...There is a specific phenomenon relating to apartment dwelling. Anyone who has, does or will live in an apartment will discover this phenomenon very quickly.
There you are settling down in bed after a long day (working, relaxing, drinking, socialising - please tick as appropriate) and it starts. First it is the marble dropped on a tiled floor sound, one initial thud, followed by decreasing but rapid smaller thuds, just like a marble being dropped.
The second sound, and it invariably follows this pattern, is of a lady in high heeled shoes yomping around her apartment, and hers seems to be a much much bigger apartment than yours judging by how far she walks in those high heels.
The third sound is the the movement of furniture, not moved by picking up and moving but they slide it...and it screeches.
No matter who you speak to here, every apartment dweller can describe the sound perfectly and consistently. Furthermore, the culprits are almost always with very little exception Spanish people.
These noises do make you form some odd images in your mind. Firstly what is this item they drop which sounds like a bouncing marble? And how come every Spanish family has one and we don't?
Secondly, why do Spanish ladies get out of bed and put their high heel shoes on to walk around an apartment loudly at midnight and beyond? I can't help it but I have a mental image of lady yomping around in high heels whispering to her husband "shall I drop it here?"
Thirdly, is it reasonable to drag furniture around at midnight and beyond, knowing that people are sleeping all around you? And once again I imagine having just dropped the marble, she whispers to her husband "get hold of that chair and drag it over here that should annoy them!"
Sometimes if there are several people above, or beside or below, because its impossible to establish from which direction the noise is coming, the clatter is more reminiscent of a Flamenco dancing class. And whether it is 2 am or 2 pm, they come into the building speaking to each other at the same time at the loudest pitch ever because they can't hear each other over the din they are each making, and they slam every door they walk through.
I don't really know what the marble is, I know what the furniture is!
My wife Ange said to me on Saturday lets go into Carrefour I need some new slippers...we couldn't find any in the entire shop, not in other shops we subsequently tried so I think I now know why they walk round in high heels.....
The Marina Bar
La Cala de Finestrat beach. On the right of this page there are site links of people who have been in my blogs. Feel free to go have a look.
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Saturday, 19 July 2008
The shiver me timbers white knuckle ride
...Yesterday we went to Denia for a sail on Laurence and Tony's Yacht. Dave and Pete took us in their car, we got slightly lost leaving the toll road and very lost in the centre of Denia, so once we found the sea, so long as it was on the left and the mountains on the right we were going the right way. Ultimately we found the Marina, parked up and set off with cool box, in which was a bottle of red and a bottle of white wine and a cheesecake Angela made. The intention was to get on board then sail to a cove down from Javier, drop anchor and have lunch - the more daring would be able to take a swim.
We went down the pier to where the boat should be but when we got there it wasn't. Then we realised we were on the wrong pier. Second time lucky we arrived at the boat.
There were two couple we didn't know, Margaret and Phil and Eileen and John. Laurence and Tony did the introductions after we were hailed aboard. The first thing we received was a glass of bubbly followed by a safety demonstration in the "unlikely" event of a 'Man over board' or a fire or us sinking. I took careful notice as I am unable to swim.
Laurence and Tony went into sailor mode and untied numerous ropes, turned the engine on and we chugged out of port to some rousing classical music with just an undertone of that famous viola chord sequence as the shark was about to pounce in Jaws. Did they know something we didn't?
Laurence told us we were not going out with sails flying because there wasn't enough wind speed (music to my ears), but the wind increases in the afternoon so we could get up to 10 knots later under sail (damn!!!). "Do you want to drive Bob?" shouted Laurence. I said "OK, I'll give it a go".
It was alright I quite enjoyed it, I had a tendency to over steer and didn't know my port from my starboard, but remembered to avoid the Ibiza to Denia ferry, and missed the sundry yachts to the right and left (port and starboard I think). "Now Bob aim at that mountain" instructed Laurence (he used to be a Teacher you couldn't tell !!!) "Wouldn't I be better missing it Laurence?" was my naive reply. "We just need to get close, so we can appreciate the views close in, and look at the depth meter, that will give a clue as to how close we are." "Its says 2.9 Laurence". "What" he ran over . "That's the speed in knots you idiot, that one above it tells you the depth and it's 8 meters thankfully, you had me worried then". Oops, well I am only a land lubber what do I know? Tony by this time was at the side of me, being more subtle than Laurence, with the occasional helpful hint, "I think you could turn to sea a bit now Bob" and so I did. Now and again an instruction to Tony from Laurence "Don't get too close Tony you know there are ledges beneath the cliffs" "Its OK Laurence we have 12 meters below us" Tony confidently replied. All the time I am thinking 12 meters is nearly 5 times deeper than I am tall, so if we sink there is no way I could hold my breath and walk it to land.
