Archive
Archive contains a few of the recent postings - in case you missed one.
Life in Almerimar (1st December 2008)
We are now back on Pondlife after spending a couple of weeks in Donna and Ron's apartment, Os loved it- three cats and Sky television who could ask for more! Shaggy on the other hand was not so sure about the cats, "aren't I supposed to chase and they run?" Well they didn't so he kissed them instead. Our friends also let us use their car so we explored the Tebernas Sierra, this is a mountain range and Europe's only dessert that sits behind us at the marina. Whilst there we visited Mini Texas, a western set where the old spaghetti westerns were filmed and David Beckam shot the Pepsi advert. There was a mini zoo, carriage ride and a gun fight at the OK corral. Os thought it was great he collected all the spent shells from the guns.
Along the motorway from here there is a Brent Cross style shopping centre with Toys ‘R'us - fab just what was needed with Christmas fast approaching, you can get pretty much the same products out here and generally they are less expensive with one exception, no English books. My mother brought out another consignment last week thank goodness as Oscar is devouring the ones we have.
Christmas will be spent with Ron, Donna and son Chris at their apartment we are really looking forward to it. I didn't think we would be having a traditional Christmas this year, so it is a real treat that they have invited us.
The weather is cooler now but at an average of 18 degrees you do need a fleece of an evening - still T-shirts through the day though. We start the day with Oscar's schooling then lunch followed by a bike ride or a walk along the beach and around the harbour. The time seems to fly by we can't believe its December already.
In early February we plan to go and stay with John Foster; he lives in the mountains above Malaga, so it will be good to explore a new area; we hope he is still speaking to us as we have been promising him a visit for the past 2 months!
Paul, Oscar and some friends took part in a Spanish regatta on another cruiser's yacht; they didn't win but had a good time.
Oscar is so excited he is counting down the days to Christmas, he wrote his wish list letter to Father Christmas and Donna kindly posted it from the UK -quicker than Spanish post! He has been busy making cards which he negotiated as part of his schooling?! He is a cheeky monkey.
The boat is decorated with bubals, tinsel, lights and a little tree that Donna kindly donated; it does feel festive especially at night with the lights on.
Jerry, Annie and Tayla are out here so we hope to see them next week, we haven't told Os just in case it doesn't happen he will be so pleased to see Tayla.
Fingers crossed! We have a new tenant for the house; she works for the US government and wants a two year contract which we have agreed to. The harbour authority have leased our berth so we are looking forward to our travels next year, we will hop up the coast here then across to the Balearics, Sardinia, Corsica, the boot of Italy, Greece and hopefully Turkey for the winter. Next the ARC!!!!
It seems so strange being away from home at this time of year, we really miss you all...XXX
"We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!"
Life in Almerimar 3rd November
Halloween was celebrated with the obligatory BBQ, we were joined by our English friends Ron and Donna, Chris and Lisa and two American Families. Oscar had a whale of a time, firstly Greg [10] and he got dressed up on board Pondlife Os as a vampire, Greg as scary Arab person [The family purchase a traditional outfit from each country they visit, I may adopt this tradition]. Then we made our way to the beach. We decided on a spot in the children's play area opposite the beach a little less windy and the children could play whilst we cooked supper. Cara [12], Oscars new girl friend [Zoe you have competition] arrived and donned her witches outfit; next to join us was Dante [2] in his horse costume!
After the BBQ the children went trick and treating visiting boats [Peter and Monica obliged, they would normally pretend they weren't at home] and apartments - well he returned with a massive bag of goodies, Paul and him are working their way through!
Most of our boaty friends are leaving tomorrow for the Canaries and then onto the Caribbean, it will be sad to see them go we have had fun.Our friends Ron and Donna are also away for two weeks they have kindly loaned us their car so we hope to do some exploring, Oscar is very excited as we are looking after their three cats.
It is still surprisingly warm here av. 20 degrees ,although it gets a little chilly in the evenings. A fleece is needed and you can see snow on the mountains behind us. Can't wait until it gets really wintery, funny the things you miss from home we haven't had an Autumn, no falling leaves from trees, the flowers are still out, the Spanish are all dressed in the latest winter fashion high boots with big chunky jumpers [ they must be melting]. As soon as the clothes hit the shops they are wearing them. I get some strange looks still in shorts and T-shirt with crocs, hair seems to be getting bigger by the day, and yes still with bright red face!
