I think I’ve been tango’d

I’m having a colourful day, well an orange day, ever wondered were all those oranges you get in the supermarket, and in all those bottles and boxes of orange juice?
Well I drove through them today, hundreds and hundreds of square km of the. The humans were trying a brain training exercise, in how many billions of them there must be, as my brain needs no training I just looked at the scenery. It was glorious, and the sun shone and shone with that wonderful Mediterranean blue sky, all is well on our adventure NOW!

We had left Kiko Park (another Cocoon set !) allowing at least another visitor as it was full,(170+ pitches) and are heading for Benicassim and Bonterra Park. One slight mishap, a missed turn (sharp – last minute) and guess what? It was the last turn for 8km, but only a little sigh as we finally turn around and do another 8km (well the sun’s shining why would we be bothered.

It’s a lovely small town on the, Costa…. Dad being nostalgic said it was how it used to be. There are even some of the original villas on the sea front (many derelict) but such traditional design. Smiles on their faces as we drive past 2 supermarkets (Lidl one) right next to the site.

Well this is Cocoon capital. We just managed to get a pitch (over 200 pitches) and there is every thing you might need ! This included a weekly programme, with such events as Bingo in the Restaurant. Line dancing with Kathleen in the party room. Caribbean and salsa dancing in the social room. Spanish lessons for the beginner or advanced and if that don’t get you going how about Yoga for everyone or an evening of card games !!

Then why not book a table (or bench) in the restaurant for special set meals, Sunday “Roast beef” and Yorkshire pud. They also do full English every morning for €4.30. Take-a-way Fish and Chips, or a Pizza. Everything is crisp , bright and clean. The site is maintained perfectly, and the staff are very friendly, BUT.
I have a feeling this it NOT my humans cup of tea.

There is a street party, chairs, tables, food probably jelly, no party hats, but lots of laughter.

Then there is the fact that the site is NEARLY dog friendly. Even though there are no end of us here. You can only have one, and if it does its “business” anywhere on site its expulsion without trial, the laminated notices tied to every tree says so. As you will see in the pictures there was a dog urinal (one only!) a tree stump in a concrete fenced area, with drain. Now I am all sure you know the give a specimen at the doctors syndrome – well say no more. Then there was the stainless steel “vats” 3 ft deep - signed as dog showers. They did have hot water and a fur drier on each (4 such “conveniences on site!). The regime was open the van door, and do a 4 minute mile to the gates of the site, gasp then you can pee, and continue your walk along the street to a special perro walk, where we all meet up, pity they did not use fine gravel instead of boulders, but hey a private walk just for us, thanks- council of Benicassim.
No I am not going to give a sample !

Our pitch is in the “green zone”, that means right at the back of site under the trees. Dad spent about an hour trying to force the satellite system to do something, but trees win, it’s a DVD night tonight.
Now if you think your getting me in the "vat" and using the blow dryer you ARE MISTAKEN !!

They do a supermarket run (not sure they run through, how long they had gone – thought they may have had pressganged into line dancing with Kathleen or worse Yoga. ) and its time for my promenade, down to the platja which was very quiet out of season, but suited us all – still plenty of sniffs. Back for a lovely dinner, and our evening unwind. But first my end of day walk, and they try to see if they can use their first FON wifi spot. They even get Tom Tom in on the act, programming him for a “walk” to destination. Well this was the best laugh all day, it looked like something I saw on telly one “water divining”. Walking up and down the stated street looking for networks available, No one trusted Tom Tom, so I ended up with quite a long slow walk, and they ended up saying that FON was a good idea but it did not work, cus the network owners had it turned off, were out, or had left the country, anyway NO network tonight.
Even I cannot get under this bridge so no chance of precsilla will not lose its top !!

Micheal Palin on DVD all about Cuba (Val can you remember it !), then it’s a bit of Shakespeare – with Shakespeare in love Don’t know when it ended cus I had had enough.




Distance today : 185 km
Total do date : 3651 km
Tolls : € 9.00
Best diesel price: € 1.10Lt
LPG € lt

Oh what a night !

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.

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

A missed goodbye

It was a busy morning at Camping Los Delfines. I got my walk on the beach and around the headland. When I got back I tried to see if Connie was around, but not yet.

