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Spain July 2024
  • Vanessa CAMPBELL
  • Thomas Chisholm
  • Marjorie Campbell

Spain July 2024

A 18-day adventure by Vanessa, Thomas & Marjorie Read more
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  • Trip start
    July 4, 2024
    Spain July 2024

    DXB Airport

    July 4, 2024 ⋅ 🌙 33 °C

    Sitting in the Ahlan Lounge, enjoying a bite prior to departure. Zurich awaits us! We leave here at 01:15 and arrive there at 06:10. Then, we'll hop on a 09:30 flight set to arrive in Alicante at 11:50. Hope to get some sleep on the flights because I dont see us sleeping once we set foot in Casa Céltica ☘️Read more

  • Spain July 2024

    ZRH Arrival

    July 5, 2024 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Saw someone who may have looked familiar when at DXB. Brushed it off. Buy, as we were de-planing, who do we see but Matt McDermott, who also happened to be on our flight. We're sat here in the lounge awaiting the second leg. Alicante, here we comeRead more

  • Spain July 2024

    Car Rental Shenanigans

    July 5, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Having a hard time renting the vehicle because after submitting the International Driving Permit, we were asked for the passport. This not being enough, we were asked for the UAE driving licence. After that, we were then asked for the rental agreement for our home! Imagine if we hadn't downloaded it?!? (BTW, it's for 2022; good thing they didn't notice). Then, there was the rigmarole of terms and conditions, shady insurance, extras we tc. We may be out of here prior to 2025Read more

  • Spain July 2024

    Working Holiday

    July 6, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Our first few days upon arriving to Casa Céltica are always working days. Today, we had breakfast at Penny Farthing. We had a large breakfast – the Shilling – along with the most excellent Breakfast tea.

    After that, we went to JYSK for garden furniture (it arrives on 17 July), then MediaMarkt for an iron and ironing board.
    Not enough done: We made our way to Leroy Merlin (think B&Q or Home Depot) for a brush for the garden and a power washer. We also researched garden sheds. Life is so exciting!!!
    We also ordered a few home goods from Amazon; they'll be here tomorrow.

    Once we got home, Thomas excitedly unpacked the power washer and got to work in the front garden. Looks amazing now. My job consisted of getting the interior tidied up. I started with our room and the great room. Sparkly clean, just like the driveway.

    Tomorrow, I'll tackle the two other rooms, the second bathroom and the kitchen... just in time for my family's arrival.
    We are now sat, enjoying a few drinks. We'll have dinner and have an early night. Tomorrow is another working day.    Read more

  • Spain July 2024

    Full Fridge

    July 7, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    A lie-in, of sorts today. We woke up but stayed in bed for a bit. However, time waits for no man (or woman), and groceries needed to be purchased! Off to Mercadona (not-so-local supermarket) we went, still not having eaten breakfast, because, guess what? There is no food in the fridge.

    Groceries were purchased, the fridge is full, and it's just a matter of lots of cleaning, just in time for my sistrrs' and nephew's visit. Haven't seen them for over eight years. I am excited, to say the least...    Read more

  • Spain July 2024

    Reunited, And It Feels So Good!

    July 8, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Cleaned, made beds, tidied up, the while shebang.
    We bought groceries and cleaned the driveway.

    Yesterday was the day!
    Had a surreal, emotional experience yesterday. My two sisters and nephew arrived in Alicante yesterday. What an emotional time it was!
    We introduced them to the house and its workings.
    Then, we went next door to Don Lorenzo's for dinner. We ordered the ribs (Finnley), Scampi with fries and salad, and Salad with Caesar dressing. Phenomenal!!!
    After that, we went home, and Thomas and I stayed up for a couple of drinks while everyone else called it a night. Though, when we decided to go to sleep, there were still lights on.
    Needless to say, once our heads hit the pillows, we were out within 5 minutes.
    Looking forward to tomorrow!    Read more

  • Spain July 2024

    Steak and Potatoes

    July 10, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    A lovely breakfast was had by all – shakshouka, yum! And, fresly sliced watermelon, too. After breakfast, we all hopped in the car and made our way to the Los Alcázares outdoor market. Wow!!!

    Marjorie and I went to the bank because you need money for the market. We entered and tasted some amazing local melon! We saw everything from produce to meats & cheeses, . But then, Pépé, the property developer rang the doorbell, which we heard/saw on the Eufy doorbell. We had to take off!

