Time To Fly!

We’re all packed and ready to go, dropped off at Bournemouth International Airport by Mum and Dad. Flight number FR9083, Bournemouth to Alicante. Everything going so smoothly until the customs officer wants to ‘randomly’ check the suitcase we’re checking into the hold! I’ve never seen them do this before. Well I’ve lugged our 19.5KG (couldn’t get much closer to the golden 20!) onto a metal table and realised \240halfway through undoing the zip that I’d started to open it upside down... ah well, time to rip the plaster off and deal with the mess after!

It took him a very short time to “search” our belongings and his only question came when he found a slightly suspicious looking wrapped grey package.

“What am I looking at here?” he asked

“Condoms” I stated, straight faced whilst Gem struggled not to start giggling.

“Fair enough” was his response before he signaled the end of a search... rather pointless all in all. Between the three of us we managed to get the suitcase zipped back up and along the conveyor belt before we both burst out laughing behind our black face masks 😂

We then sped through security, bypassed the closed duty free shop (no complaints from me there) and entered the bustle of the main airport.

Or not. Costa Coffee and the cafe stand were closed. Only WHS Smiths and The Navigator (your standard overpriced and poor quality airport pub) were open, perhaps fifty other travelers were spread throughout the departures hall. A quick stop off for some bottled water and snacks at the shop before ordering some cheesy chips and chicken goujons at the pub, all done online and without the usual airport queues, the less said about the food the better, who knew you could make terrible cheesy chips?!

Touch Down!

We passed the time watching episodes of Travel Man set in Spanish cities, a quick game of Harry Potter Top Trumps after which Gem stated she’d never play the game again so we moved on to a quiz game on the iPad.

Flying with masks on wasn’t too much trouble, a few breaks from the heat for sips of water and a sweet or two. The majority of passengers also complied except for a couple of men who got stupidly drunk and thought that the rule didn’t apply to them... the crew didn’t seem to take any action from where we were sitting.

It was a slightly bumpy landing and then a fast taxi to an air bridge made disembarking very easy, we were second off the plane and quickly overtook the first man as we entered the main airport, passports worked first time at the electronic gates (miracle) and we were quickly heading into the baggage reclaim hall before we were ambushed by a dozen Spanish health officials in white coats, masks and gloves.

A quick scan of our QR codes from the health questionnaire we’d filled in at home and we were allowed into baggage reclaim, our case was third onto the carousel. Smoothest flight process ever. On our way out into the arrivals hall we saw the worst of the two drunk men from the plane get pulled back by a health official as he tried to stagger his way through them and then get approached by a trio of armed civil guard officers - excellent! (Although we didn’t stay to see the outcome)

We got to the Centauro desk and ignored the usual play by the staff member to try to get us to buy better car insurance and upgrade, she had told me there was only a Fiat Qubo. I bullishly said that would be fine. Big mistake. On arrival to the parking area we found what looked to be a small mini bus. Wide, long, tall and old looking for a hire car, complete with swing rear doors and rack on top.

Gem suggested I sit in it before going away with it. Great idea. Hated it. Felt clunky. Left Gem by the Centauro office in the car park and headed back into the arrivals hall. Back to the same desk and a little more contritely, spoke to the same lady. “Yes, she was right, horrible boxy car” I said, “did they have anything else?” Nothing in our category. We’d booked Ford Fiesta or similar. I still can’t understand how a Fiat Qubo is similar but hey, I don’t get to create the categories.

€50 later and I’d upgraded to a Hyundai i30. And I absolutely love it. Similar size to my 1 series along with all of the tech and gadgets. Well worth the extra expenditure as we’ve got this car for our first three weeks.

We got to the house in just over an hour, a slightly nervy drive in a new car, on the wrong side of the road with the vehicle on my wrong side and pitch black to boot! Luckily the roads were quiet and the car was a smooth drive. Gem was my spotter on the right hand side and together we got to Javea in one piece - a little work to do on my lane discipline but that will come with time in the car!

