Spain 2012 Part 5

I know I know, I’ve been slack as always; I’ve been swept off Planet Blog by hen’s do’s, Birthdays, weddings, gigs and rebuilding our destroyed kitchen. Luckily I’m home for at least two months now and only one big occasion a week instead of the 5 I had over the Jubilee weekend (including my own Birthday – grand old ago of 28 now!)


I’ve set myself a challenge; I’ve 14,000 readers in 22 months. I have 7 weeks until this blog is 2 years old! Can’t you believe it? Me neither? Queue re-reading, re-living and no doubt cringing as I look back on some of my rants and ramblings! So to help me get my butt back in gear I want to reach for 16,500 reads by 09/08/12, which means I’ll be writing a lot more so if you’re already sick of me unsubscribe/unfollow/block me now!

Spain 2012 Part 5

Our last day in Spain was warm but with gail force winds (we later spoke to regulars who hadn’t experienced winds like that in 25 years worth of visits) but we braved the flying debris and the sand in our eyes to take a bus to Cambrills - Costa Dorada’s culinary capital according to Trip Advisor and one of our reps said it boasted the small Spanish village charm with white washed houses and a bustling harbour.

Could we find any of that charm? Could we heck! There were only a dozen authentic Spanish villia’s and they weren’t even white and the bustling harbour was dead – probably because of the winds so we'll forgive that one but the town was dead, dead boring. I’m sure there are exquisitely beautiful parts of Cambrills but the kids were getting tired of our fruitless search and the rest of us bar Mum were hungover lol!

We headed back to the hotel and feasted on yet more sea food, anti pasti and fresh locally group fruit and veg – I was definitely going to miss the hotel restaurant!!

Bye Bye Spain! 

We had early nights all round; the coach collecting us to go to the airport was arriving at 6am. When we awoke the winds were still high and incredibly mighty, I did wonder if we’d be able to take off!!

After a slightly bumpy ride home we arrived just in time for the 4 glorious days of British Summer, I do love going away but coming home to pasty white or lobster red fellow English (wo)men makes me happy!


L x

Spain 2012 Part 4

As we were only an hour away from Barcelona, Steve, Nicola, Kate and Dan took a day trip to the city where they were entertained by street performers, delighted by the markets and wowed by the Gaudi Cathedral. Mike and I decided not to go as the trains from our resort were completely in accessible but he’s promised me a weekend there soon (you’re all my witnesses!)

Mike booked a 24km bike ride on the mountains surrounding our resort aptly named the Downhill Bike Ride; he says the views were amazing and his tour guides Sean and Rob made the whole trip humorous and a must do in Salou.

So while our travellers were out exploring I had lunch with my Mum and the kids followed by a couple of hours in the indoor pool. By this point of the trip Spains’ weather had started to match England’s so a heated pool was just what we needed, in those couple of hours Charley and Koran who I’d hardly seen all week due to their love of the kids club got over their fear of going under water and every two minutes I’d hear “Lynsey....Lynsey.... LYNSEY!!! Watch!!” as they swam and occasionally sank lol!!

Charley - not drowning!

The evening was a quiet affair since most of our group were tired from their days out.

The following day we went back to Aquapolis attempting to get tans and this time trying not to hurt myself; I managed 4 slides before doing so – an incredible feat I think, I whacked my back on the way down a lethal yellow beast this time (such a delicate flower – I know!).

In the evening I was medicated up to the eye balls but we thought it a great idea to go on a night out with our hotel reps!!

After dinner and tarting ourselves up; we headed to Chaplins where we were greeted with cherry shots and Jamie from Channel 4’s Seven Dwarfs who was comparing in the club. I had a little chat with him about the show and his work at Chaplins and found out they’re filming a second series of Seven Dwarfs – cannot wait!

The evenings first drinking game involved Mike, Steve, Dan and a guy who is now known as Random Ginger, with their tops off, pints in their hands when they were told they’d have to lick armpits and kiss each other (pecks!) – I almost choked on my drink at this point! To be fair that was the most tame of the drinking games of the night; I didn’t participate – just took the photo’s muhahahahahahaha <- evil laugh!

Oh dear

From Chaplins we went to four other pubs/clubs called; Christy’s Irish Bar, Kiss, Bus Stop and 007 – where Mike started another conga line which this time headed out of the club and I, at one point was left on my tod waiting for them all to come back!!

In the moment.....

Being typically English we had chips on the way home and I was tucked in bed by 2am.

L x

Spain 2012 Part 3

Aquapolis

As part of our package in Spain we had unlimited entry into the water park next door called Aquapolis. With numerous pools, tons of slides, waterfalls, fountains and kids toys, not to mention the dolphins and seal enclosure it’s a fun place to be!

