Calpe News

Hola!

We left Aranjuez on a cold and misty morning and headed south. Our drive to Calpe passed in no time and we made good progress arriving at the site at 13.45pm. We were given a warm welcome by the staff and old friends and after lunch began the process of settling in.

This year we decided to have an awning fitted to the van and what a difference that has made. It practically doubles our living space and is a very welcome addition.

The days are warm and sunny, even got to 26C on Wednesday but it soon becomes cool when the sun goes down. Last year we had to retreat into the van but now we can enjoy sitting in the awning with our little gas fire to keep us cosy when the temperature drops to 10C. But hey, we have had some spectacular sunsets.

We are getting lots of exercise, walking here, there and everywhere. We enjoyed a visit to Albir/ Altea last week and Harry and his pal Ray went up the Ifach ( the big lump of rock that dominates Calpe) and of course we are looking forward to Christmas. We may be in the sun but the decorations and the Christmas tree are up. Not too sure if Harry is taking a dip in the Med this year on Christmas morning but will keep you posted.

We wish you all a very happy Christmas and  New Year.

Lots of love Harry and Kath xxx

PS Harry has just told me that he will be getting his toes wet - watch this space, we haven't been able to download any photos yet but we will keep on trying.

En route to the sun

Hola!

Here we are again on our travels. We left Fort William on Thursday 1st December just before the snow arrived and travelled down to Portsmouth with overnigt stops at Bury, Uttoxeter and Aldershot to visit family along the way. We were booked  on the 11.am ferry from Portsmouth to Santander on Sunday 4th December (Happy Birthday Edna) and, eager to be off, we arrived early at the Port. We were greeted with the news that the ferry was running approx 3 hours late due to the bad weather and more was to come. Oh joy!!

Armed with Sturgeron (which we actually didn't use) we quickly settled on board and went to find a convenient place to feel queasy. The lounge bar at the stern of the boat appeared to be the best option and so we spent a couple of hours reading, sipping tea and watching the world go by - well the land disappearing in the distance. Even participated in a quiz, not officially, I didn't go up and get the sheet but wish I had because with our score we would have won. C'est la Vie!

When it started to get really rough we went down to the cabin and got into our bunks. Harry went off to sleep but I read for quite some time while the boat heaved and tossed. Despite all that we both managed to sleep reasonably well and woke up to a relatively calm sea. The boat managed to make up some time so when back on dry land we were able to reach our destination, Haro, in daylight.

We spent 3 days in Haro, capital of the Rioja region before moving on to Aranjuez, south  of Madrid. Again a few nights stopover before we travel on to Calpe tomorrow (Monday 12th) where we will meet up with old friends and sunshine. Present readings for Calpe are 19C day time and 10C night time. Slightly warmer than the -1C we are having here in Aranjuez. Still got our winter woollies on.

Speak to you all again next week, oh and Harry says it's great to be back in Euroland where a coffee costs Euro 1.10 with a complimentary mini croissant.

Lots of love
Kath and Harry xxx