My First Hire Car and Mar de Plastico!

I had lovely trip back to La Union a few weeks ago, and I actually hired a car for this trip, for the first time ever!  I didn’t know how easy the process would be, but on arriving at Murcia International Airport, picking up the car went without incident, and I would say was a pleasure!  Driving in the dark to La Union was a little nerve racking, especially as I had never driven on the right hand side of the road before, but after about 10 minutes, I was feeling more confident, and on arriving in the town, I was so happy that I even muttered under my breath, “It’s great to be home!” 

Unfortunately, due to the recent Gota Fria, and the catastrophic damage it had caused, my bedroom suffered some rain water ingress, which meant that sleeping in there wasn’t a possibility.  However, I am hoping that this will be fixed soon.  The tenacity of the Spanish people really came to the fore when looking at the newspapers and watching the news over there, and realising how severe, in some regions, the damage truly was.

Within a day of arriving, I was lunching with my friends at Sinnott’s Bar at Las Isleta, Club Nautico, La Manga.  A real gem of a bar, serving up an amazing three course roast dinner and wine, all at a very reasonable price.

A massive expanse of greenhouses, covering an area of 165 square miles of land in the Almeria region.

Greenhouses as far as the eye can see.

The highlight of the trip was driving to where Mar de Plastico is filmed, near to Almeria, a round trip of some 600 kms.  Mar de Plastico translates to Plastic Sea.  Myself and my partner have been watching this Spanish series on Netflix and really enjoyed it, so it was Simon’s suggestion that we go to where the filming is made, and I am so glad he did!  I was nervous about making the long journey, as I had only had a couple of days’ experience of driving in Spain, but I enjoyed it so much.  We stopped at a few cafes along the way for my coffee fix, and took photos looking down on the giant expanse of the greenhouses beneath us.  The series was filmed, in part, in Campohermoso, a district of Vicar, in Almeria, the heart of the greenhouse production industry.  It is the tale of a mayor’s daughter’s murder, set in the imaginary town of Campoamargo.  This Spanish series is well worth a watch!

After only 5 days away, we were dropping the car off at the airport, and travelling back home.  As soon as I arrived in the UK, I was making plans to go back again!

Next blog - Birthday celebrations and making plans for spending my first Christmas in La Union!

More Great Times In La Union, Murcia

I was so happy to go back to La Union, Spain, last week and enjoy the company of my much missed friends.  I flew into the new Corvera Airport, and with hand luggage only, I quickly disembarked to a great few days away.

My friends were waiting for me and I was also lucky enough to go out with lots of them to a couple of restaurants I hadn’t tried before, as well as a few old favourites.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Panaderia El Garbanzal, Calle Murcia, 44, 30360 La Union, Murcia, has been extensively refurbished since my last visit in January.  It has a fresh feel to the place, and has different tapas to take away each day.

On my first full day, I visited again the Café Mayor on the Calle Mayor, with Dianne and Sandie. We had a great meal of pork medallions and wine, and it was lovely.

On the second day, I went to Restaurante Asia in San Javier with Maria and Mel, and what a bargain!! 7 euros, 95 for a glass of sangria on arrival, choice of four starters, lots of mains to choose from (I had duck with hot sauce), ice cream, brandy, and half a bottle of wine each!! Where else in the world can you get value like that?!

With the temperature steadily rising, Antonio’s on the Los Nietos beach was my final meal out, with Dianne, and we couldn’t have picked a nicer day. I had chicken paella at 10 euros, with a lovely bottle of wine. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and with a journey time of 13 minutes on my favourite “baby” train, it took no time at all to get to what must be one of the most beautiful places ever.

Thank you La Union and friends for yet another lovely trip.  I can’t wait until my next one.

From The Panaderia To The Fox!

Hello all.  It has been two months since I was last back in Spain and I am missing it terribly.  However, I have decided that 2019 is going to be the year that I concentrate on getting my funds back on track through work and new commitments, so that I can return to Spain with renewed vigour and excitement about the future.

The stocks and shares market has taken a battering to the tune of about 20% due, no doubt, to the uncertainty of Brexit and other factors.  To this end I, along with millions of others, am having to look at other ways of improving my money situation, as well as helping people along the way, which I am always happy to do.

I have increased my workload in First4admin, gaining lovely new clients, and I aim to go back to Spain in May to hook up with my friends, the lovely weather and the general laid back lifestyle. I also need to brush up on my Spanish as I miss using it!

I have also become a digital marketer, and I am receiving cashback on shopping which I would have bought anyway on food, fuel and socialising, and helping others do the same through my free app link.  I noticed that my bank only offers me 0.20% interest on my accounts so I have really got to start earning more interest, so cashback seemed to be one of the answers.  Through talking to friends of a similar age, I know that trying to sustain funds for the future when getting older is of real concern to many.

I now regularly go to The Fox in Walmley, near where I live, hence the title of this blog piece! I have a coffee, do some work, connect with the internet, and make some cashback in the process by paying by eVoucher! I might also treat myself to a small carvery along the way as well!  I loved promoting bars and restaurants in Spain, so now I am back, I am doing the same thing back in the UK.  I so miss the Panaderia in La Union, Murcia though!

Adios por ahora mis amigos. Estaremos en contacto de nuevo muy pronto.

Flamenco Dancing And Los Nietos Beach

On a cold and grey winter's day here in the UK, I thought I would write about my last trip to La Union in Spain, which was November/December time.  Rather different, obviously, to the summer time as the locals were sat outside cafes in coats, surrounded by heaters. I felt the weather though was lovely for the time of year, and I ventured outside with no coat to be seen!  There was even a flurry of flamenco dancing on the Calle Mayor, giving a summery feel to the place.

I went out with my friends one evening to Las Velas Cinema to see Bohemian Rhapsody.  It was brilliant, and at four euros, fifty for a ticket, the value was incredible.  We had lovely seats with cup holders; the film was awesome and my friends were a delight, as always.

I normally take the train into Cartegena but decided one day to travel in the opposite direction to Los Nietos Beach, some 13 minutes away.  Although deserted, it was lovely.

Yours truly on Los Nietos Beach

I found a new gem of a bar called Bar Museo Minero on Calle Real, 104, 30360 La Union, Murcia.  It was a bit like a Sports Bar, with cheap food and wine, showing lovely pictures on the wals of the old mines of the region.  Another place to go to on my travels whilst I walk of an evening.

Bar Museo Minero

On my next trip I will be travelling back to the UK from the new Corvera Airport, or Murcia International Airport as it will be known.  I am looking forward to seeing how easy it will be to commute to and from La Union, and I will provide an update and information on my next blog to assist people who will be thinking of travelling to this new airport.

Hasta luego until then!