Well, it's finally arrived, the day I actually start to make an effort to learn Spanish, the language of my chosen new home - I cannot explain how frustrating it is not to be able to speak the language. I can recognise words but it doesn't help in so many situations.
So, at 11.30 today I will arrive at the home of my Spanish tutor, a keen and willing student, prepared to take on homework and the whole challenge of mastering the language. It will not be enough for me to go into a bar and say 'dos cerveza, por favor' , I want to be able to understand what they say back to me, and not to have to ask for the bill amount to be written down so I know how much they want from me.
All that is fine when you are here for a week or two on holiday, but after several weeks I've lost count of how many times I've wished I could speak and understand more.How long this will take is anyone's guess, but rest assured, I will keep you up to date with progress - should be a challenge, at least.
Wednesday 30 July 2008
Friday 25 July 2008
Bienvenidos a Abernicos
Only open for 8 weeks a year is one of the must visit, must see, (must be ready for expensive drinks) cocktail bars that any local will tell any tourist in San Juan is 'a must'.
So, having been here for over 2 months and hearing everyone tell us 'you must go' and knowing that all too soon it will be closed until 2009 we made a commitment to visit:
Bar Abernicos
So, on our way back from dinner (more about that later) we pulled off the main road through San Juan and parked up. Abernicos is not only open for only 8 weeks a year but apart from a very small sign on a post, is tucked away up a side street and off to the right. The first view is of an illuminated sign of a fan and as you walk through the gate, you cross a small bridge over a lake and enter a piece of magic.
Abernicos is someone's house which for the months of July & August becomes an incredibly popular cocktail bar.
The grounds are tropical with tall trees, parrots & love birds and a wooden boat serves as the fruit bowl and the tables are secreted throughout the trees allowing private corners for romantic couples or open spaces for larger groups.
I had a lovely tropical fruit non-alcoholic cocktail called a San Francisco (not so odd really, there is a place called San Francisco in Almeria). It was served full of crushed ice and was so refreshing in the heat of the evening. Neil had an Abernicos - same size but lots more alcohol than mine - nearly blew his head off!
I have to agree, anyone visiting San Juan during July & August should try and make sure they have a visit to Abernicos
So, having been here for over 2 months and hearing everyone tell us 'you must go' and knowing that all too soon it will be closed until 2009 we made a commitment to visit:
Bar Abernicos
So, on our way back from dinner (more about that later) we pulled off the main road through San Juan and parked up. Abernicos is not only open for only 8 weeks a year but apart from a very small sign on a post, is tucked away up a side street and off to the right. The first view is of an illuminated sign of a fan and as you walk through the gate, you cross a small bridge over a lake and enter a piece of magic.
Abernicos is someone's house which for the months of July & August becomes an incredibly popular cocktail bar.
.
The grounds are tropical with tall trees, parrots & love birds and a wooden boat serves as the fruit bowl and the tables are secreted throughout the trees allowing private corners for romantic couples or open spaces for larger groups.
The cocktails are around €7 each BUT they are served in mock coconut shells the size of soup bowls - trust me, you do not need many!
I had a lovely tropical fruit non-alcoholic cocktail called a San Francisco (not so odd really, there is a place called San Francisco in Almeria). It was served full of crushed ice and was so refreshing in the heat of the evening. Neil had an Abernicos - same size but lots more alcohol than mine - nearly blew his head off!
The only down side is with so many trees, a small lake and the heat of the night - the mosquitos can be a nuisance - spray well before you go.
I have to agree, anyone visiting San Juan during July & August should try and make sure they have a visit to Abernicos
Another trip to the UK, another airline, another airport!
Wow, I feel like I've finally become a real jet-setter, this month I have seen Manchester Airport, Leeds Bradford Airport, East Midlands Airport. And Murcia Airport - flown Jet2.com, Monarch and Ryanair (spit).
So, I know Monarch have the best baggage allowance, Ryanair have the least and charge the most for any excess (no, I didn't have to pay- I've been there before) and that no-body but no-body can be bothered to man the hire care return carpark to book your car in.
