Author: c1iffsb10g

The Keane and Tears For Fears Concert in Valencia was a three hour drive on empty Autovías. The choice of motorway cafe v McDonalds v off route Cafe led to a five minute wander off the A31.

The Winery of Casa Cesilia is a beautiful place. Manicured grounds with peacocks, amazing entrance that has a glass floor over the basement wine tasting cellar

Valencia has built a modern/futuristic area of the city around the harbour and Oceangrafic. we were early at the concert…and enjoyed the support band (brilliant drummer) Las Planetos

Small jobs were lining up in Puerto after the Canada/Cousin visit/Valencia distraction over eight weeks.

I popped to Camposol and finished the Macerator Toilet, hand basin, shower installation. New lights and fan finished off the porcelain plumbing and electrical work.

Deryk had an irrigation problem, the pump to be replaced was inaccessible for him. I fitted the submersible pump in the remote deposit, only getting stung by wasps five times (the one behind my ear was a stinger).

Sean’s dad was having a problem with his recently refurbished swimming pool. A Buick visit found the control valve wrongly installed and glass filter media had entered the system. Air entering the pump via a wrong type of filter bowl cover was the last correction before all good again.

A coffee with Karl on a chance meeting in Pablo’s revealed a need to visit to set up the satellite channels on the system – stopping the need to scroll past 20 repeated found channels each time – easily sorted

A great success at the Military Museum where the work Stu and I had progressed over the last few months was rewarded with a 1945 Lister Generator bursting into life.

The start-ups had run the battery down when attempting to run the engine after each fault we cleared.

I put the battery’s on charge with a plan th put them in parallel to maximise engine throw over.

Stu thought the charge rates looked a little low to non-at all. His smile on seeing my connection cock-up was only beaten by the later one when we got the thing running. I carefully removed both red positive protection caps on the battery posts, but didn’t do the same to the Black negative posts – a muppet moment

Moving on, I had another pump job to do at Valerie’s. The bore hole pump was causing a total mains trip after 20 mins of running.

I checked out the supply, the feed cables, the 40 metres of cable down the bore hole and the control box

By chance I wandered past the bore hole filters after Daan had run them on a visit to check the system with him. The damp area around the third filter was a quickly soaking away puddlea filter clean and re-sit of a blown seal cured the problem. The pump had worked each time for a period until it couldn’t overcome the partial blockage and cavitation of air, and tripped on overload. A Cerveza at Pablo’s followed the 2hour trial run while filling the deposit.

The emails from the Museum – Kathryn Nye Secretary, Pedro Engineering Supervisor and the Association made it a very satisfying blog period

A delay of an hour to our Toronto flight was not a worry, but the additional hour sitting on the plane while security looked for baggage in the hold that didn’t add up with the paperwork was frustrating. Trying to make up lost time during the flight was wasted when we were put on holding patterns over London

The delay ensured we missed The booked National Coach transfer to Luton.

The National Coach Help desk said they could re-book us. Then asked for the full fare again. Selling us seats that we’d already paid for didn’t seem to fit the ‘re-book’ criteria.

Still, I’d factored in extra hours for the transfer and we comfortably made our Ryan Air flight to Murcia (RMU International).

Stu was there to pick us up, from a delayed flight of an hour – small hiccups in the 31 hours we had been on the move since leaving Niagara Falls.

Stu had been busy on airport runs, he’d picked up my visiting relatives the day before our Sunday arrival. Joan, Howard and her twin nieces were spending a week in Hotel La Cumbre (250 mtrs from Casa Cliff).

The apartment fridge held a surprise. Margaret and Deryk had popped in and put the fridge on and stocked it with a home made Cottage Pie 😍 Bonus – hot meal before bed

The week with Joan’s gang started with a Bolnuevo breakfast after picking them upthen a marina strollAn evening drink in El Faro bar/restaurante overlooked the harbourThere was a bike ride along the coast Joan had steering problemsHer Welsh ways meant he were forced to drink and tapas in a local bar at an hour that used to be the evening opening bar times in U.K. (17:00 until 22:30). Getting there for the doors opening is Evans family practice. mid-week was the return to my care-in- the-community role, looking after Stu and trying to get him to work without both hands in pockets or on hips

The kayak and Paddle Board were inflated for a water sports day. Quite relaxing after getting the girls up and paddling on the board, I showed them how to dismount while taking a small wave from behind

An evening on the apartment terrace with an Indian Meal from Sartaj was fun. We had a little dance from the master

Cartagena stroll with a Thinker photo is a visitors must, which followed from a pop to Camposol for Prisci’s dogs vet. Camposol has a mixed reception, enjoyed by many for its ex-pat community life, but some were sold poor quality homes on shifting land.