Breakfast as usual about 10 -10.30am, lots of packing away.

I got time to read my downloaded emails, and it was good to hear from you my friends out there. I had one message from my best mate Emma, who was my neighbour in London, but know lives with her humans in Cambridge. I don’t get many chances to catch up with her, although there have been a few parties over the month before we came away, where we sniffed and played together. She sent me a pick of her in new coat so she can spend time in the garden, during the cold winter. Emma, you should get your dads to get you over here in the Mediterranean, you would not need a coat here even with you short fur (very sexy), I include her pic, so you can see how nice she is.

Thanks to Rose for dropping me a note, it had an attachment showing what looks like an alien doing something to a computer (dad said it was a dog but I don’t think so, and if it is its not on my Christmas card list!) Imagine how I could do the job, 50inch television no problem in two to three slurps! If you want to see what we are talking about take a look http://cache.valleywag.com/assets/resources/screenclean.swf
Thanks Rose, hope your plans and work are going well.

Robert + Geoff also sent me information of something called an earthquake, that hit our area of Lincolnshire, dads did send a message to our neighbour Debbie asking is the earth had moved for last night (not sure what they were getting at !) I’ve, know been educated on seismology, and the fact that Lincoln Cathedral had spires until an earthquake thingy shook them and they had to be removed hundreds of years ago – how brainy am I?). We will be meeting up with these friends at their home in France next week.

Alan had finished his work on an email for his sister re Villa. The car was being picked up at 11am so they went down to the entrance to sort that out, and only Alan returned to get the show on the road, Guy was in a queue at reception to settle our account. Me and Alan said goodbye to our very nice neighbours Pat & David, who live full time here, (dads had been saying we should be doing the same by now – lets see what the future brings!)

Guy missed out on saying goodbye and thanking them for looking out for Priscilla while we were away, so he asked me to add his thanks and plug a movie clip into my blog so he can say goodbye. I am always obliging so here it is…

Off to join the road Tom Tom knows nothing of, AP-7 Mazzaron to Cartegena, he had a headache re-calculating every 30 secs, and issuing gibberish commands, which we are all laughing at, better entertainment cannot be found!

No traffic, just the open road and the misty sun. We drove through some spectacular scenery, with volcanic mountains and valleys passing us by, Alan had wanted to re-visit Le Manga, but it was decided to get some km’s under the tyres, and move a bit further north. So we went up past Mar Menor, onto the Costa Blanca. Then Alan saw Benidorm for the first time in 30 years, I think best described as “gob smacked”, the only intelligible comment was thank god we are not going there, and we all agreed. He worked in the travel business for 25 years, and remembers many areas of the world –before – the tourists spoilt it! (hate to say he’s one now ).

The coastal scenery on this part of the journey was even spectacular, with the mountains coming down to the sea, and all the town and villages built into them. However I was beginning to want the end, 260 km is the normal max, and I was getting to be in need of a natural break, and uncross my legs (that’s the problem with motorways in Spain there are no Aires or pull-up points).

It cannot be far now!

Terra Firma – Bliss

We have arrived at Alan’s sisters Villa outside of Mercia, and although the journey was not as comfortable for me in a Renault Clio as Priscilla, I am running in a happy mood, cus I have SPACE. Space everywhere, in the garden round the pool, under the terrace, and inside too. I cannot wait for bedtime, so I can sleep stretched out like at home, I do take up quite a bit of floor space. Not that I am complaining, the sacrifice of space is OK to be on my European travels.

We are in a very quite rural residential area, a bit like our Lincolnshire village, except they still have the building craze here. Although there more than the average number of existing re-sell houses available they are still building like its going out of fashion. Dads are very pessimistic about the Spanish house market, they just keep saying “they just cannot keep building – there’s not this much a market” I suppose humans get hung up on this type of thin, me, can they afford my treats is as much as I get into financials.

I have been re-reading my blog over the last few days, and I think I must be breathing in the fumes from their “evening drinks”. I have missed out lots of pictures relating to the day, (I think I gave the right info, but they have been doing the “admin” for me, and I think its them that are having keyboard difficulties). So I have instructed them to add the missing pictures to this blog, and put some relevant descriptions with them. Lets see if they can cope!

