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Post by chawky on Nov 3, 2020 13:50:31 GMT
Arrived Sunday to much better weather than Manchester!
Trip ok so far as weather sunny. Quiz in Mallones on Sunday was well attended a nice way to take in afternoon sun followed by bars to watch the footy
A walk yesterday (after large breakfast in Ibensa bar) along the paseo to Torremolinos with drinks on beach at Leones chiringuito, Panda for tea followed by footy until bar shuts at 10.30. So miss last 20 minutes of the 9pm kick offs! Home for 11pm - earlier than Cinderella.
Not been shopping yet so Mercadona today and probably eat on the terrace to save my waistline.
I noticed Los Mellizos have their E5.90 offer until Sunday so hope to take advantage one lunch.
The bars are very strict about the curfew so early nights should mean an early starts.
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Post by robert on Nov 4, 2020 5:39:23 GMT
Enjoy your trip Chawky.
We might even get to see some Sunrise pics. 😂
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Post by btereniaf on Nov 5, 2020 12:47:34 GMT
Thanks for posting Chawky! It's always good to hear from those who are actually in Benal and I hope you enjoy your November trip. We had already decided not to go this month and Easyjet has cancelled our flight anyway. Hope to change it to January, fingers crossed.
How long are you out for?? You are so lucky to be missing the farce which is the US election!
I hope the weather is agreeable and that you have a relaxing holiday.
And don't forget those sunrise pics!!!!
Kind regards,
BT.
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Post by chawky on Nov 6, 2020 17:16:21 GMT
Hi BT
Yes good to miss the election - I'm here for 2 weeks - Ryanair permitting. Easyjet cancelled my return flight, so rebooked for the same day with Ryanair.
Cloudy but warm today - with sun coming through occasionally. I walked the Carihuela and had lunch at Casa Juan, feeding the fish at the marina on my way. Unfortunately I have never known the Paseo to be so quiet.
I've done the quiz at the Paddington - well I joined in and met up with an old friend for drinks as well as doing some (halffinished) maintenance at the apartment.
I'm hoping there are no further restrictions so I can have a leisurely trip to Malaga at some point.
I hope my next trip is January too, but this pandemic scuppers best laid plans.
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Post by btereniaf on Nov 8, 2020 8:52:40 GMT
Thanks Chawky! I know what you mean about the Paseo being so quiet......sad and eerie sometimes. Glad you are doing some DIY!! We have some outstanding jobs to do but will get someone in! Booked for late January and remain hopeful...............
Hope you get to Malaga which we love.
Keep us all posted! I see you have some good weather on the horizon!
Kind regards,
BT.
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Post by chawky on Nov 8, 2020 9:36:32 GMT
This town (town) is coming like a ghost town
All the clubs have been closed down
This place (town) is coming like a ghost town
Bands won't play no more…
I went to Bonanza bar last night to watch the Skafeinados - and they opened with Ghost Town by The Specials opening lyrics above...the irony of it.
Audience numbers reached 30 only, but they still put on a good show.
Further restrictions to be announced in Andalucia today, fingers crossed Malaga province is spared.
On the brightside the sun has got it's hat on and I'm going out to play - well a Sunday morning stroll along the front.
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Post by rosebush on Nov 8, 2020 10:46:34 GMT
Chawky so pleased the suns back in Benal  and well done to Bonanza Bar for putting on a show, hopefully if Lock down is lifted on Dec 2nd, more folks will travel over for Xmas or long stay, i am watching for news to appear on F.B re further lock downs in Spain, seems either 3pm or 7pm bar closure are on the cards, fingers crossed Malaga is not part of the exclusion!!
Enjoy your walks along the paseo, that's something we are looking forward too, and hopefully in Feb we can do it
Take Care..xx
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Post by Neil on Nov 8, 2020 20:54:50 GMT
Looks like your second week is going to be a bit quieter still, Chawky, with bars and restaurants having to close at 6pm.
If you haven’t been already, Monday will be your last chance to visit Malaga.
