Two weeks in Spain

Greetings from Spain. Richard, Elizabeth and Jackie

We've been in and out of the UK recently and, already this year have ticked off a 14 day trip to Norway to see the Aurora Borealis, followed by a ski trip in the French Alps and, since the last blog have had 15 days in sunny Spain to see Jackie's dad, Richard and Elizabeth and it's not even the end of February yet. Now back in the UK we're catching up with friends and family and catching our breath whilst planning our next trip. More on that in the future.

Their lovely house on the Costa Del Sol with the Bernia Ridge behind

How enjoyable it is, as always, to spend sometime at R&E's lovely villa on the hills above Altea-La-Vella beneath the amazing Bernia Ridge on the Costa Blanca. It is one of the sunniest places on mainland Spain, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea being and being protected from Atlantic weather by the high Spanish plateau. The result is a relatively dry, sunny climate but, at this time of year can have a cold air temperature not benefitting from the warming Gulf Stream. This means that, once the sun sets, evenings can get quite cool, around 11 or 12 C, so packing warmer clothes for the evening is a must. Daytimes however are warmed by the sun giving air temperatures of 18 C which, in the strong sun feels like 25 C - pleasantly warm, to hot in the sun. Our first weeks weather was less than perfect due to the storm that engulfed the UK and western Europe and, although we didn't have rain we did have very strong winds that prevented us enjoying the views on their balcony, but by week two things settled down and we enjoyed the calm pleasantly warm, sunny days that we have been accustomed to.

The views on my running route from the village

We flew from our local Birmingham airport after getting a taxi there from home and got another taxi from Alicante airport to their house at the other end, making the whole journey easy, apart from the huge queue's at the airport for passport stamping, fingerprints and photos in preparation for Europe's rolling out of a new electronic entry/exit system. In the interim we have to suffer the delay but hope that once its fully rolled out it'll be much easier (he said hopefully!). The machines wouldn't accept our fingerprints on entry so, after waiting in a long queue for that and being rejected we had to wait in another long queue to be manually processed by a man in a booth with the old fashioned stamp. Joy!

One of our evening quizzes

Anyway, we arrived and were greeted in their usual hospitable way and settled down to catch up with everything that's happening over there. Richard is not so well these days, moving quite slowly, so they don't get out so much, but Elizabeth is still is doing a sterling job looking after him whilst ably managing shopping, cooking and all home finances, so full credit to her. Our trip coincided with the Winter Olympics, something Jackie and I are fans of, so were keen to keep up to date with it and watch some events on the TV. Elizabeth also had an interest and, between us we got quite into it, cheering on GB when we could but also enjoying the spectacle of the various events, cheering and shouting at the TV (good job they're well away from neighbours!). The new ski mountaineering event was great as we could relate to it having done it ourselves. To see how quickly they could ascend uphill with skins on their skis, then whip the skins off at the top without even removing the skis before skiing down at top speed left us amazed, their fitness is astounding!

Altea La Vella old town

The very high wind during our first week put a stop to watching the Olympics when the swaying trees brought the fibre optic cable down freezing the picture of a curling match I was watching on TV and cutting the internet to the computer. Luckily we had mobile phones we could still use to contact the provider. It took a couple of days for them to repair it, the first visit just to confirm that the internet wasn't working and, oh yes, there's the cable on the floor, then a second visit with two people to rerun the cable. At the same time they upgraded the router, which is now super fast, but that meant that everything had to be reprogrammed with the new password. It took me a while to work out how to reprogramme Alexa, my first attempt left her thinking she lived in Alvechurch not Altea. The second attempt was successful but only after I told her she was in Spain so she started taking in Spanish so, more time to make her speak English    

Sunday lunch at Restaurant Mallol

We've been out quite a lot, eaten at the local Indian restaurant in their village, Buddha Castle, had Sunday lunch at the excellent and very popular Restaurant Mallol and an Italian meal at La Gondola Art Restaurant all in their local village. Together with a number of cafe's and shops they are very lucky to have all this close by and we had a thoroughly enjoyable time and made maximum use of it all. We even had a takeaway paella from Restaurant Mallol which Jackie and I collected in their car and ate on their sunny balcony with a few glasses of wine.

