tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59839113286960712802024-03-20T03:26:39.442+00:00Travelling Life"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." - Mae WestGeoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-38361668572392271872024-01-30T08:22:00.007+00:002024-03-12T08:21:29.209+00:00Travelling 2024<p> As Brexit casts its travelling shadow on us we are balancing the time that we might spend travelling in the Schengen zone with staying in our Nerja home. We've decided that travelling in Portugal with the 'van works if we spend less time in Nerja in the spring, planning to use almost all of the 90 days allowed in the previous 180. Unfortunately this will impact on the time we can spend in Nerja during September/October. </p><p>So - after a couple of trips to Nerja up to March, if all goes to plan, we'll be heading for <b>Portugal</b> via France and Spain for around five weeks, meeting up with our daughter and partner in Lisbon, from where they're working for a couple of months. We'll work out the rough itinerary soon.</p><p>The trip won't be with our car of eight years - our much loved, powerful, comfortable VW <a href="https://russiabycaravan.blogspot.com/p/the-car.html">Touareg</a>; we've downsized. We now have a <a href="https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/volvo/xc60">Volvo XC60 Recharge</a> - which is a plug in hybrid with a 2 litre turbo petrol engine. It won't have the lugging power of the 3 litre diesel Touareg but should do the job while allowing local electric only trips back home. I've sat behind a 3 litre diesel in various forms for some 20 years so, for me, it's quite a change. Still, it's controlled by a Google driven touch screen which is a bit of a novelty and it goes like stink when asked to perform so we'll see how it goes with 1.7 tonnes on the back... Watch this space; OK Google?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHFmKHUDKrTL7GsVxmdOHsNbClCcvSLcUBnXz1uFOeBemeGNWFD3mzMt1zxQFB6cbieWN3UeKV7q8P4D7dimihsWf3pwN2cA9iJ0RzfPnV2jGAJsB-cDCVDj3eySCOcD86ZX105_BM0bP0kid_OQJ_NcV_pL4dG3kvBPEVnv_jJHpu4B35StYuVjWa_I/s3278/IMG_20240130_080012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="3278" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHFmKHUDKrTL7GsVxmdOHsNbClCcvSLcUBnXz1uFOeBemeGNWFD3mzMt1zxQFB6cbieWN3UeKV7q8P4D7dimihsWf3pwN2cA9iJ0RzfPnV2jGAJsB-cDCVDj3eySCOcD86ZX105_BM0bP0kid_OQJ_NcV_pL4dG3kvBPEVnv_jJHpu4B35StYuVjWa_I/s320/IMG_20240130_080012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-68194489736265664782023-07-11T16:02:00.006+01:002023-11-26T11:15:55.063+00:00Anglesey Anticipation<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://russiabycaravan.blogspot.com/p/the-caravan.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfgbIqk21MkiysBqxgFIVCUAWSX90JFvVbNKuAZk6fkXlWKLKF0P7N6RsmOmxYrq9vzWZCmUT68QvGQbdK7RjZhhSiGAM7Aofyh6F31_Rhq4lPqBqGR4EHMU9zDL8IcRgU0GzHTIGNaBaHD9hfbLAs8Po6GORmrUx9FQKCzteHuDYPl6pqNtPBU2mQEM/w200-h200/image.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Having reached Scotland on our tour of the Eastern half of the UK, we're heading off in a couple of weeks to fill in a few gaps on the Western Coast around Anglesey in North Wales. We are, of course, heartbroken that it's no longer home territory for a couple of well known royals; hopefully, I won't need rescuing by helicopter. </p><p>Details in the <a href="https://travellinggeoff.blogspot.com/p/2023.html?">usual place.</a></p>Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-33354876528579112902023-06-27T09:42:00.007+01:002023-06-30T19:25:51.724+01:00Coastal Retrospective<p>Don't usually do this kind of reflective post.... but we've being doing our coastal thing again, this time for three weeks or so along the north east coast from <b>Whitby</b> to <b>Berwick-upon-Tweed</b>, and it was so full of beauty, history and culture that it deserves comment here.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KCb513OEDUSbF7XnqHEC-8QzEBbOK3jtqk92optT-vjCSrmASGtnaWvk1dfoMUYRQqx_PJH1Qvf689ptrxzKWwD9OFLdX-UAgso4QlRYDDgi6h3SoBEBVTXCD2ufBqEsFtwlZ1F4HGj9ouSp4V2-LJ3GSy1GddaK_cMrsNxeZPE89NXNgyvBj097twQ/s4000/IMG_20230627_094533.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KCb513OEDUSbF7XnqHEC-8QzEBbOK3jtqk92optT-vjCSrmASGtnaWvk1dfoMUYRQqx_PJH1Qvf689ptrxzKWwD9OFLdX-UAgso4QlRYDDgi6h3SoBEBVTXCD2ufBqEsFtwlZ1F4HGj9ouSp4V2-LJ3GSy1GddaK_cMrsNxeZPE89NXNgyvBj097twQ/s320/IMG_20230627_094533.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>We were able, in Northumberland particularly, to walk on virtually deserted stretches of sand, washed by the sea and hidden behind windswept dunes: desolation and beauty. The sense of history, both recent and distant, was present almost everywhere we travelled, from the preserved remains of castles and museums to the remnants of the coal and iron ore mining industries; all of it fascinating. When we asked questions, sought help or simply chatted, we met so many friendly people; we'd have loved to spend more time here but we are, of course, on a mission;...</p><p>...the trip, for the east coast in any event, has reached the English-Scottish border. The next time we venture into these parts will be in Scotland. Can't wait.</p><p>Details <a href="https://travellinggeoff.blogspot.com/p/2023.html?m=1">here</a> in the coastal tour tab.</p><p><br /></p>Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-75990845302062731262023-04-23T23:08:00.017+01:002023-11-11T09:20:46.468+00:00Backroads Beauty<p>It's time for another mini adventure in our little Ford Ka; we choose a day long trip from our book: <a href="https://www.andalucia.com/books/back-roads-of-southern-spain" target="_blank"><i>The Backroads of Southern Spain</i> </a>by David Baird. We've met David and are slowly working our way through his recommended trips into 'Old Spain', stopping at the white painted villages away from the coast, accessed by some 'interesting' little roads. We never fail to be entranced by the stories the villages hide - from Moorish times, through the Civil War to their current activities. Of course, the wonderful, brooding mountainous scenery on the trip goes without saying.</p><p>This time it's just a day trip:</p><p></p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsV_EmF2l1y9TT5vmSEN2Yckl2dVjHB_y7LfGRDjZ9WXAob3dZ2sCOTuGEUTQNJZ2xkKMVYf47hZpeytYO-BKrVwr0Rylf7l940UIKjuYwSJyPOOQcooLnD_TFde1IEALuQfP0_bwVJgS9SCuTYV3MyCea10bzaCtf3-O8_QZ0_gIWXujvHMMcsjn/s1467/IMG_20230423_235437.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="1074" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsV_EmF2l1y9TT5vmSEN2Yckl2dVjHB_y7LfGRDjZ9WXAob3dZ2sCOTuGEUTQNJZ2xkKMVYf47hZpeytYO-BKrVwr0Rylf7l940UIKjuYwSJyPOOQcooLnD_TFde1IEALuQfP0_bwVJgS9SCuTYV3MyCea10bzaCtf3-O8_QZ0_gIWXujvHMMcsjn/s320/IMG_20230423_235437.jpg" width="234" /></a></p><div>So off we set...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwj21o2k15I54lPdHwLE6dSIuniFYsxIRglUnYPQjXa5bM0egsYJ6a53nSfuvSuApYleiPgyRaD0z0iIwScsYYVa9UxKKNxvFCvG-0Xsd_R9wyykYrG3GrJz50XJsXDFSvyaYSC32MfacuJqdq4AAGc10LaYPO1wHO8dp4UACuLZAQ57bEARnEf89q/s2986/IMG_20230422_193405.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2451" data-original-width="2986" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwj21o2k15I54lPdHwLE6dSIuniFYsxIRglUnYPQjXa5bM0egsYJ6a53nSfuvSuApYleiPgyRaD0z0iIwScsYYVa9UxKKNxvFCvG-0Xsd_R9wyykYrG3GrJz50XJsXDFSvyaYSC32MfacuJqdq4AAGc10LaYPO1wHO8dp4UACuLZAQ57bEARnEf89q/s320/IMG_20230422_193405.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Nerja >Macharaviaya >Benamocarra >Almáchar >El Borge >Cútar > Comares </p><p>Macharaviaya, once known as 'Little Madrid', owed its fame to the wealth and importance of the Gálvez family. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_de_G%C3%A1lvez,_1st_Marquess_of_Sonora" target="_blank">José de Gálvez</a> who, as Minister of the Indies, was instrumental in expelling the Jesuits from Spain's colonies in South America. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnukORLLG31DlMdyP10Jc0R6tLD57zV57eomMGDP-qu5GeMG5EoNwfHo309VCXfujjKm5Y8XRv8tgRwUJzDFHICObahvrdFJFKHXoNF-JFPb3ybVmUlHPCH1AkOwMEUKH2RY_1oIoU-F4XRpcUP_yU9_yPDGXKUlW91kc4mWQ_TPeo9KbHJFYmAaIk/s4000/IMG_20230422_104003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnukORLLG31DlMdyP10Jc0R6tLD57zV57eomMGDP-qu5GeMG5EoNwfHo309VCXfujjKm5Y8XRv8tgRwUJzDFHICObahvrdFJFKHXoNF-JFPb3ybVmUlHPCH1AkOwMEUKH2RY_1oIoU-F4XRpcUP_yU9_yPDGXKUlW91kc4mWQ_TPeo9KbHJFYmAaIk/s320/IMG_20230422_104003.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In the neo classical church's vault lies José de Gálvez:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1z9Tht0xQJUP-hbVtnAP0ASyPhhhtbsyzEWxzCODTpUE8bPQH5PwMqVic2fT9U2HWElc22GNxSNamBQ06Dsv4TAS0mGj2T64Vr6926ySpGajKWpPIcpXjlpHod5cSUnc5Nr0p66OnfwwV7ie0wYaX2E5jWG29EhTXzU1OvU3DEsa6IJ0V14tVnQz/s4000/IMG_20230422_104611.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1z9Tht0xQJUP-hbVtnAP0ASyPhhhtbsyzEWxzCODTpUE8bPQH5PwMqVic2fT9U2HWElc22GNxSNamBQ06Dsv4TAS0mGj2T64Vr6926ySpGajKWpPIcpXjlpHod5cSUnc5Nr0p66OnfwwV7ie0wYaX2E5jWG29EhTXzU1OvU3DEsa6IJ0V14tVnQz/s320/IMG_20230422_104611.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymirrBni2otriO-ey18uMG5xupAM1QBkuDXpEvL8kqTG0Fqsl-pXXj43m5izeflfo53FiHygFZTwJsdIx8cGlvxkOaKIl7tLsbqWL3M75pXap7kzSzDS6vNpidwFw7Zgp_NEzIleVMFfx3PQNoqDMyABFN4wCmqkxb5k43YfkWas3vQMIJPVRegWb/s4000/IMG_20230422_104914.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymirrBni2otriO-ey18uMG5xupAM1QBkuDXpEvL8kqTG0Fqsl-pXXj43m5izeflfo53FiHygFZTwJsdIx8cGlvxkOaKIl7tLsbqWL3M75pXap7kzSzDS6vNpidwFw7Zgp_NEzIleVMFfx3PQNoqDMyABFN4wCmqkxb5k43YfkWas3vQMIJPVRegWb/s320/IMG_20230422_104914.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>That man again <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskOYaeE115uEa0W5TJroISeLJrVIHzJuJVsOdVR_RUNqv0_FF9DXDfhI64WbCgLSGlvGDzO93wPikBmuQnJPv0ZGhZ51n5kCMg_qut7gWdFmaYLqfyLa-P44oArknDA8U4UccIeWz4Cor1GSUl5y2QijMqh9nqnk7tjk3bow7iLfP-fD0dWXTtZWa/s4000/IMG_20230422_111023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskOYaeE115uEa0W5TJroISeLJrVIHzJuJVsOdVR_RUNqv0_FF9DXDfhI64WbCgLSGlvGDzO93wPikBmuQnJPv0ZGhZ51n5kCMg_qut7gWdFmaYLqfyLa-P44oArknDA8U4UccIeWz4Cor1GSUl5y2QijMqh9nqnk7tjk3bow7iLfP-fD0dWXTtZWa/s320/IMG_20230422_111023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Then on to<a href="https://www.andalucia.com/province/malaga/almachar/home" target="_blank"> Almáchar </a>'the Capital of the Moscatel Grape and Garlic Soup'...