Mijas catch up and debrief

 

Ah Mijas, its been so good I didn't make time to blog, instead I threw myself into the holiday and the fun of sharing it with friends

Fun and laughter has been the order of every day.

so lets play catch up.

Friday morning for me started with an early breakfast and then a walk around the village, Clocking up the steps and taking in the range of views from our mountain retreat. 

I loved watching the village come to life.

Back at the hotel, Tracey was taking it easy as she had an appointment at the spa, By afternoon we were all around the pool and of course I just had to go in, despite Steve saying there were icebergs in the water!!!!

It was bracing to say the least, but in I went.

We stayed at the hotel to eat on Friday evening, as the 'fluy' thing that Tracey  had been fighting since Christmas Eve took hold. A selection of pizzas and drinks  were ordered, before an early night all around.

Saturday morning and I was up early, so   breakfast  and watching the sunrise from my personal aerie before a village walk, I took various routes around the village heading higher up the mountain and then back down to the hotel, lots of inclines and stairs. The cool mountain air, an absolute tonic and just what I needed, knowing that I have a winter to endure when I get home.

Saturday was also the day that my friends Sophie and Terry were  coming down another mountain from the village that they live in and coming to see me. We had agreed that lunch and a hug was just what we needed and it was indeed.

We headed off for a walk around the village as they hadn't been before. We then ended up in the same restaurant the we had been in on Thursday evening

The restaurant is called Peccati di Gola and the food is exceptional and very reasonable. We had a lovely meal and lots of chatter and laughs. We haven't seen each other since July 2023 but it was like yesterday and its always so good to be with them.

We wandered back to the hotel and had coffee on the bar terrace, before they had to head back to Competa. A wonderful afternoon with wonderful friends.

Meanwhile Saturday evening took a downward slide in the hotel bar, it turned into a fun and fab night with way too many martinis, cosmopolitans and beer and Black Russians, 

What are holidays for if not at least one night of excess???!!!!

The fun and laughter went on into the wee small hours. 

Sunday was a late start for us all and I had a much shorter walk than normal, as I was feeling a little fragile.

Breakfast was a litre of water, couple of paracetamols, scrambled eggs and toast.

The village still looked amazing and was very quiet as the day had not really started.

It was our last day and we had planned to take in the Christmas market, which was finishing.

Steve and Tracey took a tuk tuk ride around the village ( Tracey and I did this in November) and Cathy and I had lunch in the hotel, before I headed back to to my room for an hours nap.

We assembled at 6.30pm and  walked to the Christmas market  through the beautifully lit up streets.

There was an open air concert in the main square and it seemed that the whole village was out having a good evening.

We headed back to the ever popular restaurant and had another fabulous meal, before a slow walk back to the hotel.

We decided on a nightcap.............................. cava ahoy!!!! Even grumpy Gabriel, the bar man laughed, maybe that was because he knew it was out last night!

Monday was  here before we knew it and after breakfast we were on the coach back to the airport.

Back to wind and rain in the UK ( and possibly snow).

The Debrief.

I think that returning to this resort and hotel less than 5 weeks after leaving in November says it all. I had in fact booked this trip less than an hour after getting home in November.

I love this place and enjoy the complete peace and quiet. The village has everything that I need.

I'm already booked for my next visit and I will definitely be having a dip in the pool again .

Off again

 

After a 1.45 am alarm call, very quick taxi journey to the airport, I was up in the air and on my way back to Mijas.

There was a stunning sunrise, which I saw despite being  absolutely shattered. I managed about 20 minutes sleep on the plane. It was going to  be a LONG day.

Arriving in Malaga, it was time to start the passport conga, another tedious side effect from Brexit. thankfully its as tedious for those who voted leave, gives them time to reflect on how well we are doing 'getting our country back'.

On the bus and within 30 mins we were wheeling cases down the incline to the hotel.

Time to have a martini and relax. They make a perfect martini here. Once fed and watered decisions were made on  what to do. Steve and Cathy opted for a sleep, Tracey and I headed out for a walk into town.