Paul purchased some water skis for Os, he negotiated the loan of an adult pair for him. Peter leant them his rib and they were off, Os got to stage 1 balancing in the water keeping himself upright but the sea was a little lumpy so he didn't want to go any further, Paul had a fab time criss crossing the wake whist Os filmed him!
Lisa kindly took Os with Cara and her two school friends to the Aquarium in Almeria; he saw sharks, stroked sting ray, stuck a star fish to his forehead and was rather worried by the Piranha.
We are really enjoying our stay here, there is always something going on and Oscar having made some friends is quite content. Everything from supermarket to laundrette is nearby; we can even purchase our sailing mags and other English goodies locally [very sad!]
Saturday 6th October
Ceuta in Morocco was fascinating, we visited a Spanish/Moroccan castle built in the 16th century it had a vast moat filled with turquoise water, there are some pictures in the gallery of it.
The afternoon was spent at a water park next to the marina, it was like being on a dessert island with palm trees and lagoons, it was vast, overlooking the sea.
Next stop Estepona, Costa del Sol
A massive marina with in excess of 1000 berths, we were really taken but alas no space for the winter.
The architect had built the resort with a Moorish feel to it with a maze of waterways, lots of restaurants and shops.
Following along the coast were Puerto De Jose Banus, Puerto Marbella and Bajadilla we gave all 3 amiss as they are horribly expensive and we have seen them before, we opted for an anchorage in Fuengirola, Paul took Oscar for a walk he said it was looking very tired and horribly English more so than he remembered when we visited the area 12 years ago [Thank you John Hyams].
The following day we arrived at Puerto Caleta De Valez
A quiet fishing harbour with a little marina at the back, we ended up spending 4 days there, with very few tourists it made a nice change and we met a very nice couple who keep their boat there, they use it as a base for skiing in the sierra Nevada, so strange to think that in about 8 weeks time there will be snow on the mountains!
We still have an ave. 25 degrees, but with no breeze it feels a lot warmer.
Chris and Tracey recommended an anchorage Ensenada de la Herradura, which was beautiful, clear blue sea with vast rocky cliffs and a pretty town, the bay was about 1 mile wide but very well protected so we felt safe.
We have encountered debris in the sea that you couldn't imagine, a swath of bamboo, trees, trunks and so many carrier bags I think we have lost count, whilst we were in Gibraltar this part of the coast was hit with a storm that lasted for a week, we have been sailing as much as possible with Paul and I taking it in turns to be look out at the front of the boat, because of this our daily sails have taken a lot longer. Although it wasn't such a hardship as the dolphins kept us all amused.
We have arrived in Puerto De Almerimar our base for the winter
On first impressions I thought I don't think so, but after a couple of days of finding my way around it is growing on me.
Our mooring is in a good central place but just away from the bars, we have a beach within 2 mins. Walk and there is a good play area for Oscar.
We have met some very nice people most of them live here so they have pointed us in the right direction with regard to restaurants, shopping and days out which is very useful.
Paul is out at this moment sea trialling a new boat for Ron and Tracey, they are really nice, they hail from Bracknell, but live down the road with their 3 cats, we have been invited for Sunday lunch Os can't wait to meet the cats.
There is a live aboard community that has a daily radio chat, they organise quiz nights, DVD and book swaps, ladies coffee mornings etc, etc a bit like an ex-pat life style, or at least how I would imagine it to be, we haven't participated yet but no doubt we will?!
Oscar has enrolled in to a Taekwondo class, with 5 other English speaking children, he really enjoys it, he remembers the moves that Samuel Grainger taught him [thinks he's a big boy], I just wish he wouldn't poke his tongue out when he does his kicks, and I'm worried he might bite his tongue!
The gym holds a body pump class which I might join; need to do something, getting rather large!
Another great couple that we first met in Gibraltar have arrived Peter and Monica, Their daughter A.J lives in Chertsey Road, Chobhan [Ally Tilbrook, I believe you may know her] what a small world. We have spent a few very nice evenings with them.
Our mobile is no longer working the service provider has gone into liquidation so our number will be changing, please don't try the old 0792 number at present.
