Monsoon Weather

It was a case of retreating into the van and battoning down the hatches when the monsoon weather hit Calpe. It rained more or less non stop for 36 hours in true monsoon fashon. It's times like these that I'm glad we have upgraded from a tent!

But when the rain finaly stopped and the sun came out, it wasn't long before there was a buzz of activity around the site.

Good weather was to follow and Harry and Ray took advantage of this and had a day on the hill. The climb to the top of Cim d'Olta at 587 metres offered stunning views , the odd encounter (apparantly there are 4 of these roaming the hill)

and a close inspection of this little creature. Known as the trap door spider it makes it's home in the rock and spins it's silk, mixes it with mud and makes a trap door to hide in so that it can pounce out on it's prey - hence the name. Once again, Kath muttered something about having made a right decision today by not going and pleased she didn't see any bulls or spiders.

The other thing we have to be careful about at his time of year are the processionary caterpillars found on young pine trees. This picture shows the cocoon and caterpillars. Touching them can cause a reaction and in worse case scenarios, hospitalisation.

Eating out is always very enjoyable and although we have our favourite places, it is always good to try somewhere new. We tend to go for the local fayre but last Friday night we opted for fish and chips at Laura's here in Calpe. Advertised as the best fish and chips in the whole of the Alicante region we had to give it a try.  The best we have tasted in a long, long while - wonder if they do takeaways wrapped in newspaper - oh nostalgia!

We contnue to enjoy our walks and spend time down on the beach, there is always something that needs to be done and our days pass quickly with lazy moments along the way.

Yesterday, Sunday, we went to the nearby town of Benissa where there was a medieval market. Lots to see - lost Harry for a bit then found him amongst the vintage car display. My favourite was this Jaguar which had been lovingly restored, Pauline preferred this Lamborghini. I suggested she should drape herself over the bonnet but we felt the owner might object.

All the stall holders had made a great effort to dress up and young men and women were dressed in traditional Spanish attire.

Check this out for a loaf of bread!

A most enjoyable trip and thank you to Roy and Pauline for taking us there in their car. Mind you, we could have had alternative transport.

So, until next time adios.

Love to all   Kath and Harry xxx

Life in the sun

You have often heard me mention the gang of 6 or 8 (depending on how many are around at any given time). Well I have an apology to make because there has always been 1 more in our midst and a beautiful lady she is too. Her name is Jasmine and is affectionately known as Jazz or Jazzie. Jazz like many mature ladies needs a little help at times to get in and out of the car and of course she is very partial to a shampoo and blow dry!

We haven't been idle since I last wrote. With our pals Ray and Mags we all set of to Moraira, Ray and Harry went off to climb a hill while Mags and I walked along the sands, hit the shops and sat and had lunch al fresco. The lads enjoyed their walk and were rewarded with some fantastic views of the countryside and over to the island of Ibiza. They also went to see a large cave where Harry disturbed a largish snake ( good job I wasn't there with them).

We always like to visit Altea so last Wednesday we hiked up the hill early to get the tram. This time we visited the old town perched on the hillside. Altea is a very poplar tourist destination especially in the summer but at this time of year with just a few folk pottering about it is delightful. This is one example of the many restaurant/bars that are tucked away in the side streets and also the view from the top of the town.

Getting togeher with the gang (back up to 8 now + 1) is always a good laugh. So it was off out to Bogarts (as in Humphry Bogart) - No, I don't think he owns the joint - I didn't see him hanging around the bar or anything, just a lovely display of posters depicting the old Bogie movies and a TV screen in the corner playing the classic "Casablanca". A fitting tribute to a very fine actor and some of the memorable films with the other screen stars of the day. The food was divine and plentiful, the hostess zany and a very enjoyable night was had by all.

The piece d'resistance this week was our trip to see a rugby match. Now I think you all know by now that Harry is an avid fan of the game and it has been known for me to accompany him to the odd match from time to time, but nothing could prepare me for this occasion. Kick off at 4.00pm, we arrived at about 2.45pm to a carnival atmosphere, live music, food and drink galore.

 Everyone was having a ball including this young? man who was in his element sitting with his programme in the glorious sunshine.

The local team La Vila were playing Sale Sharks in the Amlin Challenge Cup and although a little one sided (Sale won 69 - 10) it was great to be there.

The largest cheer of the match was when La Vila scored their one and only try, even Harry was on his feet punching the air. Oh, and just in case you got thirsty and couldn't tear yourself away from the match there was a portable bar tender on hand with a beer keg on his back and plastic tumblers strapped to his side. It was a case of "stop me and buy one". He also willingly obliged to pose for me.

So, until next time - Adios!

Kath and Harry xxx

PS - for those of you new to the blog, if you double click on the picture it will pop up full screen.

Christmas in Calpe

You woud think that with a collective age of 370 years + the gang of 6 could manage to get some things right for our festive dinner this year but hey - where's the fun in that?

Now to protect the embarrassment of all concerned, no names will be mentioned in this week's blog so you can decide for yourselves who did what!

It all started when a well known German supermarket advertised pineapples for 79 cents. Not realising that 79 cents was a price per kilo the purchaser chose the largest that they could find. Then came the problem of what to do with a pineapple that could feed a whole campsite (and one that cost a great deal more than 79 cents!). OK we'll make a trifle to accompany the Christmas pudding for Chistmas Day. Has anyone tried to make a trifle with fresh pineapple and jelly? In simple terms - it don't work. So amongst great hilarity, a lot of syphoning off of a gooey liquid, a trifle was created and very good it was too and as you can see in the picture it did look "normal" but for the gang of 6 the saga of the trifle will be with us for evermore.

Harry did go into the sea on Christmas morning and you'll have to take my word for it as the pictures look very similar to the ones that were taken last year. We had a very enjoyable Christmas day, lots of laughter, an abundance of good food and of course the odd glass of vino and as you can see some folk got dressed for the occasion.

We have had one overcast day when we retreated into the awning and caught up on some reading but in the main it has been wall to wall sunshine with very acceptable temperatures.

Today is the day before New Year's Eve and as I write this we are sitting (or in Harry's case) lying on the beach listening to the waves crashing on the shore, children nearby are playing in the sand and the cafe bars along the sea front are full of diners or those just enjoying a brandy with their coffee.

Who knows what the New Year will bring? Last year we had a new addition to the family - Lily, and a very welcome addition she is too. To all our grandchildren (in age order) Ben, Loren, Afie, Sophie, Louie and 9 month old Lily we wish you all a very Happy New Year. Those sentiments are also extended to the rest of the family and all our friends.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

So, that's it all over for another year. Harry and I chose to spend it 'quietly', having first gone out to dinner at a nearby restaurant. The following day was spent 'very quietly' but we were fighting fit to attend the camp invitation for drinks and tapas at the swimming pool on the 2nd January.

 Was it the sun, the Rioja or the madness of the moment? The water looked so inviting, so to our fellow campers amazement, Harry, our next door neighbour, Maria, and myself slipped away and arrived back suitably attired in our swimsuits and went for a swim. Needless to say, the water was very cold and 2 lengths of the pool was all that we could or wanted to manage. We did receive a great deal of applause and a coffee and brandy was waiting for of us when we climbed out (thank you Roy).

So until next week when we will try and amuse you with our mad antics.

Adios

Kath and Harry xxx