Monday, 30th December 2019
A day of relaxing
Tuesday, 31st December 2019
Today, we went into Prades. I wanted to get some products from a shop that sells St Thomas Plancton Thermal products, which means that we don't have to go back up the windy narrown road to St Thomas, and the hot springs. As we arrived into the area that the Coop is located, we happened upon a market in the streets. I was quiet prepared to not go down the markets, but Bob insisted that we should walk through it. So we did. The markets went on down many streets, and as the time was just after 12.30, a lot of the stalls were packing up. However, we managed to purchase a coupole of things. A pair of braces for Bob, as I have not seen braces anywhere else, and we also got some mixed nuts, and some fresh vegies. There were many varieties of stalls, the usual suspects, but still none the less was great to wander about.
Next we go into the Coop store to find the products I want, and after a short time, we are asked by an assistant, if we needed assistance. We asked if they had any of the said products in stock and we we were shown what they had. We purchased some skin repair creme, and a face cream, that is made from the plancton and the hot springs water from St Thomas.
We then went into the Super U shopping market, and gathered a few things for the next few days. We then head back to our unit, and await the end of the this year, and the start of the New Year. We open a bottle of champayne, on midnight and toast the old year out, and the new one in. There are fireworks that we see in the distance from another village, but apart from the random firework here, there doesn't seem to be much celebrating happening.
Wednesday, 1st January 2020.
Happy New Year.
Today, we chose to stay indoors. It is a 0 degree morning at 10 am.
We watch movies and read a book.
Thursday, 2nd January 2020.
Our day is going to be a challenging day. We are aiming to climb up to Fort Liberia.
The Fort is at Villefranche-de-Conflent, which is 6kms away or 10 mins. It is perched high up on a mountain, that overlooks the three valleys.
It began construction in 1681 and is connected to the city by 734 steps inside a tunnel. It dominates the village, at a height of 150 meters. It served as a prison, and also housed women prisoners, one who was foud guilty of poisoning her father and brothers, and was eventually burned at the stake, after 36 years. Her lady in waiting, was also imprisoned for her remaining life, a period of 43 years, both being chained to the wall of their cell.
We walk up the mountain, following the stairs and track around the mountain, and take in the specatular views, and quite a few deep breaths.
Once inside the Fort, it is an amazing historical place, with good information about it, explaining various points and items. Like the hand rails were made on site, with iron from the local mountain, and forged there inside the Fort. They are 300 years old, and are not painted, and look in very good condition. . Another interesting thing, is that the doors in the long galleries, are hinged on opposite sides, for when the attackers manage to get into the galleries, they can't shoot staight up the hallways. There is going to be a door to stop the bullets travelling the full distance of the halls. It is such a simple thing, and it makes such a lot of sense, and as Bob said, it is the art of war. It is probably in other places we have been in, but we have never noticed.
There are a total of 1279 steps around the Fort, and the staircase connecting the city. It has been a very physical experience, but well worth every step. And to top it off, there is a bar/cafe located here aswell, so we have a well deserved coffee.
After we decend the steps, of which we estimate the angle of decent to be about 50 degress. We walk the streets of the town, and find somewhere to have lunch, at 3pm in the afternoon. We find a very busy tapas bar, and squeeze ourselves into a tablewere we enjoy a beverage, and some food. We then find the office of tourism, after which we then head back to our unit, to recover, lol.
It has been a wonderful day. I have pushed, and achieved myself to go up the mountain.
Friday, 3rd January 2020
Today, we are going to go into Perpignan, as Bob has another appointment with the Chiropractor for his back. It has been giving him a little discomfort. Our plan is to stop at the Grottes de Crandes Canalettes, and go inside the cave. Although we are suffing some muscle soreness today from our exploration of the Fort yesterday, we go in to discover this cave. This Cave is amazing when we get inside. From the outside, it doesn't look like very much, but once you are inside the caverns, it is truely amazing. There are different forms of stalacites, and Stalagmites, as well as wonderful red Marble walls. The caves were discovered in 1951 by chance, and has and is still being explored. One of the caverns continues 10 kms, but it is not accesssable to the public. There is much water inside this particularcave, in comparission to other caves we have been in. The formations of the pillars of where the stalacites and stalagmites have joined are very large, and some of them have been Radiochronology dated to be 350 000 years old. This little adventure takes about an hour and a bit, and we are so glad that we tood the time to look at this attraction.
Now we head off to Perpignan, which is another 40 mins from the cave. We arrive early for the Chiropractor appointment, and decide that we might find somewhere to have some lunch, so we walk in one way, nothing there. We go the other way, and not much there either. We spot a convience store, and grab a couple of sandwiches, and a drink, and eat then in the street.
Our legs are complaining about having to walk because of the soreness in then, and when we get out of the car, we almost hobble for a couple of mins untill the circulation begins again.
After the consultation, we head back to Vernet les Bains, and start to get ourselves organised to pack everything up again. Tomorrow we leave this area, and head off onto the next part of France.
Saturday, 4th January 2020
The day starts with moans and groans about how sore our thigh and calf muscles are. It is a struggle to walk properly, but we must. We have the place to pack up, and load into the car, which entails going up and down the stairs outside.
After everything is packed and tidied up, we say good bye and start on the road for Pechbonnieu, this will be a 4 hrs trip, or 216 kms, at least.
We follow the directions given byt the GPS, and I am sure, it is finding the most windiest route that there is. But it is not boring. There are lots of turns and up and down the mountains we go. However we do find some wonderful scenery as we travel onwards. Our aches and pains are still with us, which don't seem to have been relieved over night.
The first part of our journey has taken a bit of time, as I was driving, and there were many hair pin bends, and blind courners. We have a stop for some lunch, and fill in some time, as our check in is not until 6pm.
Continuing onwards we stop at the Aeroscopia Museum in Blagnac, and Bob get a couple of pictures. We don't actually go into the museum, it is only that we need a comfort stop, and this was the easiest place to find one. Then we venture around to Airbus in Blagnac. It is a huge complex, which has many large sheds where the Airbus's are assembled. There is much land involved with this plane business.
We continue on to our destination of the day, and as we usually do, there are wrong turns taken, and eventurally, we find the place, and the hosts are out walking, and are able to show us through the little house we have. Muriel, is a lovely little lady, as she is approximately half the height of Bob. She speaks great english, and we converse with her for a little while. Our dwelling is everything we need for the night, so we only bring in the exxentials that we need, and call it a day.
Sunday, 5th January 2020
We start the day with a heavy fog in the area, and we don't have to leave here very early, so we have a bit of breakfast. Our aches are feeling a little better today, although, I am not firing on all cyclinders this morning, but I am sure as the day wears on, I will continue to inprove.
I am driving again today, and we are headin to Rodez. A distance of 140 kms or 1h 40 mins. We leave our accommodation around 11, and make our way in the fog for the next journey. Most of this drive is on the free way. We again need to find a public toilet, and we leave the freeway to find one in a little village, but the service station is closed, so we have to advance onwards. We make a stop in the next town we drive through, and do find the required amenities, but that is an over statement. Thank goodness we have a box of tissues in the car. This is proably one of the grottiest toilets I have been to. Absolutly disgusting. But when you gotta go, you gotta go.
We get to our next place, a Motel around 1.20pm and check in. Maccas is 600 mtr away, and after we get the exxentials inside, we go and have lunch.
The rest of the day is spent chilling, and going to the resturant that is attached to the motel for tea.
Monday, 6 January 2020
Monday, 30 December 2019
23/12 Vernet- les- Bains
Monday, 23rd December 2019
Not a lot done today.
Tuesday, 24th December 2019
Again, nothing much done, just getting ready for the day tomorrow.
Wednesday, 25th December 2019
Christmas day
This Christmas is a Christmas that is very different to every other one we have had.
After making family phone calls through Facebook, and an extra early one at 3.30 am, we are headed up to Font Romue for our Christmas day. We were hoping that there would be a bit more snow about the place, but there is less. Where we took pics a week ago, there was no snow, it has all melted away. None the less, there is still snow about. We arrive a bit early, and to my amazement, most of the shops are open. I guess as this is a ski area, families will be coming up here to spend the day skiing, and trying out new equipment.
We get to our resturant, and are a little early, so we walk a bit more until they are open and ready for customers. It would have been great to have a window seat, as the views from this place are wonderful, but seating arrangements didn't allow that to happen.
Our menu has a couple of chioces for each course, which I thought might be a set menu, and it is in French, so we are busy using our phones to translate what the foods are that are available to us. Orderning drinks is a little easier.
For my entree, I order, Salmon done 3 ways, and Bob has Pumpkin soup with a couple of prawns. The soup, had an interesting flavour to it, and we figured it out that there was a hint of vanilla in it and entrees were very nice.
Next course, I ordered Duck with pear and honey, which is offered as rare or medium, so I choose the medium preferancem and Bob has the Beef. It is very nice, although, I don't eat all of my Duck, as I think Duck should be fully cooked, but I wanted to try something different, as the French would eat it. Next is Dessert, and I have a Pistachio and Raspberry dessert, and Bob chooses a Burlee of some sort, but they are both presented beautifully, and taste amazing.
It has been a nice Christmas lunch with a not to noisy clientelle, which makes it for a very pleasant dining experience and the staff have been very friendly.
We now think we will go up on the chair lift up to the snow, and skiing fields to have a look about. We walk up the stairs to the chair lifts, and ask about tickets and are told that they can be purchased down at the office next to the office of tourism. So we head back down the stairs, and obtain the tickets, and go back up.
We get seated into the chair lift, and enjoy the ride up the mountain, and take in the views beyond us. Once we get to the end of the lift, we hop out, and go out into the snow. It seems that where we are is dedicated to the learners and children, but it is good for us to get pics. We see the other ski chairs and the things that pull you up the mountain, and watch skiiers coming down the mount.
We go back down, and head back to that car, and head back to our unit. Christmas in the snow has been done, and enjoyed very much, and the thing is I didin't over eat, or feel bloated as we all usually do after a Christmas lunch. Our white Christmas has been wonderful.
Thursday, 26th December 2019
Boxing day, and we didn't go out anywhere. The town seems very quiet.
Friday, 27th December 2019
Today we have decided to go to Andorra. Andorra is a tiny country between Spain and France, in the Pyrenees Mountains.
Andorra is 71 kms away from where we are, or a 2 hrs 20 mins drive. As it is it own country and not part of the EU, we are thinking that there will be some sort of customs check. Andorra is a low tax or tax free haven and encourages duty free shopping. It has a population or 76,177 and is at an altitude of 1,996 meters.
When we get inside the car, we notice that the windscreen is covered in ice. Neither of us have encountered this for a very long time, so we have to spend some time defrosting the windscreen, with water from the washer bottle, and the air blowing from the inside. But It isn't hot air, as the car is not warm enough to blow hot air yet. Eventually it starts to melt, and we are soon on our way.
On our way, as you can imagine, it is cold outside, and we notice that there are icicles formed on the wire netting on the mountain side, which makes for fasinating pictures. The netting is to stop rocks and stones falling onto the road, and it some places around here, are are many levels of netting to catch the fall of rocks.
As we are getting closer to Andorra, the traffic is growning, and eventually we come to a stand still. Not sure of what is happeing, but thinking, that we are close to the border, and it is a customs station. There are Kilometers of cars behind us, and not sure how far ahead the check point is. All we can do is wait and have passports at the ready. We wonder if they issue stamps for the passports, or not. We get closer to the check point, and it seems that all of the cars ahead of us, are driving through without being checked, and the same goes for us aswell. So on stamp in our passport saying we have been into this country. There is lots of snow around, and there have been a few photos taken.
We are headed for the capital of Andorra, Andorra la Vella, with a population of 22,256, but with tourism, this number explodes. According to Wikipedia, there are 10 million tourists to this tiny county each year. It is hard to believe the figure is so large, given where it is, up in the Pyrenees mountains.
