Tues 30 May 16° Lincoln

We rang Brownhills, they would have to order the satalite, takes 3 days, only come in complete set with cable and box everything  £2000 !!shock horror,  fortunately the service dept was fully booked till September.

 We therefore had to ring around and finally got the name of a local satellite specialist. He said to get back up on roof take off covering and check that it is still working and take a photo.

 Luckily it was still working so he was able to order just a replacement dome , approx cost £200 wheewww much more like it. It is due to arrive late Thursday or Friday morning,  he will ring when it arrives and we will farewell Ena....drive round to his place at Brant Broughton about 15 mins away. ...sorted...

We had boiled eggs for lunch..the shells were almost harder than the satalite dome haha

We walked up to co-op to get cash to pay him...wanted to charge us £2 for the privilege...cancelled that. So will get the bus into town tomorrow and get some there.

Pork steak and salad out of Bessie for dinner.

Mon 29 May 12° Lincoln

Cooler today after light rain overnight, leisurely morning and cuppa with Ena before leaving.

Got sat nav all set for Melton Mowbray,  the home of the pork pie,  then onto Rutland Water for a couple of nights.

We reversed out and round onto verge, as we had yesterday and every time we leave.....a loud crash...cracking......the neighbours tree branch hit the satalite dome and cracked it like the top off a boiled egg!!!  Must have just come over a fraction more than usual......so back into Enas.....

Ladder, black sack, duct tape and towel to dry the wet roof....got the gaping hole covered against the weather. Bit of a grey damp day only light intermittent showers so hope the bag sticks fast.

As everything is closed being a public holiday, we have another night here, then ring around in the morning for replacement and fitting. Buggar!

Once again Pat and Les very helpful with ideas, thoughts and suggestions.

Ena went to get milk and bread and came back with fish pie for our dinner, bless her heart, we said we had eggs and would have an omelet but fish pie it was.

Sun 28 May 24° Lincoln

Got sorted and ready for leaving tomorrow,  it's a bank holiday so hope not too much traffic.

Drove Bessie to get diesel £1.16 ltr £70 for 60 ltrs LPG .65c £3.50 just a top up. Went to Denelm a large store that we got our rugs from to get another darker one, £4 very good value.

Tony cooked a vege medley and chips  with a chicken pie Ena had bought for dinner, Ena was very impressed with his cooking.

Sat 27 May 23° Lincoln

Domestic day today. Tony found the wing nut for the awning leg in the recess on Bessie, it had worked loose and come off into the housing.  Brian next door said they do that with the vibration when driving and suggested putting tape over the screw to keep in place.

Roz came over to take Ena to get a new mobile phone, then she took Tony to the pub to watch the Rugby.

I cooked the Chinese meal with some extra veges then after dinner Tony watched the football FA  cup final Arsenal vs Chelsea. So he was well pleased with his sport today.

Fri 26 May 25° lincoln

Tony cut back half of lawn for Ena, rang Dr to see if prescription ready, not till after 1pm, so after lunch Ena drove us to Medical centre, got prescription,  went to Asda which has a pharmacy inside, got meds, blood pressure pump £20 and box of Chinese as treat for Ena.
Also got a flat sheet for these hot nights so can put duvet away.

Hykeham DIY to see if they had a wing nut, not exactly the right thing, too long, but would do if unable to get the right one.

Ena spoilt us with a piece of Salmon, so Tony cooked dinner salmon, chips and veges.

Still 23° at 7pm, sat outside for a while, then in to catch up on news.

Thurs 25 May 25° Lincoln

Doctors first thing to get Tony re-registered as a temp patient for another 2 weeks to get his medication.  Then Ena drove us B&M a large discount supermarket where we stocked up for Bessie's supplies. We went  bit mad, but it will keep and last for ages so all good.

After lunch we tried the awning again, only to discover one of the legs had no wing nut to hold its length...so will have to go in search of one or it will be another visit to Oaktree.

