Mid January

 

Here we are at the mid point of January and its been snowy, icy and foggy in equal measures, all things that I dislike immensely.

As I drove to work this morning on the A167 I had the moon setting on one side of the road and the sun rising on the other, stunning in equal measures

Both scenes showing the bareness of winter, scrubby grass and skeletal trees dominating the  views. 

Its hard to believe it is just over 2 weeks since I was in Spain with winter sunshine and flowers in bloom.

With this in mind, I would usually be scanning the 'tinterweb' to find a long weekend escape ( usually culture over sunshine) and checking out places that I want to visit.

Its all a little different at the moment as I play the waiting game back to full health.

I have a couple of plans set in stone ( I hope), and one trip that I want to get sorted as soon as I am sorted.

I think for me it'll be a dark and cold few months in Blighty, but what is that in comparison to feeling well , both physically and mentally, when I  am  back to full fitness. 

I have a rail card now that I am 'knocking on a bit' and intend to use that this year too.

So I can peruse places I'd like to visit for the next few months, I can visit on screen, soaking it all up from the comfort of my lounge.

Who has plans made????

get that case dusted off and enjoy.

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.