Roquetas de Mar (contd)

Friday 14th March 2014

As anyone reading this is probably aware, our British banks make a nice little earner, by charging a "handling fee" if you use your credit card or debit card to purchase goods or draw cash from an ATM outside of the UK. 

Quite by chance, while visiting Almeria, some days ago, I discovered, if you use a UK Santander debit card, to draw cash from a Santander Spain ATM, they do not apply the handling fee. This means that, at the time of writing 200Euro costs you £164, instead of £168, a saving of £4.00.

Kathleen, needs to draw more Euro's, she has eventually spent those she obtained the year before last. Being prudent (well, she may read this), and knowing of my discovery, she decides, she must find a Santander ATM.

Technology to the rescue, the UK Santander mobile phone App is smart enough to locate the nearest Santander ATM, in Spain,  for us. It is in Aguadulce, about two miles away.

So, in the interests of exercise, and, saving £4, we walk to Aguadulce.

The saving is then spent (plus a bit), and the exercise undone, on two very large gin and tonics.


Saturday 15th March 2014 

Kathleen has decided she needs her hair trimmed, I decline the pleasure of risking her wrath by making a mess of it, so, we go in search of a hairdresser. In El Parador, finding a hair dresser is not too much of a problem, there seems to be dozens of them, in one street alone, we find three! But, we must find a hair dresser, who can do the job, right now, and, who understands enough English to follow Kathleen's instructions.

Eventually, we find a young lady, willing to take the risk, for 15Euro, 45 minutes later, the job is done.

It is a beautiful day, after the Hair Dressing saga, we have lunch and cycle south along the coast for about six miles, past the Castillo Santa Anna, to an area which we have been led to believe is a "holiday village".

It is a bit bigger than a village, the beach extends for as far as you can see.

It is not that we come to the end of the promenade after six miles, we just feel we need some liquid refreshment.

For a mere 3.60Euro, we have two beers, and, unexpectedly, we are given two tapas, and fresh bread.

Don't know what the tapas were called, but, they are small pieces of pork, in a spicy sauce, with a few chips (or patatas fritas, I suppose I should say).

On the way back, we linger to explore the exterior of, the restored, Castillo Santa Ana, the inside of which we visited a few days ago.

Sunday 16th March 2014 

I was about to begin this entry with "Another lazy day...", but, then, I realised, EVERY day is a lazy day, so, I suppose, Sundays are Lazy Days Squared!

Spend the morning reading my book, inbetween numerous attempts to get through to Gary, Susana, Gabriel, on Skype, all with no luck.

Midday, take Kathleen to church, she risks riding on the back of the scooter again.

After church, it is off to the "Cabana Belge" in Aguadulce Marina.

We first of all drop the scooter off at the campsite, since we just may have a drink, with lunch.

Another superb lunch, with copious drinks, which lasts from 13:30 to 16:30, I really would recommend this place. As if, having an excellent meal was not enough, when the bill comes, Kathleen pays it, out of HER purse.

I am shocked into silence.

Monday 17th March 2014 

We spend the day washing clothes, washing the outside of the van, loading the scooter and bicycles onto the trailer, because, we will be leaving here tomorrow to head a couple of hundred miles north, just beyond Alicante.

In the course of washing the outside of the van, we get talking to an English couple, because, I borrow their ladders, so can climb on the van roof, to clean the skylights.

Like many people we have met, whilst travelling around in the campervan, they are an amazing pair. She is visibly in poor health, and can hardly walk, he, is 80 years old, and they are still driving around Europe in a campervan. I like their spirit.    

Roquetas de Mar (contd)

Tuesday 11th March 2014

We decide to having a restful day, sitting in the sun.

Part way through the day, one of our (few) English neighbours (John)  begins moving his caravan. I subsequently discover, he has sold the existing caravan to one of the site cleaners, and bought another from some other English chap, onsite.

Kathleen soon interrogates them and we learn, John and his wife are residents in Spain, they live inland, near Granada, and keep a caravan here, so they can pop to the coast if the fancy takes them.

Anyway, having nothing else to do, I lend a hand, and the "old" caravan is soon moved off John's pitch, and the "new" one positioned ready for him to begin erecting awnings etc etc.