After a bit I got fed up with driving, so I aimed it roughly to where we were going and pressed the automatic pilot to on and went to enjoy the scenery. However, the ladies who had erstwhile been chatting suddenly realised that noone was steering the boat and started to panic a bit but Laurence reassured them it was safe.
As we neared the cove Laurence and Tony snapped back into sailor mode again and Tony walked to the pointed end ready to drop anchor, whilst Laurence manoeuvred the boat and monitored the depth. The boat stopped, Tony dropped the anchor and we were at our dining place.
Whilst we were sailing, Pete had been on the deck midships lying in the sun. As we stopped he came into the cockpit where we were assembled and sat in the shade advising Dave that he felt sick.
I noted that the water was 12.4 meters deep, which is the depth of water under the hull so i wasn't going to go near the edge. Laurence dropped the rear half door which gave access to a ledge or diving platform. He dived straight into the water like Johny Weismuller. (for the less mature Weismuller was once an Olympic swimmer). Dave and Pete were now in their swimming shorts and Dave instructed Pete to get into the water, as it would make him feel better. So Pete dived in, then Dave (who hates submerging completely in water) followed but went under like a torpedo, much to Pete's surprise who promptly dived after him, dragged him to the surface and asked why he did that. Dave having swallowed half the Mediterranean sea, coughed and spluttered in response. He eventually managed to spurt out "I forgot to close my mouth" admittedly you do not associate a closed mouth with Dave, but I thought he may have made the exception in water.
After a while all the swimmers were re-assembled on board and the galley was active, with food being passed from below to the deck, and soon we were all sat there with a glass of wine and food on our plates. Pete sat next to me and I asked if he was any better, he said he was a bit better and maybe need some food. So we ate and we drank and we chatted and had a good laugh. Then Laurence announced it was time to set off back. The lads became sailors again and they dragged the anchor back in and aimed at the sea.
This was to become the interesting part. On the Yacht their are two masts, the one in the middle being the main sale and the one at the front is able to tack. each sail has two ropes to control them and there is an automatic winder for the front sail. Laurence had to turn the yacht into the wind before the main sale could be opened. Once the main sale was opened the front sail could be opened. Laurence turned the yacht to the direction he wanted to go and the wind took hold and we were off.
Seemingly you can't sail a yacht directly to where you want to sail, you have to zig-zag, and we were currently zigging out to sea at 7 knots, and as the wind was hitting the sail from the right, the yacht was by now at a 45 degree angle and I was closer to the sea than anyone, being sat at the stern. I had one hand on a chrome rail to my left side and the other to a steel wire behind me clinging on for dear life. Pete was very amused to my reaction to this sudden rush of activity, The hardened sailors were enjoying the sail, I think Eileen felt a bit like me but was braving it out. Margaret was doing her best to light a cigarette. "Are you ready to jibe" was Laurence's cry after a mind-numbing length of time as far as I was concerned. "Jibe" this was his instruction to Tony to turn the main sail and get ready to tack the front sail. Laurence turned the yacht to aim at Denia harbour and the sail spun to port, the yacht righted itself and it seemed like calm had been re-established. "I could see that was bothering you Bob, so I thought we would go a bit steadier." "What gave the game away Laurence, my constant screaming, the fact my knuckles were white from clinging to the rail or was it just your intuition." I sarcastically responded.
Pete had disappeared below for a considerably long period and when he returned he looked quite green. Having had my swimming trunks on, I took this calm opportunity to get my shorts back on down in the galley. When I returned I sat between John and Angela my wife, opposite was Pete who was obviously in discomfort. Laurence said "Pete I think you should sit at the back, in case you are sick, its better to throw up overboard than on someone or we could start a chain reaction." Pete did as he was advised and Dave joined him for moral support.
Margaret went to get some water and as she left Pete could hang on no longer and he dived to the rail was was not very well... Fortunately the wind was in the right direction, but the boat needed to be turned again ready for our last sail change. Laurence and Tony waited for Pete to settle first. After a while Dave piped up "That's it, he will be OK now, I know Pete just a glass of coke and he'll be fine"
Margaret came up from the galley as Pete was in mid up-chucking mode and she said "Oh no! I just had some water out of the tap and it was awful, now I think I am going to be sick too." Unlike Pete she managed to contain it, and when Pete started to clearly revive the boat was aimed in the right direction and we entered the harbour. "Right all the men to the side please we need you to grab the yacht next to ours when we come along side" Laurence ordered, so we obediently did so whilst Tony got various balloon looking things to make sure we didn't damage our yacht or the one next door. After a few attempts we managed to berth.