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKyFp4yp3Py9ML0590gMPrrU4IzuivjP_Oo6LwtOXJSEyoTmzScmWqZViRZoRpOi7fqrGkPXntuzHej97tiAlDfrTdeKwe0kwQeRdBWULghocOEDhh20S5bCyvcOAqGozQRiPcSrIWIX-h3K7FVS9Uv3QNa3Xcx2H5RzBZpkIq3k0I5bL9E79PZfv/s4000/IMG_20230422_125932.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKyFp4yp3Py9ML0590gMPrrU4IzuivjP_Oo6LwtOXJSEyoTmzScmWqZViRZoRpOi7fqrGkPXntuzHej97tiAlDfrTdeKwe0kwQeRdBWULghocOEDhh20S5bCyvcOAqGozQRiPcSrIWIX-h3K7FVS9Uv3QNa3Xcx2H5RzBZpkIq3k0I5bL9E79PZfv/s320/IMG_20230422_125932.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLGsiLH35FmFR7wWw6L6NbZZda0QbEq-7LaOINjjNFy1CwQ4RSSyAy1Kajf6ePdu7JrKx75S2ag-O-vBwqueHSuasTsNvVTU-l7_5iOtwNc7y_stB5pGIwX7jDLU3XqOzKrVrm8gUw_v5DInyt63fahe4oQiECPCBvAJcBBi7xYKWiM1srgCTwLPQ/s4000/IMG_20230422_130025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLGsiLH35FmFR7wWw6L6NbZZda0QbEq-7LaOINjjNFy1CwQ4RSSyAy1Kajf6ePdu7JrKx75S2ag-O-vBwqueHSuasTsNvVTU-l7_5iOtwNc7y_stB5pGIwX7jDLU3XqOzKrVrm8gUw_v5DInyt63fahe4oQiECPCBvAJcBBi7xYKWiM1srgCTwLPQ/s320/IMG_20230422_130025.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A clue to how this community has thrived and prospered......</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvS2hZilBgBWHPvdT4r_IBqm2O32ADG39jeHVKPoYqxuZJDP-jXqB7V2sYF_rHQMAx9T1f-eSNWMrqopSJ43vif7m9NiXrEffKwbGNepywW99g4ENhs5Hj7K8BPJma2jWjkRnVUbIdeWbltJ06ZyZ-PJscCRATdvIGLo2jQnJCvdtb30_GnuSDFKmq/s4000/IMG_20230422_130539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvS2hZilBgBWHPvdT4r_IBqm2O32ADG39jeHVKPoYqxuZJDP-jXqB7V2sYF_rHQMAx9T1f-eSNWMrqopSJ43vif7m9NiXrEffKwbGNepywW99g4ENhs5Hj7K8BPJma2jWjkRnVUbIdeWbltJ06ZyZ-PJscCRATdvIGLo2jQnJCvdtb30_GnuSDFKmq/s320/IMG_20230422_130539.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Onwards to El Borge..<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFsx_STMNNklt3HuaYgYLTflE0UHT8-co9m81-icd8uQjClDcxTHfQIYEiDbYFRiuAIZxcRQcL7IMJYOQZ_EidgP4rPTN4SJs8jw7JjS9vfU-Trsppd3YQRL4Ehudq3Kye6hcYCu0g6DHMdNtEZr_9XhIkq4BoRHXIUGJSH9URCvXpciLDGvTwFe7/s4000/IMG_20230422_133649.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFsx_STMNNklt3HuaYgYLTflE0UHT8-co9m81-icd8uQjClDcxTHfQIYEiDbYFRiuAIZxcRQcL7IMJYOQZ_EidgP4rPTN4SJs8jw7JjS9vfU-Trsppd3YQRL4Ehudq3Kye6hcYCu0g6DHMdNtEZr_9XhIkq4BoRHXIUGJSH9URCvXpciLDGvTwFe7/s320/IMG_20230422_133649.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><a href="https://www.andalucia.com/province/malaga/elborge/home" target="_blank">El Borge</a>, a left leaning village (as many are... and that's no surprise given the turbulent history) with a Moorish looking church and a street named Che Guevara.... There's a lot more interesting history here; it was once terrorised by the 19th Century outlaw El Bizco.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMtpel3Vwjq3BEm5NYY10y83hP_rdDde3qdv7jcPNP6lNYf4dhkfdsfIrURzZfdOOubdtgKyp-YPFSNj8vXbTjryoldqaY7tdDjST9UMFwxFSs7UTK_64LkF9mBEiGHIjn0lB_3S-o_o06J-ys-J6r_Ui1a_sIkdE6AMpuGBKnVtnpgmNU58hwITp/s4000/IMG_20230422_133813.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMtpel3Vwjq3BEm5NYY10y83hP_rdDde3qdv7jcPNP6lNYf4dhkfdsfIrURzZfdOOubdtgKyp-YPFSNj8vXbTjryoldqaY7tdDjST9UMFwxFSs7UTK_64LkF9mBEiGHIjn0lB_3S-o_o06J-ys-J6r_Ui1a_sIkdE6AMpuGBKnVtnpgmNU58hwITp/s320/IMG_20230422_133813.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFpa7deIEBCLMDE4ISRNfJy0lcF-_Xg_vFbtElHBtYNxz0qszAXczkUJCATkH0W54uqOK4pJG3W77FAy7Wu8N8UJH--BRQW5SXE-buau9VQ0Vwwd6yeu9nWNtPIPULcd2XTM0HlpmuTO__c7BP07gbSB3GfLgrEVUqlv7jJmzBYKvjfS1cujyLyEO/s4000/IMG_20230422_134103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFpa7deIEBCLMDE4ISRNfJy0lcF-_Xg_vFbtElHBtYNxz0qszAXczkUJCATkH0W54uqOK4pJG3W77FAy7Wu8N8UJH--BRQW5SXE-buau9VQ0Vwwd6yeu9nWNtPIPULcd2XTM0HlpmuTO__c7BP07gbSB3GfLgrEVUqlv7jJmzBYKvjfS1cujyLyEO/s320/IMG_20230422_134103.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>....and so we travel on to<a href="https://www.andalucia.com/province/malaga/cutar/home.htm" target="_blank"> Cútar</a>, a village with a population of around 650; at the foot of the village, the Aina Alcharia spring is of some fame. A plaque showing a donkey with the message (in Spanish) 'alleviate my thirst as I lighten your work' at least shows some appreciation for the toil these animals put in. Luckily, we were not lured to our doom by the Bird of Death which apparently haunts the surrounding ravines.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcGILplEJnv_Nqb01NuYgno5UWttBFU7E-iFLUPyua1Sw1bUi9xoO8xK05UwiDY3sbXS6hjmm-SPXK9AHcaI3lEuPlFXhfrsB8maNo4lmhshSWuWoUDeELnAB5VzDo1Y8Geo3ko8xxN0rnMg8ShgPaXhy3ePIXnSv2IM1uZS5c39sn06KwYfHGSU5/s4000/IMG_20230422_150255.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcGILplEJnv_Nqb01NuYgno5UWttBFU7E-iFLUPyua1Sw1bUi9xoO8xK05UwiDY3sbXS6hjmm-SPXK9AHcaI3lEuPlFXhfrsB8maNo4lmhshSWuWoUDeELnAB5VzDo1Y8Geo3ko8xxN0rnMg8ShgPaXhy3ePIXnSv2IM1uZS5c39sn06KwYfHGSU5/s320/IMG_20230422_150255.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>In 2003, while a house was being renovated here, an ancient copy of the Koran was discovered, estimated to be around 600 years old, along with other Moorish documents. Again, a reminder, if we needed it, of the stories and history these villages hold.</p><p>Passing <a href="https://www.andalucia.com/province/malaga/benamorgosa/home" target="_blank">Benamargosa</a> we see the hundreds of citrus trees in the valley floor with an increasing number of avacado trees and wonder if the drastic water shortage of recent years, and particularly the current months, will impact on the lives of the people in this working agricultural town.</p><p>The road climbs steeply from here, twisting upwards towards our last destination, <a href="https://www.andalucia.com/province/malaga/comares/home" target="_blank">Comares</a> at around 740m above sea level.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_THgh-rZHJIU_jHcDE-WvhTU55ElSyBykkudK0wK_ddfkSnlUUNSskHDuZBWPA7YCUSiiMgJJbQk56mhY0_mkFLtgmGMmtTwbF8bGMNFsDff2wkplc5nimTSi8QfYjCd6uo-9Bsnn0d3L3iLF7hqMu2q_yaWHtxmFJ6LdiUo4p94Q4EXzY_jGjFrT/s4000/IMG_20230422_154111.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_THgh-rZHJIU_jHcDE-WvhTU55ElSyBykkudK0wK_ddfkSnlUUNSskHDuZBWPA7YCUSiiMgJJbQk56mhY0_mkFLtgmGMmtTwbF8bGMNFsDff2wkplc5nimTSi8QfYjCd6uo-9Bsnn0d3L3iLF7hqMu2q_yaWHtxmFJ6LdiUo4p94Q4EXzY_jGjFrT/s320/IMG_20230422_154111.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>We never fail to be wowed by this Moorish village with its winding streets, perched on the mountain top. The link says more than I can - and more eloquently. We take a (very) late lunch here, enjoying the fantastic views before heading back down the winding roads to Nerja and home.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYxuKwXxTSSGaLysoJ2kt9hlBdc1TcedjBfpbyPbgt8l88KYJ4C9Da62XExY2SbUY0nVDiUUHd5lv1qalJonIHnGeEF9WEGNver-D2uuUWlsfOJAGFQZueDeHtmyH-0VvBbHGDJdWcAIOL6gKIabdq6uqERH6eohRoXb54q96TIF9cUvKlQZ8sRaw/s4000/IMG_20230422_171703.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYxuKwXxTSSGaLysoJ2kt9hlBdc1TcedjBfpbyPbgt8l88KYJ4C9Da62XExY2SbUY0nVDiUUHd5lv1qalJonIHnGeEF9WEGNver-D2uuUWlsfOJAGFQZueDeHtmyH-0VvBbHGDJdWcAIOL6gKIabdq6uqERH6eohRoXb54q96TIF9cUvKlQZ8sRaw/s320/IMG_20230422_171703.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Great Trip</p></div><div><br /></div><p></p><p><br /></p>Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-47688315788263381002023-04-16T13:08:00.005+01:002023-04-16T13:12:17.548+01:00Semana Santa - of course..<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9U7hYfNEZSfGzO7svaSNxZ1srREGYsWQk1wsAUxsWoNNws0AFpZgwTypIvUo5qXdypjT3omsNYKiSJ_xrdQaXge5wGE1ye75llHZllJzrAb1uQYBcDQvbYumn81Fa7b6H4skOrtbckIY49geYc8DbPEt-FWqJC-1QHdS9bxiLgbML_1BS7UgOg3ja/s1949/IMG_20230416_135253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="1949" data-original-width="1022" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9U7hYfNEZSfGzO7svaSNxZ1srREGYsWQk1wsAUxsWoNNws0AFpZgwTypIvUo5qXdypjT3omsNYKiSJ_xrdQaXge5wGE1ye75llHZllJzrAb1uQYBcDQvbYumn81Fa7b6H4skOrtbckIY49geYc8DbPEt-FWqJC-1QHdS9bxiLgbML_1BS7UgOg3ja/s320/IMG_20230416_135253.jpg" width="168" /></a></div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhBPfzMjSazA3R0lqwHKl3b36cbnBzoq1nEurq9AdSYqBbkyyRyKeoclm7lvm1a5MW4eUH2KqKLfFB3VJDb3UtNv86z9UHb0vJxe3pF_QMdzijs-Dn2QmUSBSO5eaL6sRxRkkz1OznrawSHN48yrtVBu7VnYfQS3YANyqszJBo-THtwdsS3ymKbi4/s1926/IMG_20230416_135229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1926" data-original-width="1072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhBPfzMjSazA3R0lqwHKl3b36cbnBzoq1nEurq9AdSYqBbkyyRyKeoclm7lvm1a5MW4eUH2KqKLfFB3VJDb3UtNv86z9UHb0vJxe3pF_QMdzijs-Dn2QmUSBSO5eaL6sRxRkkz1OznrawSHN48yrtVBu7VnYfQS3YANyqszJBo-THtwdsS3ymKbi4/s320/IMG_20230416_135229.jpg" width="178" /></a></p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq27b6zS1y1oqKAHxYxDA8mP_q2qHGu93k8US3nKMNkMSWumloLrLuPLWeAtvWNrimJBzGqtqeedrvEaSf1l9uBcqQxZMd5tE9gKlMlCDJdEmXjCEW-DpVswNNgctV8BJ_oHHMirfVHklPeEh0wkKbemIu5jlUcecgZiypD61Qif9MngIcxUMgzelQ/s1372/IMG_20230416_134535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1rJhFpRze7K833kKWa9DaW5EOUngkSavmhAZSgzjzE7nycoYfn_djTkguLotmmexWqO7VeS4VZ2Q7hntOuTXBcyTg0v0z5_evmdOp1xrUYsUDB5Il9qU6OT8m6hdsIVF7F5IQtXbJXWWpnBuZI8r7CQ07pM3R04EbP524H6LA5VNBf-maEOL7YiZ/s4000/IMG_20230406_210752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1rJhFpRze7K833kKWa9DaW5EOUngkSavmhAZSgzjzE7nycoYfn_djTkguLotmmexWqO7VeS4VZ2Q7hntOuTXBcyTg0v0z5_evmdOp1xrUYsUDB5Il9qU6OT8m6hdsIVF7F5IQtXbJXWWpnBuZI8r7CQ07pM3R04EbP524H6LA5VNBf-maEOL7YiZ/s320/IMG_20230406_210752.jpg" width="240" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq27b6zS1y1oqKAHxYxDA8mP_q2qHGu93k8US3nKMNkMSWumloLrLuPLWeAtvWNrimJBzGqtqeedrvEaSf1l9uBcqQxZMd5tE9gKlMlCDJdEmXjCEW-DpVswNNgctV8BJ_oHHMirfVHklPeEh0wkKbemIu5jlUcecgZiypD61Qif9MngIcxUMgzelQ/s1372/IMG_20230416_134535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="1372" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq27b6zS1y1oqKAHxYxDA8mP_q2qHGu93k8US3nKMNkMSWumloLrLuPLWeAtvWNrimJBzGqtqeedrvEaSf1l9uBcqQxZMd5tE9gKlMlCDJdEmXjCEW-DpVswNNgctV8BJ_oHHMirfVHklPeEh0wkKbemIu5jlUcecgZiypD61Qif9MngIcxUMgzelQ/s320/IMG_20230416_134535.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-19344736806860741442023-01-28T10:19:00.006+00:002023-04-16T13:01:39.227+01:00Travelling 2023<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdl-7pDCZRT8kJ-FmRRgswgSz2nmlq79uurXOPH1HKgUREbGV_a1UQ8a_mbp6kIp5uzNGXt7He1NFid22IbODjgO996b3QGUMsndOLUfPUHrC_xwRxk96nsUupru-SVz6QWhQbMPHZkdeHQn7R-ys5cgfDOUiiWuorFzeeAGfZeTalyCmzaVScnU2w/s2048/P1012004.