Santander and home

This final report from our 2013 holiday is written after our arrival home last night.   The drive from Toledo to Santander was uneventful and we returned to our favourite hotel to be greeted by Marisa, the receptionist.   Having read reviews on Tripadvisor, I knew that Marisa was popular.   But was really amused by her antics to try to get past her lack of English.   Her body language was suited to the stage!   She is a natural comedienne.   However, she had bad news for us - the restaurant was closed for two nights.   I therefore set up my laptop and searched for a Santander restaurant that was open that night.   In Spain a lot of shops, restaurants etc. close on Sunday.   Eventually I located Restaurante Chiqui in Santander.   I booked the table and later we drove there.  
Using Satnav I got onto the correct Avenida but could not find the restaurant.   Eventually I spotted the sign and drove towards it.   The road continued across a roundabout.   I parked the car and we went in.   You could tell immediately that quality was the watchword.   In a review of the place we read that the service was slow but we like slow service as it tends to be very good in terms of quality.   We were given Spanish menus to begin with and then the head waiter located English versions.   It turned out we had found a restaurant which specialised in fish and seafood.   That pleased us.
We had a special lobster dish for starters.   For the main course Pauline chose hake stuffed with seafood and I opted for Sea Bass.   Pauline waxed poetic about her hake and I confirmed that my huge piece of bass was cooked perfectly and tasted wonderful.   After our meal we declared it excellent and drove back to Hotel Chateau La Roca.
Next day we drove over to Comillas, a small old village we had visited two years before.   The scenery in Cantabria is very like the Alpine scenery with houses tending to emulate the Swiss properties.   We tried to find the way to the mansion that had a Gaudi exhibition but failed.   As time was ebbing away we decided to head back to Santander to join the ferry queues.   This was when the Satnav fell off the windscreen!   Having set it up and removed a few times the windscreen was dirty and the device would not keep good suction.   I decided I would just follow the road signs for Santander and then look out for the Puerto and Ferry signs.   It worked!
Once on the ship we found our cabin and I went to book a table in the restaurant.   The meal that evening was excellent, as  usual.   I chose a crab salad starter and Pauline chose ravioli.   Pauline chose chicken for a main course and my choice was lamb.   I have never known such thick pieces of lamb to be cooked so well.   We both decided on soufflé with Grand Marnier to finish and were not disappointed.
Next day we were back in the restaurant for a cooked breakfast.   I had only one complaint - I did not care for the mushrooms which I think were cooked in milk.   After this we stayed in our cabin and read our Kindles till lunchtime when I went in search of sandwiches.   Soon we were gliding into Portsmouth harbour with the strangest looking warships I could imagine around us.   How warship design has changed!   Once the vehicles started from the ship it took only 8 minutes for us to emerge.   There was a few minutes to wait at the Border Control and then we were out on the motorway system and heading home.
The Satnav fell out with us when we made a diversion at junction 18 on the M6.   We had already decided to have a break from fast driving and take the route through Sandiway in Cheshire that leads eventually to the A55 (Chester bypass) and home.   We arrived at 8.35pm and popped a pizza in the oven before retiring to bed.
Now we begin the long preparation for Christmas.   This year I am making my first Christmas cake, following Marry Berry for a recipe.   Whilst in Spain I received details of the Circuit Plan by email and discovered I am leading worship at Amlwch on Christmas Day.   That is a special treat to anticipate.
So this year's holiday blog is completed and we can both say the break has been important and has relaxed us greatly.   100% success!

Back to Toledo Part 2

To say that Toledo is an amazing place is an understatement.   Everywhere you go there are narrow winding ancient streets.   If you like history you must go to see it.   Our hotel was near the Bisagra Gate which is the most solid construction I can imagine.   Each time I see it I marvel at its show of strength for an invading army.

To fit in with ferry sailings from Santander we have to spend a day in Toledo.   It's roughly half way from Malaga to Santander in Northern Spain.   Victoria, our hotel receptionist is so welcoming, helpful and entertaining.   We missed her last year as she was recovering from a broken leg.   Where have I heard that before?  

Our Toledo day began with a visit to the Synagoga de Transito which is next door to the El Greco museum that we visited last year.   It is a great place to consider the life of the old Jews of the city before they were thrown out after 400 years of peaceful co-existence with Muslims and Christians.   We managed to make it upstairs to the Women's Gallery where there were many interesting exhibits like the Magem Davids, various menorahs, phalacteries and even a set of circumcision instruments.   The garden was peaceful and contained a number of ancient Jewish tombstones.   Someone had placed a stone on one - a Jewish tradition.

