On to our destination in Portugal, called Amantil

After breakfast we left the hotel in the rain, we had intended another walk but with heavy rain forecast we decided against it also neither of slept well so were a little on the slow side.

The SatNav gave us two options to get to Amantil and we chose what would turn out to be the best but also the slowest. When planning this trip months ago we decided that after our nights stop we should then go to Seville to do some food shopping at Costco only to discover later that they do not open on Sundays, blast!!

Anyway the route we had chosen took us up in to the mountains with very windy and poor road surface roads for several hours but with really beautiful scenery and so it was well worth the effort. During the first part of the journey we noticed what with all the steep uphill climbing the fuel gauge was going down a little to fast and we got a little  worried that may be we wont find a petrol station open on a Sunday but we need not have worried as we eventually came across a town with three open petrol stations.

Leaving Spain for Portugal with a time difference going back to UK time we joined the Motorway network in the direction of Faro and by this time it had started raining quite heavily but on joining the first motorway there was a sign pointing you off the road marked tourista which I took to mean for a tourist shop only I think it was designed to manage people who wish to drive on the Portuguese roads you need to have a pass to pay tolls and so thought Oh dear should I have gone in there but I di have a paid for pass anyway. A little later we stopped again for a brief pit stop and then noticed the overhead cameras to check cars for the Toll Pass and on the right there was signboard stating the amount to pay but no charge was shown, how odd, but I worried in case I had done something wrong. Later the following day I discovered that the Portuguese Government from the 1st January had taken quite a lot of Toll motorways out of the charging system and made them free including the one we had travelled on , relief…

We eventually arrived at our destination called Lakeside Country Club and checked in and it was wet when we unloaded the car and room electric had been switched off and was cold and so resolving this we had originally planned to have dinner at the on site restaurant only to find it was closed on Sunday night, damn. The receptionist told us of a shopping mall about two miles away which had a selection of restaurant’s and a supermarket and so after emptying the car we toddled off in the rain to find this place. The supermarket was small but quite comprehensive and so after deciding we could get our supplies here but that they don't close until 8 pm we found an Irish bar and had a beer and watched Newcastle beat Liverpool 

only the place was full of Brits and Irish and rather nosy. So we had also noticed and much quieter Pizza Join called Tony’s where Noel had a very tasty Margherita and Jennifer the chicken Palmisano 

which looked rather large which I did not think she would finish but she did. From there we headed back to the supermarket and spent 20 minutes building a supply to last a couple of days.

We got back to the apartment and discovered that the TV had alls the Sky Sport channels and many UK channels and so watched a couple of programs on BBC before going to bed, with the rain still pouring down.

We arrive in Santander

Its an early morning arrival at about 0700 local time and so they start playing music in all the cabins to wake you up at about 0545, ( really nice) . So we packed up our overnight bags and departed for the breakfast room and had to wait about an hour before they said we could return to the car. We had to wait nearly 45 minutes sitting in the car before we could drive off an then headed for immigration, which was quite quick, and then to customs where we were pulled aside and asked how much money (cash) do we have to which I answered about 450 Euros, he then disappeared with Noels passport and retuned with a form I had to sign as he kep on telling me its OK to sign, don't worry he said, but I did for a while.

We drove out of the Port which seems to be going thro some changes and it took about 10 minutes, it seemed like, to leave the Port and then in to and around the town of Santander where there were also lots of road works in place. After about an hour we started to climb and to the point we were beginning to get surrounded by snow capped mountains and with signs for skiing which we did not expect and the outside air temperature dropped to 2C and with the car warning us of expect ice patches.

WE headed South on the motorway and we had set ourselves a longish drive for the first day of about 6.5 hours plus stops but the roads were empty compared to UK roads. We stopped at a café/petrol station and filled up the car with fuel and purchased a sandwich for lunch of toasted ham and cheese which we sat and ate in the cafe.