    Leaving the Prud'homme sisters (and Finnley) behind, Thomas and I met Pépé. After taking a look at the house and assuring us that everything is fine, he promised to revisit on 19th July. Instead of returning to the market, we thought: How about we buy a barbeque? So, we did! We also wanted to purchase a shed, too, but it wouldn't fit in our tiny car!

    Barbeque in hand, along with lighter fluid and briquettes, we raced back home to unload it from the car. Then, we returned to Los Alcázares to grab Marjorie, Lysiane, and Finnley. We got back home, jumped in the pool, and then had a lively barbeque. Steaks all around, with some of the best baked potatoes we've ever tasted!

    Tummies full, and another packed day behind us, we were all done by the time our heads hit the pillows. Hasta man̈ana!    Read more

  • Spain July 2024

    A Lovely Day in Alicante and Murcia

    July 11, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    We had such a wonderful day. While Lysiane and Marjorie watched the sunrise, I stayed in bed because the sky was full of light, and I thought I'd missed it. I hadn't, so now I know that I can see it tomorrow or even the day after tomorrow.

    They returned home but were locked out because we'd left the key in the lock on the inside of the door. Crisis averted because I was awake in bed anyway.

    Thomas and I then took a trip to one of our favourite haunts: Leroy Merlin. We got lots: sheds, mosquito burners, gloves for cleaning, cavity fixings, mosquito screens, and much more.

    Then, we went to Peral Fersa because there was a scratch in the car that was not there when we rented it. Needless to say, I did not cause it. Anyway, it got buffed out (FOR FREE!). It's hardly noticeable now; nonetheless, we plan on returning it in the shade. The gentleman who repaired it will soon be receiving a couple cases of beer. Yikes! It's always a working holiday.

    We managed to get one shed/storage unit done and 70% of another completed prior to being shooed away by Thomas. Thomas says: Thank you, ScrewFix, for Bosch power tools.

    Thomas stayed home to complete the sheds while we went to Pink Lake. We soon had blue tongues, thanks to blue lemonade suckers. And, we saw our local flamingos not once, not twice, not thrice, but four times today!!! The lake was magical! We may have found a flamingo leg bone. They also minee salt there! We wonder what stepping into it would be like during the winter, or during sunrise, or sunset. So many variables!

    Mercadona, here we come! Fresh chicken and water and anchovies and lemons and bananas panna cotta pudding and ice and lots of other stuff later, we made our way home and unpacked, but not before we saw a brush fire. Holy Schnikies!
    That being said, the fridge is bursting, and I don't think we need to go grocery shopping for the remainder of our stay.

    I met Thomas at La Palmera while Marjorie and Lysiane prepared dinner: grilled chicken and smashed potatoes, yum! We're all pretty beat, after ice cream and chamomile tea. I write this as 60% of our group is already horizontal.
    Hasta man̈ana x    Read more

  • Spain July 2024

    Lago Rosa de Torrevieja

    July 11, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    An amazing location. I can't believe we've never visited before. The lake is pink and bloody hot. It's a natural park. We're all here except for Thomas, who is not much of a tourist. Will have to bring him here one day...Read more

  • Spain July 2024

    How to Wake a Sleepwalking Scotsman

    July 12, 2024 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 26 °C

    I had no idea how many messages I'd received. I do know that I'd received a phone call from Lysiane at 02:53: "is Thomas walking round?" I never saw it.
    I received a phone call at 02:59. Another message I'd missed. At 03:02, I received a 2 second message. Nothing was said. "Hello," the WhatsApp message read at 03:13. I was dead asleep.

    I did wake at 03:18 when I received another call from Lysiane. "Hello? Hello?" I could not hear her. Perhaps she could not hear me. I answered another call from Lysiane at 03:29. "Hello? Hello? Can you hear me?" Still nothing. Turns out, my phone was paired to my AirPods, which happened to be in the case.

    Thomas's phone rang at 03:41. Lysiane again. "Hello. You alright?" "There's someone in the house. Is Thomas sleepwalking?" "No, Thomas is out cold, next to me." "So, he's not sleepwalking?" "No." "Someone's in the house, stomping outside the bedroom door." "Shit. OK. Do you want me to come check?" "Yes."

    I'm a bit apprehensive, but it's my family. So, I bite the bullet. Thomas is fast asleep. I undo the sleepwalking lock from our bedroom door. I make my way out. Marjorie and Lysiane exit at the same time. Thumping is coming from behind the bathroom door. Brave Marjorie reaches her hand out to open it. The thumping continues.

