"Oh, yes we did!"

There is general agreement that this December and January were outstandingly warm and dry:- like winter used to be over here! On 30th Greyrocks set off on the first of two post-Christmas short breaks, hoping - but not expecting - February to continue the pattern. The focus was for Panto time! Goa prevented us from attending last year´s, so we were determined to make the most of this one and booked three nights in a hotel in Caleta de Fuste and bought tickets for Saturday night from Anne - the Corralejo wing of the delightfully named Caleta Repertory Amateur Productions. She lives near Greyrocks and when Ruth met her to collect she explained that she was the script writer of this epic: "Ali Babba and the Four Tea Thieves"!! The weather there was better than for the November trip and Ruth´s knee was very much improved, so we were able to walk around, and did so - visiting parts not seen by Ruth since the 90´s! We also made two visits to the Geranios spa, ate two good dinners (one at 15 and one at the highly rated and somewhat Portuguese Fado Rock), and had a couple of rides on the "wally trolley".

 The Glitter Boys

The pantomime itself was a romp:- not professional, of course, but witty, creatively set and very well-received. There was audience-participation, including references to the rivalry between Caleta and Corralejo, and plenty of money was raised for charity. (Read more on Page 45 of the February edition of "Fuerte extra"!) Next day  - which was delightfully sunny although windy - we spent the afternoon at what is now known as Luna Blue, but is part of one of the Elba hotels. This was on the recommendation of Anne after Ruth told her of our long acquaintance with Kennie (Sadie) Delaine, who is now settled with Mark and they perform as The Glitter Boys and have acquired a huge fan-base of mature ladies. Not all the repertoire was to Greyrocks´ taste but it was a great excuse for some wine in the sun and we had a brief conversation with Kennie and his Mum.

Pirate Territory!

2 Montmatre dinners: 2 Valentine Roses!

Our second trip took place ten days or so later and was by ferry to Lanzarote, where we spent four nights in Costa Teguise, staying in a good hotel with spa and gym facilities. On the way over there was an uncomfortable ten minutes of rough sea, but then all was well and we managed the two stage bus journey well passing through Uga - where the smoked salmon comes from, and Yaiza - where some good wine is made.  We almost got right where to get off the second bus, but not quite so that we came to appreciate that the location is rather remote, but on the walk we passed a restaurant which led to two real high spots in the stay, and a burst of Trip Advisor reviews. Overall the little break was worthwhile, but the North wind was appalling, and there was a permanent threat of rain. We used taxis a lot to get around, and found some of the really tatty bits of the resort, along with the Pueblo Marinero, which we discovered rather late in the stay. Back at the hotel we were delighted by the excellent buffet breakfast and were tempted to eat once in the evening, but we had not known about the dress code, so were unable to do so! The free spa is extensive and well-maintained, but the swimming pool was too deep for Bob, and the exercise bikes tied up in activities for the Triathlon/Iron Man participants that abounded, so we didn´t quite have the programme we had imagined! But we did get to IKEA:- a fascinating experience which has resulted in a bed due for delivery in a week or so! 

Arrecife! Not quite Croydon or Bristol!

As departure time loomed we started considering contingency plans in case of ferry stoppages - such was the strength of the wind, but all that happened was that after a particularly easy journey back down to Playa Blanca we decided to take the earlier crossing rather than lunch near the harbour, and it was a smoother trip than the outward one:- largely due to the wind direction. (As we passed the Armas larger ship going in the northward direction we were most relieved not to be on it!)

The change of plan gave more time for us to turn round before the annual meeting of our residence. This ritual is very boring, but Ruth did -  as instructed - "get cross in Spanish" about the intercom breakdown, resulting in the offer of the presidency! (An offer declined on ground of being only half-time residents!)

And also on the domestic front there was jubilation when Michele from FVC Global came and attacked the disgusting condition of Greyrocks´ oven, which had the traces of thirteen years of neglect and abuse. Worth every centimo and deserving a plug, so here it is!