Casa dulce casa. Home sweet home.

Parked up at the house and unloaded quickly, through the gate and circumnavigating a ladder and paint tins the decorators have housed on our rear terrace to unlock the gate and door.

Day One

I’ve woken early, just before eight. Sunlight is just creeping around the curtain and I can hear birds chirping in the garden. Gem is also awake, unusual for this time of morning, a result of her poor nights sleep.

We get up and I immediately strip the bed and chuck this set in the washing machine so it can go on the line after breakfast. Which I’ve probably mentioned at least once a day for the last three months.

Cala Bandida. My favourite place to sit in the world. The view, the food, the service and the tranquil atmosphere of utter relaxation never disappoints. The ultimate holiday feels.

First Evening

We showered before heading out to watch Liverpool v Leeds at Geographic. A small beer, fresh orange juice and the cheesiest nachos in the world kept our appetite at bay before dinner later. The football was a seven goal thriller. 4-3 to Liverpool with some great goals and a hat trick by King Mo! Awesome start to the season (and the holiday 😉) Gem watched the whole game, so proud!

Day 2

A much more restful nights sleep for the both of us although Gem is much better at staying in bed than me! I left her to it, taking my book and a cup of coffee onto the rear terrace and enjoying the early morning as the mist and clouds rolled over the mountain before the sun broke through and began to heat up the day.

Paella!

We parked the car down a side street midway between the port and the arenal on the coastal road and walked down into the arenal. Masks are not fun in this heat and I kept mine off for most of the time unless we passed closely with other people.

Bites.

I’ve been bitten to shreds. A mozzie must have snuck into bed with us, Gem has a few bites which flare up big time whilst I have around thirty! Although they don’t yet provide me with much uncomfort so I’m able to ignore them.

Bambula

We headed down to the arenal for dinner, the mountain looked beautiful in the late evening with cloud rolling over its peak.

We started the day quite lazily, just chilling around the house, drinking coffee, reading and writing in our journals. All on the pretext of awaiting Swiss cable to carry out the next part of their work.

I had a banana and mixed berry smoothie before we decided to walk to the local shop for some bits. I picked up a mini quiche from their bakery counter and had it with salad for lunch - simple but excellent.

We then spent the afternoon at the pool, sunbathing and swimming before it was time to prepare for Le Gourmand!

Le Gourmand

Another day at home waiting for Swiss cable... after waiting all morning for them to achieve nothing we decided to head out to the supermarket as we needed a few things for home cooked dinners the next couple of nights.

I swam my first proper swim. 20 lengths of the 25m pool. It was hard. Gem seems like a dolphin, cuts through the water with absolute ease.

Diner was dorado (sea bream) with quinoa, olives, mixed vegetables and salad dressed in olive oil.

Candlelit dinner in the Naya, a glass of Albariño and some Netflix. And salted caramel and almond magnums, excellent, my new favourite.

Up at a reasonable time and on our way to the Market. I love all of the fresh produce and great prices. We bought some amazing looking olives and some fresh fruit from a couple of the stalls.

We then took a small walk through the old towns cobbled streets and had a look into the local market before stopping at the usual place for breakfast and coffee.

Breakfast tostada, Jamón, queso and tomate. Plus coffee for me and orange juice for Gem.

Swiss cable can’t finish today. No surprise.

Daily swim routine.

Spaghetti, meatballs and veg ragu. Rioja, You and tiramisu.

We’ve wasted a whole day thanks to Swiss cable. He told us he’d be upstairs at nine for one or two hours and be with us by eleven. He got to us after three - we literally sat inside and waited for him for six hours. Then it took him over two hours to plug the box in... and then it didn’t work. He needed to come back in a couple hours to finish the job.

We went to the pool for a sunbathe and a decompress whilst he went away (and Gem advised me to cancel La Rebotica and move it to Saturday) so I obviously wasn’t happy about that either.