On our way to the capital, we travel through the longest tunnel to date for us. It is a distance of 4.8 kms, going though, a mountain, and this tunnel is only one of a few.
We find somewhere to park the car, and start exploring this city.
We head for a shopping centre, so we can get some lunch, and Burger King is good. At least with some of the fast food outlets, you can use the kiosk, and choose the language you need. Takes all the difficulty out of things. after we have eaten, we stroll around this shopping complex, and then after some research, discover there is a long retail street, not to far away. So we head out to discover what might be out there, and it is incredibile to see so many people and a long long street of shops.
We walk up the street, and it just keeps going on and on, and when we turn to look behind us, it is just an ocean of people moving in all directions for as far as you can see.
Bob has decided it might be a good place to purchase a dashcam, and we go into a couple of shops, and ask for prices on what they have, but nothing suits what we are willing to pay. Eventually, we find or rather Bob finds a great deal, and a deal is done.
Now we turn back and go down the street, and getting our bearings as to where the car is parked we continue down this busy shopping mall. I happen to notice on one of the light poles something that says, it is a mile long of shopping, and I think it could be right. There are many Christmas decorations, and Disney Characters about, and photos are taken.
We eventually head back to the car, and leave this busy little metropolis to the many people who are busy shopping.
Leaving the country is the same as entering it, with long queues waiting to go through the customs point, again, with no checks being done. I am driving this time, back down the windy mountain roads, and there are many impatient drivers that overtake is crazy places, but that seems to be the normal for over here. We arrive back to our unit safe and sound, and have had a wonderful day.
Saturday, 28th December 2019
Today was a chillaxing day, and some washing was done.
Sunday, 29th December 2019
Another quiet day, bit of a fog over the mountains this morning, and the temp was down to 3 degrees at 9am this morning.
We go for a walk about the town to see what is happening in this quiet place.
There is no sirens wailing, or even dogs barking. It is a very very quiet place.
We take the rubbish for a walk to the bins, and then we continue to walk up to the old church that is perched up on the hill. The old church, has a sundail on it, and if seems it has been here at least since 863.
Not a lot done today.
Tuesday, 24th December 2019
Again, nothing much done, just getting ready for the day tomorrow.
Wednesday, 25th December 2019
Christmas day
This Christmas is a Christmas that is very different to every other one we have had.
After making family phone calls through Facebook, and an extra early one at 3.30 am, we are headed up to Font Romue for our Christmas day. We were hoping that there would be a bit more snow about the place, but there is less. Where we took pics a week ago, there was no snow, it has all melted away. None the less, there is still snow about. We arrive a bit early, and to my amazement, most of the shops are open. I guess as this is a ski area, families will be coming up here to spend the day skiing, and trying out new equipment.
We get to our resturant, and are a little early, so we walk a bit more until they are open and ready for customers. It would have been great to have a window seat, as the views from this place are wonderful, but seating arrangements didn't allow that to happen.
Our menu has a couple of chioces for each course, which I thought might be a set menu, and it is in French, so we are busy using our phones to translate what the foods are that are available to us. Orderning drinks is a little easier.
For my entree, I order, Salmon done 3 ways, and Bob has Pumpkin soup with a couple of prawns. The soup, had an interesting flavour to it, and we figured it out that there was a hint of vanilla in it and entrees were very nice.
Next course, I ordered Duck with pear and honey, which is offered as rare or medium, so I choose the medium preferancem and Bob has the Beef. It is very nice, although, I don't eat all of my Duck, as I think Duck should be fully cooked, but I wanted to try something different, as the French would eat it. Next is Dessert, and I have a Pistachio and Raspberry dessert, and Bob chooses a Burlee of some sort, but they are both presented beautifully, and taste amazing.
It has been a nice Christmas lunch with a not to noisy clientelle, which makes it for a very pleasant dining experience and the staff have been very friendly.
We now think we will go up on the chair lift up to the snow, and skiing fields to have a look about. We walk up the stairs to the chair lifts, and ask about tickets and are told that they can be purchased down at the office next to the office of tourism. So we head back down the stairs, and obtain the tickets, and go back up.
We get seated into the chair lift, and enjoy the ride up the mountain, and take in the views beyond us. Once we get to the end of the lift, we hop out, and go out into the snow. It seems that where we are is dedicated to the learners and children, but it is good for us to get pics. We see the other ski chairs and the things that pull you up the mountain, and watch skiiers coming down the mount.
We go back down, and head back to that car, and head back to our unit. Christmas in the snow has been done, and enjoyed very much, and the thing is I didin't over eat, or feel bloated as we all usually do after a Christmas lunch. Our white Christmas has been wonderful.
Thursday, 26th December 2019
Boxing day, and we didn't go out anywhere. The town seems very quiet.
Friday, 27th December 2019
Today we have decided to go to Andorra. Andorra is a tiny country between Spain and France, in the Pyrenees Mountains.
Andorra is 71 kms away from where we are, or a 2 hrs 20 mins drive. As it is it own country and not part of the EU, we are thinking that there will be some sort of customs check. Andorra is a low tax or tax free haven and encourages duty free shopping. It has a population or 76,177 and is at an altitude of 1,996 meters.
When we get inside the car, we notice that the windscreen is covered in ice. Neither of us have encountered this for a very long time, so we have to spend some time defrosting the windscreen, with water from the washer bottle, and the air blowing from the inside. But It isn't hot air, as the car is not warm enough to blow hot air yet. Eventually it starts to melt, and we are soon on our way.
On our way, as you can imagine, it is cold outside, and we notice that there are icicles formed on the wire netting on the mountain side, which makes for fasinating pictures. The netting is to stop rocks and stones falling onto the road, and it some places around here, are are many levels of netting to catch the fall of rocks.
As we are getting closer to Andorra, the traffic is growning, and eventually we come to a stand still. Not sure of what is happeing, but thinking, that we are close to the border, and it is a customs station. There are Kilometers of cars behind us, and not sure how far ahead the check point is. All we can do is wait and have passports at the ready. We wonder if they issue stamps for the passports, or not. We get closer to the check point, and it seems that all of the cars ahead of us, are driving through without being checked, and the same goes for us aswell. So on stamp in our passport saying we have been into this country. There is lots of snow around, and there have been a few photos taken.
We are headed for the capital of Andorra, Andorra la Vella, with a population of 22,256, but with tourism, this number explodes. According to Wikipedia, there are 10 million tourists to this tiny county each year. It is hard to believe the figure is so large, given where it is, up in the Pyrenees mountains.
On our way to the capital, we travel through the longest tunnel to date for us. It is a distance of 4.8 kms, going though, a mountain, and this tunnel is only one of a few.
We find somewhere to park the car, and start exploring this city.
We head for a shopping centre, so we can get some lunch, and Burger King is good. At least with some of the fast food outlets, you can use the kiosk, and choose the language you need. Takes all the difficulty out of things. after we have eaten, we stroll around this shopping complex, and then after some research, discover there is a long retail street, not to far away. So we head out to discover what might be out there, and it is incredibile to see so many people and a long long street of shops.
We walk up the street, and it just keeps going on and on, and when we turn to look behind us, it is just an ocean of people moving in all directions for as far as you can see.
Bob has decided it might be a good place to purchase a dashcam, and we go into a couple of shops, and ask for prices on what they have, but nothing suits what we are willing to pay. Eventually, we find or rather Bob finds a great deal, and a deal is done.
Now we turn back and go down the street, and getting our bearings as to where the car is parked we continue down this busy shopping mall. I happen to notice on one of the light poles something that says, it is a mile long of shopping, and I think it could be right. There are many Christmas decorations, and Disney Characters about, and photos are taken.
We eventually head back to the car, and leave this busy little metropolis to the many people who are busy shopping.
Leaving the country is the same as entering it, with long queues waiting to go through the customs point, again, with no checks being done. I am driving this time, back down the windy mountain roads, and there are many impatient drivers that overtake is crazy places, but that seems to be the normal for over here. We arrive back to our unit safe and sound, and have had a wonderful day.
Saturday, 28th December 2019
Today was a chillaxing day, and some washing was done.
Sunday, 29th December 2019
Another quiet day, bit of a fog over the mountains this morning, and the temp was down to 3 degrees at 9am this morning.
We go for a walk about the town to see what is happening in this quiet place.
There is no sirens wailing, or even dogs barking. It is a very very quiet place.
We take the rubbish for a walk to the bins, and then we continue to walk up to the old church that is perched up on the hill. The old church, has a sundail on it, and if seems it has been here at least since 863.
Sunday, 29 December 2019
Vernet-les-Bains 16th /12
Monday 16th December 2019
Today, we take a walk about the village, and call in on the tourism office, and get some brochures and information on what is about the area, and some suggestions for Christmas day.
We grab some fruit and vegie from the local grocer, and not much more is done.
Tuesday, 17th December, 2019
We are going for a drive up to Font-Romeu today. It is a distance of 44 kms, and takes about an hour to drive. It is in the Pyrenees near the Spanish boarder and is one of the oldest ski resorts in France, and the oldest in the Pyrenees. It is at altidude of 1800 m and there was a good bit of snow around. Getting to Font Romeu consists of travelling very windy road, and a few hair pin bends.
We get to Font Romeu, and it is a delightful sight to see, all the snow about, so donned with our coats, and gloves we set off to find a couple of the suggested Resturants that might be open for Christmas day. We find the first one, and they are not going to open then, but did suggest another place. So of we go to find that one, and we call in at another place, and ask if they will be open for Christmas day lunch, but no, however it was suggested about another place that might be open, and the food was very good. So agian we head off to find this place, and we find it, and at once we knew it was the place to be if they were going to be open. We go inside, and not only are they going to be open, but the waitress that greets us, speaks english. So we make a reservation for Christmas day. Mission accomplished.
Now we head back to another eating place, and decide to have some lunch there, and it was very nice, although when I asked for a Rum and coke, the waitress came back to say they don't have coke, so I suggested Lemonade with the Rum. Abit later, the headwaiterd/ owner said he doesn't stock the american drinks, he keeps only French products. Fair enough.
A couple of places we have been to, when we ask if they speak English, the response is " if I must ". and the other response we got was " if I have to ". So very French.
We wander around the village, and I get to make a little snow person, but I didn't have the right ingredients to finish it. But I did get to throw a few snow balls.
Eventually we head back to our unit in Vernet les Bains. It has been a wonderful day, seeing all the snow and the shops selling snow equipment.
Wednesday, 18th December 2019
Not a lot done today, washing and general rest.
Thursday, 19th December 2019
We took a drive to a little community not far from here, called Villefranche, de Conflent. This village, is set behind a stone wall, and you can just feel that not much has changed over the years. One can imagine what life was like behind the walls, with a Mountain on one side, and the wall all the way around. The town dates back to 1098, and was fortified due of its strategic position. Another draw card to this place is the huge fort that is sitting high up above this town. It is also the place where one can catch the yellow train, that makes its way up through the mountains. We plan to take this at some point in time. There is a total of about 6 streets, and a population of 218. There are a lot of interesting Artisian shops selling glass ornaments and jewellery, clothing, and a variety of other goods. Also there was a good few resturants, which, one would assume they have a lot tourist that visit in the right season.
We keep wandering, buy some chocolates made on site, and then have some lunch. After we have eaten, we try to find the Railway station, and follow the signs pointing in the direction of the station. We go through more of the ancient building and structures, across the rail lines, and keep walking up a road for a little way. Eventually, someone comes along, and Bob asks where about the station is, and it guided to where it is verbally. We follow the directions given, and go across teh foot bridge, andsee that the station is accessable by car, so we head back to the car and find the entry point for the railway.
We go inside the station, and there is no one to be seen. We wait for a little while, and then a Police man comes in and eventually a woman comes to the counter to serve us. We are told that the trains are not running due to the transport strike that is happening at the moment. Bummer.
Hopefully, it will be resolved soon, and we will be able to go on the little yellow train.
On the way back to Vernet les Bains, we stop at the supermarket, and grab a few things.
Another enjoyable day is done.