When we had landed from Lanzarote on the Monday it was very windy and rather cold (as it had been over there!). As the week progressed we moved into some of the nastiest weather we have seen for a long time. By Wednesday it was extra duvet on the bed (down allegedly to 6 degrees occasionally when the usual minimum is 15), daytime TV and scratch suppers! On Thursday morning we had to brave the chill to go for GP appointments. Whilst we waited amidst the chaos caused by numerous staff absences there was a surge to the windows and the announcement that it was raining. It certainly was, and the island has not been developed with this inind! After seeing our (?new? stand-in??)  doctor we sheltered in the nearby supermarket, and then a cafeteria and then just had to "go for it". Dramatic stuff! Friday evening saw the opening parade to Carnival. It must have been a soggy occasion :- we stayed in and watched Lewis! But this disgusting spell came to an end by Saturday and reportage on said Carnival follows! (On Monday a temperature of 42 degrees was seen on a pharmacy display!)

What goes round comes round!

There was great jubilation in the Greyrocks household last week when Ruth was able to report that she had turned the pedal (albeit in the wrong direction!) of the exercise bicycle during Physiotherapy! There were only a few slow and painful rotations, but as it is almost six months since she was last able to ride a bike this was indeed cause for celebration and a real ride on a real bike remains a major goal!

Since the knee replacement wheels have meant the hired wheelchair, and this was returned on Tuesday. It had not been used much of late but we retained it until the departure of Chloë and Jack. Ruth's mobility is improving day-by-day, but confidence is the key. Watch this space for news (and photo?) of a February launch.

Essentially what we ate for NYE!

One essential use of the wheelchair was around New Year. We received a last-minute invitation for the evening from Jill and Dave, but had already booked and paid for a meal at Marquesina. Nonetheless we dropped in which meant climbing two steep staircases. It was worth it for the  company, and the spread, which we had to eschew - was impressive, but the effort and discomfort took its toll. By having our NYE dinner at Marquesina Greyrocks was resuming an abandoned practice. We had done so (we think) each year from 1992 to 2003. In 2004 and 2005 the Great Fire meant we missed out on being in town, but from then on we have been relishing in Caracoles' surprise menu. The desire for lobster took us back in time to the newly tarted-up Marquesina, and it was well worth it! Unfortunately having enjoyed a leisurely meal we faced a couple hours until midnight, a biting wind, a wheelchair and crowded bars so we trundled home and fell asleep barely registering the end of 2015!

Next day - after traditional "Round the Horne" we went trundling again - this time to Blue Rock which was serving Bloody Mary and various worthies had brought sausage rolls etc. The sun shone and it was packed. Ruth sat in the wheelchair and felt like the Queen Mother having moved on to the gin! Then we went home and had a repeat of Xmas dinner.

The weather through January has been what we hope for but have not been getting for several years. The sea is still too cold for bathing but we have had some beautifully sunny afternoons. One exception was the eve of Kings Day when Their Majesties arrive in the morning from Lanzarote and later process down the main drag. The weather was disgusting and for the first time Greyrocks did not bother with even a glimpse. The day itself was fine, the town heaving for the holiday and we took a stroll during the afternoon and had an early Indian! At last the festivities were over! Normality with its three physio sessions per week resumed.

Chloë and Jack spent nine days with us later in the month, and the weather was particularly good. They largely did their own thing but we took them to the Bahia Real spa for J's birthday  This included a long lunch at Coco Beach where they developed a taste for a Tenerife white wine! Expensive tastes, that girl!

"All I want for Christmas is a New Right Knee!"

.. and here it is:

(specifically a Genesis 2, by Smith and Nephew)!

It goes without saying that this is an odd festive season for Greyrocks!  Not only is there the hospitalisation in the run-up and Ruth's reduced mobility, but it is also the first true "empty nest" one as Chloë has always been with us for either Christmas or New Year, but this year she has her first in Bristol with Jack, and won't be over until they both come in mid-January. Low key, then, is the order of the day!