On my walk back from Albir. That's the Bernia Ridge and we've been on the top of it all over the years

We made ourselves useful too, I did a number of jobs in the house, repaired a kitchen shelf, refixed some roof tiles loosened by the storm and used their long reach chain saw to chop some branches from trees that had processionary caterpillar nests in. If you don't know about these, they can cause significant damage to trees and pose a health risk to humans and pets due to their irritating hairs. To do the job I first had to repair and rewire the long reach chain saw, cover the patio with plastic to catch the falling branches containing the nests and get Jackie to hold the ladder so I could reach them. As I didn't want the falling nests to touch me I protected my head with one of Elizabeths shower caps. Although Jackie took a photo, there won't be one on here! Whilst I did that, Jackie helped Elizabeth with other aspects of their life, something that took a lot of time and I think she's helped a lot. They certainly spent a lot of time poring over the computer in their study.

The internet people running the new cable after the wind brought down the old one

Early evenings before dinner were spent outside in the sun on the balcony with drinks and quizzes, which I had on my phone. It was a great group thing we did and thoroughly enjoyed by all. As soon as the sun went down, if we weren't going out, we came in for dinner and more drinks. What a pleasant life! I also spent some time with Richard on puzzles from an app I have on my phone, so we did Wordle, the cryptic crossword and various word games which keeps his mind active and gave us both lots of pleasure.

Jackie and her dad working on a crossword 

I did a few runs by getting up early, driving to the village and running a couple of circuits of a route I've found that takes me through some very pleasant lanes with orange and lemon trees and always amazing views of the mountains. I was back before breakfast just as everyone else was getting up, showered and ready for the day in no time. I also did a couple of walks, one about 7 miles back from Albir after Jackie and Elizabeth dropped me off in order for them to do some shopping. I followed tracks and footpaths on my off line maps on my phone and managed to meet them on their way back in their village for coffee and lunch, very pleasant!

Our paella on the terrace day

All in all, a nice break in the sunshine before returning on Monday last to, at least relatively dry and reasonable temperatures in the UK. We were straight out to shop, followed by a beer and curry with Ian and Helen to celebrate Helen's 60th birthday and then, yesterday, out for a Tuesday walk with John and Brian W around Worcester. A seven mile walk with a few beers afterwards made another good day, although Jackie was below par so struggled with the beer afterwards. It's really nice to chill out today and catch up with things, but I'm out tonight at a lecture in Birmingham about parallel universes and their possible existence which should be good. Couldn't talk Jackie into it so I'm going with Bill and Martina.

Jackie munching away on the paella in the sunshine with their view beyond. And, yes, we've been on the tops of all those mountains in the distance too in the past

That's it for now, until the next blog...

Elizabeth and Jackie on the seafront at Altea with Calpe rock in the distance and Sierra de Toix mountain above E. We've rock climbed all over those in the past

Back home again in the UK and out with Ian and Helen celebrating Helen's 60th birthday at Akram Kashmiri Indian restaurant in Stirchley

Out yesterday on our walk with Brian W and John around Worcester. Here Brian is pointing out  the flooded Worcester racecourse. No racing on there for a while!

Looks like we've brought the sunny weather back from Spain with us

It was followed by a few of these in various drinking establishments. The evening disappeared into a blur after half a dozen of those. Apparently I was grumpy to Jackie in the evening, something I apologise for! 

8 go skiing in Portes du Soleil, France (and Switzerland) for a week

This was our team for the week. LtoR: Rob T, Mike, Pol, Brian, Jackie, Rob S, Dave and Alex

We've just got back from our weeks skiing which felt very 'Old School'. We haven't been on a mountaineering club trip since we retired, so 13 years. (In fact after Brian stopped organising them, they stopped happening so regularly at all!) We did our three ski seasons and had people come and stay with us and had the mountaineering club stay in Simon and Cassie's chalet, but not had the whole experience. 

Si and Cassie's fabulous Chalet Alice in Morzine, our home for the week

Brian contacted many friends and looked at many resorts so it was a joy to end up at Si and Cassie's new, chalet, Chalet Alice in Montriond near Morzine with Rob S, club president who lives in Cumbria, Dave and Pol who were in the club when Brian joined and now live in N Yorkshire, Mike who I think has been on every ski touring trip and after my first couple of club trips every one I've been on, and Alex and Rob T. We didn't have the chalet to ourselves, there was a family with 2 very young children in the last room, but we all rubbed along nicely. Catering was provided by Fifi and Andre, a Portuguese couple who usually work on luxury yachts but wanted a change for the winter. I'm not sure they realise how lucky they are. Last time we were in a catered chalet the staff had one day off, now, due to new rules, they have to have 2 days off and because Cassie is a star and wants to catch up with repeat guests they often have the day off in the middle when Cassie came and cooked for us, ably assisted by Judith, Simon's mum who we also know well.

