Trip To Almeria

Some of you will know that since late in August I have had a series of things to deal with, hopefully all now sorted and I can get on with my life. I posted something on Facebook, really about the different types of relationships on there and how people can friend or unfriend you just like that. But also that people often would say something then behave in a very different way, must be something to do with interpretations of what friends are really about.
Well now to what matters for this Blog. Amongst the people who contacted me with support was a friend called Bunty, we had known each other for a number of years through Sagazone and Facebook, but had only met up for a weekend with friends in Birmingham some years ago.

She kindly offered me the use of her villa in Spain if it would help me manage through this difficult time, depending on my dates she may or not of been there, if not about I would have to pay the agent otherwise to be her guest. Well oddly enough I needed to think about this as for the last few years finding people who wanted to do something to help me without a cost or agenda was very rare. So sorry Bridget so seldom to find someone as kind and genuine as you
I decided to take her up on the offer and arranged a couple of weeks in October, then needed some idea of where I was going, which turned out to be a lovely little place away from the tourist areas with a beach nearby, what more could I want. Well to be honest to arrange the flights and how to get to the villa was a start I suppose.
Thanks to the internet I was able to find dates but it needed two different airlines, next how to get to the villa out of season. Again back to the computer where I found from the airport I could get a bus into Almeria then another to the village, problem was the early bus to resort an hour before my plane was due to land, the next was at 15 30, so a fair wait in Almeria, so I looked for shuttles and found a shuttle company that would take me from the airport most of the way, then I could get a taxi. Bridget offered to pick me up from drop off point, but also mentioned that she was coming over with her friend from UK, so I would be in the under build instead of spare room in villa. Said not a problem for me, so went away and sorted out tickets etc

Just before setting off further message to say may be a problem as she had got dates wrong but could still pick me up from meeting point.

18/10/2018

Started out at 3am in taxi to airport, used assistance at airport to get to plane, all went well, and arrived safely in Almeria, shuttle was waiting and within an hour was meeting the two ladies, the other being Karen. We hit it off straight away and had a Chinese meal before setting off for villa. We travelled in Bridgets car, which is a Skoda Yeti, very comfortable I found it and soon we arrived at villa
I moved my luggage down to the studio and Karen and I then cleaned the place up as was a little dusty, unpacked then we all relaxed. That evening I think they introduced me to the card game named UNO, I found I could play quite well very quickly, it was a pleasant relaxing evening in good company. Later off to bed which I found very comfortable, quiet and had one of the best nights sleep I had had in a long while
From this point I am not going to list everything in normal order and will possibly mix up places and dates, as I realize all sorts of things now blend in and I am unsure quite when we did some things, the main purpose is to explain what an enjoyable time I had
19/10/2018
I think we started with a coffee then off to supermarket for some food, there was such a different range of food there, to what I am used to and as my Spanish is so poor often had to guess what some of the food was. Later we went for a meal together, the day was warm and sunny and I enjoyed the good company and conversation.
I needed the toilet just after we had paid the bill, the ladies were insistent that we each shared our own costs fairly, which I found a refreshing change. So off to seek the toilet, I asked the barman who totally misunderstood and thought I was questioning the bill, eventually with the help of another I discovered the word I needed was Servicos such a difference to most of the Costas where most of the staff speak better English than I do. It was interesting to find most places had free Wi Fi which helped with being in touch with friends and family through the internet during the trip, although I had paid for an extra package on my mobile to assist me, so I was less dependant on these free services
Bridget had mentioned that she had brought a couple of bedside cabinets over that needed to be assembled so I offered to do this for her, to help repay her kindness, the only problem was she had no tools so she needed to go to another resident to borrow some from them for me

That evening we had pleasant conversation, I tried to get the TV to work, first problem it was set up in Spanish, so as there was no manual I needed to get it to translate to English first, unfortunately despite this could not get any reception on it so back to chat and UNO which I was becoming quite proficient at.
20/10/2018

I think it was today we had problems with the toilet flushing in the underbuild, it had a macerator as it had to pump the water etc upstairs, plumber came and said was Kaput, but would contact another plumber to advise
After breakfast we went to a Carre Four supermarket which was much bigger and sold a whole range of goods, Bridget was able to pick up some items for the flat and decided to purchase a cd player, I suggested maybe a DVD would be more versatile, but we ended up with the one she wanted which also had a radio, I said I would like to pay for this as she was not charging me for my accommodation. I seem to think today we went down to the beach for a paddle in the sea, it was warm enough for shorts and a t shirt, the only issue I discovered later was that the local insects decided I was new blood and they all wanted a taste, so I soon had a number of bites showing on my arms and legs. I felt I needed a rest later so the two ladies went off to the castle up on the hill for a look.

