This past week has been a very chilled one. We left Ille Rousse on the afternoon ferry to Toulon and it was almost 10.00pm when we arrived.  After staying in such fabulous accomodation in Corsica it was a bit of a come down to spend the night in a supermarket car park 🤣 But of course once the door to Pinot was closed and the lights and heating were put on, it was our cosy home. Next morning after a nice hot shower and a tasty breakfast, all in the middle of a supermarket car park, we were back on the road and crossed the Pyrenees by early afternoon and over the border in Spain en route to Alicante Airport.

Three nights on Aquarius campsite just outside Sant Pere Pescador a perfect spot surrounded by hundreds of acres of apple orchards by the beach and a little secluded. This is a haven for kite surfers and there were dozens of them on the site from all over Europe with a lot of Germans. Absolutely here to chill and a little detox after the last couple of weeks. We managed a night of detox before the lovely Helga and Willi from Austria invited us in for a drink … 6 hours later (we had to stay until midnight as it was Helga’s Birthday) after lots of singing and the guitar in full swing with both Al Pal and Willi playing and the others playing kazoos and Marraccas ……….we walked the 20 steps home. 

You know how Al Pal loves smoking … he had a chuckle at this ….I loved this selection of quotes on a neighbours pitch …

Three nights on Bonterra campsite in  Benicassim , we were only passing through really but it was a great site, with a nice restaurant and bar with pool and a Mercadonna supermarket literally across the road. There was a great cycle/walk track along the coast and had we had more time we’re sure there was lots to explore. Overnight in Sant Palo for easy access to Alicante airport where Pinot is now having another holiday.Next morning we made the short drive to the airport and boarded a very full plane to London Gatwick. We caught a train for a 2 hour ride through some lovely countryside in glorious but chilly sunshine to Southampton.

Checked into a lovely Hotel The White Star right in the centre of town.and a beautiful dinner(maybe our last lol) as there is ample reference to the Titanic EVERYWHERE it’s a gloriously sunny morning and as we are only in U.K for one day, a full English breakfast was the order of the day. Mind you it was -2 at 7.00am so needed to get some calories in.

A gentle walk around town for some last minute odds and ends and a coffee before heading to the Port.  A week too early for the Southampton Christmas markets 😢Oops just remembered we may need some anti nausea tablets so Amanda has just dashed to Boots chemist. Holy God 6 days at sea……..what were we thinking 😢 No …….holy god what was Allen thinking !! I have just bought double the amount of anti nausea tablets 🤣 Please pray for smooth seas! 

If this goes bottom up(not literally), then I’m in serious strife . I’ve always had a desire to do the Transatlantic crossing ( maybe it’s because I was born and raised in Northern Ireland) like so many Irish in years gone by who left for a promised better life. Flashback to our previous boat trip in the Netherlands and this time I hope we aren’t the only ones sub 70 years of age and able to move around unassisted. ……😊😊 Think it’s going to be a great cruiseState Room with balcony …Ok, safety drill has just been announced and bubbles in hand 😊…… stay tuned for the next post 🤣

Lots of love to all xx