Friday, 20th December 2019
Today we are headed into Perpignan, as Bob has an appointment with a Chiropractor. Perpignan is 56 kms away, or 49 mins, and dates back to the Roman times.
The appointment is at 11, and we try to find a park close to where we have to go, but no luck, so we continue our sure further afield. We find a parking area, and it has a lovely open park, with a water fountain. A little walk back the way we came, brings us to where the chiropractor is, and Bob is seen to by a lovely French woman.
After we have finished with the chiro, we go on to explore the city around us. It is a very lovely town, with a river flowing through it, and a well kept park. We walk towards a shopping complex as we are both in need of a comfort stop, and on our way discover another Christmas market. So after we have attended to urgent business, we wander aimlessly down the markets, and there are many wonderful things to be seen, wooden toy, with working parts, much like a mechano set, but made in wood. Different types of foods, and wines and all things market. After we have walked through the markets we head to the other side of the river, to where there seems to be just as much business. and older parts of the town. Again wandering aimless through the streets, and taking in the views and shops, it just never seems to end. We end up back where we started, and find a resturant to have a bite to eat, and then we head off.
We get back and find a reasonable park, and the day is concluded.
Saturday, 21st December 2019
This morning we had a quiet morning, and then decided to go into Prades for a look about the place. We drove through this place on our way to Vernet les Bains, and here we are today exploring it further. As we drive through the town, it becomes apparent that there is a something going on as some of the streets are blocked off. Traffic is being redirected and we find a street to park in and check out the town. In the middle of town is a Christmas fair happening. A few rides for the children, and pony rides, and mery go rounds and the shooting gallery. We leave this area, and walk down more of the streets, and again, the shops are closed for the mid day break. We go back to the car, and decide to do a Christmas shop for us, and find a Super U, and get the required items for our Christmas day snacks.
Sunday, 22nd December 2019
A day of relaxing today.
Today, we take a walk about the village, and call in on the tourism office, and get some brochures and information on what is about the area, and some suggestions for Christmas day.
We grab some fruit and vegie from the local grocer, and not much more is done.
Tuesday, 17th December, 2019
We are going for a drive up to Font-Romeu today. It is a distance of 44 kms, and takes about an hour to drive. It is in the Pyrenees near the Spanish boarder and is one of the oldest ski resorts in France, and the oldest in the Pyrenees. It is at altidude of 1800 m and there was a good bit of snow around. Getting to Font Romeu consists of travelling very windy road, and a few hair pin bends.
We get to Font Romeu, and it is a delightful sight to see, all the snow about, so donned with our coats, and gloves we set off to find a couple of the suggested Resturants that might be open for Christmas day. We find the first one, and they are not going to open then, but did suggest another place. So of we go to find that one, and we call in at another place, and ask if they will be open for Christmas day lunch, but no, however it was suggested about another place that might be open, and the food was very good. So agian we head off to find this place, and we find it, and at once we knew it was the place to be if they were going to be open. We go inside, and not only are they going to be open, but the waitress that greets us, speaks english. So we make a reservation for Christmas day. Mission accomplished.
Now we head back to another eating place, and decide to have some lunch there, and it was very nice, although when I asked for a Rum and coke, the waitress came back to say they don't have coke, so I suggested Lemonade with the Rum. Abit later, the headwaiterd/ owner said he doesn't stock the american drinks, he keeps only French products. Fair enough.
A couple of places we have been to, when we ask if they speak English, the response is " if I must ". and the other response we got was " if I have to ". So very French.
We wander around the village, and I get to make a little snow person, but I didn't have the right ingredients to finish it. But I did get to throw a few snow balls.
Eventually we head back to our unit in Vernet les Bains. It has been a wonderful day, seeing all the snow and the shops selling snow equipment.
Wednesday, 18th December 2019
Not a lot done today, washing and general rest.
Thursday, 19th December 2019
We took a drive to a little community not far from here, called Villefranche, de Conflent. This village, is set behind a stone wall, and you can just feel that not much has changed over the years. One can imagine what life was like behind the walls, with a Mountain on one side, and the wall all the way around. The town dates back to 1098, and was fortified due of its strategic position. Another draw card to this place is the huge fort that is sitting high up above this town. It is also the place where one can catch the yellow train, that makes its way up through the mountains. We plan to take this at some point in time. There is a total of about 6 streets, and a population of 218. There are a lot of interesting Artisian shops selling glass ornaments and jewellery, clothing, and a variety of other goods. Also there was a good few resturants, which, one would assume they have a lot tourist that visit in the right season.
We keep wandering, buy some chocolates made on site, and then have some lunch. After we have eaten, we try to find the Railway station, and follow the signs pointing in the direction of the station. We go through more of the ancient building and structures, across the rail lines, and keep walking up a road for a little way. Eventually, someone comes along, and Bob asks where about the station is, and it guided to where it is verbally. We follow the directions given, and go across teh foot bridge, andsee that the station is accessable by car, so we head back to the car and find the entry point for the railway.
We go inside the station, and there is no one to be seen. We wait for a little while, and then a Police man comes in and eventually a woman comes to the counter to serve us. We are told that the trains are not running due to the transport strike that is happening at the moment. Bummer.
Hopefully, it will be resolved soon, and we will be able to go on the little yellow train.
On the way back to Vernet les Bains, we stop at the supermarket, and grab a few things.
Another enjoyable day is done.
Friday, 20th December 2019
Today we are headed into Perpignan, as Bob has an appointment with a Chiropractor. Perpignan is 56 kms away, or 49 mins, and dates back to the Roman times.
The appointment is at 11, and we try to find a park close to where we have to go, but no luck, so we continue our sure further afield. We find a parking area, and it has a lovely open park, with a water fountain. A little walk back the way we came, brings us to where the chiropractor is, and Bob is seen to by a lovely French woman.
After we have finished with the chiro, we go on to explore the city around us. It is a very lovely town, with a river flowing through it, and a well kept park. We walk towards a shopping complex as we are both in need of a comfort stop, and on our way discover another Christmas market. So after we have attended to urgent business, we wander aimlessly down the markets, and there are many wonderful things to be seen, wooden toy, with working parts, much like a mechano set, but made in wood. Different types of foods, and wines and all things market. After we have walked through the markets we head to the other side of the river, to where there seems to be just as much business. and older parts of the town. Again wandering aimless through the streets, and taking in the views and shops, it just never seems to end. We end up back where we started, and find a resturant to have a bite to eat, and then we head off.
We get back and find a reasonable park, and the day is concluded.
Saturday, 21st December 2019
This morning we had a quiet morning, and then decided to go into Prades for a look about the place. We drove through this place on our way to Vernet les Bains, and here we are today exploring it further. As we drive through the town, it becomes apparent that there is a something going on as some of the streets are blocked off. Traffic is being redirected and we find a street to park in and check out the town. In the middle of town is a Christmas fair happening. A few rides for the children, and pony rides, and mery go rounds and the shooting gallery. We leave this area, and walk down more of the streets, and again, the shops are closed for the mid day break. We go back to the car, and decide to do a Christmas shop for us, and find a Super U, and get the required items for our Christmas day snacks.
Sunday, 22nd December 2019
A day of relaxing today.
Barcelona, 9th December 2019
Monday, 9th December 2019
Today we leave Segovia, headed for a place called Sant Just Desvern, a town, just on the outside of Barcelona. Our drive is a 702 kms or a 6hr and 15 mins, but we know we will take a little longer than that. We leave Segovia early, as it is a long day of driving. We share the driving, and after some time we find somewhere to have some breakfast. Where we stopped was different, in that the resturant was on top of the sevice station, and was quite nice. I am still amazed, that at any time of the day, one can purchase a wine or beer. Anyhow, after we have eaten, we continue on our journey, and arrive in town of Sant Just Desvern at 2.30pm. Along the way Bob has been trying to contact our host, to try and organise an earlier entry into her place, as we had organized a 5pm entry. But alas we have no luck, as we get no reply to Bobs message, so we decide to go to a shopping centre to fill in some time. The road system around here is a bit different, as there is trams running in the middle of the roads, so one can not just turn to the left or right at a corner. You either continue on to aroundabout, or as we soon found out, use the extra lane, which is specifcally designed for traffic to turn across the two lanes of traffic and tram lines, with traffic lights assisting, as we eventually found out. We get to a shopping centre, and park the car, and make our way inside the complex.
There are 3 floors to this shopping centre, with all manner of retailers and food places. We go to Starbucks, as we know they do a decent size coffee, and the coffee is usually good. After we have finished we wander around the centre, filling in time. Still no reponse from our host, so we decide to see if we can find the place, and this proves to be somewhat of a challenge. We follow the directions of the gps, and 3 times we go around the block, are unable to find the correct street. Eventually we do get it right, and try to find the nuber of our accommodation, and again, we draw a blank. From first impressions, parking looks like it is going to be somewhat of a challenge, and it is not until, we pull up and put the hazard lights on, I get out and take a walk to see if I can find the said number of the unit. I do, so now, the next thing is to find somewhere to park the car. We park at the top of the street, not sure if it is in an allowable spot, but we only intend to be there a short time. We talk a walk to explore what is around where we will be, and there is a Barber, so Bob makes an appointment for a hair cut tomorrow.
Our host has contacted us, and tells us that someone will be with us shortly, and we wait, and wait and wait. We are starting to get a bit iffy about this place. Eventually a woman comes and introduces herself to us, and she is not the person that our host has mentioined. But she has keys and we are keen to go inside. Anna, shows us about the place, and answers questions we have, then leaves.
The unit appears to be nice enough, but we have one flight of stairs to stuggle up with our luggage. a decision is made to try and bring the car closer to the door, and fortunately Bob is able to get a park that is close enough for us to manage the luggage and other goods we have. Once all this has been taken inside, we call it a day and relax.
Tuesday, 10th December 2019.
Bob has his hair appointment this moring, and comes back with a good hair cut. He found out about the buses that run into Barcelona, and what number it is that we need. Bob also mentions that the Barber was very much a perfectionist in cutting his hair, and that we was from India.
We go out a bit later to explore more of the area about us, and two doors down from the barber, is a nail place, and I mention that it would be nice to get my nails done for christmas, so, with again prodding from Bob, (he would call it encouraging ) and he said he would like me to do this as it would be his Christmas gift to me, I go inside to make some enquiries. Knowing full well, that there will be a language barrier, I am a little prepared with my phone for translation. Between the young lady and her phone and my phone, an appointment is made for the afternoon, at 5. Wow, I have come so far, when it comes to communicating with people now, even if they don't speak the english.
We continue our walk, and find a grocery shop, to get a couple of things, then head back to the unit.
5 pm comes, and I leave for my appointment, knowing this is going to be a quiet appointment. Josselyn ushers me to th chair, as we get started on doing my nails, both hands and feet. Josselyn, nows a little english, but not much, but more than i know Spanish. I ask her if i can have prints on my nails, as I have read the brochure I took earlier, and the thought of having some Christmas theme on my nails, would be nice. She shows me some pics on her phone of what I could have, and I make my choice. It is interesting sitting in the chair, listening to the other ladies chatting. There is one customer who speaks english, and Josselyn enlists her help to explain a couple of things to me. I am offered a cup of coffee before we start, and I am sure that she gets it from the bar that is next door.
After 2 hrs of getting my nails done, and my feet also, I am so happy with what has been achieved. I invite Josselyn to take pics, so she can dispaly what she is able to do on the shop website.
I go back to the unit, and tea has been cooked.
Wednesday, 11th December 2019.
Today, we are going into Barcelona by bus. By car, this is a 30 mins drive, a distance of 19.5 kms. Our plan is to go into Barcelona, and get the hop on hop off bus. We wait at the bus stop which is nice and close, and hop on board when it arrives. Paying for the trip can only be done with cash, as they don't have card facilities, and we don't have a travel card, that most of the other passengers have. We are giong to take this bus right into Barcelona, until it stops. This works out very well, as it stops at the University, and this is close to what seems to be the centre of the city. We take a moment to gather our bearings, and head of towards a shopping centre. Along the way, we ask a couple of guys working on the footpath where the hop oh hop off bus stop was. We were given directions, and headed off. We found a Star Bucks, and decided to have a cuppa and a bite to eat before we got on the bus.