Back to Puerto and a visit to the karaoke bar (all too shy to go anywhere near a mike) The week ended with the car packed post Hotel checkout, a breakfast in Casa Cliff

Walking off breakfast before the mid-afternoon airport run, we visited Jesus Howard was approached by a joyful Tim to shake hands and praise his shirt choice. I took a picture and said I wouldn’t use it or mention it looked like somewhere was hosting a Gay Pride event – but I lied, here it is

The twins (not the above) are heading home to receive their First Class Honours awards. It was brilliant to spend time with family I’ve not had a chance to get to know with the miles. Their parents and sister dined them out in celebration 🍾

Have to get back into the beach-bum groove again now I suppose

The final two weeks of the six week visit ware spent at festivals and restaurants.

The Ribfest and Craft Ale weekend in Midland had a neat Axe Throwing event. Five dollars Canadian gave you six chances to hit three bulls – I managed just onePrisci wasn’t too far off matching me, and oddly had a few more cheers from the Craft Ale Male spectators

But a chance to take a 6.5 litre truck for a test drive meant I didn’t dwell on the three axes that had bounced flat and lay on the floor

A few cycle rides were over 5 hours and when visiting Victoria Harbour gave the chance to check out a more senior vehicle. The Ford ‘A’ was immaculate

Little Lake in Midland we’re sharing the Canada Day celebrations with Penetanguishene. Great music at the bandstand

And Joan and Kevin were back from Costa Rica to take the boat out and anchor in Penetanguishene Harbour for the night time events

The Mercedes needed a goodbye run, so we took a trip south of Barrie to an indoor range that allowed walk-ins to fire any gun/rifle you could think of – https://www.targetsportscanada.com

Joab and Kevin treated us both to a meal out to thank us for enjoying ourselves in their beautiful home!

Discussing a return to Canada caused them a little serious thought, but the shock wore off and we discussed a trip to South America together and a purchase of a boat to cruise together on the lake (two ex-Royal Navy chaps, what could go wrong?)

A farewell Hug all round was a hurried affair at the station. Waiting for a train that seemed late, I noticed a GO bus a few hundred yards away pulling in. I ran after the bus just in time to hold it. No time for goodbyes, we were on our way for a five hour journey to Niagara Falls.

Maid of the Mist, Fireworks and crossing the Peace Bridge to stroll around on USA soil all achieved – did Falls fireworks beat Penetanguishene?

The Megabus took us back to Toronto and after a Denny’s lunch we were ready for Pearson Airport

Sad to leave Canada and our friends in Penetanguishene (Joan, Kevin, Pantera and Tigre)

Busy times around the bazaars again this week, people on the move.

Valerie’s three sons met up with her in her Cartagena home, flying in from Spain/Shrewsbury/Vancouver, to enjoy 30 degs weather and the odd tot

The outside bath took a battering from Peter, Paul and John

small favours abound in the Rambla, and Stu offered to do Airport runs that I would do while I am in Canada – good man.

The Davidson’s chipped in help with an offer of laundry 🧺 for Valerie, allowing her and guests to make good getaways.

My time was taken with lunch on decking beside Georgian Bay with Blakey, Kath (on holiday with friends Geraldine and Ted, who live just two hours away in Gelph). We’re all from Gods county in the North West U.K. – Wallasey/Liverpool.

We showed them around Midtown and Penetanguishene, popping into Kevin and Joan’s for coffee and Butter Tarts. Blakey had a Captains chair sit on the boat as we passed the marina

Messages from Spain showed Margaret and Deryk had their hands fullStu was doing some running around, his visitors to the airport, laundry drop off and clearing away.

A deserved Cerveza on his roof terrace after a busy day – well earned Stu.

Margaret and Deryk dropped the sausage tasting ready to spring into Dhobi Whalla pose

Stu – an aide memoir..

The bins in Cartagena are communal containers in the high streets, Guess where Valerie’s bedding is😂

Walking and bike rides have filled the days when not keeping Pantera and Tigre company. A special thought on Liberation Day – 14th June – for many comrades no longer here because of the conflict or its effects on them, acknowledged with a tot from Kevin’s spirit locker

Then into the skies on a training flight, a fantastic experience of taking the controls and doing all but the final touchdown (next time though) Prisci is keen to complete her hours after completing the written pilot test in Spain, might be a race here to the licence

All level on flight training, we played Disc Golf on an 18 ‘hole’ course around Little Lake, Midtown. The tees are set out with the hole map

On the bikes for an afternoon along the lakeshore after the competitive few days, and Prisci (the loser) has to buy the ice creams at the first stop