By the time we stood on Terra Firma we were clearly ready for it, but it was an excellent day all told. Laurence and Tony are superb hosts and their seamanship appeared to me, the novice, to be excellent too.
Dave drove us home and we discussed the day, Pete said "I didn't feel right after lying on the deck, and the motion of the boat". That was when the boat was under engine power, going to the cove at 3 knots in very calm weather. When I was feeling like the boat trip was reminiscent of a Tera mitica white knuckle ride, Pete was laughing almost hysterically at me, but I did manage to keep my breakfast and lunch down. I thought it was neither the time nor the place to remind him of this, but one day.....
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
Sheds and hair dye
...I went to the Marina bar the other day and who should be sat there but Laurence and Tony and Graham.
Laurence and Tony have, according to everyone who has been there, a lovely Villa just outside of Benidorm. They have their own pool and recently decided to have an extension built to offer some shade and generally enhance their home. They picked a builder and set about choosing the decor, utilities and things that you have to do when you build extensions. As this is Spain they also had to go through a bureaucratic process of permissions before the builder could even buy the concrete.
Anyway once the official bit was in place construction began. The walls advanced at an amazing pace and before long the window frames were going in. So Laurence and Tony are very optimistic that the building will be complete in time for their planned parties this year.
So when I met up with Laurence and Tony a was asking them about progress when Graham piped up "Hows the shed coming along?".....
...There are two major events lined up this week, on Friday we are going aboard Laurence and Tony's Yacht for a sail. I am petrified, mainly because I can't swim and tend not to enter more water than I can drink in an emergency. So I have lined up a safety jacket, frogman outfit scuba tanks and flippers just in case, I let you know how it went unless I am in Davy Jones locker...
The second event is my dearest wife's birthday, I call her dearest because she is expensive not through affection! We are going to the Puig Campana restaurant in La Cala bay so hopefully she will enjoy it...
And next week my mates Julie and Michelle are coming over for a week. Michelle and Julie have been every year since we moved here. They live in the North West of England and are best mates with each other. I got to know Julie through Yahoo chat and we have been friends for ever I think. Anyway they like the odd Vodka and I like the odd pint so its clear that we will be giving the marina Bar some custom when they are here.
Michelle is a very thoughtful lass, always thinking about others, so when she comes here she likes to relax, sunbathing is a must. Last year but one when they came they stayed in the Bali Hotel, and went onto the beach most days. I invited them to come to our apartment to use the pool because in July the sun really makes the sand hot. They liked the pool in and out all day having a ball, there was one draw back though apparently, whatever hair product Michelle used didn't mix well with the chlorine in the pool and her hair ended up green....
Laurence and Tony have, according to everyone who has been there, a lovely Villa just outside of Benidorm. They have their own pool and recently decided to have an extension built to offer some shade and generally enhance their home. They picked a builder and set about choosing the decor, utilities and things that you have to do when you build extensions. As this is Spain they also had to go through a bureaucratic process of permissions before the builder could even buy the concrete.
Anyway once the official bit was in place construction began. The walls advanced at an amazing pace and before long the window frames were going in. So Laurence and Tony are very optimistic that the building will be complete in time for their planned parties this year.
So when I met up with Laurence and Tony a was asking them about progress when Graham piped up "Hows the shed coming along?".....
...There are two major events lined up this week, on Friday we are going aboard Laurence and Tony's Yacht for a sail. I am petrified, mainly because I can't swim and tend not to enter more water than I can drink in an emergency. So I have lined up a safety jacket, frogman outfit scuba tanks and flippers just in case, I let you know how it went unless I am in Davy Jones locker...
The second event is my dearest wife's birthday, I call her dearest because she is expensive not through affection! We are going to the Puig Campana restaurant in La Cala bay so hopefully she will enjoy it...
And next week my mates Julie and Michelle are coming over for a week. Michelle and Julie have been every year since we moved here. They live in the North West of England and are best mates with each other. I got to know Julie through Yahoo chat and we have been friends for ever I think. Anyway they like the odd Vodka and I like the odd pint so its clear that we will be giving the marina Bar some custom when they are here.