Wednesday 12th March 2014

The plan is to cycle to the "holiday village", just south of the Fort de Santa Anna, but, there is a ferocious wind, and clouds which definately look like rain clouds, (although in the end, it does not rain). So, we cycle to the "Commercial Park", which is a sort of small Eldon Square. There are some very smart shops, but, no customers.

Thursday 13th March 2014 

The weather forecast says, it is going to be overcast, perhaps with rain today. Which I think was actually yesterday's weather, since it is actually warm and sunny when we emerge in the morning.

We cycle the three miles along the coast, to the Market on Avenue de Union Europa.

It is the usual collection of food stalls (dried fruit, spices, fruit and vegetables etc), plus stalls selling clothes, I splash out a total of 2Euro, for which I get six pairs of "sports" socks. I never understand the workings of these markets in various European countries, they have to travel to the venue, set out all of their products, then at the end pack them all away again and travel home. They appear to sell next to nothing, so, the hourly rate cannot possibly be worth the effort. But, they continue, so, maybe I am missing something.

At lunch time we cycle to the promenade at Roquetas de Mar, and head for a place called "Bar Aurora". It is staffed by Brits (and possibly owned by them for all I know). It is incredibly popular, people are hovering, ready to grab your seat as soon as you are ready to leave. The other bars / cafes along the promenade are almost empty. 

The attraction is the prices I think, for 8Euro, you get a bottle of wine (Red/White/Rose) and four portions of "tapas". The portions of tapas are enough to make a light lunch for two, the quality is quite good and the service is best described as "jolly" I would say.

It is true, the tapas are mostly "English" versions of the Spanish original, for example, Chilli-con-carne, eggs and chips and fish and chips are "tapas" I have not seen on a Spanish menu before, but, hey, what do you want for 8Euro?, and, they do have more Spanish choices, like Squid, Tuna, Prawns etc.

Roquetas de Mar (Contd)

Saturday 8th March 2014 


We explore Roquetas de Mar town, on foot, and discover, among other things, another church.

There is a service at 19:00, Kathleen resolves, she is going to go to church this evening, in Roquetas de Mar, on the back of the scooter.

Quite what has brought about this sudden change of heart, I have no idea, best not delve too deeply into the workings of a woman's mind.

So, 18:45, all kitted up, we are ready to go, it is only three miles away, so, plenty of time. For some reason, it would appear that the entire population of Roquetas, and the surrounding district have decided to go out in their car, this evening, the traffic is dreadful, we arrive, just in time.

By the time Kathleen emerges from church, it is dark of course, and, the church is in a one-way system, so, we cannot just retrace our steps. 

A couple of wrong turns, into cul-de-sacs, but, we make it back in one piece.

Sunday 9th March 2014 

A cycle ride to the restored fort of Santa Anna, just beyond the Marina at Roquetas de Mar.

The fort dates back to the Moorish period, and, has suffered several misfortunes over the centuries. Not least of which was an earthquake. I was not aware that Spain suffered earthquakes on a scale significant enough to demolish buildings?

An excellent restoration job has been done, the interior is now an art gallery, it is all free, worth a visit.

Suitably fortified with culture, we cycle the 8 miles back to Aguadulce Marina, to have our Sunday lunch at the restaurant we found last week. It is called "La Belga", and is owned and run by a Belgian.

It was so good last week, we decided to return. 

Last week, we had Chicken Breast (Kathleen), Chicken Kebab (me), both where excellent, but, I had noticed, the Fillet Steak also looked very good. 

It was my intention to have the steak this week, but, the waiter talked me into the special of the day, an excellent mixed grill. I will have to return for the steak, next Sunday.

This is Kathleen with her, after lunch, quadruple Cointreau, this after consuming a beer, and half a bottle of wine, drunk in charge of a bicycle again I suspect.

Monday 10th March 2014 

We decide to visit, Almeria (town), on the bus.

This of course means that Kathleen gets to see the coast road, before we attempt it on the Scooter. As I suspected, it is a thumbs down, Kathleen will not be travelling that road on the back of a scooter.