During the first week of December there were two pre-op trips to Puerto del Rosario, then it was the dreaded Puento - the 6th to 8th holiday when Corralejo sees an influx of Spanish tourists! Nonetheless, we went to the spa for what we anticipated would be the last time for a while. It was more crowded than previously, but still a delight, and we also made a serious lunch trip to their beach restaurant in rather inclement weather. "An arm and a leg" was indeed shelled out there to mark an almost recovered arm, and imminent relief for the leg!

Surgery took place on the afternoon of 10th, with an epidural administered  by the Italian anaesthetist, and took about two and a half hours. What can be said about a second major orthopaedic operation in four months? Not much of worth, except that both surgeons were wonderful, and the pain afterwards ghastly! The in-patient care, of course, was comfortable and attentive this time round. The clinic is located in central Puerto, close to the main church and public square, so there was a lot of raucous noise on three of the four nights. The TV was standard Spanish terrestrial but we found the button for getting English dialogue and watched end-to-end NCIS and Star Wars feature films - regularly punctuated by ads: ninety percent of which were for expensive fragrances! What is this obsession with perfume?  We had paid for Bob to stay there too and he took himself off into town for walks, internet and meals, and - indeed - to book three nights in a hotel. This seemed a better option than going home whilst Ruth was still struggling to walk, and it meant we could also have the first four sessions physiotherapy close by. There were four of these  - which were quite gentle in the circumstances, administered by a Venezuelan physiotherapist in a cavern of a place where all manner of clients - including several young boys - were also getting the treatment. Great for Ruth's Spanish!

Arthritis; rising above it!

During the stay at the hotel in Puerto del Rosario Ruth was able to make short walks with one crutch so that the Greyrocks could once more enjoy the sun and some better - if still simple - food. It also became clear that the front seat of an ordinary taxi was adequate for getting about so that when we returned home a week after the operation that is what we used, and Ruth was able to get up the stairs surprisingly easily. A hired wheelchair was delivered later in the day.

The run-up to the festive season was then dominated by taxi-rides to the clinic on the other side of town where Ruth was entitled to the remainder of the thirty physiotherapy sessions, some outings by wheelchair or taxi and shopping done by Bob. The physio. sessions have a bizarre nature with aspects of social club. The regulars include stroke victims like the retired orthopaedic surgeon ("heal thyself?"), highly motivated surfers and sports-people and bands of elderly bussed in from the campo and speaking Majorero. We even had a birthday cake! The therapy is working and having seen the sainted surgeon Ruth is considered to be making remarkable progress. Next stop the exercise cycle and then the real thing. We can also - after the holiday congestion - get back to the spa!

The festive meal was a goose breast on Christmas Eve night followed by profiteroles from the French patisserie. A good job we liked it as yesterday we heard that the pheasant ordered for New Years Day had not arrived, so it will be a repeat! Frustrating and the washing machine broke down irreparably at the same time as we got the news! Thank you, 2015! It has been largely grim for Greyrocks along with the rest of humanity! The good bits are the new knee and getting Chloë settled in Bristol.

A HAPPY (BETTER) 2016 TO YOU!

In Search of the "Feel Good" Factor

November progressed well until the final week with great weather, a day visit from Lanzarote by Goa (and Derbyshire) friends John and Tracey, plenty of sea swimming and some investigation of the music scene around town. We were engaged in that at Rock Cafe when there were newsflashes about the Paris shootings, plunging us into despair! And then, -in a repeat of last (and several other) years - it was the birthday break and time for winter to start!

