Andrew and Alison Taylor
We are two fifty something year olds taking a mid-life gap life year to travel Europe in a camper van and plan to set off on the 30th August, starting in France. Have given up house and jobs - not sure if mid-life gap year or mid-life crisis!Travelling Taylors
Travel Blog Posts
Return on Travelling Taylors, via Italy, France and Belguim
Published: May 17th 2008Europe » France » Nord-Pas de Calais » Calais
May 17th 2008
Travel blog 21 Have been struggling with internet down in southern France. For last blog took our lap top into a hairdressers where Andy left me for an hour or so to catch up quickly on some e-mails. Funny sitting typing with hair flying all over the place, hair dryers blowing across my back and spray getting in my eyes. Pity I took Andy in as he got ideas above his station with the hairdressing lark. Thought it looked easy and decided he could give me a cut and blow dry. Whata mistaka to maka! Hair all different lengths despite his trimmers. Good job I am not too fussy. Andy happily watched his football and we were ready to move on again. Wednesday, 30th April Left the little harbour of Miramar in the pouring rain. We ... read more
April 29th 2008
Monday, 14th April Spent day mooching around Sitges.Much quieter on sea front today so we enjoyed a peaceful time walking around and eventually managed to find an internet room to download blog. Had been trying to do this for days without success. Shops here are very upmarket and interesting - all different in style and design. Friends, Elizabeth and Peter arrived later in the day after long drive up from Santa Pola. Had cooked them a meal so we enjoyed a happy time together. In the evening we watched an old Dads Army until we realised that the old German van next door and its occupants (not dishy ones!) were glaring at us and TV screen. We soon battened down hatches and shut ourselves in. Tuesday, 15th April Got the 9.30 bus today back into Barcelona ... read more
Heading north up coast of Spain
Published: April 14th 2008Europe » Spain » Castile-La Mancha » Cuenca
April 14th 2008
Travel blog 19 Monday, 24th March 2008 Easter Monday Determined to see Toledo today, as driven a long way to get here. Dosed myself up and headed out of campsite just as bus came along so hopped on for short journey into the town which is entered by one of three bridges. It really is the most picturesque place. Decided I would visit the cathedral at cost of 7 euros, so agreed to meet Andy later. The cathedral was definitely worth a visit. I thought it was splendid and one of the best I have ever seen. The massive choir stalls were something in themselves. Hundreds of amazing wooden carvings at a lower level depicting scenes allegedly of the fall of Granada. Poor old Granada! Cannot believe that these related to the book I am currently ... read more
March 23rd 2008
Friday, 14th March - Mr T's birthday! First thing he said today - "Cannot wait to open my cards!". Took wind from his sails when I handed him a bundle to open, as whilst home people had rushed out buying said cards for me to bring back. Had a lovely breakfast sitting in sun and I pegged his birthday cards on the washing line! Left site at 12 without a plan and Andy singing to "Destination unknown" - his favourite at moment. Headed north desperately trying to find a beach road. Unfortunately this was difficult as most of this undeveloped coast had no coastal road. Saw what looked to be a pretty looking town called Cullera where we parked up. Motto is never go on looks alone. Cullera was awful and we made a quick exit ... read more
Costing a packet in Costa Blanca
Published: March 13th 2008Europe » Spain » Valencian Community » Benidorm
March 13th 2008
Travel blog 17 ‘ Nothing outstanding to report but this is what we have been up to... Sunday, 24th February 2008 Awoke to heavy rain today and felt a bit stuck in the van with no internet, phone signal or TV (can usually pick up Sky news if not parked under trees or canopies, as we were here). A couple parked nearby knocked on door as they too were bit fed up and we decided to walk short distance to the village restaurant for lunch. Had a very enjoyable meal in the good company of John and Mandy from Norfolk. After leisurely meal rain had stopped so we went for a walk amongst the orange and lemon groves. In this tiny little mountain village found a lovely hotel with a beautiful infinity pool built into the ... read more
February 23rd 2008
Travel blog 16 Thursday, 14th February Bad hair day! Got up today to Andy's comment that if the Queens guard had the same hairstyle as me they could do away with their busby's! That was it, caught next bus into Granada and found a hair salon with the the gayest hairdresser ever. He spoke no English so it was gesticulation communication which seemed to work. No water in Granada today so no wash, just a cut. Shame he did not speak English as I was dying for him to ask me if I had been anywhere nice on my holidays......... ! Really enjoyed wandering around Granada, which is a wonderful city. Very clean and we felt especially pleased when we saw first dog fouling penalty sign. Pity rest of Spain does not take note on this ... read more
High on a hill with a lonely goat, olay olay olhoo
Published: February 13th 2008Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Sierra Nevada
February 13th 2008
Travel blog 15 Stayed until 5th at Conil to take advantage of discount for long stay. 20 euros a night for up to 11 nights and then 14 euros a night - quite a difference. Tuesday, 5th February Said goodbye to Dick and Joan, our neighbours who we will miss, but whom we hope to catch up with again on our travels. Headed back down N340 toward Marbella on same route we took previously to Gibralter. Stopped en-route for lunch and arrived at Marbella Playa early afternoon and were delighted to be met by Jenny and Tony, our old neighbours from Colchester. Spent afternoon catching up with news and went for a walk along the beach. The good thing about the campsite is that it is right on beach, the bad news is that it was ... read more
February 4th 2008
Blog 14 Monday - 28th-31st January Stuck here on campsite at Canil still coughing. Seems everyone we speak to has, or knows, someone with the lurgy. Monday we ventured out to the camp restaurant along with 100 others for a meal and free tango lesson for 7€. Never know when you have been tango-ed! I really liked it, but Andy not keen on this type of thing! However, shared table with another two couples and as per usual enjoyed swapping tales. Have ventured out for walks in Conil de la Frontera and have grown to like it. Quite a big town intermingled with random shops and one small supermarket. The beach is massive stretching for miles. It is a flat, safe beach, sadly lacking the quality of The Algarve sand. Bearing in mind the town ... read more
January 27th 2008
Travel blog 13 Saturday 19th went out for a meal in the evening in El Rocio. 6 of us sat around a table against a mirror, which made us into a table of 12, so we enjoyed a Last Supper - last time we would all be together indefinitely. Sunday morning went back into El Rocio to see the parades by the brotherhoods, interspersed with the letting off of rockets. No health and safety here just 4 ft rockets fired from the hand in the middle of the crowds. This time followed a brotherhood into the church and listened to the very noisy service. The temperature last few days extremely hot, reaching 27 C. Late afternoon enjoyed a BBQ. Vultures had left the Costa's for the weekend and had perched in the trees in the surrounding ... read more
January 18th 2008
Travel Blog 12 Get ready with highlighter pens - we are off!! Tuesday, 8th January 2008 After saying goodbye to many people on camp site set off for Tavira only about 60km from Armacao so we could get organised into travelling once again. Unfortunately, the clouds that had built up over last 3 days burst and we had a lot of rain. However parked up along quayside and walked into town when rain stopped. It felt strange being alone again and took a bit of adjustment. Enjoyed a paella for tea with some lovely fresh prawns and managed to pick up BBC and Eastenders, so not all bad!! Wednesday, 9th January Wonderful view this morning when I drew blinds. Laid in bed and watched fishermen steaming back into Tavira with good catches of fish. Set off ... read more
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