The pools were initially freezing, but once you got used to them you were fine, most of the slides have a lot of stairs to get to top so I avoided those to play with my nieces in the kids pool but what did I do? Fell over in 20 inches of water, bruising, my arm, hips and breaking a toe (crushing my dignity at the same time with a major wedgie implanting itself firmly where the sun doesn’t shine!).

So after de-wedgie-ing myself I sat by pool side munching on pain medication whilst watching the others swam, slipped, slid and most importantly not killing themselves!

R-L: Mike, Dan, Steve & Kate

(Saving ourselves a fortune having the Aquapolis in our package was slightly marred when each of our sun loungers were 5 euro’s each and lockers were 9 Euros each so be warned!)

House of Illusions

Mike, Steven, Nicola, Kate, Dan and I had booked ourselves tickets to the House of Illusions, a spectacular magic show that had me completely speechless and dumbfounded.

When we arrived the hostess’ told us that if we each paid an extra 5 Euro’s we had a front row table with unlimited champagne, beer and wine; well, it would have been rude not to! Plus if you ask your taxi driver for a receipt from Estival Park everyone gets a free drink on arrival – boozy bonus!

Going into the venue we were greeted by Matt Wright – I think possibly one of the best magicians I have ever seen (including those on TV). Whilst waiting to go into the main room he treated us to a session of close up magic. I can’t even begin explain the tricks to you, I suppose that’s the point!!

Along with Matt Wright we saw David Taylor, Matthew Fraser, Dan Allam, Luke Cook and Glenn Bonnar doing some of the most amazing tricks we had all seen including;

My brother being called up and come on to by a gay Wizard Puppet who proceed to read his and Kate’s minds.

A woman being cut in half but there was no box or saws only lasers across middle then suddenly her legs were on one side of the stage and her unfazed head and body were on the other!

Matt Fraser hammered a nail into his nose!

And at one point there was a lady floating mid air!

I don’t want to give too much away in case any of you are lucky enough to go see this truly spectacular show (so no pictures – sorry!) it’s well worth every penny and I would go back a million times to try work out how it’s all done!

Back at the Hotel....

After the show we got a taxi back to the hotel where the hotel night club was still open; I can’t work out if the staff loved or hated us when we have the entire club do a conga line and a huge (Mike lead) gathering of the Cha Cha slide!

Very much worse for wear (sometimes I’m thankful for my wheelchair!) we got into bed around 4am!

L x

Spain 2012 Part 2

On day two of our holiday Charley and Koran were dying to go to the kids club where today’s theme was pirates (I think the rest of us wanted to join in too, sadly the club was for 12yrs and under, although my 22yr old sister might just have passed for that!) the rest of us took a lovely accessible bus to the town of Tarragona.

Tarragona is south of Catalonia on the north-east of Spain, famous for the Roman ruins held under the care of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and it’s beautiful cathedral.

Tarragona Cathedral

We.... ok I, took a lot of photo’s in Tarragona as there a beautiful authentic Spanish buildings and houses surrounding the cathedral, although Mike and Steve were more amazed that you could buy all the flavours of Cheeto’s from a shop there – it’s like travelling with monkeys.

Streets of Tarragona

Collecting our wannabe Pirates from kids club we headed for dinner where I feasted on sea snails, octopus and shell fish; my nieces and nephews are so good with their food they happily tried octopus tentacle salad and loved it!

We took the kids to the onsite disco where they boogied to their hearts content, as did us adults doing an action perfect rendition of the Superman song you know the one; sneeze, ring the bell, kiss.............SUPERMAN!

Sleep!

Once my Mum and the kids had gone to bed we headed to park 2 (we were staying in No. 1) were we saw a frickin awesome cover band called Reservoir Rocks; queue an evening of green cocktails, Beatles/Kings of Leon/Rolling Stones etc covers and some hot moved from us lot! The night ended with Dan in a huge terracotta pot... as you do! 

Dan in a Pot

L x

Spain 2012 Part 1

Regular readers will remember that last year was a particularly difficult year for my family, namely my parents. So we decided to book a well deserved family holiday.

10 of us; Mike, myself, my Mum, my Brother Steve, his girlfriend Kate, my Sister Nicola, her boyfriend Dan, my two nieces Charley and Koran and my nephew Martin (my Dad and other brother Mike opted to stay at home in peace!) decided on a week in Spain at the Estival Park Resort in La Pineda.

