Sunday, December 31, 2023

Good afternoon. It’s a bright beautiful sunshiny day here in central Florida. The year 2023 has been one of changes around our home. We sold the RV, sold the Dodge truck, purchased a swim spa, and totally changed our lives around. We are no longer Gypsies roaming the north American highways.   😂  It’s all good. We are enjoying different things now and have a big cruise planned for September.

As we say goodbye to 2023, we remember those we have lost. It began with Mark‘s Sister Pam in February,  then cousin Kathy in June and an aunt at age 100 on Christmas day. Also lost was our wee squirrel Woody in October and Diane’s little Beau. Life goes on; memories remain. 

Thanks for being part of our lives as we navigate the long and winding road. 🥳🥂🍾 Happy New Year! ❤️

Friday, December 29, 2023

My mom and dad’s saga from 50 years ago continues with their travels in Spain. 

Saturday, January 27, 1973 (Torremolinos, Spain)

We were up by 9:30 today and no hangover! Out (after sunning) by noon to shop and walk. Weather is wonderful. Then after lunch downtown, we walked along the beach. Came home and rested up for tonight.

Decided to go back to the guitar player’s restaurant for dinner and arrived at the fashionable hour of 830. Many arrived at 10:15 for a meal. Serenaded and wined and dined – a lovely evening all around.

Sunday, January 28, 1973

I slept in until 1130. Amazing. Archie had been out on the patio since 830. We had a leisurely breakfast and sat some more.

I noticed that I say I must do “so-and-so” But I keep saying mañana. I’m getting to like this life and I can’t afford that!!

Went for a walk along the promenade, and on the way back stopped in at a restaurant for a beer and a Smorg  salad.

Had a good dinner – Arch cooked a roast and potatoes and carrots and we ate the whole thing. Delicious with candlelight and champagne.

Monday, January 29, 1973

Up by nine sunning and eating on the patio – a lovely day (no wind.) getting lazier every day – went downtown shopping – lots of people there. Had lunch and came back to the El Remo for a siesta. Shops all closed at two till 430 or 5 o’clock. Some open again, some don’t .. it seems to depend on how they feel. Went for a walk along the beach. Had steak supper at home – real lazy. Read books and in bed by 12!

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Thursday, January 25, 1973 – sunny and warm

After breakfast while the maids were tidying up, we went out to our patio in our bathing suits. It’s so warm – Arch has gone out to shop, but I’m sunbathing. Overlooking the. Patio is a hotel being finished up, and a man shoveling debris into a little cart pulled by three donkeys, waiting very patiently – people are bathing now in the Mediterranean, but no one in the swimming pool.

Out for supper in a darling restaurant. Came back and watched Spanish TV.

Friday, January 26, 1973

Time is flying by now – darn it. Sat out on our patio and bathing suits all morning. Then I forced myself to get dressed, and we went by taxi downtown and looked around the shops.

It’s a beautiful sunny day. So many things I’d love to be able to bring home. We ordered a bunch of posties (With names on) . They are light to bring home – walk back to El Remo all of 2 miles. I’m sure.

In the evening we went barhopping – finally in Barney‘s bar two blacks were speaking English, so was the proprietor – heavenly! And close to home, at a Spanish, restaurant and bar I was sure I was being serenaded by a handsome Spaniard on a Sitara. 

Friday, December 22, 2023

Tuesday, January 23, 1973

We were awakened by Maurice serving us coffee in bed. Such lucury! We packed up and were ready to leave by 10:30. Quite a fog today. Thanked our host and hostess, they sure were wonderful to us. Back in London by 1 PM so we parked our car by the underground station and went to London. We got Spanish money at a bank and finally went to Madame Tousart’s – “The Wax Works!”  Really enjoyed it!!

Picked up our car and went back to Joan’s  – the clan arrived and Alan suggested we go out for a pint, so it was the Airline hotel – Diamond Lil’s. Then to bed in Carol’s room.  