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdl-7pDCZRT8kJ-FmRRgswgSz2nmlq79uurXOPH1HKgUREbGV_a1UQ8a_mbp6kIp5uzNGXt7He1NFid22IbODjgO996b3QGUMsndOLUfPUHrC_xwRxk96nsUupru-SVz6QWhQbMPHZkdeHQn7R-ys5cgfDOUiiWuorFzeeAGfZeTalyCmzaVScnU2w/w200-h150/P1012004.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>We have <b>no big adventures</b> planned for 2023 but, between the spring marriage of our youngest, Georgina, to Luke, we'll be spending a couple of months in <a href="https://www.nerjatoday.com/" target="_blank">Nerja</a> where we have things to do (as well as enjoying ourselves of course).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqd7Qi_gbPhsmI7x0sXWNclNDCWMOOoy8rZQZXi56u0Jp-MCNENodA9fBtEnR78oxwM-vSpnNuei49ZajH-CxdTDCZnnon1yIaiyC97zv2Ip7J9Cgl-Wh2voDwdrYOhHgp9p1E34lngmp9tnuP3FXlraSIbS_lTcKJw_ICmbpo0rBqT1ZHMhdBBoo/s1000/caravan%20sketch.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqd7Qi_gbPhsmI7x0sXWNclNDCWMOOoy8rZQZXi56u0Jp-MCNENodA9fBtEnR78oxwM-vSpnNuei49ZajH-CxdTDCZnnon1yIaiyC97zv2Ip7J9Cgl-Wh2voDwdrYOhHgp9p1E34lngmp9tnuP3FXlraSIbS_lTcKJw_ICmbpo0rBqT1ZHMhdBBoo/w101-h101/caravan%20sketch.jpg" width="101" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>We've also planned to continue our <a href="https://travellinggeoff.blogspot.com/p/uk-coastal-tour.html" target="_blank">caravan coastal tour </a>on the north east coast of the UK, reaching Berwick upon Tweed at the Scottish border by the beginning of June</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAwIgnDO_8RR3O0qxM9nxJsQrPgYIBccRXprTjgwytHcpy--j8gUOIHcw3D75T1Opn8uMLfya6BkkNpTEiBZsahhcVkrV79xDuMjQNmLShyjTNpmCoakKAQQrGrTlJEVpV6v6l_-g2AZcd0CO9KaH1Mq41e6WN7XaEQmZfc5ekp0xqskKpYoPiR6V/s3840/DSC_5944.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAwIgnDO_8RR3O0qxM9nxJsQrPgYIBccRXprTjgwytHcpy--j8gUOIHcw3D75T1Opn8uMLfya6BkkNpTEiBZsahhcVkrV79xDuMjQNmLShyjTNpmCoakKAQQrGrTlJEVpV6v6l_-g2AZcd0CO9KaH1Mq41e6WN7XaEQmZfc5ekp0xqskKpYoPiR6V/w200-h113/DSC_5944.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>As usual, the coastal trip will go in the 2023 tab.</p><p>Let's see how all that goes...</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, it's Carnival!:</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDQj0RiTf3kgdk3Pj3FwMIJ2OZyhm2sDMI9mfcPfeSdV1i03PXWv7WJkNYjyNFuGxdYwu26Hm3agduti9wGTFoWO8VoZtKatco17IrQDuns-Q4xhlxPlWWjewL-j9Ed2HzuDrCpFMdBM8GDLzSFMst-JMqWJtb0YlrpfeEmWOQnMkrLIrSD0DTHSP/s1148/IMG_20230218_232416.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1061" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDQj0RiTf3kgdk3Pj3FwMIJ2OZyhm2sDMI9mfcPfeSdV1i03PXWv7WJkNYjyNFuGxdYwu26Hm3agduti9wGTFoWO8VoZtKatco17IrQDuns-Q4xhlxPlWWjewL-j9Ed2HzuDrCpFMdBM8GDLzSFMst-JMqWJtb0YlrpfeEmWOQnMkrLIrSD0DTHSP/w370-h400/IMG_20230218_232416.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6f0WZpvvsK7GILzni7_KpdyBBwtnBsQMwRAgAU5iv6BcNlvjM4Uu2dT4Be9ixa5gb18mEJK9DFEWIpxs7moKkDauSsvR_EW2JfEAb8yq2RBU3GxM_JpTxKsrmO7AxRqvm4GEKo9dnbsHfjhyIsPyxc85h7P041OSwTou-hvG7y2Kkz-xpA-8We0FX/s2400/Screenshot_2023-02-19-20-54-49-13_92460851df6f172a4592fca41cc2d2e6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6f0WZpvvsK7GILzni7_KpdyBBwtnBsQMwRAgAU5iv6BcNlvjM4Uu2dT4Be9ixa5gb18mEJK9DFEWIpxs7moKkDauSsvR_EW2JfEAb8yq2RBU3GxM_JpTxKsrmO7AxRqvm4GEKo9dnbsHfjhyIsPyxc85h7P041OSwTou-hvG7y2Kkz-xpA-8We0FX/w180-h400/Screenshot_2023-02-19-20-54-49-13_92460851df6f172a4592fca41cc2d2e6.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACS13LUBH2Se7C8EbQW6TFAfT_9xfvlubLjgT1EGJfg5LiPmjKjsClk3ikxeMa-WXGJXf8bAyu8GZBHSHqxXIZma3EH6dTadbcAXL_CwxOQY9E_vPlNB1n7e_IWiMqkJVetUq1o6D1EvPx4Vh3v8EY3f62n_o-ncE42juAfD0QkYJzpX1FJbyxxS1/s2400/Screenshot_2023-02-19-20-54-11-86_92460851df6f172a4592fca41cc2d2e6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACS13LUBH2Se7C8EbQW6TFAfT_9xfvlubLjgT1EGJfg5LiPmjKjsClk3ikxeMa-WXGJXf8bAyu8GZBHSHqxXIZma3EH6dTadbcAXL_CwxOQY9E_vPlNB1n7e_IWiMqkJVetUq1o6D1EvPx4Vh3v8EY3f62n_o-ncE42juAfD0QkYJzpX1FJbyxxS1/w180-h400/Screenshot_2023-02-19-20-54-11-86_92460851df6f172a4592fca41cc2d2e6.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQVU_6J3TmI4y4qPzWA8qtb1O0S-3VsVawWw6d33uT0FbsI2EK32yhGMn49jXo1BHdXGQseRraeCzfF3UT9RrulXSdZjYC32u5Rr9fWXsKKiiJ7RNdp1LEMI1txfwz52q4QtESJww_NAjFmA1pUSvjS-_Y7ZnoLJl2IYeuc9HzCsh-gmIEqNqRz2A/s1984/IMG_20230219_231749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="1261" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQVU_6J3TmI4y4qPzWA8qtb1O0S-3VsVawWw6d33uT0FbsI2EK32yhGMn49jXo1BHdXGQseRraeCzfF3UT9RrulXSdZjYC32u5Rr9fWXsKKiiJ7RNdp1LEMI1txfwz52q4QtESJww_NAjFmA1pUSvjS-_Y7ZnoLJl2IYeuc9HzCsh-gmIEqNqRz2A/s320/IMG_20230219_231749.jpg" width="203" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-53121647179319239292022-11-29T10:52:00.018+00:002023-01-28T11:00:56.363+00:00Un Viaje Corto<p> Celebrate - our Leigh on Sea building work is almost finished!</p><p>After living with builders since May we need a short, wonderful break. Meeting with friends, tapas, music and sea. Where on earth are we?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPZOwxpmJft03noCbaA3E1cUpNU4z5HwSemvsIvZH-R_uy5hN8ceisUbamT78vE2XqH5Ebt48-n5gTv5vADgN5RAf_15FV2Vx_XdmyHIH5qopjrjo83aP7s4EB65PUGrQ_M2ZZd2Cc9B6dhOi9ksqypkXyXxXCqlLsrp-Ofb7P4AANcEN3qgJfK6x/s4000/IMG_20221120_162735.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPZOwxpmJft03noCbaA3E1cUpNU4z5HwSemvsIvZH-R_uy5hN8ceisUbamT78vE2XqH5Ebt48-n5gTv5vADgN5RAf_15FV2Vx_XdmyHIH5qopjrjo83aP7s4EB65PUGrQ_M2ZZd2Cc9B6dhOi9ksqypkXyXxXCqlLsrp-Ofb7P4AANcEN3qgJfK6x/w400-h300/IMG_20221120_162735.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p>Visit to the La Herradura international classical guitar competition. Breathtaking skills, wonderful music.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUvCw4YOAGxo8XwFF-3Wexrx2sDjBLZ1h2x0tl7Yri_PpWyfy7qW4KYh3nVNJWjbHq86b8tHIcobB6wZuvXT5_nKTEx_8EDVV-t9AN9CzooHSc3-bkDHK_eZXFfANZ2mus5ELKZSFpErM_OzgXFeiHKPjdRCzdfYJPDAq0Rs2GvyN20EI8VM4vJcp/s4000/IMG_20221124_202109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUvCw4YOAGxo8XwFF-3Wexrx2sDjBLZ1h2x0tl7Yri_PpWyfy7qW4KYh3nVNJWjbHq86b8tHIcobB6wZuvXT5_nKTEx_8EDVV-t9AN9CzooHSc3-bkDHK_eZXFfANZ2mus5ELKZSFpErM_OzgXFeiHKPjdRCzdfYJPDAq0Rs2GvyN20EI8VM4vJcp/w400-h300/IMG_20221124_202109.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Malaga Christmas Lights - we always try to see these when we're here; this year they feature a high tech drone show....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dztkjjH3dQW4R4s_ln2Oy_vZnifHBZ4c_FwU-Faqww01MfeO3nlL58O1euWrKs-uFfgrtfuaaCXr9BmQJNnNA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dymivnP537gCgEc7p0j38RR3m1-Z61Hhf_9TVA6wpNpR35Bph1NBrTMMGBrqPx1MTXB8rocPBWGfTngIzp8eQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>A great visit indeed - always uplifting.</p><p>Before we head back to the UK, we take the Spanish Ka to a local Ford dealer to have a new remote key progammed in because I lost the last one on a mountain walk. The process takes a couple of hours apparently. After spending that time (enjoyably) in Velez-Malaga, we find out that the wrong remote has been sent - Grrr. A job for February then. The Ka gets lots of admiration from the dealership, though - we've had it 12 years and it still looks pretty much like new.</p><p>In any event, we fly back to London Stansted at the end of the week so, after watching Spain lose to Morocco by penalties, we head to the Balcon to join the Nerja throngs watching the Christmas lights being switched on.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYvJGPNWHE9YYyFrD_4B9toDxgAR7km9VvNRbTR3TVC0TuCgSP3S8QBm8c2AeRYB6cOz0qhF63mhrzKjOcdvv4u4gFiEEeIvFbvZHUMs8Zr5-01IP1DlRh2oktUJLO_TnqlMuVo2mF_TwAI90Rdi7RUeOWWxdv0gypqPyiwjmfuxNzst6uDVf-KC8/s4000/IMG_20221206_190949.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYvJGPNWHE9YYyFrD_4B9toDxgAR7km9VvNRbTR3TVC0TuCgSP3S8QBm8c2AeRYB6cOz0qhF63mhrzKjOcdvv4u4gFiEEeIvFbvZHUMs8Zr5-01IP1DlRh2oktUJLO_TnqlMuVo2mF_TwAI90Rdi7RUeOWWxdv0gypqPyiwjmfuxNzst6uDVf-KC8/w400-h300/IMG_20221206_190949.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p> Obviously, we have to pop into the <a href="https://web.redondo.bar/" target="_blank">Bar Redondo</a> for a vino and tapa before catching the late town bus up the hill to home. </p><p>A final walk with our group, hugs, goodbyes....</p><p>(Only 7 of us today but 6 nationalities!)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnyU3g5K6cAveaQFiUbLjqqPtj7n6l1DcE1s8Y-X_jdQ7dqdK1TrRwPOebRR-itbFlQCRGteshgwOalf5emYeuO_EagOMIkPopMJOWJwg5TGnMTtmgNef0bNP0Pjw55ekhvO3_zYCQj6P2cUFOQIFRL2fhXjhuoP6oXz-ZxB5H2754v2cnBpdXV3B/s3823/IMG_20221207_174447.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2393" data-original-width="3823" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnyU3g5K6cAveaQFiUbLjqqPtj7n6l1DcE1s8Y-X_jdQ7dqdK1TrRwPOebRR-itbFlQCRGteshgwOalf5emYeuO_EagOMIkPopMJOWJwg5TGnMTtmgNef0bNP0Pjw55ekhvO3_zYCQj6P2cUFOQIFRL2fhXjhuoP6oXz-ZxB5H2754v2cnBpdXV3B/w400-h250/IMG_20221207_174447.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>....and then I guess it's clearing up and packing away. This feels more like an uplifting holiday than the home where, until very recently, we spent most of our non travelling time. </p><p>See you soon, Nerja.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-4977216542899117472022-06-30T09:37:00.012+01:002022-08-02T18:48:30.818+01:00What's Happening? Not a Lot<p><b>Well, travelling is on the back burner</b> for a little while; we have major work going on at our Leigh on Sea house - probably until late September, so our travelling plans for 2022 are limited to some short trips to the coast until then. We hope to escape to Neja for a few weeks when construction is completed before we return to get it all decorated and finished for Christmas. We've already used the 'van to escape the noise and dust for a few days, while still being close to monitor the action.</p><p>Local Escape</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVWNUQIjis49QRpBiSkkjXaVdQZ3UIv2XHg9t6xJHppeXe_g0WsAgsrjCXnvloEuww2oalIZfY28pDnHiSLmaH3oC3Mkt0MgHrFDErfKF6WuqepdtF32wmMcGmsLdNAR5-KYlViLHPaq8f6FRxIWgXC4-J3gPMQweOiLsAnf5alYtM0dphQYJ4nuW/s4000/IMG_20220530_181804.