They have a hot tub and here's a photo through the lounge window with Dave, Pol and Alex looking like an angel!

Packing for a week's ski trip seemed remarkably hard, neither of us could remember what we used to wear, but decisions had to be made, we weren't driving after all! Rob S arrived with us by train on the Friday and came by taxi with us and Al and Rob T to the airport where we had to keep an eye out for Uncle Martyn and Annabelle who coincidentally were flying off to Austria for some winter walking. We didn't see them, but did see Alistair, another old club member we hadn't seen for many years.

Lunch on the slopes on day 1. LtoR: Jackie, Rob S, Rob T and Alex

An easy flight and transfer, was slightly spoiled by the length of queues at Geneva airport. We were delighted to arrive at Chalet Alice for cocktails and canapes before the first yummy meal. Up bright and early on Sunday morning to go and collect our lift passes (booking online for more than 4 people saved us about €50 each) and put the strange slippy planks on our feet. There obviously hadn't been that much snow, but the slopes were ok. Monday it snowed which was fab, though obviously does reduce the visibility. Lack of definition makes it hard for everyone, but particularly Alex, who relies more on her vision (which isn't great) than her feet which she can't really feel. Yes, she is a superhero.

On Monday we had fresh snow and were treated to views like this from the ski lifts

Tuesday (the first of Fifi and Andre's days off) we should have been making our own way to the slopes rather than being transferred. We were thrilled when Si and Cassie asked us if they could join us for a ski, we couldn't have been happier. They even turned up in two vehicles so they could take us all to Ardent where B and I usually started from all those years ago. We did a few runs all together before Rob and Alex went to do their own thing with the rest of us following Cassie and Si on the Swiss loop. Fabulous time, high speed, good slopes and conditions and great company.

A pause on the slopes to regroup. LtoR: Alex, Mike, Jackie, Rob T, Dave, Pol and Rob S

The week continued in a similar vein, snow, skiing, laughing, sensible drinking (we are all older now!), and good food. We ate out on Tuesday, except Pol who had picked up the stomach bug the family had generously come with and shared. She, and Rob and Alex had a chilled day in on Wednesday while the rest of us got heavily snowed on. 

No disrespect to Rob T, but here he is collecting his skis after a tumble

Friday however was our best day. The slope transfer shouldn't have included St Jean, where Brian and I rented our apartment. We were going to give Andre a little something to take us, but due to van issues Si just appeared and whisked us away. We hoped he would manage to come back and ski with us but sadly that was not to be. It's a small resort, is very quiet, but with the snow that fell all day had some wonderful pistes and great off piste. We all played around a bit before all doing the circuit once. Rob S, Mike, B and I did the circuit again after lunch while the others played more locally. We were all very wet, but very happy by the time Si collected us and returned us to the chalet.

After the snow stopped depositing everywhere with fabulous fresh powder, the sun came out to give fantastic views

And that was that, a sensible 07.45 collection on Saturday, 4 hours before the flight felt a bit early, but long queues at the airport again meant we didn't have much time to hang about. Home, unpack, shop and get on with the washing. What a great week.

These were the most amazing chocolate rum apres-ski drinks we had all week. The Happy Hour bar at the foot of the Ardent lift. Make a note of it - the quantity of rum really hit home, just don't think of driving after just one!

We skied down a quiet slope at the back of Mont Cheri in Les Gets and saw this tiny mouse or vole scurrying across the piste

Another skier arrived so Jackie had to shout to him not to run the mouse over. You can see the mouse airborne here, running to escape. When it encountered the mounds of snow we created with our turns it was a huge effort to climb up them and over. Jackie made sure it made it safely across the slope

A short Youtube of our skiing efforts

Here we are on our  day out doing the 30 mile Swiss circuit with Si and Cassie, a route we remember well from our ski season days (they are second and third from the left). This is right on the Swiss border at the top of Super Chatel, about halfway round. Skiing with them is just like old times for us, they are fast, good skiers and a challenge to keep up with, hence the reason Rob T and Alex didn't come with us

Morzine at night. To get to our restaurant we had to walk across that bridge. The light at the top of the slope in the distance is at the top of the Pleny lift, one we used several times. The run down you can see is a mixture of red and black runs, all of them really good

On the bridge. Rob T almost climbing over, then Dave, Mike, Alex and Jackie. The others were ahead chatting