We booked 4 rooms with an all inclusive package via Thompson’s. Making the booking was an hour long trauma for our sales rep Jenny; 7 adults, 3 kids, 1 wheelchair and special assistance, 1 cot and 1 pushchair – she earned her commission!

Our flight was booked at Luton for 5:55am so we had to get a bus at 1:30am, most of us had a brief nap before being picked up, but the lack of sleep would kick in later leaving us, grumpy and short with each other – even me – can you imagine such a thing!!

Luton Special Assistance were quite helpful, although some of their staff could do with a short lesson in manners and a rocket up their bottom!

Of the ten of us flying only four had ever been on a plane; I was intrigued to see how they’d all cope, annoyingly we were all split into different sections of the plane; as much as I wanted to see them squirm (how cruel am I?) they were all fine, even two year old Martin who thought he was on Buzz Lightyear‘s rocket; “To infinity and beyond”.

Estival Park is a three park resort; three hotels, six pools, three restaurants, three different show’s and bars to chose from every might. There’s an onsite kids club running 10am - 8pm, kids disco’s every night and fully equipped gym, tennis court and spa too.

On arrival we were put into three rooms and then realised that I, the one with the wheelchair had been booked into a 2^nd floor apartment where there was no lift.

In the resort foyer there are two receptions one for the hotel and the other for the apartments, we spent a good 15 minutes having to walk between the two relaying messages regarding the apartment and moving into the hotel, instead of them having a phone conversation or God forbid walking to meet each other in the middle!! I was something out of Faulty Towers; the end result Nicola and Dan took the apartment in mine and Mike’s place – we could have told them that without the 5 miles back and forth!

Our rooms were clean, spacious and light; they were cleaned every day – the cleaning ladies were lovely and we used my nephew's charm to get extra tissues and shower gel!

At lunch we decided to head for the huge restaurant were the maître d' took one look at the wheelchair, pushchair and 10 people huddled together and said that he would have our own table booked every meal with a wheelchair sign on the table; and that they did, we didn’t have to queue at all and were able to eat together every meal time.

After lunch we braved the very cold outdoor pools but once in we enjoyed it, the trail blazers that we are once we got in so did a load of other guests; none of us died of hypothermia – bonus!

The resort was opposite the sea so after dinner we took a walk along the promenade and made our way to the beach; more excited than the three children my sister and I got in fully clothed before realising we had to get through the hotel reception sopping wet without being told off – the rebels that 

we are!

Rebels!

By 9pm, everyone was dying on their feet so after a couple of drinks in the snack bar (there were only 7hrs between 11pm and 6am where there was no food available!) we hit the sack!

L x

Benalmadena Part Four – and final!

Thursday in Spain was beautifully chilled and spent doing what we had become accustomed to; sun bathing, swimming and keeping hydrated with Sangria... see I told you there was a theme!

Friday was my favourite day of the holiday! Through the Sunset Beaches excursion team we had all booked a trip to Gibraltar. Still part of our “British Empire” Gibraltar was beautiful but to be honest I knew nothing about the place... so much so when we booked the trip; Mike and I decided to go Dolphin Safari, whilst the rest of the family decided to explore “The Rock” and I asked “Which rock?”... I surprise myself sometimes!

THE Rock!

Anyway, we had an hour and a half coach trip to the town – I was a sleep for most of that!  The week overall was catching up on me, this all might not sound a lot but I generally spend my days, doing a few little bits and resting in between, nights out and holidays take me days or weeks to recover from!

When we arrived in Gibraltar, Mike and I were taken straight to the harbour; we had half an hour to kill so we went boat shopping..... just choosing our yacht for when we win in the lottery, and before I get any messages, yes we do play it!

Once we got on the catamaran I was parked at the back of the boat, and had no intention of walking around the rocky vessel. Within minutes of leaving the harbour we were being followed by a small pod of common dolphins, these were tiny to what I expected only 1-3metres in length but they were mesmerising never the less! As the engines were fired up and we moved faster through the sea, the dolphins were leaping in the waves behind us! They were almost impossible to photograph, although Mike took the money shot! I did a lot of filming instead.

Mike's money shot!

During the excursion we were told about Billy the Bottle Nose. Usually this breed and common dolphins do not get on, with the bottle noses actively bullying their smaller counter parts. In 2006 the Dolphin Safari team noticed a young Billy swimming with the common guys and it seems they have adopted him and/or he’s a bit confused and thinks he’s one of them!

Half way through our hour long trip, Billy made an appearance, at 3-4 metres in size he wasn't hard to spot amongst the others. As mentioned I was parked up at the back and Billy seemed to be at the front on the opposite side of the boat. I didn't think I’d get to see him close up, then one of the crew next to me pointed and Billy was swimming towards where I was, not only did he come right next to me he stopped pulled his head sideways and looked right at me. I was recording a video as that point and you can hear me in the background – “Woooow....oh my God! oh my God! oh my God!”  - it made my holiday!!