We checked our  € and £ card balances, a bit out but nothing major, easy to miss a couple of transactions.

Took a photo of Mum's peony that is in full bloom.

We cooked gammon steaks and pineapple with chips and salad for dinner, then sat outside in the lovely evening air.

Roz and Paul popped in, nice to see them.

Another warm night so out the fan on in Bessie and left the skylights open,  much better but still a warm one.

Wed 24 May 20° Murcia to East Midlands airport

9am taxi to airport €7, checked in and got boarding pass, then to security to get it stamped for visa as non Europeans.

Went outside to coffee bar where the brits were catching the last of the Spanish sun, there were 2 coffee bars with chairs and tables, we sat down and tried our new word Monchada for milky coffee that we learnt from the man in the albox main square bar where we had tapas.

Good flight back and were met by our car to take us the 1 hour drive back to Ena's.£62.  Very interesting driver all the talk was about the terror attack in Manchester.

Good to be back at our home away from home, after a catch up and a cuppa Ena drove us to the doctors to get Tony's repeat prescription and post Pat and Les postal votes to Spain for them to vote in general election on June 8.

Tony put our new hub cap on and the phone rang, it was the medical centre, temp patients are only for 2 weeks, have to go back in and re register......have to do that wherever we are on our travels to get a months supply of medications,  bit of a bother but needs must.

Ena cooked chicken, veg and potato for dinner, very tasty.

Watched a bit of news and weather...due to be hot now till weekend, Monday public holiday.

Back to Bessie to unpack.

Tues 23 May 22° Albox - Murcia Hotel Madrid Mar Menor

Packed and tidied apartment and farewelled Casa Patrizia. As we drive away and head North to Murcia to our hotel for the night at Santiago de la Ribera 4km from Murcia airport. €25  tonight on a special deal.

We stopped en route on our 2 hour drive for coffee,  we thought as it was a golf resort complex we would try our luck and ask for an iced coffee....what came was an Irish coffee!!  well I suppose to a foreign ear, iced and Irish would sound very similar. So an unexpected boost to the day.

Arrived at hotel, checked in and walked a short way on the sea front to a choice of cafe bars, chose one which had a menu del dia for  €6.90 for 3 courses. Tony and Les had fried anchovies Pat and I had gazpacho to start,  then choice of beef or fish with salad and bread. Dessert was either creme caramel or chocolate mouse. Very good value.

Walked down the boardwalk on the hot sand then Pat and Les left on their 2 hours drive back home.

Tony tested the water and declared it was warm, being a little sea, surrounded by a sandbar which had tall hotels and restaurants all along the length,  the sea was not mixed with the main Mediterranean so stayed much warmer.

Togs on, in he went for a swim......no not me...well someone has to be bag lady and take the photos.....heehee.....then big decision...do we go left or right  ummmmmm.  Decided to go left, still warm so tried again for an iced coffee..success beach front ice-cream parlour had a container of black coffee with ice and another with milk and ice she said it also had cinnamon and lemon juice,  both in to a tall glass, hey presto very tasty iced coffee.

Then we turned and walked the other way, through town which was all closed...about 5pm so walked back along the seafront and decided to have  a pre dinner gin and tonic  €4 for a large glass bowl, huge chunk of ice and an almost never ending pour of gin very flamboyant up and down repeated several times.....followed by a whole bottle of tonic.  I thought I would be on my ear in no time, especially on an empty stomach,  then they started packing away...we were having a very leisurely drink in the late afternoon sun, and had to sip faster, they said no rush, no problem  but they close at 6pm.
Finally finished and asked them for a recommendation for dinner, then started to walk away....err.... excuse...have you paid....we all looked and laughed and no we hadn't,  so promptly paid and scurried back for showers and change for dinner.

In true Spanish style we went out at 8pm after getting the manager to put the air conditioning on as it was very warm in the room, when we went out the shops were now all open.

