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Post by chawky on Jun 23, 2021 10:52:47 GMT
O'leary's mob were super reliable and got me here safely and on time on Monday. Flight maybe 30-40% capacity No problems at covid or passport control (5 minutes tops) and passport stamped. EasyJet blinked first and Ryanair are picking up the slack so probably just enough business to keep the flights going.Train was busy but reliable as usual.
Spent most of Monday afternoon at the dentist ( like Robert's wife this was my primary reason for coming out - as if a reason is needed though!) and I'm back at the dentist on Friday morning.
Got new SIM but needed a new phone also so changed my number at the bank and made an appointment for IBI receipts at the town hall on 14 July in the pueblo. The earliest at the Arroyo office was 21st July. Have timed it for lunch.
Had a walk around the marina yesterday and fed the fish, and a lovely 2 hour siesta late afternoon followed by pre match sustenance at Panda before going to watch the England game.
Not sure if there is much for San Juan tonight I may have a late afternoon /early evening at the beach. The weather is great with nice wind to keep things cool.
The place is quieter than normal, but Arroyo was busy this morning
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June trip
Jun 23, 2021 19:13:44 GMT
via mobile
Post by robert on Jun 23, 2021 19:13:44 GMT
Enjoy your trip Chawky
There is a Flamenco concert tonight in Mezquita Square.
And live bands over the next few evenings in both Mezquita and Pueblo Sol plazas.
The funfair is also at the Feria ground.
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Post by chawky on Jun 23, 2021 19:28:22 GMT
Thanks Robert. I'll give it a go. Silly to watch more football! Well I'll watch the first half then go up.
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Post by chawky on Jun 24, 2021 20:45:59 GMT
I made it in time for the flamenco. Got a good seat in Budha bar. Then when it started view blocked by people videoing on phones!. Good atmosphere and biggest crowd I've been in since pre Covid.
Lazy morning reading on the terrace followed by quiz in the afternoon at the Paddington. Staying in tonight as dentist first thing and don't want boozy breath.
Pre flamenco I was asked to leave the beach at 8pm it was closed for San Juan.
Decide on Erase Una Vez for tapas on the way back but it closes at 6pm. Ended up at Pochos for the Venezuelan special .
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Post by btereniaf on Jun 25, 2021 9:34:07 GMT
Thanks for your updates Chawky................I find myself walking in your footsteps! Shame Erase Una Vez was closed. A lovely restaurant. I don't think I could have coped in a crowded square. These days I get panic attacks in Sainsbury's!
Hope all goes well at the dentist.
Fond regards,
BT.
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Post by chawky on Jun 27, 2021 12:08:44 GMT
Friday went to Fountain Sq in the evening. My favourite tapa being the fried aubergine which wasn't on the menu (note to self Friday is the wrong day to go). An excuse to go back though. I made do with the chorizo al infierno and a couple of other tapas.
Saturday was a trot round Arroyo and a proper shop and met a friend for a couple in Ibensa Sq while we watched the football.
This morning Sunday was at the beach and it was very busy. Sea a bit cold so only paddled. Home for lunch at on the terrace. I've not used our pool yet. The sunloungers have been removed for Covid reasons and my deckchairs and lounger are in storage ..and the key is in Granada with a friend!! He is sending it back shortly with someone.
It is great to be mask free whilst walking around.
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Post by Neil on Jun 28, 2021 7:53:11 GMT
Good to hear the old familiar place names. Just out of interest, are some people still wearing masks even though they don't have to?
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Post by rosebush on Jun 28, 2021 11:41:39 GMT
It's so lovely to read a Benal travel report  Chawky hope all dental work done now and you are happy with results  Robert also hope your good lady is home safely and is happy with her dental work, great that Spain has such great dentistry.. I see the temps are really high out there much to hot for me, last year held up by Covid and no flights we were there until July 15th, last 3 weeks weather was unbearable, but some folks love it, so happy travels for them.. Just read Sanchez from Tues/Wed wants all UK visitors to have a PCR test or be double vaccinated before entry, wise due to this blooming Indian variant, cannot understand how its spreading so quickly some folks not following all the rules!! Neil on F.B this morning, it appears masks should still be worn outdoors if 1.5mt distance not possible, however on a packed paseo yesterday lots of locals complaining about 'tourists' not wearing masks at all, even on packed paseo, so think that's why Sanchez has changed his mind about 'all' visitors now needing pcr or 2 jabs, hope this works and Covid figures do not rise again stopping travel...  Chawky hope you enjoy rest of your stay..x |
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Post by chawky on Jun 28, 2021 16:23:17 GMT
About right Rosebush...very few wearing masks on the paseo yesterday but today in Arroyo I wasn't the only one maskless but I was in a small minority.
