The sun shone everyday, although we had a welcomed warm breeze that made the temperatures more bearable and we were able to spend less time under the parasol or seeking shade (except during the peak periods) resulting in a lovely tan and one which we haven't had for quite some time because usually we have to get out of the sun.
Having had quite a few personal problems that started just before last Christmas and one thing after another seems to have occurred nearly every month, we decided that this holiday was going to be a relaxing one in every way possible and that meant no watching a TV or reading a newspaper, which I managed to do, but the hubby sneaked off to watch the England under 21's play football in a local bar.
It started off quite badly with a 9-hour delay that took us both 2 days to recover from, we were totally stressed and shattered and did nothing but sleep.
We both like walking as long as it is on the flat and will normally walk for miles, but I gave the hubby strict warnings that I was walking nowhere for at least the first week, apart from across the promenade and onto a sun bed on the beach with a good book and my MP3 player.
After 4 days we both got itchy feet, so we walked to Torremolinos town centre and back and had a good nosey around, we bought some bits and bobs but mainly went for the Sevilla football shirt the hubby wanted badly.
Each night we walked along the promenade either towards Torremolinos or Benalmadena calling in for a drink along the way.
We made further visits to Torremolinos, most of the time not intending to go there, but just seemed to always end up there when strolling on the flat promenade.
We went to the Hotel Bali one night to see an old friend who works there, who is now in charge of the entertainment for the hotels in the Med Playa group, that was quite emotional and he was so pleased to see us and visa versa.
The second week we went on the train to Fuengirola, mainly to stock up on some spices and herbs from the stall upstairs in the indoor market (opposite the train station)
My suitcase smells lovely despite the spices being double wrapped in plastic bags and sealed"¦ with garlic bulbs, saffron, root ginger, cinnamon sticks, black pepper, chilli's and hot mixed peppers All are very reasonably priced compared to the UK and will blow your head off when mixed into a curry.
Did a bit of shopping in the Dunes store buying 3 pairs of ¾ trousers that are like cargo style with loads of pockets, good quality too "¦they will come in handy for Benidorm at Xmas and worked out around £10 per pair, then we came back to Carihuela because Fuengirola was red hot and the traffic was horrendous"¦it was too busy for me and a "shady" looking character stopped us and asked if we were Spanish, but the fool asked us in English adios you idiot
came back to El Pinnillo Station and walked downhill to Carihuela and appreciated just how tranquil and civilised the place is while looking at the Mediterranean sea with a cold drink in the hand. One day this week (can't remember the exact day) we had a day for the tourists promoting fish La Carihuela was/is a fishing village and is world famous for its fish restaurants, but the event ended up like a "free for all" with the locals pushing and shoving amongst the tourists to get a sample of the seafood, which was a shame considering that they can eat fish until it comes out of their ears everyday.
We, by sheer luck rather than judgement, managed to get a plastic plate which then had 3 sardines, 3 king sized prawns, calmares and bread placed on it, plus you got a glass of sangria or San Miguel...it was a very party atmosphere
All the fish was donated by the local restaurants and was free, but it really was spoilt by the locals not letting the tourists sample what their "town" is famous for and some more thought and organisation is needed (in my opinion) for any future events, which apparently occur only once a year"¦El dia del pescaito.
Torremolinos (Carihuela) is having a 5* hotel built and the building site we could see from our balcony and on occasions (thank god not very often) hear the pile driver.
Me being nosey had to go and explore"¦the hotel will hopefully be completed in May 2010 and will be called the Hotel Cruiser it will have 15 floors in a "Torre type" structure with further apartments at ground level.
The model shows a helicopter landing pad on the top of the main tower, but I was informed and given photos of the revised plans, which now look like a glass dome. The reason why the plans have been modified (I was told by the promoter) was because of problems with Malaga airport so the helicopter idea has been scrapped.
The prices for the apartments (which are for sale) are lottery winning figures I'm afraid to say.
Well, that's just about sums up what we managed to do in 2 weeks, not very exciting but certainly did us both the world of good, we never got to Arroyo, Paloma park, Mijas or any further and I didn't take the camcorder as the only batteries I wanted to charge"¦were my own.
I arrived home and after a cuppa tea checked my e-mails...nothing has changed, the youngest lad has sent a pleading poverty e-mail
Kids...who'd have em ?
Saludos
Sanjiiiiii
Edited because of a typo error
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Edited by
Sanji
2007-06-25 17:57:38
with it.