Pleasant stroll along the water front but very windy, found the restaurant,  looked very upmarket but thought if we just had a main should be OK.  Famous last words, very friendly waiter, couldn't speak English....should have been first warning, sign language can very easily go astray.

He  brought  out a bowl of mixed crackers and a very strong garlic aioli which was Casa,  on the house,  he pointed out that the bread was €1.50. I said thank you and went back to looking at the menu, he had interpdeted the thank you as a yes and the hot fresh baked rolls appeared.....whoops....ok...I tried to order a paella but he said non for 2 persons and pointed to Coladro for 1 person with a finger saying trust me.....moi bien....ok I'm happy to try local traditional food. Tony ordered sea bass. Then the waiter said, salad....tomatoes with the pinched fingers to the lips in a kissing motion...we smiled ok thank you.  We ordered 2 beers,  the tomatoes arrived with strips of fish and olives drizzled in olive oil. Delicious, very large hard tomatoes sweet and tasty.

My beer had lost its froth, so he came and indictated he would take it away...I said no its fine.....up came the finger of trust me.....he took the glass away and returned it to its full glory with a fresh frothy top on...he smiled successful...almost a Manuel out of faulty towers happening...

My meal came in a cauldron, very hot, he stired it signing to leave it to settle....then he came and served it on a plate and walked  away...brought Tony's meal which was with chips and a cooked tomato mixture. My plate was like a dark brown rice risotto,  I thought the fish must have been all minced up in the gravy, very salty, thinking that was it,  I started to eat it...he came rushing out....no non..Fish coming...moment... then he came back with 2 pieces of fish steak and spooned a little of the fish stock onto the rice.

Traditional Spanish meal ✔ not to my taste but hey you don't know till you try. We had a fun evening and enjoyed our Spanish interactions.  At the end of the meal we asked for la quenta, paid with our euro card....declined....eeekkkk...up came the finger of trust me moment...a waitress came over  checked it and re did it....completo!  We thanked them and he offered us liqueurs....we indicated we had just paid....yep you got it....up came the finger of trust me..moment...he scurried off and brought back a bottle of caramel liquor.  Casa...on the house..the waitress then handed me her phone...she said her sister....turned out it was her daughter who spoke perfect English...she said her mother wanted to say 'your welcome'.....so a very fun evening and when we gave her back the phone and they both left, he had filled up the glasses to the brim.....very delicious caramel liquor.

When we went to,leave the place was deserted, we called out goodbye and were just about to walk out the door when he came rushing in, gave me the continental cheek to cheek and shook Tony's hand like a long lost compadre .   We started to wonder if they had charged us twice or something .....but no all was good ....think they were just greatful we chose to eat there.....only ones in the whole restaurant.....must be still early in the season.

The wind  had dropped a little as we strolled along the waterfront at the end of our mini holiday, within a holiday to Spain.

Mon 22 May 19° Albox

Tony and I took dogs for a walk before Pat took us into town to the pharmacy to see if we can buy his meds. Pat has been monitoring Tony's blood pressure and it has not been regular and sometimes quite high. Pharmacist very helpful, yes we could buy the tablets ,which we did, got 2 months which will help as only got 1 month in uk so that will keep him going while we are travelling. Also took all of Tony's vitals on a machine which calculated his BMI and gave him a printout to compare in a couple of months. Very good job done.

Tapas and coffee in the main square, I asked owner for a photo, in English, and he looked at me with a lovely expression as if to ask me to try in Spanish, Pat helped me so it was un foto por favour, he was very pleased gave a lovely smile. When we were ready to leave Pat told me how to ask for the bill, so I took the kitty purse, went in ....moi bien,  gracias,  la quenta por favor.....he gave a loud laugh smiled and said thank you. Very nice little outing.

In Mercadona we bought a lovely piece of salmon for dinner.

