"A Year in Spain" My "last gasp" attempt at posting (informative info).

[jumartoo]

To be honest, I personally prefer dusty, than mud!

Agree

We've had a day at home. Laudy borrowed my bike again and she's still eager to buy it. When my new one arrives we have to put my old one in their apartment and let them know and they'll transfer the money. They go back to Holland on Friday . We have full use of both bikes when they are in Holland and Martin has said he'll make sure they are kept in good condition. A good deal for us all, us particularly

Tomorrow we have some parcels to collect and some extra bits of food to buy and then we're going away for three or four days. We did a nice ride north or Lorca some years ago and I have some lovely memories of a friend from that last trip . We might then nip west across to Velez Rubio to do a different ride that I've found, or even head north back to Coy.

There are lots of choices but we'll be back here for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Lunch was eaten on the terrace. Lovely and warm in the sun, but bitterly cold in the shade and breeze.

 

[Mikey RV]

You can eat it now, you posed for the camera.

 

[jumartoo]

You can eat it now, you posed for the camera.

If you believe Martin will pose for a photo when food is on the table, you obviously don't know him

 

[jumartoo]

We spent an hour or so yesterday evening with our Dutch neighbours. We plied them with Crema de Orujo. Willem does drink some alcohol, but we've never seen Laudy drink anything other than Nestea I hope she felt OK this morning, she had to work!

We had some parcels to collect in Alhama, but once that was done we set off to park next to an Ermita in a hamlet just north of Lorca.

We were spoken "at" by a local woman and we both laughed later, when we got the Murcian "dora", dos horas in Castellano (two hours in English).

The same woman sent us off on a short cut to the rambla we were going to begin our ride up. We thought she was laughing at us from afar, then we found a tiny path that took us exactly where we wanted to be. Gracias senora

The ride was easy, as expected. We'd ridden it some years ago.

Some water. More than we expected.

Then some easy, single track riding.

Me (photo taken into the sun. That's good for seeing me in a nice hazy, wrinkle free way ).

And then, near the end. The Acueducto los 17 arcos. The aqueduct of the 17 arches.

We're now back at the motorhome area of Velez Rubio with 8 or 9 other motorhomes of varying national identities.

 

[Peavy]

when we got the Murcian "dora"

truh is they have a funny accent (funny in both ways ) .

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[jumartoo]

truh is they have a funny accent (funny in both ways ) .

Yeah (yes in proppa British ) and that's where we're trying our best to learn Castellano. Our good friend Angéla is from Albacete. Her speech is much easier to understand.

 

[gus-lopez]

Our good friend Angéla is from Albacete.

That's posh ,that is.

 

[jumartoo]

I'd found an easy ride. We set off and rode through real, wet, water, and then even spotted some icy patches.. who'd have thunk that, not us . We then had some lovely dry rambla riding. At each junction the surface became less packed, until we took a last left turn up a narrow river bed and began to encounter our challenges. Fallen trees first of all, then some steep banks (folowing off road motorbike trails) and some narrow gullies, both up and down.

With some careful pushing, pulling and scrambling, we survived.

We know we shouldn't be doing this at our age, but I'd chosen an "easy" route. What more can I do?

We've not been put off (yet) so tomorrow we're trying another easy route in a different part of the area.

And then on the easy ride back, we were watching the lovely clouds.

 

[jumartoo]

Another easy ride today, and in a totally different environment. Open mountains, more like parts of Sierra Nevada. We had a lovely time. The uphill was made easier by our boost setting on our ebikes, otherwise I wouldn't call it easy! Then we descended and joined a motorable track up to a Puerto (col) where I collected some lovely big pine cones. We then descended down to Velez Blanco and picked up a small road on the touristic route of the water Mills.

We were back at the van early enough to load the bikes, get washed and changed, down a beer, and walk to the town to find somewhere for lunch. We ended up having a bottle of red a d a Plato Combinado each. Martin had pork and ham, and I had some pulled beef.

Dismayingly, for us, most of the other people there were Brits (drinking) and a newly learnt word taught to us by my mum only yesterday on a video call (potty mouth) was recognised . Just how the 'F' word could be used so often in friendly conversation was an eye opener.

We ate and drank up and left before things got worse.

Some photos from our lovely mountain ride. Sorry, all posted out of order, again!

And for anyone not aware of the processionary caterpillars, one of their nests, and they are now getting quite active.

 

[Littlewheels]

Dismayingly, for us, most of the other people there were Brits (drinking) and a newly learnt word taught to us by my mum only yesterday on a video call (potty mouth) was recognised . Just how the 'F' word could be used so often in friendly conversation was an eye opener.

I find it a real challenge having to endure Fword and worse in general conversation especially now it’s become acceptable of almost fashionable at all levels, l can do my share when seriously annoyed or hitting my thumb with an hammer or similar but dropping it in normal conversation is pathetic.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[jumartoo]

I find it a real challenge having to endure Fword and worse in general conversation especially now it’s become acceptable of almost fashionable at all levels, l can do my share when seriously annoyed or hitting my thumb with an hammer or similar but dropping it in normal conversation is pathetic.

We feel the same. It was funny to have been taught "potty mouth" only yesterday by my 92 year old mum. Not so funny to listen to the potty word being used freely in a Spanish bar

 

[jumartoo]

Yesterday we had a slow drive home and did what is our Christmas food shopping at a Mercadona, next to a motorhome parking area.