The views from the villa are great. The area is in an area between the mountains, and apart from the odd crane and building works, its very nice, and well less than an hour to the coast. They say we will probably not get time to see Murcia, but will look locally around Fortuna on our way back to the coast.

But for now we are sitting by the pool, I have had my evening chew, they have the remains of the red bottle ( I have seen the white bottle in the kitchen for later !). Its cooling but still nice, I like being outside socialising, just one irritant, the dogs that continually bark (especially the one the size of rats ), when we went our walk this afternoon, it’s like walking through a dog pound, at feeding time ! and I’m just out for a quite walk with dads.
For the Newton family - Do you remember this place ?

Spain - It rains in more than the plains

Its 14 hours of rain over a Sunday, they have been likening it to a wet day at the seaside in UK, just no slot machines and chip shops.
The National Park from a fews days ago (one of the pics I forgot) Realy interesting park hey?

A day to do nothing cus you cannot be bothered, so we listened and watched the rain through the night and up to about 3pm. Both were doing computer games, Guy on hi s Nintendo, doing brain training, while Alan was pin balling on the PC. I needed to put my paws in my ears, with the irritating noises the things were making, like a game arcade at the seaside. Then they got silly, and decided they would do a dress up kids game with me, so I got my picture taken with my ears standing upright, and then my fur rubbed the wrong way, - little ting please little minds, so I just let them – play. It had stopped raining and by 4,30 it was just light cloud, so we went a walk, and we all felt better. There was a rush because everybody thought the same, so there were so many mates out with their humans; I got dizzy trying to make sure I spoke to all of hem. There is a nice little number called Connie, I think she’s German, lives in a motorhome the size of an articulated lorry. She is just two vans away and keep pooping out and staring at me, she’s the same colours as me but quarter size, if it get serious you will be the first to know.
This is the missed pic that sent shivvers down my back, thought the would have to try it !!

The beach is just on the opposite side of the road, so it’s the nicest walk. The side of the site is a tomato farm, and Alan filled his pockets when we went round there – no shame in some people!. Salad for dinner then !
What else do you do on a wet afternoon ?

What a difference a day makes. Today it’s just blue sky and sun, and no wind. Everybody is feeling good. We have all be chatting to the neighbours, most of them are English and live here most of the year. They give us lots of info about the area, and I get fussed and even a chew, nice people. Dads are a bit jealous, these people have a great lifestyle, here in the sun away from those UK issues, the feel is they have done it and we have not, well no use feeling negative, the sun is shining and we enjoy it.

They booked a car, a Cleo, so I feel an intimate close fitting couple of days for me in the back, but it does have aircon, so I’ll not get over heated. We are going to leave Priscilla here, it only €16 a night, and they decided it would be cheaper and easier the take a car to Alan’s sisters villa near Fortuna. Having the car enabled them to get into town this morning to update my blog at an internet café, pick up bread, and I did spot a bottle of wine, so a normal shop for them. They did try to use a FON location, but having driven 4km, it was not working, they said it looked like the house was shut up for winter, so the first one they tried failed – not looking good.
Lets dress up and be daft !

They have told me I cannot have any bread today, I have a bit of an upset tummy, and I have had the indignity of the syringe with kaolin down my throat. I don’t thick a bad upset, so will make up for lost food tomorrow.
Just across the road is the beach - Nice walking !

Now here’s the latest chuckle, Guy was on the campsite software planning the next few stops after we get back from Fortuna. He was on the third when he spotted the description of facilities. No dogs allowed that are on the dangerous dogs list, and no dog over 15kg. He thought we should just turn up as it’s a nice site. NOW they may be able to breath in and pretend they have a six pack and trim waist – but I would need a mirror from a house of fun to slim me to get in, I am over 50kg, so just need to shed 35kgs in 5 days, as much chance as them getting in 30inch jeans by the same date, my view, a no brainer, lets move to a welcoming site.
The reason no traffic Tom Tom does not know about it !!