So, another trip to England to visit Dad, who is so much better than last time I went over although still in hospital. This time I was ready for the feeling of no longer living in the UK, so I decided that this time I would have an open mind to see what did I miss from Sheffield (apart from friends and family) now that we live in Spain (I still get really excited to say that).
Well, 10 days and 500 miles back and forth across Sheffield, and I have to admit to not missing a thing!
Sad, but true.
After a week I was desperate to get back to Spain, to the sun, to the scenery and to the life, and to my hubby and the pups but it was really difficult to leave Dad again.
I flew back on a saturday night at the start of the school holidays so the flight was full of very excited kids, oh, I hope their mums have packed plenty of sun block, they are so going to need it.
So, once again, I'm back home in Spain and life has returned to normal.
Carrying on with our 'let's get out and explore mode' have a look at the photo below - and try and guess where we were going (and it's definitely a yellow light, not a red light you can see)........ I'll post more tomorrow!
So, I know Monarch have the best baggage allowance, Ryanair have the least and charge the most for any excess (no, I didn't have to pay- I've been there before) and that no-body but no-body can be bothered to man the hire care return carpark to book your car in.
So, another trip to England to visit Dad, who is so much better than last time I went over although still in hospital. This time I was ready for the feeling of no longer living in the UK, so I decided that this time I would have an open mind to see what did I miss from Sheffield (apart from friends and family) now that we live in Spain (I still get really excited to say that).
Well, 10 days and 500 miles back and forth across Sheffield, and I have to admit to not missing a thing!
Sad, but true.
After a week I was desperate to get back to Spain, to the sun, to the scenery and to the life, and to my hubby and the pups but it was really difficult to leave Dad again.
I flew back on a saturday night at the start of the school holidays so the flight was full of very excited kids, oh, I hope their mums have packed plenty of sun block, they are so going to need it.
So, once again, I'm back home in Spain and life has returned to normal.
Carrying on with our 'let's get out and explore mode' have a look at the photo below - and try and guess where we were going (and it's definitely a yellow light, not a red light you can see)........ I'll post more tomorrow!
Wednesday 9 July 2008
Made it Ma, Top of the World! (Part 2)
So, remember, we had turned right along the little green edged road on the map, which had the red dots along it? Well, roughly translated into driving this means don't take your eyes of the bit of tarmac you have, it's going to get narrower, steeper and have lots of hairpin bends with vertical drops into the ravines.
We were about to drive over the eastern end of the Sierra de los Filabres!
We passed lots of small hamlets of pretty Spanish villas like this:
But take note of the mountain in the back because that is what we were about to drive up and over!!! It's 1300 metres up and Neil was about to become intimately familiar with every single metre.
The further along the road we went the bendier and narrower it became, and the need to concentrate took over from the ability to admire the view. Looking out for oncoming traffic was paramount as the areas where 2 vehicles could pass were somewhat rare, and I don't think Neil relished the idea of reversing to find to nearest - but we never expected to turn a corner and find the road just wasn't there anymore.
I'm not sure whether this was scheduled roadworks to widen the bit over the top of the mountain OR as it looked, whether the road had fallen down the mountain and they had put a temporary surface in place but we found ourselves on hardcore surrounded by lots of diggers and tarmac-ing machines, fortunately it was a Saturday so they weren't working.
We were about to drive over the eastern end of the Sierra de los Filabres!
We passed lots of small hamlets of pretty Spanish villas like this:
But take note of the mountain in the back because that is what we were about to drive up and over!!! It's 1300 metres up and Neil was about to become intimately familiar with every single metre.
The further along the road we went the bendier and narrower it became, and the need to concentrate took over from the ability to admire the view. Looking out for oncoming traffic was paramount as the areas where 2 vehicles could pass were somewhat rare, and I don't think Neil relished the idea of reversing to find to nearest - but we never expected to turn a corner and find the road just wasn't there anymore.
I'm not sure whether this was scheduled roadworks to widen the bit over the top of the mountain OR as it looked, whether the road had fallen down the mountain and they had put a temporary surface in place but we found ourselves on hardcore surrounded by lots of diggers and tarmac-ing machines, fortunately it was a Saturday so they weren't working.