The spa at Geranios Suites 4*

 Gran Canaria was out because of awaited hospital appointments, so it was dear old Caleta de Fuste by bus again for Greyrocks. It is easy to be snobbish about the resort, which is predominantly British package in clientèle; but we have our two favoured haunts (a tapas bar and a British-run restaurant) to pull us in, and there are good hotel deals to be had, We booked three nights at the Geranios Suites, and were very comfortable there:- apart from the weather! There was a lot of sheltering from the cold wind and threatened rain; but the meal at "15" was almost up to standard and a new discovery:- "555" - was so good we dined there twice. (There is an outbreak, not fully explicable, in numbers as eatery names in Caleta:- bizarre!)

On the last full day Greyrocks decided the sea and outdoor pool were just too uninviting and bit the bullet by taking up a special offer for the hotel spa. It was the first such experience on the island, and now we are hooked! Such was the bliss of warm water, various bubbling and spraying bits, peace and space for swimming and exercises that we were back again next morning before checking out! On our way to the bus station in Puerto del Rosario we visited the public  hospital to try and resurrect Bob's cardiology project. We were sent from pillar to post but emerged with an appointment with a nurse who is the "outward and visible sign" of the cardiologist for the next day. We went for tapas by the ferry port and ultimately for an evening appointment at the private clinic and were told the date for Ruth's knee replacement: December 10th. Since then we have had a number of related appointments, financial jiggery-pokery, and aspects of planning to work towards that day; and Bob has been settled into an anti-coagulant regime which we hope will be proven to be over-cautious and can be suspended. The sense of getting old and there being no let-up in health matters is overwhelming!

The spa at the Bahia Real 5*

Bulletins will be issued during Ruth's hospitalisation of 3-5 days!

The Coco Beach Bar and Restaurant

Corralejo's weather had been no better, and some half-hearted attempts to bathe in the sea failed, so - both delighted by the spa experience and needing the therapy before the op. - Greyrocks went down to 5* Bahia Real Hotel at the other end of town to see what deals could be secured. The centre is bigger than the one in Caleta, and the entry price entitles you to stay all day and visit the hotel's restaurants for lunch (arm and a leg, of course!)  We loved it so much and got so much vital exercise there for our varied ailments that we signed up for season tickets, and have been practising phrases such as "We deserve it!", "You can't put a price on Health", "We don't have any other expensive tastes" and  "There are no pockets in shrouds". Yesterday we visited for the day not knowing when or how we would do so again given the imminence of the surgery.


Watch this space for (suitably truncated) news of Ruth's knee thing and recovery!

A Shoal Lot Better!

New adornments at the Marina

Montana Roja

Things chez Greyrocks have been steadily improving through the month that we have been back home in Corralejo. When we were picked up by Dave we were told that the summer had been very hot, but there had recently been a lot of rain. As we drove past Montana Roja there was a torrent of rain pouring down and out into the sea making the largest area of discoloured water ever seen here by us and Dave. This was a portent!



Inauguration in June of renovated "Molino"

There was nothing untoward in the apartment or the complex, and Greyrocks was soon settled in. The legacy of recent storms was, however, very evident in puddles and wet furniture. Next day we spent the day on a series of household and health tasks, including a lengthy wait at the Post Office, which has moved back to its previous location and now faces one of the many improvements in town.  In this case it is the reopening of a tasteful pedestrian square surrounding a very old renovated windmill- bringing to three the number of mills in town. Read on for more on environmental developments 

October 23rd!

The rain was apparently just around the corner, but it held off for the day - only catching us at Avenidas in the evening;(leading to free drinks whilst a taxi was called for us);but this was the start of three days of dramatic thunderstorms:- good for hunkering down and getting jobs done, but not great for tourists ! Since that spell, however, and for November as a whole it has been unusually pleasant, with only three poor days.

