well, seems an age since I last chatted with you, its probably not, just that so much has happened. Firstly - where am I now? well am on a campsite just outside Puerta de Santa Maria which is opposite Cadiz this is going to be my base for a few days while visit Cadiz and Jerez - its a great town in its own right, very Spanish; its good to have a bit of city energy. Just get the weather report out of the way - its hot!! Very hot and very windy but not as windy as it was round the coast - more of that later.
So, what have I been up to - well, stayed on the kite surfers beach for 5 nights - it was just outside Tarifa as I said before, very relaxed, great mix of people and a good place to explore the area. Admit to being a bit disappointed in Tarifa itself- think I'm here 20 years too late- though the architecture is as I imagined- a very Moroccan feel to it, really good to wander around.
But the beauty really is in the beaches - difficult to get a good photo but they should give you an idea. The days passed very easily - had to take Betsy out to charge up the leisure battery but that was fine cause I found some interesting places- best one being Bolonia - said to be Spains best kept secret - stunning beaches, cork forests and a ruined roman city- Claudio Baelo - had been very important in its time.
And due to one of those great coincidences I ended up staying there for four nights. What happened was that last Sunday I met up with a long lost ( well, not known if truth be told) cousin Dan and his fab family Patsy, Africa and Lapita - I had been given his details by Brenda my Mum's niece and so we arranged to meet in Bolonia for lunch. Bit of a muddle finding each other but once we did- wow, we all got on like, well, long lost family, it was so much fun. Because we stayed on the beach so long and because of the heavy traffic they would have encountered they decided to stay, so I did too. Another meeting at breakfast and fond farewells - know we'll keep in touch.
So, there I was, in a lovely area, whats a girl to do? Well, bum around a bit more of course but then I met Ian - an English diving instructor - well, some of you may know that I tried diving when I was in Saudi - over 30 years ago, and didnt get on very well, but have always wanted to try again. So - thats what I did and succeeded but must say I think only thanks to his patience - nearly didnt go through with it - nope, not the fear of drowning but the thought of having to struggle into a wetsuit - yes, vanity nearly won through!! So have done my first dive but the course I did was a very basic one and as Ian has offered me a great price I am going to go back and take the next level - need to do 5 dives and more training but then will be able to go and dive anywhere- as it is I do have a certificate and we know how much I like them. So, another ambition achieved!!
I would have stayed and done it this week but a very strong wind - a Levante has blown up, -its so strong round there its hard to stand up in it and old Betsy was rocking and rolling at night- no - Ian and I have a purely professional friendship- minds out of the gutter please....Mind you I was ready for stop on a campsite after 9 nights wild camping-it is possible to wash your hair in a litre of water but will admit that a shower is much more pleasant.
So now I'm in the heart of Andalucia - fantastic seafood, flamenco and the horses of Jerez. Can get a ferry to Cadiz from here and a train to Jerez so Betsy's having a rest though looking at the map I haven't really travelled very far but am having a fantastic time.
Right, time to put some photos on, will be in touch again when i leave this area- till then, hope you are all well.
Jx
So, what have I been up to - well, stayed on the kite surfers beach for 5 nights - it was just outside Tarifa as I said before, very relaxed, great mix of people and a good place to explore the area. Admit to being a bit disappointed in Tarifa itself- think I'm here 20 years too late- though the architecture is as I imagined- a very Moroccan feel to it, really good to wander around.
But the beauty really is in the beaches - difficult to get a good photo but they should give you an idea. The days passed very easily - had to take Betsy out to charge up the leisure battery but that was fine cause I found some interesting places- best one being Bolonia - said to be Spains best kept secret - stunning beaches, cork forests and a ruined roman city- Claudio Baelo - had been very important in its time.
And due to one of those great coincidences I ended up staying there for four nights. What happened was that last Sunday I met up with a long lost ( well, not known if truth be told) cousin Dan and his fab family Patsy, Africa and Lapita - I had been given his details by Brenda my Mum's niece and so we arranged to meet in Bolonia for lunch. Bit of a muddle finding each other but once we did- wow, we all got on like, well, long lost family, it was so much fun. Because we stayed on the beach so long and because of the heavy traffic they would have encountered they decided to stay, so I did too. Another meeting at breakfast and fond farewells - know we'll keep in touch.
So, there I was, in a lovely area, whats a girl to do? Well, bum around a bit more of course but then I met Ian - an English diving instructor - well, some of you may know that I tried diving when I was in Saudi - over 30 years ago, and didnt get on very well, but have always wanted to try again. So - thats what I did and succeeded but must say I think only thanks to his patience - nearly didnt go through with it - nope, not the fear of drowning but the thought of having to struggle into a wetsuit - yes, vanity nearly won through!! So have done my first dive but the course I did was a very basic one and as Ian has offered me a great price I am going to go back and take the next level - need to do 5 dives and more training but then will be able to go and dive anywhere- as it is I do have a certificate and we know how much I like them. So, another ambition achieved!!
I would have stayed and done it this week but a very strong wind - a Levante has blown up, -its so strong round there its hard to stand up in it and old Betsy was rocking and rolling at night- no - Ian and I have a purely professional friendship- minds out of the gutter please....Mind you I was ready for stop on a campsite after 9 nights wild camping-it is possible to wash your hair in a litre of water but will admit that a shower is much more pleasant.
So now I'm in the heart of Andalucia - fantastic seafood, flamenco and the horses of Jerez. Can get a ferry to Cadiz from here and a train to Jerez so Betsy's having a rest though looking at the map I haven't really travelled very far but am having a fantastic time.
Right, time to put some photos on, will be in touch again when i leave this area- till then, hope you are all well.
Jx
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