We find the stop for the sightseeing bus, and purchase tickets, and go upstairs to take in the sights. The tour is about an hour and a half, and we saw a lot of interesting buildings, and structures. The style of some of the buildings was unusal, and some where very elaborate. Barcelona is a city of 1.6 million people, and is the capital of the community of Catalona. It is a very beautiful city, and I enjoyed the views from the bus. We were going to do the second tour, but decided, it would be best if we headed back to Sant Just Desvern, as we were not sure how long it would take to get back on the city bus.
We head back to the bus stop, and it starts to rain a little, but we don't get to wet, and we seemed to have timed it very well, as we don't have to wait to long for the bus. We get onboard, and decide that we will get of a couple of stops before where we need to, as there is a Aldi, we can get some groceries at. So this is what we do, and when we have finished shopping, we get the bus and continue on to our destination. It worked very well, and the bonus is that we didn't have to move the car. We have sort of been very reluctant to move the car, as finding a park when we return could be a real challenge.
Thursday, 12th December 2019
Spent the day not doing very much.
We are having challenges with the Internet at the unit, and have messaged the host to see if there is a problem.
We did go for a drive to the shopping centre, to find the Orange shop, to get some credit for the wifi box we have.
Friday, 13th December 2019
Today, we are going back into Barcelona, as Bob has made a chiropractor appointment for his back. We again catch the bus into the city, which fills up the closer we get to the city.
We disembark at the same place as on Wednesday, and head of to find the Chiropractor. Walking down the streets following the directions of the gps, we come across a street full of christmas stalls. We will come back to and explore this after Bob has fiinished with the Chiro. There are so many little narrow streets, and the shops just keep popping up in unexpected places. We find the chiro, and go upstairs to the practice, they are an English couple and have been in Barcelona 6 years.
After we are done there, we eventually go back to the christmas markets. It is remarkable, as there is so many stalls all dedicated to Christmas and ornaments and decorations. Many stalls selling miniture figurines and nativity scenes, AND Christmas trees. It was a joy to see, for someone like me coming from Australia, and seeing all of these things.
We wander down some more streets, and eventually we go back to the bus stop to head back ot Sant Just Desvern. Again, the bus fills. We get off at our designated stop, and go back to the unit. There is still no internet despite our host saying that someone was coming to look at it. Our host seems to keep late hours as she sends emails at midnight.
Saturday, 14th December 2019
We have decided to leave a day early from Sant Just Desvern. The fact that the internet isn't working, and the parking situation and that we feel that there is not much else of interest here, and we would only be leaving one day early.
We have decided to head for a place called Argeles- sur- Mer, which is on the way to our next longer stay. It is in France, just over the border, and is a distance of 204 kms, or 2 hrs and 10 mins. It was great seeing the mountains covered in snow.
We have booked a motel, and arrive at the motel, just after 2. The motel is basic, but is clean, and has a bed in it, that is all we need. In the evening, we take a drive around the town, and find a nice little place, that seems to be very festive. We find a place to park the car, and wander through this little town, that has many Christmas lights and decorations around. It is lovely seeing all the pretty lights and the effort gone into decorating the town. Some of the deocrations are so simple, and some are more complicated. Most of the businesses have a window display and the town center is a mass of lights and displays. Of course I have to get the madatory Christmas pics with displays, and the lights above the streets.
We find somewhere to have something to eat, and we have done it agian. We are a bit early for some of the resturants, however, we get a meal, and a beverage, and all is good. After we have eaten we head back to the room and day is done.
Sunday, 15th December 2019
We leave the hotel after we have some breakfast, for our next league of our journey. This is the start of our Christmas stay in the snow, and is somewhat exciting. The drive from Argeles - sur-Mer to Vernet les Bains is a 1 hrs 10 min drive, or 77 kms.
We stop at a place called Perpignan, and get some lunch, and to recharge our French sim cards. The staff in the Orange shop were busy, and of course there was the language barrier, but with some persistance from Bob and some translating, we get our recharging done. We make our way again, and Bob has contacted the host of our next place a few times over the last few days just asking about Christmas day and if she had any suggestions for the day. Again, he contacts her, regarding getting in early, and she has no problems with that, as we can check in by ourselves, and they live in the States.
We arrive in Vernet les Bains, in the early afternoon, and again, we are challenged with finding the place of where we are going to stay for the next 3 weeks. We park the car, and get out and take a walk to see if we can find it, and of course we do. We walked right past it, when we were looking for it in another area. So we follow the check in procedure and get the keys and go up the stairs to our accommodation.
We return to the car, and decide to try and get a closer park, as it will be do difficult to carry the luggage and other goods we have from where the car is currently parked. Fortunately, we are able to get a closer park, and we start to unload the car, and ferry all the things upstairs. There is a balcony, and only one way in and out of the place, but that is common place with the accommodation we have been staying in.
While we were looking for our unit, we found the office of tourism, which we will go to tomorrow to get some local suggestions about what might be available on Christmas day.
Today we leave Segovia, headed for a place called Sant Just Desvern, a town, just on the outside of Barcelona. Our drive is a 702 kms or a 6hr and 15 mins, but we know we will take a little longer than that. We leave Segovia early, as it is a long day of driving. We share the driving, and after some time we find somewhere to have some breakfast. Where we stopped was different, in that the resturant was on top of the sevice station, and was quite nice. I am still amazed, that at any time of the day, one can purchase a wine or beer. Anyhow, after we have eaten, we continue on our journey, and arrive in town of Sant Just Desvern at 2.30pm. Along the way Bob has been trying to contact our host, to try and organise an earlier entry into her place, as we had organized a 5pm entry. But alas we have no luck, as we get no reply to Bobs message, so we decide to go to a shopping centre to fill in some time. The road system around here is a bit different, as there is trams running in the middle of the roads, so one can not just turn to the left or right at a corner. You either continue on to aroundabout, or as we soon found out, use the extra lane, which is specifcally designed for traffic to turn across the two lanes of traffic and tram lines, with traffic lights assisting, as we eventually found out. We get to a shopping centre, and park the car, and make our way inside the complex.
There are 3 floors to this shopping centre, with all manner of retailers and food places. We go to Starbucks, as we know they do a decent size coffee, and the coffee is usually good. After we have finished we wander around the centre, filling in time. Still no reponse from our host, so we decide to see if we can find the place, and this proves to be somewhat of a challenge. We follow the directions of the gps, and 3 times we go around the block, are unable to find the correct street. Eventually we do get it right, and try to find the nuber of our accommodation, and again, we draw a blank. From first impressions, parking looks like it is going to be somewhat of a challenge, and it is not until, we pull up and put the hazard lights on, I get out and take a walk to see if I can find the said number of the unit. I do, so now, the next thing is to find somewhere to park the car. We park at the top of the street, not sure if it is in an allowable spot, but we only intend to be there a short time. We talk a walk to explore what is around where we will be, and there is a Barber, so Bob makes an appointment for a hair cut tomorrow.
Our host has contacted us, and tells us that someone will be with us shortly, and we wait, and wait and wait. We are starting to get a bit iffy about this place. Eventually a woman comes and introduces herself to us, and she is not the person that our host has mentioined. But she has keys and we are keen to go inside. Anna, shows us about the place, and answers questions we have, then leaves.
The unit appears to be nice enough, but we have one flight of stairs to stuggle up with our luggage. a decision is made to try and bring the car closer to the door, and fortunately Bob is able to get a park that is close enough for us to manage the luggage and other goods we have. Once all this has been taken inside, we call it a day and relax.
Tuesday, 10th December 2019.
Bob has his hair appointment this moring, and comes back with a good hair cut. He found out about the buses that run into Barcelona, and what number it is that we need. Bob also mentions that the Barber was very much a perfectionist in cutting his hair, and that we was from India.
We go out a bit later to explore more of the area about us, and two doors down from the barber, is a nail place, and I mention that it would be nice to get my nails done for christmas, so, with again prodding from Bob, (he would call it encouraging ) and he said he would like me to do this as it would be his Christmas gift to me, I go inside to make some enquiries. Knowing full well, that there will be a language barrier, I am a little prepared with my phone for translation. Between the young lady and her phone and my phone, an appointment is made for the afternoon, at 5. Wow, I have come so far, when it comes to communicating with people now, even if they don't speak the english.
We continue our walk, and find a grocery shop, to get a couple of things, then head back to the unit.
5 pm comes, and I leave for my appointment, knowing this is going to be a quiet appointment. Josselyn ushers me to th chair, as we get started on doing my nails, both hands and feet. Josselyn, nows a little english, but not much, but more than i know Spanish. I ask her if i can have prints on my nails, as I have read the brochure I took earlier, and the thought of having some Christmas theme on my nails, would be nice. She shows me some pics on her phone of what I could have, and I make my choice. It is interesting sitting in the chair, listening to the other ladies chatting. There is one customer who speaks english, and Josselyn enlists her help to explain a couple of things to me. I am offered a cup of coffee before we start, and I am sure that she gets it from the bar that is next door.
After 2 hrs of getting my nails done, and my feet also, I am so happy with what has been achieved. I invite Josselyn to take pics, so she can dispaly what she is able to do on the shop website.
I go back to the unit, and tea has been cooked.
Wednesday, 11th December 2019.
Today, we are going into Barcelona by bus. By car, this is a 30 mins drive, a distance of 19.5 kms. Our plan is to go into Barcelona, and get the hop on hop off bus. We wait at the bus stop which is nice and close, and hop on board when it arrives. Paying for the trip can only be done with cash, as they don't have card facilities, and we don't have a travel card, that most of the other passengers have. We are giong to take this bus right into Barcelona, until it stops. This works out very well, as it stops at the University, and this is close to what seems to be the centre of the city. We take a moment to gather our bearings, and head of towards a shopping centre. Along the way, we ask a couple of guys working on the footpath where the hop oh hop off bus stop was. We were given directions, and headed off. We found a Star Bucks, and decided to have a cuppa and a bite to eat before we got on the bus.
We find the stop for the sightseeing bus, and purchase tickets, and go upstairs to take in the sights. The tour is about an hour and a half, and we saw a lot of interesting buildings, and structures. The style of some of the buildings was unusal, and some where very elaborate. Barcelona is a city of 1.6 million people, and is the capital of the community of Catalona. It is a very beautiful city, and I enjoyed the views from the bus. We were going to do the second tour, but decided, it would be best if we headed back to Sant Just Desvern, as we were not sure how long it would take to get back on the city bus.
We head back to the bus stop, and it starts to rain a little, but we don't get to wet, and we seemed to have timed it very well, as we don't have to wait to long for the bus. We get onboard, and decide that we will get of a couple of stops before where we need to, as there is a Aldi, we can get some groceries at. So this is what we do, and when we have finished shopping, we get the bus and continue on to our destination. It worked very well, and the bonus is that we didn't have to move the car. We have sort of been very reluctant to move the car, as finding a park when we return could be a real challenge.
Thursday, 12th December 2019
Spent the day not doing very much.
We are having challenges with the Internet at the unit, and have messaged the host to see if there is a problem.
We did go for a drive to the shopping centre, to find the Orange shop, to get some credit for the wifi box we have.
Friday, 13th December 2019
Today, we are going back into Barcelona, as Bob has made a chiropractor appointment for his back. We again catch the bus into the city, which fills up the closer we get to the city.
We disembark at the same place as on Wednesday, and head of to find the Chiropractor. Walking down the streets following the directions of the gps, we come across a street full of christmas stalls. We will come back to and explore this after Bob has fiinished with the Chiro. There are so many little narrow streets, and the shops just keep popping up in unexpected places. We find the chiro, and go upstairs to the practice, they are an English couple and have been in Barcelona 6 years.