I seem to think again we went out for our usual café con leche in the morning but then another meal later in the day, such a shame I did not keep a record of what we did, I think it would of helped make this more interesting reading. That evening I started to assemble the first cabinet, which was a slow process, I think it was this evening that the neighbour Francis came over and joined us for the card games.
21/10/2018
The next morning after breakfast we went to the local Terreros market I was sent for some tomatoes and naranja by Bridget, because I could pick my own I did not need to use my very poor version of the words and just paid. We then went for churros as many of the locals did, they were pleasant to eat but also, it was interesting to observe how the man made them. Later we went out for a trip in the car to Cuevas Del Almanzora. I seem to think we stopped there for our by now usual café con leche and met Bridgets friend Anita. After that we returned back to the villa. I am unsure what we did the rest of the day, but want to think it was today I went up to find out what the problem was with the aerial, in fact someone had stolen the huge dish that was on the roof, that’s why there was no reception on the TV. Think it was this night we had the beautiful sunset, then I finished the first cabinet and we played UNO again.
22/10/2018
Not sure if it was when second plumber called, seemed to think he could solve the problem
Today we went to Villaricos Garucha and Majacar Playa and Pueblo, I think it was here we saw the strange shapes that that had been made in the rock, then we looked at the stunning views across the valley, followed by a pleasant meal, later back to putting the second cabinet together and relaxing in the evening yet again
23/10/2018

Bridget again took us out for a drive it was overcast today in her car first to Bol Nuevo then Puerto De Mazrarran, as we approached all of a sudden the heavens opened and the rain came down in buckets, the streets were like rivers. We parked up and I had to negotiate the areas that the water was less deep, whilst the ladies were okay in their sandals. We went into a restaurant for a drink and a chat, I could not believe when we came out the difference the sky was blue and the water had disappeared. We then drove further along the coast and Bridget showed us some rather strange rocks that had been turned into odd shapes by the weather over time. In the afternoon on the way back we went on the old road rather than the motorway and found a lovely little café, with Spanish men playing dominos, it was just as it must have been in the past. We had a drink and watched an old man with his stick stop for a rest, was one of those moments when it all looked so peaceful and a reminder of how Spain used to be. Just for a change we had a relaxing evening that night

One of the things that we struggled with, well particularly Karen and I was the insect bites, we did not notice at the time we were bitten, but they were both painful and irritating for days later, despite spraying rooms and putting on medication, in fact I still have some of the scars from them
24/10/2018
For some reason I cannot see anything to tell me what we did this day, but I presume yet again it was to unspoilt places in good company. Could have been day that third plumber came from agency, said toilet needed replacing.
25/10/2018

I think today was the day Karen left us, which was sad, we set off for Murcia airport using Bridgets sat nav to help us find our way, I had also programed the place into my phone, it was a pleasant drive, but I had not been aware that there are two airports in Murcia, one of which has not opened yet. Therefore when Bridget said we were going the wrong way, I thought it odd because usually sat navs tend to be out of date so I was sure we were going to the old one. We were close to the airport and Bridget who had picked Karen up said we were at the wrong airport, shortly after we were guided by the sat nav up a small road that was a dead end. Luckily a motorcyclist came along and was kind enough to guide us back on the right route. Sadly soon we had to say goodbye to Karen and return back to the villa. I moved my stuff up to the other bedroom, but unfortunately when I went to bed I struggled as the mattress was so firm.
26/10/2018

The next morning I explained to Bridget about the mattress and that I was moving back down to the underbuild, which I found so much more comfortable. So again everything was packed and moved. I think today we had a trip down to the town centre and a paddle in the sea, then a meal at one of the cafes. It was much quieter and I feel we both missed Karens presence, just for a change we played UNO again. I had tried to sort out getting back to Almeria either by bus or shuttle but nobody seemed to be responding to my e mails.
27/10/2018
Today after breakfast. Plumber appeared and took unit in toilet to be repaired, I seem to think we went to Mojacar and Bridget showed me an area where the water from the mountain came that was good quality so we filled our bottles but in the old days, was where the locals used to do their washing. Then off to Turres in the mountains, again the rain came down in buckets, but I still felt safe with Bridget driving us. There were plenty of hairpin bends as we drove up but luckily nobody coming the other way. We eventually stopped and parked, the building were all more traditional I felt than in the towns and villages and generally much larger, Bridget had hoped to take us to a restaurant high up, unfortunately it was closed but we were still able to appreciate the stunning views, before our trip back down again