Michelle is a very thoughtful lass, always thinking about others, so when she comes here she likes to relax, sunbathing is a must. Last year but one when they came they stayed in the Bali Hotel, and went onto the beach most days. I invited them to come to our apartment to use the pool because in July the sun really makes the sand hot. They liked the pool in and out all day having a ball, there was one draw back though apparently, whatever hair product Michelle used didn't mix well with the chlorine in the pool and her hair ended up green....
Saturday, 12 July 2008
...Food for thought
...Our niece Michelle is staying with us. Her boyfriend is called Rick and we knew he didn't like some foods. When they arrived we decided to get one of these sandwich things from Mercadonna. It has ham and cheese and it needs to be baked in the oven for about 30 Min's. I knocked together a salad, Ange boiled some eggs and some potatoes, and we sorted everything out so they would be here for about 1 pm so it could be lunch.
They put away their cases and sat at the table. We said "help yourselves" Michelle had some of the sandwich, ham, salami, salad potatoes and eggs. Rick took potatoes, boiled ham and eggs.
We said :"is everything OK Rick"? He replied "yes fine", "but you haven't had the sandwich of anything other than ham and potatoes". "Oh"he said "I don't like cheese, or salad, or vegetables at all really". We were beginning to form a pictures.
I asked Ange if it was wise offering him Spanish chicken for dinner, she said "well we won't say what is in it he may like it". In my opinion the black olives would maybe put him off but she persevered anyway. They spent the afternoon sun-bathing and Ange was in the kitchen.
Dinner time arrived and the table set, there was rice and boiled potatoes and Spanish chicken which has, chicken breast, olives, chorrizo, tomatoes, peas, and other ingredients to flavour it.
Ange did say to them both if you don't like olives then leave them. Michelle said she would try it, Rick said "I don't like olives".
You could have knocked Ange over with a feather when Rick had seconds and told her "That's the nicest meal I have ever tasted".....
We have since taken them both to various restaurants, the first being Mitica with the option of gazpacho soup or mixed salad starter, pineapple and jamon, a lamb stew or peas and ham, for second course and main course of pork or sole. Rick chose no starter, stew for the second and pork for the main. He washed it down with beer and had ice cream for desert. The second restaurant was Paneils. Patrick said he liked a challenge and said to Rick whatever you fancy I'll do my best. So he had garlic bread for starter, gammon egg and chips for main and Ice cream for dessert. Peter tried to persuade him to have ice cream and pancake but rick resisted saying "No I wouldn't like to spoil the ice cream"....
Tonight he is going with Angela and Michelle to Rich Bitch. I will let you know his verdict on that one...
They put away their cases and sat at the table. We said "help yourselves" Michelle had some of the sandwich, ham, salami, salad potatoes and eggs. Rick took potatoes, boiled ham and eggs.
We said :"is everything OK Rick"? He replied "yes fine", "but you haven't had the sandwich of anything other than ham and potatoes". "Oh"he said "I don't like cheese, or salad, or vegetables at all really". We were beginning to form a pictures.
I asked Ange if it was wise offering him Spanish chicken for dinner, she said "well we won't say what is in it he may like it". In my opinion the black olives would maybe put him off but she persevered anyway. They spent the afternoon sun-bathing and Ange was in the kitchen.
Dinner time arrived and the table set, there was rice and boiled potatoes and Spanish chicken which has, chicken breast, olives, chorrizo, tomatoes, peas, and other ingredients to flavour it.
Ange did say to them both if you don't like olives then leave them. Michelle said she would try it, Rick said "I don't like olives".
You could have knocked Ange over with a feather when Rick had seconds and told her "That's the nicest meal I have ever tasted".....
We have since taken them both to various restaurants, the first being Mitica with the option of gazpacho soup or mixed salad starter, pineapple and jamon, a lamb stew or peas and ham, for second course and main course of pork or sole. Rick chose no starter, stew for the second and pork for the main. He washed it down with beer and had ice cream for desert. The second restaurant was Paneils. Patrick said he liked a challenge and said to Rick whatever you fancy I'll do my best. So he had garlic bread for starter, gammon egg and chips for main and Ice cream for dessert. Peter tried to persuade him to have ice cream and pancake but rick resisted saying "No I wouldn't like to spoil the ice cream"....
Tonight he is going with Angela and Michelle to Rich Bitch. I will let you know his verdict on that one...
Saturday, 5 July 2008
Other Bars in Benidorm and missing days
...A few of my friends are barmen. Jonathan, Duncan, Uncle Brian, Garth, Brian and Nick to name but a few.