Next we visited the Santo Domingo Convent where we saw, through a glass opening in the floor above the crypt, the coffin of El Greco, some of whose works were on the walls.   It is still a convent and we were greeted by a nun acting as greeter and cash receiver.   They had a sculpture of the head of John the Baptist on a plate.   Now that was really gruesome!

We came out and discovered a small restaurant close by.   It was lunchtime, so we gave it a try.   It turned out to be the best lunch we had had.   We shared a smoked salmon salad with tomatoes and balsamic vinegar and some potatoes stuffed with stuffed peppers.   It was wonderful.

Our next visit was to the Museum of Santa Cruz.   It was a huge former church with a crossing, lantern tower and long transepts.   The most interesting exhibits were huge tapestries of Flemish design.   Some of these were difficult to appreciate because they had deteriorated somewhat.   The view from the approach to the loos was over the rooftops of Toledo and I found it interesting.   Something to enjoy whilst you wait for your wife answering the call!

The last visit was the tiny mosque dating from 1,000 CE (AD to you).   It was small when you allowed for the apse built later for Christian worship.   The young woman at the desk was very helpful and called us a taxi after our visit.   You get a better response in Spain when you are a wheelchair user than at home in the UK.

Now we are staying overnight in a hotel on the outskirts of Santander ready for our sail home tomorrow.   The hotel restaurant is closed so I had to go online to find a restaurant in Santander that was open on a Sunday.   I solved the problem and keyed the details into the Satnav for later.   We are now looking forward to our 24 hours cruise home.

Back to Toledo

Just a short blog to confirm we have now left Finca Manolo in the Malaga mountains.   After lugging all our bags and baggage to the car which had been parked at the far side of the swimming pool, we set off at 9.56am local time.   It was lovely to slowly drive through the hills and mountains of Axarquia to link up with the motorway system.

The drive north was, as always, a mixture of vastly different landscapes.   At first we passed through many hills with olives growing on their slopes.   Later we saw other landscapes with rolling "fields of gold" where cereal crops were grown.   Passing through Valdepenas we saw countless vineyards with the workers just starting the grape picking season.   Eventually, as we turned towards Toledo there were barren slopes with castles and ancient windmills.   There is a famous line of old windmills on the hilltop as the motorway begins its way towards Toledo.   Next to them is an ancient fortress which has a resident tower crane engaged in restoration work.

Once I turned off the road into Toledo I discovered the authorities had made a significant change at the junction where we turn for our hotel.   There were road works two weeks ago when we drove south.   Today there is a roundabout in construction!   It was all a bit daunting so I went further along to pick up another route I knew that brought us to the hotel.   What a good thing we have been here a few times!

The sunshine continues

Yesterday was truly a day of rest.   In the morning I drove over to Colmenar to buy some bits of food and top up on barbecue fuel.   In 40 minutes I was back and helped Pauline laze by the pool.   The best part of the property we have here is the pool.   It is 10 metres by 5 metres and good for swimming lengths.   It's ideal for Pauline as it has steps for access rather than a ladder which she would not be able to use.   One unusual feature is that you cannot describe the shallow end as shallow.   There is a very small difference between deep and shallow ends.   At the so called deep end there is a wall sculpture of Neptune that looks like he is smoking a cigar!   Actually this is a pipe to take water if linked up to the supply.
Trevor, joint owner of the property, keeps the pool equipment under lock and key.   When he comes to do a pool clean he attaches a vacuum device which then drags along the bottom of the pool.   It takes literally minutes to complete the job.   He's a friendly guy and we always have an enjoyable chat when he comes.
When we go on holiday we always take our Kindles topped up with books we want to read.   This is how we pass the time between swims!   As we have Wifi this year we have been able to download during our stay - very useful.
Last night I barbecued chicken wings and sausages and did a rice salad.   It was washed down with Faustino V white Rioja.   This is a lovely wine and soon we are off to the hypermarket to get a supply for home.   This is our final day after which we shall be travelling back to Northern Spain to catch the ferry to the UK on Monday afternoon at Santander.   On Saturday we shall be spending a whole day in Toledo, our favourite city in Spain.

Phew, it's hot!

Yesterday we spotted two aircraft flying together.   They were the type that swoops on the sea or a lake to get water and then drop it on a forest fire.   We've not heard anything but it tells the story of a hot and dry countryside.

Last night saw us tucking into barbecued chicken wings and  salad - very acceptable.   The cats enjoyed what was left too.  