The speed team! Brian, Dave, Mike, Rob S and Jackie

Jackie, Alex and Rob S at the Ardent lift ready for a days skiing

Lunch on the piste. Rob T, Mike, Brian, Jackie and Rob S

Mike making some adjustments to Dave's boots at a lift station

On our way up a lift in the beautiful Lindarets bowl

Off piste in the Lindarets

Hot chocolate stop at a bar in St Jean. LtoR: Alex, Rob  S, Jackie, Rob T, Pol and Brian

It was cold outside, but we were wrapped up warm and it made the skiing fantastic

Going up a lift in the snow. I think Dave took this photo, Pol and Rob S are in the lift in front and I think I'm with Mike in the one in front of that

A few shots Dave took from ski lifts (always dangerous to get your phone out when on a lift in case you drop it, a glove or a ski pole!)

I recognise that as the Mossettes (left) and Brochaux (right) lifts in the Lindarets bowl and they took this from the Lechere lift. Been there many times

Pol on a button (drag) lift

And skiing off down through the trees

At the auto check in desks at Geneva Airport on our way home. Rob T and Dave tackling technology!

Well, that was a fantastic week. Thanks to Al, Rob T, Dave, Pol, Mike and Rob S for joining us and making it very special. Lets do it again sometime!

10 days in the UK

A day in Bury St Edmunds with Jackie's family LtoR: me, Jackie, Annabel, Margaret, Lucy, Martyn and Jonathan

The 10 days between the cruise and our next trip are nearly up. All the clothes have been washed, not that we need the formal ones, but the winter ones for skiing are important!

So we've done boring stuff, and then been climbing and been out with Sunday Club and Monday Club. We went to Bury At Edmunds last Sunday for a lovely lunch at Auntie Margaret's, along with Jonathan and Lucy and our Uncle Martyn and Annabelle who we haven't seen for ages.

We went on a short walk with John and Brian. The weather was rubbish so we did a 'cultural tour' of Gloucester. This is John's plan:

Gloucester Cultural Tour

The Victorian waiting rooms on platform 2 at Worcester Shrub Hill Station, viewed during our train changes to Gloucester. It is a Grade II listed building, originally constructed in 1864. Since its construction there has been considerable settlement and, although it has been stabilized it remains distorted. It was restored and returned to use as a waiting room in 2015

Poppins Breakfast

Via Kings walk to Kings Square

The former Debenhams Store was redeveloped about 2 years ago into a Gloucester University site. On this site was a Roman eating house and in 1914, during redevelopment of the site, a Roman mosaic was found, which is now in the museum of Gloucester. Further mosaics were found in 1945 & 1961, when the store was being built.

Post office building Blue plaque. Bell foundry

The blue plaque on the Post Office building. Bell Founders were on this site from 1727 and produced over 5000 bells for churches throughout Britain and the New World. The oldest peal of bells in America at Christ Church, Boston were cast here in 1774

The Oxebode known as Mitre Lane or Oxebode Lane also Oxbody until 1929. (Explaining site) The lane was very narrow at the Northgate end, so much so that an Ox going to market got stuck and the unfortunate creature had to be butchered in situ. 1929 saw widening and redevelopment of the street.

On to Northgate, Statue of a man on a jet engine, a tribute to Gloster Aircraft Company. Founded in 1917, it started life in the Sunningend area of Cheltenham, in premises near to the GWR Goods Yard by the Spa station. The company moved to Brockwith and was taken over by Hawker Aircraft in 1934, though it still produced aircraft under its own name until 1963. Gloster produced Britain's first jet aircraft, the E.28/39. Two prototypes were built one at Brockwith, the other at Regent Motors in Cheltenham, to reduce the possibility of losing both to bombing raids.

The Spirit of Aviation sculpture at the top of the Oxebode, Gloucester

Up to St John’s Church to read the info board then on to the portico to see the spire and Roman wall.

The top of the spire from St Johns church

Back through to the Cathedral. Be sure to do the triforium walk

Arriving at the Cathedral

Inside the oldest Norman part of the cathedral with its huge stone pillars. The scaffolding surrounds the organ currently being restored

Statue to Edward Jenner (1749-1823) the doctor from Gloucester who pioneered vaccination and developed the smallpox vaccination saving thousands of lives

The cathedral from the central garden

Looking down into the choir stalls

The whispering corridor. You can just see the back of John at the entrance on the left and Jackie on the other side of the choir stalls whispering to John. You could hear very clearly

There were clothes inviting children to dress up, so the children did!