We have just finished a barbi ( me no bread ) and the neighbours are having a great time, shutting up, with the mozzi killer plugged in, as there appears to be substantial livestock flying around inside. Lets see what tomorrow brings


Pictures later


Distance today : 161 km
Total do date : 3201 km
Tolls : € .80
Best diesel price: € Lt
LPG € lt

A diplomatic incident “ le rosbeef” v “l’escargot”

It had been a pleasant enough few days in camping Don Cactus, lots of furry mates and plenty of beach all to me. The morning started in a relaxed enough way, everything started to be packed away and when the electric wire was coiled up, I took my place at the helm ready for the next part of our adventure.

Dad started Priscilla and we started our way round the campsite to head to the service point. For you novices that is where we fill up with fresh water and jettison our “grey” water (from the shower and sink). In this case it was also a car wash, and the dads had bought a token to give Priscilla a quick jet wash as well.

This may come as a shock, to those who know my dads,but they saw the adult exercise area and said they were going to have a few days using the equipment, pics shown here. Well I could have been knocked over with a feather, I am sure I am not alone. Well rest in peace, apart from taking the pictures for me, thats as far as they got. If any of you were expecting the return of two six pack, sun toned dads, forget it. They will be a little tanned but, thats it....

The threat was to use these .... but I knew better

We had to exit the camp and re-enter, only to find a crafty Frenchman had sneaked up the one way system the wrong way to beat us to it, and then a Spanish van had just arrived and was waiting in front. We waited and waited. The French gentleman then started to clean his motorhome by hand (sans jetwash), climbing on the roof etc.(understand I have nothing against the French as one of my best mates Val is from France). Anyway, the camp manager came over and pointed out that people were waiting and that he should hurry and move on. He moved out of the bay the wrong way to allow the Spanish man in, then when he had been in, he reversed back in to start washing all over again.
The little monkey was trying to eat his lunch

The star crossed lovers

The dads (as you can imagine) were losing it at this point. Then the man’s wife arrived and turned the water tap off. Then he turned it on again and started washing the van all over again. I think dads were going to go and hit him, he had let in the Spanish visitor to fill up with water, but our GB plate was a NO NO.. They approached the manager who once again told the man he was monopolising the facility, but No! He was the French “resistance”. Half an hour later we managed to get our turn and move on. And guess who was blocking our way at the exit, while he paid for his visit at reception…..you guessed it. Lucky dad did not swipe the side of his van as we went passed. I think they were really good, but then they like everybody, until they take the pi**, it’s the sad bast***s that test you.

Our journey from Don Cactus, was as usual varied. First there was smiles as they said the scenery was like the Amalfi Drive in Italy. The rugged coast, winding hillside road, and blue sea. So its was going to be a pleasant trip. But no, the next bit was as they described probably some of the worst landscape they had seen in Europe. Humans do require lots of food stuff, and fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, melons, and courgettes are in demand. However to produce this vast crop, humans have changed the landscape, and been allowed to destroy vast areas of the national park. Shiny plastic sheeting for hundreds and hundreds of square miles making well ventilated “greenhouses” with out the glass. So for over 100km the scenery was just horticultural sheds.
As far as the eye can see, ragged material cover the land

And our next site was to be in the National Park of Cabo de Gata- Nijar, sounded quite nice. Camping Cabo de Gata, was , as all we spoke too, a bit expensive for what was on offer. €29.50 (after discount). Signs saying only allowed 10lts of drinking water, a plain swimming pool, basic restaurant, and only cold water at the dish and clothes washing areas. The WIFI was in a tiny room like a radio room (our neighbour Lynne has one of those) but there was a very good supermarket. My blood ran cold when I saw there was a shower specially for us dogs (see picture) I was sure they would want to use all facilities to get their monies worth. Luckily I have been keeping my fur clean, (Beaches and clean walks – no muddy fields) so I got out without having to endure the embarrassment of soap and soggy fur.

Then a surprise, the Belgium couple dads had been helping in Granada, were parked two bays up. They had spotted us and were waving madly as we parked up. The steps that they had gaffa taped up, had been damaged. The Site owner had recommended a garage, and they knew a man who could help after siesta. He did completely repairing the steps, and only charged €20 for nearly 2 hours work……now try to get that in UK.
They were really happy to see us, and especially after it transpired their TV sound had not worked since they left Belgium. They asked if we knew anything about satellite TV. This time Guy said he would take a look, and 5 mins later there were big smiles they had sound on their TV. A large glass of pastiche was given as reward, and we all sat round and chatted.