We had left here on November the 18th and apart from the Christmas lights being put up in the streets there was no sign of the festive season.  How wonderful to see the town all dressed up for Christmas.

Lots of trees individually decorated in the town, it looked lovely. We headed back to the hotel and decided to get ready for an early dinner and an early night.

The hotel was decorated with  an abundance of poinsettias, which adorned every area, there were lots of my favourite white/cream ones. 

I had a long soak in the bath and then headed down to the bar to meet up with the gang.

we walked up in to the centre of town and had a wonderful meal, portions which were not too much, just the right amount for tired travelers.

a slow walk home and then  a couple of rounds on the massage chairs ( highly recommend) before bed.

It had been an 20 hour day!!!!

Last day and Mijas the debrief

 

Our last day in Mijas was spent around the pool, being 'hardcore; we were there from 9.30am until 4.30pm. we didn't venture into the pool ,after watching a man dive and come up gasping for air.

Sunday evening involved dinner at a local restaurant and then into the bar for peppermint tea, before bedtime. 

we had to be bright eyed and bushy tailed the next morning for our journey home.

The debrief.

Mijas!

I arrived in the aftermath of the storms of Wednesday 13th November, luckily for the mountain village it seems to have  missed the devastation that had hit the coast. The beaches were 'soaked' and littered with debris, the seas were high and apparently the brave of heart took the opportunity to surf.

From the moment I walked into the hotel I felt a sense of calm, it seemed to be a small hotel, WRONG, it was large and spread in vast grounds, however this did not make it  any  less wonderful.

A distinctly 'Spanish' style, it was really quirky which totally appealed to me. The staff were absolutely amazing, friendly and helpful.

On my corridor there was a picture of Lumley Castle, you couldn't get more random than that!

The walk from the  hotel to the heart of the village took about 5 minutes if like us you were 'gassing' all the way. At the tourist office there were great view.

The 'famous' Mijas donkeys  were lined up near here, not my idea of fun, and all down to tourists wanting to get a ride and photograph back in the early days of tourism here.

Wandering through the streets, you would find museums, and shops as well as wonderful cafes and restaurants. 

The Flamenco school is like an after school club for the local children, the fact that they have pride in their culture is a lesson to a lot of countries.

We were lucky enough to see the Picasso and Salvador Dali exhibition which was brilliant.

I highly recommend the Museum of Miniature, which like most things in this village, is funded by the  village and puts the money back into the village.

The weather was just what you need in November,  it was warm and sunny sometimes cloudy, but far better than home and just being outside all day was enough to give you a boost. I haven't ever seen me sunbathing in my garden in November!

I absolutely loved it and especially celebrating my big birthday, and so my big birthday year, comes to an end or does it???????............................ TBC

Saturday

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday dawned with mist over the mountains.

Tracey had arranged for us to go on a boat trip and hopefully see dolphins, however with all the rain, this was cancelled. High seas as well as lots of debris washed down into the sea was the reason. Obviously safety was of the utmost importance.

So we decided to have a wander into town and take a tuk-tuk ride.

Well this was brilliant, 35 mins tour of places that tourists don't really see ( unless they do the tour).

the real village, that of the locals is beautiful and  full of colour. Flowers and tubs set against the white buildings. Stairs down the many levels and everywhere very clean.

We went up to the bull ring which no longer hosts bull fights ( how they got them up there was in the back of my mind). The bull ring is actually square!

Next to the bull ring is a church, which used to be a mosque!

And close by was the open air theatre.

We went along the top road which gave amazing views down to the coast.

 

 

Back down in the village we headed off to see the Throne of the Virgin of the Rock. Absolutely huge and so intricately decorated. 

Just up from here was an exhibition of artwork by Picasso and Salvador Dali. 

WOW! I was in my element.

I took too many photos to put here.

Chatting with the gentleman at the gallery, it turns out that he is related to the owner of the Crystal museum in Malaga that I went to last year. Small world!

We headed back to the  hotel, stopping in a little bar for a sandwich and beer. 

back at the hotel and down to the pool, I didn't go in! it was freezing. we were the last ones to leave!.

Our evening was about pampering as we headed to the spa, I was asleep before she even started, and came out glowing. 

