Siesta Time

La Marina Beach

Just to let you know that despite a genuine (honest guv') effort to get home to England today we are still enjoying an 'enforced' extended holiday on the Costa Blanca: In a semi relaxed state and in possession of very expensive tickets back to London via Madrid we actually progressed as far as Departure Gate 7 at Alicante airport ready to board our flight to Madrid. Earlier browsing and our constant feedback from several folks back home indicated that the situation was deteriorating and the snow was falling more heavily in the region to which we were eventually heading; but all contingencies were in place thanks to the efforts of Paula and Dave, who was now on readiness to collect us from London (City) airport. At the time we expected the boarding announcement, we were, instead, informed that the aircraft was delayed and further information would be available in the space of half an hour: Bang goes our connection! This, together with the almost simultaneous news that, although open, no flights had been operated at City, was almost the last straw for Geraldine, who was so desperate to get me back to the safety of myUK support network, as now we were faced with either continuing on to Madrid whenever and rearranging altenative onward travel to London, however and whenever, and moreover the mayhem caused by the prevailing extreme weather conditions, or staying put in Spain and sorting out our return home under less frenetic and desperate circumstances at a more leisurely controlled pace. Bearing in mind that we still held EasyJet tickets for a flight to Gatwick on the 9th December as a last resort we would start investigating earlier possibilties after the weekend . Calls to both Geraldine's boss and my research team at St Luke's, Guildford whilst waiting for further news about the impending flight, resolved the situation and finally convinced Geraldine that a few more days here was not such a bad idea after all: It wasn't critical for me to return home despite having no more chemo tablets, and work could wait a bit longer for her input. Having contacted both Sheila and Lyn and Graham we now had a chioce of accommodation and transport so we excited airside and made our way, via the Iberia Ticket Sales Office where a no quibble full refund of our £1100 was actioned, for a coffee and a glass of wine to await our lift back to Laderas del Sol at Torrevieja.

Over a long leisurely lunch of Paella and beer, beachside at La Marina, arrangements were made for onward travel the following morning to Albox and Sheila's guest rooms for however long it takes to regroup and find a way home. I for one am so thankful we were not heading for the potential hazards of negotiating travel in the freezing snow bound conditions of south east England, and that Gary has the onerous task of letting Chaka know were still going to be "out shoping" for a while longer. In this respect we are eternally indebted to the folks back home for their continuing and unfailing assistance.

Hurrah ....At last we found snow dusting the top of the Sierras de las Estancias on our way from Murcia to Albox:

  

4th December - now ensconced in rural Spain and loving every minute. Lyn and Graham very kindly drove us down to Andalucia so we could spend a few days with Sheila and family at 'Casa del Toro', Locaiba near Albox:

Rural and surrounded by its own olive grove, but not too remote, in as much that a 10 minute drive back into Albox - old town, resulted in a typically long Spanish lunch at La Parilla; lingering over tapas in the town square. And when ordering another round of wine you just get given the rest of the bottle of the very good house white (blanco) plus an opened bottle of, equally as good, red (tinto) for good measure - on a 'help yourself and settle up when you've finished' basis. Lunch including wine, a dessert and coffee for five all for under 80 euros. This is the life!

After lunch, and returning to the hills around 'Toro' it's time to walk the dogs, Roxy and  Alfie, and suddenly I find I'm transported back into my element and getting ready to put in a bid for Sheila's rental property when they move out and if the landlord wants to sell.

Previoulsy during the lunchtime sojourn Emma was smitten by the opportunity of going to see Circus Italia, so having bought tickets we spent the evening watching the tumbling, juggling, contortioning of the performers young, and not so young, and the parade of a select few animals under a very chilly 'Big' Top. Not ever having been to a circus before Adz was wide eyed, but not legless, in awe of the performance

 

So this is my song for Adam (aka Adz), a real trooper and grafter - Cheers and congratulations matey!