 

 

Muelle Chico (Town Beach)

 

 

 Greyrocks has been monitoring the weather particularly closely since embarking on a new regime of swimming for health! It started with an attempt to enter our own pool on the first decent day, and motivated by the fact that the wrist meant no cycling for Ruth. Unfortunately it also meant gripping the rail of the steps was also impossible, so that was another worthy venture abandoned! Next day we tried the town beach so that the sea could be entered by walking, and we have been going there (or occasionally at Waikiki beach) on almost every day since. Not bad for November, eh? One of the few impossible days was October 28th when - following on from the Full Moon, there was the highest tide in living memory, which completely covered the town beach bringing down intricate sand sculptures and washed over our local prom. The swims are not exactly extensive or elegant, but have helped the wrist flexibility and probably not harmed the knees, although it often doesn't feel that way.

 

On the subject of inundations there is no let-up in the Italian invasion. It has become the third language in town, a dozen more coffee shops have opened along with a few trendy clothes shops and - of course - some restaurants! Prices for renting homes long-term have escalated with competition for good places, and stereotypical behaviour is evident everywhere. Nor has there been any reduction in the number of surfers and facilities for them. As previously written they are considered by Greyrocks to be a Good Thing for the community and its economy, but the combination of several Italian surfers on skateboards isn't!

 

 

 

Artist's impression of the new Brisamar

The "powers that be" would far rather court the five-star market, and two prominent hotels are being constructed. One was well underway when we left in the Spring, taking up most of the Hoplaco Gardens site on the Main Street. The other came as a great surprise! The Barceló group have knocked down - during November - the rather dated Brisamar buildings (also on Main Street) removing a parade of shops and the private clinic along with a whole tourist complex. Watch this space! Very recently, however, the policy of only allowing 5star development has been ruled illegal at national level, so maybe a more interesting future is around the corner.

The town rubbish and cleaning lorries now announce that this is a "Municipio Touristico y Selecto", and in our absence and finalising in our first few weeks there has been some serious tarting up of the town centre:- not just the mill and fish, but some very welcome (by Greyrocks but not motorists!) pedestrianisation. It started before we left in April with remodelling of the street behind the Atlantico Centre and passing La Taberna and Boogaloos to the police station. This is now completed with trendy street furniture and  large palms, giving scope for bars and restaurants to spill out onto the wide pavement. Boogaloos in particular has undergone a major expansion in this respect and is an attractive proposition for live music, although whether this can survive the winter evening chill remains to be seen.

The main street is not fully pedestrianised but from the (sadly removed) Dove Statue down to the (soon to be removed) Shell Station and up two blocks of Lepanto there is little traffic now and wider pavements with a real sense of cafe life.

And so to the inevitable changes in Greyrocks´ restaurant selection. Some closures of places we have used are our local: the Cafe Lounge (rumoured to be taken over by one the most highly rated restaurants in town, but nothing is yet happening there), the second Brazilian Rodizio (on Lepanto), the Lazy Lounge near the harbour, Belen near WaiKiki beach (replaced in the last two weeks by a large, flash restaurant and lounge bar - Toro Beach), H20 (still there but tranferred to unremarkable Italian ownership), Scarpetta which relocated to the mall near 7 Pints, LÁtelier des Saveurs on the cobble street is now an Italian bar specialising in craft beers, Casa Richard next door to Blue Rock (currently still empty but rumoured to be going Italian), Ali´s Tavern next door to that (has changed hands and name twice over the summer and is now Italian) and - saddest of all - Caracoles! Bob bumped into Carlos and Sylvia on a Tuesday and head it had closed on the previous Friday in response to Carlos´ health problems. It had been on Greyrocks´ list of "must do" and we had missed it after all the years of enjoying their lovely "posh tapas". No prizes for guessing the nationality of the new owners!

So we have some new places to try, and indeed have already experimented once with the up-market Belgian-run Tuxedo at the top of town, being (soon) Greyrocks´ one new Trip Advisor entry for Corralejo.

Otherwise as November progressed there were some cold evenings and nights, a few miserable cloudy or wet days, more wrist recovery breakthroughs, some frustrations with the Health Service and a short birthday break. More narrative on these to follow!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Headin' Down the Highway

Greyrocks set off on 1st October on a mission! The schedule had been planned with military  precision. First we shared a taxi up to Chania airport as  Ruth  would struggle with luggage on the bus and the timing was unhelpful. We flew into Gatwick on a full Easyjet flight and took a train to Balham where we were to stay in the Travelodge which is very convenient for everything and was nearing completion when we left the country eight years ago.

