We left Sydney on the 8th May for an extended holiday visiting England, Spain and Sweden. We changed airlines at Narita airport in Japan, flying on with SAS to Copenhagen and then on to Manchester. Arriving very early in Narita was a bit disconcerting as it seems that the airport only starts to operation at about 8.00am.
Arrived early evening in Manchester and of course it was raining. Picked up our hire car and headed down the M6 to the Midlands. Called in to see Jane and family but also to pick up the keys to Barbara and Garth's, in Walsall, where we are house sitting while they are living in Spain. Spent the next few days catching up with family and visiting a couple of our favourite areas of the Midlands, like the old walled city of Shrewsbury.
Saturday 12th May. Had our first good nights sleep, getting over jet lag but more likely due to the fact that I stopped Barbara's chiming clocks. Drove down to Worcester and had a look at our old house in Northwick before going to see Louise at her home in Droitwich, for lunch and to meet Andrew. They are well matched.
Sunday 13th May. We are flying out to see long time friends Barbara and Garth in Spain. Raining again on the way to Birmingham airport. The flight had been
pre-booked over the Internet before we left home but could have been a disaster. Everything was fine until I just happened to check the boarding passes and found that Di was going to Alicante and I was going to Cork in Ireland!!! Arrived in Alicante and met by Barbara and Garth for the drive a bit further South to where their apartments are. Its a strange area, not what we expected, seemed to be mile after mile of modern apartment blocks all the same, and more being built all the time. Barbara and Garth have an apartment of the ground floor and their own on the top floor, of an older, more traditional style block which all face in to a very nice central garden and courtyard, all just a block from the beach.
While visiting a nearby town, Barbara and Garth introduced us to hot chocolate and Churrus. Long doughnut like things that are dipped into hot chocolate, lovely but fattening I'm sure.
Nice beaches, the weather is more like we are used to but have heard that its still raining in UK. Lots of sand sculptures on the beaches and I couldn't resist this one of Hommer Simpson.
Moving, Spanish style or how to get two seater lounge to the top floor, using rope and pulleys. When it was finally over the balcony, all the bystanders applauded!! We left before they started to lift up the three seater.
It was very strange to be in a foreign country where the predominant language seemed to be English voices and everywhere there were adverts for Full English Breakfast or Fish and Chips. We had a great time with lots of catching up with old friends but flew back to a wet England to share a birthday with brother in law, Ray. Actually it was a joint celebration for mine on the 22nd also.
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