Jonathan and Brian work in O'Maras http://www.omarasbar.com/ . This is a bar in the middle of the Old Town and caters for just about everyone. They do typically British food up until about 9.00 pm. Kevin is one of the owners and recently married a lovely Ukrainian girl called Victoria and they now have a child. Kevin is clearly the proud father and as an avid Manchester united fan fully expects him to be a future United player. http://webcam.comunitatvalenciana.com/webcam-benidorm-benidorm-8
Quite a few expats use O'Maras, but in holiday season its gets quite full of tourists and especially when there are any sporting events on.
Duncan works in the Magic Rock Hotel which is at the end of Levante beach at the Rincon de Loix. He runs one of the bars and there are many. This is an all inclusive Hotel, with a mixture of Spanish, English and other European visitors. People book a class of all inclusive accommodation which entitles them to various packages, but the most important one is free booze during the stay. I once wandered in to the Pool area to see what the place was like. This was at 11 am, and there were fully clothed young people lying on the sunbeds looking worse for wear, and one guy rolled off the sun lounger into the pool fully clothed. I believe last orders is a little like the gunfight at the OK Coral. I think it was a hotel like this which inspired the writers of Benidorm, the sit com.
Uncle Brian and Garth work at the Magic Monika, a sister hotel to the Magic Rock, this is also all inclusive but it is in La Cala de Finestrat. From my side of the hotel there is a sign which is illuminated at night, but many of the bulbs have blown and I think it just spells M-n-ka now at night. The Magic group have several hotels around Benidorm and they are the group building the Magic Atrium Beach hotel in the bay. A bus is laid on by the hotel group and, providing the passengers can show their all-inclusive bracelet, they get free transport between the hotels where they can eat, drink and be merry, without spending anything.
Nick works at Heroes bar. This is a bar about as big as an average working man's club in the UK. They have Acts on every weekend and some nights in the week too. The ladies that sing in the marina bar, 'Madonna', 'Dolly Parton' and 'Dusty Springfield', have regular spots there. Each of these venues are so different from each other. O'Maras is small friendly and intimate, everyone knows Keith and Kevin the owners and the bar staff and their custom tends to be regular and steady.
The All inclusive hotels tend to be in general, impersonal, fast turnovers, drink as much as you can by the poolside places, but they do have a few returning clientele who genuinely like the way all-inclusive hotels work, but are not afraid to leave and see the sights, lie on the beach or go to bars and buy a drink.
Heroes is bigger than O'maras and smaller than the Magic hotels, there is a regular clientele and the current owner and his wife seem to know what they are doing, which is vital in a holiday resort when you are dependant upon the weather, the exchange rate and airline fuel surcharges.
Interestingly, the one thing our friendly barmen have in common is the marina bar. This is their sanctuary when they decide to socialise and much of the inspiration for these blogs come from them.
One of the best nights of the year in New Year's Eve. We all travel to town on the bus, those of us not working that is. we probably start at the company bar, owned by Trevor and Dave. Now they like to dress up on New Year's Eve and me and ange decided they looked the best a couple of years ago when Dave wore the top half of a leather clad rocker and the bottom half a tutu. and Trevor wore the bottom half of a leather rocker and the top half of a ballerina. The make-up was courtesy of the Rich Bitch guys.
Approaching the Spanish New Year count down we all walk to the Triangle where there is a stage and a group playing. On the twelve chimes of midnight, the Spanish tradition is to eat 12 grapes one per chime, and drink Cava to let the New year in. Then there is the predictable firework display, always fantastic.
By 0100 am we have migrated to the corner of Casa Don Juan, a bar run and owned by Philip. Last year Philip excelled himself. There were singers on the balcony of his apartments, his staff circulated with sandwiches free of charge, and there was a party atmosphere second to none. My son Ian and our friends Ian and Christine were here to celebrate too. At one point I was talking to Christine and was distracted by Jonathan, when I turned back to Christine she had disappeared. I said to Ian her husband "where did Christine go" he pointed down to the floor, and there she was slumped on the pavement looking 'tired' well as tired as a newt anyway.
We all had a brilliant time and managed to get taxis around 3.00 am. Christine didn't see new Years Day....
Jonathan and Brian work in O'Maras http://www.omarasbar.com/ . This is a bar in the middle of the Old Town and caters for just about everyone. They do typically British food up until about 9.00 pm. Kevin is one of the owners and recently married a lovely Ukrainian girl called Victoria and they now have a child. Kevin is clearly the proud father and as an avid Manchester united fan fully expects him to be a future United player. http://webcam.comunitatvalenciana.com/webcam-benidorm-benidorm-8
Quite a few expats use O'Maras, but in holiday season its gets quite full of tourists and especially when there are any sporting events on.
