Schools out
So after two weeks at school attempting to learn some Spanish, we have found that in life nothing changes, it takes time and effort to learn a language. Our school La Janda (remember the J is a H in Spanish) was wonderful, with very helpful staff and we had a great teacher in Manuela. We were lucky enough to have her all to ourselves for the two weeks,
and she tailored the course to our needs.
The School itself is in Vejer a very pretty pueblo set on top of a very steep hill, it would be called a mountain in Holland. For the first two days we cycled our electric bikes to school, but David’s developed and fault and the owner of the site where staying took us to school every day with his daughter.
Also at break time we were lucky enough to meet the more advanced students, while having coffee and a tostada. Again like nearly everyone we have met in Spain, they were helpful, encouraging and just lovely people. We have met new friends and hope to stay in touch as we travel.
So can we speak Spanish? The straight answer is no defiantly not. Do we have a grounding that using tools such as Duolingo and Michel Thomas we can learn to a reasonable tourist standard yes but we will have to work at it. So all in all, was it worth the money and effort, Yes.
The Blog
As you will have noticed Karen writes a food blog which is obviously about what we are eating and drinking on our travels. I have elected to cover the other events of our travels. Neither of us I our previous lives were writers, so please be patient with us and any helpful advice will be gratefully received.
So what have we been up to apart from school and eating and drinking. Quite a bit we think, managed to get a round of golf in at last, allowed that many, and golf is not cheap in Spain. But the again the aim is to play courses that Spanish people play. Again we struck lucky and ended making up a four ball so a little matchplay. I was fortunate to get to play with Salvador who was on fire, so when I finally managed a par on the 7th it was the match winner. Here in Spain shops and offices close around 1.00 and reopen at 5.00 until 8pm so they play 9 holes every day, I mean every day and it is sunny 300 days a year here.
We are now in Tarifa only 15km from Africa it has some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. The old town shows off its Moorish origins to perfection, narrow winding streets with
small squares. There are many trendy bars and restaurants, a lot of them closed for the winter reopening in March. There are still enough open to enjoy the eclectic mix of Moroccan, Spanish fusion that is Tarifa.
The most stunning beach ever!
Nearby is Bolonia a stunning location in the Parque Natural Del Estrecho, well worth a visit again a stunning beach surrounded by majestic
mountains and add the well preserved Roman ruins there, and you have yet another special Spanish moment.
We cycled on our trusty electric bikes, though David’s has an intermittent fault with a sensor (hopefully we will get this sorted in Seville) the 16km each way, run was a breeze and we would recommend anyone of our age to get one of these. They make anything within 20km accessible and though you do have to cycle the assistance they give make it very enjoyable. Also at the pace you move you see so much more than if you drove or even walked.
So what next
We on the recommendation of Scoop are going off to Estepona for a few days, stopping off for a morning in Gibraltar as David has never been there.
After that we are back to Vejer to park the van up as we are going to Carnival in Cadiz (the biggest of its type in Spain) for three nights, unfortunately Cadiz is not that Motorhome accessible so we have used Airbnb to find a place for the few days. Our friends in Camping Vejer are looking after NiKi for the few days.
After that it is off to Seville for a week, using it as a base to visit Jerez to a Sherry tasting! Plus we have arranged to get David’s bike fixed there.
After that we will head on through Andalucía aiming to be in Cordoba for the 24th of Feb where we will take a time out to have mutual 55 birthday celebration. Fully ‘Grey Gappers’ then. We will work out how to get the route page fully working in the next week or so, hope he above gives a flavour of what is coming.
So for now ‘Hasta la luego’
So here are some more pictures relevant to this post. They are all captioned so you can get what they are about!
Jon Evans says
Hope to see you when you call back at Vejer
David says
We will be back Friday night, are you around for lunch Saturday?
Toddy says
Norma would like to know why the camper van is called NiKi. It looks like you are have a good time all the best Toddy & Norma
David says
Hi there it’s the Reg plate NK65*** so NiKi yes we are enjoying the adventure. Some odd things too.
Toddy says
Sorry Happy Birthday
David says
Who too?
Belgian Beauty (our motorhome, not me ;-)) says
Ola. Que tal? I already thought La Janda was the school you attende. That’s where we stayed and followed a course a couple of years ago too! Beautiful surroundings! Enjoy the rest of your trip, looks great!
John Salkeld says
Captions 10/10
Jason Buckley says
David, give me a shout about the map again if I can help, more than happy to. Advice on writing: be yourself, write whatever you fancy, however you feel. Cheers, keep on trucking and writing! Jay