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Post by btereniaf on Jul 13, 2021 9:53:40 GMT
The suitcase is being dragged down from the loft today and, all digits crossed, we fly to Malaga on Thursday. Friends flew out last Thursday and described the airports as being quick and safe. They are enjoying the current high temperatures!
Hopefully will be able to post on this thread again soon!
Take care everyone.
Fond regards,
BT.
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Post by rosebush on Jul 13, 2021 11:35:06 GMT
Good luck B.T  are you flying from from Heathrow or Gatwick? Covid figures are rising so be careful.. Look forward to your posts..  |
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Post by chawky on Jul 14, 2021 13:45:07 GMT
Have a safe journey and enjoy.
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Post by btereniaf on Jul 15, 2021 18:13:30 GMT
Hello all!
A fairly complicated check in procedure at Gatwick but thankfully a very patient young man helped us out! The full flight was only 2 hours 16 minutes which was a joy! One can now buy duty free on board at very reasonable prices. No social distancing anywhere, including both airports and disembarkation......another free for all! Procedures at Malaga were trouble free and we were soon in a taxi to Benal!
Now in our apartment which has been cared for by our lovely cleaner and already we feel "at home". A super warm evening. Off to La Perla this evening with friends who have been here for a week.
Manyana.......the beach! But only after I have done "those little jobs" which actually take ages!!
We will continue to wear masks although most people don't, including our taxi driver.
Fond regards to all,
BT.
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Post by rosebush on Jul 16, 2021 11:46:14 GMT
Hi B.T pleased you arrived in Benal safely what problems did you incur at Gatwick, was it extra paperwork or more info for forms etc, nice that you had help from friendly staff..  Did you enjoy your evening meal at La Perla Can see on Fuengirola cams, there are not many folks on the beach so looks quiet, but vids from Benal paseo yesterday showed most restaurants / bar's were full, just hope everyone is being sensible, think its wise to wear your mask if distance cannot be maintained, Covid figures are up & down all along CDS... hope after August hols with more vaccines done figures do not spike.. Hope you get to stay a month to make up for missed holidays  Take care..x |
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Post by btereniaf on Jul 17, 2021 7:22:10 GMT
Rosebush........problems at Gatwick were due to checking of paperwork and folk not being able to find their info on mobile phones! Wish we were here for a month but it's only a six day break sadly!
La Perla, South Beach and Mare Nostrum all perfect!
The beach was busy yesterday and all the restaurants along the Paseo were full with queues waiting.
Bougainvillea, hibiscus and jacaranda trees all looking beautiful, swallows swirling in the sky and so all is well in our little bit of Paradise!
Having our PCR tests on Monday in a new clinic near 24 hour square............we don't know how much yet! Pleased we only need one test and no quarantine on return.
I still worry about the number of people who don't wear masks in busy locations. There will be more cases similar the the UK unfortunately.
Now worried about an Aunt in Germany who lives in the flooded area. I haven't been able to contact her but power is out for hundreds of thousands so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Time to pack for the beach!
Take care all and keep safe.
Fond regards,
BT.
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Post by btereniaf on Jul 19, 2021 18:19:17 GMT
Still not heard from my aunt in Germany.................
Beach every day so far and great lunches and evening meals! Last night we went to CB's (first time in ages) and the food was good (wholesome, my Mum would say!) Went on to Bonanza Bar to see and hear Rikki Lavazza who was very impressive and performed well despite the small audience of about 40.
Lunch today was at St Tropez.....the usual high quality!
Had our PCR tests today and hoping they are negative for our return on Wednesday! 110 euros EACH*********** No wonder families are putting off their trips to Benal this year. The infection rate here is increasing (as it is universally) and Catalonians are being blamed. Well someone has to take the blame.......
To those who have commented before, the area next to CB's has been cleared and it would appear that work will soon be underway to build yet another apartment block. Our complex is next to an old villa and gardens and that has been sold with plans to build an apartment complex. I'll feel hemmed in by concrete soon!
Fond regards to all,
BT.
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Post by Neil on Jul 20, 2021 16:01:09 GMT
You won't go hungry at CBs. I'm not a lover of bar music (not keen on Christmas either) but saw Rikki at Las Arenas just before lockdown and he was very entertaining.