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVWNUQIjis49QRpBiSkkjXaVdQZ3UIv2XHg9t6xJHppeXe_g0WsAgsrjCXnvloEuww2oalIZfY28pDnHiSLmaH3oC3Mkt0MgHrFDErfKF6WuqepdtF32wmMcGmsLdNAR5-KYlViLHPaq8f6FRxIWgXC4-J3gPMQweOiLsAnf5alYtM0dphQYJ4nuW/w400-h300/IMG_20220530_181804.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Good news for us, though, as we have the caravan back from a visit to WKD caravans in Marks Tey complete with a new panoramic window; that's around a year since it first split and I've bodged a repair with sealer and gaffa tape twice. It's now been <i><b>fixed under Swift warranty</b></i> and the delay is really a Covid closure problem through German and UK factory closures (the window assembly is manufactured in Germany). Cross fingers for trouble free touring for a while; we're conscious that we've put the 'van through some very <a href="https://russiabycaravan.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">rigorous</a> <a href="https://balkansbycaravan.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">trips</a> in its six year life and we've had great support from Swift via WKD and we're in no rush to change it. It feels like a comfortable pair of slippers and its size and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6zsLKq3mYE" target="_blank">construction</a> are perfect for our long-trip adventurous touring, despite a couple of problems. I really can't understand the latest craze to make 'vans as wide as possible. Ever since our <a href="http://icelandbycaravan.blogspot.com/p/how-did-elegance-stand-up.html" target="_blank">Iceland test</a> of this 'van and its touring credentials we've been fans.</p><p>So, a travelling update:</p><p><b>Derby in an Airbnb:</b></p><p>Basically, we were looking after our granddaughter but managed a town visit, including the innovative <a href="https://www.derbymuseums.org/museum-of-making/?gclid=CjwKCAjwk_WVBhBZEiwAUHQCmUxGtgSFbvcTXUVbcm3hOpAZT5DXUOSF1R8IfxrTITgyUGofAZCfVBoClgEQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">Museum of Making</a>, giving an insight into the history of construction and engineering in the area. The town is wonderfully well preserved but the newish large shopping centre draws the shoppers away. There's a great riverside park here, too.</p><p>Museum of Making</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Wbgda7LKZ15ctUHSVk5Izp5z09Rcu_Ss-XSOF3GeCUN4xEdANlmK1Ac_D5FoG6GmIjHDMWIPuLQx0NoYz5fSp-L2kfKL86OMhXuBriaV82N-FMwImRNJTZEOvapSWQfRQaSWRrKCYEC795bPdV53GVqN8Cnhlyjmo13J19veB_cOCBVZO04QemPw/s4000/IMG_20220527_131609.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Wbgda7LKZ15ctUHSVk5Izp5z09Rcu_Ss-XSOF3GeCUN4xEdANlmK1Ac_D5FoG6GmIjHDMWIPuLQx0NoYz5fSp-L2kfKL86OMhXuBriaV82N-FMwImRNJTZEOvapSWQfRQaSWRrKCYEC795bPdV53GVqN8Cnhlyjmo13J19veB_cOCBVZO04QemPw/w300-h400/IMG_20220527_131609.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Rolls-Royce, of course <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfp51TNMv5m_a3xuwG8XW0DKFgo74svKX_XZYQU6O4VjLkqaIAR-7HkLSNjdNSUejUiQDSR1K46wnM_nWMAR2r_I9i-I8I1j6s4tpTTWKxQe-X00A-ZRnUx-8BWIJVmvKWPzD76wiwwY9qTbJQAJtlreX0r-ChZTsOTUrGBOmjMgc7LFNErat_hvBM/s4000/IMG_20220527_140153.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfp51TNMv5m_a3xuwG8XW0DKFgo74svKX_XZYQU6O4VjLkqaIAR-7HkLSNjdNSUejUiQDSR1K46wnM_nWMAR2r_I9i-I8I1j6s4tpTTWKxQe-X00A-ZRnUx-8BWIJVmvKWPzD76wiwwY9qTbJQAJtlreX0r-ChZTsOTUrGBOmjMgc7LFNErat_hvBM/w400-h300/IMG_20220527_140153.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Art in the Cathedral <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8QMS2zs6ckogx5sXu_EiSOhDoUYfndiKhlsFU1kiG0u9-Rw_XSNRPvz7emYmLXhX20CLs45uATX5AdLkf99wbiiiUV59jymAk_qeQhNsR22hSqYLvQxdBFotL6DwC5YxZxhJhhHm6QFWwJQ1GzTPAU1R_BmdEFtj4fMObq_buv0Dwz_jCuuJ0yNC/s4000/IMG_20220527_150904.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8QMS2zs6ckogx5sXu_EiSOhDoUYfndiKhlsFU1kiG0u9-Rw_XSNRPvz7emYmLXhX20CLs45uATX5AdLkf99wbiiiUV59jymAk_qeQhNsR22hSqYLvQxdBFotL6DwC5YxZxhJhhHm6QFWwJQ1GzTPAU1R_BmdEFtj4fMObq_buv0Dwz_jCuuJ0yNC/w400-h300/IMG_20220527_150904.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In the town<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2KQm17vgxGBQ2Ck5S6yzP_c3kP3HZxMaiU9Vc6SE-YdEgj4GhjgcNwvBAReHZjyfWLbPjs9iosukGtT68AN-WCJgUEBSMQXlkcwxbYADLzEYCVpB7kb3yDqMkUhNpAuZ6pCzKzxubsniTHMHmQxriHUmk95TFfeQGLWcEDp3sk_JG63pNbnfIbVM/s4000/IMG_20220527_152613.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2KQm17vgxGBQ2Ck5S6yzP_c3kP3HZxMaiU9Vc6SE-YdEgj4GhjgcNwvBAReHZjyfWLbPjs9iosukGtT68AN-WCJgUEBSMQXlkcwxbYADLzEYCVpB7kb3yDqMkUhNpAuZ6pCzKzxubsniTHMHmQxriHUmk95TFfeQGLWcEDp3sk_JG63pNbnfIbVM/s320/IMG_20220527_152613.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Around Clevedon</b></p><p>We spent a few days exploring on the coast here in the West Country after taking the 'van down as a base after attending a memorial service for our old friend (and ex Headteacher boss, many years ago) Mary Marsham. More in the coastal tour tab.</p><p>.....................................................................</p><p>That's all for now; not a lot of travelling.. but the reward, we hope, will be a home that we love in a place we want to stay.</p><p>.....................................................................</p>Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-70571394489570634192022-04-15T09:32:00.006+01:002022-10-28T12:24:08.310+01:00Nerja for Easter<p> It's time for the wonderful Easter Parades again:</p><p><a href="http://www.nerjatoday.com/fiestas/easter/" target="_blank">Info from Nerja Today</a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXkMi7URDFCPlLMiutKCkM_4CB87qldSBDWssrbjvNeTIuK0rGXWo4tkhClewUy4vElrmd54yvVb1KgjlcGjX4NnDi_7D3MIWI1Nrukw75Oxmi-YuiXvMfh-jwZD7dU2DmKiRcERLGbXVgM5uCLsWvyPMUeVq8lFtdLHcSkBVu_oypSPP3KUxDB0Q/s4000/IMG_20220414_205820.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXkMi7URDFCPlLMiutKCkM_4CB87qldSBDWssrbjvNeTIuK0rGXWo4tkhClewUy4vElrmd54yvVb1KgjlcGjX4NnDi_7D3MIWI1Nrukw75Oxmi-YuiXvMfh-jwZD7dU2DmKiRcERLGbXVgM5uCLsWvyPMUeVq8lFtdLHcSkBVu_oypSPP3KUxDB0Q/w300-h400/IMG_20220414_205820.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1LPrctWe85KHb6K9yqrxxjEODq-JHSccoFUjZ4798x5UI5NZXuk2N6cU2H4oEjCTBZWt46UD-QgJoGmsi8WDY70TfXIjWsFkxYYLC6PeUPBhJaFpe50joWbajH-OsUKONlCYPhNXPXfYO6e_A7EUvtPA7V4rbX-2YUbdV5Ti-5kn0azAkIYfKz5M/s4000/IMG_20220414_211643.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1LPrctWe85KHb6K9yqrxxjEODq-JHSccoFUjZ4798x5UI5NZXuk2N6cU2H4oEjCTBZWt46UD-QgJoGmsi8WDY70TfXIjWsFkxYYLC6PeUPBhJaFpe50joWbajH-OsUKONlCYPhNXPXfYO6e_A7EUvtPA7V4rbX-2YUbdV5Ti-5kn0azAkIYfKz5M/w300-h400/IMG_20220414_211643.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3H9lagHx5niWj9jf5s6xS9mA4_kG3f20a_-fSHQQDB8wVWa8kMmhAck5ektZn5Ph4cpszjViMSmEMvxqTsujuFXX8j1enJEUh5fnx_DeA_RcOciP6RO1CzBN8Gg8s5Y561HxDLeIO2rJLS3hClKTS7Lp_P_fPG9PJCpksnXqXbzKpShQ9F-3n_Bj/s1948/Screenshot_20220415-232821__01.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1948" data-original-width="1033" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3H9lagHx5niWj9jf5s6xS9mA4_kG3f20a_-fSHQQDB8wVWa8kMmhAck5ektZn5Ph4cpszjViMSmEMvxqTsujuFXX8j1enJEUh5fnx_DeA_RcOciP6RO1CzBN8Gg8s5Y561HxDLeIO2rJLS3hClKTS7Lp_P_fPG9PJCpksnXqXbzKpShQ9F-3n_Bj/w213-h400/Screenshot_20220415-232821__01.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlEPZlofsqRXx9hDjcLs-r2cxy4l98iSPpLLN7pKZKTFKgvhdcwGaKX2BOIGDR8d0bvah-b4W0DjJbumtWDI7cW3uZ-ei2kxx3v-P5wZ5lOdsTEfRQxE9SaxAi_96kLDwGxBQJ6x1kDRhde8bGouf63hRpvwqOdRiozlMbJ-viJf3Yqfm_wAdkZtV/s4000/IMG_20220414_211822.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlEPZlofsqRXx9hDjcLs-r2cxy4l98iSPpLLN7pKZKTFKgvhdcwGaKX2BOIGDR8d0bvah-b4W0DjJbumtWDI7cW3uZ-ei2kxx3v-P5wZ5lOdsTEfRQxE9SaxAi_96kLDwGxBQJ6x1kDRhde8bGouf63hRpvwqOdRiozlMbJ-viJf3Yqfm_wAdkZtV/w300-h400/IMG_20220414_211822.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>It's not all relaxation, though, as, immediately prior to our arrival, Nerja was subject to a severe <a href="https://www.thelocal.es/20220315/weather-in-spain-what-is-calima-and-is-it-bad-for-you/" target="_blank">CALIMA</a>, producing the worst fall of muddy sand from the Sahara (<i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #404040; font-family: "eb garamond", serif;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">lluvia de barro)</span></i> for some 40 years. We purchased a pressure washer and it's a slow business removing the sticky sludge from the recently painted house.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZ3TPWVlpKDvhgtxdUwPUdKDXUI-d1kdZuVj4Q0lLhJb75ixMUK_NkuKM2yT0rXpQfiDCGdYgFMJUGV2P0EQBlFxGW46hQrzesXnQ_JFNbwcoqB1XZQC__jpk-HbqsBtrUeEW3bIptWOzU0LlpWdMC5rk0aXpSdDDBWL_fQ-UEaFoxJtTp4HMyfqs/s4000/IMG_20220330_110004.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZ3TPWVlpKDvhgtxdUwPUdKDXUI-d1kdZuVj4Q0lLhJb75ixMUK_NkuKM2yT0rXpQfiDCGdYgFMJUGV2P0EQBlFxGW46hQrzesXnQ_JFNbwcoqB1XZQC__jpk-HbqsBtrUeEW3bIptWOzU0LlpWdMC5rk0aXpSdDDBWL_fQ-UEaFoxJtTp4HMyfqs/s320/IMG_20220330_110004.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>This is the easy part......</p>Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-18107409246919107712022-03-19T23:21:00.015+00:002022-04-25T16:38:01.639+01:00Pause for Thought<p><span style="color: red; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>After our travels through Eastern Europe & Russia, did we ever think that this hell could happen..... ?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine at this time.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzxsuE-P0zkByhhPIKmK4Xo1w9qQkobFTUQDehn0LNIuquh3fjBiN1C5_tjJh5Rxi0l8jh9BBryjEkxaZVOVjEoaqa-xTnlcm8qGGrC-4fR8qWfOEXCSf-NXH1efoF5SQy73bv5EsrMYTrVsUP4EAtRvo7tPYlVzSGu7UcgdOF9CXre81Nw4T7COIM=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1290" data-original-width="1600" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzxsuE-P0zkByhhPIKmK4Xo1w9qQkobFTUQDehn0LNIuquh3fjBiN1C5_tjJh5Rxi0l8jh9BBryjEkxaZVOVjEoaqa-xTnlcm8qGGrC-4fR8qWfOEXCSf-NXH1efoF5SQy73bv5EsrMYTrVsUP4EAtRvo7tPYlVzSGu7UcgdOF9CXre81Nw4T7COIM=w400-h323" width="400" /></a></div><p>Moments of Reflection:</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLtmq0g_4Og" target="_blank">Brothers in Arms - Dire Straits - Ukraine Krieg</a><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7IP4UlXvG8" target="_blank">Imagine</a> (UNICEF version)<br /></p><p><a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-qXYXxRyOl4" target="_blank">Imagine</a> (en Español)<br /></p><p><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60814913" target="_blank">Children Bear the Brunt (BBC UK)</a><br /></p><p>Donate?