Duncan works in the Magic Rock Hotel which is at the end of Levante beach at the Rincon de Loix. He runs one of the bars and there are many. This is an all inclusive Hotel, with a mixture of Spanish, English and other European visitors. People book a class of all inclusive accommodation which entitles them to various packages, but the most important one is free booze during the stay. I once wandered in to the Pool area to see what the place was like. This was at 11 am, and there were fully clothed young people lying on the sunbeds looking worse for wear, and one guy rolled off the sun lounger into the pool fully clothed. I believe last orders is a little like the gunfight at the OK Coral. I think it was a hotel like this which inspired the writers of Benidorm, the sit com.
Uncle Brian and Garth work at the Magic Monika, a sister hotel to the Magic Rock, this is also all inclusive but it is in La Cala de Finestrat. From my side of the hotel there is a sign which is illuminated at night, but many of the bulbs have blown and I think it just spells M-n-ka now at night. The Magic group have several hotels around Benidorm and they are the group building the Magic Atrium Beach hotel in the bay. A bus is laid on by the hotel group and, providing the passengers can show their all-inclusive bracelet, they get free transport between the hotels where they can eat, drink and be merry, without spending anything.
Nick works at Heroes bar. This is a bar about as big as an average working man's club in the UK. They have Acts on every weekend and some nights in the week too. The ladies that sing in the marina bar, 'Madonna', 'Dolly Parton' and 'Dusty Springfield', have regular spots there. Each of these venues are so different from each other. O'Maras is small friendly and intimate, everyone knows Keith and Kevin the owners and the bar staff and their custom tends to be regular and steady.
The All inclusive hotels tend to be in general, impersonal, fast turnovers, drink as much as you can by the poolside places, but they do have a few returning clientele who genuinely like the way all-inclusive hotels work, but are not afraid to leave and see the sights, lie on the beach or go to bars and buy a drink.
Heroes is bigger than O'maras and smaller than the Magic hotels, there is a regular clientele and the current owner and his wife seem to know what they are doing, which is vital in a holiday resort when you are dependant upon the weather, the exchange rate and airline fuel surcharges.
Interestingly, the one thing our friendly barmen have in common is the marina bar. This is their sanctuary when they decide to socialise and much of the inspiration for these blogs come from them.
One of the best nights of the year in New Year's Eve. We all travel to town on the bus, those of us not working that is. we probably start at the company bar, owned by Trevor and Dave. Now they like to dress up on New Year's Eve and me and ange decided they looked the best a couple of years ago when Dave wore the top half of a leather clad rocker and the bottom half a tutu. and Trevor wore the bottom half of a leather rocker and the top half of a ballerina. The make-up was courtesy of the Rich Bitch guys.
Approaching the Spanish New Year count down we all walk to the Triangle where there is a stage and a group playing. On the twelve chimes of midnight, the Spanish tradition is to eat 12 grapes one per chime, and drink Cava to let the New year in. Then there is the predictable firework display, always fantastic.
By 0100 am we have migrated to the corner of Casa Don Juan, a bar run and owned by Philip. Last year Philip excelled himself. There were singers on the balcony of his apartments, his staff circulated with sandwiches free of charge, and there was a party atmosphere second to none. My son Ian and our friends Ian and Christine were here to celebrate too. At one point I was talking to Christine and was distracted by Jonathan, when I turned back to Christine she had disappeared. I said to Ian her husband "where did Christine go" he pointed down to the floor, and there she was slumped on the pavement looking 'tired' well as tired as a newt anyway.
We all had a brilliant time and managed to get taxis around 3.00 am. Christine didn't see new Years Day....
Mitica and Rich Bitch
...This week my niece Michelle and her boyfriend Rick arrive for a week's holiday. I pick them up on Tuesday lunchtime from Alicante airport. On Sunday night Dave picks up his house guests who are here for a week too. It is his brother and his wife. So on Thursday we have booked lunch at Mitica, which is a very Spanish restaurant up on the old N332 road. They do a good menu del dia for 9 euros. We hope Rick can eat something because we hear he is a bit selective with food. So there will be 12 of us, Pete, Dave, Brother and sister, me, Ange, Michelle, Rick, Laurence, Tony, Patrick and Neil. So I guess we will be having a few vino collapsos too.