We were surprised to see so many motorhomes already on there, but, looking on P4N it appears there's free leccy, so it's being abused and overstayed. Each to their own, I wouldn't want to spend a long time there.

We then had to get home quickly, because we'd had a lunch invite back in Totana.

Paco, our longest known Spanish friend, and his wife Encarna, had invited us. We also had to pick up our annual Christmas gift of home made pastries. This year we also came home with a lemon and anise drink and, even more importantly, a bottle of Paco's, genuinely organic, Olive Oil. We tried some on toast this morning and it was deeelicious

Some pastries have already been eaten by us, and a Swedish neighbour

 

[jumartoo]

Tomorrow we're riding to Los Olivos Camper Park where we're meeting Zac and Salli. Funsters ...

We haven't seen them for many years. Since their very first motorhome trip (anywhere) when they arrived at Totana totally newbies.

They are much more seasoned travellers now. It'll be great to try to remember them amongst all the other campers

 

[jumartoo]

We're having a very quiet Christmas here this year.

Last year I'd paid for my mum, and one of my brothers to travel with her, to stay in the apartment next door. Mum is now almost 92, but last year, at 91, we got her round the Roman amphitheatre at Cartagena and the Belen.

So, because we're not doing Cartagena again this year, these are photos from last year.

Cartagena is worth a visit any time.

Mum, at Mazarron.

And in Cartagena

And then some at the Belen (Nativity)

 

[jumartoo]

We also DID the Guns of Mazarron.

A popular trip.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Just smiffy]

A gift of olive oil… have you seen the price of it in the Spain is shops…

Your mum looks great at 91…

 

[jumartoo]

A gift of olive oil… have you seen the price of it in the Spain is shops…

Your mum looks great at

It's not just any olive oil, it's Paco's organic special oil

Mum still looks the same at almost 92. I don't think she'll get out here again. Unfortunately her passport doesn't have many months left on it and she doesn't think she'll get the value out of another 10 year one

 

[3DOM]

Merry Christmas to you both and thanks again
posting

 

[jumartoo]

Merry Christmas to you both and thanks again
posting

Thank you so much, and have a great Christmas yourself(ves).

 

[CAB96]

Merry Christmas to you both.

Thank you for continuing to post, but I do worry that you don't seem to have done any laundry lately

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[jumar]

Merry Christmas to you both.

Thank you for continuing to post, but I do worry that you don't seem to have done any laundry lately

A Merry Christmas to you too... laundry is no longer an issue as everything replaced..Thankyou Santa..

 

[Tigertom]

Merry Christmas to the two of you, really enjoying the thread.
Tom

 

[Helen Ariel]

Merry Christmas. Those cycling photos look wonderful. We are heading to Spain shortly and have joined the ebike gang so that we can make the most of the Spanish terrain. I truly cannot wait to ride under blue skies and come back with nothing more than dust on the bikes. It's a muddy, grey windy mess here day after day.

 

[jumartoo]

We also DID the Guns of Mazarron.

A popular trip.

View attachment 847269View attachment 847270View attachment 847271View attachment 847272View attachment 847273View attachment 847274View attachment 847275

Merry Christmas. Those cycling photos look wonderful. We are heading to Spain shortly and have joined the ebike gang so that we can make the most of the Spanish terrain. I truly cannot wait to ride under blue skies and come back with nothing more than dust on the bikes. It's a muddy, grey windy mess here day after day.

You'll love riding ebikes here.

 

[jumartoo]

Merry Christmas to you both.

Thank you for continuing to post, but I do worry that you don't seem to have done any laundry lately

Haha laundry has been done at home, in between our short trips. In fact, just for you ... even on Christmas Day

I'll be hanging it on the roof before we eat lunch and it'll be dry by late afternoon.

It's very warm here, in direct sun. Lunch will be eaten outside.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[jumar]

Merry Christmas. Those cycling photos look wonderful. We are heading to Spain shortly and have joined the ebike gang so that we can make the most of the Spanish terrain. I truly cannot wait to ride under blue skies and come back with nothing more than dust on the bikes. It's a muddy, grey windy mess here day after day.

Put the Smile back whilst riding uphill...if you haven't subscribed to Wikiloc, may I suggest you do...

 

[Helen Ariel]

Put the Smile back whilst riding uphill...if you haven't subscribed to Wikiloc, may I suggest you do...

Yes we did during our big trip a few years ago on your recommendation I believe. It's fantastic.

 

[bigtree]

Put the Smile back whilst riding uphill...if you haven't subscribed to Wikiloc, may I suggest you do...

I don't think I've ever smiled while riding uphill.

 

[jumartoo]

I don't think I've ever smiled while riding uphill. View attachment 847979

You'll learn

 

[jumar]

I don't think I've ever smiled while riding uphill. View attachment 847979

A grimace is almost a smile..a destination is always your goal...

When the journey has finished its time to plan the next,

While you are out there, remember there are many who cannot..

A new bike is not just for Christmas...it's for life..

Having fun is what life is all about. Afterall we cannot really take it seriously..

Never tell The Lord your plan...if anyone is going to mess it up, it's likely to be him..

Keep twiddling....and check your brakes before you set off down hill, not half way down..

Jumar

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}