After we are done there, we eventually go back to the christmas markets. It is remarkable, as there is so many stalls all dedicated to Christmas and ornaments and decorations. Many stalls selling miniture figurines and nativity scenes, AND Christmas trees. It was a joy to see, for someone like me coming from Australia, and seeing all of these things.
We wander down some more streets, and eventually we go back to the bus stop to head back ot Sant Just Desvern. Again, the bus fills. We get off at our designated stop, and go back to the unit. There is still no internet despite our host saying that someone was coming to look at it. Our host seems to keep late hours as she sends emails at midnight.
Saturday, 14th December 2019
We have decided to leave a day early from Sant Just Desvern. The fact that the internet isn't working, and the parking situation and that we feel that there is not much else of interest here, and we would only be leaving one day early.
We have decided to head for a place called Argeles- sur- Mer, which is on the way to our next longer stay. It is in France, just over the border, and is a distance of 204 kms, or 2 hrs and 10 mins. It was great seeing the mountains covered in snow.
We have booked a motel, and arrive at the motel, just after 2. The motel is basic, but is clean, and has a bed in it, that is all we need. In the evening, we take a drive around the town, and find a nice little place, that seems to be very festive. We find a place to park the car, and wander through this little town, that has many Christmas lights and decorations around. It is lovely seeing all the pretty lights and the effort gone into decorating the town. Some of the deocrations are so simple, and some are more complicated. Most of the businesses have a window display and the town center is a mass of lights and displays. Of course I have to get the madatory Christmas pics with displays, and the lights above the streets.
We find somewhere to have something to eat, and we have done it agian. We are a bit early for some of the resturants, however, we get a meal, and a beverage, and all is good. After we have eaten we head back to the room and day is done.
Sunday, 15th December 2019
We leave the hotel after we have some breakfast, for our next league of our journey. This is the start of our Christmas stay in the snow, and is somewhat exciting. The drive from Argeles - sur-Mer to Vernet les Bains is a 1 hrs 10 min drive, or 77 kms.
We stop at a place called Perpignan, and get some lunch, and to recharge our French sim cards. The staff in the Orange shop were busy, and of course there was the language barrier, but with some persistance from Bob and some translating, we get our recharging done. We make our way again, and Bob has contacted the host of our next place a few times over the last few days just asking about Christmas day and if she had any suggestions for the day. Again, he contacts her, regarding getting in early, and she has no problems with that, as we can check in by ourselves, and they live in the States.
We arrive in Vernet les Bains, in the early afternoon, and again, we are challenged with finding the place of where we are going to stay for the next 3 weeks. We park the car, and get out and take a walk to see if we can find it, and of course we do. We walked right past it, when we were looking for it in another area. So we follow the check in procedure and get the keys and go up the stairs to our accommodation.
We return to the car, and decide to try and get a closer park, as it will be do difficult to carry the luggage and other goods we have from where the car is currently parked. Fortunately, we are able to get a closer park, and we start to unload the car, and ferry all the things upstairs. There is a balcony, and only one way in and out of the place, but that is common place with the accommodation we have been staying in.
While we were looking for our unit, we found the office of tourism, which we will go to tomorrow to get some local suggestions about what might be available on Christmas day.
Monday, 9 December 2019
San Cristobal, (Segovia) 2nd December 2019
Monday, 2nd December 2019
Today, I went for a walk this morning, and snapped a couple of pics of the snow capped mountains in the not so distance. The temp was 4 degress, but was down to 2 degrees earlier. I was all rugged up in my big coat, and scarf. I didn't need the gloves and beanie yet, but I know that in the not to distant future, it will become a part of going outdoors essentials. Our accommodation is nicely heated inside, which gives us a false impression of the day. But I love it. It is great to feel the cold on the face, and feeling invigorated. It makes walking a lot more pleasant, compared to the sticky humid heat of Maryborough. We spent the day just relaxing, and taking in the surrounds of the area. After lunch, we take a walk, and it has graduated to 8 degrees, and there seems to be more snow on the mountains again. After a bit of a rest, as it is Spain, and they have thier siesta, we go out again, to get some grocery essentials for the evening, and call it ia day. All is good.
Tuesday, 3rd December 2019
Well, today was an exciting day.
It all started with a earlyish start, being that we had to leave the house at 7.45, as we were going Hot Air Ballooning. The morning temp at this time was -1 degress, so off we went all rugged up in our coats, scarfes, (well I had the scarf ) beanies and gloves. Our Balloon ride was leaving at 8.30, and we wanted to be a little early as we were not exactly sure as to where the take off point was. Again, true to our form, we miss a turn and it takes a little longer to get to the designated point, but as we are getting there we happen to drive past the castle that is here, and we have yet to explore. We find the take off point, park the car, and walk across the field to where there are vehicles and people. There are 13 passengers in all, plus the pilot, and we watch as the balloon is inflated, and the basket put right side up. This process is very interesting, just to see how it is all done. We are directed to board our flight, which, is a very dignified boarding process, one has to climb up the side of the basket, and hop/fall in. We manage to hop in, and wait for the hot air to give us lift off. It is still hovering around 0 degress, but it is nice to get some heat from the burners as the balloon fills. It takes a full gas bottle which is a 20kg bottle to inflate the balloon, and a call is made to an air traffic controller that he was making a flight, and a short time later we are on our way. The Balloon gradually lifts off the grounds and we are soaring upwards, with just the occassional sound from the gas being burnt to heat the air, so we keep up. The Basket is divided into 5 sections, and Bob and I have a section to ourselves, and the other three sections have three or four people in them. The fifth section is for the pilot, who has to share his space with threee gas bottles. I never at any one time did feel nervous about doing this actiity, and even as we were leaving the ground, the nerves didn't set in. So long as I didn't look straight down while we were going up it, was all good. It was absolutley wonderful, and so beautiful to see the surrounds and buildings of Segovia from a different angle. Bob was taking photos and enjoying the whole experience also. Not bad for someone who has real adrenaline rushes if he get to close to the edge of something high. All to soon, we are starting to decend, and it was surprising quick we decended. Before we took off we are all shown and rehearsed in the landing steps. Now we are told to assume landing position, which is taking hold of the handles inside with knees bent. Our pilot counts down until impact, a couple of times, and then we do hit the ground, but not to roughly, and then it bounces once, and we have to be still in the same position for the second landing. All done. Now we have to wait for the land crew to come and dismantle and uninflate the balloon. Again, it is a great experience to see the effort that goes into packing it all up. When all is done, we are transported to the original take off point, and have a glass of champagne, and nibbles. We are all presented with a certificate of Hot Air Ballooning. There was a great mix of passengers, apart from us, there were two couples from America, one couple from India, A Romanian and his mate, and not sure exactly where the others were from.
We leave here, and head into Segovia, and get some lunch, and then we go and explore the Aquaduct. This is one magnificient peice of history, that was build over 2000 years ago, by the Romans, to provide water to the town of Segovia. The Aquaduct was built in the first century, and runs for 15 kms before getting to the city. At its tallest, it is 28.5 meters tall, including almost 6 meters of foundation, and it has 75 single arches, and 44 double arches. It is unmortared, and the blocks are made of granite, and each of them have a divot in them from where they were hoisted up with the tools of the day.
Today, I went for a walk this morning, and snapped a couple of pics of the snow capped mountains in the not so distance. The temp was 4 degress, but was down to 2 degrees earlier. I was all rugged up in my big coat, and scarf. I didn't need the gloves and beanie yet, but I know that in the not to distant future, it will become a part of going outdoors essentials. Our accommodation is nicely heated inside, which gives us a false impression of the day. But I love it. It is great to feel the cold on the face, and feeling invigorated. It makes walking a lot more pleasant, compared to the sticky humid heat of Maryborough. We spent the day just relaxing, and taking in the surrounds of the area. After lunch, we take a walk, and it has graduated to 8 degrees, and there seems to be more snow on the mountains again. After a bit of a rest, as it is Spain, and they have thier siesta, we go out again, to get some grocery essentials for the evening, and call it ia day. All is good.
Tuesday, 3rd December 2019
Well, today was an exciting day.
It all started with a earlyish start, being that we had to leave the house at 7.45, as we were going Hot Air Ballooning. The morning temp at this time was -1 degress, so off we went all rugged up in our coats, scarfes, (well I had the scarf ) beanies and gloves. Our Balloon ride was leaving at 8.30, and we wanted to be a little early as we were not exactly sure as to where the take off point was. Again, true to our form, we miss a turn and it takes a little longer to get to the designated point, but as we are getting there we happen to drive past the castle that is here, and we have yet to explore. We find the take off point, park the car, and walk across the field to where there are vehicles and people. There are 13 passengers in all, plus the pilot, and we watch as the balloon is inflated, and the basket put right side up. This process is very interesting, just to see how it is all done. We are directed to board our flight, which, is a very dignified boarding process, one has to climb up the side of the basket, and hop/fall in. We manage to hop in, and wait for the hot air to give us lift off. It is still hovering around 0 degress, but it is nice to get some heat from the burners as the balloon fills. It takes a full gas bottle which is a 20kg bottle to inflate the balloon, and a call is made to an air traffic controller that he was making a flight, and a short time later we are on our way. The Balloon gradually lifts off the grounds and we are soaring upwards, with just the occassional sound from the gas being burnt to heat the air, so we keep up. The Basket is divided into 5 sections, and Bob and I have a section to ourselves, and the other three sections have three or four people in them. The fifth section is for the pilot, who has to share his space with threee gas bottles. I never at any one time did feel nervous about doing this actiity, and even as we were leaving the ground, the nerves didn't set in. So long as I didn't look straight down while we were going up it, was all good. It was absolutley wonderful, and so beautiful to see the surrounds and buildings of Segovia from a different angle. Bob was taking photos and enjoying the whole experience also. Not bad for someone who has real adrenaline rushes if he get to close to the edge of something high. All to soon, we are starting to decend, and it was surprising quick we decended. Before we took off we are all shown and rehearsed in the landing steps. Now we are told to assume landing position, which is taking hold of the handles inside with knees bent. Our pilot counts down until impact, a couple of times, and then we do hit the ground, but not to roughly, and then it bounces once, and we have to be still in the same position for the second landing. All done. Now we have to wait for the land crew to come and dismantle and uninflate the balloon. Again, it is a great experience to see the effort that goes into packing it all up. When all is done, we are transported to the original take off point, and have a glass of champagne, and nibbles. We are all presented with a certificate of Hot Air Ballooning. There was a great mix of passengers, apart from us, there were two couples from America, one couple from India, A Romanian and his mate, and not sure exactly where the others were from.
We leave here, and head into Segovia, and get some lunch, and then we go and explore the Aquaduct. This is one magnificient peice of history, that was build over 2000 years ago, by the Romans, to provide water to the town of Segovia. The Aquaduct was built in the first century, and runs for 15 kms before getting to the city. At its tallest, it is 28.5 meters tall, including almost 6 meters of foundation, and it has 75 single arches, and 44 double arches. It is unmortared, and the blocks are made of granite, and each of them have a divot in them from where they were hoisted up with the tools of the day.
We wonder up the stairs to have a look from the second row of arches, and it is such an amazing structure, for something that is over 2000 years of age.
We spend the next couple of hours walking around the old part of town, and come across the Catedral de Segovia, and pay the entrance fee to go inside and have a look about. There is a lot of ornately decorated furniture inside this place. It was built in the mid 16th century, and is built in a Gothic style.
I have had a great day, I am sure Bob did too.
Wednesday, 4th December 2019
Today, we have decided to go into Madrid to have a look about this place. We are taking the train into Madrid, but not just a normal train, but the fast train. The trip into Madrid, in a car takes around 1hour and 15 mins. In the normal train, it is a 2 hrs trip. In this super fast train, it takes 28 mins.