</p><p><a href="https://www.unicef.org.uk/donate/donate-now-to-protect-children-in-ukraine/?gclid=CjwKCAjw_tWRBhAwEiwALxFPoaZtdvg3KoEKKgpNmrQ-RIch-tWhjFE6S6AL1vXT44EXNWaliQKwuBoCKq4QAvD_BwE">UNICEF Appeal</a> (a link to the UNICEF's appeal website - not part of Travelling Tales blog)</p><p><br /></p>Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-33816809752261249222021-12-01T17:14:00.012+00:002021-12-01T22:39:18.593+00:00Heading for Winter<p> Back home, we're heading for our first winter in our (much) smaller Leigh-on-Sea house....</p><p>...but how sensible we were to move here.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUbT-jjpzTSNGBTcleULzHQBWTxpVNYxg2iBM8GEo2_Q2NiUwdRg-7t5CYN_Pz-wdBiXTqA7-rSSnnaCFmf0nk8ZMXe7fYLuLurLJdxTt5brFoouUWi3kXRFgOQW8f8lPv9Bk8X_3TQU/s2048/IMG_20211031_150832.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUbT-jjpzTSNGBTcleULzHQBWTxpVNYxg2iBM8GEo2_Q2NiUwdRg-7t5CYN_Pz-wdBiXTqA7-rSSnnaCFmf0nk8ZMXe7fYLuLurLJdxTt5brFoouUWi3kXRFgOQW8f8lPv9Bk8X_3TQU/w640-h480/IMG_20211031_150832.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>How will the latest Covid variant affect our travel plans which are, to be honest, pretty vague again... and what about our planned time back in our Spanish home?</p><p><i>In England* face masks are now compulsory for shops and public transport as from yesterday but there seems to be a patchy response in London; there were around 30% masked on the DLR trains we used yesterday which, of course, isn't really going to help contain the Omicron variant. On the other hand, the rule doesn't apply to pubs which must be because No 10 has discovered alcohol does the job instead. Ant-vaxxers, ant-maskers - England has lost the plot. How difficult is it to put on a mask which scientific studies show has a pretty dramatic effect on transmission in enclosed places? People are fed up and confused: we have a PM who doesn't follow his own guidance and 'experts' who aren't experts pontificating on the guidance. A GP who should know better went unchallenged on BBC Newsnight after stating that masks make little difference. Leadership's sadly missing. That's you, Boris Johnson. </i></p><p><i>* Of course, Wales and Scotland have this sorted</i></p>Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-76724987186650165662021-09-24T19:22:00.009+01:002021-09-24T19:29:13.509+01:00España at Last<p><br /></p><p>Back in our Spanish home at last.</p><p>Part of both our hearts reside here and we've sorely missed this lovely place. This is pure therapy after all that's happened since we left in March 2020.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5LeKlKH9PDqZufFXnE5ZpED7Rh0SLbGdKgEPprTVCpALJF0GDgaV_2l5i89-op4ip4zqHZtT_VQsA7CFYZh7SYyYk21YQe2RStZavkWWKgUtth73bfuJSWmkREGx75wZJCVxrD_xaDc/s2048/IMG_20210921_163747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5LeKlKH9PDqZufFXnE5ZpED7Rh0SLbGdKgEPprTVCpALJF0GDgaV_2l5i89-op4ip4zqHZtT_VQsA7CFYZh7SYyYk21YQe2RStZavkWWKgUtth73bfuJSWmkREGx75wZJCVxrD_xaDc/w400-h300/IMG_20210921_163747.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>After clearing the Sahara dust, getting the car through the ITV (Spanish MoT) and general sorting the house out after eighteen months, we're intent on relaxing - which means tapas, beach restaurants, meeting up with friends and the like; think we need it, to be honest.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjphxnAej0okVmPDmEclRSnbDae8DKYUkjWV0E1GZDsOETy2_aDEAEqVMjSGA784l6QM8lxmCF0qoc8xPHBzLMGcwDhY3N7t5GCvu-TjBWWM5nikUoT-lbfh0_ZFQOBtDcYhfNm0vqqxY/s2048/IMG_20210922_165818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjphxnAej0okVmPDmEclRSnbDae8DKYUkjWV0E1GZDsOETy2_aDEAEqVMjSGA784l6QM8lxmCF0qoc8xPHBzLMGcwDhY3N7t5GCvu-TjBWWM5nikUoT-lbfh0_ZFQOBtDcYhfNm0vqqxY/w400-h300/IMG_20210922_165818.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbcvD7hDZp8fW01LhrJn7iolzXmBNC28-7tTqFXV7VZ-PA6RQkIrJu415kS9Yb_Rdu3LkiobvL1hiVi1u4nJcXKWbJR0ItLLdg1g5emxLgOVRmxn28Q6UzsiCfTafxaGpSmp0WVB6UDw/s2048/IMG_20210923_130037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbcvD7hDZp8fW01LhrJn7iolzXmBNC28-7tTqFXV7VZ-PA6RQkIrJu415kS9Yb_Rdu3LkiobvL1hiVi1u4nJcXKWbJR0ItLLdg1g5emxLgOVRmxn28Q6UzsiCfTafxaGpSmp0WVB6UDw/w400-h300/IMG_20210923_130037.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>We haven't really sorted our Spanish stay periods really (to comply with our 90 day Schengen Zone limit) but we're here only for just over two weeks so that leaves some time for a reasonable stay in January onwards. </p><p>The new reality. Got it.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-25624617151690843592021-07-20T17:56:00.006+01:002021-09-27T10:38:19.994+01:00(Not) Travelling Nightmare!<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Did I say that we were heading 'up north' to explore the coast...</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Well, a major leak from a split panoramic window in the 'van has grounded us for a while.... That's a major expense that Swift say is not covered by their 10 year body warranty.</li><li>The Touareg has been off the road for two weeks with an electrical fault that Southend VW can't fix. They've put in around £1000 worth of bits so far to no avail... The software won't let the key out or allow the car to be locked because it doesn't recognise that the gear selector is in Park. Obviously we can't leave it on the drive unlocked with the key in. Thankfully, at the second attempt, VW Southend were really helpful and locked it in their compound while they attempted to fix it; pity they can't, really.</li><li>On the day the Touareg malfunctioned the sidewall of our little DS3's rear tyre was destroyed by a screw and it proved impossible to locate another Michelin Sport 3... That meant TWO Pilot Sport 4 tyres for the rear and three days off the road over the weekend.</li></ol><div>That's three vehicles effectively off the road at once. </div><div>I heard someone say that these things come in threes. Let's hope so.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Update#1</i></div><div><i>I've completed a temporary repair on the 'van with sealer and gaffa tape, ready for coastal adventures. The 'van is booked into WKD Caravan Services in October for replacement panoramic window.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Update#2</i></div><div><i>Looks like the earliest VW can get the required selector unit from VW Germany is at the end of the first week in September. That's 2 months off the road... No caravanning, then. Still doing some <a href="https://travellinggeoff.blogspot.com/p/2021.html" target="_blank">limited coastal adventures</a> though.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Update#3</i></div><div><i>An early return of the Touareg enables us to spend a week or so heading north to add a little more to our coastal adventure from <a href="https://travellinggeoff.blogspot.com/p/2021.html" target="_blank">Scarborough up to Whitby</a>. </i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p></p>Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-12645053084462171092021-06-28T11:25:00.008+01:002021-06-28T12:11:04.001+01:00Travelling - but not as we know it<p> We are, of course, still in the UK. It's been a salutary experience spending the winter here and now it's the second hay fever season that I'm living through. It's good for the soul. </p><p>There's quite a lot to do in our new home as we're extending it so the lack of living in Spain and travelling hasn't been the major issue for us it might of been but we're missing planning adventures and, of course, our Spanish life. New normal. Leigh on Sea's great, though, as are the opportunities for family BBQ's in our new small garden and walks with friends. </p><p></p><p>Lunching in nearby Maldon, this chap wanted to share my chips: cheeky young starling! Are the 'lockdown generation' of birds getting more tame?!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmKrSVOsPT3myG3d4Nk0uomg5CCrzwl_wWqL3jGpcEzrO8HJWNJuVF2XT8aXbG5ClFxTSWHmh8bkZBuFKPboL26rJxYdYCvtF3IYoAoOMfNtuojOkO4RWb4XNuoyOtP0HC_gQJwq8mD4/s1208/Screenshot_20210628_095557.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1208" data-original-width="1042" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmKrSVOsPT3myG3d4Nk0uomg5CCrzwl_wWqL3jGpcEzrO8HJWNJuVF2XT8aXbG5ClFxTSWHmh8bkZBuFKPboL26rJxYdYCvtF3IYoAoOMfNtuojOkO4RWb4XNuoyOtP0HC_gQJwq8mD4/s320/Screenshot_20210628_095557.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>Anyway, this is the usual update post in the main blog, logging what we're up to and the adventures that we're planning. Not a lot, you might say,..... but we are filling in gaps in our coastal tour coverage and, this week, we set off 'up North' to spend time exploring the coast north of <b>Scarborough and Whitby</b>. It's proving to be quite difficult because so many people are trying out motorhoming or caravanning for the first time as well as the usual crew..... and they're all in the UK campsites so we can't find places to stay. We've managed to book a couple of weeks and we'll spend longer if we can find more pitches for our faithful outfit. Oh, we're spending a few days in <b>York,</b> too. </p><p>It's all in our <a href="https://travellinggeoff.blogspot.com/p/2021.html" target="_blank">coastal tour tab for 2021</a>.</p><p>In addition to our coastal mini adventures we hopped on the train from Leigh station to meet up with our daughters in London for Fathers Day. Brilliant time. We ended up eating Spanish tapas with some nice Spanish wine which was a bit of a bonus. The whole thing felt like another mini adventure as such trips do these days. It was interesting to see the scale of building in the city given the economic uncertainty. Someone knows more than I do, that's for sure.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwN12YVZ54bsYyXYrpaPw10MHjc87ApMCrU28-RosVN9JyBXMP-Zo8vaI4JqaPYOodjALl8vPUUAUXBx6fDvHqcvS1BcPw-H1wnJXhClfqxZr8bV8aMghLYGRaNJ72oGujWWC8uxmNJw0/s2048/IMG_20210620_155652.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwN12YVZ54bsYyXYrpaPw10MHjc87ApMCrU28-RosVN9JyBXMP-Zo8vaI4JqaPYOodjALl8vPUUAUXBx6fDvHqcvS1BcPw-H1wnJXhClfqxZr8bV8aMghLYGRaNJ72oGujWWC8uxmNJw0/s320/IMG_20210620_155652.