24 December Christmas Eve Exploring Malaga

For some reason had a very good sleep last night, so did not get up to early, others still fast asleep, so decided to have a relaxing bath did this rinsed some clothes through, by then Zorro awake so had breakfast, no sign of Brian for some time. Later discussed plans for day, decided we would go buy some more food and Brian would do Christmas lunch tomorrow.

So off to the shops, was much longer walk than thought, after lots of confusion I think we finally found all the ingredients we needed, not sure quite why but Brian seemed worried that we needed more water, we had agreed that we would buy from local supermarket rather than carry from across town, seemed an even longer walk back, got 2 lots of water so should be ok

After unpacking we had something light to eat, discussed plans for evening meal and decided we would return to cafe from last night.
Oh I forgot to say lock on door behaved itself but son of owner came with spare key which seemed better, I told others was tired so went to bed for a couple of hours, when got up the others were practising their computer skills, we chatted until went out.

It was quite dark so could see the Christmas lights which were pleasant so we spent time taking photos as we walked, all was well until Brian informed us we were lost, retraced our steps, only to find cafe as so many others was closed, owners son had mentioned that they owned a bar so we walked along to there hoping to find somewhere to eat, but without success. Reached bar but was packed out so decided we would try for Burger King on the main street.

Just before this we came across a statue of Hans Christian Anderson so posed for photos, then Zorro noticed, a McDonald's so we went to go in, sob, sob, they had just closed as had Burger King so we decided to return and make a meal back at the apartment.

I volunteered to do us an omelette so back we went.
Well theres nothing worse than when in a strange kitchen having a helpful person such as Brian, so banned him, eventually I worked out how to get everything working and found pans etc, outcome seemed to be suitable for the others but could just of them not wanting to upset me.

After we chatted until gone midnight, then off to bed for me to catch up with blog and e mails and wish friends a happy Christmas, bearing in mind they are an hour behind us here, listened to some music whilst typing
Well readers I suppose this is a good time to wish you all a happy Christmas and that you receive all you are hoping for when you wake in the morning

23 December We Start Our Adventure and Fly To Spain

Well last night I finally sorted out my case, its so hard when you are unsure of where you are staying or what the weather will be like, medication and adaptors packed as well as the scales, got some sleep then was time to get up have breakfast a shower and do all those last tasks.

Taxi arrived on time Brian was also ready so off to the airport, at 3.45 the roads were clear so we made good progress at airport no problems with check in or security, went to get our meal deals but they were sold out, eventually they arrived so bought one Brian had found something already. Soon was time to board the plane, we were on separate sides of the plane in window seats, had a read then nodded off for a while. Had sandwich etc then further sleep, eventually woke and looked at the mountains and valleys, they seemed so small from where we were.

Eventually landed, noticed man on aisle seat had rings made of sovereigns plus a couple of very thick gold chains on his wrist, most probably worth more than our holiday cost.No trouble getting through airport, not sure why but only a few with hold baggage, so off to meet Zorro who was waiting for us, on to the train to the centre and our apartment, it was lucky he knew his way through the back streets. First problem was when we got to the front door the key would not work whatever we did, luckily someone else was going out so let us in.

The apartment was spacious but cold, also it was as if nobody had been in for some time, we managed to find how to work most things, we were going to go shopping, but Zorro said we had to meet owners son to sort out payment and him have sight of our passports, we passed the time making a shopping list and getting the heating working.
Son duly arrived sorted out money etc, mentioned key to front door he was unable to do any better than us, we decided after discussion to do some food shopping then maybe go for a meal after, so emptied our small cases so we could use to transport food. Went on market first for vegetables, then found small local supermarket and bought most things we needed, returned to apartment to have more issues with door, in the end pressed other residents buzzer, unpacked shopping then off to find a meal.

We did not do very well with search for food and it was obvious Brian was getting very tired, fortunately in the end we found a small cafe and had a very enjoyable pizza each, afterwards we returned to the apartment, guess what stuck outside again, someone opened the door just as a young woman was coming in, she summoned someone to sort out the lock, he spent some time explaining to Zorro how to do it, we will see tomorrow, if it helps.
Brian went to bed whilst Zorro and I chatted till late about life, eventually we decided to call it a day, so here I am catching up at the end of a very busy day with the blog and listening to Mantovani, I wonder what new adventure tomorrow will bring.

Our Christmas trip to Malaga 2013

Our Christmas trip to Malaga 2013
Early on this year the three of us met that is to say myself Brian and Zorro not long after the Christmas and new year celebrations and all agreed that in 2013 we wanted to do something different this year over the Christmas and New Year period. We talked about options and decided we wanted to go to somewhere warm but not to far away or expensive over the whole 10 day period.

After some discussion and research we finally settled on Malaga in Spain, the next task was to find accommodation, hotels were very expensive for the time of year, so we looked at hostels their equivalent to our guest houses. Eventually I found one that seemed to tick all the boxes, because we all wanted single rooms in a pleasant setting.
Just before booking I noticed the company also had a range of apartments, including one in the city centre, it had 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and from the photos looked like it would suit our needs and the price seemed quite reasonable compared to anything else.

So I e mailed to the others who were happy with it. I e mailed the owner who confirmed it was free, so we booked it, there seemed to be some confusion with communication so I passed to Zorro as he is competent in written and spoken Spanish and all was solved, all they wanted was a small deposit which was sent to them
Next was to find a flight for myself and Brian as Zorro was making his own arrangements, I looked at a range of airlines and then came the shock, the prices were way more than some of the holidays we had been on, also I could not find a single company that would do the return trip for our dates, so have therefore had to book with two low cost(but not in this instance) airlines, the times of flights are not the best either, but it should be a pleasant break in reasonable weather.

Zorro kindly made contact with the owners the other day and all is well for our booking, the hotel was outside Malaga and up a hill so as well we are placed in the centre, the only problems at present are that we still do not have information on how to gain access to the apartment and, wet weather may occur so unsure what sort of clothes to take for the trip, I now have my money for share of accomodation and some spending money, next task is how to get to the airport, whether due to time of flight and need to be there at 5am, to use a taxi or pay for car parking near to the airport, I have obtained our boarding cards for flight out, must remember to do the ones for return journey tomorrow
Well all boarding cards sorted, we have decided to book a taxi and that is all done despite fact initially I gave the wrong date, now waiting to hear from Zorro, discussed luggage allowance, hopefully will only need light clothing, but from weather outside here at present is a good time to get away, we have high winds and heavy rain. I need to sort out my porridge for the trip LOL.

20 December 2013
heard again from Zorro, he has sorted out access to the apartment, weather fine, only issue is that lift at station not working so he will come and meet us at airport. Bad news at present is that back is playing up, wonder why it always seems to be just before a holiday, am charging up batteries for devices, what change these days with all this technology, that need chargers as a priority, together with various medication, just in case.