With bladders empty and tummies full we continued to head South in the direction of Seville but as we got closer we turned off to the right and headed to our Hotel in a place called Zafra and it was one of the Parador Hotels of Spain. If you don't know Paradors are historic building of Convents, Monasteries , Castles etc which are to expensive for local towns to up keep and so the Spanish state will take them over and adapt them to Hotels , we have stayed in this chain on previous visits to Spain.

We checked in and were given a room, nay suite, on the 2nd floor it was quite large but an odd shape but was Ok for our purpose. After a brief rest we went for a walk around the old town which was quite busy and then decided a beer would go don well and so we found this little bar which was doing a roaring trade and enjoyed a couple of beers before heading back to the Hotel at around 1930. Dinner in the Hotel would not be until 2030 and so shortly before we made a trip to the bar to check it out and then on to the restaurant which was quite quiet.

 Noel had the fish after explaining his food restrictions and Jennifer had the venison which she enjoyed but most likely it had garlic in and what with a late dinner time, which we don't, we both found it difficult to sleep. Not such a long drive tomorrow.

Here we go again

We ll after being disappointed that we could not go to Florida due to very high Travel Insurance cost, once you get over 80 they charge you like a wounded bear, and so we decided to go to Portugal instead. So today was all about packing up the house and driving down to Portsmouth to connect with the Brittany Ferries ‘Santona’ newish ferry ship all the way down to Santander.

We finished packing up the house, took a little longer as the previous evening Jennifer hosted a few ladies from the Broadoaks Park Book club which entailed a few glasses of Prosecco and some foody bits and pieces. Nevertheless we finished up about midday an then had easy afternoon loading the final bits in to the car and heading off at around 19.00 hrs. The journey was easy with very little traffic and we arrived quite early at around 20.15 in plenty of time for the ferry leaving at 23.30. Finally at about 2245 we started to board and the car deck weas a spotless white as the ship was less than two years and part of the refurbishment of the Brittany Ferries fleet.

We made out way to the cabin which was fine and the ship was quiet and barely noticed any movement and so was  most conformable.  In the morning we went to the CC Club which is a premier space set aside for people who pay more and there we obtained breakfast of scrambled eggs nd bacon and there was sausages ( onion?) who knows so took is easy although the potatoes may have contained some onion which I discovered later. We sat there for a while after breakfast and watched to world go by and then back to the cabin for a rest of book reading before lunch. The food for lunchtime was limited as far as I was concerned although Jennifer had the Pork stew and rice which she said was fine, for me it was bread and cheese but the cheese was very good so no problems.

The back to the cabin and Jennifer went up to the open deck for a while whilst I as taking care of my body after the onions and then in the evening we went back for dinner and there was a curry and rice plus a vegetarian option and for me , well it was bread and cheese.

During the afternoon we had sailed quite close to the coast and thro some islands which I believe are the Isle Molene and we were quite close the coast at times. After dinner we went back to the cabin and with both of use reading , me a book on the establishment of Hong Kong and Jennifer The Covenant of Water.

And so to bed.

Could not organise a piss up in a brewery

 I cannot let the following go unnoticed by me how bad things are in the Uk at the moment, all courtesy of the current and all the  previous governments.

We have a situation where the new Labour Government could not manage a piss up in a brewery  let alone run a Country and the ministers involved are giving women a bad name. So you have the ex Transport |Minister who only lasted a few weeks had to leave for failing to disclose a conviction against her, then you have Rachael from Accounts who has screwed up the Bond market to such a degree the puts the so called but previously unknown 22 billion pounds debt in the shade with her efforts and thats now likely to be more like 60 billion, less the so called 22 billion. Not surprising really as she only had experience in managing customer complaints at a Bank and no knowledge of Government budgeting. It could be that the civil servants in the department dont like her and set her up. However following an all expenses trip to China she brought home an investment of £ 120 m per year for six years, big deal… she should be fired.

Now on to the Pakistani n men rape gang scandal which was brought to light by Elon Musk, well done old chap, but it has put the UK Governement in the spotlight and highlights their stupidity . The lady responsible a Jessie Philips has refused a full Governemnt enquiry and was most hurt when being called out by the richest man in the world and is most offended and hurt, but she does not give a stuff about the the thousands of young girls raped by mainly men of Pakistani origin. They don't want an enquiry as too many well known people from Government Ministers to senior Civil Servants down to Council staff and of course the Police would be taken to the cleaners how embarrassing but lets forget the kids. 