Two more units parked up next to us both from UK. They were also surprised about the area. They had hoped to spend time riding their bikes through the tree of the national park. The park is just gorse and scrubland. Some pretty wild flowers in sparkling colours down to the sea, but not very inspiring landscape. Particularly as there was large areas of dumped rubbish and piles of dumped rubble – a National park !! But now the large covered plant sheds contained tomatoes. And Alan said they were his very favourite ones that are large and have to be eaten green and are only available in UK in spring. But here the ones that were already red were dumped, and there were skips full of them. Alan was a bit excited that there was a lot of sandfire everywhere, (more of the five a day boll**** ) but very trendy he says in restaurants and very tasty when you can get it (so that means Waitrose or Lidl don’t do it !)

Add that the weather is a bit cloudy, and you see why they decided we would only do the one night. So were off, and have to get out of this corner of Spain. Our electronic navigator tried to excite us, but a quick smack and his mute button pressed, we got out of a not pretty area. Back on the A7, we headed north, through the plundered landscape. Suddenly it changed, we were at Sierra Cabrera, and it turned into beautiful rugged little mountains and tiny villages nestling into them. Alan was hoping we might view Mojacar, which he visited as a new resort some 30 years ago when a company called Horizon Holidays started to use it and invited him to take a look. We were on the main road to did not get chance, he did say “never look back” it will never be the same, I think I understand.

Next the navigator whose voice had been restored, told us to take the AP-7 (toll road), well what a change. I had been suffering from my bits being bounced again, but then it was if we had taken to the air. A brand new road, and we were the only people who knew about it, miles upon miles of open road, and not a bump in it, bliss.

Then to a beautiful bay, Golfa de Mazarron. and to the resort of Isla Plana Playa. BIG BIG problem, I mean BIG. They had got all the details from the ACSI software they have on the PC. Apparently on every site it gives all the details of everything about the site. All the others had said 1 or more dogs welcome. They had not noticed it did not have this line. It does not say dogs not welcome, until you get to the gates, where there are huge signs of a dog with a line through – I AM NOT WELCOME – well they will never have had the pleasure. We turned round and went back about 2km to what they thought was the other shown on the ASCI programme. It wasn’t, it was Camping Los Delfines right opposite the beach. They had space so we are here, but, friends, you will not get this posting just yet. It is the only site with NO wifi or internet. The plus is there are lots of mates and dads are not challenged with to many translations cus most of the site is UK plates.

They are now talking of renting a car and leaving Priscilla here while we go to visit Alan sister’s villa in Murcia. You will have an update, when I get my paws back on the keyboard, and they find am entry into the internet, to upload, my work (you will probably get it all in one go – the pain of the literary gifted, that’s my burden, but I have to keep on for my devoted readers

Anybody out there?


More entente cordiale tomorrow !


Distance today : 165 km
Total do date : 3040 km
Tolls : € 5.80
Best diesel price: € Lt
LPG € lt

Houston, we have a problem!

Been recuperating in Motril a couple of days now. The day we left Alhambra was somewhat fraught. Somehow, somebody hit the “excitement” button on Tom Tom. A quick journey to the Supermarket 3 kilometres away turned into a white knuckle ride, ending with us lost in the middle of Granada, with Tom Tom insisting we make a course correction down some tiny side streets, which if you were on a bicycle, would have had the skin off both legs simultaneously, as the gap between parked cars on both sides (one side on the pavement) was nonexistent.

Yours truly, resting on the bed, waiting for attention.

Dad at the other end, doing his DS-Brain Training (I dont need it !)

One of the things up for discussion, has been the varying price (and availability) of wifi, as we have been around. Last year some of you may remember us saying that the Italians had all gone for it, most sites having installed masts, only to be told by the Government that they could not turn them on. They said it would be a problem with “data protection and freedom of info” so no public wifi. This year France was as last year, sites advertising it but when you get there “there’s a problem” so no or very limited service. Charges have been between €6 hour to €10 day, or best free !