The "old quarter" of Almeria is very pleasant, the usual Cathederal, built on top of a Mosque, after the Moors were ejected, clearly in a period before reconciliation and peaceful co-existence was the fashion.

Whilst we have been away, we have been reading books set in the period of King Henry viii, clearly, Spain never had anyone to strip the churches of their finery, as this opulent display shows.
  

Also a very impressive fortress, dating back to the time of the Moors, no doubt much restored of course.

For some reason, which I cannot explain, the bus fare there, is 1.30Euro, each, but, comming back, on the same bus, with the same driver, it is 1.45Euro, each. I addition, the bus does not take the same route back, but, for some reason completely bypasses Aguadulce.

Fortunately, it does stop, where we need to be off.

Finally, a couple of oddities, this, what appears to be a rather fine building, is, in fact a canvas cover, painted to look like a building, the actual building is in the process of being restored, behind the canvas cover, rather smart, I thought.

and, a trifle out of place, I thought, a Victorian style railway station!

Roquetas de Mar (Contd)

Friday 7th April 2014


I suppose this will come as no surprise to the male of the species out there, but, women are a complete mystery.

We were in Lidl, yesterday, and Kathleen could not resist buying two "strappy tops", on the basis that, at 4.20Euro, for the pair, they were a "bargain". The fact that she has a zillion "strappy tops", and, that she does not like the colour of one of the pair purchased (thus effectively making the price of the one she does like 4.20Euro), has no bearing.

I am rambling, I am stressed.

Today is a day to dread.

Kathleen needs her hair dyeing, and, for some reason known only to her, she wants me to do it, rather than just do the sensible thing, and go to a hairdresser.

It is a big enough shock, to learn that Kathleen actually has grey hair, I mean, she is only a slip of a girl, or, that is what she tells me, but, to find that I am to be responsible for colouring it, is just too much.

The hair colour pack is opened, and I read the instructions carefully, Kathleen immediately gives me different instructions.

I offer her Gaffer tape (to tape her mouth up), this offer is declined.

The actual process goes remarkably well, and with hardly a cross word (well, I exaggerate, slightly). 

I do end up, not having used all of the colouring solution. Why do they not make the container clear, instead of opaque, so you can see how much is being used?

Kathleen disappears off to the shower to wash off the surplus colour, apply conditioner, etc.

I take the opportunity to disappear off, on my scooter, to Lidl, whilst the hair drying, straightening and inspection takes place.

I return to a great surprise, she is happy with the results!

Not perfect of course, but, I am awarded an NVQ level 1 in hair colouring, with a promise, that in six weeks time, if I improve, I will be in line for an NVQ level 2.

What praise, I am elated.

Roquetas de Mar (Contd)

Monday 3rd March 2014

Fortunately, Kathleen feels that her painful back is on the mend, so, we get the bicycles out and cycle along the coast to Roquetas de Mar Port.

There is a shortcut to the cycle track, from the rear of the campsite, and a then a cycle track which runs along the coast for the three or so miles to Roquetas de Mar.

Roquetas de Mar appears to be a sizeable resort, with lots of bars and eating places. Mondays are "non drinking days" according to Kathleen's new regime to prevent us from developing a drink problem, therefore we settle for apple pie and ice cream at a beach front cafe.

Tuesday 4th March 2014 

It would appear we were too optimistic regarding Kathleen's back, today, the problem has returned.

My first task is to go on the scooter to the Supermarket, and, while I am out, to find a Pharmacy and obtain some iBrufen. Mission accomplished, Kathleen is left reading her book and drugged up on iBrufen.

Since I have the (motorcycle) gear on, I decide to check out the route to Almeria, which is on our list of places to visit, when the back is recovered. 

The (N340) road is not too busy, which is what I report back, since the plan is to go to Almeria on the scooter. 

I do not mention that, for most of the way, the road is cut into the hillside and snakes along with a 20metre (or so) drop into the sea. 

After lunch, I take a ride inland on the N391, it turns out to be very spectacular road, I will have to try making a video of it. 

I report back that I have been on a ride  "up into the hills", too much information is not always a good idea.