We are all set to enjoy this trip, thinking we would be seeing country racing past, but that is not how it is. One gets onboard, finds ones seat, the train takes off, and we are on our way. It is a slow start, and then after about 10 mins we go into a tunnel, and that is about how much we see for most of the next 28 mins. Bob does some research about the Spanish train service, and the tunnel is the longest one in Spain, and the fifth longest in the world. The AVE, high speed train, gets up to 300kms/hour and the Spanish AVE system is the longest network in Europe, and the second longest in the world.
We get to Madrid, and try to work out where exactly the train station is in comparision to the city centre, as we are wanting to get the hop on hop off bus to look about this city. Eventually we work it out, and get a taxi to get closer to a pick up point for the bus, which worked out well, as where we get dropped off, is the first point for the bus. We get our tickets, and settle in for the tour. It is still a bit chilly today, about 4 degrees, up to 7 degrees.
There are such a lot of old buildings and statues in this city, and such a lot of statues on top of buildings and ornate decorations. The tour we are on takes about 1 hour 40 mins, and there is a lot of traffic around. We finish this one, and get some lunch and then we hop onto the next bus route, but only to get a bit closer to the railway station. Then we get a taxi to get back to the station, and make it back to the train a lot early. But it is good, rather be early than late. The trains leave exactly on time. Again, we make the 28 min trip, and head back to our place.
Thursday, 5th December 2019
We have decided to go back to Madrid to tour on the second route of the Hop on Hop off bus. Bob bought tickets yesterday for our return trip on the train, the fast train in the morning, and the slower train in the afternoon.
So again we get to the Segovia Ave train station, a little early, and wait for the train to get in 9.20 am. While we are waiting, I question as to whether our trian this afternoon, comes back to this station that we are at. I go to the office and ask the questioin, and the train does not come to this station, it goes to another one in Segovia. Hmmm, ok, So We have our car parked here, and it seems that we will have to get a taxi back to this station this afternoon to get to our car.
The train arrives and 30 mins later we are at the Chamartin Rail station Madrid. We are a little more organised today, compared to yesterday, as we have a destination in mind for the taxi to take us too. There is a sea of taxis waiting and we get one, and head off to where we want to go. We arrive at the said point, and it is outside the Real Madrid stadium. This is the home of soccer/football in Spain, and it has a seating capacity of 81 000. Real Madrid is owned and operated by its members and was founded in 1902. Bob goes and does the tour of the staduim, and I sit in the cafe, and have a coffee. I am overlooking the stadium, which has the artifical sun on the half of the grounds to make the grass grow. It was interesting watching the workers doing their thing in the stadium, where was a guy cleaning the glass partitions, there were others that seemed to be replacing seats on the opposite side of where I was sitting. Down on the feild were three men walking about prodding the ground with a stick, and I am not sure what they were doing. Bobs tour took about an hour, and after he had returned, we went over to Taco Bell to have some lunch. This was a first for us, and it was good. Next we wait for the required bus to come, and we hop on board. It was a sunny day, and we go upstairs to get a better view, even though the roof was pulled over. We stay onboard for a short while, and then get off, and take a look about where we have gotten off. It was a great decision by Bob to get off, as we saw some really great buskers in the street, one of which was a group of performers singing, and a lady doing some Flamenco dance, which we have not seen to date. The next amazing busker was a guy who was playing a set of tubes, with a pair of flip flops. We walk on further, and come across an amazingly long line, and it seemed to us, that they were all lined up to by lotto tickets, and I mean, this line is around 60 meters long. Talk about dedicated. So after wondering about for a while longer, we come across the subway, and decide to get a train back to the main station that we arrived at. After some help from the staff we obtain our tickets, and are advised our trian leaves on platform one. So we join the throng of people heading in the same direction, and board the train when it comes. It is a very full train, but we only have a couple of stops until we get to where we need to be.
We arrive at our station, and we are early, but thats ok, gives us time to have a coffee and relax. After some time, we look at the electronic board to see which platform our train leaves from, but we don't see anything that is revealant to us. Bob goes and make some enquires, and finds out that we have to take one train, and then change over to another train. Hmmm ok. So again we wait for the platform number to show, and either we didn't recognise it, or it is not posted, as the time is getting close to departure time. An executive decision is made to buy tickets for the fast train, as we don't seem to be able to make sense of the connection and platform for the current tickets we have.
After another 40 mins we are on board the fast train, and heading back to Segovia, and to our car. All has ended well.
Friday, 6th December 2019
We didn't do a real lot today, just relaxed and I didi go out for a walk
Saturday, 7th December 2019
Today we are going to the post office to collect a package for Bob, that he has been hoping would arrive here, before we leave.
We go to the shopping centre where the parcel is, and the line up is outside the door. I have some packages that I want to send back to Australia, being that it is Christmas. I have to find two boxes that will suit the presents that I have to send back. So Bob waits in line and I go and see if I can find a couple of boxes in the supermarket that will suit. Alas, I do not find anything in there, but I do find a box, that will fit one of the family gifts. When i get back to the post office, Bob is at the counter now, and colecting his parcle, and posting a box of souiveners for me. The line up is almost just as long. After he is finished there, we decide to go and have a coffee, and then we explore the shopping centre further.
As we are going into the snow in a couple of weeks, we need to research about having snow chains for the car. While I was in the supermarket, I noticed that they sell tyres there, so we figure that they probably sell snow chains aswell. After more investigation, we discover, they do sell snow chains, but also snow socks for the tyres. Ahhh, now we have to find out which is better. We go back to the unit, and do more research, and I pack my gifts in the boxes, and then later in the evening we go back to the shopping centre so I can post my boxes. The line up is again almost at the door, and Bob goes off to the supermarket to check tyre sizes, and comes back with both snow chains, and socks. I get my parcels posted, which was made easier as the guy behind the counter spoke english.
Given the time of the evening, the sun has set, and we want to get some pictures of the castle, ( Alcazar de Segovia ) and check out the Aquaduct at night, as there is a huge Christmas Bauble in the center of the roundabout.
We find the Castle, and the lighting of it is magical, even though it is a bit cool walking. Then we get to the Aquaduct, and the Bauble, is lit up and it looks fantastic. It is quite nice seeing all the fancy lights over the streets lit up.
Sunday, 8th December 2019
Today, we plan go to to the Caslte we took pictures of last night.
We head out and make way to the Aquaduct as that is where there is good parking, and it is not that far away from the Castle. As we leave the car, we decide to take our heavy coats, even though it seems that it is not that cool, As the day wears on, it was a good call as it happens, as there is light sprinkling of rain. We find the Castle, and there is a bit of a line up to get tickets into it, but nothing to bad, only maybe 5 mins wait. The temperture is a damp 8 degress.
The word Alcazar, means a Spanish palace or fortress of Moorish origins, and this Palace looks like something out of Disney world.
The Palace was built in the 12th century, upon a rocky crag, and has a moat going around it, complete with a draw bridge, which does not get raised anymore. The Alcazar was originally built as a fortress, but has served as a Palace, a state prison, a Royal Artillery College, and a military academy.
Once inside this magnifient historical place, amazing. There are many rooms, all decorated elaborately right up to the ceiling. Even the ceilings are a wonder. There are wooden thrones, and a hall to house Parliament, and many suits of armour. We venture outside and over look the surrounds, and notice there is small holes in a couple of the floor, and on further looking, it seems that it is the drainage for an underground tank, as there is a well outside and the water level is not a far down as one would imagine it to be.
In the armoury, there were many suits of armour, and displays of the fighting tools they had back in the day. Truely a great experience.
After we have finished here, we head back to the aquaduct, and along the way grab some lunch. Even though it is lightly raining, it has not stopped many people from going out. It is very busy, and all of the bars and resturants are full to overflowing. We get back to our car, and leave this area for the last time, as we are leaving Segovia tomorrow and heading for Barcelona.
Monday, 2 December 2019
Gata de Gorgos 25/11.19
Monday 25th, November 2019
So today we take the car to the Renault dealer, and wait for a short while, as there was a few people ahead of us. Eventually we are attended to by a man, who speaks good English, and Bob explains to him what has happened, and shows the damaged window. We explain that it is a French leased car, and the Eurodrive company have the insurance on the car. Long story short, he makes a phone call to the number that Bob has been given, so he can get a claim number. He gives them a price, and then he has to wait for a return call to confirm that they agree with the price, so he can order the part. He asks us to wait, for a while and we do so. He needs to hear back from the Insurance people before 12.30 and needless to say, the call never came through, and we suggested that we go, and he can call us when he hears word.
We didn't hear from the dealer.
Bob starts to look online for a replacement CPAP machine.
But first we have to get the correct delivery address, so our host is contacted, and he suggests that we put his mother in laws address down as they are home most of the day.
Tuesday, 26th November 2019
No word or phone call from the car dealer, and if we don't hear back soon, time will be running out of time. When we get the go ahead from the insurance, so long as it is before 12.30, the part will be here the next day. So Thursday is the last day as we leave on Saturday.
Bob is busy looking online at what CPAP machine to buy to replace the one that was stolen. This is going to be a bit of a mission, because yet again time is running out, and delivery of the machine would have to be pretty quick if it is to come here. Plus it is essential for him to get a decent sleep. So research is a must, and the machine he had has been superceeded. The other thing is that in Spain you just can't buy one, like in Australia, you have to have a medical reason. So Bob makes a couple of phone calls and eventually gets an english speaking sales person who was very helpful, and offers a couple of solutions.
So after much tooing and froing, and making sure it will deliver on time, which incedently seems to ve very good, an order is place. Bob is told that if the order is recieved before 3pm, he will have it the next day.
Wednesday, 27th November 2019, so fingers crossed.
Today we decide to go to Cartagena,
Cartagena is a drive of about a two hour drive or 210 kms. It has a population of 213 943, and was founded in 227BC. It has a major naval station, and a few historic landmarks. We continue on to a intriguing strip of land that stretches out from Cartagena, that has taken Bobs interest. La Manga is a town on this strip, which has beaches and at this time of the year, not many people around. It is a long straight stretch, with what appears to be many holiday places and high rise buildings all closed up. We go for some distance, and nothing grabs our attention, so we turn around and head back, finding something to eat on the way. The place we stopped at was a quiet little bar, of which the barman spoke no english, but we are getting used to this. But the menu does have English sub text underneath the Spanish menu. Our food comes was was very very nice, then we depart and head back to Gata de Gorgos.
Here on the roads, you can choose to use the toll road, which gives you double lanes, and the speed is 120kms, or you can take the untolled road, which runs parrallel to the toll, but is only single lane and speed is set at 90kms. On the way to Cartagena, we used the toll road, and on the way back we travelled the other road, which had a fair amount of traffic on it. And at times the other road, used the toll road, and then deviated off when the tolls are coming up.
We get home, and then get a message, from our host, to say the parcel has arrived, and he will be over shortly to deliver it to us. So that plan worked out very well.
Thursday, 28th November 2019
We took a drive to look at a couple of ceramic shops that are just outside Gata de Gorgos. What an inspirational shop the first one was that we stopped at. It was certainly a lot larger on the inside that it appeared to be from the outside. There was all manner of ceramics and outdoor furniture settings. One could spend a heck of a lot of money in this shop. As it was, I did spend some money on a couple of gifts, and mementos. So after this shop we did not stop at another, but we did continue to drive and check out the town where the car is going to be repaired. It was not exactly where Bob thought it was.
We go into Gata de Gorgos, and have a bite to eat, and I go to the Wicker shops that are in the street. Looking for some gifts to send home for Christmas, and I find a couple of things, but not exactly what I am looking for. But I will have to make do for the moment, as time is passing and if I don't get parcels in the post in the next week, I don't think they will arrive in time for Christmas.
We get an email from the Insurance to say the part has been ordered and can we take the car into be repaired tomorrow.
Bob is trying to set his sleep machine to the correct settings and it is a trail and error thing, and him getting used to it. But it is better than him not having one.
Friday, 29th November 2019
Today we got the car window repaired.
Bob takes the car into the dealer, and I stay back at the house, and start packing up things and do a bit of tidying. The car is booked in for 10.30 and we know it will be finished by 12.30, as that is when the dealership closes for their siesta, and reopens again at 3.30.