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Post by rosebush on Nov 9, 2020 11:08:55 GMT
Hoping some bars will open earlier and maybe do breakfasts to keep going, i know the Potters Lodge is doing that, anyway in which owners can change what they serve may keep them going, entertainment hopefully will go well in late afternoons and quizzes etc could be started at 2pm and not 5pm.. I am told tourists very thin on the ground now, but hopefully if UK & Spain Covid figures drop end of month, anyone wanting Xmas in Spain may get the chance to go.. Chawky are you heading for a day out in Malaga if so, enjoy your day, cams show sun is shining so that's a bonus Robert how are things in NI are restrictions still do to lift end of this week? Stay safe everyone..xx |
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Post by Neil on Nov 9, 2020 15:19:03 GMT
Noticed that Angel (El Cordero) has announced that they will be open from 12.00 to 18.00.
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Post by chawky on Nov 9, 2020 17:23:18 GMT
Yes got to Malaga today, clouded over around lunchtime but still nice and then the sun came back out. My usual place (Lechuga) for lunch was closed. For now just Thurs to Sun opening. So I treated myself to Casa Lola washed down with a couple of copas de Ribera!
I took the bus, walked through the port to the beach, resisted Dunkin Donuts and the catamaran trip - now that's hard work trying to sell boat trips , but at the moment must be soul destroying. Turned around when I knew I was getting hungry making my way to Plaza Merced and then the short diversion to Casa Lola. No fighting for a table as it was quiet..less atmosphere but pleasant. Toddled my way around the little streets noting the Christmas trees are in place and back home on the bus.
The big restriction question yet to be answered is whether the chestnut stall at Arroyo station will be affected - I'll go tonight just in case.
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Post by chawky on Nov 10, 2020 9:57:40 GMT
At least 20 in the queue for chestnuts, trailed all the way to the taxi rank....but well worth the wait. Quite a few out in Arroyo for a Monday evening...making the most of the last night before even earlier closing. I guess the chestnut stall will be considered essential - it will give me somewhere to go in an evening!
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Post by robert on Nov 10, 2020 13:36:06 GMT
Enjoying your travelogue Chawky.Evenings will be difficult now with the further rcrestrictions.
The lockdown in England will possibly stop a few tourists making the trip to Benal.
Our restrictions were due to end on Fri 13th ( you couldn't make it up).
There was to be an announcement last Thursday by the assembly regarding whether they would be lifted or otherwise. That was posponed until yesterday and then further posponed until today. No news yet so we are all still in limbo although we are expecting an extention of some sort. I'm lucky that I"m working for Tesco but my driving school business is still " parked up" 😂
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Post by btereniaf on Nov 11, 2020 9:19:59 GMT
Thanks for your recent update Chawky. So pleased you went to Malaga! We also like Plaza Merced and Casa Lola! In the winter months (before Covid-19 obviously!) we went to the Irish pub in Plaza Merced for Irish Stew!! Glad the chestnut stall is still there! Have you explored Bonanza Square yet? It was pretty dreary when we were there but the 6pm closure will hit the few remaining stalwarts hard.
Good to hear from Robert! We've been watching the news for info from NI and it would appear that your government is just like most across the globe...lots of guesswork and reluctance to make the BIG decisions. Thank God I didn't go into politics...... Hope you are back to your driving school business soon.
Keep safe all.
Look forward to hearing from you again soon Chawky!
Fond regards,
BT.
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Post by chawky on Nov 11, 2020 10:01:16 GMT
Bonanza square was quiet when I was here in the Summer! Johnnies gets a few in during the day and Eagle bar always seems to do well for breakfast. Raquels opens regularly. I walked through earlier in my trip and it was very quiet.
Ibensa square was much busier, generally young Spaniards filling the place up now there is no 24 hour sq - not sure where they can go now of an evening.
I had a short walk at 8.30 last night just to see how quiet it can be - much quieter than my apartment - the couple 2 floors up were having friends round - I don't think they realise how voices travel - when sat on a balcony! Only the dentist and kebab house were open on Ibensa and the chemist and probably Mas at Bonanza.
Started cloudy today but looks like it may brighten up. Plan is Fountain Sq for lunch, fill me up for later.
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and well done to Bonanza Bar for putting on a show, hopefully if Lock down is lifted on Dec 2nd, more folks will travel over for Xmas or long stay, i am watching for news to appear on F.B re further lock downs in Spain, seems either 3pm or 7pm bar closure are on the cards, fingers crossed Malaga is not part of the exclusion!!