I thought apart from me doing my blog, there would be little use of this type of service. How wrong I appear to be. One step back though. When we arrived at Don Cactus (who thinks up these names?) they were told the wifi over the site was not working properly, but there was “”free” access from the main building. So they have been going off at regular intervals, with laptop under arms, supposedly updating my work of the day. I have been puzzled that they seem happy to have to go to the main building and not sit in Priscilla doing the “net”. Then it slipped out, the wifi is available in the BAR……and they serve drinks with free tapas , in what they now call “mission control”.

When they went this morning, there were many of the international cast of “Cocoon” sitting around the tables, laptops open, all with headsets with mics attached. All were, or trying to, make Skype telephone calls. Dads were apparently giggling, because they could hear the constant “hello can you hear me” in a variety of languages. The problem Alan said (computer wizz kid!!) was so many trying to make calls at the same time, not enough bandwidth for calls that use a lot, so the calls fail as more and more are placed.( I am glad I don’t have to understand all this mumbo jumbo) They thought a ticket system like the deli at Sainsbury, with its “No 323” time to call, would help !! But it does show what a demand for wifi has become, me blogging and the rest of the site making calls to outer space !

Got a long walk in yesterday before the heat of the afternoon (time to go green – 26deg with a pure blue sky, and gentle breeze), and 16deg all last night. Went to the village at the end of the beach, only to find it was a ghost town. They said it was mostly holiday homes, but a very nice place. All along the beach road, and as far as the eye can see are fields completed tented with fine plastic fabric gauze/mesh. We did a bit of peering in to see what went on under the covers. Huge plants 2m tall, then we could see the little flowers then the …Cucumbers. We are on holiday in cucumber land !
The cucumber fields under cover

Cucumber terraces well up into the hills

We are also reminded that we are in the land of perpetual building. Our navigator was insistant, again, we take a road that has not been finished (n fact built) yet. And the main building has builders and painters at work, and the entrance has been dug up to lay pipes. I think we had to pay extra to have both building and road construction as part of the service provided !
The motorway our navigator said we sould be on !

Just visable the missing piece of road, he did not know about (but we did !)

I will finish with a sad (although slightly funny) facility they have on site. A children’s zoo, which has a monkey, a white rabbit and a wallaby (or it’s a dwarf Kangaroo) and an aviary. The small monkey is in his own medium cage, with real tree inside. But he just goes round and round and round his cage all day. I did see him in his tree once yesterday, but then down again going round. Maybe when the kids are here in the summer he get attention. The smile is the rabbit is in love with the wallaby (even if it is 10 times his size) and the wallaby don’t like it. Every time he lays down the rabbit jumps on him for sex. And while he’s trying to eat, the rabbit is nuzzling his face and he gets mad. But then if your on your own you take friendship where you can maybe the sex is pushing it ! What some animals have to put up with in their short life !

Today is Thursday and its going to be another near the pool, and taking in the rays, there are a lot of new dogs arrived so will have to do my socialising promenading later to meet them all.








Distance today : 0 km
Total do date : 2875 km
Tolls : € nil
Best diesel price: € Lt
LPG € ? lt

No blog today the writers gone away !

No blog update today cus look where we are..........

.


Chat tomorrow after the aftersun has worked in............

Alhambra or bust

Well here we are again after a brief interlude, and apologies to my readers for a short break while that pair went gallivanting round Grenada and left me in Priscilla on my lonesome (they did note the sleep dust in my eyes when they got back-well just), They looked liked they had aged 10 years, and had been riding horses bareback. They would like me to tell all those interested, that should they visit the Alhambra Palace, take the BUS, unless you are training for the 2012s. All they said was it’s a long way up and you don’t get oxygen on the way !. Apparently there are two pedestrian routes but both are really steep, as the Palace looks over the city (there are some pics which proof it ). There is a good bus service from the city, so take it.
Granada city centre with the snow capped mountains behind

