Amigos and chips

We had our first trip back down to Costa Blanca for quite some time last week. We treated ourselves and stayed at the Guardamar Hotel, it backs on to Calle Argentina where we lived for a time. The hotel is very pleasant, very clean , rooms not luxury but well maintained and some recent up-dating has taken place. Continental breakfast was included, lots of choice and the dinning room is light and airy. It was great to catch up with friends, we went out for fish and chips with our mate Lil and Mary and Bill. Its a treat to have traditional fried fish and chips with mushy peas of course and in such good company it was even more enjoyable. Also managed to fit in a Chinese meal at our favorite restaurant in Guardamar. It was especially nice to catch up on what's been happening in the lives of the very friendly staff there. Same goes for the Hoops bar which was really buzzing as it was a "match" night.
All in all we enjoyed our visit but oh my it felt like we were in another country in contrast to where we live now. We are so glad we live in the Ricote area now. The Costa Blanca really is little Britain and despite our  wonderful friends there its not a place we want to live now. having gone to all the upheaval of moving to a new country we at least want to feel we are actually in Spain. Viva Blanca!

Lils Birthday

Its was a big happy birthday to Lil last week form her very many friends here. A bunch of whom went out for a chinese meal then had a drink on the square later. Lil is a much loved good neighbour to many here and always ready to lend a hand if needed, shes also a mine of information on whats happening and who can help with whatever. Her home is full of rescue animals latest editon is mischief the cat with no tail.

The best Chinese meal

We do love a Chinese meal every so often and there is plenty of choice in the area there are two wok buffets and several other restaurants with Menus. We prefer the Nan King Garden in Benimar, opposite the Dutch butchers, they have air conditioning but we prefer to sit outside and watch the world go by, we nearly always go for the Menu del Dia the price ranging from €4.50 to €7:50 per person, This includes Sangria, prawn crackers, starter, main course(good choice), Coffee or Icecream, included is Half bottle of red or white wine and Shnapps while you are paying the bill.

A bit of a whinge

Had a hectic day so bit of a whinge here, we love Spain and don’t complain too often. So here go let’s get it all off our chests at one go.
As we say bit of a hectic day yesterday, Market day of course also Dia opened up again, hurrah isn’t it looking good. We also had promised to help out a friend cleaning a house they are moving into, the lights fused half way through morning, darn it. With some on line assignments to complete too we were pretty bushed by evening so decided to nip over to our favourite Chinese Restaurant in Benimar for a meal. Now one of the reasons we like living here is because we can have a meal outside, just love “people watching” over a nice meal and a glass of wine. Nothing to whinge at there you’re thinking, well yes actually. New smoking laws have had a detrimental affect on el fresco dining. Of course you could always get some one at the next table smoking but with tables set pretty far apart not a problem. What is a pain now though are the smokers who choose to dine inside in the chill of the air-conditioning. No inside smoking of course so what to do? Simple nip outside between each course for a quick drag no problem. Not for them maybe but as they constantly hang around between the tables a real drag for us non smokers, Special thanks must go to the Brit guy who was a cigar smoker, Just had to get a blast of his noxious weed between every course, right next to our table. Got a feeling his taste buds are only slightly less then his brain cells. I mean what could he have tasted of the food after the amount of time he spent smoking.

No we are not finish yet. Strolled home on a still very warm night, big old moon. The bar in the square was very busy as it often is this time of year. Many Brit families now the school holidays have started. Can someone please tell us why so many parents, who would not let the kids out of sight back in UK, let there primary school age children run around the streets unsupervised? Last night a gang of same thought it would be a good idea to ring a few door bells, this was well after 11. Now we know that’s not late in Spain but tell that to our elderly Spanish neighbour living alone and all locked up for the night, or the guy who has to start work at 5 tomorrow to beat the heat of the day, thanks kids and parents one and all, another blow for the Brit reputation abroad.
And last but not least it is in fact Fiesta this week in Benijofar, it’s the fiesta season after all. What to complain about there you ask? Dare I say the now “traditional” disco with dance music, that’s played all night until 8 this morning and yes we could hear it in Formentera. Tonight we are off to the caves for a little music ourselves, local musicians and artists trying to keep the community there alive and vibrant. They are now only aloud to play from 10 to 12. Oh the irony of it all. Just love Spain. Ah that feels better.

The Chinese bazaar

I am sure that in every town in Spain there must be at least one Chinese bazaar, there is certainly one in Rojales. They are always handy to find unusual and useful things that you need on the spur of the moment or for a small gift that you forgot when you were in Torrevieja, some of the things are so cheaply made that they are going to have a short life. But the things cost so little. To illustrate the variety here are some of the items i have bought recently, a wireless security door alarm - 90 cents, a cycle puncture repair kit - 60 cents, pictorial beach towels €4, wire pan scrubs -60 cents, and a pack of fishing hooks, - 60cents.