When Bob comes back from getting the car done, a couple of hours later, we go into Gata de Gorgos to look at a house. Just something to exercise Bobs mind. It is something of a fixer upper.
We go back to the house, and chill for a while, and have planned to go into the shopping centre at Ondara and have dinner at Fosters Hollywood, being that it is our last night here.
We have our dinner, and then into the shopping center. It is somewhat busy, more busier than we have seen at least. We then head back and finish for the day.
Saturday, 30th November 2019
We left Gata de Gorgos at around 8.30, headed for Segovia. This is a distance of 540kms, or roughly 5 hrs. But given the way we travel we know it will take a little longer. The country side changes quite dramatically, going from rocky mountains to rolling hills and undulating country. The orange trees are gone, and replaced with grape vines again, for part of the trip, and other parts we see livestock again.
Now to get to Segovia, we have to what we figured was go around Madrid, and I am doing the driving this time, as Bob has been doing a large percentage of the driving in the past month. Our figuring was wrong. I had to drive right through the centre of Madrid on a saturday afternoon. There were so many people, but Madrid has a population of over 6 million people, so I guess no matter where you go there is always going to be lots of people.
We get to Segovia, and are early than anticipated, as we have arranged to meet our next host at 5pm. So we fill in some time in Segovia, and find the Roman Aquaduct. This peice of historical remains, was built well over 2000 years ago, and the town has been built around it. We will be coming back to this area to explore futher.
At a time closer to our meeting time, we head off to find our next lodgings for the next week. This is found with not to much hassles, although our GPS,( Karen ) tries to take us down a no entry street. Our host is on the street waiting for us, just as it starts to shower lightly. Pepe, takes us in and shows us around our dwellings, and it is very very nice and warm. We are now entering into our cooler times here, and looking at the weather temps in the next few days, heating will be very important.
Sunday, 1st December 2019
It is cool outside this morning, 4 degrees, but inside the unit, is very comfortable. Bob is getting used to his machine, and this is a good thing.
We stay inside for the morning, and besides the cricket is on, and this is an important event, as the Australian team need Bob's assistance. After the cricket is done, and after some research online for a new camera, we take a trip into Madrid. It has started to rain mid morning here, and is still raining when we decide to go into Madrid. Madrid is a 93 km drive, or an hour and 15 mins from Segovia. When we get into the car, the temp on the dash says that it is 5 degress, and this is at 2pm.
When we get into Madrid we are hunting for FNAC, because they seem to have the better deal on the camera that Bob wishes to replace the one that was stolen. Again, there are lots of people, most with umbrella's as it is raining here too. We find a car parking station, and brace ourselves for the cool and wet conditions that are outside. This weather is not something that we are used to, and we have been very lucky with weather conditions since we have been away. I am rugged up with my thick coat and scarf. Fortunately we do have an umbrella in the car, and the other two we have are back in the unit. We find another place that sells electrical gear, and cameras, so Bob gets an idea of what is available in store. So now we are still looking for FNAC, and we do find them. This store is a five floor place, that sells all manner of electronic products, books, Dvds and music, and cultural things. Bob heads to the photographic section, and I look about the same area, after a comfort stop.
After some time and questions, a camera is decided upon, and it is purchased. Most of the items that were taken are now replaced, and what is not, we will do without.
When we go outside, it is still raining, and it is a novelity to see so many umbrellas being used. The street was just a stream of moving umbrellas. We make our way towards the car park, detouring at a cafe, to have a cuppa and something for dinner. We were going to do a bit of grocery shopping, but given the weather, and the already purchased goods, this idea was canned, and we will do it tomorrow, in the local area.
We make our way back to where we are staying, amid the traffic and rain, and see snow ploughs on the back of a couple of trucks, so it must snow somewhere in the region. Back to the unit, and it is back to 5 degrees, with tomorrow being a tad colder.
So today we take the car to the Renault dealer, and wait for a short while, as there was a few people ahead of us. Eventually we are attended to by a man, who speaks good English, and Bob explains to him what has happened, and shows the damaged window. We explain that it is a French leased car, and the Eurodrive company have the insurance on the car. Long story short, he makes a phone call to the number that Bob has been given, so he can get a claim number. He gives them a price, and then he has to wait for a return call to confirm that they agree with the price, so he can order the part. He asks us to wait, for a while and we do so. He needs to hear back from the Insurance people before 12.30 and needless to say, the call never came through, and we suggested that we go, and he can call us when he hears word.
We didn't hear from the dealer.
Bob starts to look online for a replacement CPAP machine.
But first we have to get the correct delivery address, so our host is contacted, and he suggests that we put his mother in laws address down as they are home most of the day.
Tuesday, 26th November 2019
No word or phone call from the car dealer, and if we don't hear back soon, time will be running out of time. When we get the go ahead from the insurance, so long as it is before 12.30, the part will be here the next day. So Thursday is the last day as we leave on Saturday.
Bob is busy looking online at what CPAP machine to buy to replace the one that was stolen. This is going to be a bit of a mission, because yet again time is running out, and delivery of the machine would have to be pretty quick if it is to come here. Plus it is essential for him to get a decent sleep. So research is a must, and the machine he had has been superceeded. The other thing is that in Spain you just can't buy one, like in Australia, you have to have a medical reason. So Bob makes a couple of phone calls and eventually gets an english speaking sales person who was very helpful, and offers a couple of solutions.
So after much tooing and froing, and making sure it will deliver on time, which incedently seems to ve very good, an order is place. Bob is told that if the order is recieved before 3pm, he will have it the next day.
Wednesday, 27th November 2019, so fingers crossed.
Today we decide to go to Cartagena,
Cartagena is a drive of about a two hour drive or 210 kms. It has a population of 213 943, and was founded in 227BC. It has a major naval station, and a few historic landmarks. We continue on to a intriguing strip of land that stretches out from Cartagena, that has taken Bobs interest. La Manga is a town on this strip, which has beaches and at this time of the year, not many people around. It is a long straight stretch, with what appears to be many holiday places and high rise buildings all closed up. We go for some distance, and nothing grabs our attention, so we turn around and head back, finding something to eat on the way. The place we stopped at was a quiet little bar, of which the barman spoke no english, but we are getting used to this. But the menu does have English sub text underneath the Spanish menu. Our food comes was was very very nice, then we depart and head back to Gata de Gorgos.
Here on the roads, you can choose to use the toll road, which gives you double lanes, and the speed is 120kms, or you can take the untolled road, which runs parrallel to the toll, but is only single lane and speed is set at 90kms. On the way to Cartagena, we used the toll road, and on the way back we travelled the other road, which had a fair amount of traffic on it. And at times the other road, used the toll road, and then deviated off when the tolls are coming up.
We get home, and then get a message, from our host, to say the parcel has arrived, and he will be over shortly to deliver it to us. So that plan worked out very well.
Thursday, 28th November 2019
We took a drive to look at a couple of ceramic shops that are just outside Gata de Gorgos. What an inspirational shop the first one was that we stopped at. It was certainly a lot larger on the inside that it appeared to be from the outside. There was all manner of ceramics and outdoor furniture settings. One could spend a heck of a lot of money in this shop. As it was, I did spend some money on a couple of gifts, and mementos. So after this shop we did not stop at another, but we did continue to drive and check out the town where the car is going to be repaired. It was not exactly where Bob thought it was.
We go into Gata de Gorgos, and have a bite to eat, and I go to the Wicker shops that are in the street. Looking for some gifts to send home for Christmas, and I find a couple of things, but not exactly what I am looking for. But I will have to make do for the moment, as time is passing and if I don't get parcels in the post in the next week, I don't think they will arrive in time for Christmas.
We get an email from the Insurance to say the part has been ordered and can we take the car into be repaired tomorrow.
Bob is trying to set his sleep machine to the correct settings and it is a trail and error thing, and him getting used to it. But it is better than him not having one.
Friday, 29th November 2019
Today we got the car window repaired.
Bob takes the car into the dealer, and I stay back at the house, and start packing up things and do a bit of tidying. The car is booked in for 10.30 and we know it will be finished by 12.30, as that is when the dealership closes for their siesta, and reopens again at 3.30.
When Bob comes back from getting the car done, a couple of hours later, we go into Gata de Gorgos to look at a house. Just something to exercise Bobs mind. It is something of a fixer upper.
We go back to the house, and chill for a while, and have planned to go into the shopping centre at Ondara and have dinner at Fosters Hollywood, being that it is our last night here.
We have our dinner, and then into the shopping center. It is somewhat busy, more busier than we have seen at least. We then head back and finish for the day.
Saturday, 30th November 2019
We left Gata de Gorgos at around 8.30, headed for Segovia. This is a distance of 540kms, or roughly 5 hrs. But given the way we travel we know it will take a little longer. The country side changes quite dramatically, going from rocky mountains to rolling hills and undulating country. The orange trees are gone, and replaced with grape vines again, for part of the trip, and other parts we see livestock again.
Now to get to Segovia, we have to what we figured was go around Madrid, and I am doing the driving this time, as Bob has been doing a large percentage of the driving in the past month. Our figuring was wrong. I had to drive right through the centre of Madrid on a saturday afternoon. There were so many people, but Madrid has a population of over 6 million people, so I guess no matter where you go there is always going to be lots of people.
We get to Segovia, and are early than anticipated, as we have arranged to meet our next host at 5pm. So we fill in some time in Segovia, and find the Roman Aquaduct. This peice of historical remains, was built well over 2000 years ago, and the town has been built around it. We will be coming back to this area to explore futher.
At a time closer to our meeting time, we head off to find our next lodgings for the next week. This is found with not to much hassles, although our GPS,( Karen ) tries to take us down a no entry street. Our host is on the street waiting for us, just as it starts to shower lightly. Pepe, takes us in and shows us around our dwellings, and it is very very nice and warm. We are now entering into our cooler times here, and looking at the weather temps in the next few days, heating will be very important.
Sunday, 1st December 2019
It is cool outside this morning, 4 degrees, but inside the unit, is very comfortable. Bob is getting used to his machine, and this is a good thing.
We stay inside for the morning, and besides the cricket is on, and this is an important event, as the Australian team need Bob's assistance. After the cricket is done, and after some research online for a new camera, we take a trip into Madrid. It has started to rain mid morning here, and is still raining when we decide to go into Madrid. Madrid is a 93 km drive, or an hour and 15 mins from Segovia. When we get into the car, the temp on the dash says that it is 5 degress, and this is at 2pm.
When we get into Madrid we are hunting for FNAC, because they seem to have the better deal on the camera that Bob wishes to replace the one that was stolen. Again, there are lots of people, most with umbrella's as it is raining here too. We find a car parking station, and brace ourselves for the cool and wet conditions that are outside. This weather is not something that we are used to, and we have been very lucky with weather conditions since we have been away. I am rugged up with my thick coat and scarf. Fortunately we do have an umbrella in the car, and the other two we have are back in the unit. We find another place that sells electrical gear, and cameras, so Bob gets an idea of what is available in store. So now we are still looking for FNAC, and we do find them. This store is a five floor place, that sells all manner of electronic products, books, Dvds and music, and cultural things. Bob heads to the photographic section, and I look about the same area, after a comfort stop.
After some time and questions, a camera is decided upon, and it is purchased. Most of the items that were taken are now replaced, and what is not, we will do without.
When we go outside, it is still raining, and it is a novelity to see so many umbrellas being used. The street was just a stream of moving umbrellas. We make our way towards the car park, detouring at a cafe, to have a cuppa and something for dinner. We were going to do a bit of grocery shopping, but given the weather, and the already purchased goods, this idea was canned, and we will do it tomorrow, in the local area.
We make our way back to where we are staying, amid the traffic and rain, and see snow ploughs on the back of a couple of trucks, so it must snow somewhere in the region. Back to the unit, and it is back to 5 degrees, with tomorrow being a tad colder.