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Post by btereniaf on Jul 20, 2021 17:43:56 GMT
Panic this morning!!! My PCR test didn't arrive last night so I traipsed to the clinic to be told the lab couldn't find it! Waited for an hour and at last it was located and negative! Then had to complete the passenger locator forms whilst dealing with phone calls from our Fiscal Rep. A very stressful morning but eventually got to the beach for the last time on this holiday.
Last night we went to Las Arenas sky bar. I never tire of those views! Today we had a pleasant lunch in Panorama which has improved it's menu since we were last there. Large portions and very reasonable. The bar next door (Drunken Sailor) has new owners and they hope to open shortly. We saw the previous owners, Dave and Rose, who are enjoying retirement!
Tomorrow is my least favourite day! Pack, defrost fridges and off to the airport! It's been a fabulous break and we are so glad we took the leap to come over. The Spanish bar and restaurant owners can't wait for more Brits..........we are the best tippers!!
Kind regards to all,
BT.
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Post by rosebush on Jul 21, 2021 10:50:20 GMT
Hi BT bet you are all packed to go now, so pleased your PCR test was sorted, not something you needed to stress about on your last day  Hope all you legal stuff is sorted now, so your next trip can be more relaxed, safe journey home..xx Hope you get news from your Aunt soon |
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Post by btereniaf on Jul 22, 2021 10:20:35 GMT
Back in Essex and the heat is unbearable!! Didn't feel this hot in Benal!! The queue for PCR testing in the departure lounge at Malaga was quite long so my advice is to get it done before! We have already been contacted to make sure we are at our address!
All legal stuff sorted and paid for (££££££££££££) in Spain.
Still no word from my aunt in Germany but looking at pictures and videos from Germany I'm not surprised. I'm sure she's fine.
Hope all is going well Robert and family!
Kind regards to all,
BT.
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Post by rosebush on Jul 27, 2021 10:46:34 GMT
B.T hope you are free of check up phone calls now, have you received any word yet from your Aunt in Germany? xx
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Post by btereniaf on Jul 28, 2021 9:38:16 GMT
I have had cause to contact my local MP due to the continued waste of public money! The Gov.uk website stated that we needed to book a PCR test before returning to the UK (we did) and that there is no need to quarantine. However we had three telephone calls and one home visit to ensure we are at home............................ Explained all of the above to the caller at our door and he stated that he was just doing as instructed. How much is this costing?  ALSO..........still waiting for our PCR test results from 123tests.co.uk This firm is government recommended but they are terrible. DON'T use them. Pay a bit extra and use Boots! Rant over! I just get fed up with waste of public money. Rosebush, thank you for asking about my Aunt Inge! She and her friends are all fine and as I suspected they had no power or phone for days. My last post mentioned the heat in Essex. Well that one day is over! Heavy rain, local floods and dark skies now prevail! Take care and keep safe everyone. Fond regards, BT. |
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Post by btereniaf on Jul 28, 2021 13:54:21 GMT
AND.......now I have been "pinged" and told to self isolate! A bit puzzling as I have been nowhere and seen only my husband who is negative! Or could it have been one of the 200 people on board our return flight last week?! Oh well!
BT.
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Post by rosebush on Jul 28, 2021 15:52:41 GMT
B.T can understand your need to contact your MP so much money has been made from testing! some tests not turning up, some awaiting results like yourself that get lost in space  and as for getting calls and a home visit that's blooming maddening!! did the caller agree that you were right and no isolation was needed?? and as for getting pinged  it must have been from plane.. but when everyone gets a negative test to fly, you are then travelling in safety with other passengers so how the hell do you get pinged!!! hope the 10days isolation starts from your return date so you are free on Sunday.. So very pleased your Aunt and all her friends are safe and well, and hope her home town gets back to normal soon as possible.. Just been reading August is going to be hot, so not putting away my patio furniture yet Let me know if you get any response from your M.P.. xx |
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are you flying from from Heathrow or Gatwick? 
and as for getting calls and a home visit that's blooming maddening!! did the caller agree that you were right and no isolation was needed?? and as for getting pinged 
it must have been from plane.. but when everyone gets a negative test to fly, you are then travelling in safety with other passengers so how the hell do you get pinged!!! hope the 10days isolation starts from your return date so you are free on Sunday..