When they had recovered enough to talk coherently they chatted about the trip, and how Spanish the experience was. They were amazed at how well the system had been thought up to control the numbers of people invading this beautiful monument. However it does fall apart a bit in the execution. Meaning full signs in any language would be helpful, because there is a system, which has to be followed. They had booked in advance and were told to go to the machines in the entrance Pavilion, with the credit card that they were bought on. Well yes, while they were gasping for air having reached the Arrival Pavilion, which is the highest point, there was a long queue of people who had not booked. A small sign pointed to a route (with no people) saying booking collection. The only place it went to was the tourist info counter, who helpfully told them to go further into the arrival area. They did and found a line of machines with only two people at, you popped in your card, and out popped the tickets, they only thing was there were no signs saying they were there. Anyway having the tickets they asked where the entrance was – Guess – yes half way down the hill they had walked up. The Palace apparently is huge with fantastic gardens, and views of the city to die for. The one thing that has to worked round is, when you book you choice (if done in advance) the time for the viewing of the Palace of Naziria, it’s a 30 minute slot, if you arrive late that it you don’t get in, and you cannot get in earlier. So as you go round you have to be certain not to end up going through exit before your booked time. The staff try to tell you this but its not easy to understand the system, and there are many trying to beat it, and queue jump, but the staff make sure they fail. Lots of people reading the tickets with bar code machines (whatever they are), and then saying no – bar code says no! They are very happy they got in but understand why people say it can be exhausting in the summer with the heat up there, but you have to see it. (not possible for us dogs I add !!) although they did say I would have liked the vast gardens with ponds the size of lakes everywhere, a water feature lovers paradise. The city they said also was also great, although they did look at much of it, there are quite a number of other sights to see! I have allowed them to include some pictures on my Blog. They did say I would have been worn out, but I am not so sure.

What great views from the Palace

Now you see how high you climb to get to the Alhambra





Where did I leave off – oh yes the odd assortment of vans and people.

The lady who looked like she had lost her pearls turned out to be quite nice. She was from Belgium. She and he husband had a smart new Italian van. They were just about to set off from the site the following morning when dad noticed they still had their steps down. A few others noticed this too. All attempts to close the steps failed. Buttons were being pressed – nothing. Lots of people went over to try give them advice. They were about to set off with 2 feet of steps sticking out, and then finally dad went over and started reading through their instruction manual. In the end, he pulled out a roll of gaffer tape and offered it to them – for those of your remember the last trip, we always now carry a plentiful supply. Finally, he crawled under the van and realized that they must have hit something and the steps were all bent. We waved them on their way with gaffer tape holding up the steps. Our next-door neighbours had been at Seville when we were there. They had a little Smart car on tow, dads were having a good old chat with them over the late afternoon wine. I got lost of fuss from all as the congregation increased in size. There was a lot of satellite dishes being twisted and turned, so Guy went out to chat and tell them about the 3deg turn. Lots of glazed faces, some more turning then they went back in their boxes. Never did get to sniff with the Husky, or was he just a figment of my imagination? At some point the guy driving the van painted in army green was on his roof, thought he was using his top box as a bedroom!













A casual walk about, dad looks as though he's found somting interesting

The deli on site got a hammering, they decided the bin of red wine they had said was rubbish, so they got some bottles to last them over night (what’s the word I am thinking of – wino!).

So off to the coast today, less than an hour to Motril, then 5km to the site ,Don Cactus. It’s big about 440 pitches, a huge swimming pool which we are next to. A bar restaurant, supermarket (if its open – due to ……..building works going on – it is Spain !)

We were thinking of you all back home as we sat in the warmth of the evening sun. Our neighbours had sent us a couple of pics over the week (thanks Kenny). First a view from the front of our house, showing a bright spring day then a couple of days later one looking like Siberia, (have put them here for you to see.) If I have time will think about you again soon!
Picture from in front of our house last week

Picture yesterday, what a difference,

So next chapter tomorrow, after I have sussed out the dozens of mates who keep being walked by with their humans, seems to be a very dog friendly place. Sniff you tomorrow . Sorry mind preoccupied, will blog you tomorrow.




Luscious Leo




PS: to Kenny
What about a drive like this with pebbles set in concrete, a summer project ? - just joking.




Distance today : 80km
Total do date : 2875 km
Tolls : € nil
Best diesel price: € 1.07Lt
LPG € ? lt