Monday 28 February 2011

Final chapter of the first part of our big adventure!

Well Kath has given me the dubious honour of doing the last blog on the first part of our big adventure.

We were amazed to look at the stats page and discover we have had 2457 separate viewings of our blog during the year we have been away, so for those who like figures here is the list.
United Kingdom 1014
USA  318
Germany 255
Netherlands 232
Spain 193
Italy 165
France 129
Canada 63
Russia 54
Switzerland 34

We have also enjoyed reading the comments family and friends have posted on the blog.

We started our journey in March 2010 not knowing what to expect but what ever it was we felt ready. Looking back on the year we have some lovely memories and thousands of pictures of which we managed to share some on the blog with you all. It would be impossible to say we have one favourite from all the places we have visited but I think Kath will agree with me (I will check with the boss before publishing this)
that we both loved Italy especially Tuscany and the Cinque Terra and the friendships we have made over the year particularly the gang in Calpe.

We hope we have kept you entertained with our ramblings and on occasions our history lessons (hope they didn,t put you off).

The year has been for us a fantastic opportunity to see new places and meet different people and to try in our own small way to give you all a flavour of what we have seen and done.

We would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to every body in all the countries who have followed the blog especially our families and friends.

So until we begin a new adventure it is with lots of love that we say cheerio for now.

Harry and Kath xxx
PS The boss agreed with me
                                             

Friday 11 February 2011

Calpe - Spain (Episode 6)

Hola!

Quote of the week

"If you want to read your book tonight darling, I don't mind watching the rubgy on tv" Does Harry think I was born yesterday?....................................

Our last weekend in Calpe - sad to leave but looking forward to seeing everyone back in the UK. We leave Calpe on Monday morning - a long drive to just north of Madrid where we will stop over for 1 night then on to Haro (where we have stopped before) for 2 nights before driving to Santander where we will catch the ferry on Thursday afternoon to arrive in Portsmouth on Friday evening.

We will do one final post when we get back to the UK so until then, bye from both of us and thank you all for sharing our adventure with us.

Lots of love

Kath and Harry

PS - I've comissioned Harry to do the final blog, I think he has got away far too lightly these last 12 months xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Tuesday 8 February 2011

Calpe - Spain (Episode 5)

Hello to one and all - sorry there hasn't been a blog on for a couple of weeks but there hasn't been that much to tell you and besides we haven't got much time left on the camp e-mail so we thought we would save it for when we did have something to report.

Life here at Calpe just plods along - people come and go and some stay longer than others. The gang of 8 is now down to 6 and soon, we will all be gone.

We hired a car again - a smart little black Polo for only 70 Euros for the week. So it was off and about again getting to the places which we couldn't manage by public transport. Not far away, but just set off a busy main road was a very interesting building (Morrocan style) with all sorts of pots and old doors outside, so we decided to check it out. It was amazing, everything from lamps, glassware, furniture, reclaimed doors and surrounds. We wandered from room to room mesmerised. Harry fell in love with the whole property and had visions/dreams of turning it back into a home.

We had also discussed going to visit another camp site situated at Guardamar (south of Alicante). We had heard good reports about it and wanted to check it out for ourselves for future ref. It was a lovely site with both indoor and outdoor pools, gym, sauna etc etc. A good restaurant, terrace and bar with free Wi Fi, cable tv and much, much more. It compared favourably with Calpe - we'll just have to come back again !!

It hadn't felt long since we celebrated New Year and guess what? - we went and did it all again. This time it was Chinese New Year and so the gang of 6 all went to The Wok - Chinese buffet, all night long (eat as much as you can) - entertainment and a few glasses of vino tinto!. Cava and fireworks at midnight and a late night back to camp.

The following day we were off to the Xalon valley to see the almond blossom. Row upon row of almond trees but not yet in full bloom - still a spectacular sight. It was a lovely afternoon and after stopping to buy some oranges on the road side to take home we did the tourist bit and drove around the countryside and up into the hills. We stopped at Fonts de L'Algar. Some of you may recognise it. It is where the Timotei advert was filmed many moons ago.  Quite surprised to see banana trees - but here's the proof! 

On Saturday the gang of 6 took the tram to Alicante for a day out. We were pleasantly surprised and made visits to the port and the old town before meeting up with everyone for dinner at a Mexican restaurant before the long trek back to camp. Check this street out along the promenade - it really makes you feel quite queasy walking down it. Whilst down at the port Harry decided this crew hadn't quite worked out the meaning of team work!  

 Some other views from Alicante. 









 
The highlight of the week was climbing this lump of rock.....................  although Harry might disagree. His highlight has been being able to watch the 6 nations rugby on the TV!! 

 
Anyway, Harry, Ray and I set off at 9.30am. It was a lovely day albeit a little hazy. Well worth the effort with some fantastic views as you can see. 

So, until next week when we will be busy packing up to make the long trek home.


Lots of love - Kath and Harry xxx