December 17,18,19 2021 Keswick.

Despite the growing threat from Omnicron we stuck to our plan to spend our 40th wedding anniversary at Keswick. The weather was amazing with cloudless skies, morning carpets of frost and the absence of any wind or rain. The pubs and the entire town was quiet but still atmospheric with the spirits of Xmas. Beautiful sun drenched walks and tasty meals.

Final chapter of the trip.

Thursday night we spent at the Camping Car Parks aire at Saint-André-de-l'Eure. Great value at 11e a night with elecky. Nearby Carefour. On the Friday we drove up to the free aire at Wissant. We always tend to end up here and on past visits its always been sunny, today was a little different, quite windy and overcast but we walked the beach with Jonesy. Went for our now 'traditional' steak at the restaurant on the edge of the town. Nice peaceful sleep before travelling on the 6,20am chunnel.

Bruere Allichamps,

Bit of a drive but reached Bruere in good time. We joined the Camping Car Park scheme for 5e lifetime subscription. Then paid 10e for a night's camping. Good value. We are sole occupants on a 30 pitch facility ehu included in price.

Millau

Camping Deux rivers still open and at 14e a good option. Walked around the town, still in shorts.

Leaving Roses.

Well yesterday I had my last swim of the holiday, water temp was about 18c, not cold but refreshing. Last night we dined at The Montecarlo Hotel where the buffet was 18. 50 euros with a bottle of wine thrown in. The temperature is still warm at 22c and this morning me an Jonesy had a farewell to Roses walk along the front before heading to Millau France.

Where were you when.....

When Kennedy was shot, playing footy in the street. When Lennon got shot working on Kendal ward Rainhill. When Man. Utd got shot to pieces by Liverpool 5 0, in sunny Roses Spain. Watched the entire match in the motorhome, what a result. Today warm sunny walk into town.

1st evening in Roses.

Lovely day. Swam in 19c sea. Very few people in the water apart from a couple of Irish guys. Nice evening meal 100yds from the camp site. 3 courses and bottle of wine for 14.95.

Friday 22nd October.

Another new site for us at Tamarit North of Tarragona. Big site, fairly empty but no acsi pitches?? So forced to stay on a serviced pitch for a bit more. Nice site next to beach with good pool and other services. Site cashing in on Halloween thing with 3 consecutive weekends leading up to Halloween being Halloween specials. That meant loads of kids dressed up in spooky gear tearing around on those scooters that Jonesy hates. Well for kids Halloween is all about being frightened so Jonesy obliged by scaring the shit out of one or two of them as they flew around the site.

Saturday 23rd October Roses again and why not.!

We've been coming here now for32 years. Decent weather. Decent shops. Nice beach. Value for money. So why not keep coming. Will probably stay for 3 nights and then start the long, cold slog through France.

L'ampolla. A new one for us.

First impressions are favourable. Site seems fine and we took a short walk to the town passing some nice little swimming coves. The town itself is clean and tidy and really well presented with a nice harbour area.

Last night at Torre de La Salle.

Good value meal on Campsite. Really enjoyed it here and must return sooner. Picture illustrates the easy access and the two entrances.

Almost the perfect day.

Got our pre booked table in front of the telly. Different waiter who couldn't be bothered to tune the telly for the match. Oh well Pedro your 10 euros tip stays firmly in my pocket. Mad dash to the motorhome where we watched a nerve jangling match with a good hard earned win for the red's. Today set off on the bikes along the lovely front. 25 minutes ride to the far end where we had a nice coffee and I went for a really enjoyable swim. Another near perfect day. Temperature is just right sitting in the 24c bracket. So pleasant. Sat at the pool for most of the afternoon. This site has 3 pools one indoors and heated. Repeating myself but this is a top site.

18th October. Back on the road.

Left javea and headed to La torre de La sal. This is a site we'd previously visited back in 2017. Can't believe we haven't returned here earlier. Its a fab site that's changed its name to Bravo Playa camping resort. It's got everything. Today we had another of those fab days that could become the"Perfect day"if we beat Athletico Madrid tonight. The Athletico supporting waiter in the restaurant advised me to book a table in front of the telly so I did that in Mo Salahs name, hoping Mo might pay the bill. At least we have a good view of the game.

Easy like Sunday morning.

A bit dull this morning so we decided to go to old town for coffee. Parked ourselves outside a bar close to the main church. Nothing momentous about that apart from the fact that it was a nice relaxing time observing the elderly locals chewing the fat. One interesting observation was how they sit in gender related groups, just talking. Unlike our cofee culture where mobile phones take centre stage.

Jonesy and his neighbour friend.

The long weekend.

As discussed many times on this blog, the Spanish don't 'arf av some holidays. This saturday its Alicante day (dont ask) and Tuesday is National Day to commemorate Christopher Columbus discovering America. AYE UP...Chris was an Italian and he never actually discovered Americal. It was discovered 500 yre earlier by the Vikings and in particular a guy called Leif Erickson, who originated from Greenland or thereabouts so maybe the Greenlandians should have another bank holiday added to the handful they celbrate. For the Spanish to claim this is like saying us Brits should have a bank holiday to celebrate Boris Johnson discovering child poverty. But anyway they are all enjoying havind Sat, Sun, Mon and Tuesday setting firecrackers off and getting drunk. But apart from the bars and restaurants being busy its no big deal for us two. We carry on enjoying the relaxation and stress free strolls and bike rides down to the beach.

