15 minutes of fame and the intrepid mariners

...Benidorm the UK sitcom was filmed mainly in Benidorm New Town, the Sol Pelicanos was the hotel they filmed and several ex-pats lined up as extras, some were successful. One was Rob who calls bingo in another bar round the bay. He was in series 2 episode 1 collecting keys at reception at an Altea hotel, as the posh couple try to check in. Local Celebrities, like Gary from Rich Bitch AKA "Miss Jordan Rivers" got a speaking role as the Vicar who married the orange lady and rich boyfriend. Jonny Vegas was seen walking around La Cala with the rumour that he had an apartment in one of the avenues off the bay.

One night we were in the Marina bar and flood lights were lighting up every nook and cranny and it was soon clear the film crew were doing a scene somewhere. Eventually we could see them on the beach. They had set up a ramp over the sand and as it was off-season they had brought their own sunbeds for the shoot. A dolly was set-up on the pavement and the orange lady and husband to be were filmed walking up and down, whilst I watch there were several takes. We went on to the beach to get a closer look but we couldn't really get close but the man half of the swingers was one of the actors we recognised.

We eagerly awaited the screening a few weeks ago only to discover that our beach was referred to by the swinger as the "dogging" beach............well Andy Warhol La Cala had its 15 mins of fame.

I am often heard to misquote Matt Lucas by saying "I am the only straight in the village". Benidorm old town is quite a gay centre. There are some lovely bars which my wife and I frequent because the ambiance is good, there are no union flags flying, no egg and chip advertisements and never any trouble. The guys also like peace and quiet so they tend to live in La Cala. They also like the Marina bar, and Sunday afternoon can be a major party atmosphere. Jeremy & Colin, Dave & Pete, Gary & Michael, Nick & Brian, Laurence and Tony, and more besides can simultaneously arrive and the drinks start to flow. Remember John and Sue Mr and Mrs Bucket, well they are really confused when I and my wife sit with all these gay guys, John once told me I am the talk of the bay. What he meant was, the older straight ex-pat brits think I am gay. As my sexual preference is not in doubt and as I feel comfortable with my feminine side, I don't feel inclined to enter into conversation about it with such narrow minded people. Suffice it to say I find all my gay friends very nice people, only some of the straights are as nice. But as you can imagine it does get a bit camp sometimes and they do shake my hand in a manly way out of respect for my hetro-ness (yes I know the word is made up).

Laurence & Tony have a company to do with psychic things, and recently they bought a yacht. They took their seamanship certificate and decided to sail it themselves to their berth in Denia. It was a traumatic sail, they were fine across the channel and some way into the Bay of Biscay, but then a storm struck which buffeted them to and fro eventually snapping their mast. They had to find a shelter to patch it up before risking the sail into the straits of Gibraltar for the gentle final leg through the med. They did it safely and their boat is now at anchor in Denia. Last Sunday they invited 4 pals on board for drinks after a short sail, however it was raining so they cancelled.............what happened to the intrepid sailors from the bay of Biscay???????????...