As for the vile mainly Pakistani men that committed these atrocities they should all be shipped back to Pakistan ( or Rwanda if Pakistan does not want such horrible human beings\) and all the men should be castrated. You may says its unfair on their families but I don't agree as the families of the girls affected hurt is far worse. As a father I think the attitude of the UK Government on this is appalling to say the least.

Then there is a Pakistani  female minister responsible for stopping corruption in the UK who is being investigated for being involved in corruption in Pakistan. You just cannot make it all up.

Now on to the ‘Wanker in Chief’ , a certain Mr Starmer who is singularly involved in all this mess. One really wonders what level of corruption together with his very close ( even closer than you think)  friend |Mr Lord Ali .. A PM who picks members of his cabinet with no experience whatsoever of running a  business or how their decisions affect the residents of the UK. As a taxpayer the UK Government should  work for us and not do what they want to do. Mr Starmer does not like the interference from America ie Mr Trump and Mr Musk but happily sends a bunch of civil servants to USA to work for the democrats for the 2024 election and see how that came out.

When you worry about diversity, and the need to get rid of men in the Los Angeles fire department and replace them with women has proven a disaster and people have allegedly  lost their lives as the female firefighters could not lift a grown man, gosh that's a surprise. The California Governor and senior staff have a lot to answer for by not carrying out the basics, by helping a few salmon swim upstream that have lost thousands of homes, what an absolute blundering idiot.

Well that's it for the moment

Now a big moan

 Its very nice going away for a few days but everywhere you go shortly afterwards you receive an email asking what we thought of the food, accommodation, etc etc, its most annoying. When you look some of the places we had just visited  they have thousands of reports and so if they don't know by now how they are doing,  my making a report will really not help. 

So now they just get deleted and if I feel a reply is warranted I put it on Google and Trip Adviser

Time to go home

 Well its been a nice few days away from home touring the county of Northumberland and visiting some very nice places although the weather was not the best , but we enjoyed anyway.

WE packed and left the Hotel around 11.00 and headed South for about 2.5 hours and we thought we would finish of the trip by having lunch before arriving home and so we booked at the Rose and Crown at Thorpe , a place we have visited a few times with excellent food.

We arrived home about 15.00 and immediately unpacked the car, had a cup of tea and then a zizz for an hour or so. We always find if you stay in several Hotels on the go with different beds and bedding you really don sleep to well, well we don't, and so when you get home you go n your own bed and have a good nights sleep.

Perhaps next time go to Wales or Yorkshire

 

A tour of Rutland Waters

 It was rather nice being able to decide what time we would have breakfast rather than the need to follow the rules of the Hotels, with some finishing at 9.30 am and other 11.00 but on the Lodge we could do what we want. So we had breakfast around 10.30 and enjoyed the quiet and caught up with emails ret before jumping back in to the car to do a tour of the lakes, we thought.

On the map there was a line indicating what we thought was a road going around the Lake ( reservoir} and so we followed the route and had to enter a Parking lot before continuing only to find that the so called road was only for pedestrians and bikes and so there is no road around the lake from which you can see the lake itself, this was a bit of let down. So we got out the map and followed several roads as close the lake as we could and then stumbled upon a Garden Centre which had a café, very new its seems, and so we entered and had a nice lunch sort of overlooking the lake providing you stood on one leg…

Following lunch we departed for the nearest shops so we could purchase a snack for the evening and we located a Tesco where cheese, bread and some wine and water were purchased before we headed back to the Lodge for a relaxing afternoon . We were a bit disappointed about the lake not being visible and next time be more prepared for walking etc. In the evening we were watching a fil and there was this almighty bang which as first we thought was a fuse blowing but we then discovered that the gold driving range was next door and somebody had hot the ball over the side netting and on the rood of the Lodge.