After the boat trip we had some lunch and wandered around the harbour and shops before it was time to head back to our hotel.

On our last evening we decided to cook any of our left over’s and order in pizza from the onsite takeaway. Again we congregated on Mike’s parents’ balcony and listened to A Neil Diamond tribute act, who was actually very good (you would have been impressed Karen!).

Spain is a beautiful country, the people are enthusiastic and helpful (and by the way love children – our waiters couldn’t get enough of my baby Niece Beth), the weather was wonderful (although compared to OZ did nothing for my RSD/CRPS), I wouldn’t recommend going unless you have a powerful motored chair or a strong family member to get you around, but having the latter I had a brilliant time and will one day return and go back to see Billy!

L x

Benalmadena Part Three

Monday in Spain was 28 degree’s; my tan was coming along nicely! My camera had taken 200 snaps in three days (and one of those I was on a plane!) but it was to get a huge working out on Tuesday when we all caught the bus in to Malaga’s main town and shopping district.

We didn’t really know what we were planning on doing, but we soon found the Malaga Cathedral, a magnificent sight it was too! Completed in the year 1588, I’m always dumbfounded that these intricate yet huge structures were built by hands rather than machine. As I’ve mentioned before I’m not religious in the slightest, but churches and cathedrals are so beautiful and peaceful you can’t help feel a little jealous of those who get to spend time there on a regular basis.

Malaga Cathedral

Inside

We moved on through the town of Malaga, and stumbled upon the Picasso museum, I’m kicking myself for not going in, but the outside alone was intriguing! Next to the museum was the Gibralfaro Castle and Fortress.

We decided to walk to the fortress overlooking the city. If Mike thought that Cardiac Hill was bad, he was in for a treat. The route up to the fortress looked fairly close but after an hour up hill to the top, pushing my voluptuous bottom, I expect he was praying for me to go on a diet after all!

Once we’d got to the top, the views were beautiful, the sea one side and mountains the other, even the most modest camera was able to capture a wonderful sight. We had decided to forgo the Castle for the fortress as we thought there might be less steps... we were wrong!  So I popped a few pain killers so that I could take the bumpy roads (The cobbled streets in a wheelchair kills your back!) and take a few steps to see the views. I paid for this day trip dearly in pain levels but how could I not have made the most of this beautiful place!

Mike’s Mum is a big fan of the open top bus tours, their family have done these tours all over the world so it was a given that we would join in, here in Malaga too! Not before we stopped at a restaurant called Lepanto for pizza’s and San Miguel beers (well I had to have a break from the Sangria!)

Wednesday was the Hispanic day bank holiday in Spain and unlike in the UK everything closes, luckily all of the hotels shops and resources were still open so we cooked for ourselves, feasting on cured meats, pasta dishes, cheeses, breads and salads and due to the position of our rooms we could hear the live entertainment perfectly from our balcony’s! This particular night we enjoyed a Saxophonist whilst watching the sunset – lovely!

L x 

Benalmadena Part Two

We were staying at The Sunset Beach hotel for the week. Although the place is listed as self catering, there are full and delicious meals serviced for breakfast, lunch and dinner should you wish to be lazy.

Mike and I had our own one bedroom apartment with kitchen, living room, bathroom and a balcony overlooking the hotel’s three pools and two outdoor eateries; The Oasis and Tikki Lounge, not to mention the beautiful blue Mediterranean sea!

The Sunset Beach has a real family orientated set list of activities on offer; including water aerobics, a games room with air hockey and pool tables, cookery lessons, scuba diving, live bands and entertainment and dance lessons to name just a small selection. Onsite services include a supermarket, 6 bars and restaurants, a leisure booking team, spa and hairdressers.

Since we’d got up very early to get to Gatwick none of us were feeling very energetic, but were all hungry since we were 30,000 ft above France at lunch time. So we had a wonder , which became more of a hunt for food since we’d failed to remember that the Spanish eat late and nowhere was open for dinner at half 6!

After initially discounting the restaurant right next to our hotel due to the amount of steps down to its beach front setting, we established that it was the only place open. The rest of the family made their way down steps whilst Mike and I made our way down a large hill; which would later haunt us!

The restaurant; Las Ramos was a sea food specialist place where we ate various paellas, mine being a sea food feast that freaked out my sister-in-law as everything still had eyes/fins attached. The one thing I’m not queasy around is food and I ripped those creatures apart!! (Sorry!)

