Last night was well summed up by the song title “Oh What a Night” ( for those of you that are as old as dads and can remember it ). We have arrived in our new site for a couple of days, Kiko Park Camping in Oliva – Costa del Azahar. Firstly, Oliva has the national obsession – building – here roads, the ones in town. Our navigator got hoarse telling us to take this turn and that turn, but all to no avail, the road was either too narrow or closed “due to road works”. We went up the main street, down the main street, up again, then took a turn holding our breath. Another turn and it was no better, the parked cars blocking already narrow lanes due to the road works, which cover the whole town. Then it looked like a dead end with a barrier, but on closer inspection you went diagonally across a car park and back onto the road. Alan was getting “very” hot under the collar, every turn was closed or inaccessible in Priscilla, so at the last sign which said no entry over 3.5 tonne, we entered and be dammed. The 2km had taken about 30 mins but we ended up here. Nice site very busy, we had a choice of about six pitches to choose from. Sorted in the end then more stress, the site has electricity at the end of each row only, that’s 6 pitches, so luckily we have two long cables (one lady had to go and buy one from the shop to hook up – nice business!) Problem you have to run the cable along the fence, but all the long term campers have built there caravans, motorhomes and tents right up to them so you cannot get to run the cable. By this time Alan’s lost it saying we should go to the next site about 6 km up road, but they continue and get it done. THEN Guy goes to reception to ask for Internet access – yes its up and running but they have no passes until tomorrow – Alan is now in low orbit, the venom dripping from his lips! (Not a pretty picture I know) I am not sure where it’s safe to become invisible, as something is going to burst. A period of quite, bubbles get poured and we all settle a little. Alan has decided there is a very nice looking restaurant on site, and it comes with glowing recommendations from the main site office staff, and the girl in the reception office. Main office says its opens at 7pm and has A-la-carte and daily menu. Reception says it opens at 7.30. So plenty of nibbles, bubbles, olives, white wine that gets put back cus they say it’s undrinkable! (must be bad for them to say that !) Then I get put to bed early, and they go off 7.20pm (lets split the time difference was the last words I heard) I got to thinking about my girlfriend Connie back at the last site, so went into a sulk!
I needed an air raid shelter at 9pm when they returned, they we both in HIGH orbit. I tried butting my paws over my ears (there big and cover well) no use, I had to listen. Apparently when they got to the restaurant, lights on doors open but not a soul around. They went in, sat at the bar, and waited. Five mins or so later a girl appeared behind the bar, Yes we are open, yes reluctantly I will get you a drink, and even more reluctantly get you a menu, and NO we do not do a daily menu only al-a-carte. No problem it looked nice food.
I needed an air raid shelter at 9pm when they returned, they we both in HIGH orbit. I tried butting my paws over my ears (there big and cover well) no use, I had to listen. Apparently when they got to the restaurant, lights on doors open but not a soul around. They went in, sat at the bar, and waited. Five mins or so later a girl appeared behind the bar, Yes we are open, yes reluctantly I will get you a drink, and even more reluctantly get you a menu, and NO we do not do a daily menu only al-a-carte. No problem it looked nice food.
Alan had decided to have a Duck breast with fig sauce and other yummy things, Guy was going to have beef fillet with foie gras (and I don’t get a look at this back in Priscilla - friends or what ?). No body seamed to want to take the order so Guy attracted the waiter. Sorry we don’t open until “about” 8.10pm. (can you imagine the picture – are you there ?) They keep sipping their drinks, apparently the anger frothing, particularly as all the staff were out back, - having their dinner cooked by chief, who joined them. They could not get anymore drink or pay for what they had had. I was so glad I had stayed at home!. Finally apparently the waiter had head a bit of the chuntering (8.15pm now) and asked what they would like – Not a good move – basically with the expletives removed it was we have the bill for the drink and take our ar*** somewhere else. The meal would have cost about €80 and they were the only customers, Off round the corner there’s a little local bar/ restaurant. Just there barrel, a group playing cards around one table, a couple at another and everyone smoking (yes we are all in the EU, with its ban!) Spag-bol and lamb cutlets, couple glasses wine. 10 mins later spag-bol arrives approximately 6 grains of meat. The cutlets were as inedible as the wine earlier BUT the fries were great.
NOW can you put yourself in my paws, all this in one afternoon/evening !!. They both wanted to take heads off, as the Gin bottle top was removed, and the anaesthetic slowly administered. It slowly got quieter, with only the odd “were do they find ***** rubbish like this to put on TV – every night “ It got close to having a go at each other, but realised it was daft as everything was of other peoples doing (or not as the case may be!)
Oh what a night.
To day the sun is out, I’ve been a walk along the beach (NO dog signs, EU -so who gives one – we are all down here on the sand, mates everywhere). Breakfast and beers at the beach bar at lunch (only customers!) . All the plans have been made for the next section of our adventure, and dad called UK and changed our return date, the UK will have our presence on the 12 March, (we are all looking forward to it – I don’t think)
No restaurant booking tonight – it’s Odlins sirloin steak out of the freezer from Lincolnshire, barbi built, and there lots of red and green peppers to go on as well (leave it off my plate )
Its going to be a much better night
Distance today : 265 km
Total do date : 3466 km
Tolls : € 16.00
Best diesel price: € 1.10Lt
LPG € lt