And so to bed.

Heading slowly home

After the usual hotel breakfast we packed the car and headed off out of Seahouses and this sun was shining and blue sky everywhere, at least for a while.  We topped up  the fuel tank to avoid doing so in the A1M where they rip u off like mad.  We then headed off via country lane to the A1M in the direction of our next paned stop near Rutland Waters.

What I did not mention in yesterdays blog was that we had decided to only book the first five nights and then make decisions on where to go next, either stay in Northumberland, or somewhere else entirely and we had decided to to visit the County of Rutland  which we believe is one of the smallest County in the United Kingdom and a County we had not visited so that seemed like a plan. So we started looking for Hotels and you go from cheapish  B&B thro very expensive £ 300 per night for just the room, and then via the internet I stumbled upon an offer from Expedia , which I thought was for a room at £ 120 per night which seemed to good to mis but also aware that Hotels often prefer you book direct which I tried to do but their website says fully booked and when I phoned them go the same answer. So I nearly gave up but then went back to the Expedia site and studied the offer which turned out to be a wooden three bedroom lodge with fully equipped kitchen and with large lounge area all for £ 120. So with a great deal of trepidation I booked it and hoped all would be Ok.

Anyway we headed South on the A1M with Tom Tom taking us off to avoid a significant queue due to extensive road works until we reached our exit to Greetham.  One small rather surprising thing we noticed both Northbound and Southbound that there were two large sex shops with extensive parking so lord knows that goes on there. we also passed Trophy Motors who had at least 40 or 50 MGF cars.

We arrived at the Golf Club and were given the key to Lodge Number 5 and we trundled down the road and located our lodge and boy were we happy. It was very large , almost as large as our house in sq ft terms, so brilliant discovery. For dinner we went to the club house for something to eat, they had a limited menu and it was quiet whilst we were there but we were early as at 7.30 pm they were expecting about 20 people to show up.

Back to the lodge and we watched a film with Tom Hanks in a film called ‘A man called Otto’, which was very good and made you think.

So to bed we go with plans to tour the lakes tomorrow.

Shame about the weather

After yesterdays gorgeous day with lot of blue sky and sun we awoke this morning to pouring rain and very strong winds. From our room you could see the whitecaps on the large waves that wee crashing in to the Harbour wall and nobody was there .

We went for our morning breakfast in the Bamburgh Castle Hotel, it was the usual buffet which you help yourself to and the room was quite busy and as the car parks was also full we assumed the Hotel was doing well. Due to the Hotel car park being full when we arrived Noel had to park the car about 300 yards away in a public car park which is fine to walk to and from in the sun but when its raining and blowing a gale, its not great

Once the rain and wind had slowed down we went over to ick up the car and drove North up to Bamburgh Castle and then beyond on the Great Northumberland Coast Road for a few miles and then we parked by the side of the road with Jennifer watching the birds in the small harbour seeing  mostly seagulls, oyster catchers, shell duck and a hawk of some type.  After a while we headed back to Seahouses and found we could park the car in the Hotel car park and then walked up the hill to the Italia restaurant which had a good reputation. The previous days dinner in the Black Swan was excellent, however the pop musing blaring away was not conducive to a nice atmosphere and so we opted to try this Italian restaurants called Insieme Italian restaurant with great views over the car Park. The food however was excellent and we both enjoyed it very much until the bill came, Ooooh, perhaps we should have had a bottle of win and deserts, but you only live once.

We got bck to the room at around 4 pm and Noel was planning to watch the LIverpool vs Chelsea game on the pc via the internet only now the internet started to play up and so as it kept cutting in and out and then totally out he had to listen in audio on his phone.  Blast. Later in the evening the Austin F1 race was to take place and initially the wifi continues to play up then somebody must have fixed it and so we could watch the race which was great, and also good to see Ferrari get one and two positions with the flying Dutchman third and poor old Norris 4th.

Noel ate a few grapes which had seen better days then one hour later fully regretted the decision and so had to stay up a bit longer to ensure no accidents. Tomorrow we leave for Rutland Waters and planning to stay on a Gold Club in a three bedroom hut.