Sue Brown, the house owner went over to Torremolinos yesterday for cataract operation.   The operation took 15 minutes and she stayed for an hour to make sure all was well.   She was due to go back today for a check up.   Next week she goes through the same routine for her other eye.   You get quick turn rounds with private medicine!

Today the temperature under the shade outside the kitchen door rose to 33.5 degrees Celsius.   I decided it was time to use the hot tub.   We had 20 minutes of sheer bliss!   Straight after that we had a swim in the pool to cool off!   It's all action, I can tell you!

Tonight I am cooking pork steaks on the barbecue and cooking courgettes in butter.   What a decadent life!   This afternoon I received an email from the Witness Care Unit in Colwyn Bay to say that the case I was due to be a witness in was being moved to Mold Crown Court and could I be there tomorrow.   I explained in my reply that I had been excused from attending as I was on holiday.   That case haunts me!

As I write this blog it is 5.00pm (4.00pm in the UK) and the day has just drifted by.   I really hope we can remain as laid back as this once we are back home.   I have been so stressed unnecessarily this year that I would like to spend a no pressure period for a while.   My problem has been that I have invented things to worry about and that is not sensible.

I can now report that Pauline's leg is very much better and it is obviously due to the regular swimming.   When we get back we are due to renew our Leisure Centre memberships so I hope she will be there in the water once more.

Cracking the flags - again!

The hot weather has returned.   Swimming in the pool is the only way to cool off.   Regular swimming is taking away Pauline's pain in her femur.   It must be healing.   Mind you, it is now obvious she has a return of the spinal stenosis, but that pain can be treated once she is over her leg pain.

Last night I barbecued some lamb chops and fried some left over potatoes.   They were very tasty!   This must sound dreadful to those at home and experiencing gales.   It is good news that, at long last, there is progress with Pauline's leg.   After all she broke it nearly 18 months ago.   Today is a special day.   It is our granddaughter Isabel's 15th birthday and also exactly 9 years since we moved to Anglesey.   In a short time (1st October) we celebrate our 47th wedding anniversary.

Today we have been swimming/reading/swimming/reading.   I was so wound up at the long journey we were making and now we are getting the benefit of rest.   Of course, there will be the journey home starting on Friday and ending Tuesday evening.  

I went to the shop in Colmenar this morning and got what was needed in food terms to last the week out.   Guess what I forgot - bbq fuel!!!   The Spanish call it simply carbon.  I shall have to make another trip to Colmenar tomorrow to ensure we don't run out of fuel. Lunches usually consist of good bread with butter, Serrano ham, cheese and tomatoes washed down with San Miguel.   This beer might be rubbish, Kevin , but it lubricates the throat.   For breakfast we have discovered a new cereal from Eroski hypermarket - flakes with dried fruit including strawberries.   But we don't forget our boiled eggs and toast!

Can't spend any more time chatting - the pool is calling!!!

Trip to Cordoba

Yesterday's weather locally was cloudy all day so we decided to drive to Cordoba where the weather forecast was good and there was an attraction we wanted to see.   Last year we visited the Mezquita in Cordoba which is an amazing place.   Not far away is the Alcazar de los Reyes Christianos which is the old castle and gardens.   Having heard that the Alcazar was not great we were only interested in visiting the gardens.   I had found a photo or two on the web that looked interesting, but the real thing was so much better.   The woman in the pay office spoke in Spanish whilst pointing to the wheelchair but we said we would go in anyway.   There were a considerable number of steps in the nearer part of the gardens and then it was all virtually level.   I scouted around and found the ways down that involved the least steps.   Pauline can manage steps and it is the distance walking that she can't manage.   Where we had a few steps she got out of the chair and I carried it whilst she did the steps.

Much of the gardens comprised water features - mainly long canals of water with fountains along the sides playing across the water.   One canal was bordered with what resembled marigolds and these made a great statement.   There were shady avenues of orange trees which helped your intrepid wheelchair pusher to recover from the effort in the sunshine!

One very unusual feature was the avenues of conifers clipped to resemble wide pillars and occasional sculptures to add to the interest.   There were many formal gardens with geometric shapes and walkways to explore.   It was a peaceful garden full of beauty.   By this time, however, the dahlias were well past their best.   We came out of the garden thrilled to have been there.   Admission was a mere 4.50 euros each.