 

Feeling the need for a good old British Indian and it being Curry Night at Wetherspoons, we visited The Moon under Water and partook of their offering and some longed-for real ale. The pub has not improved at all with the years, but it was a rich re-entry into British culture! Next day we walked down to the old house and met up with our helpers to get a lot of stuff out of the loft for transporting to Chloë 's new house in Bristol. She was most interested in the boxes of vinyl albums and the hi-fi system, but we also took kitchenware, bedlinen and small items of furniture. Fortunately the weather was being kind so as we found things we stacked them outside the house and kept an eye on then until we had collected the hired van from Putney. There were some hitches with this - the most important of which was that we had to accept a longer and taller model than we had booked, with consequent increased road fear! The next morning Bob was back outside the old house doing a six stage manoeuvre to get the van out of its parking spot. We then set off map-less but confident at 6.20 am to get to the A4 by a hump-less route. Something went wrong in Fulham and we found ourselves heading back over the Thames at Putney. It was still dark! Several other navigational errors happened culminating in us being at the south end of Hammersmith Bridge facing width restrictors. We diverted down a residential road to effect a turnabout and found an Ocado delivery van flashing its lights. Another challenging manoeuvre to get us out of that! Then it was plain sailing down to Easton, Bristol, where CandJ had attempted to save a spot outside for unloading, but it wasn't going work, so Bob took the van round to the back gate and everyone including lodger set to in unloading everything from teddy bear, through guitar to massive floor speakers.

 

Inevitably there were errors:- we had inadvertently brought part of a hated set of crockery, most of the baking tins had rusted, heirlooms we wanted to leave behind had travelled, and a music centre had arrived without its mains lead, but there was much excitement, and it felt like a watershed moment in family life. Bob went with Jack to take the van to the nearby depot, and later J's mum came to help and also drove us to the field near the airport (in some shocking Saturday afternoon traffic) where we found Yvette waiting for us and ready to start first-time. Definitely a good service!

 

We drove back to the hotel at Cribbs Causeway, sorted out the car and collapsed so that all plans for exotic dinners were abandoned in favour of standard English grub next door

 

On Sunday morning we raided Morrisons for the winter's specialist goods, and then took  a bus to Horfield to meet the niece, her partner (our project manager chez Chloë) and kids, plus CandJ for lunch at their chosen pub with play space. It was a fine, long meal with plenty of common interests, and the sun shone so the kids could be let loose outside. Chloë reported that after we left her house the household reconnected the turntable etc and had tried it out on an old Manfred Mann album. She is cherishing her heritage!

 

By next morning the weather had broken, and Greyrocks was due to drive to Hampshire to take Ruth's father out for lunch. It was a straightforward route, but conditions were awful - especially on the A34. This wasn't helped by a deteriorating windscreen wiper! It didn't stop raining all day, but we had a good meal in a local pub, and also later met Ruth's sister and brother-in-law, and then stayed overnight locally before setting off for France. 

 

But, first, we had to get to Dover, and it was still pouring, so we used the motorway-based route and resisted through torrents. Fortunately it had stopped by Dover, we were allowed onto an earlier ferry and had our easiest crossing ever! During the drive down to Rouen we had spells of rain again, but not so heavy. Once near the city Greyrocks began another run of navigation problems finding a hotel. It happens repeatedly despite printed maps. In this case the issue was references to an Intermarche supermarket and we were circumnavigating (during the rush hour) the wrong one!

 

This was an unremarkable overnight stop in a standard unmodernised Premiere Classe. We thought we would be able to walk to neighbouring Campanile as we often do in other places, but it was too far so drove round the area and found a very good Chinese buffet:- not our expected first French meal for more than five months, but some nice dishes!