In the afternoon we sat in the shade of a tree, with a bag of almonds off their tree, a rock a hammer and a bowl where we sat cracking nuts and sipping cool refreshing beer. Job done...Completo!

Les roasted them and we had then as a pre dinner snack...yumm the sweet fruits of labour.


Early dinner as Les out to his poker group, the salmon was delicious with fresh veges and lemon off their tree, washed down  with a very drinkable Rose` . After Les had gone to poker we 3 got into the spa and had soak before going up into the terrace for sunset....how good is this !

We can understand how torn they are about selling. No phone call from agent so looks like they still have it for another year...a real roller coaster..but after all their hard work this trip, hopefully it will just be maintaining it now with nothing major required.

Terrible news of the terror attack in Manchester.....a reminder it can happen anywhere, anytime....ugly and senseless.

Sun 21 May 17° Albox

Cooler day today spent around Casa Patrizia, Pat bathed the dogs, I took Sandy for a walk in the warm air to dry off, a natural hair dryer here haha it certainty didn't take long to dry in the warm breeze. Pat and Tony took Jack who took longer with his thick, long fur. We somehow missed each other somewhere out in the wilderness haha and Sandy and I got back first.

After all the help, tips and advice they have given us on the motorhome, we were finally be able to help them with their TV satalite, similar problems we had, so was able to tell Les what his contract John had done with ours in Lincoln. Even though their set is different, Les was able to get it going, so we were pleased to be able to help them.

Roast chicken and crispy roasting and veg for dinner.

Sat 20 May 20° Albox

Both still coughing,  not so much overnight, just seems to catch every now and then.

Les tried to fix the security light that had started flashing, but nothing is ever easy, needs a new part.

The water deposit for watering the trees was full and with the watering system out of action for a while,  Les fitted a submersible pump to the hose and hey presto water for the olives and Orchard.

 Pat brought in some oranges off the tree and we already had some sweet juicy apricots, something there for just about the whole year...very well planned.

Tony skimmed top of water deposit to get bits of twigs and leaves off.

Pat and I took dogs for a long walk, very dry and dusty, amazing anything grows at all, you can see clearly the land that has irrigation with green trees, in fact all farmers and most of the homeowners would have some sort of watering system.

Pat and Les showed us the cadac bbq they have in their motorhome,  very versatile,  we had bbq sausages and in another attachment stir fry,  there is also another hot plate attachment all packs away in a compact bag for storing. Plugs into to external gas point, which we have on Bessie as well.  Also got the awning out to show us, bit different, but could see how the legs twist out. Thanks Pat and Les for demo .

Watched rugby Exeter vs Saracens  then out for dinner at a Chinese, Japanese, Korean restaurant.
Lots of variety on the menue, Les's favourite Korean dish Bipbanbok or something similar,  large sizzling hot bowl with rice, noodles, vegetables and choice of meat....really good value at €9, very tasty too. For our 4 meals and drinks €48.....now that's value.....they even offer free liqueurs.......incredible....mostly British but also Spanish families that came in as we were almost finished. Apparently it's usually for them to have siesta during the hot afternoon and come out 10.30 at night for the evening when it's cool.....bit late for my liking to eat so late, but that's the Spanish way.

Great meal and excellent evening with Pat and Les.

Fri 19 may 21° Albox

Helped with housework and final prep before viewing.

Tony and I took the dogs for a walk just as they arrived...we could see them out on the terrace admiring the views and on the way back saw them in the Orchard and olive Grove.

They were a Belgian man and his Russian wife who was very interested in the land and trees more than the house.

They seemed very interested but being a Friday won't hear anything now until Monday, as real estate agents don't work on weekends,  very different from NZ.

Relaxing afternoon and movie night with avocado and prawns entre, followed by juicy tender garlic chicken and crispy chips made in a machine with only 1 tsp oil....amazing , very yummy it's an acti fry...dry frier, great gadget.

Very relaxing listening to the quiet  evening and the trickling of the water from the water feature going into the pond.

