enjoyed immensely. Although we couldn't tempt Neil to extend his palate to curry.....Sam did try baby eels though (that lad will try anything).

Sam & Chris engrossed in a game of backgammon

Chris

27th Dec was departure day for the Wilsons, it all seemed like such a short visit. The morning was spent packing and cleaning the apartment, loading the MH back up with our stuff & a walk down to the beach, again it was a very windy day. Mal & I decided to stay where we had parked for the night, although we had to move the van a little due to the gusting winds! We saw the Wilsons off after lots of hugs and promises to see them soon!

28th Dec - 1st Feb 09 The houses built into the hillside on our tip north

Mal & I made an early start on the 28th towards Granada for some LPG, the trip was relatively peaceful. We refuelled in Granada at a little backstreet place which on first appearance looked a little disconcerting.....but sure enough everything was fine. The temperature had dropped considerably in Granada & on the way further up we even came across snow!!! We decided to head on towards Calpe were we would spend the night. Got a great little campsite in Calpe (although a little on the expensive side) & almost immediately upon arrival had a knock on the door from a lovely lady inviting us to a party at theirs on New Years eve......if only we had been staying for New Year I'm sure it would have been great fun! The next morning we had a quick drive around Calpe which was a really nice place and worth a visit. Again the weather had warmed somewhat since Granada.

The Rock at Calpe!

Snow in Granada.....brrr Mal with cold feet sporting one of my Christmas Pressies....Baa!

After breakfast we set off for out next destination Benicassim, this place came recommended by some people we met in Portugal as it has good facilities & a heated swimming pool. We arrived at Bonterra Park which appeared to be very nice compared to the other sites we have stayed on, although it is the most expensive. The lady explained the spaces were limited & the only ones left were next to the wall which meant reduced sunshine in the afternoons - she advised us to take a walk around & look at the vacant plots then choosing the one we want returning to reception to inform her. As per instructions we had a browse & chose our spot, went back to reception checked in - then moved the van into position. We got settled in for the night, deciding to explore tomorrow whereby we would try to find a restaurant or something for New Years Eve.

We took a bike ride into town, which was very quiet, had a look along the seafront which was beautiful with the exception of some of the Spanish architecture (if you can call it that). We didn't find any restaurants which shouted out to us for New Year - the campsite were doing a set meal, music & dancing for 42 euros each.....we thought this a little expensive especially as the campsite restaurant looks like a cafeteria (with full on fluorescent lights)......adding to the intimate atmosphere! We decided to cook a nice meal & stay in.....which was a first for us!

We had a very quiet New Years Eve.....but still enjoyable with each other, we had some lovely food and wine. We were up bright eyed & bushy tailed on New Years Day, deciding on a dip in the pool for starters. We cooked a wonderful roast dinner washed down with a bottle of the 'widow' then watched a movie.

The following weeks have been spent doing lots of things & the time has just flown by. We have been bike riding, Mal finally bought himself a new bike as his other became very unsafe - there is a great 10 mile cycle track in Benicassim which is just fab, it takes you out into the countryside a little then right along the seafront.....on most occasions you get to see gold finches who fly alongside you - truly spectacular! I have also been swimming 600 metres most days which I really enjoy. Recently we did a 14 mile walk with a number of other people from the site which we enjoyed, but our legs ached for days afterwards! We have been dog walking with our friends Norma & Roger (only about 1 mile) up a trail then down to the next town, along our route there were a lot of shrubs some of which were herbs & a feast for the senses was incredible (wild thyme & rosemary). On this same walk, as Norma & I chatted away we both saw something move at the side of the track just were the shrubs started.....it was a flipping snake.....well Norma grabbed hold of my arm just as I grabbed hers & we both squealed with fright!! Roger & Mal 'the brave' ones took a look & assured us it was 'only' a grass snake......my walking days may be over. After our walk we went over for drinks with Norma & Roger which turned into more than one or two drinks....Mal cooked some garlic prawns which we devoured with some crusty bread & 4 bottles of wine later we returned to our van - all this on a school night too! Prior to this Norma & Roger did an impromptu BBQ which they invited us along too they had also invited two of their other friends whom we had briefly met Mandy & Brian. The BBQ was a great success Brian & Mandy being from 'up north' got along with us like a house on fire. I finally got my tooth fixed which cost 98 euros (lets hope the flaming filling stays were it is now). I found a Physiotherapist too who appears to have resolved the issues with my neck, although was not successful with my lower back (think I will just have to live with it) - I must say it was a very painful process which involved sticking needles into my muscles then attaching a tens machine to manipulate the muscle......not something I enjoyed at all.....at one point when I winced in pain as I was being impaled by the needle.....Mal felt he might have to come in & tell the guy to get off me - thank goodness he restrained himself. I must say it wasn't the most flattering treatment me lying face down on a therapists couch with my bare bum in the air whilst a relatively handsome 30ish man stuck needles into my hips - but hey I'm sure he's seen worse!!