We have a few things lined up for Michelle and Rick, one of which is a visit to 'Rich Bitch'. This is a drag show and featured on BBC's "A place in the sun". Gary and Michael, (Gary played the vicar in the latest series of "Benidorm" ) are two nice guys and have a great business. It is 5 Euros to enter, and they sell you raffle tickets half way through the show for a range of products emblazoned with their pictures and logo. http://www.richbitch-benidorm.com/
Gary is transformed into 'Miss Jordan Rivers', Lulabelle is in drag from the moment you arrive as is Sheila Blige, who is quite scandalous all the way through the evening. You are shown a video for about an hour prior to the show which allows you to get drinks and chat, then there is a sing song followed by an opportunity to be photographed with the three stars, and then the show starts proper. The bar is closed for the duration of the show. If you are offended by bad language please don't go, however, language or not it is a very funny show. There is some audience participation and Sheila Blige picks her victim at random, a little tip, sit at the back!
Part way through Miss Jordan Rivers has a monologue spot where she tells jokes and anecdotes, and the finale is performed to "I am what I am...." as Miss Jordon Rivers transforms back to Gary. It is very professional and well worth a visit.
The other plan is to go to Paneils restaurant. We like it there as does Michelle. So she is going to treat us for having her stay, which is very nice of her too.
I suspect that a lot of her time here will be on the beach sunbathing.
The temperature is in the mid 30's C now and a bit humid. People are in the pool at the apartment block or in the sea desperate to cool off. The Pedalo boats are used to capacity the two lifeguards on permanent alert. Ange and I have seen an offer at Lidl for sun beds at 26 euros so we may invest and join the throng. What is nice is to make a picnic, a couple of bottles of white wine, fill the cooler box and spend an afternoon/evening on the beach retiring to the bar at dusk.
We did that last year when Joanne (Jonathan's sister) was here with her son Joseph. We all went to the beach sunbathed, ate, drank and was extremely merry, we left the beach at 11 pm and went to the Marina bar to be thrown out at about 3 am. The Marina has a licence until 4 am but clearly if there are only a few people they like to shut the bar. One night they were piling up the tables and chairs all around us, and clearly looking at us hoping we got the message. We were drinking wine that night, by the bottle, so when we asked for the bill, Antonio brought a bottle unopened and said "Perhaps you would like to dreenk theese on your balcony"......
We have a few things lined up for Michelle and Rick, one of which is a visit to 'Rich Bitch'. This is a drag show and featured on BBC's "A place in the sun". Gary and Michael, (Gary played the vicar in the latest series of "Benidorm" ) are two nice guys and have a great business. It is 5 Euros to enter, and they sell you raffle tickets half way through the show for a range of products emblazoned with their pictures and logo. http://www.richbitch-benidorm.com/
Gary is transformed into 'Miss Jordan Rivers', Lulabelle is in drag from the moment you arrive as is Sheila Blige, who is quite scandalous all the way through the evening. You are shown a video for about an hour prior to the show which allows you to get drinks and chat, then there is a sing song followed by an opportunity to be photographed with the three stars, and then the show starts proper. The bar is closed for the duration of the show. If you are offended by bad language please don't go, however, language or not it is a very funny show. There is some audience participation and Sheila Blige picks her victim at random, a little tip, sit at the back!
Part way through Miss Jordan Rivers has a monologue spot where she tells jokes and anecdotes, and the finale is performed to "I am what I am...." as Miss Jordon Rivers transforms back to Gary. It is very professional and well worth a visit.
The other plan is to go to Paneils restaurant. We like it there as does Michelle. So she is going to treat us for having her stay, which is very nice of her too.
I suspect that a lot of her time here will be on the beach sunbathing.
The temperature is in the mid 30's C now and a bit humid. People are in the pool at the apartment block or in the sea desperate to cool off. The Pedalo boats are used to capacity the two lifeguards on permanent alert. Ange and I have seen an offer at Lidl for sun beds at 26 euros so we may invest and join the throng. What is nice is to make a picnic, a couple of bottles of white wine, fill the cooler box and spend an afternoon/evening on the beach retiring to the bar at dusk.
We did that last year when Joanne (Jonathan's sister) was here with her son Joseph. We all went to the beach sunbathed, ate, drank and was extremely merry, we left the beach at 11 pm and went to the Marina bar to be thrown out at about 3 am. The Marina has a licence until 4 am but clearly if there are only a few people they like to shut the bar. One night they were piling up the tables and chairs all around us, and clearly looking at us hoping we got the message. We were drinking wine that night, by the bottle, so when we asked for the bill, Antonio brought a bottle unopened and said "Perhaps you would like to dreenk theese on your balcony"......