    I ask if they'd left the window open between the bathroom and the utility room. Perhaps something or someone entered the utility room and tried to enter the house. It is a possibility.

    The door swings inward to reveal the Roomba (though, off-brand) We cackled in relief, stupidity, and incredulity.
    Thomas knocked something over in our bedroom, creating a loud bang. I went to check on him, but he was still fast asleep. Another crisis averted.    Read more

  • Spain July 2024

    San Pedro del Pinatar

    July 13, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    A long stroll on the beach ⛱️
    Actually, we traversed an isthmus.
    Such beauty.
    We saw sea jellies and sardines (maybe?), groups of fish, anyway, that travelled as one.
    Time for frappées and we'll soon find our way to the mud baths.
    Let's see how our joints, muscles, and skin feel after our dip...    Read more

  • Spain July 2024

    San Pedro del Pinatar Pt. 2

    July 13, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Mud rinsed off, and Good Lord, do we smell like a pig farm!

    We indulged in churros – plain for Finn, and dulce de leche for the three witches (Marjories, me, and Lysiane). Finn chose water (excellent choice), a Kinder frappé for me, a café frappé for Marjorie, and an utterly disgusting something for Lysiane.

    We took some time out to enjoy the beach. I got sunburned on my shoulders. We saw a million sea jellies. But, guess what? They don't sting!!! We even touched them. And, it just so happens, I took Thomas's wallet with me. Oops. We managed to trap a soccer ball, and I managed to meet a dog named Tigger.

    A wonderful time was had by all.    Read more

  • Spain July 2024

    Busy Days

    July 14, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Yesterday, we all (minus Thomas and mum's some Vanessa, too) went to Cartagena.
    I dropped off Marjorie, Lysiane and Finn at the Roman Thatre. Thomas stayed home and installed a mosquito screen on the front door.
    I had some errands to run – a lamp return at JYSK and a Leroy Merlin run (hacksaw, large scissors, padlocks, gloves, and more.
    I hit up C4 and got some bubbly water, butter, and gazpacho. I meant to get paper towels but forgot. I also wanted to go to IKEA but wouldn't get back in time for our Sunday Roast. I had time to return home, and who should I see but Gizmo and Lizmo.
    Gizmo was working hard while Lizmo was supervising, and Thomas was acting as Gizmo's Little Helper.
    Gizmo was the driving force behind getting the screen up. We've still got to do the back door, the front sliding door, the second bedroom door, and our bedroom door. As per usual,it's s a working holiday.
    I lost track of time but managed to get out of the door to return to Cartagena for the famdamily pickup. 25 minutes there and 25 minutes back, we arrived in time to freshener up door oir Sunday Roast.
    Having dipped out, it was just the five of us (me, Thomas, Marjorie, Lysiane and Finn. We thought we'd get three platters for two, but settled on a platter for four. Oh. My. Goodness! No way we five could finish the platter, and we gas even commented that it was more appropriate for eight people!
    Wines and dined, we returned home, our bellies full.
    Then, the match began. Thomas watched in the front garden while Finn and I did so on the front room. Spain s oees first, then England (noooooo!), then Spain (thank goodness). I guess it wasnt cing home 🤷‍♀️
    Hasta mañana    Read more

  • Spain July 2024

    La Manga

    July 16, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Thomas went golfing this morning (one of the best courses in the area, he said). I was supposed to get two dehumidifiers today from Leroy Merlin once I'd dropped off the famdamily in La Manga. Well, scrap that because once we arrived, I refused to leave!

    Had a lovely morning/afternoon there. We crossed El Puente de La Risa (or the Mamma Mia Bridge. The rise and drop are fascinatingly steep! Great find, Marjorie!). We found a lovely cove and found a sea sponge and a natural salt stone). We even saw a bit of an airshow! Had a lovely bite at a seaside restaurant, too (Thanks again, Marjorie!)

    We missed out on churros, however, because all the churrerias were closed for sieata by the time we left.

    Why did we have to leave? Because the awnings were installed today. I wonder why Thomas said that "he had a feeling that they would show up today" and they 'happened' to show up. Hmm...seems shady. Anyway, we-ve got new Awnings.
    The day is not yet over 5pn now), but I'm sure we've more surprises in store for the day.    Read more

  • Trip end
    July 21, 2024
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