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.