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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Saturday 30 May 2009

Alicante - Irish pub.


Irish pub on the Paseo de la Explanada de España.


Pub irlandés en Alicante.

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Friday 29 May 2009

Murcia - time for repair ?


This ugly building looks in need of repair  - you'll find it on the banks of the River Segura in the centre of Murcia.

¡ Dilapidado !

Necesita la reparación ......  aqui en Murcia.

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Thursday 28 May 2009

Murcia - Footbridge


The footbridge over the River Segura right in the heart of Murcia.

A busy little place .. lots of pedestrians !!!


Pasarela Manterola en el centro de Murcia.

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Wednesday 27 May 2009

Murcia - Old ruins


Old ruins down by the River Segura - Murcia

Perhaps medieval ?



Ruina antigua  al lado de rio Segura en Murcia.

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Tuesday 26 May 2009

Alicante - Ayuntamiento


Alicante town hall with the castle of Saint Barbara in the distance 



Ayuntamiento Alicante y el castillo de Santa Barbara.

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Monday 25 May 2009

Guardamar - Plaza Jaime II 2



Plaza Jaime II is named after King Jaime ( The Just ) King of Sicily, King of Aragon and Valencia and Count of Barcelona.


He lived from 1267 to 1327.

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Sunday 24 May 2009

Guardamar - Stop !



Empty tables - STOP - sit down and help the local economy ..



I must admit this was an early Sunday morning ..

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Saturday 23 May 2009

Guardamar - A favourite ..


La Roqueta - bar and restaurant in Guardamar opposite the South Park.


A favourite watering hole on a Sunday morning when we are strolling around the deserted streets.

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Friday 22 May 2009

Murcia - River Segura


You'll find the River Segura flowing through the centre of Murcia - this same river flows out to the sea at Guardamar.


A quiet green area in the city centre..

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Thursday 21 May 2009

Murcia - Shelter ???


This modern looking thing I think is a shelter from the sun !!

You'll find seats on the other side ..

Certainly very bright and very unusual ..

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Wednesday 20 May 2009

Murcia - Graffiti


Graffiti is everywhere in Spain .. this example in the city of Murcia.


Here on the riverside .. near the city centre.

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Guardamar - Plaza Jaime II 1


Guardamar - Plaza Jaime II 

Unusual statues 




This square can be found at the end of the Avenida del País Valenciano near to Calle de San Pedro.

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Tuesday 19 May 2009

Fútbol 5


Barcelona clinched their 19th Spanish League title on Saturday without having to kick a ball when their rivals Real Madrid failed to beat Villarreal.

On a winning streak  Barcelona also won the Copa del Rey last Wednesday by beating Athletic Bilbao  4 - 1 .

Manchester United meet Barcelona in the Champions League Final in Rome on the 27th May. This time we Mancunians hope that Barcelona lose !!

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Alicante - Jardín


Jardín de la Plaza de Correos - Alicante

An oasis of calm in a noisy city ....



Un oasis de la calme en una ciudad ruidosa ..

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Monday 18 May 2009

Alicante - Pub


A nice bright pub sign - " somewhere " in the back streets of Alicante.


Muestra del pub en Alicante.

¡ Muy brillante !

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Saturday 16 May 2009

Return of the stranger 2


Another visit to Spain - this time for three weeks.

The Costa Blanca is quiet ... some new ventures are opening and others still closing - weather rather mixed for the time of the year.

It would seem us Brits are still going to Spain but for shorter periods - 7 days instead of 14 and spending a lot less .

Our " trip out " of our holiday took us to Murcia - so hopefully lots of photographs to follow plus the usual number of Guardamar and Alicante.

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Thursday 14 May 2009

Spanish Proverb



Con dinero baila el perro -


Money talks ..


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Wednesday 13 May 2009

Benidorm - keeping a lookout !


Should you want to see more of the sea then this telescope is available for a small fee ...



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Monday 11 May 2009

Madrid- Quiet street


A quiet little alley in the centre of Madrid - not far from the Plaza Major.

People hurry along - places to go and people to see...

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Sunday 10 May 2009

Madrid - Shopping


Time to do a little bit of shopping .. even late at night this area is crowded with shoppers - the stores remaining open to 9.30 or 10.00 !



So get your wallet or purse and enjoy !!!

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Friday 8 May 2009

Benidorm - Shopping streets..


Quiet here in January but hopefully come July and August these streets will be crowded with tourists just waiting to spend  their hard earned cash !





Lots of bars and restaurants to suit all tastes ...

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Thursday 7 May 2009

Spanish Proverb



Son muchas manos en un plato -


Too many cooks spoil the broth ..

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Wednesday 6 May 2009

Madrid - Look up !


A very colourful ceiling at the cathedral in Madrid ..

Very impressive ..

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Tuesday 5 May 2009

Madrid - Retiro Park


A time to take a walk around the lake in the Parque del Retiro.




Not many people about - still early !! Only 10 a.m. !!

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Saturday 2 May 2009

Spanish Proverb



Quien siembra vientos recoge tempestades -


You reap what you sow ..

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Friday 1 May 2009

Madrid - Cathedral


Ornate figures on a very ornate door at the Catedral Sta Maria la Real Almudena.



Do you recognise anyone ??


Perhaps a King and Queen and a Pope ???

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