We headed  to the bar for a couple of drinks and a bite to eat, before turning in for the night.

It was an absolutely brilliant day, and great to see so much of the town.

My big birthday

  

You can  all give a huge sigh of relief as  the big birthday has arrived and you wont be hearing about it again, haha you wish!. Its continuing for a few more days.

I woke up later than expected and had a Whatsapp chat with my work mates, one in Darlington ( more about that later) one in Goa and me in Spain. 

I then headed down for a birthday breakfast of oranges and yogurt, and scrambled egg on rye bread.  a 

couple of decaff espressos ( which really defeats the object) and I was good to go.

I walked up to the main town and was blown away by how clean everything was, people were busy about their business and I wandered through the whitewashed streets. I had been to the coastal part of Mijas many moons ago with Jon but we didn't make it up the mountain. What a beautiful town.

views were amazing.

I wandered up to the real reason for my walk, a Museum, The Museum of Miniature items.

You know me , I love a museum with a difference.

This was really brilliant and showed talent beyond exceptional 

 

Obviously glassware caught my eye and the Murano miniatures were just beautiful, even the signature Murano goblet.

The tiny teasets  and crockery were right up my street.

However this 'tiny' and I mean tiny jewellery set was just beyond belief. It was perfect in every detail.

Photographing them was very difficult as they were so tiny. 

Apart from this there was the seven wonders of the world carved on a toothpick. Abraham Lincoln painted on a pin head to name just 2 more exhibits. (360 in total)

This is a little museum, but I loved it.

I took a leisurely walk back looking at leather handbags because you just know I'll be bringing one home with me.

I settled myself down to read my book whilst waiting for the sun to come out.

Suddenly round the corner came my friend Tracey, who should have been in Darlington! No she tipped up in Mijas to surprise me.

 a couple of glasses of fizz on the terrace and the sun came out, so we headed to the pool, I even went in for a swim, twice, it was wonderful.

We walked into town to eat

and headed back under a full moon.

What a day! even better than I thought it would be.

I really like Mijas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big birthday get way

As my friend Lorraine said to me, 'you love an early start', and true to form I was heading up the A1 at 2am yesterday morning.

The M25 has nothing on the A1 in the early hours, Flashing lights one narrow lane, being eased off the motorway and onto a roundabout in the pitch dark. The joy of motoring. However it was all forgotten once I was checked in, and had a glass of champagne

A beautiful sunrise above the clouds

and some strange ones too, resembling ice packs I thought.

Flying into Malaga gave  me an idea of what they had encountered the night before, it must have been very frightening.

Queues to get through passport control where unbelievable. and for those who voted us out, well done!

Coach transfer and I was dropped off at my hotel in the sky

I chose this hotel as it looked very Spanish.

not disappointed so far.

 I had a laze around the pool and then walked up to the supermarket ( important to know where it is). back to my room and was fast asleep by 6pm, that's old age for sure!!!!

And today is the day! I am ready to hit Mijas with all  the 60year old energy I can  muster.

What's in store

 

Well, here we are at  the beginning of November, and only two weeks to go until the end of my big birthday year.

Its been a very challenging year for me health wise. This kicked off in the new year and I am still waiting to see that consultant!!!!

And then my adventures in the Croatian Health service ( which is  exemplary). Since coming home, I have been struggling to get help on the NHS and am still up in the air.

I have found myself  disappearing into a dark hole at times, I am living according to instructions and trying to get rest. Some days its is more overwhelming than others, but then some days I bounce back. I am saying this here, not for sympathy but just that if I cancel plans with friends, its not because I don't want to see you, it might just be that I cannot make myself do it. And as such I am not pushing myself.

After stumping up rather a lot of money, I upped my travel insurance to cover me and am hoping to  be having my birthday abroad. Everything is in place, I just have to keep my fingers crossed.

All being said, I intend to see my 60th birthday in typical Lainey style where ever I am. I will have champagne!.

And as soon as my health problems are sorted /stabilised I will be booking  for more adventures.

Maybe, I might stretch  my Big Birthday year out to my next birthday...........