Yum!!

At Las Ramos was also where I had my first  jug  glass of Sangria – I believe I drank this sweet wine more than water in the following 6 days – oops!

Remember the aforementioned hill? Mike almost died getting me back up it again, he struggled so much his Dad had to push him in some weird convoy. The morning after we went to the hotels welcome meeting and found out the said road was nicknamed Cardiac Hill by the locals – you don’t say?? What made it worse is that we found out that there was a flat access route at the back of the hotel complex – doh!

Sunday became a haze of Sangria by the pool, eating testing my new water/freeze/drop/Lynsey proof camera – oh yes people there is no escaping my snapping now – even under the sea! .... A common theme you’ll notice in the next few blogs!

Super Mike!

L x

Benalmádena Part One

Before I start regaling you with the full Spanish adventure, in regards to my last post where I mentioned big personal changes on my horizon, I would like to say that there is no need for baby grows or for any of you to purchase any big hats or fascinators  just yet! The big changes are in reference to Mike’s work taking us to possibly live abroad – although a very exciting prospect it’s scaring the be-Jesus out of me; leaving everyone and all I know behind. My close family and friends are no doubt sick of me contemplating this but next month we should have a definite idea as to what, when and most importantly where. I’ll keep you posted.

Coming at the perfect time, since my good leg has decided to catch up with the bad one, I needed some heat and rest. So my holiday began at 5am last Saturday; when we were picked up at Mike’s folk’s house (affectionately known as our country retreat!). Along the way we picked up Mike’s sister, with her husband and their 1yr old beautiful little girl.

We arrived at Gatwick; I’ve become very familiar with airports this year with all of Mike’s trips and several “Love Actually” moments picking him up after long trips away. Mike saw TV chef Antony Worrall Thompson wandering round, I would have liked to have had a chat; his red lentil soup is in batches in my freezer – very tasty.

Annnnyway… we had a few hours to kill so we had a Frankie and Benny’s Breakfast – mine an American – basically a fry up with pancakes all swimming in maple syrup – hey don’t judge, I would say holiday calories don’t count, but my belt would beg to differ!

We were flying with Aer Lingus, the Irish budget airline. None of us had used them before so I was a little worried as to the given help and special assistance I need. Although they were a lot less formal in their instructions and advice than Singapore Airlines and First Choice (only two other companies I’ve personally used) they got the job done and my wheelchair arrived with me in Spain – always handy.

View from the plane

The flight it’s self was only two hours long, having had a huge breakfast I didn’t need to buy any refreshments, to be honest I was glad of this since a small tube of Pringles was £2.10!! I spent the flight snoozing with an end of flight game of Mike and I listening to my MP3 player and him guessing who the tracks were by. This ended in him telling me that I “listen to a lot of s**t” – how rude!

When arrived in Malaga airport at midday and we had a taxi booked to take us to our hotel The Sunset Beach. I quickly realised that being told main land Spain was a lot less hilly than the Spanish Islands I’d been to before, was lies - all lies, poor Mike was going to get a good work out, lucky he’s a 6ft strong lad!

Arriving at the hotel; it does what it says on the tin, a beach front hotel our apartments looking out to the Med and three large swimming pools. I was going to feel very at home here!! 

L x

I'm alive - I promise!

Hello!

No I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth as one reader has put it! I’ve just temporarily moved around the globe! I really must remember to pre warn you of prolonged absences, although the sweet concerned e-mails I receive are rather lovely!

If you’re a regular reader you’ll know that my guy Mike, works as a Geologist and two weeks ago he returned home from a two month work trip in Papua New Guinea and Australia. So we’ve spent our time catching up with family, friends and each other. Relishing in the simple pleasures of catching up on Glee and cooking dinner together – it’s weird when Mike’s away our flat feels like a B&B and I tend to spend 80% of my time out and about and when he’s back it feels like a home again.

Anyway a week after he returned Mike and I headed to Sussex to stay with his family, we also had a cheeky afternoon sharing fish, chips and wine with friends of ours who live on a boat in Brighton J.

Last Saturday along with Mike’s parents, his sister and her little family, we flew to Benalmadena in Spain.  And that is where I’m writing from this very second! On our apartment balcony facing the Mediterranean Sea, of course you’ll be treated (or bored) with several parts of my time here next week. I would have written daily but to be honest – I’ve been busy lol! Unlike in Oz when I had whole days whilst Mike was at work to write to you!

Balcony View



Anyway, I’m off to the beach via the poolside bar, the next month may signal some huge personal changes in my little world so I’m going to relish in my last few relaxing, stress free days here.

L x