We get chatting to one of our German neighbours, he has visited Newcastle (on business, installing packaging machines at Sterling Winthrop). His English is very good, this is because his father was an American soldier (ie he is a product of WW2), and he lived in America until he was 11. He also has some interesting information for Kathleen, he, knows an effective Physiotherapist (here in Roquetas de Mar) who can perhaps help with her back problem.

The two added attractions to Kathleen are:

• the Physiotherapist is cheap (17Euro per session)
• the Physiotherapist is a young man!

Wednesday 5th March 2014 

Kathleen decides she is not willing to part with even 17Euro, and, that the iBrufin are doing the trick.

Today is Ash Wednesday, and, although I am not a member, I go along with the "Fasting and Abstenance" thing. 

Usually, we Wednesday would be a "drinking day", but, since it is Ash Wednesday, Kathleen declared, Tuesday (yesterday) would be a "drinking day" this week, and not Wednesday, somehow, I don't think it is supposed to work like that, but, hey!, who am I to argue?

The back well enough to allow a four mile stroll along the promenade to AguaDulce, in the morning.

I have had an EMail from Josie (and Mack), who we met a couple of years back in France, Josie tells me that some friends of theirs are staying at a site just about three miles along the road (La Garoffa). 

So, in the afternoon, I take the scooter and set off to see if I can find them. 

All I have is the type of van they are driving, and their names, but, sure enough, I manage to locate them and spend half the afternoon chatting about this and that. 

I did not realise I was so sociable! 

Thursday 6th March 2014 

There is great activity around us the this morning.

One of the Germans, who we have christened "the friendly German", (which is a bit unfair, because they are all friendly, is leaving for home, having been here since September.

Additionally, the group of French speaking Swiss, parked next to us, have one of their van's all decorated in balloons, since it is one of the women's 66th birthday.

The back is declared well enough to risk a bicycle ride, so, we cycle to Lidl, about 3 miles away. To do a bit of essential shopping.

For some reason, Kathleen feels the need to treat me to a couple of bottles of Rioja. Not only do I get two bottles of wine, but, Kathleen inadvertently buys "the good stuff", at 4,25Euro a bottle! Well, I do deserve it, I suppose?

In the afternoon, we cycle along the promenade to Aguadulce, checking out an alternative church enroute.

The plan had been to celebrate the recovery of the back, with cocktails, but, none of the bars in the Marina area are serving cocktails, on a Thursday lunch time.

Instead we, (well, I, since I am paying) fall dead lucky, and find a bar which is doing two beers and two tapas for 4.40Euro.

   

Roquetas de Mar, Aguadulce

28th February 2014 

A little exploring, on foot, to get our bearings, and, vitally, find the nearest church, for Kathleen's Sunday devotions.

Today is clearly some form of Public Holiday, although I have no idea what it is in aid of. All of the shops are shut, and the church is surrounded by the beginnings of a party. 

They have a stage set up, with VERY loud music playing over the sound system. There are many young girls walking about dressed in traditional Spanish dresses, a bar is being set up, and a counter to cook and serve food.

Mission accomplished, Kathleen has her mass times, and, the whereabouts of the church, we return to the van.

Normal service is soon resumed.

After lunch, I again venture forth on the scooter, to find the elusive Commercial Centre, this time, armed with a little more knowledge, I find it successfully, (and the Lidl), but, being a Public Holiday, everything is closed.

The Campervan forums have had lots in them about the popularity of Spain this year, it does appear to be more busy than usual at this time of year,  the last site we were at was almost full, and, this one is similarly almost full.

Here it is mostly Germans, perhaps they have all come down here to keep an eye on all of the Euro's they have had to lend the Spanish Government, to prevent financial collapse.

But, there are also a lot more French than usual, the French normally do not venture out of France, it being the best country in the world, but, for some reason, there are lots and lots of them sunning themselves in Spain this year.

Speaking of the French. This evening, a couple of French men, both with Yamaha scooters, engaged me in conversation about our Yamaha xMax 250. The fact that I barely speak enough French to order a beer did not seem to deter them, and, before long we (ie myself and Kathleen) were merrily discussing such technicalities as Engine Size, Weight, how many helmets could be stored under the seat, amazing!

The evening ends with a brilliant sunset.


