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Published: February 4th 2008
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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 is spread along the beach it is just not a seaside town and I guess even in August you would not have to dash down early to reserve a spot with your beach towel.
Whilst walking along the cliffs to the lighthouse at one end of Conil, made an enlightening discovery. If any of you have ever wondered what happens to anchors when
Conil resting place
Retirement home for old anchors they retire, we have now found their retirement home....... Andy's witty quip was "Old anchors never die, they simply go under.." He gets no better, if any of you were hoping for an improvement!
Bought big bag of wool to knit a pram cover. Not sure Alexia and Stuart have a pram, but buggy cover does not sound right! The pattern is made up of many (too many!) diamonds which are sewn together. Made a pact that I will knit one diamond a day!
Friday 1st February,
We both felt in need of a change of scenery, so unplugged the cables and headed south along a quiet, pretty main road to Baelo Claudia on route to Algeciras. Baelo Claudia was founded by the Romans as a fishing town 22 centuries ago and there has just been built a controversial new 2m visitor centre (surprise, surprise with some more EU Money). Andy's moaning was halted when he was advised that entry was free to EU residents! Actually, we really loved the place. And felt the visitor centre worked in harmony with the landscape and the centre contained great archeological finds and sculptures. I hope the photos give you
Conil
Alleyway between houses in Conil a feel for the place which is set in the most amazing scenery with mountains as a backdrop and the beach and a big sand dune in front. I did feel, if I wanted to live in Spain this tiny little spot may be 'the' place (so far!).
We wondered down to the beach for a coffee and also enjoyed some fresh delicious calamari. In a mad moment we decided to drive further south and see if we could get to Gibralter, so we headed around the coast past Tarifa and a million wind turbines. Tarifa itself has 31 wind farms. I think Spain recently came in the top 20 dirtiest countries for carbon emissions as they import nearly all their own energy needs and now are seriously looking into putting these turbines out to sea, as we are in England.
Late afternoon arrived in Gibralter. Whether we hit it at the wrong time we will never know but had to queue to get on and queue to get off! It is said they have 4 million visitors a year and is really busy. I could not live here, although lots do as it is higher English pay
Baelo Claudia
Roman remains and tax free prices. We bought a litre of whisky for 3£ and petrol was only 50p a litre. Cynical Andy said we must be back in Britain as even had to queue in Morrisons. Stocked up here on essentials such as pickles, bacon, pork pies, meat pies, tea bags and strongest cheddar we could find. Walked into the main town of Gibralter where the shops were mostly of the tax free variety. Although there was a tiny M&S, which I was allowed into for 10 minutes! After remembering we had no full headlights decided a sharp exit necessary before it got dark. Queued in 4 lines of traffic to get off and it took over 30 minutes. First hold up since leaving UK. Andy hated it and said he would not go back! Hence we did not see the sights and I cannot record any wonderous views or experiences!
Not sure why I got the blame for this, but back in van, told Dora to behave as we needed to get back to Conil quickly and with no fuss as it was late (and dark). Oh what famous last words. Quickest route was on motorway. However, she told
Baelo Claudia
Another old ruin! us we needed to take an exit and then turn left. Boy, did we not want to turn left... "****** Nora" - next thing we are in the dark, up a mountain track with no full lights... grrrr. With Andy swearing in one ear and Nora telling us to "turn around when possible" tried to decipher our poor map and thought best option (altho definitely not the quickest would be to go right up the motorway, cross to coast and drop down". Hence two hours later we arrived home, hungry, tired and relieved. Could not be bothered to level van so left it as it was. Bit of a mistake in itself. My half of bed became very small with both of us rolling into it all night.
Failing already with knitting - no diamonds in sight today!
Saturday, 2nd
Lovely day today. Had a good English breakfast made with Morrison goodies. Levelled van back up (with aid of old wooden pallet and a saw - very high tech we are!) and went down to the sea for some beach combing. Funny sand looks golden on top but is a dirty grey underneath.
Sunday, 3rd
Went to the
Gibralter
Trying to get into Gibralter church service held in the camp restaurant. A very spiritual service as we were on the top of a hill looking out to sea. I had a Finnish man next to me one side and a German the other and as a result lost my way with the Lords Prayer, as it was interested in hearing the different languages. "And can it be" sung my mixed nationalities to only a mandolin was very unusual to say the least... Never easy with full choir and organ, to my deaf ears (and yes, Kay, sadly I did sing along, with apologies to the Finns and the Germans)
Sorry it is a boring blog this week as we have not felt up to venturing far. Had planned to head off to Ronda Tuesday, until we had a message from our neighbours from Colchester who had arrived in Marbella. So last minute change of plan and Marbella here we come.................Quite exciting really.
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