Darcy & me!

Parade at the Festival of the 3 kings early Jan 09

Mal at the 3 Kings festival

More 3 kings pics

and more 3 kings

Our 14 mile walk with some other happy campers!

One of the views whilst on our walk. A shepherd on our walk Another view...

From the 15th Jan until 25th there was a festival in Benicassim, which meant there was something going on every day & most nights - I think we had 3 nights without music (the music went on until 5am). On the opening of the festival we went up into town whereby they had fireworks & bonfires in the streets, it was awesome. We also went up to the bullring were they proceeded to have various bulls in a ring & they would chase the young 'male' youths of the town around the ring trying at every opportunity to impale them on the horns.....it was good to watch the bulls win by the end of the night as the young 'El Torros' got a little tipsy & felt braver, the odd one got a little poke from the bull!! Of course I had to deal with my very own 'El Torro'..... who on the last evening of the festival at 3am decided he would like to stand in the ring with said bulls - he didn't stay there too long! We enjoyed a couple of nights striking some moves on the dance floor in the festival marquee, which only really got going at midnight. The finale to the festival was fireworks in the street, this involved a procession of young men wearing fireworks on their heads & milling through the crowds, completed by a huge firework display with the noisiest fire crackers I have ever heard....think my hearing has just about recovered - boy do the Spanish know how to party!! We also enjoyed Paella day which commenced with fireworks at 7am (your wake up call), free breakfast in the plaza, you joined the line to collect a plate containing three sausages, a splodge of garlic mayo & a cob of bread worthy of a prisoner.....then it was drinks, either red wine or beer, when I asked for an orange I was promptly informed 'this is only for children'. We proceeded to cook our sausages on the open fires scattered around on the floor......wow what an experience. We were joined by another guy from our site whom we came to know as Fred. After breakfast a few drinks later, Mal & I cycled back to camp (whilst Fred staggered.....don't know how much red wine he had, but he took to his bed for a couple of hours)....we had arranged to meet up with Brian, Mandy & Norma to go to the Paella event in the afternoon. So, a quick shower & change & off we went again.....up into town, we secured our place on one of the long tables set out by Bonterra Park & headed up the high street for a beer (whereby we could get a free hat). The afternoon was spent eating Paella, drinking & sharing lots of good banter! We headed back to camp late afternoon, Mandy made us promise to meet at 10pm to go dancing in the marquee. Unfortunately it was all a bit late for me....going out at 10pm so we decided to stay in.

Bonfires in the street at the start of the festival

The line for breakfast on Paella day!

Mal cooking our sausages on Paella day!

One of the many pans in the street on Paella day getting ready!

The fire bull! Mandy & Norma on Paella day Michelle on the guitar - Paella day One of the many pans of Paella - huge!

Me with my 'grande' cerveza - had to be 'grande' to get my free hat! Our table for as far as the eye can see.... Mal & Brian - Paella day

As well as all this enjoyment Mal & I cooked a curry for our friends, which coupled with high winds the two dogs Darcy the Doberman & Bess the Black Lab proved very interesting.....as we had flying pitta bread amongst other things. Mandy & Brian then cooked for us.....a lovely Potatoe ash with mushy peas followed by trifle......yummy! We have had such good laughs with Norma, Roger, Mandy & Brian I feel we have made some good friends. Along with Darcy, Bess, Moo & Sis......their pooches.