BILL’S 9/10 FRANCO-SPANISH BLOG
Bill’s first contribution to this blog, written at Camping Monte Igueldo, San Sebastian (Donostia).
What a relief to be in a place when peace is declared there. ETA have, in San Sebastian today, announced a permanent ceasefire. Mostly, when we have visited places, “war” has broken out ever since we went to Ireland and provoked the recent “troubles” to break out right up to more recent times when the would-be “fizzy drinks” transatlantic airline bombers were foiled on the same day we crossed the Atlantic.
San Sebastian is now one of my top 10 places in the world. It’s really buzzing with life. This happens to be the day of the San Sebastian Annual Regatta where village teams from all over Spain bring homemade rafts to race for prizes – so the place is even more lively than usual. I’ve never seen beaches so crowded as today. Would like to come again when it’s more peaceful – because they really are beautiful – and all the visitors gather at the seaward end of the main street – “Boulevard Pio something” – to watch the sun set into the sea – just like they do at Key West.
Still having problems with the camping. We haven’t realty missed the non-functioning (downright dangerous!) Chinese cooking stove from “Go Outdoors” – except for making early morning and late night cuppas. But that’s a mixed bessing because, at least we don’t feel the need to get up in the night for a trek to the toilet block.
The real bugbear is the “lilo”. By 3 in the morning, it has deflated sufficiently to allow first my buttocks, then Val’s to come in contact with the cold earth. The earth is getting warmer – but harder – as we journey South. As a man, one would suffer this inconvenience in silence, but once Val touches earth, all hell breaks loose. In the time between my my bum tocando tierra and Val’s doing the same, I’m musing: “What would Isambard Kingdom Brunel do in a situation like this?” A gasket is what is needed! Chewing gum? “No you daft lummock, try bluetak.” I bet old IK didn’t have the advantage of a Makam wife to advise him about the building of HMS Great Britain! Well we’ll see how it goes tonight with our bluetak gasket!
My comments (Val) despite hours of re blowing up the lilo and the application of blutack the lilo is still deflating as we speak! Otherwise all dandy, hoping to get to Cuenca tomorrow.
Hi you 2
ReplyDeleteURRRMMM I'm wondering if the camping gear is going on ebay when you get home?
Firstly, leave the airbed at the campsite and buy a new one. It's obviously not working for you!!!
It sounds as you go south you are having more fun (ooh that sounds bad!!) you must just be forgetting comfort!!!You will really appreciate that bed and shower when you get to Vejer.
We are fine here, scaffolding all over the house as we are having the stone and brickwork cleaned...what a mess!.
Had an interesting evening with Derek Potter.
Will forward our subsequent emails to you...interesting reading. He wouldnt go camping! He needs a hip replacement! Think positively, you should think yourself lucky you can still get on all 4s!
Drink heavily before you get into bed and then you'll not notice the arse hitting the ground. yes I know you will need a pee sooner but it might be worth it!!!! happy trailing lol Glen and Mikey xx
at least there are no complaints about Aldi's finest tent! look on the brightside
ReplyDeleteIf the bluetak doesn't work (I'll be surprised if it does) camping shops might sell lilo repair outfits. Alternatively an inner tube puncture repair outfit from a cycle shop might do the trick. I thought it was incidents like this that made camping what it is, which is why Wendy and I prefer to stay in proper beds in hotels or in lovely homes like Casa Angel in Vejer! Keep enjoying yourselves. Malcolm
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