I doubt it's a route we shall drive very often, although we may take the odd visitor for a drive of death - but the views when we got chance to take our eyes away from the road to have a look, were spectacular.
So, now I'm checking the map for more red dotted scenic roads - but don't tell Neil!
Tuesday 8 July 2008
Made it Ma, Top of the World! (Part 1)
If my memory serves me right ( and I know I does because I've Googled it to check!) James Cagney made the above comment perched on the top of an oil refinery in the movie, White Heat. Well, if you drive to Arboleas and turn left - trust me, you get to see the Top of the World. Absolutely stunning views and scary roads, well I say road - but there wasn't tarmac the whole way across the mountains.
If it is a day when we are not due to play golf, then our mornings usually start with the following conversation over breakfast - so, what do you want to do today - I tell you, retirement is tough.
Anyway, when I played golf last week I decided to go looking for 2 golf balls I had lost in the ravine on the 4th and whilst down there something rather nasty bit me on the top of my foot (don't worry, I haven't any photos to post). Anyway, a couple of days later and my whole foot had swollen up, was burning hot, incredibly itchy and very red - and if I walked on it - it got worse, so on this particular morning the question was easily answered - anything that doesn't involved standing or walking.
Having ventured to El Cortijo Grande earlier in the week, we decided to have another drive out for lunch. One of the places we had considered moving to was Arborleas, about half an hour inland. There was a new development of villas being built there which Neil had been really keen on and so we decided to have a drive and so how the development was coming along.
Once there, we found the whole site a bit of a disappointment, not only had there been no progress since we visited last September - but there are also no builders there anymore, it would seem sales haven't been as they would hope and so they have stopped building and in the current climate I cannot imagine any progress for some time. It would seem our choice not to buy one of them was a good one.
The villas are at the highest point in Arboleas and so we decided to drive a little further along the road and see where it led to. For once we had remembered to put the map in the car and there were plenty of green edging along this one road into the hills and the code says that green edges mean 'scenic' - ok, let's go!
At first we travelled several kilometres through several pockets of villas snuggled into rolling hills..........and then we started to climb........and climb.......and climb. One of the reasons I had suggested going along this road was a red wine that we drink on a fairly regular basis - it costs about €1.75 a bottle and goes down incredibly easily, called Los Molinas. The next village on the map from Arboleas was Los Molinas, so we thought this was as worth a visit. Once we reached Los Molinas we had a choice, left took us on a plain road to Lubrin, right took us along a scenic road to Albanchez. What I didn't check was why this scenic route also had a dotted red edging as well as the green.
Had we known before we turned right, that the key for a red dotted edging was 'Difficult or Dangerous section of road' - we may have gone left, instead in ignorance of what was ahead except the promise of some scenic views we turned right.................!
If it is a day when we are not due to play golf, then our mornings usually start with the following conversation over breakfast - so, what do you want to do today - I tell you, retirement is tough.
Anyway, when I played golf last week I decided to go looking for 2 golf balls I had lost in the ravine on the 4th and whilst down there something rather nasty bit me on the top of my foot (don't worry, I haven't any photos to post). Anyway, a couple of days later and my whole foot had swollen up, was burning hot, incredibly itchy and very red - and if I walked on it - it got worse, so on this particular morning the question was easily answered - anything that doesn't involved standing or walking.
Having ventured to El Cortijo Grande earlier in the week, we decided to have another drive out for lunch. One of the places we had considered moving to was Arborleas, about half an hour inland. There was a new development of villas being built there which Neil had been really keen on and so we decided to have a drive and so how the development was coming along.
Once there, we found the whole site a bit of a disappointment, not only had there been no progress since we visited last September - but there are also no builders there anymore, it would seem sales haven't been as they would hope and so they have stopped building and in the current climate I cannot imagine any progress for some time. It would seem our choice not to buy one of them was a good one.
The villas are at the highest point in Arboleas and so we decided to drive a little further along the road and see where it led to. For once we had remembered to put the map in the car and there were plenty of green edging along this one road into the hills and the code says that green edges mean 'scenic' - ok, let's go!