 

The route to Tours via Le Mans is now familiar - including the easterly wide sweep round Rouen that we now prefer, and it is largely toll-free and quiet so this was an easy day with good weather and we could walk to the Campanile for dinner, and find a place that would fit new wipers next morning.

 

Greyrocks is also familiar with the route down past Poitiers to the land of our old friend George. Since selling his business and following a failed house purchase he has moved into a rented property in the nearby village of S Germain de Confolens. We had suffered some difficulties in finding accommodation nearby for the two nights, but had then settled on chambre d'hote very close:-La Grange Terrou. Karen the owner had said she knew G's house and it was at the end of the road, so we hadn't done enough locational research - knowing that there is not much in the village, but we failed again, hindered by a closed bridge and eventually found ourselves close to where we had stayed last spring. Suddenly into view, speeding on his racing bike, came one of the owners of that property, who remembered us and knew both places were sought. Sorted!

 

First we located the chambre d'hote, and it was magnificent, although rather remote! We were the only guests and had a beautiful room. The communal lounge and dining room are also classically and opulently furnished. We were very happy with the choice. We then found George's place, which is indeed at the end of the road! This is an old watermill, with a bizarre interior including bare rock. We stayed for an early meal and arranged a lunch out for the next day. We were told that a number of restaurants we have visited over the years have closed, so we were taken to the small village of Mouterre-sur-Blourde. Greyrocks' Trip Advisor review says it all! In the evening we retuned to base and were plied with sloe gin during a fireside conversation with Karen and Robert. This covered a great deal of ground and rounded off a very pleasant (and sunny) couple of days. The only downside was what happened to Yvette reversing out of George's very steep driveway. The smell of burning clutch was with us for many days!

 

The next stage had been planned to be to Rodez. No real navigational problems, but a planning one:- Ruth had miscalculated the distance and the second part of the journey was unexpectedly long and tedious! We didn't get to see much of the town, but had a relaxing night both staying and eating at the Campanile. We are still smarting at the restaurant bill, however, as an expected discount didn't happen, so no more Campanile for Greyrocks unless staying at cheapo P Classe!

 

Sunday morning is a good time for serious journeys in France, so even though we started on the gruelling N88, we were soon crossing the Millau viaduct but without the views as it was misty. We made it to Lattes in time to visit the small Carrefour beside the market place, and wander through the huge range of stalls of the Sunday market. Then could check in to the mobile home and partially unpack. The weather was beautiful, so we spent a few hours at Port Ariane.

 

 

The nine day stay at our favourite mobile home site was planned - in part - to compensate for the truncated one in April when Ruth's Mum died. We knew the weather was likely to be dodgy, and it was! Several days and nights saw dramatic rain :- not as bad as the inondation of a previous time. Nonetheless Bob did a few bike rides, and we had a trip to the seaside at Palavas. We took a tram into Montpellier one evening - and it wasn't raining! We wandered round a little at the Oeuf then had dinner at one of the brasseries near Comedie then came home, but as we still had valid tram tickets did a morning visit the next day in very pleasant sunshine. On a wet Saturday it was Montpellier again by tram to go to the Diagonal cinema after a lunch at L'Assiette Au Bouef  which qualifies for  cheap tickets (It's a good meal, too!) We saw the new Woody Allen film "Irrational Man" in English. Pretty good! This video catches the flavour of Central Montpellier.

Looking back this doesn't seem much activity for more than a week, but with Ruth's mobility and tactile problems plus the rain the scope was limited, but we did really relax and we had to deal midway with a techy crisis after the laptop would not connect to the internet (whilst the Hudl would). After hours spent on fruitless self-help we looked up a suitable repair place, took it in and left it for two days, but it came back in better shape than before and at an acceptable cost. Should you ever need IT repairs in Herault Greyrocks recommends!