Thurs 18 May 26° Mojacar

Day out to the coast today we drove to Mojacar, on the way called into a huge garden centre to find some things for their pond.

Arrived in time to get a window seat overlooking the Mediterranean.....too busy admiring the view and the very full menue of the day for €12 for 3 courses, we didn't take a photo!

Up market restaurant and excellent food...I had prawn skewers, swordfish, coconut and lemon mouse....Tony and Les had a main of pork hock in mushroom sauce, so tender it melted in your mouth,  Pat had a main of Hake with clams and prawns....  great choice to come here.

We walked along the wide paved walkway beside the ocean and went down onto the sand for a paddle in the Mediterranean....then continued along the beach ..the wind whipped up ...yes we got some of that wind in Tauranga at the moment...and got sandblasted on our way to Titos the oldest beach bar in Mojacar.

Tony and I ordered iced coffee's...interesting variation....and cup of hot coffee with a glass and a large ice block ....masterfully poured by Tony from cup to glass and hey presto an iced coffee con leche. It actually worked quite well and was probably much healthier than the ones we are used to with ice cream and topped with mountains of whipped cream! Haha.

On our walk back to the car Pat got a call from estate agent, they have a viewer for tomorrow if ok between 12.30 and 1pm.

When we got back to Casa Patrizia it was all hands to the tidy up, not too much required as was all ready good in preparation for previous viewers. Bit of watering, brushing up of leaves etc that had blown in from their many trees and plants on their land around driveway ,which was a challenge with a strong wind blowing....Trimmed a few vines and generally tidied the outside.

Light dinner after our big lunch, gazpacho with warm bread, ham and cheese.

Another lovely evening chatting in the naya.  Les received email to say the hub cap had been delivered....that was quick, good service from eBay.

We looked at their listing on the Internet,  very full description and good pictures of the house. 

Wed 17 May 15° Albox

Cooler and yes they do have cloud in Spain.....the gardeners came this morning...they look after and water the olives and Orchard when Pat and Les are way. Pat went to her yoga class then she picked up all the requirements for our BBQ tonight.

Tony finished the wood pile a good job done.

Pat was able to get a new part for the watering system so they can get that repaired.

Lovely warm evening so had our BBQ in stages out on the terrace, ribs, vegetables kebabs, Spanish sausages and Pats homemade Chicken  and Turkey burger patties.....yumm.

Out on terrace until 10.30 warm balmy evening.

Tues 16 May 21° Albox, Spain

Short but comfy sleep and woke to a warm, sunny, Spanish day mmmmmm.

Les's back was bad after his plumbing session on the watering system, so we left him and the 3 of us went in Albox market....couple of veges stalls have everything at 50c kilo, so you just fill a bag with mix of what ever you want and they weigh it....easy...big bag of peppers,  tomatoes,  courgettes,  aubergine all sorts for €4.50......I definately like it here haha.

Had coffee and tapas for lunch, then went to Mercadona the local supermarket for fresh salmon steaks for dinner quite dear here and some wine and beer...soooo cheap.

Back to Casa  Patrizia and Tony started on the winter wood pile, 3/4 done and we had a sit in the hot tub before dinner.

Yummy salmon which we ate out in the nayer a sort of conservatory but instead of windows there are fixed flysceeens, so you are getting the cool evening air but without the flies.

Les order our replacement hub cap on eBay  €17.99.....it will arrive at Enas the day we return so good timing.

Cooler tonight, Les said the really hot Temps that had been forecast for our week had gone and would be a cooler week.......better for walking round at the coast etc.

Another good night talking, not so late tonight.

Mon 15 May 10° Lincoln to Albox Spain

3.30am wake up.....Ugly...very warm and almost light...didn't need all the layers on, I thought it would be cold at that hour.  Happy to be proved wrong.

Cuppa with Ena 4am before the car came at 4.15 for the 1 hour drive to East midlands airport.