Plaque to John Stafford Smith, composer of the American National Anthem music

The tomb of Edward II, significant for two reasons: it spurred the rebuilding of the East End of the cathedral in a new style and, because he was buried here, the Abbey (as it was then) was spared destruction by King Henry VIII during the reformation and converted to Gloucester cathedral

The magnificent Great East Window. Created in 1350 it is the largest window in overall area of any medieval cathedral in Britain

Leaving the cathedral 

Out via St Mary’s gate to visit King Charles II statue off St Mary Square road. The statue was made in 1662, but was lost in the 18th C turning up in pieces in 1945. It was placed in its current location in 1960.

The statue of King Charles II

Out onto Westgate to see St Nicolas, Church with its wonky spire.

St Nicholas' church with its wonky spire

Not sure what was going on here but John told us to stand here while our photo was taken!

The medieval buildings opposite St Nicholas' church

The Beatrix Potter museum

Back up Westgate to see, the outline of holy Trinity Church, Gloucester antiques, and the story of Jemmy Wood, the richest commoner, worth £900,000 at his death, about £148M today. Pass the Fleece Hotel, which dates from 1470s The 12th century undercroft, known as the "Monk's Retreat" was originally part of a merchant's house, and was incorporated into the structure. By 1455, it was a property owned by Gloucester Abbey, and was developed into an inn by the Abbey during the 16th century. It was first recorded as the Golden Fleece Inn in 1673. The building was made part Grade I listed on 24 January 1952, with other parts of the building made Grade II listed on 15 December 1998.

The yellow building is the restored medieval facade only visible down a narrow alley from one of the windows in the antiques store 

While in the antiques shop John bought a Triumph Herald vintage toy car to go on the dashboard of his vintage Triumph Herald car

Down Bull Lane to view the Drunken Duck, opens @ 12, also view back of Fleece yard Along bull lane over to the Blackfriars Priory read info board sneak a look if poss.

Into the Drunken Duck and first pint of the day

Out to Commercial Road to visit Gloucester Furniture Shop to see the Roman Wall inside.

Into the furniture shop to look at the Roman Wall through an opening in the shop. Built in the first century by Vespasian, it is the oldest Roman masonry in Britain

While in the shop Jackie and John get very interested in a fabulous sofa for sale. It would go very well with our dining room wall!

Up Southgate to see Robert Raikes House pub a Sam Smiths pub no handles but interesting building.

Across the road to Café Rene, just because you can. 

More drinks in Cafe Rene

There's a well in there with a skeleton 

On to Addisons folly. ADDISON'S FOLLY was built in 1864 by Thomas Fenn Addison in memory of Robert Raikes who, together with Thomas Stock (both pioneers of the Sunday School Movement), in 1780 started a Sunday School to teach poor children to read. Remaining part of a house, the tower supposedly offered a view of Hempstead Church 1.5 miles away, where his wife Hannah was buried.

Down past Greyfriars to the new buildings on Brunswick Street with the old Gloucester technical College doors.

The old Gloucester Technical College doors

Retrace our steps back to Southgate street and head past Costa Coffee, 9 and 9A Southgate Street is a 17th-century Jacobean timber-framed merchant's house on Southgate Street, Gloucester. It has been a Grade I listed building since 23 January 1952 On to Bakers Jewelers, The Clock strikes quarter Hours, figures include Old Father Time, John Bull and others representing Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Back to Westgate Street and the Fountain Inn, before setting off back to the station.

Outside the 17th century merchants house

Total distance about 3 miles

Return trains are 

16:45 via University arrives ALV 18:18

17:49 via University arrives ALV 19:17

18:45 via University arrives ALV 20:18

Or 17:37 via Worcester arr Bromsgrove 19:11 and uber back.

We had pints in the Drunken Duck, Cafe Rene, 2 in the Fountain (with some yummy food) a half in Raikes pub and a pint in the Weighbridge in the village on our return, all made for a great day out.

We are having haggis, tatties and neeps tonight with John, and tomorrow Rob arrives from Cumbria to stay overnight before 8 of us head to the airport on Saturday for a week of skiing in Morzine, France. We also have to look out for Martyn and Annabel who are coincidentally also at the airport for a flight they are taking to Austria. 

Haggis, neeps and tatties at Johns last night. I forgot to take a photo of our Burns night, so here's one of John with Emma cat asleep on his lap. His other cat, Tara, was asleep on the sofa beside us

When we get back we are in the UK for just over a week before heading to Spain for a fortnight to see Dad and Elizabeth. Brian just doesn't like winter in the UK!