It was then time for a spot of lunch so we popped in a nearby bar where we had beer and sandwiches.   As the food was being prepared the owner brought us a small plate of home made crisps.   We knew they were home made because they were still warm and didn't conform to the usual shapes that come in packets.   When the sandwiches arrived they were the equivalent of baps but with crunchy crusts.   We think they were also home made.   What lovely sandwiches!

Outside, we took a taxi back to the car park on the Avenida de Los Custodios and drove back to El Romo and Finca Manolo.   On arrival we discovered that it had rained whilst we were away so this made the trip even more worth the effort.   The day was complete once I had barbecued some Sea Bass I bought the previous day. 

Today has returned to wall to wall sunshine and we are swimming to cool off.   Our local weather forecast for the remainder of our stay is sun, sun and sun.   Wednesday is supposed to be a scorcher with a maximum of 37 degrees Celsius! 

Out to lunch

We rose a little earlier today and this meant I had a chance to chat with Terry Mills, father of Sue Brown who owns Finca Manolo.   I got the low down on the cats and I was 50% correct with their names.   The tabby is called Tibby!   Terry comes up from his house every morning to feed the moggies.   He is a retired TV engineer from Bristol.   He and his wife, Eileen, came to Spain to be closer to their daughter.   They love it because the Spanish people are so much nicer than the Brits at home.   Smiles and politeness are prevalent.

After breakfast, Pauline and I drove to the Eroski Hypermarket to top up our food supply.   Pauline pushes her wheelchair until she is tired or in pain.   Then she sits in the chair whilst I continue with the shopping.   When she is rested she gets up and sets off, picking up things we need along the way.   We got everything, checked out and then loaded the car.   She was planning to go back into the building that houses Eroski etc. for a cup of coffee.   However, when I gave her the option of stopping by Lake Vinuela for lunch, she jumped at it.

When we drive back to base it involves passing the huge Lake Vinuela which is an important water source for the area.   As you drive you discover on your right a lay by with two restaurants.   Last time we stopped it was to sample the food at "Camping Vinuela" and felt it was rather noisy and basic.   This time we parked outside the other restaurant and sat down on their balcony overlooking Lake Vinuela.   We had Sangria followed by chicken in a sauce of almonds & mushrooms for Pauline and swordfish in white wine for me.   It was excellent and only cost 30 euros.   After this we drove home and rested.   he weather today has been cloudy but warm.

This evening we cooked seafood pasta which was very tasty.   We couldn't eat it all because we could still feel full from lunchtime.   Tomorrow's weather is still a little off so we decided we shall visit Cordoba again.   Not far from the Mezquita (old mosque) is a garden area which is supposed to be beautiful and peaceful.   We shall give it a try.   The Mezquita is a wonderful place.   It is the oldest and largest in Europe with over 800 red and white arches.   In the middle is Cordoba's cathedral!   It is a sensational success in terms of merging two places of worship for Islam and Christianity.

 

The Cats

Firstly, I must state that although I like most animals Pauline cannot stand cats.

Here at Finca Manolo we have two resident cats.   When I say resident I do not mean they live in the house.   They are outdoor cats but are fed by Terry, father of Sue Brown who, with her husband Trevor, own the property.   Terry lives just down the road and his first job of the day is to feed and water the two cats.

I know one cat is called Marmy because she is a marmalade cat.   The other is a tabby, so lets call her Tabby.   They spend most of their day lazing around, watching us swim in the pool.   Towards the end of the day the tension mounts.   This is when a couple of neighbouring cats come on site and our two take measures to move them off.   There begins a quiet howling from Marmy whilst Tabby usually sits on a wall watching the action.   The cats face up and the howling starts to get louder and louder.   The visitors sit there and stare at Marmy as she issues her warning.   Eventually, they start to move slowly away and the tension relaxes.

It doesn't end here because they keep on returning during the evening.   The howling becomes quite scary once it has gone dark.   One of the visiting cats is completely black, so how Marmy can see it in the darkness I cannot tell.   Perhaps she sees the "cat's eyes".   All this slow action goes on in the dark as we eat our evening meal just outside the kitchen door.   When this isn't happening our two cats attend the table in the hope of leftover food.

They are two real characters and I have got to know them well.   Last year when Terry and his wife, Eileen, came round for drinks Marmy was happy to jump up on Terry's lap.   But for the rest of the time no cat offers to sit on my lap and they are not encouraged to do so.

