SKI-er or Sk-ater. We know how to enjoy ourselves

donny-gal

Back on line 10€ for the duration of stay, not bad but getting used to free.

Hot and sunny, DS reached 3rd stage of interview process for new job, and Mum as normal vetting correspondence. Hence on here and not sunning or watching Wimbledon.

Managed to get a signal with this dish on the ground an a little fiddling, as having a clear view over the Normandy Countryside. Very lush.

DG

DiggerUK

Hi Skiers, hope your all OK.
Could you help Den56 out on the Pensions Thread. It's the old chestnut about elderly facing up to the danger of care fees wiping out their home. The thread is titled "Will we have to sell"

It makes my blood boil that after a life of work and struggle this issue causes such devastation.

We've got Madrid this w/e, we've got good health and the chances are that we will have a good time skiering in retirement.

Best of health to all of you.

DiggerUK

Well, if nobody has been to Madrid, you won't be disappointed if you do go.

Blazing hot the whole time we were there, had to invest in a very nice Panama for me, and straw hat for Mrs.D, (plus a silk scarf to wrap round it every day she was there.)
Prices of clothes were very low plus massive discounts. Take a few clothes and a big suitcase if you go. We came back with a load of stuff. Hitting the shops was no ordeal, air conditioning being the big draw.
Spending the inheritance is going to be fun once we get the hang of it.

Went to Praedo and Sofia Galleries, Palacio Real, Botanic Gardens and a massive park near the old railway station. The old station is worth a stop off as well.

Went to the Madrid Flamenco Ballet performance of Carmen. Thought they said 50 euros each, only found out it was 15 euros each when they started giving us a load of change for a 100 euro.

If you like your food then you will not be disappointed either.

Soon as the air-miles get us to Barcelona, we'll send a postcard.

pollypenny

Time it carefully if you go to Madrid. OH and I went in late October, when I was still teaching. We froze!

Having said that, the galleries were wonderful, as was Parc Retiro. It's not too good for vegetarians, though.

We're off to see DS in Florida again in September. The SKI fund will take a hammering, as the Bank of Mum and Dad will make a contribution to house purchase. (Still it'll give us a claim on the place for subsequent holidays!)

donny-gal

There are bus trips to most of the Spanish cities from where our house is, with English guides. Keep thinking about it, but not fond of coaches or being organised. But don't feel happy take ourselves as I think we will miss a lot of things. Will want some free time to do as we wish, will have to look further into it. Seems a shame not to take advantage.

Back in our UK home now for 3 nights before off again in the 'van. Looks like a chinese laundry here after being out for a month in the 'van.

Take care - DG

DiggerUK

Donny-Gal,
One idea for you to consider is the train to Madrid. Next to the old station is the high speed connection to the rest of the Spanish network.
All you would have to do is get yourself to the nearest station. Don't know if that helps, Madrid is an easy city to get round once your there.

One tour I forgot to mention was the open top tourist bus in Madrid, it was 17 euros for one day, 21 euros for a two day ticket. Hop on and off as you felt like.

If you do use the rail network let us know how convenient it was, we had at the back of our minds doing a "make it up as you go along visit" on the trains.

Merrywidow

Wow has this thread gone dead or what? Where are you all - off galivanting I guess. I plan to do just that next week. Off to Holland to see family and friends. Hope I get some sunshine there - there sure a'int any in this Royal Borough

donny-gal

My skating has been £10 on mobile BB to keep me sane during a very wet spell in the 'van!!!!!!! Enjoy Holland. I think for two pins we would pack the car and drive to Spain. DG

Merrywidow

Hi Donny-gal, that's the trouble with a 'van. When the weather is great so is the holiday. Cooped up in a 'van with the rain belting down must be very tedious. Its what I said. You have a house in Spain and you flee when it gets too hot. The alternative is rain. All the weather boffins in England had been predicting a BBQ summer. How wrong could they be - they have even apologised. The family in Holland were in an Hotel for the first half of their Italian stay - great with air con. (Lake Guarda) Their second week was a camping place for the kids to experience all camping sites have to offer - apparently the swimming pool was sublime but trying to sleep in that heat was unbearable.

Right now I would love to be in Spain but realistically July/August in Spain is not for me. My very first trip to Spain in July 1969 (watched the Moon landing from a TV in Casa Kayani on the sea front in Benidorm) I got burnt on my shoulders, thru my dress. Still have the scars to prove it. Hope it improves for next week for all of us. :cool:

seven-day-weekend

Still in rainy Wolverhampton

But preferable to scorching Spain.

A happy medium might be nice!

(We still haven't set a date for returning, in fact at the moment I don't have a passport as I decided to renew it whilst I ws here as it is half the price of doing it from thr Consualte in Madrid. Early September - around 8th - may be promising).