At first we travelled several kilometres through several pockets of villas snuggled into rolling hills..........and then we started to climb........and climb.......and climb. One of the reasons I had suggested going along this road was a red wine that we drink on a fairly regular basis - it costs about €1.75 a bottle and goes down incredibly easily, called Los Molinas. The next village on the map from Arboleas was Los Molinas, so we thought this was as worth a visit. Once we reached Los Molinas we had a choice, left took us on a plain road to Lubrin, right took us along a scenic road to Albanchez. What I didn't check was why this scenic route also had a dotted red edging as well as the green.
Had we known before we turned right, that the key for a red dotted edging was 'Difficult or Dangerous section of road' - we may have gone left, instead in ignorance of what was ahead except the promise of some scenic views we turned right.................!
Monday 7 July 2008
Let's get out there and explore!
So, we have now been here about 2 months and so far have only travelled where it was necessary to go - so, we have now started to explore our local area.
Last week we decided to drive inland, a little further than Turre towards El Cortijo Grande golf course. We had read a review of a restaurant called Los Limoneros which sounded ideal for lunch which was very close to the golf course, so off we went.
As usual, we only thought it would be a good idea to put the map in the car - after we had been driving a few kilometers so effectively, we only had a vague idea where we were going, but hey - we were exploring with no timescale to stick to, so it didn't matter if we took a few wrong turns - and we did. Eventually, hidden from the main road, I noticed a signpost for the golf course on a right hand turn and Neil had some hasty manoeuvring to do.
We found ourself alone on a very picturesque road driving alongside a huge ravine and, as we drove deeper into the gorge the scenery got spectacular. There was the odd signpost to confirm we were on the right road and not driving up some unadopted road to someone's front door and eventually we came to a kind of T-junction with the restaurant signposted off to the left. As we followed the road I became even more convinced we were actually going to arrive at someone's front door - and to be fair the restaurant is amongst a small clutch of villas festooned with bougainvillea and surrounded by tall trees.
As we walked through the entrance, this very small looking villa opened up to show a lovely dining area in a conservatory and a large swimming pool and sun terrace along with well stocked bar. It looked lovely and we were looking forward to our lunch.
In Spain, most restaurants have 'El Menu del Dia' which is a set menu for a good price - and Los Limoneros followed this tradition. Neil and I both chose to have the Menu del Dia, and as there were 2 choices for each course we decided to have each option and share them. Well, that didn't quite work as Neil had soup to start - but it had a chilli kick to it that was too strong for me. Neil's main course was a large fish baked in foil which was served complete with the head still on, I played safe with a pasta carbonara, which was really creamy.
Then we both opted to finish with the Chocolate Mousse, which we were both looking forward to and was the only disappointment of the meal. We're not sure whether the intense heat had had an effect but we didn't think it tasted right and ended up leaving it - they offered us a replacement desert and as we declined, they didn't charge us for our drinks. It was a shame the meal ended like this but it wouldn't stop me going again. A 3 course meal for €12, about £10.
We carried on up the country road to find the golf course and were quite surprised when we arrived as it's in a small clump of houses in the middle of no where at the end of a narrow country lane and the only indication you are there is a very small sign marked 'First Tee'
We had a look around and walked up to the 1st Tee which opens up to a well established looking course with lots of mature trees and looks quite hilly. We called into the office and had a chat about the course. It is a 9 hole course now as it was originally being built to be 18 holes with apartments and villas around it but the original developer didn't complete it, the bank got involved and it has now been taken over by new owners who are trying to get it all back on track.
Speaking to some of the golfers back at our own course, they tell us it's quite a good course to play.
Last week we decided to drive inland, a little further than Turre towards El Cortijo Grande golf course. We had read a review of a restaurant called Los Limoneros which sounded ideal for lunch which was very close to the golf course, so off we went.
As usual, we only thought it would be a good idea to put the map in the car - after we had been driving a few kilometers so effectively, we only had a vague idea where we were going, but hey - we were exploring with no timescale to stick to, so it didn't matter if we took a few wrong turns - and we did. Eventually, hidden from the main road, I noticed a signpost for the golf course on a right hand turn and Neil had some hasty manoeuvring to do.
