23/3/17

The day before the adventure began was a frenzy of activity.

“Surely we’ve packed too much? We’re bound to have forgotten some vitally important bit of kit. Is the house ready for when Maureen and Steve move in? “

The house already looked unfamiliar. Is it because it was so tidy?

I’ve been dreading the ferry crossing, but now the prospect of not having anything to do was very appealing.

The girls and their chaps came round for dinner. It was lovely. We’re going to miss them so much.

WELL, IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING, BUT WE’RE READY FOR THE OFF IN THE MORNING. IT WAS GREAT TO SEE THE KIDS TONIGHT. AND I’VE GOT A NEW NAME FOR JULIE! WE’VE BEEN CALLED PHILEAS FOGG AND PASPATOUT, GANDALF AND BILBO, BUT, AFTER THE GIRLS GAVE JULIE A NEW BACKPACK FOR MOTHERS DAY, RICH SUGGESTED THE BEST ONE YET- DORA THE EXPLORER!  (Steve.)

 

24/3/17

We’re off! After getting up at some ungodly hour, we loaded the car up like we were heading off to a boot sale and set off for Portsmouth.

For some reason, the stress seemed to manifest itself by the pair of us repeatedly breaking into hysterical laughter. “What the hell are we thinking, cavorting around Europe like a pair of bloody kids?”

The ferry journey I’d been dreading was much easier than I’d expected. It was quite bizarre to be watching daytime TV, then eating a fabulous meal in a posh French restaurant, all whilst sailing off to start our adventure. And yes, it was lovely to have a chance to catch our breath. There wasn’t even any Wi-Fi, so we couldn’t even do any of the last few admin jobs we had left to do.

EASY DRIVE TO PORTSMOUTH. I WAS SURPRISED AT HOW SMOOTH THE LOADING AND UNLOADING WAS. BEST BIT OF THE CROSSING FOR ME WAS WHEN JULIE WAS SUMMONED OVER THE TANNOY BECAUSE SHE HAD LEFT THE RESTAURANT WITHOUT PAYING THE DRINKS BILL! THE SHAME!

YOU CAN TAKE THE GIRL OUT OF PECKHAM……. (Steve.)

 

25/3/17

Viva Espana! Not that Spain greeted us with sunshine when we arrived in Santander. It was chilly, and raining- but worse was yet to come!

Within half an hour of disembarking, we were cooing over the snow-capped peaks in the gorgeously dramatic mountainous landscape of Northern Spain. Half an hour later, we were driving through snow! I was getting a bit nervous, but Steve assured me that his pride and joy (He loves his Shogun) was more than up to the job. In fact, I think he was a bit disappointed when, just an hour later, we were bathed in sunshine again! It’s a bit like being in Scotland- if you don’t like the weather, wait 20 minutes.

We arrived in Montejo late in the afternoon. It’s a small village- very rural.  Our host, Isidro arrived, and although he was very friendly, he didn’t speak a word of English, except “I no speaka English.” Unfortunately, Steve’s Spanish (He’ll be doing the Spanish- me the French) completely deserted him, apart from the phrase “ Lo Siento. No abla Espanol.” ( Sorry. I don’t speak Spanish.)

The sight of them pointing and jabbering away loudly at each other good-naturedly, despite the fact that neither of them could understand a bloody word the other was saying, was hilarious. To add to the comic effect, as Isidro was leading us around the house, Steve was having to duck to get through the tiny doorways. All of a sudden, the Gandalf/ Bilbo image was back in my head. At one point, when they were “discussing” the intricacies of the central heating system, both of them were alternating between miming shivering and then wiping sweat from their brows, I had to walk outside and have a private giggle. J

Interestingly, the only instructions directed at me were how to find the mop and bucket!

The machismo of Spanish men was also very apparent when we stopped off at the only bar in town. Steve led the way, and was greeted with the briefest of nods by the locals (All men). When I stumbled in behind him, I was greeted with barely concealed horror, and I don’t think the fact that I sunk a pint of beer like a navvy helped much!

 

WISH I’D BRUSHED UP ON MY SPANISH BEFORE WE LEFT!

FROM GARAGES, TO BARS, TO HOSTS, I THINK THE MEN ARE GOING TO SPEAK TO ME AND COMPLETELY IGNORE JULIE.

THE SERVICES WE STOPPED OFF AT ON THE WAY WAS LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF THE 60S. IF YOU’VE EVER SEEN THE TARANTINO FILM –DUSK TIL DAWN- PICTURE THE TITTY TWISTER BAR/RESTSTOP.

THE HOUSE WE STAYED IN WAS LIKE A BLOODY HOBBIT HOLE! SHE THINKS IT’S CUTE OF COUSE, BUT THEN SHE IS HALF-HOBBIT HERSELF.  SO IS THE BLOKE THAT OWNS IT- LOVELY FELLA, BUT NOT A WORD OF ENGLISH.

I LEFT THERE WITH A HEADACHE, BACKACHE AND NECKACHE. OH AND HUNGRY. WE ALSO SHOULD HAVE STOPPED OFF FOR SOME SUPPLIES ON THE WAY.  (Steve.)

 

26/3/17 and 27/3/17

The house is really cute. The décor is a mixture of authentic, antique furniture and IKEA nick-nacks. Oh, and loads of sculptures of naked ladies with ENORMOUS bums!

We spent the next two days in Salamanca. I don’t know why, but I find it impossible to say Salamanca without sounding like the Count from Sesame Street.

What a beautiful city! The University buildings and the cathedral are like film-sets for game of Thrones; we spent ages taking arty photos that can never really capture the strange effects of the light on the golden stonework. Truly stunning!

At the end of day 2, we set off for the 20 minute drive back to the house, but got distracted by a detour into the countryside. It’s so lush, with lakes, mountains and endless empty miles of green fields. And the sun came out! Steve got the chance to “play” with his truck too. Off to Seville tomorrow!

SALAMANCA IS GORGEOUS. THE CENTRE IS VERY OLD AND THE BUILDING ARE AWESOME.

BLOODY NIGHTMARE TO PARK THOUGH! AND THE OUTSKIRTS ARE FULL OF CLINICS- OSTEOPATHS MAINLY. MAYBE THEY SHOULD MAKE THEIR DOORWAYS BIGGER AND THEIR BEDS SOFTER, THEN THEY WOULDN’T ALL NEDD THEM!

BEST BIT FOR ME WAS TAKING THE CAR OUT INTO THE COUNTRYSIDE. WE FOUND A LOVELY MAN-MADE LAKE, SURROUNDED BY MOUNTAINS AND FARMLAND. IT WAS GREAT TO GET OFF THE BEATEN TRACK AND USE 4WHEEL DRIVE. (Steve.)