Saturday 1st March 2014 

After the promise of last nights sunset, "red sky at night, sailors delight" and all that, Saturday is a mighty disappointment, overcaste sky, occasional rain showers, and when it is not raining, a howling wind.

Except for a trip to Lidl, for essential supplies (Wine and Crisps), our activities are limited to Kathleen doing the good housewife thing, ie washing, tidying the van (all of the mess is Kathleen's anyway).

Sunday 2nd March 2014 

Brilliant sunshine, and a delightful 22C.

We spend most of the morning sitting in the sun, then walk the mile or so to El Parador, so Kathleen can attend church.

During the church, I have a wander, as usual, there is some excitement.

There is a cycle race on, the Police close the road and a hoard of Police on motorcycles, followed by numerous cars emblazoned with well known cycle products name (Shimano, etc) whizz past, then a group of cyclists, then more Police on motor cycles.

The original plan, is to eat lunch in El Parador, this would appear to be not possible, there are no restaurants open, just snack bars.

Kathleen decides that her back has recovered enough to risk a cycle ride, so, we return to the van, collect the bicycles and cycle along the coast towards a place called Aguadulce (which translates as fresh water or sweet water, I think), this is about 3 miles away.

According to the internet, Aguadulce was one of the very first Spanish holiday resorts, way back in the 1960's, but, I must admit, I have never heard of it.

It is, very pleasant, some parts of the promenade are not yet finished, but, if they have only been building it since 1960, I suppose that is forgivable.

There is the obligatory marina, with lots of very expensive boats tied up, and, more importantly, a range of restaurants, where we manage to obtain a very pleasant lunch. 

  

La Buganvila, Marbella

Sunday 23rd February 2014 

It being Sunday, we are off to Marbella on the bus, and Kathleen goes to church, followed by a pleasant lunch overlooking the beach.

Waiting at the bus stop, on our way back to the campsite, Kathleen gets chatting to another woman, waiting for the bus. It turns out she too originates from Jarrow. It is almost like a normal family Sunday as a list of potential mutual friends and/or relations  are named, to no avail of course. I tell a lie, there is one "hit" an aunt of the fellow passenger worked as Matron at South Tyneside Hospital, and was known to Kathleen from her nursing days.. 

Monday 24th February 2014 

Rain overnight, but by morning, we are back to blue skies.

We are running out of food, and, more importantly, we are running out of wine, so, a trip to the supermarket is needed.

Kathleen has hurt her back, she claims, it is through washing clothes, I think it is through lying on the ground sunbathing.

While Kathleen takes it easy, I am free to ride about on the motor scooter, a bit of gentle cruising around Puerta Banus.

Tuesday 25th February - Thursday 27th February 2014.

I feel I have been a bit tame with my blog writing, not sure what it is. Kathleen says I am spending too much time reading the newspaper, perhaps she is right, she usually is, so she tells me.

We leave La Buganvilla on Thursday, and head for Almeria, which is about 200 miles along the coast, more or less North.

The old N340 has been dramatically improved, now, a lot of it has been replaced or upgraded to be the A7, mostly dual carriageway. 

It is a little disconcerting however, to every so often come across a section which the satnav thinks is finished, but, which in fact has come to a grinding halt due to Spain's financial woes. The satnav keeps telling us to "join the motorway", when all that is there is a stretch of unfinished carriageway, and a few abandoned earth moving machines.

There are still some pretty impressive sections or road, curving along the coast, with almost sheer drops into the sea, But, you could not really call the area north of Malaga "scenic". The hills which border the coast are composed of some kind of rock, which looks just like a "pit heap".   

Not only that, but sadly much of the countryside is marred by miles and miles of Polythene "greenhouses". No doubt they are very profitable, but, they do not look very attractive.

We arrive at Roquetas de Mar (N36 47'51" W2 35'28"), another ACSI site. A bit bigger than we would normally choose, but, it seems to be well cared for.

One bonus, it well off the A7, and, there appear to be lots of smaller and (hopefully) quieter roads, which may allow me to coax Kathleen onto the back of the scooter.

Went out for a scout around this evening (by myself) on the scooter, discovered the small quiet roads are almost totally lacking in sign posts, I thought I was going to run out of petrol before I found my way back to the campsite!