The internet finally was fixed at 7.15pm - five days and many more hours later than they said it would take.

We headed down to a chiringuita for a drink before dinner, we shared a pizza and an excellent salad with quince, feta and pistachios.

Shopping centre

We drove out to Portal de la Marina shopping centre at Ondara which is about fifteen minutes drive from home. It’s a great shopping centre, not too big and with plenty of shops, good air conditioning, good cafes and an excellent supermarket.

Our first stop after parking underground was coffee. It’s tradition. I had a cappuccino con nata and a donut which Gem had a little bit of it along with her orange juice.

La Rebotica

Sunday and Football

We had a little lay in this morning, Gem was feeling particularly groggy after dinner last night. We then went for a short walk in the national park out our back gate and did some exploring in the forest.

Lunch was light as we were having the leftover meatballs and spaghetti with salad for dinner where we also polished off the last of the rioja.

I watched Liverpool v Chelsea (2-0 win at The Bridge!) and we then watched the season finale of Hanna which was excellent.

Spin, Swim and Coffee

Today we have our first spin so the alarm was set for 8.00 which we both quite enjoyed and dealt with quite easily 😂

I made coffee and brought it back to bed and journaled for a bit before it was time to get ready and go.

So first spin was ace, we both really enjoyed it although my butt is a little saddle sore. The people in the class were also very nice and we stayed for a drink with them all after, they’re all English but at least 40+ some of them do every class! Even a 60 year old couple who were the friendliest.

Dinner was a hummus salad with some marinated pork from the supermarket (I thought it was chicken at the time of buying) the pork turned out to be very salty so we didn’t eat a lot of it.

Spin, Swim and Sore

Second spin today and my bum isn’t getting any better, still very sore! Different instructor today but she was very good as well.

We went to the Sports shop as we decided it was time to get me some spin shoes!

Montgo Massif

We thought we’d start the day with a gentle walk in the national park which can be found outside our back gate. What an adventure it turned into.

Spin, Sore Calves

“I can’t believe how sore my calves are” was pretty much a catchphrase for the next two days.

We span and then had coffee and toast at a chiringuita as it was a beautiful day.

Online shopping collection. One and a half hour fashion show.

Tuna pasta bake - nachos!

Last spin of the week!

Spin with weight workout - ouchies!

It’s the weekend (although everyday is the weekend)

Recovery session in the cold pool

Drinks at The Beachouse rooftop bar

Dinner at La Siesta

Rest Day!

We started the day by popping to the shops for groceries and things for bracelet making. The weather was a bit cloudy so we had a day at home.

Gem started bracelet making whilst I went on a football manager spree and watched a fair amount of the premier league.

The Beach House

Breakfast out at the beach house. Sat in the blazing sun which was amazing. Enjoyed by favourite breakfast whilst Gem had an Açaí bowl.

Swimming grannies and weighted walking sticks.

Man city lost 5-2 to Leicester. At home!

We went out for snackies - patatas bravas and caramel cake. Caramel macchiato for me and Cava for Gem.

Spin

Good spin

Spent a couple house lounging by the pool and had a dip to refresh our bodies - was cold!

Watched some Chef (Netflix show) quite like it because it’s different although struggle a little with a complete lack of structure in the episodes.

Roadtrip Day One!

We were up at a reasonable time and ready to hit the road! First stop Alicante in just over an hours drive to swap cars at the Centauro office. Firstly though I took a wrong turn due to an asshole driving so close to my rear end I took the wrong exit and added twenty five minutes to our journey as we travelled north towards Valencia instead of south.

Our next challenge of the morning was a man losing concentration on a quiet motorway and drifting halfway into our lane as we were overtaking. Slammed on the breaks and the horn to avoid an accident. Idiot.

The rest of the journey to Alicante passed without any more issues and on arrival our Hyundai i30 was pronounced “perfect” and within minutes we’d swapped to an i20. A smaller version of the same car. Excellent!