Two hours later were admiring the church of Sante Marie among the Huron’s where a pilgrimage site had been set up in the 1600’s. The settlement has been recreated with the defence and a lock entry point from the river

It didn’t stop the raids by Indians, that forced the French missionaries to abandon the site and return to Quebec, nice tepees though

Coffee & cakes in the museum and a slow cycle home

Joan and Kevin have a boat at the marina, so a bit of sea-time had to happen on the first day. He and I both ex-Royal Navy, struggling to remember all the ‘pipes’, knots and military naval jargon that didn’t matter a jot on Georgian Bay

Pantera and Tigre were introduced to Prisci, and being Costa Rican born were used to a Spanish lilt and chat. She had followers dawn to dusk

I was happy to have the keys for the Merc again,

Before Joan and Kevin headed off to Costa Rica they cooked us some great meals and we had a music night at the Queens Quay, where Kevin performed a few songsThe next pub night was at Flynn’s Irish Bar in penetanguishene to watch Liverpool in the European Champions Final

There are a few beaches to check out, Balm beach was first. I checked the water temperature and think it might need another few degrees before the Paddle Board session

Wasaga Beach was a surprise. I knew it was a bigger town and there is a great atmosphere at the bars along The waterfront, but hadn’t realised it held two distinctions

First was the fact that it is the Worlds Longest Freshwater Beach

Secondly, it’s where the first Canada Transatlantic Flight took off from

Getting back to live music in the town, we watched a local band who had scored No 1’s. Midland Culture Centre presented ColdJack. I’m not sure how the communication error occurred, but Prisci was sitting waiting for an evening of Hypnotism (even while sitting in front of a stage prepared for an eight-piece group🤷🏻‍♂️

A day of rain stopped the 20Km walks, and a visit to the SS Tirikeewan filled in the damp hours.

The ship is the same era as Titanic and is the only surviving ship built of that time. She had to be built it two halves with water tight bulkheads to sail the halves singly through the locks onto the Great Lakes.

The interior is really plush, fitted out as in the day. The tri-cylinder engine is in pristine working condition. Ready to sail if the helmsman was up to the job….Saturday in Midland was Butter Tarts Fair Day. The Main Street packed with stalls that are packed with Butter Tarts

Prisci tried to catch the wrong bus home, but had mentioned she wanted to tick-off seeing a yellow school bus. Not arrested this time after I chased the bus and explained to the driver, lucky girl

Another night of music, then we prepare for our first hours in pilot training

Stu took us on the airport run at 08:00 Monday morning. Just a 30 minute drive to Corvera where Ryan Air would be waiting for the hop to England’s South Coast.

The Region Murcia International ((RMU) airport staff had to check my baggage and three places on my skin for drugs as I set off the alarm when passing through the security barrier. Happy I wasn’t one of the grey drug mules gang, I waited while Prisci was sent around again for leaving her iPad in her carry on bag.

The flight to Bournemouth went quickly, and the bus to the city centre was a bargain £2.50 for the one hour journey from the ex-Military airfield.

National Coaches were pre-booked to take us and our carry-on sized luggage to Gatwick. The Travelodge room for the night was only £40 and handy for the 08:30 check-in with British Airways.

£320 for a return ticket to Toronto – surely we would be travelling in the hold or serving the teas! Comfortable seats, good entertainment, nice meals, it was superb value from BA, and a loop around Gatwick was a chance to view it before going through Britain’s rain clouds

Rewatching Bohemian Rhapsody and a very poor effort at the Telegraph crossword passed the flight between dozes.

At Toronto airport my carry-on bag went through security three times before we could move through and catch the UP at Pearson Airport. A tram service like the Docklands Light Railway takes you to Union Street in the city (Union / Pearson). The plan was to take a little walk past the Sports Dome and CNN Tower before catching a train to Barrie

Barrie is halfway between Toronto and Penetanguishene, with a train service every 30 mins.

One hour on the train to sightsee and have our hosts only needing to do a two hour round pick-up trip instead of four hours seemed fair.

Kevin and Joan were waiting at Barrie rail terminus, which is a lakeside stop that is free from any hindered ticket office view.

Quickly into the car parked alongside the track, they had a Tim Hortons coffee and a box of mini Tim’s doughnuts ready for the one hour drive to Penetanguishene.

Pantera and Tigre couldn’t contain the excitement of their new minders for the coming weeks

The May month-end will start the six week visit to Canada, just a few things meanwhile to pass the other 26 days.

Nice of the neighbourhood to have a fiesta in the street – joy or sadness at my leaving?