A nice drive in the Country

Following breakfast we left the Hotel Le Petit Chateau at around 10.30 and our trusty Tom Tom Sat Nav sent us down some lovely country roads and through small villages and there was a lot of farming activity mostly sheep and cows. There were lots of Pheasants walking in the road attempting to play ‘chicken’ and we even saw a group of partridges which were also walking along the road no doubt trying to avoid the hunters up on the hill.

The road had suffered heavy rain in the last couple of days and sometimes crossing with with a semi electric made you think until we came to a road with about thirty feet of water blocking us.  What to do, Jennifer offered to walk with a stick to check the depth but I said not a good idea in case there were hidden potholes and so we turned  around and headed back via the partridges and pheasants. 

Just outside of the route to Holy Island was an information board advising when you could and could not cross the causeway and it was open until 14.10 and now was about 12.00 so we drove over the causeway and reached the town car park which was extremely full and quite a way from the actual town itself, so we turned round and headed back. On the hill overlooking the causeway was a coffee shop and also what looked like a very nice camping site for motorhomes and Caravans. S we stopped for some refreshments before heading back to the main road. As Berwick on Tweed was only a short distance away we decided to visit there before heading south again.

The junction with the A1 to go north is a bad junction and we had to cross the two heavy streams of traffic with no one giving way and so you have to push your way in and in doing so upset a guy in his Range Rover who insisted to sit two inches behind me for a short while blasting his hooter and flashing his lights so I pulled out the way. I had already noticed that the standard of driving on this road was poor, probably Scots, it was a 60 mile road and I was doing 58 they all bunch up behind you like peas in a pod, ridiculous.

We spent a short time driving around Berwick but not much to talk about except they had a very large Sainsbury’s and so we headed down to Bamburg Castle which is most impressive but the really nice weather had brought out the masses and nowhere to park and at that moment the battery in the camera gave up exhausted , perhaps go back tomorrow but then the weather was not going to be so good.

So off we went further South for a short while to find out Hotel in a place called Seahouses which was really packed and the Hotel car park was the same. So Noel parked several hundred yards away in the main car park and we then signed in to our room overlooking the sea, that is you ignore the flat rood immediately out of the window.

After a short rest we went for a walk around the fishing port harbour and we noticed that the council has placed wooden seating so people can sit and enjoy the view just like in a cinema. There were lost of people eating fish and chips out of packets whilst enjoying the view. Trip Adviser had recommended the Black Swan pub and when we got there it was quite busy with lots of empty tables, we thought, only to find they were all reserved and you can eat in the bar if you find a table which we eventually achieved. The food was really excellent, Noel had the Halibut fishwith boiled potatoes and Jennifer the Thai Curry and we may go back there tomorrow if we can get in.

Now back in the room Noel wired up the TV and we watched the F1 Sprint race from Austin, Texas and then a couple of documentaries before turning in. The room was quite warm and so with window wide open we went to bed.

We done everywhere man!!

Following a breakfast bacon sarni in the restaurant this morning we gathered our gear for a drive in the sun and take a look at the country side. We decided to let Tom Tom take us on a circuitous route which was great with single lane roads passing the off farm and/or very small village util we reached a road with a very large gate shutting off the road, Oh well that's life.

So we turned round and headed back the way we came until we could find another route to Keilder Water where we spent a short while looking at the lake come reservoir before carrying on and unfortunately the very nice sunny weather seemed to disappear and along came the rain. We stopped at a Forestry Commission countryside woodland caravan site which also had chalets for rent which looked nice but only when you have good weather as  otherwise they would be very dark. WE also think that they would be quite expensive.

From there we came across a petrol station with a small local shop attached where they were making sandwiches and baguettes to order and so we  ordered a ham and tomato which we enjoyed about an hour later next to a small river in the pouring rain. Unfortunately the second half of the trip the weather was poor by we passed by and though the following towns and villages.

