Stuff happens!
Back to Spain, all is now well and the sun is shining. I’m counting my blessings and enjoying the rest after a very hectic three months I decided I needed some chill out time and where better than my beloved Spain. Yes Mexico would have been preferable, but as it wasn’t possible for various reasons, off to Spain it was.
But stuff happens doesn’t it!
We boarded the plane to taxi along the runway and return to base with engine problems. One hour later it was take off but by now plenty of the passengers were somewhat unnerved, including me. My assumption being they wouldn’t depart if they didn’t have every confidence in the plane now would they?
So, I arrived at my Spanish destination early evening to find out that, the room I had booked had been given to someone else. Can they do that? They did! And what they offered in its place was most unsuitable (for reasons I won’t go into just now) Uhm! Having driven around the small town to find that all the other hotels were closed for the Christmas/New Year break, I was somewhat scuppered. It makes me think of the, ‘no room at the Inn scenario!’ Now, my destination being about 2 hours’ drive and, although the roads were pretty good, I had not wanted to do that alone at night. I knew the route, and there were no services and most of it boasted darkness. Nevertheless, it seemed I had no choice other than to sleep in the car – not an option. Therefore with poor driving conditions, actually relentless rain, I was on my way. Sure wish I had eaten something on the plane ‘cos with one dry biscuit and a packet of chewing gum my stomach was not happy. Well this wasn’t supposed to happen, was it? What about those plans to stay on the coast and enjoy supper on arrival? Possibly an early morning walk next day along the sea-front! Don’t get me started.
Thankfully 2 hours later I found my favourite motel and managed to grab some café con leche before the final few kilometres to my abode for the following week. Grateful that the electricity was on – because it had a habit of going off in rural Spain during stormy weather – with nothing to eat and only water to drink, I didn’t care. Just needed to sleep! The next morning and three kilometres to the nearest shop the hire car wouldn’t start. Four hours waiting for recovery. Learning patience!
The car sorted and off to collect some groceries, remembering it would be the Three Kings Celebration so the shops would be closing, I needed to buy enough for at least a couple of days. So bag of groceries in hand and about to enjoy the weekend at my Spanish retreat, waiting for friends to arrive the 70mph winds came before the friends. Yes you guessed it; the electricity went off and, with no logs for the fire all means of cooking and keeping warm -being all electric – I decided that perhaps I should have stayed in Yorkshire.
But then stuff happens and actually I’m not complaining ‘cos I could have been in the UK and under several feet of water. Yes I know only too well what it is like to suffer the consequences of flooding. The memory of living in outer London, being 7 months pregnant and wading through water to my waistline was no joke. Thank God we had insurance as our ground floor flat surrended everything to the water. Believe me when you have had all the muck and filth floating around amongst your personal belongings, you don’t really want them back. Consequently my heart goes out to all those who are suffering from the floods at the moment.
Company of friends, with time to reflect on 2013, do some planning for 2014, rest and of course write. Plus looking forward to heading towards Granada later in the week, and then on to Malaga.
Awesome scenery, you must try it some time. A92 Baza to Malaga and you will pass plenty of cave houses on the way.
http://www.andalucia.com/province/granada/baza/home.htm
So I will be leaving the province of Murcia and Granada behind me and heading for the Costa del Sol, somewhat commercialised and over developed but still a beautiful coastline. I’m looking forward to a few walks along the paseo and capturing a gentle sea breeze before I return to the UK.
Then it will be fish and chips and Yorkshire Pudding. Not on the same plate of course.
Until then, just thought I would mention, bobbed to the internet café to check in online and print my boarding pass for next week, to battle with a broken kerbstone on my way out. Forced to sit there for several minutes surrounded by books and, praying I had not broken my kneecap. It was interesting to note how many people passed by. Maybe they thought I was reading!
All I can say is, I went with force, the knee cracked and thank God after a retreat to the internet café, some tea and chocolate, I survived with a sore knee and torn leggings.
Stuff happens!
Chat soon
Anna