On the day we arrived we had an agonised text message from Sue, our daughter.   She has three cats and the oldest is Felix.   He is over twenty years old.   The news was that the previous evening Felix had been attacked by a dog and had run away.   Half the neighbourhood was out looking for him.   the fear was that he was dead somewhere, following the attack.   Sue was heart broken at the thought of him dying that way.   The following day I had a text message - "He's back!"    So all is well again.   I used to have a dog and when he died I was lost for 3 days afterwards.   We do get so attached to our pets.   I decided at the time, "Never again!"   That is how it has been.   I prefer to let others keep dogs and I will make a fuss of them.

A Power of Good

You should see Pauline when she is swimming!   Steadily she is getting all she needs from swimming in the pool.   This year there are hardly any wasps drowning in the pool.   Last year I had to sweep the pool daily to get rid of the floating debris!   One thing is still very noticeable.   There are still lots of dragonflies swooping to the pool and some are connected to each other!   These are blue in colour and they look beautiful.

The other night we had a very large "creature" clinging to the metal gauze on the doorway to the kitchen.   It was light green and long (2 inches or more) and very narrow.   I knocked it off and it flew away.   As evening approaches the flies do tend to congregate under the trees.   They seem to like flying round and landing on my face!   The cheek!

Across the lane outside our property there is a house in which lives a big mut of a dog.   The first year we came she got locked in our place and her owner was banging on the gate to get her back one night.   Last year I had to keep moving her out of the gates whenever I was coming or going in the car.   She is a big dog and if she doesn't want to go she is a big weight to force out of the property.   After we had left last year she had pups and one was killed by a vehicle coming down the lane.   So far she has not annoyed me as much, but I wish she would disappear.

The Spanish police are still catching the unwary by concealing camera cars at junctions.   It is an on the spot fine of 150 euros as I discovered to my cost last year.   As we arrived on Friday we spotted them on a road that ran parallel to ours.   They should soon pay off the national debt!   Yesterday morning we found two of them shopping whilst on duty, would you believe?   They were leaving the local Dia supermarket (Lidl type place) as we were going in.   This year I am determined not to become another contributor so I am coasting about at low speed and watching for every single change of speed limit..   Well, I do need to relax when on Holiday!

It's interesting to see how Spain is coping with their financial and employment problems.   Not far away, in Velez-Malaga, the mayor has closed the tram service to Torre del Mar and leased the trams to Australia.   Just there we see many partially built apartment blocks where no work has been done for a few years.   Their workers are finding employment on the land as more and more people start growing tomatoes, melons etc for the international market.   Go in the wine section at Eroski and you will see a smaller selection of wine with more emphasis in cheap wines.   But the establishment is still busy every day.

So relaxed

Once again we have seen wall to wall sunshine here at Finca Manolo in the Montes de Malaga.   Looking out of the window this morning, I wondered what is was that was reddish gold.   It was the nearby hillside lit by the early morning sun.   We have an amazing wrap round view where we are.   There are mountains and hills all the way round. If we need to go to any point there is no straight route.   The only way is to meander between the countless hills and mountains.

As we look out to our right we can see the white village of Comares sitting on top of a very high hill.   It appears to have no road leading up there, but last year we drove to it to prove this untrue.   Although the village of Colmenar is the one we use for supplies of food we are actually closer to Comares.   My wallpaper on the PC is a photograph of Comares taken mid afternoon.   We turn our gaze towards the left and eventually come to the sight of Mount Maroma towering over a white village.   It appears to be about to fall on top of this village when you get nearer.   Yesterday we heard thunder coming from that direction but the weather here never changed.   Quite often the sky is entirely blue except for a bank of cloud sitting on the mountain as if it is an active volcano.   In the winter it is covered with snow and I have seen a number of photos of experienced climbers tackling the mountain.

Further over to our left is a long range of smaller mountains that rise up like stone sculptures from the land below.   Driving over to Colmenar, we see a changing view of these as the angle changes with every bend in the road.   The roads locally can be challenging as they cling to the hillsides and offer a sheer drop to the unwary.   Throughout the foothills we see many, many white houses and farms perched there.   To the right of Comares there seem to be dozens of them.   At night they shine like stars in the blackened landscape.

As dusk approaches I start making plans to cook our evening meal.   On Saturday night I made a paella with the seafood I bought in the Eroski Hypermarket.   Last night saw our first barbecue with chicken wings and rice salad. The delay in having a bbq this year was because I could not find a supply of firelighters at Eroski!   I know they sell them because the tiny remains of charcoal left by the previous people was bought there.   They must have the lighters too!   Tonight I am making tortilla to a simplified recipe I found in the house.   Last time I did one it stuck to the pan!   I hope to do better tonight.   I am finding it easier to use the bottled gas cooker this year.   I have even finally mastered how to use the dishwasher this year.   It would be simple if the various control marks had not been erased with use over the years.   Trying to use any machine without clear controls is bound to be difficult.