Towards the end the weather was grim once again and on Sunday when we ventured out we were reminded of the "charming and egalitarian" French practice of closing everything by lunchtime or not opening at all. Even the two restaurants at the hypermarket, which should have been open, weren't and we had to resort to Buffalo Grill for our Sunday dinner!

During Monday there was a major re-packing and washing of Yvette and a good last meal. Next day (20th) we drove straight to the parking place at Girona airport in good conditions, and got an earlier train than planned to Barca airport, where we saw a bus that looked as if it had done the same journey in rather less time! This didn't use to be possible:- a bit of research needed for next year! Bob was reluctantly out of shorts and sandals at this point and this was wise given the chill during the wait for the hotel shuttle, but we had a quiet evening, great value meal, good breakfast and took the shuttle back next morning for the Vueling flight. There was a huge and badly managed bag-drop queue, the plane was full and included badly behaved French and the ubiquitous Italians, and we suffered an hour of serious turbulence, but we are home now and all is well!
 

 

Club Nights

Birthday Girl N|o1 with remains of fish at The Wave

Most of the rest of the Club

 Here, then, is the detail on the "social whirl" that was September in old Paleo.

 

It began in earnest with the arrival of Charlie and Gabi, who had been unfaithfully going to Spain for quite a few summers, but were lured back to mark forty years since they had met in Paleo. This meant the YiaYia Gaga Club was just about quorate, and a new member was incorporated in the form of Tony who was also a 75-er with plenty of memories.

 

The regular meeting place for late night drinks has moved since the club first met. Yanni's Place has fallen from almost everyone's favour for a host of reasons it would be foolhardy to list, and we have been welcomed warmly at Cosmogonia.

 

....and the continuation at Cosmogonia

In the space of some two weeks there were three occasions for a club party. First, we celebrated Julia's birthday - one year short of a landmark! We met at The Wave, where Eva had organised fizz on arrival and Chris and Jann (the duo of Shades of Gray fame) had been secretly engaged to serenade us. By the end of a very long evening they had also become de facto members and joined us for remaining club nights. Not many members of the public braved the taverna for eating purposes, but many stayed nearby to listen to such gems as "Ernie the Milkman" and "Get your kicks on the A146"!

 

A few days later there was a re-run for Gabi's significant birthday. Sam and Catherine had returned to UK as they still have to work (deep sigh!), but two guests joined us: Mike and Jane who are friends of Julia and Eoin and on their first visit.

 

 

Birthday Girl No2  before the skipping and jiving 

This time there was party stationery courtesy of Jann and both Tony and Charlie did vocal and guitar numbers. Gabi made a mockery of her actual age by skipping with her new rope and jiving to Stones numbers with Alain. Chris and Jann amused for hours - including special versions of classics - such as "Ride around, Gabi" referencing the bikes used to get daily to Anidri.

,,,and the continuation (Guess where!)

Finally, and just before a major wave of departures, Pascale celebrated her birthday a little early to catch us all. This social event involved travel up to Kandanos. We hired a minibus for the 20 minute journey, and there was - of course - community singing starting with "Wheels on the Bus"! We also had a lot of silliness involving party poppers and inflation of balloons.

Temperatures up there are several degrees lower than in Paleo and the pics show more clothing than usual! Pascale had cooked a magnificent meal and there was even some French wine!

In addition to sax and guitar numbers we were treated to Alain on keyboards with renditions of a range of chansons.

(Early) Birthday Girl |No 3 who also cooked her own feast!

,, and the extra entertainment!

 

 

 And after that run of parties things went a bit quiet, although Greyrocks did their own leaving meal at Kapetan Dimitri's, but that belongs with other "end of summer" reportage in the next blog, as does our remote participation in the meeting of the Shropshire sub-branch of the YiaYia Gaga Club for Sam's significant birthday in mid-October!

In spite of young Catherine the mean age of the club must be over 60, and we ought to know better!

As it says on a T-shirt thoughtfully supplied by Chloë :

 

"Adventure before Dementia!"