"Pass the shark repellent Robin"

Lots of confirmed reports in both the local media and UK press of a shark attack in nearby Morreira. Apparently a woman was bitten in the leg by a 10ft shark, thought to possibly be a great white. All Morreira beaches were shut after it was also spotted by authorities. Dave Kelly suggested wearing a Liverpool shirt. That might be a good idea if it had Salah on the back as nothing can catch him right now. But I prefer to go with the old fashioned batman method so have ordered the strongest shark repellent.

Just drinking and watching.

Javea and gangless

They all went back Sunday 😒 but we soon recovered ourselves and set into our pleasant relaxing routine. 😎. Morning coffee at the Miramar, swimming in sea am, pool pm. Odd drinks at the bar with the likes of Ian and Christine. But highlights of this week definitely include the return to Hotel javeas Attico restaurant. See new weeks menu.

La Fontana, Arenal

16th September big meet up planned tomorrow.

We arrived a day earlier than we had planned. Camping javea only half full. The next day we were joined up with Owen. Alex. Dave and Carol. We've now had 3 nights together and had some really funny moments. Today, the 21st has seen a deteriorationin in the weather that might last another 3 days.

15 September alcossrbre.

We got to the camper stop about 11.30am. There were 2 places available so we got a shaded pitch. 13e with lecky. It was full of French. Bit of shopping but it was really hot so around 5pm I went for a swim in front of the lifeguards. Big mistake as this section was full of rocks, so I managed to scratch my legs. Nice discovery of a Tapas bar but we ordered to much but really good. Only stayed 1 night as the crowded camper stop here set some alarm bells ringing in relation to camping javea.

14th Septembern return to La Mora. North of Tarragona.

Dropped Owen off at bus station and about 2 hours later we got to site at La Mora. Sea was lovely and 3 degrees warmer than llafranc. 3 dips plus one in the pool. Got talking to a Welsh man who for some reason warned me not to go to Sitges as I would end up walking hand in hand with another bloke. We, that is me and Barbara and not me and the Welsh man had a decent meal in the site restaurant.

8th September - 14th. 6 nights with Owen in Llafranc.

6 nights in which Owen got on first name terms with the local taxi drivers, just wouldn't walk up that hill! Great time on Kims Camping where we met some lovely people who all seemed to have been coming here for upto 40 years. We mainly moved from Lafranc to Callela and on at least 4 nights took our early evening beers at the 3 pins bar, positioned on the promontory between the two resorts but with clear views of Callela.....fabulous spot. Of course we had to visit Tameriu , with Owen and Barb using the bus service , me and Jonesy on the bike. Too steep a ride out of Tameriu so Owen revisited his dear old friend the taxi driver from the night before. Owen of course didn't recognise this man but he recognised Owen. Surprisingly Owen had previously claimed that his trip home that night was provided by a friend of the barmaid who carriaged him up the hill in an unmarked taxi. That wasn't the case , this was a proper marked taxi with a licensed taxi. Anyway you have the details and understand the position postulated. Anyway we returned to the site, quick kip , shower and ready for a drink and evening meal on the site restaurant...no way ....restaurant closed. Fortunately there were two great people on the site , Brian and Christine from the London area who provided us with a packet of bacon and 6 rounds of bread...lifesavers. I later returned to Brian and Christines for a brandy night cap and chat 'till 1 am. They were a lovely couple, he was an ex village bobby. Both had season tickets at Spurs and had them since the old Bill Nicholson days of the 60's. On the tuesday we dropped Owen off at Pallafrugel where he boarded his bus for Barcelona. Watch this space for further episodes of Life with Owen.

7/9/21. Still in Argeles.

Last day here in Argeles sur Mer. We've been outside the site once to go to the supermarket. Quite frankly this is one of those sites where you don't have to leave, the facilities are fabulous. The beach is right next to the site and we can't get over the fact that the massive swimming pool complex is heated. Again a great place for oldies out of season but would be perfect for families in the high season. Weather been hot with some cloud. We could easily spend a fortnight here but we have to leave tomorrow and head to Llafranc where we meet up with Owen.

Argeles sur mer for 4 nights.

Domaine de massereau Sommières. France.

Another brill site with everything. Unfortunately rather overcast when we arrived. The next day the same so we walked the half hour along the cycle path into Sommières. A lovely old town with those classy shops selling those things that you never see. If you bought one it would be unique and make you the envy of your friends but who wants jealous friends so we saved our money. But still nice to admire from a distance. It started to rain so we sat under cover and had a coffee. Walked back and got pissed wet through. Well worth seeing the old Roman Bridge. We expect to leave tomorrow and hit the Mediterranean.