Saturday, 30 November 2019
Gata de Gorgos 18/11/2019
Monday, 18th November 2019
Bit of another quiet day.
Did a bit of needlework.
Tuesday, 19th November 2019
Today, we went for a drive to Valencia, which is a 1 hrs 15 min drive, or 105 kms. The weather is perfect yet again. We have had no cloudy days, how ever it is getting a bit cool in the evenings.
Arriving in Valencia, we aim for the train station, as that is where the Hop on hop off bus ticket place is, plus we know there will be parking there. So we find the said place, and park the car. After a short walk we get to the terminal for the trains, and purchase the tickets and after 30 mins, we make our way to where the bus pick up point is. There are two routes around Valencia, and we choose the one that is around the old part of the city. Valencia has a population of around 2.531 million people. This is a very interesting place, as we find out, and of particular note is that in the 1960s the River that used to run through the city, was diverted away from the city, due to the continuing flooding that happened.
Valencia, is one of the oldest cities in Spain being founded in 138 BC. It has had Roman, Muslim, Christian rule in it's time. There are many amazing buildings that are dotted around the city. Our tour on the bus takes around an hour and a half, and we find some wonderful places that we might like to explore later.
After our first tour ends, we take in the surrounds of the point at which we have choosen to get off, as this one, is also the place that the secound route comes too aswell. So we have a bit of time to fill in, and have a snack and warm up. It is starting to cool, as it is 4pm. After we have eaten, we go to the bus stop, and wait, a couple of the first route buses come and go, and we ask when the next b route bus will be along, and are told in around 30 mins. So we walk about the near vacinity, and check out the shops, as one does. I decide that if we are going to go upstairs on this second trip, I may need to get something to keep my head warm, so i purchase a nice Maroon beanie.
Once the bus right arrives, we go upstairs to take in the next tour.
Our second route, takes us along the newer parts of Valencia, and past the beaches that they have here. Again, it is an hour and a half tour, that is filled with some spectactular buildings and sculpture and statues and bridges. One in particular that sticks out is, a very large blue sculpture, called '' Dama Iberica'' that is made of 22000 blue discs, and is 18 meters tall. It cost 2.4 million to construct. We also pass by some pretty impressive buildings which are not the normal designs of the city. They are very modern and even somewhat futuristic.
Bit of another quiet day.
Did a bit of needlework.
Tuesday, 19th November 2019
Today, we went for a drive to Valencia, which is a 1 hrs 15 min drive, or 105 kms. The weather is perfect yet again. We have had no cloudy days, how ever it is getting a bit cool in the evenings.
Arriving in Valencia, we aim for the train station, as that is where the Hop on hop off bus ticket place is, plus we know there will be parking there. So we find the said place, and park the car. After a short walk we get to the terminal for the trains, and purchase the tickets and after 30 mins, we make our way to where the bus pick up point is. There are two routes around Valencia, and we choose the one that is around the old part of the city. Valencia has a population of around 2.531 million people. This is a very interesting place, as we find out, and of particular note is that in the 1960s the River that used to run through the city, was diverted away from the city, due to the continuing flooding that happened.
Valencia, is one of the oldest cities in Spain being founded in 138 BC. It has had Roman, Muslim, Christian rule in it's time. There are many amazing buildings that are dotted around the city. Our tour on the bus takes around an hour and a half, and we find some wonderful places that we might like to explore later.
After our first tour ends, we take in the surrounds of the point at which we have choosen to get off, as this one, is also the place that the secound route comes too aswell. So we have a bit of time to fill in, and have a snack and warm up. It is starting to cool, as it is 4pm. After we have eaten, we go to the bus stop, and wait, a couple of the first route buses come and go, and we ask when the next b route bus will be along, and are told in around 30 mins. So we walk about the near vacinity, and check out the shops, as one does. I decide that if we are going to go upstairs on this second trip, I may need to get something to keep my head warm, so i purchase a nice Maroon beanie.
Once the bus right arrives, we go upstairs to take in the next tour.
Our second route, takes us along the newer parts of Valencia, and past the beaches that they have here. Again, it is an hour and a half tour, that is filled with some spectactular buildings and sculpture and statues and bridges. One in particular that sticks out is, a very large blue sculpture, called '' Dama Iberica'' that is made of 22000 blue discs, and is 18 meters tall. It cost 2.4 million to construct. We also pass by some pretty impressive buildings which are not the normal designs of the city. They are very modern and even somewhat futuristic.
So glad I did purchase the beanie, as it became quite cool, and the beanie did the required job. When the tour is done, we hop off and decide to catch route A to get us back to the train terminal, and we wait for a good while, but decide to walk back to the station, how far can it be.
We eventually get back to the station, and just a bit further, we get to our car. We have enjoyed the day, and Bob states that he would like to come back and explore Valencia more. We head back to Gata de Gorgos, driving in the dark. This is something that we haven't done a real lot of in the past.
Wednesday, 20th November 2019
A rest day, although we did go to the shops to get some food essentials and making plans to go back to Valencia, as our time here in this area is running out. We leave Gata de Gorgos on the 30th.
Thursday, 21st November 2019
What an amazing day we have had today.
It started with a drive to Valencia, again a 1hr and 15 min trip, and we have left our place are 8.30 so we can beat the lines for the first place we are going to. The Bioparc, opens at 10 am, and we arrive and find there is no lines and not a lot of people here, althoug there are a few groups of school children. This is a wildlife place, where the animals are not contained in cages, and it is set on 10 hectares or 25 acres. It is owned by the city council, and has around mainly 4000 african animals. This zoo is different in that the visitors are immersed into the animals habitat, only using rivers, ponks streams and rocks. We saw so many wonderful animals, and took a gread deal of pictures. One of the many wow moments was when Bob came to me and said, there is a really large fish in the water here, and it was, a Hippopotamus submerged i the water, but not just one, but two.
This was a wonder and to be able to see this, you can only imagine this happening in the wild.
After a couple of hours we have a coffee break, and sit back on the verandah of the Cafe, and watch the Giraffe chasing the birds and the Gazelles, and the Saddle Billed Stork running over the ground. A truely amazing thing to experience. This Parc is a must if anyone is every going to be in this area.
We continue walking around the Zoo, and watch a animal show, which has a variety of animals and birds entering the areana and doing their thing.
After we finish at the Zoo, our next thing to do is to find our accommodation for the night. We enlist the help of the GPS, which has been invaluable to us throughout all our to date. The road system here is a little hectic to say the least. Roundabouts are crazy, and even if you have an indicator on no one takes any notice. There are many lanes, with traffic lights and it is a matter of picking which lane, and hoping for the best. We do make it to a car parking station, without incident, which is close to where the address is of our hotel. The thing about Spain, many hotels do not have the Visual appeal that we are used to. Quite often it is just a door way with signs outside or just a sign on the door. So we get our luggage out of the car, and head off following the GPS for the rest of the directions. We wander down streets, and the streets are narrow to narrower. One gets the for forboding feeling that we have booked something dodgey. We keep walking and true to form, we manage to get a bit misplaced, but, eventually find our digs for the night. Thankfully, it is all very good. The hotel office is just that, an office, with a single door and signs out the front. but when we get to our room/apartment, it surpasses our expections.
We rest for a while, and then we resurface and head out to check out the local shops about us, and to find something to eat. Funny thing, the time we start looking for dinner is around 7.30. We walk to a couple of resturants and are told that they are not opened, one said they were closed and the other mentioned that they were not opened but would be open at 8. Again, we still are not used to the different times of resturant times compared to Australia. Most places in Australia, usually close their kitchens at 8 to 8.30, where are here some of the eateries only start cooking at these times.
We do find somewhere to have a meal, and then we head back to our room and retire for the night.
Friday, 22nd November 2019
So the day begins with us checking out of the hotel, but leaving our luggage with the hotel for a couple of hours as we want to walk around and explore the area more. Bob wants to go to the Post Office here, which is a huge old building that was built in 1922, it has 5 special statues at the entrance. It has two domes on each end with a structure in the middle. A truely unique presence.
Next we on the agenda is the Silk Exchange. But before we find the Silk Exchange, we happen to by chance, find the Central markets. We will go back to the markets, as the building it is housed in is across the road of where we are wanting to go. The Silk Exchange (Llotja de la Seda ) building was built between 1482 and 1548 and is in three parts. There is the Orange garden, which is a walled court yard. The main hall and the side wing make up the second part of this part. The main hall, is the most lavishly decorated room, with twisted columns, and the ceiling consists of arches. It is truely majestic. The room upstairts iseven more majestic, with a carved ceiling, that to see is to believe. There is a just as impressive floor to match the ceiling above. The rooms are still in the original state. The third part is a underground area, which in the merchants would be imprisoned for debts. A most wonderous building. In 1996 the UNESCO considered it as a World Heritage Site, as a exceptional example of a building in the late Gothis style.
After we finish looking about this wonderful building, we head over to the Central markers, and wow, WOW. Amazing, another huge building, with high domes and ornate decorations. This building began to be built in 1914, and was completes in 1928. The Central Market of Valencia is one of the largest in Europe and covers more than 8000 square meters. There are hundreds of venders selling fruit and vegies, meats, fish, wines, and mostly food items. There is a bar in the midst of all this, and it is a very busy place.
With both of us seeing the things we wanted to see, in the city centre, as now head back to the hotel to gather our luggage, and make our way to the car. We have elected to take the car to our next port of call, instead of taking the hop on hop off bus, and figured that there would be some sort of parking. Eventually we find the car park and the car, pay our dues, and leave headed to Oceanografic. This is a oceanarium, and the building that it is housed in is an amazing structure. It is the largest complex like it in Europe. There is a dolphinarium, a penguin display, as well as Sharks, Sea lions, Beluga, Walruses, and many more. It is divided into 10 areas. Mediterranean, Artic, the Islands, Tropical, Temperate, and the Red seas. Then to end the visit, it starts to rain a little, and we head off to watch the Dolphin show, which was very good.
We leave this tourist area, and head to our car, and when we get there, I notice that our Passports are on the back seat. I asked Bob if he moved them there, and he said no, and then it hits me, at the same time that Bob says the suitcase is gone. Our car has been broken into with the quarter glass broken on the passenger side. So in summery, they took our clothing, which was just a couple of things, as it was just an over night stay. But in the suitcase, was Bobs camera, and on the suitcase was his Sleeping machine. My hand bag was taken, but fortunately it was empty, but I did have a leather purse in it, which was left behind, but the Australian dollars in it was gone. We were very lucky that they didn't take the passports, and they could have taken other cards, ie, shooters liscense, blue card and things like that. I guess our saving grace was that it was in English and the theives didn't understand the language.
So we have the presence of mind to take pictures of the car, the broken window, and where it it was parked. Next we need to report the theft to the police, and Bob stops at Oceanographic to ask one of the staff where the closest station is. He is given directions, and off we go. We follow the directions via the GPS and end up almost at the police station, but we park a little distance away, for fear of not being able to get a park closer to where we need to be. A 20 min walk and we find the Police station, and explain as best we could why we were there. The officer we saw understood just enough , and went away for a moment, then came back and ushered us into a small waiting room. We wait here for some time, with people coming and going, in and out doors. Eventually after an hour or so we are seen by a female officer who took down what was taken. and looked at our photos we had taken of the car. We worked out that approximately $3000 worth of stuff was stolen. The female officer spoke pretty good english, and was very pleasant when she was dealing with us.
After all the details are taken, we are back walking to our car, and then it is well and truely time to go home.
What a day.
Saturday, 23rd November 2019
Today is a day of working out what exactly was taken yesterday from our car theft. There is forms to be filled out, phone calls to be made to the relevant insurance companies and Renault Eurodrive, for getting repairs done to the car. All being done by non French and Spanish speaking clients. Eventually, English is spoken after periods of waiting. So now we have to take the car into the closest Renault dealer, to get the process happening.
Sunday, 24th November 2019
A day of catching our breath from the happenings of the previous days.
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