Friday, 4 July 2008
Summer markets and summer sails
...The summer market has descended on La Cala de Finestrat once more. The first one was Wednesday night. From San Juan onwards until the end of August, the road outside the Marina bar is closed. The Police put up two barriers at the roundabout end of the road and there are two posts collapsed into the road with two covers over them, and the Police unlock the covers and raise the posts as a further deterrent for the would-be miscreant, should they ignore the temporary barrier and drive past.
This doesn't deter motorcyclists, they bob and weave around the barrier, unless a policeman catches them and then they are in deep dodo.
Once the road is closed the market stall holders drive up with assorted vehicles along the pedestrian footpath, do impossible U-turns in order to position themselves as close to their pitch as possible, where they unload, stall, lights, generators stock and chairs. For the next 30 minutes a market is constructed, then the vehicles are withdrawn to the nearest car park and business begins.
There are henna tattooists, there are numerous watch sellers, handbag and wallet sellers, street artists selling you a cartoon drawing service, where your features are exaggerated to the degree you look deformed and they sold to the patsy who poses for it. Toys, swimming gear, flippers, snorkels, and miscellaneous sea related products are sold at every other stall. Two very nicely dressed Caribbean ladies braid and plait hair for 5 euros, a Mexican-looking family sell T shirts and skirts and sarongs etc.
The bars take advantage of this magnet for tourists. They are allowed to place extra tables and chairs on the footpath adjacent to the market. The Marina has a good position and is the first bar that the market customers pass. http://webcam.comunitatvalenciana.com/webcam-costablanca-finestrat-28
This market happens Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the summer.
Last weekend but one, Pete and Dave went on Laurence and Tony's boat for a sail. There were two other guests, one of whom was graham. Graham is a character in his own right. Past retirement age and 100% gay. When he worked he was a sailor in the merchant navy. So a little sail in a yacht should be a doddle. And so it was until in Dave's words "we hit a gale force 8". Apparently the automatic compass is no use whatsoever when you are in full sail and in a gale force 8, the yacht goes with the wind. But Tony and Laurence and the other guest whose name escapes me, were splicing main braces and moving the misssin mast and aiming the pointed end as best they could, whilst Graham the seasoned sailor was screaming expletives and Dave and Pete were at the blunt end opening a bottle of wine. (You have to take your cap of to Pete and Dave). As the yacht was going further and further out to sea Tony said to Dave and Pete "have you ever been to Ibiza.......?
Ange and I are going for a sail on the 18th July......gulp!
This doesn't deter motorcyclists, they bob and weave around the barrier, unless a policeman catches them and then they are in deep dodo.
Once the road is closed the market stall holders drive up with assorted vehicles along the pedestrian footpath, do impossible U-turns in order to position themselves as close to their pitch as possible, where they unload, stall, lights, generators stock and chairs. For the next 30 minutes a market is constructed, then the vehicles are withdrawn to the nearest car park and business begins.
There are henna tattooists, there are numerous watch sellers, handbag and wallet sellers, street artists selling you a cartoon drawing service, where your features are exaggerated to the degree you look deformed and they sold to the patsy who poses for it. Toys, swimming gear, flippers, snorkels, and miscellaneous sea related products are sold at every other stall. Two very nicely dressed Caribbean ladies braid and plait hair for 5 euros, a Mexican-looking family sell T shirts and skirts and sarongs etc.
The bars take advantage of this magnet for tourists. They are allowed to place extra tables and chairs on the footpath adjacent to the market. The Marina has a good position and is the first bar that the market customers pass. http://webcam.comunitatvalenciana.com/webcam-costablanca-finestrat-28
This market happens Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the summer.
Last weekend but one, Pete and Dave went on Laurence and Tony's boat for a sail. There were two other guests, one of whom was graham. Graham is a character in his own right. Past retirement age and 100% gay. When he worked he was a sailor in the merchant navy. So a little sail in a yacht should be a doddle. And so it was until in Dave's words "we hit a gale force 8". Apparently the automatic compass is no use whatsoever when you are in full sail and in a gale force 8, the yacht goes with the wind. But Tony and Laurence and the other guest whose name escapes me, were splicing main braces and moving the misssin mast and aiming the pointed end as best they could, whilst Graham the seasoned sailor was screaming expletives and Dave and Pete were at the blunt end opening a bottle of wine. (You have to take your cap of to Pete and Dave). As the yacht was going further and further out to sea Tony said to Dave and Pete "have you ever been to Ibiza.......?
Ange and I are going for a sail on the 18th July......gulp!
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