The story of our adventure in Spain



In October 2002 we purchased a holiday flat in Guardamar on Spain's Costa Blanca - not far from Alicante and Torrevieja and we try to spend a good part of the year in Spain.

This blog hopefully will contain our thoughts and impressions of Spain - the good and the bad and lots and lots of photographs of not only Guardamar but the rest of Spain as we eventually get to explore it.

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Friday 30 January 2009

Torrevieja - Habaneras


This monument is dedicated to the Habaneras and is found on the sea front in Torrevieja



The Habaneras style of singing was brought back to Torrevieja by the early sailors on their return from Cuba .

A distinctive style - Torrevieja is now famed for the Habaneras music festival.

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Wednesday 28 January 2009

ABC Wednesday - B for Boatyard



B for Boatyard

They seem to keep quite busy here at the boatyard in Guardamar's marina.


Always something going on - boats being taken out of the water for repairs and whatever they do with boats. It's a busy little place -  always some action.

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Tuesday 27 January 2009

The street where I live ..


Not very pretty the street where I live - very typical of the town of Guardamar though.

The usual construction site - every street has a least one - the communal rubbish container and lots of parked cars.

This area is a maze of one-way streets - great care has to be taken when driving ..

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Monday 26 January 2009

Spanish Proverb



   Una golondrina no hace el verano   ....


.... One swallow does not a summer make

Sunday 25 January 2009

Follow the path ...


Walkways have been created besides the rio Segura at Guardamar and a pleasant walk can be had as far as Rojales .

Beware - on a hot summer evening there will be plenty of large flying insects - and yes they do bite.

Part of the access to this area has been closed at present due to ongoing road works - lets hope these are soon completed.

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Friday 23 January 2009

Guardamar - The Pine Forest


Guardamar is lucky to have large stretches of pine forest growing on the sand dunes - built originally over 100 hundred years ago to stop the sand encroaching on the town.

This area attracts large numbers of walkers, dog walkers, cyclists and joggers. A very pleasant area at all times of the year. The Hoopoe is a regular visitor with its gaudy colours and it's the haunt of the red squirrel. A rare sight now in the UK.

Thursday 22 January 2009

Me and the better half ...


Me and the better half tramping down the beach near Campoamor.

Look how close the apartments have been build to the cliff edge !!!

This is a nice walking area especially in the winter when the cliffs seem to reflect the heat on  a cool day.

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Tuesday 20 January 2009

ABC Wednesday - A for Arcos


A is for Arcos de la Frontera in sunny Andalusia southern Spain. One of the many " White Villages " ( Pueblos Blancos ) visited so much by the hordes of tourists en-route from Ronda to Jerez or Seville.


Here away from the red hot midday sun is a quiet corner with some shade - a welcome relief.

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Monday 19 January 2009

Alicante - Water Bus


This water bus will take you across the port at Alicante - not a long journey but something to do on a warm afternoon when you are  trying to kill time .

Sit back and enjoy the view of the sailing craft in the marina ..

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Saturday 17 January 2009

Elche - Fountains


It looks like a quiet corner of Elche but this area is right in the centre not far from the market and the main square.


The fountains are quite attractive when they reach their full height.

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Friday 16 January 2009

Guardamar - The Runner


Plenty of beach here at Guardamar for those who like to go for a good run - and there are quite a few who enjoy the exercise ..

As for me I prefer a gentle stroll ..

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Thursday 15 January 2009

Spanish Proverb


Más vale precaver que tener que lamentar  ...


..... Better safe than sorry





Wednesday 14 January 2009

Guardamar - Zapatero


The local shoe repair shop in Guardamar -the bright shutter leaving no doubt as to what trade is carried out here !!


Not many coloured shop shutters in Guardamar yet ... no doubt the craze will soon catch on.

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Thursday 8 January 2009

Torrevieja - Graffiti 2


More Torrevieja graffiti down by the sea front.

You either hate it or love it ...... !!!

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Tuesday 6 January 2009

Torrevieja - Looking high !


Shot taken on the promenade at Torrevieja - looking high through the palms and lights.

Another pleasant place to sit and watch the world pass by.

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Sunday 4 January 2009

Elche - Chip off the old block


Here in the centre of the city of Elche - ancient ruins from this centuries old city.

Elche - as I have said before a pleasant enough place for a day trip.

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Friday 2 January 2009

Elche - Bus & Bridge


The centre of Elche is divided by the river . Here one of the local buses crosses from the commercial centre into the old part of town.


Famous for palm trees and shoe making is Elche ..

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Thursday 1 January 2009

Guardamar - The Birds


These birds I am told are Sanderling  - winter visitors to the coast where they run along the waters edge looking for food..

They make quite a pleasing sight as they move around us on our afternoon walk ..

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