The weather is certainly hotting up with a warm wind around 5pm yesterday so I made use of the pool - very refreshing. Hot again today but wind thankfully a little fresher but still needed the pool to cool down.
CBs for lunch as it reopened today and a good few in.
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Post by btereniaf on Jun 29, 2021 11:27:00 GMT
Great reporting Chawky! I'm still walking in your footsteps! Chorizo al infierno is my favourite in Fountain Square and mention of CB's certainly stirred some very happy memories. 30 years ago we met up with some friends for a wine-fuelled lunch in CB's, who had an apartment in Los Horizontes. They were selling up and we had a look around their apt. Too expensive for us but it set us thinking about buying in Benal and that same afternoon we looked at, and made an offer for, what is now our Benal home! And only 150 metres down the hill from CB's!!
Glad you have the pool for some cooling off.
Keep on posting please.................
Fond regards,
BT.
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Post by chawky on Jun 30, 2021 9:03:25 GMT
After I'd been in the pool Monday evening the community got a message it is now closed for repairs until further notice - I hope they don't take long. So Tuesday morning down to the beach and it was quite busy. I'd got my chair out of storage so was quite comfy.
The footy was a pleasant surprise last night and celebrated with a post match Panda.
Saw my first clouds since arrival this morning and at 11am has totally clouded over. Quite pleasant really but hopefully for not too long.
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Post by chawky on Jul 1, 2021 19:55:33 GMT
Back to Fountain Sq today for the aubergines ( also had your favourite BT). Actually gone quite cool this evening and probably the coolest July evening for many a year. Had a late night on the Gamonal last night so early one for me tonight.
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Post by rosebush on Jul 2, 2021 9:09:16 GMT
Nice to hear the story B.T of your Benal home, your complex is in a lovely quiet spot, we love L.Horizontes, and cannot wait for Feb when hopefully, we get to have our Spring break there, if i was travelling now though, think i would be so confused with all changes to the rules  Chawky shame your complex pool is closed, hope its minor work needed so will open soon, also hope temps are up again today.. What bars do you use in the Gamonal we love El Rincon De Mary, the owner Maria serves lovely tapas, also like coffee in Gamonal bar, we pop into Mallones to see Dawn, nice coffee & brandy in there, use Ardisson round corner from Bora, their pizza's are great and they serve a lovely red wine for €2 ... we also use the tapas bars on Ave Lorca, in fact on a tapas trail we use the lot.  Hope all your dental work is finished now, so you can enjoy the rest of your stay.. x |
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Post by btereniaf on Jul 2, 2021 11:16:39 GMT
Rosebush sounds like a true pub-crawler!!! Only joking Rosebush!! Strangely we rarely go to bars/restaurants in the Gamonal but do frequent the Feathers after a show at Bonanza Bar!
Keep up with the posts Chawky..................I'm getting excited now about our planned visit this month. Fingers crossed!
Kind regards to all,
BT.
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Post by chawky on Jul 2, 2021 18:14:45 GMT
Similar route to yours Rosebush. Started across the way from Rincon de Mary at Cafe Bar Gamonal and then about 40 yards from Bora Bora at Manolo's old bar (I can't remember the name of it now or the new one). I think it does pizza(so it maybe Ardisson) but only had drinks and finished at Mallones.
I use Rincon de Mary on winter trips it catches the afternoon sun well.
No news on the pool so was at the beach this morning, plenty on but mainly Spanish visitors. A distinct lack of British and not many other European nationals.
Watching Spain v Switzerland as I type. Lots of Ooohs, Aaahs and groans coming from neighbouring apartments. Still 1-1 with 15 mins left before penalties.
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Robert also hope your good lady is home safely and is happy with her dental work, great that Spain has such great dentistry..