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>No other plans...yet.</p><p>Stay Safe.</p>Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-86280471215869817762021-03-17T00:12:00.009+00:002021-05-12T19:56:50.193+01:00Travelling 2021 (Sort of)<p> <b>Well, It's coming up to one year since the UK locked down</b> for the first Covid wave and here we are in our second lockdown - at least with a plan to relax restrictions a little. 😷 The UK might have been late in locking down but they've certainly got vaccination supply and delivery right. It's extremely impressive and we each have an armfull of good old Astra Zeneca.</p><p>As mentioned earlier in the blog our life living between two countries and travelling in the EU has come to an end - in the short term through COVID and in the long term because of BREXIT. We can now only spend 90 days in any 180 days in the Schengen Zone so, if we want to spend only half of our usual winter time in our Spanish home, we can't travel in Schengen countries until the summer. Then if we do that, we can't spend long in our home. So basically, the life that we have worked so hard for for is screwed; I appreciate that we've been fortunate, perhaps privileged, to make it all happen in the first place but we haven't got that much active life remaining and it's a bitter pill indeed... it's really no consolation that there thousands of others in the same boat. At least we've had the tremendous benefit of living and travelling with our fellow Europeans for over ten years and we should be very thankful for that. OK let's be positive from now on and readjust our horizon to the new reality.</p><p>............................................</p><p><b>So Updates so far for 2021:</b></p><p>Permanent travelling event: we <b>move house</b> to buzzy <a href="https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk00x2F-ZlpKYTEputP1vRB3bTf-kqQ:1604190921282&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=leigh+on+sea&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjn6o7wjODsAhW9RhUIHQxeAZ8QjJkEegQIChAB&biw=1280&bih=578" target="_blank">Leigh on Sea</a> next Monday. It's a major downsize, leaving our family home of 20 years on Fenn Creek; this, we think, will replace the buzz of tapas bars and Nerja society to some extent. Excitement and sadness and a new life.</p><p>Goodbye, Fenn Creek:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOH8gRDV8vqose-r6wY_B4f_9jaitmG0qMLas64aRInsJr16cgmfvtmpFfgYOIZSHpoqc0kuL-vrkDVb__TNU8hr_dyVD9Brql6q1c8T1R1ZmMJb8JZbuGBOPRh0k7rniEqWbfHvxMLA/s2048/IMG_20201119_144350.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOH8gRDV8vqose-r6wY_B4f_9jaitmG0qMLas64aRInsJr16cgmfvtmpFfgYOIZSHpoqc0kuL-vrkDVb__TNU8hr_dyVD9Brql6q1c8T1R1ZmMJb8JZbuGBOPRh0k7rniEqWbfHvxMLA/w400-h300/IMG_20201119_144350.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><b>We have our caravan back </b>from the Swift Group<b> </b>factory in Hull - and a great job it is too: new back, properly fixed and a number of other changes and fixes. Well done guys, it's good for another few thousand miles. We'll likely be staying in the UK this year for reasons explained above and I'll log the trips in the coastal tour tab (<a href="https://travellinggeoff.blogspot.com/p/2021.html?m=1" target="_blank">HERE</a>). We've wrapped it up in a nice cover as it won't fit on our new drive to clean it so all that happens in storage from now on.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYA5FvW7BO5PB3aFSeo5iomBadaG2PlHY0MGeAbBtayTd8glNVQWpYeuWNH0rJ09axQIBg5Ts_v17I0P2kHSBcVFq_Zj9-0Yed4bWQX9IUxi6Br6HZshXA6tKxJU47TpFtrget52D0go/s2048/IMG_20210309_160758.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYA5FvW7BO5PB3aFSeo5iomBadaG2PlHY0MGeAbBtayTd8glNVQWpYeuWNH0rJ09axQIBg5Ts_v17I0P2kHSBcVFq_Zj9-0Yed4bWQX9IUxi6Br6HZshXA6tKxJU47TpFtrget52D0go/w400-h300/IMG_20210309_160758.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>We plan to <b>head to Nerja</b> in late summer/early autumn for a visit. We've had one Astra Zeneca Vaccination so far and hope that flying out then will be possible, new Covid variants here and in Spain permitting. We're, of course, missing friends and the life out there.</p><p>So there we are; vague plans and nothing particularly adventurous but, there again, just popping out to the supermarket is an adventure these days is it not?.. and, anyway, we are planning to extend our little hundred year old house in Leigh... </p>Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-19938480498421073342020-11-01T00:30:00.006+00:002020-11-08T10:51:48.812+00:00End of Travelling Year - and How!<p> Well, here we are again - back to lockdown....</p><p>So that's the end of travelling for 2020, I fear. We look forward to our trips to the local supermarket. At least we managed to complete the intended parts of our <a href="https://travellinggeoff.blogspot.com/p/2020.html?m=1">UK coastal tour</a>, which turned out brilliantly - now the 'van gets a wash and polish before it goes back into storage. We've got to completely empty it, too, because it's going back to the Swift factory in Hull over Christmas to have another replacement rear panel after their (ex)dealer-who-shall-be-unmentionable messed up with the last one. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44YyefB3nkA0qSYQECikqXxw7q1K2ep5Ye6wbQjuHhU1HfbMeLEMYlCfKuVfa7gLiJ1HxcGr0ch2DDL46mXFFMRUU35dVwrNizod6YnTcsEq5hfO9pNSOv5rdibJ3f2JJCVeOTcJ75iU/s2048/IMG_20201005_144957.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1522" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44YyefB3nkA0qSYQECikqXxw7q1K2ep5Ye6wbQjuHhU1HfbMeLEMYlCfKuVfa7gLiJ1HxcGr0ch2DDL46mXFFMRUU35dVwrNizod6YnTcsEq5hfO9pNSOv5rdibJ3f2JJCVeOTcJ75iU/s320/IMG_20201005_144957.jpg" /></a></div>Oops, that's not how you do it....<br /><p><br /></p><p>Good for Swift, though, because, after reviewing photographs and a report from WKD Caravan Services (Thanks), Swift's engineer gave the OK to sort the problem. The timing of all this is not too great because we're downsizing our house in a very big way and we'll have to take all the gear, cushions and mattress out; goodness knows where we're going to put it all.</p><p>So no posts from Spain, no Malaga Lights 😢. We'll be in the UK sorting out our house stuff ready to move to <a href="https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk00x2F-ZlpKYTEputP1vRB3bTf-kqQ:1604190921282&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=leigh+on+sea&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjn6o7wjODsAhW9RhUIHQxeAZ8QjJkEegQIChAB&biw=1280&bih=578">Leigh-on-Sea</a> in the early New Year: fun of a different kind.</p><p> See you in 2021.</p><p><br /></p>Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-6437155580399978612020-08-21T18:27:00.006+01:002021-04-09T16:51:41.139+01:00A Different Sort of Travelling<p> So...</p><p>😥Our Scandinavian caravan tour is cancelled.</p><p>😢Our motorhome tour of China is cancelled</p><p>😢We can't go to Nerja; infection rates are going up.</p><p>😞Our coastal tour is problematic because of Covid and the caravan sites we need are all booked with staycationers.</p><p> OK, lets move house; it's a kind of travelling, after all, it's just a bit more permanent and dear Rishi has driven the housing market into a frenzy with his stamp duty holiday. LET'S DO IT.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">A big decision</h4><p>We resolved to consider the big decision of downsizing at the next big birthday (which is just around the corner) but COVID lock-downs, quarantining plus the house purchase stamp duty holiday presents the opportunity to do so without sacrificing a major travelling trip or so. We want somewhere a little more manageable, within striking distance of London and family and within walking distance of a vibrant cafe culture street: looks like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leigh-on-Sea" target="_blank">here</a>, then.</p><p>This decision is not without anguish; our current home has been extended and designed by us to some extent and has been a wonderful family home for some 22 years - but now it's time to move. It's oddly exciting to house-hunt again, although the chances of joining all this up to get the kind of house we want in the location we want feels a little remote at times. Time will tell.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Venturing out again</h4><p>We've had a couple of trips out; how exciting is that, these days!</p><p>Our youngest daughter treated us to a trip around <a href="https://www.kew.org/" target="_blank">Kew Gardens</a> for our birthdays. We drove, parked easily and met her and boyfriend complete with picnic gear: a wonderful day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVLBCjTViH4766SQ2cWiE-HkgmaWDXsGyLTLLB35sh3LKJ57soHSjIXnTzMjPQwqWgFScEYT8vINoWVGb2E0EC1UQOqKQZadvBz5rp0aWggRKY73eZArjZnZB-G0jP0b1YT6aRWz5stY/s1786/IMG_20200809_183655.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1234" data-original-width="1786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVLBCjTViH4766SQ2cWiE-HkgmaWDXsGyLTLLB35sh3LKJ57soHSjIXnTzMjPQwqWgFScEYT8vINoWVGb2E0EC1UQOqKQZadvBz5rp0aWggRKY73eZArjZnZB-G0jP0b1YT6aRWz5stY/s640/IMG_20200809_183655.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>A nostalgic trip to Clacton and <a href="https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/life-englands-most-deprived-town-3365462" target="_blank">Jaywick</a> was fun with our middle daughter; nostalgic because I lived in Jaywick as a student, taking my physics degree at Essex University in the late sixties; don't ask! Jaywick is listed as one of the most deprived areas in the country and little had changed since my period of residence - which is quite amazing if you think about it. </p><p>Beach is still great though.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Dj7YxCEk05BZ0sUB0JmyJAlVZuwP9RiZSvym4eMTfoGwpO0QFARPvrelTFmG6UDzKSlulMQ_Lsv22waCQcS0dGuWDMvr-z2t482aOvKo7FO1NFgc8cSK0dZg9HRsYtAJ51uF1SYzJ1M/s2048/IMG_20200902_001338.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1475" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Dj7YxCEk05BZ0sUB0JmyJAlVZuwP9RiZSvym4eMTfoGwpO0QFARPvrelTFmG6UDzKSlulMQ_Lsv22waCQcS0dGuWDMvr-z2t482aOvKo7FO1NFgc8cSK0dZg9HRsYtAJ51uF1SYzJ1M/s640/IMG_20200902_001338.