Good drive obviously no traffic at that time.

Checked in no problems, printed off our boarding pass to take to security, duly stamped and ready to go.....didn't get very far, at the back of the check in desks was the beginning of the queue to the plane......no one seemed to know why so many planes were leaving at the same time, soooo many people....a long slow progress through passport control, customs etc and finally out onto the tarmac to the plane.

Greatful for my layers it was colder now at 6.45 than at 4am and it had started to spit...people started running to get on board before they got wet, lots in Spainish summer
clothes and fake tans in readiness for their holidays.

Full plane, very small after our usual long haul planes, bought a mediocre cup of coffee for our 2 3/4 hour flight to Murcia.

Safely down, pleasantly warm, not the whooosh of heat you get in height  of summer,
Pat and Les there to meet us.

Good 2 hour drive back, when nearly there we stopped into a new Tapas bar for lunch, yummy mix of tapas to share, between €1.50 and €2 each plate. I like it here haha.

Lovely to be back, seems years since we were last here.

The watering system to the olives and Orchard had sprung a leak, so Les and Pat were out there trying to fix it.....hope it sticks.

Had a good catch up talking till 1.30am.....good job we had a siesta this afternoon.

Sun 14 May 12° Lincoln

Lovely sunny day, Ena did some more in the garden

Peony from Mum's garden

Good job on the edging Ena

Les had told us how to print off our boarding passes, but printer only  seemed to want to copy....so will have to go with email boarding passes and get them to print them off.  We have to get them stamped as we are not on European passports.

Ena cooked BBQ chicken for dinner with fresh veges.

Sat 13 May 13° Lincoln

Warm sunny day, walked up to shop to buy a paper.

Found a house sit in Portugal for Xmas last night, applied, after establishing we could park the motorhome , a few messages later they offered us the house sit. We accepted so are sorted for couple weeks in Portugal over Xmas.  Very quick, no skype or anything,  we exchanged emails and Skype  details,  once they have confirmed their flights, they will be in  touch.

Did washing and put it out for a blow and got bags sorted for Spain.

Emailed shippers to see if they have sailings in February so Bessie will in Auckland when we return in April.

Chinese for dinner, £5 for a box for 2 plus we added spring rolls and a chow mein for another £3. Good meal for the 3 of us.

Fri 12 May 9° Lincoln

Damp and grey today,  Tony's sore throat has turned into a chesty cough....Ena to the rescue with a bottle of chesty cough mixture....she is amazing for having something for every occasion just ready for when required.

So he is duly dosed up and hoping to be rid of it by Monday for our early morning flight to Spain.

Looking forward to 9 days of continuous sunshine.

Rest day today, I cut Tony's hair and trimmed his beard ready for some warm weather.

Made a favourite box of channels on the TV .

We cooked chicken schnitzel, veg and chips for dinner.

Thurs 11 May 11° Lincoln

 We had a good skype with house sit in Dulwich, met Pickles and Badger,  their 2 little dogs, they offered us the house sit and we decided to take it, so all confirmed for 3 Weeks in August.

Tony has developed a sore throat and running nose, must have caught something at the walk in centre or the doctors. 
Warm sunny day again today, went to asda and got supplies.

We tested our new chairs and tried to open the awning for first time but it made a cracking noise so didn't go anything further. Will get Les to show us his in spain.

Bought some plastic ties to tie on our remaining 3 hub caps, found a matching one on eBay so will see if Les can order it for us.

John came to check out satellite and TV,  he tuned it for us and showed us what to do, also how to delete any unwanted channels and put our most viewed into a favourite file. Definately worth £10. Wrote it all down for when we next need it. Although he did say we wouldn't get any signal in Spain as sky has changed the footprint........don't ask me what that means.......just changed something so people in Spain couldn't get the sky signal.

Ena cooked salmon and broccoli pie for dinner with fresh asparagus yum.