The Volvo has been showing a Diesel Particle Filter fault on the dashboard (orange engine symbol) that I used my OBDII reader to analyse. After checking a few things (sensor, drove a manual forced regeneration), I stripped the air filter and pipe work to reach the sensor tubes from the DPF body.

I was anticipating a new DPF at £800, and/or sensor and pipes at £300.

Finding the outlet pipe perished away, inside the thermal protection tube, from the DPF – I tried to buy replacement hose

The Guy at the motor factors saw I only needed the short piece and said no charge (only €6/Mtr anyway).

It felt like I was a £1,000 up – the C30 running perfect.

Next job – Chirivel for sockets and fanlights, easy and a pleasant 3 hr round trip via Lorca. Picked up the Rich’s from the airport, and would return them

Won a couple of the Thursdays pool comps in BuenaVista Repaired an amplifier for KeesonRestored Nadine’s robot vacuum to full working order

Made a good start on four broken Sky boxesVoted in Spain as a European Citizen for the first time

Took care to set the floodlights at Karl’s as level and central as possible – easily a blot on the landscape of the superb frontage if slightly off

Did a plumbing job and some lights in a Camposol home

Picked up Valerie from the airport and had Terrace Tapas with her and Stu (who would be my lift to Murcia International)

I bought an easel! Looked a bargain and thought it was something that my cousin Joan might want to have in her barnhouse

May is also a remembrance time for me. Count my stars I came home from the Falklands (RAF from Ascension after losing Sheffield to an Exocet)

Time to stow all tools and pack to fly vía Bournemouth then Gatwick to Toronto

The annex was prepared ready with the apartment spare room. Our visitors had the option of self contained or sharing the flat.

Self-contained gets the extra of direct access onto the roof terrace. I’m hoping that’s why it’s the preference of all our visitors (I think I’m lovely to live with 🥳)

Eddie was the HMS Sheffield Helicopter Engineer in ’82. We were in the Petty Officers mess together and even after our catch-up in Torrox at their place, we had memories of ship life and events to polish up.

Trying not to bore the girls with too many recollections, we toured the Vickers guns, Cartagena, La Azohia, Bolnuevo and the odd bar.

In Cartagena we settled into our seats for coffee and had found the only cafe/restaurant in the city that doesn’t serve it! – Eddie needed a stiff drink after being thrown out of a cafe

Sully’s Sports Bar had the Liverpool match on, we dressed correctly then paraded our shirts along the Paseo after the win

There was enough time to visit some old salts from Eddies first ship, he loved his time on the Black Pearl

A departing breakfast at Bolnuevo in the Oasis was a chance for Irina to see the sandstone formations and pose with themMuseo Bar had impressed all for our late evening bar crawl. ‘Sing a long’ to the owners Spanish Guitar playing and admire his artwork, before he breaks into Beatles and requests.

The offer of Irina to host the next get together on her home turf in Moscow is under serious consideration – brave woman.

Joan and Howard ( ‘H’ ) flew into the new Murcia International airport that’s just 30 mins away They had just missed the Spanish FlySki Championships held a few minutes from the apartment in Puerto Mazarron

I’m sure ‘H’ would have enjoyed the previous weeks event on the paseo. As the driver in 1972 of this GT250 (he built up) he would have appreciated the work done on the motors in the vintage car rally

There was a few things to do in the week Joan and ‘H’ had at Casa Cliff. I was keen to see them enjoy everyday as they’ve looked after me for months at a time in Wales (and housed my Frankia Motorhome).

Howard celebrated a birthday, which gave us a a mid-morning excuse to eat cake. Margaret dropped by and helped sing to the Septuagenarian. The tennis tournament was a two day series, our battle carried on from the Talacre and Holywell courts.

We took a trip up the mountains to the guns that were part of the Cartagena Port defences

There was time to try some Spanish farming by Joan, a change from her own ride-on mower at Lloc Farm

The Thursday night pool tournament saw Howard take the winners pot from the dozen or so regulars at the BuenaVista

The nearby bodega was forced to take extra delivery of vino tinto, pumping it in as fast as someone in the group drank it

Cartagena, and the standard photos in this beautiful city (enhanced with Howard’s temp crutch – awaiting knee surgery)Neither Camposol D nor a property in La Azohia took their fancy, so no residencia application needed yet

Santa Elena Tower was being used for wedding shoots when we took time to explore it and all decide it is probably the nicest of the four beach areas we walked

Really great week spending time with Joan and H, more time needed for tile shopping for Joan’s Spanish-look around the Arga she has. Beach horse riding, and in warmer weather – paddle board and kayaking still to do.

The end of evening wine and dominoes saw ‘H’ take the Puerto M crown – challenge on in September then ….🎱