Wednesday, January 24, 1973

London airport – mild and cloudy.

Up and breakfasted. – Joanne, Carol, Tony and the children all stayed off the job or school and drove to the airport to see us off. Plane finally got airborne at 3:15 bound for Malaga. Uneventful except for my gallant husband. He whipped out his cigarette lighter (to light up a blonde sitting next to us) and it burst into flames! Burnt his hand, but not seriously but we did get some attention – I think some thought it was the start of a bombing. 

Got a cab in Malaga and went to our hotel in Torremolinos  – well, it is all breathtaking! Daylight till 715 here – so we could see everything. The hotel El Remo is so gorgeous. We have a three room suite complete with a modern kitchen and a washer, a 14 x 6 patio overlooking the Mediterranean. All furnished so beautifully in Spanish (what else) decor! 

Went out to a shop for supplies and stayed in for a change, had supper, a drink, and into our twin beds. Air-conditioned rooms – guess you need them in summer.

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Good evening! Before I get back to my 1973 trip series blog, I wanted to post a picture of a very special gift that Mark and I received. 

Our friend Rick M in British Columbia is a skilled artisan in woodworking. His shop apparently is well equipped! Look at the beautiful inlaid wood on this Cribbage board!

The workmanship is amazing!

And, unlike cribbage boards commercially sold, this board swings open to reveal the pegs and card storage! 

What really touched us both is the inscription. ❤️ It’s 

Beautiful on so many levels. Thank you Rick, our dear friend.  

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Good evening. It’s been a day of tidying up after hosting a party for Robbie’s 13th birthday.  

Yeah, he was quite into the whole party! Both Robs and Bee even had a taste of cake! 

Twenty-one friends came out on a blustery Florida night to party with us. (The entire Florida peninsula was covered in a storm with gusting winds and blowing rain.) Shortly after the pizzas were delivered, the power went out, and stayed out until 1030 or 11 o’clock that night. 😂 Surprisingly though, no one left.  The party continued! What a great group of friends we have. 

Both Robbie and sister BeeZee opened presents … plenty of yummy treats and fun toys. 

Wednesday December 13, 2023

Monday, January 22, 1973

Maurice woke us up at 9:30 with a call of “Breakfast is ready” — boy, we slept well — such comfortable beds we’ve had over here.

We seem to have brought the sun to Wales, they tell us - it’s a cold bright day so we’re going out fora drive with Jean and Maurice to see some of Wales. 

We went into the Wye Valley and on for a beautiful drive — 

stopped for lunch in a pub, the Rose and Crown. The people are all so friendly. Then Maurice took us to an old Roman site - We paid to go in and saw the “Amphitheater” where the Christians were thrown to the lions - amazing - took some pictures. Wended our way back to Crick - such a lovely drive we had!

I laid down for a rest before the evening festivities. 

Left the manor at 7:30 for the 10 minute drive to the Castle. It was raining. Got inside the “Bar Room” - it was crowded and after a few minutes we were all told “to leave the 20th Century now and go to the “Great Hall” where a minstrel played the fiddle and our Lady welcomed us all then called out our separate parties to go up the winding stairs to the dining room - Lord & Lady Wellers and their guests Lord & Lady Tawns were ushered in. We were sat in an alcove seat (above the rest) and as soon as our host welcomed everyone we were singled out for a welcome by everyone - (from Winnipeg Canada.)

Our serving girl was called Lady Anne who was also one of the chorus. First, we had a heavy, tasty soup, and a loaf of bread, no spoons, just scoop it up. Then came a lovely dish of lamb, baked I think, and after that a half chicken done in honey and rosemary and baked potatoes and a beautiful salad. All this to be eaten with just a dagger knife. Oh, yes, we all had bibs on to help keep us clean. This was unlimited drinks of mead and heavy red. As soon as you took a sip, it seemed to be filled up again. There was entertainment all through the meal and after. It ended about 11 PM and we were invited to go to the bar , but we felt we had enough so we went home to our warm bed and room.