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Post by btereniaf on Nov 3, 2021 17:04:04 GMT
Left Essex after scraping ice off the windscreen at 2.30am. (Why do we book flights so early??) The notorious M25 was closed at a certain point and we had to find our own way back onto it which took an hour!! We really thought we would miss our flight at one stage!
Arrived at Gatwick to an efficient baggage drop off system until I was told I needed to pay extra for my hold luggage! Weight was okay at home but the case gained two kilos (of ice?) during the journey!!!!
We arrived in our lovely Benal at about 11am and after unpacking headed for the beach as it was such a lovely day. No mattresses on the beds! Most beach bed areas have cleared away the hamacas and parasols for the winter but we spent an hour on a couple of very hard plastic beds before lunch!
Lunch in Panorama was okay but most restaurants and bars had very few customers unfortunately.
As I type it is almost 6pm and the temperature is dropping.....won't complain after this morning! Put the duvet on the bed for the first time this year!
We have made no firm plans for our stay but will post further info about our action packed holiday in due course!
Take care all and keep safe.
Fond regards,
BT.
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Post by robert on Nov 4, 2021 20:29:28 GMT
Glad to hear you made it back home 🤣🤣🤣
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Post by btereniaf on Nov 5, 2021 8:28:39 GMT
Yesterday (Thursday) was Arroyo day. We need a few "bits" done in the apartment so first stop was No Prob opposite Paloma Park and we expect someone to visit this morning to give an estimate for both price and time schedule. A mooch around Arroyo and lunch in Fountain Square which was packed! Supermarket shopping and then wandered down the hill for a stop at Potters Lodge! It would be rude not to! Lots of heavy construction vehicles in the plot near CB's and Restaurant OK so they will still be working when you are next here Rosebush......sorry!
Last night we went to Harry's in Palm Tree Avenue for a curry. We were the only Brits in as it was fully booked for Diwali and there was a super atmosphere. Felt quite privileged actually but I did feel underdressed! The women's clothing was beautiful.
Home and bed! No firm plans for today as much depends upon when the guy from No Prob turns up!
May have to put the gas fire on tonight!!!
Fond regards to all,
BT.
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Post by rosebush on Nov 5, 2021 18:31:54 GMT
Hi B.T so pleased to read you are back in Benal  shame its a bit quiet though, but hope enough going on to suit the one's that have travelled out..did see pic's of all bars in Plaza Tribuna doing well, its a lovely Sq we often stay to long and consume too much vino..  Did No Probs sort out your bits & pieces, never heard of them but a very catchy name  We like Harrys and use it if we are down by PTA, but find in Arroyo the best one to suit us is King of Curries, food so tasty.. Not looking forward to the building noise when we arrive, we have fingers crossed they stop work at 6pm! luckily we are out & about most days, but love a nice quiet evening..been trying to find out if the build is just 4 floors, if so, we may see the finish before we go home.. Our flight is with Jet2 and so far only 9 seats booked, so not sure if it will go, or maybe they will do another airport pick up  seems ages since we were last there, will you be in Benal at Christmas or UK.. Hope you dear Mom is fine..xx |
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Post by btereniaf on Nov 6, 2021 10:58:30 GMT
All jobs completed in the apartment in what felt like record time!! We had a long walk along the main road and on to South Beach for lunch. Unfortunately my creaky back decided that it needed a long rest so we spent the afternoon on the terrace reading. Went to Weatherspains for dinner.
Woken this morning by squawking parakeets and screeching seagulls...........don't they know I am on holiday??? We packed for the beach and before we left the apartment huge black clouds rolled in! And my App still says sunshine!!
Last month I moaned about our gardener hacking (butchering!) the bougainvillea. Within weeks it is green again with lots of beautiful red and purple flowers. I won't give an opinion about Spanish gardening skills ever again!
Big storms across the Med apparently so a quiet day for us I think!
This will be our last trip in 2021 Rosebush.............the evenings/nights are chilly and I miss central heating!
My Mum is v poorly in hospital but not allowed visitors due to Covid on the ward. I don't therefore fell TOO awful about being in Benal. We speak every day.
Fond regards to all,
BT.
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Post by rosebush on Nov 7, 2021 13:16:09 GMT
Hi B.T sorry your dear Mom is poorly in hospital, but so pleased you are able to speak to her daily, sort of puts your mind at rest about her care, hope she is back home soon.. Great news about the Bougainvillea its such a lovely flowering tree.. Just checked Fuengirola cams and can see suns out and still some sunbeds on beach down there, plus what looks like a show going on in the church sq Hoping lots of folks fly over for Xmas & New Year most brit bars are doing Xmas Day Lunch, but we find it a tad to cold out there now in Winter /Autumn, but love Spring..  Enjoy the rest of your stay, and to all who are going over in next few weeks, have a great time, just counted down our 'sleeps to go' and its depressed me..  xx |
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Post by btereniaf on Nov 8, 2021 17:10:01 GMT
We cannot believe how glorious the weather is! We have now had two days on the beach and the list of places to go during this trip is getting shorter due to lack of time to fit everything in!
Blue sky, no breeze and calm sea....perfect! Evenings are chilly though and I have had the fan heaters on before I pluck up courage to have a shower!
Nice meals at Mare Nostrum, Pepe el Cordobes, Coast to Coast and Boo'z. Those of you who know those restaurants will realise we don't travel far! Bars and restaurants continue to be worried about the lack of Brits here and speculate about when they might close for the winter months. Even Mare Nostrum, which tries to stay open all year, is considering closing.
Hope anyone who is venturing out soon makes comments on the Forum!
Fond regards to all,
BT.
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Post by btereniaf on Nov 9, 2021 17:54:31 GMT
Last night we went to Las Arenas to see Rikki Lavazza who was "okay". We perhaps didn't get the best of the experience as we were at the back of the lounge and couldn't hear everything!
