Not much fun today, domestic chores, and, a short walk along the coast.
Sunday, March 15th 2015
It is mothers day in the UK.
I have collected the Mothers Day Cards, from Reception, as they arrived, and handed them over this morning.
Treated Kathleen to the mother's day lunch, she will have to wait until we get home to have the real thing with her dear daughters.
Monday. March 16th 2015
Our neighbours, Harry and Sue are due to leave for home this morning, but, disaster strikes, they are packed and ready to go, then, their van will not start!
Eventually with the help of several people, the fault is found, a jump start gets the engine going, and they are off, two hours behind schedule.
We have time for a short walk, only three miles, before, we go to what we have learned is called a "sod off party".
This it would appear is the "done thing" among the long stay fraternity.
This afternoons event is to see off, two other campers, we have come to regard as friends, John and Carol.
They are leaving tomorrow, not for home, but, to go further south to Cartegena, having been here since January 6th!
It is a very pleasant afternoon, plenty of wine (red white and rose), nibbles and good chat.
There are some amazing people here,
We are last to leave!
Tuesday, 17th March 2015
It seems like ages since we went cycling, so, we don our recently purchased Lidl cycling gear for a 16 mile outing along the coast.
This is Kathleen at the end of the 16 mile ride.
I know it is not polite to say a ladies age, let us just say, not bad for someone who was born in 1947!
Our German neighbours (Anna-Lauren and Willy) are leaving on Monday next, they have a mountain of gear, including an 1150cc BMW motorcycle, with them.
They have started to pack, we helped them load the BMW motorcycle into their trailer, not an easy task!
Their campervan (or Reisemobile) is a Mercedes Sprinter base, and we learn, while in the UK, the drivers of the Transit vans tearing along our roads are referred to as "white van man", in Germany, the equivalent expression is "Sprinter man".
Wednesday, 18th March 2015
Dull, overcaste, and, eventually by lunch time rain!
A short period of almost brightness allows us a walk out.
We follow a route suggested by one of the "long stay" neighbours, Fred, who has been here since October.
A 4 mile walk, which takes us through the orange groves and past the cemetery (very cheering!) and eventually into Benicassim.
Thursday, 19th March 2015
Oh dear, heavy overnight rain, then, this morning cloudy and windy!
It takes more than a bit of bad weather to keep us in however, we manage another 4.3 miles, walking neighbour, Fred's, second route through the orange groves.
We discover, by chance, today, appears to be a public holiday here in Benicassim.
It is St Joseph's day, and, Spanish Fathers Day, not sure if that is the reason for the holiday, but, Kathleen treats me to chocolate cake and coffee.
Friday, 20th March 2015
Today, there is supposed to be a partial solar eclipse over most of northern Europe, including Spain.
It will make no difference to us, there is thick cloud and pouring rain, the first daytime rain we have had in about two months.
I doubt there will be any walking or cycling today, we even cancelled our planned lunch time outing to the Chinese Restaurant, because is pouring with rain. We had fried egg sandwiches in the van, instead.
Another set of neighbours depart today, Bernie and Jackie, are off, heading home.
Jackie and Kathleen have been comparing notes on knitting.
Kathleen has been amusing herself (also known as being obsessed with) knitting tea-cosies.
So far, seven have been completed, two have been given to good homes, two are "promised" to good homes, so, there are currently four strays.
Jackie has promised a pattern to make knitted Nativity Scenes, so, what this space on our next trip.
The third Mothers Day card arrived today.
So, it would appear, the Spanish postal system has black holes, where mail languishes, just like our own Royal Mail.
Either that, or, Phillippa delayed posting Claire's card, to make herself look good.