From Keilder we crossed in to the Scottish borders for a while, that's why it was raining and so with visits to Larriston , Old Castle Town , New Castleton which is shown as planned village which was most boring and a place where I guess suicide would be high, from there back to England to Brampton to follow Hadrians Wall which was looking a bit battered. There was also a Roman Museum but we did not visit as ‘What have the Romans ever done for us’. Turning North to go thro Wark and Bellingham and finally back to Otterburn to our Hotel.

With a short rest after a long day out we went for dinner and heard the noise from the big wedding that was taking place but so far it is not reaching our room. Time will tell.

Tomorrow we leave the Hotel and will head further North

A bit of everything today

After a good nights sleep and and very good Hilton Garden breakfast we packed our bags and headed of towards Gateshead where we are planning to visit the local Lexus Car dealer as we are currently looking/considering to change our current vehicle and we wanted to look a bitt more on what is on offer.

Our prime reason was to compare the seats of the NX F Sport car front seats against the standard and also look at colours of external as well as internal, which we succeeded to achieve. I think we have now made up out minds.

We now needed to top up the fuel tank and as Costco was only  minutes away we went there for unleaded at £ 1.24 as against other  10 p per litre more expensive and then decided to stop and have a cup of tea. 

From there we took a long and interesting route from Gateshead to arrive two hours later in a place called Otterborn which is a relatively small village with a couple of hotels but not far from a very large Army establishment. The hotel had pre warned us that on the second day of our stay there would be a wedding taking place with certain areas out of bounds but actually it will really no impact on us at all..

The Hotel we are staying is called Le Petit Chateau and is an amazing Hotel with lovely rooms and a good area where you can get married in a church like building and then walk five yards to start celebrating.

Jennifer went for a quick walk to the Mill, which unfortunately was closed but perhaps visit tomorrow and Noel caught up on some emails etc ..

In the evening we went to the restaurant and the food was very good with Jennifer having the chicken pie and Noel the beefburger.

Afterwards we took another walk around the Hotel and sat for a while in the lounge and then returned to the room as Noel is working on a website for the controlling of all the documentation  of the estate Management review and also working with the West Surrey Badger group with regard to badgers living in the adjacent wood.  This is important as they want to build 450 houses next door and this piss off the badgers immensely and also UK rules state they cannot be moved, or something along those lines.

And so to bed

Going UP NORTH

Well after a busy few days with visiting family in Oxford and looking at new cars we had a good nights sleep before heading up to Northumberland for a few days. A close neighbour had waxed lyrical about the area and suddenly we thought we would visit as we had a few days spare.

So we were up reasonably early  and packed the car and sorted out the house and bins before leaving at around 11.00 for an approx five hour drive. So round the famous M25 to the A1M and then headed North and shocked at the amount of trucks using this road. The trouble was a lot of the trucks have speed governors and so when they try to overtake it can take 2.5 years before they make it past and so you can age really fast sitting behind and wating for the road to clear.

Part the way up the Tom Tom Sat Nav said leave the AIM and take the following side road which got us concerned and then we found that the A1M had major road works causing several miles of tailback which Tom Tom very carefully guided us around.

We drove for about two hours and stopped at a Starbucks for a cup of tea and our sandwiches and swapped driver and so Jennifer took over and unfortunately had the worst of the weather and with very few opportunities to stop and change she had to drive for 2.5 hours, more than planned. We finally made a stop about 30 minutes from our Hotel and by this time the rain had stopped, thank heavens.

We had booked to stay at the Hilton Garden Inn  Hotel in Sunderland which had  received good views and as we had decided that we did not need to visit Newcastle and just needed a good bed for the night. We arrived about 5 pm and settled in to our room but a beer was desperately needed and so shortly afterwards we went to the bar and then finally on to the restaurant and the food was really good. Jennifer had the grilled chicken with sweet potato fries and Noel the Sunderland fish and chips which was also excellent.

The Hotel is right next door to the Stadium of Light where Sunderland FC play and they seem to being doing well as currently Number one in the Championship.

So a quiet evening in the room after a busy day and hoping for the weather to improve after todays rain.