We found ourself alone on a very picturesque road driving alongside a huge ravine and, as we drove deeper into the gorge the scenery got spectacular. There was the odd signpost to confirm we were on the right road and not driving up some unadopted road to someone's front door and eventually we came to a kind of T-junction with the restaurant signposted off to the left. As we followed the road I became even more convinced we were actually going to arrive at someone's front door - and to be fair the restaurant is amongst a small clutch of villas festooned with bougainvillea and surrounded by tall trees.
As we walked through the entrance, this very small looking villa opened up to show a lovely dining area in a conservatory and a large swimming pool and sun terrace along with well stocked bar. It looked lovely and we were looking forward to our lunch.
In Spain, most restaurants have 'El Menu del Dia' which is a set menu for a good price - and Los Limoneros followed this tradition. Neil and I both chose to have the Menu del Dia, and as there were 2 choices for each course we decided to have each option and share them. Well, that didn't quite work as Neil had soup to start - but it had a chilli kick to it that was too strong for me. Neil's main course was a large fish baked in foil which was served complete with the head still on, I played safe with a pasta carbonara, which was really creamy.
Then we both opted to finish with the Chocolate Mousse, which we were both looking forward to and was the only disappointment of the meal. We're not sure whether the intense heat had had an effect but we didn't think it tasted right and ended up leaving it - they offered us a replacement desert and as we declined, they didn't charge us for our drinks. It was a shame the meal ended like this but it wouldn't stop me going again. A 3 course meal for €12, about £10.
We carried on up the country road to find the golf course and were quite surprised when we arrived as it's in a small clump of houses in the middle of no where at the end of a narrow country lane and the only indication you are there is a very small sign marked 'First Tee'
We had a look around and walked up to the 1st Tee which opens up to a well established looking course with lots of mature trees and looks quite hilly. We called into the office and had a chat about the course. It is a 9 hole course now as it was originally being built to be 18 holes with apartments and villas around it but the original developer didn't complete it, the bank got involved and it has now been taken over by new owners who are trying to get it all back on track.
Speaking to some of the golfers back at our own course, they tell us it's quite a good course to play.
Wednesday 2 July 2008
Too hot for golf?
Well, the temperatures have really kicked in here. It's in the mid 30's during the day (and that's in the shade) and never seems to drop below 28 degrees, even at night and the heat really saps your energy. So, playing 4 hours of golf is hard work. We currently walk around the course and I use an electric trolley. It normally takes us about 4 1/2 hours, bearing in mind we have some long walks between holes and the course is very hilly. Last time I played I struggled through 14 holes and then just ran out of steam and ended up just walking the last few holes - basically because we were as far away from the club house as we could be when I lost any remaining shreds of energy. Neil wasn't quite as bad but he did feel more tired then previously.
So, as well as stocking up on energy drinks it was decided I should get a buggy today and see if this would enable me to finish a round of golf without nearly killing myself. I prefer to walk the course as most golfers do, but if it's a choice of buggy or no golf - then buggy it is. The other option was to only play 9 holes and then after showering, sitting with a coffee and a book in the air conditioned club house to wait for the others to complete the back 9 - and trust me, this options has it's attractions.
But, having used a buggy today, I finished the round feeling relatively fit and so, for the next few weeks I'll be riding round the course until the intense heat begins to cool down again, probably some time in September. Then we should have several months of golf in really good weather - right through winter when we won't have to worry about playing in -5 degrees with frost on the greens as we would have if we were still in the UK, oh, happy days.
So, as well as stocking up on energy drinks it was decided I should get a buggy today and see if this would enable me to finish a round of golf without nearly killing myself. I prefer to walk the course as most golfers do, but if it's a choice of buggy or no golf - then buggy it is. The other option was to only play 9 holes and then after showering, sitting with a coffee and a book in the air conditioned club house to wait for the others to complete the back 9 - and trust me, this options has it's attractions.
But, having used a buggy today, I finished the round feeling relatively fit and so, for the next few weeks I'll be riding round the course until the intense heat begins to cool down again, probably some time in September. Then we should have several months of golf in really good weather - right through winter when we won't have to worry about playing in -5 degrees with frost on the greens as we would have if we were still in the UK, oh, happy days.
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