28/10/2018
This morning we got up and the sky looked clear so I put on shorts and a T shirt before we went to the market in town. Quickly the temperature dropped and I felt the cold, but also rather foolish as everyone else was dressed more sensibly. My task as usual was to go to the vegetable stall for tomatoes naranja and this time limons, I liked the look of the apples so got a couple of those also. We then had our choros with chocolate, which I enjoyed despite the cold, then a pleasant walk back to the villa. I think it was today I finally saw a bus and realized where the bus stop was and it had the times, so considered that as the easiest way back to Almeria. I seem to think we had our evening meal late today in the village.
One of the things I was surprised about was how many Chinese shops there were selling tools and household goods, the range they had was enormous and the prices quite cheap, I presume they did so well because there was nowhere else that sold similar small items for those owning or renting accommodation in the area
29/10/2018
Waited in for plumber who did not appear, we had a game of Petanque (boules) on the carpark area, was a change and Bridget much better at it than I was, then into village for something to eat, as usual, it was well presented good food. Tried again to sort out transport finally arranged shuttle for tomorrow to pick me up where dropped off, Bridget would drive me there.
30/10/2018
Well up early and packed, bedding in the washer, felt sad that would be leaving, have really enjoyed time with Bridget and Karen, so refreshing after the last couple of months. My phone rang was an unknown English number so ignored. A little later was checking e mail and discovered that they had changed time of shuttle to 8 30 today. With help from Bridget, rang them and managed to sort out to pick up at 2 30pm, so time to get sorting out. Had last game of Petanque, think I need to practice a little more. Then off to pick up for shuttle. We arrived early and went for a coffee then a walk round the area, then for a last Chinese meal before we said goodbye. Shuttle was early so off we set, felt sad at going, the shuttle picked up a family, none spoke to me or themselves seemed odd but there we go. Got to airport, looked for bus but could not find, so got in taxi, it had a low roof so cracked head on roof, not a good start, quickly was at hotel, then shock of find for 4 miles was 20 euros, paid and went into hotel.

Quickly signed in and went to room, it was huge, each bed was the size of a double, a huge balcony and view of the beach. I unpacked, decided to have a bath, I used their shower gel, well it’s a long time since I have seen so many bubbles. The bath was quite low, but got in okay, enjoyed the time to just relax, but when tried to get out there was nothing to hang onto, so was quite embarrassing, eventually succeeded, when dried off switched TV on, 50 channels of Spanish TV and one English news channel and a couple of US ones, so back to kindle for a read.

Later went downstairs for a look round, sadly was raining when went outside, there were no shops or restaurants close to, did find bus stop and that it fitted in with time I wanted to leave the next morning. Went back in asked about where to obtain meal, returned to room, took off coat to hang in bathroom, noticed tiles in bottom of the bath, all very odd, saw cleaner brought her in she rang through to get someone to sort out. Nobody arrived so downstairs to reception, lady there said someone would come quickly and any problems they would move me to another room. Man came cleared up confirmed other tiles secure, decided would have shower next morning just to make sure, so decided to stay in this room.
Went down for meal, was buffet meal in restaurant, had a reasonable range of food, so enjoyed this before returning to room. Had booked breakfast for 6 30am. Did not sleep well and was up at 5am, had shower packed then down for breakfast, They had plated a meal for me, which was more than enough. After back to room, then downstairs to book out, this was done quickly, then asked about bus service and taxi as an alternative, seems 20 euros is the standard charge so decided would try bus instead. This quickly came, cost 1 05 euros and there was signage to show where stops were. The bus filled but we got no nearer to airport, it seemed to wander round all the local streets. Eventually finally got there, airport is small and was deserted so quickly sorted out check in. Explained wanted assistance with boarding plane so man came was quickly taken through security etc, could relax and have coffee before boarded plane.

It was Thomas Cook plane and distance between seats was little and child in front was one of those that seemed to have a need to keep bouncing on it. Finally landed Manchester, waited for everyone to disembark, then for wheelchair to arrive, seemed they had only sent 2 staff for eight people, so volunteered to walk rather than wait. Finally got to baggage reclaim , for some reason there were two conveyor belts. Case turned up and left, then realized was at terminal one not two, so then had a long walk to rail station, luckily train was in , at Manchester short wait for tram, then bus to home at last. I had been travelling for over 6 hours.
First task to put washer full of clothes on, read post and even more important to warm flat up as temperature was around 5 degrees as opposed to 15 back in Spain.

Well that’s the end folks I hope you enjoyed the blog and photos, just to say yet again so many thanks to Bridget and Karen for such a great time