Sunday 17 April 2016

Off to Spain again



The sun is out, we have just confirmed going to our friend's mountain retreat in Spain in a few weeks, and today we are going to view the Bluebell woods, so - with a bit of luck - this could turn out to be a positive post.

This mountain retreat is near El Chorro, where the maniacs walk the crumbling footpath on the edge of the cliffs - see above if you can bear it. We sometimes sit in a little cafe far below, watching them creep along about 300 feet above.

1200 people a day visit this area, I am told, so my friend's plan of opening up a little B&B with restaurant attached sounds like a good idea to me. I am almost envious of the lifestyle. The man of the family has been working as a geologist for the petroleum industry - one month off, one month on - for years, and I am not envious of this as a lifestyle. He's put in the hours and now that oil has fallen to about $40 a barrel, I think he has a very pleasant future ahead of him.

20 comments:

  1. I feel sick looking at that video....
    Behave in spain , they dont just slap a person when insulted, they will stab you in the face with a bullfighter's sword

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    1. How come they don't kill all those nasty drunken Brits in Torremolinos then? Anyway, I am the model tourist - until I miss a flight...

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  2. Sounds good. Just what you need. If you look at Mitchell is Moving on my side bar (or John's) you will see three examples of town houses to buy for restoration in Malaga. I think El Chorro is near Malaga isn't it? Have a look.

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    1. Yes, we have been there quite a few times. The whole of Spain is being bought-up by foreigners, to the extent that the locals cannot afford their own houses. They made a killing selling-up, and have plunged the young into a poverty trap by hiking the prices.

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  3. I'm hoping that you all will have a fine holiday. I did watch a bit of that video, and wondered why folks do like to take that cliffside walk. Your cafe plan seems much wiser and more enjoyable.

    Best wishes.

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    1. Thanks, Frances. That walkway has been condemned for years - for obvious reasons. It serviced a large reservoir in the mountain on the other side, from where my friends get their water.

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  4. Hope you enjoyed the bluebell woods. I miss the bluebells and primroses in France, just cowslips everywhere. The wine is good here though.

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    1. The wine is good here as well - but 4 times the price. Bluebells, at a cost...

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  5. How nice to have you not grousing for once! I hope you can get some good pics of the bluebell woods for us. Where is it?

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    1. We didn't go yesterday - got caught up in other stuff - booking the flights being the main thing. There are a few woods, but the one we visit is close to South Wraxall - on the way to Atworth or B.O.A.

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  6. The Camino del Rey walk has been upgraded and is now no longer the suicidal trek it used to be. I think it was opened sometime last year and you now have to book, and pay, to use it. Nowhere nearly so much fun !

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  7. A holiday in Spain sounds wonderful. And post some pictures of the bluebell woods...that sounds beautiful!

    Somehow I don't picture you skipping merrily along a flower-studded path, enjoying nature and a spring morning.

    When I think of you I envision a scowling man sitting in a smoke filled pub instead. Haha!

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    1. If I am scowling, it is because the pub is not smoke-filled.

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  9. I braved the video to the end. That is frightening, especially the piece where he walks on the iron bar! Greetings Maria x

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  10. Well I spent the day in Naples.

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  11. France and Spain have one thing in common; Brits come here for the peace and quiet, then open gites, or B & B's, or camping sites. They do the same when moving to Cornwall or Devon.

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    1. Yes, and the economies of all three suffer as a result - a bit like the English in Wales. In fairness, though, Cornwall has always wanted to be independent of England - unlike Wales. At least my friends are fluent Spanish speakers and have been since they could talk at all.

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