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>An enjoyable and fascinating day out with friends at the <a href="https://www.henry-moore.org/" target="_blank">Henry Moore sculpture park and gardens</a> distracted us from the stresses of house selling and buying. Highly recommended if you like sculpture. Picnic again!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtpeofPV5aF5AU7kWs4jR8bP1u5UN8swZ4u7g3nlBFVupvwWY_kP8MdlBQHzDzLfrdirHqusPLsFV9oTNKS63L0YpdjXA_yFl7pXKqe7iOEsIkMxB7Z3FihNOzYYaiRDIqjMNEquztDI/s2048/IMG_20200827_125406.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtpeofPV5aF5AU7kWs4jR8bP1u5UN8swZ4u7g3nlBFVupvwWY_kP8MdlBQHzDzLfrdirHqusPLsFV9oTNKS63L0YpdjXA_yFl7pXKqe7iOEsIkMxB7Z3FihNOzYYaiRDIqjMNEquztDI/s640/IMG_20200827_125406.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDS3dfQVpXtZXHjp7Rh3HmosewMXj_d7ARvMX__M5bU-HnybqR0nIh87h_R3QsJA_LWMNYnlXiOue6KypvWWLJIuKxYZ_pEJWaOki8Jmy_nAEacYnZVPpc6LwnnvEnGKZYsSLbWgVsVw/s2048/IMG_20200827_121404.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDS3dfQVpXtZXHjp7Rh3HmosewMXj_d7ARvMX__M5bU-HnybqR0nIh87h_R3QsJA_LWMNYnlXiOue6KypvWWLJIuKxYZ_pEJWaOki8Jmy_nAEacYnZVPpc6LwnnvEnGKZYsSLbWgVsVw/s640/IMG_20200827_121404.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Enough!</p><p>Let's escape to Herne Bay in the 'van; it's <a href="https://travellinggeoff.blogspot.com/p/2020.html" target="_blank">coastal tour time.</a></p><p><br /></p>Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-8900174113452537682020-07-01T23:22:00.010+01:002021-08-01T09:39:20.804+01:00Can we Should we<div class="separator"><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="120" 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" title="shutterstock image" width="200" /></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Well, we're booked into the Caravan and Motorhome Club's site in Brighton next week and all set to complete a part of our coastal tour of the UK down there - not amongst the potential crowds in Brighton but along the coast travelling east towards Eastbourne, an interesting section that we somehow missed on earlier tours. We also hope to meet up with friends, suitably socially distanced, of course, and walk the seven sisters path. We'll see!</div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div>We're used to being self sufficient in the 'van with its on-board shower and suchlike so we don't recon that we're neither posing significant risk to locals or, indeed, to ourselves, fingers crossed. We have a suitable stock of gloves, masks and sanitiser so we feel as prepared as we can be.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, we're prepared:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQYzbAz1Qo6kU_WE0nFA3Tkv8p4jBPqKkYrVpiGxaz27VDSkVS8y3F0RTW7i812VwGSZfLX6bDB9NepgWZBEdda403mbA72ebF4G-_-3i32qa1YpmR6ul3bcleKWDv3mZ13FQ_emOyqw/s4608/IMG_20200708_155255.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQYzbAz1Qo6kU_WE0nFA3Tkv8p4jBPqKkYrVpiGxaz27VDSkVS8y3F0RTW7i812VwGSZfLX6bDB9NepgWZBEdda403mbA72ebF4G-_-3i32qa1YpmR6ul3bcleKWDv3mZ13FQ_emOyqw/s320/IMG_20200708_155255.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Given that, before Covid-19, we would have been travelling through Sweden and Finland at this time, this is a very small trip in comparison but we feel as if it's a major adventure. Who'd have thought...</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, our 2020 coastal tour starts <a href="https://travellinggeoff.blogspot.com/p/2020.html">HERE</a></div><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-57545318376694275652020-06-14T19:31:00.004+01:002020-06-14T21:05:31.735+01:00Just SayingLondon Protests: Black Lives Matter<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlXQBgtyjQb6Mf-D6wQwT3B3JEKjnvNqR_blAcW3P-tu6dajAlWYh0JUEuEB_cOM63L1WqS3g5qHVilcX9HfSZk0m3k8TWceTwtPg_uQWiduB059mD8BBVrKnqwViXa4nAf3crnWzyk8/s1100/Screenshot_20200614_192319_com.twitter.android%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rosie Smith & Jim Curran from Twitter post by Rosie" border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1036" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlXQBgtyjQb6Mf-D6wQwT3B3JEKjnvNqR_blAcW3P-tu6dajAlWYh0JUEuEB_cOM63L1WqS3g5qHVilcX9HfSZk0m3k8TWceTwtPg_uQWiduB059mD8BBVrKnqwViXa4nAf3crnWzyk8/w602-h640/Screenshot_20200614_192319_com.twitter.android%257E2.jpg" title="Rosie Smith & Jim Curran from Twitter post by Rosie" width="602" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font size="1">Rosie Smith & Jim Curran from Twitter post by Rosie Smith</font></div></div>Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-73299174329683279862020-04-28T23:45:00.002+01:002020-06-07T20:46:20.078+01:00A Different Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><font color="#3367d6" size="1">Covid-19 Pandemic Year 1</font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, this is a first; a 'staying-put' post on our travelling blog, if you see what I mean. Our travelling life has well and truly ground to a halt as we remain locked down here in our Essex home with our two 'London Daughters', our travelling plans shelved.<br />
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We count ourselves as very fortunate, though, as we are able to exercise by walking the banks of the creek at the bottom of our garden, which is part of a designated country park a little further on where it joins the river Crouch. Like many others we have drinks with friends on Zoom and Skype, decorate and spruce up the house and garden, catch up with reading that we always meant to do, bone up on our Spanish and watch some great dramas on catch-up TV. No travelling, no seeing friends, no shopping, no Formula 1 but, somehow, part of this slowed-down existence is somewhat uplifting. Who would have thought it?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSewCoOeoWmxxLTmQTCsaLmYqfCYXuL-UhlcYDJm4twvIIl7hf17ewuidPiuQVBmbIBKa16Rc7Vz6Jup73BSDWiGODZKXu0lm4K81CWmVTnODBocmOFq03AC2d8DSCIfnrCX9kUEVRL8g/s1600/IMG_20190903_201824.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSewCoOeoWmxxLTmQTCsaLmYqfCYXuL-UhlcYDJm4twvIIl7hf17ewuidPiuQVBmbIBKa16Rc7Vz6Jup73BSDWiGODZKXu0lm4K81CWmVTnODBocmOFq03AC2d8DSCIfnrCX9kUEVRL8g/s640/IMG_20190903_201824.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our sheltered life is in stark contrast to others at this time, though, as we hear, daily, of the sacrifices being made by key workers in the NHS, Care Homes, the Police and others. All we can do is clap on our doorsteps every Thursday to show our appreciation. Perhaps, as we move out of this nightmare, we will all think a little more about the injustices in our societies and even, perhaps, do something about it; is that a forlorn hope?<br />
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It's been fascinating to compare the leadership of different countries through this crisis. At this stage female leaders have my vote by some margin. You can't argue with that - can you? <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/25/why-do-female-leaders-seem-to-be-more-successful-at-managing-the-coronavirus-crisis" target="_blank">Here's an interesting article</a>.<br />
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Anyway, I guess the next post will be when we have some travelling news. Goodness knows when we will see our Spanish home again; first we lose our European citizenship and now the world turns upside down. How will we all adjust to the new reality?<br />
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Let's just try and stay healthy.<br />
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Hasta Luego<br />
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Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-82156202363597867462020-03-15T10:23:00.006+00:002020-06-04T12:55:28.418+01:00Lock Down to Lock Down (eventually)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><font color="#3367d6" size="1">Covid-19 Pandemic Year 1</font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The reality of the Covid-19 pandemic and what it might mean for the world is dawning on us...</div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We're here in Nerja, with Spain now operating under the newly imposed State of Alarm, which gives the government special powers to restrict movement etc. for 15 days. This will now become a no-travelling blog, I fear....<br />
<br />
Here's a <a href="https://english.elpais.com/politics/2020-03-14/spanish-pm-the-measures-we-are-going-to-adopt-are-drastic-and-will-have-consequences.html" target="_blank">summary</a> from El País of the announcement by the PM, Pedro Sánchez made yesterday.<br />
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In effect, we are confined to our house and allowed out, singly, only to obtain food and medicines; we must take our passport and Spanish ID and the Police and Guardia are enforcing the emergency powers using drones. Penalties for non compliance range from 100 Euros to prison terms. There is a published fine of 600 Euros for walking within the urbanisation other than for the above purposes .<br />
<br />
Although incoming borders are closed to non residents and most flights are cancelled, we are booked in a flight on Sat 19th with Ryanair; we've also got our daughter Alessandra with us, booked out on a 'rescue' easyJet flight.<br />
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The beaches are, of course, closed:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xNhN3yxyPjfNeWztSC1aCLbdsdRVCWFlSRrSp1EJvI_3wWox-NZ_Egl9SktmvvXy8KNTwwGTgRLCs7b9OsOwn2ygUfemfCv__PxD6Hp8CJ_W3lin10Tvde7HcZazRVUF-hznGc6XKUw/s1600/IMG_20200314_134900.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xNhN3yxyPjfNeWztSC1aCLbdsdRVCWFlSRrSp1EJvI_3wWox-NZ_Egl9SktmvvXy8KNTwwGTgRLCs7b9OsOwn2ygUfemfCv__PxD6Hp8CJ_W3lin10Tvde7HcZazRVUF-hznGc6XKUw/s400/IMG_20200314_134900.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
[<i>this image was taken the day before the lockdown</i>]<br />
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<b>Given the rise in Covid-19 infections in Spain, we're more than approving of this approach by the authorities, despite the slight twitch over the loss of our personal liberty. </b><br />
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<b>Update #1</b><br />