On checking my smartphone today I find that I have missed the gym and Pauline her art group.  Oh dear! I have taken steps to avoid any problems with my chest developing through the gym absence.   I have brought a pair of dumb bells to exercise with!

Here ends today's report.

Not Spanish Weather!

I awoke on Saturday to the feel of a breeze blowing through the open windows.   A few minutes later I heard heavy rain falling and this was accompanied by thunder.   It was too late to rescue our towels left outside.   Eventually the rain stopped and then started again as if to say "I haven't finished with you yet!"  

Once we had eaten breakfast we set off for the Eroski Hypermarket near Velez-Malaga to get our food for the next week or so.   It is quite different from Waitrose in Menai Bridge.   It is a massive store selling anything you could want.   There is a huge fish and seafood counter where they offer an amazing range of the freshest fish & seafood.   Next to this is a massive deli with more versions of Serrano ham, Chorizo and cheese than you might think exist.   Pauline found she was able to get round by pushing her wheelchair and sitting in it whenever she was getting pain.   This method worked like a charm!   It was funny when I asked for 15 slices of Serrano ham and the assistant cut 50 slices!   We only paid for 15 slices, though.  

 

At the far end of the store was our favourite section - wine!   We selected our bottles and Pauline was able to advise a Swiss couple on which were the best reds and whites.   In the greengrocery section I bought half a water melon wrapped in cling film.   We love it!   The piece is huge!   I managed to source a 5 litre container of Extra Virgin Olive Oil for 16 euros.   That will last me well over a year.   The only item we could not find was fire lighters for the barbecue so we can't light a bbq till tomorrow when I have been to the village shop.   Shops close on Sundays in Spain.   Neither could I find jam this year, so that's another purchase for tomorrow.  

 

Today we had a late breakfast of scrambled eggs and later a lunch of pate with crusty bread - washed down by a Portuguese beer provided by the house owners.   Tonight we shall be having pork chops with salad.   I did so much reading today that my Kindle had to be put on charge.   We have had a few swimming sessions too.   Earlier I opened my email to find that Reyes at Hotel Chateau La Roca is now a Twitter follower of my tweets.

 

Just now, life is very relaxing!

Here we are again!!!

On Tuesday we left home and drove down to Portsmouth.   Despite warnings about delays on the Britannia Bridge and Brittany Ferries telling us about roadworks in Portsmouth we had no delays and a perfect journey down.   We had a great meal in the Flora Dining room on board the Pont-Aven and slept well.  Well, not really the truth.   Pauline couldn't find her ear plugs and had a disturbed night with my snoring.   Next morning I found the ear plugs in her handbag!   The sailing was lovely with perfect weather all the way.   However, on the Tuesday there was fog once we were in the English Channel but it didn't last long.   The ship sailed half an hour late but we arrived at Santander on time.

 

Our usual hotel outside Santander was quieter as this time there no cyclist teams staying there.   They had reserved our favourite room and set up the bath so Pauline could have a shower.   The restaurant there had improved and we were reunited with Manuel, the waiter.   He's part of the fittings!   We did not see Reyes, the hotel owner and wondered if she was no longer involved.   Next morning I showered and left Pauline to do the same.   Suddenly there was a crash from the bathroom.   I went in to find Pauline flat on her back in the bath and the special chair in pieces.   It was a challenging 20 minutes getting Pauline standing and out of the bath!   Although she had had a nasty experience the only after effects were bruising and stiffness.   What good news!   Eventually we made our way in for breakfast and met Reyes on the way.   She was most worried that we had experienced this accident and would be telling the person responsible that she had not adequately tightened the fittings.

 

After this we were treated to even more attention and the staff were running to open doors so I could wheel Pauline through.   On checking out, Marisa, the receptionist, went into the office to tell her boss we were leaving.   Out came Reyes to wish us a safe journey onwards.   We ended up with the royal (Reyes means royal) treatment.   We arrived in Toledo without taking the wrong turn at the roundabout and ending up in the football stadium!   After a long rest we dined at Gambrinus in the old city and really enjoyed our meal.   I celebrated by spilling coffee down my shirt and trousers as well as on the table cloth.

 

Today we travelled down to our base for the next fortnight.   We now have WiFi!   After emptying the cases we had a good swim and now we are off into Colmenar for supplies.