Wed 10 May 10° Lincoln

Warm and sunny with clear blue sky.

Got Tony's prescription and meds, 1 month only but amazingly no cost,  so that's a plus.

Paid our house and Contents insurance while we have Internet banking, can't always get it when on the move, so played safe and paid early.

Les said to get the satalite checked as it should be working, they are having the same problem with theirs.  Pat gave me the name and number of a chap who lives around the corner, rang him and will call in after work tomorrow.

Contacted a house sit in Dulwich, not far from Jenna for August, Skype tonight at 7pm

Washed  Bessie and did all inside as well, clean and sparkly almost like new.

Rang round to try to find a hub caps to replace our missing one, £40 new, £20 on line for one.

Afternoon in the garden, lovely and warm.

Cold pork and salad for dinner.

Tues 9 May 9° Lincoln

Another cool, grey day, Ena took us to her doctor practice and Tony was registered and fast tracked through, so we just have to ring at 4.30 to see if prescription done. Very pleased to have that sorted.

Went to chemist to get anti histermines to take to Spain.

We cooked roast pork for dinner.

Mon 8 May 8° Lincoln

Off to local police station to get pension form witnessed, Tony had to confirm our situation was unchanged and get it verified by local notary public. All done no problems, the lady seargent had family in Christchurch so had a little chat with her. Then off to post the form back to NZ.

Then to chemist to see if they could give Tony his medications...no...suggested we go to the walk in centre in Lincoln City.

Bus in after lunch, 20 min walk to the centre to be told they couldn't do it, if we were visiting family we should get a temporary registration and the Doctor could then give us prescription for the required medication.

Walked around lincoln,  I was very good....went into my favourite shop...Boots chemist, looked at the new wonder cream for face and neck......tightens and firms....for £84......I gave a last longing look, big sigh and actually walked Away!,,!   It didn't seem that many years ago I used buy up large in here......oh well there is a lot to be said for ageing gracefully.......so I am told.....so Pat on the back for me to resist. Haha

Bus back and Ena had prepared a side salad, new potatoes and a delicious piece  of fresh salmon for dinner....delicious......we are getting spoilt.

Sun 7 May 7° Lincoln

Planning day to day and long chat with Jenna.

Ena cooked steak and kidney pie for dinner....huge meal....very tasty.

Sat 6 May 8° Lincoln

What a difference a day makes, blue cloudless skies and sitting outside yesterday to grey overcast today.

Ena took us hunting for outside chairs for Bessie, after having seen what other people have in camp sites, we decided we needed something more relaxing for the long hot summer days to come........we live in hope haha.

After a bit of cheeky negotiations we got a bargain, last 2 with foot recliners for the price of one £100 for the 2.

Then we had to rejig Bessie to get them in....all good.

After lunch to Asda, bought a pork roast and some Chinese for dinner contributions.

Fri 5 May 9° Hull to Lincoln

6am wake up call, luxurious long hot shower........no time limit...amazing what we take for granted at home, this was a real treat.

A sunny welcome in Hull, drove off, through passport control,  he was very welcoming and when I said my wifi was not working yet he smiled and said to drive round the front and pull over till we were ready to drive on. While we were chatting a customs inspector come into Bessie for a look.

Finally got the wifi going and put in Priory road park and ride, Pat had told us Hull was this year's city of culture, so decided to go have a look.

Easy drive to the park and ride, £2.70 return, half an hour trip into the city centre.

Very clean and quiet, hardly anyone about.....saw Queen Victoria and a poppy display. Apparently a rich businessman had bought them from the display at Buckingham Palace and was taking them on a tour of cities around the country. Including a massive one previously on display at the Tower of London.

 

Fields and fields of yellow rapeseed 

Trees are green, sky is blue.

Back to park and ride there was a mobile cart selling hot cooked breakfasts  including bacon butties, a huge side plate sized bap with 3 large rashers of bacon for €2 yuummmmmm,  they don't do bacon in europe so well ready for this little beauty.