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It's no surprise that the lockdown is <a href="https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2020/03/16/state-of-alarm-in-spain-likely-to-last-more-than-15-days-as-number-of-coronavirus-cases-surpasses-9000/" target="_blank">likely to continue</a> beyond the 15 days<br />
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<i>Our Ryanair Saturday flight is cancelled later in the day but we are able to grab seats on a flight the preceding Friday; that's, er, tomorrow but one of the few remaining flights out as it happens. Naturally it costs a lot more and there is a glitch on the website that means it won't give me a refund for the cancelled flight. The alternative is sometime in April or even later. While I appreciate the difficulties the airlines are dealing with, each cancellation produces a chain of issues for each customer; it certainly does for us. Do we have faith that we're going to get to the UK? If it wasn't for a UK medical appointment, we would be happy to spend the next couple of months locked down here; it feels safe and there's always Skype and the like for the family. Alessandra's easyJet rescue flight whisks her off to London Stansted without a hitch, thank goodness.</i><br />
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<b>Update #2</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJOwsaY7j_AfUqyvjd-j2BUEwVN-i_-ZpJVk4_vka4yCW9V_Cr3eP_kDl7K7AFPIBOL1Gxj48yCHacIM_oY2n2E3UrUhTLWJcfnIFXjNKatmRYMLm_5w3HzaSa7eywxDyGuogaCgVTIc/s1600/IMG_20200320_192822.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJOwsaY7j_AfUqyvjd-j2BUEwVN-i_-ZpJVk4_vka4yCW9V_Cr3eP_kDl7K7AFPIBOL1Gxj48yCHacIM_oY2n2E3UrUhTLWJcfnIFXjNKatmRYMLm_5w3HzaSa7eywxDyGuogaCgVTIc/s640/IMG_20200320_192822.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><br /></b><i>We catch the 17.40 Ryanair flight to London Southend without a hitch. The airport is quiet, with all observing the metre rule, which means long queues moving quickly! The 'plane is around two thirds full which is a bonus in these circumstances but we still wear our masks and refrain from food and purchased drinks on board. </i><br />
<i>It's a stark contrast in the UK, though, where 'social distancing' doesn't seem to have caught on as yet and, after Spain, it all feels alarmingly conducive to virus contagion; I actually feel mildly traumatised as we shop for essentials. It will be interesting to see how this is managed as the infection rate increases. We're going into lockdown for a couple of weeks in any event.</i><br />
<i>Fingers crossed...</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b>Update #3</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58ywbH7D2xXB8zPPLMdazrGY_xWXn6tYnw4cR3LEo-5oizWKZQFwyU49fC4_9XoXU2lGd_udIN2T2UPi6ZbRpwU9MxhhpPidK6IguREgcvcy1ObeGTzbY4SdyfTT3lPn1hfzsXaksdME/s1600/WhatsApp+Image+2020-03-23+at+11.32.29.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58ywbH7D2xXB8zPPLMdazrGY_xWXn6tYnw4cR3LEo-5oizWKZQFwyU49fC4_9XoXU2lGd_udIN2T2UPi6ZbRpwU9MxhhpPidK6IguREgcvcy1ObeGTzbY4SdyfTT3lPn1hfzsXaksdME/s320/WhatsApp+Image+2020-03-23+at+11.32.29.jpeg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: twitter, @YourSouthend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i></i><br />
<i></i>
<i>Decisive action.</i><br />
<i>On Monday 23 March, Boris Johnson has, in effect, locked down the UK in a similar manner to other European countries. Some may say that critical time has been wasted in 'advising' the population to keep 2m apart and failing to appreciate the impact of uncoordinated actions such as reducing transport services while not defining essential workers, resulting in scenes such as this on our local commuting line only yesterday.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>So now we're confined to our home apart from:</i><br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><i>essential goods such as food shopping </i></li>
<li><i>trips out for medicines or medical/support need </i></li>
<li><i>travel to and from work, only<i> where </i>absolutely necessary </i></li>
<li><i>one exercise trip per day, alone or with household members only</i></li>
<li><i>gatherings of more than two people banned</i></li>
<li><i>all non essential retail outlets to close</i></li>
</ul>
<div>
<i>Essential needs a bit of defining - already we have Sports Direct claiming they are an essential retail outlet...</i></div>
<br /><i>Still, is this the start of a real impact on the spread of Covid 19 in the UK? Let us hope so.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i></div>
Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-82129246762146186312020-02-12T14:44:00.000+00:002020-02-12T16:36:54.900+00:00Planning our 2020 Travels<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="Scandanavia" height="400" src="https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/GetAsset.aspx?id=fAAzADUAMgA3ADAAfAB8AEYAYQBsAHMAZQB8AHwAMAB8AA2" width="252" /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">What are we up to in 2020?</span></b><br />
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Well, this might seem a little late given that it's February 2020 already (how did that happen?) but we have an excuse called COVID-19 or Wuhan Coronavirus. Our plan was to motorhome around part of China in September, seeing some of the main tourist sights on the way; this seemed a fantastic opportunity, literally a 'once in a lifetime' chance to do this tour, as our age will preclude us from obtaining a Chinese driving permit in the future. Obviously that's on hold now.<br />
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So we're going to Scandinavia in our faithful outfit, all being well, probably taking around two and half months in total, with the majority being part of the Camping and Caravanning Club's escorted tour. That means a separate blog as usual and very a different adventure right up to the Arctic Circle. Looking forward to it, indeed.<br />
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Thanks to the C&CC for the map of their tour, details of which can be found on their website.<br />
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Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-64897919125529391302020-01-31T09:41:00.000+00:002020-02-01T16:49:33.428+00:00On This Night<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If you've been following our free-travelling European life you'll understand why we're now having to contemplate a rather different future....</div>
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😢 😢<br />
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So how did we spend this momentous evening?<br />
As it happens, it really couldn't have been more appropriate for us as, with friends, we listened to an outstanding performance of music from around Europe, played in the intimate surroundings of La Herradura Castle by Tjaša Kastelic and Jerzy Chwastyc, originally from Slovenia and Poland respectively.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1_If_lFyBa5JTt27-5hKne1AAp6X3eVTD16kxZst2IjhR0OTR4thqMyatgrCl_A7IiYgwxkwQApkTUi0BWTbxEd995LSmB8eGlvFuIF9zaQqjfdqzRlPb9oq2_CZeL7CBbX9bckjn2s/s1600/IMG_20200131_231934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1310" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1_If_lFyBa5JTt27-5hKne1AAp6X3eVTD16kxZst2IjhR0OTR4thqMyatgrCl_A7IiYgwxkwQApkTUi0BWTbxEd995LSmB8eGlvFuIF9zaQqjfdqzRlPb9oq2_CZeL7CBbX9bckjn2s/s320/IMG_20200131_231934.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo: C. Roseveare</span><br />
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<a href="https://youtu.be/8dgVmrPT7bs" target="_blank">Uplifting</a> [commercial video]<br />
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<div>
To all the EU citizens we have met on our travels and here in España:<br />
Thanks for your friendship, help and support; long may your collaboration succeed and thrive. Perhaps we'll rejoin you one day...<br />
But, sadly, not in our lifetime.</div>
</div>
Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-48456411215596831502019-12-17T16:59:00.000+00:002019-12-17T17:49:16.317+00:00All Keyed Up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, here we are, back in Brexitland for Christmas festivities, but the point of this post is to log our excellent time at the evening Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London courtesy of our Daughter and Son in Law.<br />
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This was a great chance to see the ceremony that's been going on every night for over 700 years, hear some of the history again and, thanks to the invite procured for us, have a couple of G&T's in the Keys bar, run by and for the Yeoman Warders; a tie is essential wear for gentlemen but, even so, I wear one too. Anyway, I have to keep up with the sartorial elegance of my dear family. No photos allowed and, in any event, <i>Look up London</i> does the description better than I can, so follow this <a href="https://lookup.london/tower-of-london-secret-pub/" target="_blank">LINK</a> for more info.<br />
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What a privilege! Wonderful. Thanks to all.<br />
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Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5983911328696071280.post-936806529652146612019-12-10T17:21:00.000+00:002019-12-13T18:52:50.279+00:00Malaga Lights Revisited (again)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our annual trip to the Malaga (Christmas) Lights takes different forms; this year we travel by Alsa Bus with friends for what turns out to be a brilliant evening taking in a rooftop bar, tapas, the lights and general, well, <i>fun</i>.<br />
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From the moment these guys get on the bus we realise this could be a fun evening...<br />
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Málaga from the top..<br />
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The Lights<br />
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With street performers<br />
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Viva España!</div>
Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824945366234773698noreply@blogger.com0