Today was a trip to the bank.....oh my goodness! Bureaucracy still reigns in Spain! I needed a new pin number for internet banking (had one before but needed to renew) and was told only my husband could have the new number, despite it being a joint account. And he doesn't do internet banking!!!
Ah well.............. A bit of shopping in Carrefour which took over Supersol. A bit cheaper but not such a good range of white wine. We managed to find some decent Rueda though!! Also found a Cambio de Change near the supermarket who will print off our dreaded Passenger Locator Forms, which is handy.
Another glorious day on the beach with lunch at Panorama. Still cannot believe this weather! Lots of butterflies about which is lovely.
Dinner on the Paseo tonight hopefully.
Fond regards to all,
BT.
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Post by chawky on Nov 9, 2021 22:00:32 GMT
Glad you're back home and enjoying yourself.
Our next trip is New Years Day which whilst a long time away we are off to Mexico on Saturday for 3 weeks, so nice compensation.
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Post by btereniaf on Nov 11, 2021 17:19:15 GMT
Chawky......have a fabulous holiday in Mexico! Maybe you could let us all know about your trip! After all, they do speak Spanish!
Back to Benal. Last night (after another beach day) we wandered up to Bonanza Square for dinner at El Cordero. One of our daughters is friendly with the guy who runs it, Angelo, so we had a bit of catching up too.
This morning we went to Paloma Park for the Armistice Day service at 11am. It was very moving and so respectfully done. There were fewer people than we expected but then there are not many folk here anyway.
Off to the beach....still cannot believe this wonderful weather. Paella at Mare Nostrum for lunch was delicious!
LLM are really getting on my nerves but hey ho!
Getting psychologically prepared to complete the darned Passenger Locator Forms as we return to the UK on Saturday night..........I shall so miss Benal!!
I won't miss the gardeners in our complex! I know I have said I won't criticize them again but every shrub has been chopped to the ground today and I will miss the birds who visit the hibiscus outside our terrace every morning.🤐🤐🤐
Fond regards to all,
BT.
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Post by rosebush on Nov 12, 2021 13:45:14 GMT
Enjoy your Mexico trip Chawky  B.T so pleased sun is still shining in Benal, hope you got your pin number sorted, cannot believe bank wouldn't give it to you personally as you have a joint bank account ! Good luck with your locator forms, i remember doing ours July 2020, having been in lockdown for 3mths and a further 2mths of flights cancelled etc, we sat having coffee in a tapas bar waiting until exactly 48hrs before our UK landing time, then heading for internet shop, trying carefully to follow all instructions, so nervous of getting it wrong, having copies in my hand, we then headed back to tapas bar for a very large brandy Meant to ask is your new passport black or dark navy blue? we are getting pics done next week, i have found a booth within our shopping centre that gives the passport code to do online, just hope the process is easy, i applied for the new GHIC cards and have them now, that process was very easy, have been reading on F.B lots of folks not going out to Spain due to all the paperwork still needed, think as i get older i find all official forms daunting! Will you post how things are at Malaga airport, re queues etc.. Hope everyone has a great weekend, stay safe..xx |
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Post by rosebush on Nov 12, 2021 20:46:42 GMT
Chawky hit wrong icon should have been this one  have a great time..x |
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Post by btereniaf on Nov 14, 2021 9:13:44 GMT
The sun was still shining on our last day in Benal! We cannot believe how warm (hot at times) it was but with so few folk around to enjoy it. Our last lunch was in South Beach which is always busy.
Arrived at Malaga airport to a short queue and easy check-in where all documents were required, including proof of vaccination in UK. Security was also straight forward. We were glad to have paper copies of everything as those who had documents on a "device" were pulled to one side to let us old school types through!
Aircraft full, on time and arrived at Gatwick before midnight. Border control easy with e-passports! Rosebush, my new UK passport is black! Pin number for internet banking still not sorted!!! Website is in English but when I asked for help I received a lengthy message in Spanish! I give up! I know I should be more fluent in Spanish (laziness) after 30 years of ownership.
Unpacked and washing in machine! A grey day in Essex but thankfully mild!
Hope to read posts soon from other Benalites!
Fond regards to all,
BT.
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Post by rosebush on Nov 16, 2021 17:59:41 GMT
B.T pleased you got through airport without hassle, seems it all depends on how many flights are departing at same time Can you sort out pin number from home, we use google translate we have tried many Spanish language courses over the years, but cannot contain the knowledge  and to old to try again now, i barley remember what day it is Sounds like we may need 'Covid booster' info for travel soon, Boris did mention yesterday our 3rd jab is to be added to NHS Covid pass, so something else i need to send off for. Shame some parts of EU are back in Covid restriction measures, figures world wide seem to be rising Hope your dear Mom is home now..x |
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Post by robert on Nov 18, 2021 8:43:57 GMT
Glad to hear you had a relatively good holiday Bt 🤣. and that you arrived home safely. Sad to hear it's so quiet in Benalmádena but I guess a mixture of red tape, and the time of year has taken toll. Hopefully it will pick up over Xmas and the New Year and local businesses will survive.
Have fun in Mexico Chawky.
Getting into Christmas mode over here now as our decorations are going up ( a lot earlier than usual )
Our next trip to Benal is not until Feb so it's a long wait for us.😭.
Stay safe everyone.
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shame its a bit quiet though, but hope enough going on to suit the one's that have travelled out..did see pic's of all bars in Plaza Tribuna doing well, its a lovely Sq we often stay to long and consume too much vino.. 
seems ages since we were last there, will you be in Benal at Christmas or UK..
xx
have a great time..x
and to old to try again now, i barley remember what day it is