On to Lincoln, over the Humber Bridge, €1.50, again a happy chappy had a laugh with us and a chat, regardless of the queue behind us. Interested in our trip and wished safe travelling.

Good to be back at our UK base,  home away from home.

Spoke to Pat and she suggested we could go over to them for a week or so holiday from driving and plotting sat nav routes and get some Spanish sun.  Great idea.....booked flights...9 days in the Spanish sun and a well overdue catch up with Pat and Les...coming up.

Thurs 4 May 10° Kinderdijk to Europort Rotterdam

Early awakening this morning to the top tap toe of birds on the roof.....sounded like someone knocking....I love birds,  but not at 6.30am!

After a relaxing morning with sun shining,  Tony cooked a birthday brunch....yes he still loves me...yes  he still feeds me ...now I'm  64....hahaha

Clicked over 8,000 miles travelled.

Drove to the ferry, planned to get there early to have a look around if it's like the eurotunnel. Through border control and received our boarding pass and cabin key. Drive to Lane 1.

Nothing to look at but an empty  row of  check in booths, wait till 3pm, so had a cuppa and chilled out. Passed through there, then onto  another gate sat with engine running until motorhome behind told us to turn it off as we have to wait for all the trucks to board, then the cars...we are last on apparently.

Fascinating watching the workings of the ferry port,  the huge lorries drive on, some have left their loaded trailers and a little reversible cab from the port, hooked up and it looked at first that he was reversing onto the ferry but he was driving it...looked sort like he was pushing it...he parked it on board, drove off and hitched up another and repeated the process.  When the ferry docks at Hull the process is repeated in reverse and the trailers are parked ready for collection by the UK drivers.

Didn't have to wait all that long, the gates opened and we were signalled to follow a lorry on board.

The lorry dissapeard around a corner and there was no one there to tell us what to do, so we just followed it, it was being directed to reverse, very close to another lorry already parked.  Then he signalled us to drive forward and reverse beside him.....it was so close we had to get my side mirror in. Then the other motorhome reversed in beside us.

We got our overnight bags and followed the driver and his wife, squeezed between a lorry and the wall to a door, up in the lift ...we were on the top cabin deck. Bit of a maze but found our outside cabin, single beds but not a problem.  Went to explore the boat, like a mini cruise, 1300 passengers when full but tonight only 500 so plenty of room to explore.

Had a pre dinner drink in one of the bars and spoke to some asian/Scottish  ladies who kindly took our photo.

We decided on dinner in the a la Carte restaurant, very nice Matre D, Pedro said he would seat us shortly, he spoke to another party and told them their club cabin with TV entitled them to a free glass of champagne.  So being a bit cheeky, I said that we didn't have a TV but it was my birthday....so could I have a free champagne?    he grinned and asked for I'D,  so I duly presented my passport and with a snap of his fingers he order 2 glasses of Champagne for table 12. He then proceeded to have quite an animated conversation with Tony about the Americas cup and it...stolen...from us...and we should have won...bit of fun.
Pedro then produced a postcard photograph of the boat, that he had taken, his hobby is photography, he signed it with a Spanish flourish and wished me a happy birthday, this was his present to me.

Very tasty meal in a window  seat, even though it was looking at the port, with our free glass of champagne it was a real birthday treat .

When we had finished our leisurely meal, we went up on deck to see the boat leave, very cold now...

..then went to listen to the piano player in one bar, a group singing in another area with a dance floor. Then watched a bit of Real Madrid vs Valencia and saw Ronaldo wrap himself round the goal post.....anyone else would probably get 2 people, medical and trainer or such like. Ronaldo was swamped with at least 6 or 8 rushed in to see that he was OK.  He was and he ran off the field, to sit the rest of the game out.

Explored a bit more then back to cabin, early wake up as disembark at 7am.

Really great experience loved it, a very special birthday.