After a break for Christmas where we were able to visit friends along the Andalusian coast, we are back in Zahora in the area of Cadiz and this is where we will stay for the time being. We can only count ourselves lucky as our new revised lockdown is not as onerous as many other countries. We can still go out and enjoy a meal up until 6.00pm and curfew they would want to start from 8.00pm to 6.00 am.
This changes everyday depending on the statistics for the town you are in, a bit like the Tiers in the UK but is automatic. If Covid drops your town will have a lighter lockdown so a big incentive to take it seriously. That said we are following the restrictions very carefully; we are guests and though we can check out we will not be leaving for the time being.
As you all know we do like to eat out quite a bit, but perhaps we don’t let you know that most of the time we actually eat in, as to be fair to ‘Buster’ our Elddis Encore 250, has after all has a fully equipped kitchen, and we can cook more or less anything at home. This week we have had for example Beef Stew, (the local beef is fantastic from the market), Roasted barbeque ribs out of the oven, (again Iberico Pata Negra pork) and Bacon and Leek risotto and an amazing Chicken and lentil curry to mention a few. If you would like any of these recipes drop us a line!
We will have been on the road for over a year by the end of the week and been out of the UK for 99% of that time. ‘Buster’ has been everything to us during this very peculiar year. Our Transport, restaurant, living room, bedroom, most importantly our haven of safety, our HOME. Even with over 4 months of lockdowns we have covered over 12,000 miles in the van, visited 9 countries in 2 continents and it has performed beautifully.
We are asked how you can live in such a small space, well it is easy, perhaps because it is so well designed and laid out. And in these strange times fully self-contained with toilet and shower. As you may have read it has got colder here in Spain, not too bad where we are-days being around 15 -16 degrees. But night-time it has dropped to as low as 3 degrees, here again ‘Buster’s’ Alde (wet heating) system comes into its own. Essentially a mini condensing boiler like you would have at home with a radiator running around the van. As well as working on gas it can use electricity, so we are proper toasty in the evenings too.
As it seems I am doing a review I may as well finish mentioning the full-size double bed with a Hypnos mattress that allows me to sleep like a baby, but sometimes it seems I snore and Karen will flee to the other end of ‘Buster’ and use the other bed to get away from me.
Buster by the standards of motorhomes is not a small boy but for us is however perfectly formed. To be clear we have been loaned ‘Buster’ by Elddis and you may think our view is coloured by this. Plus they have also said we can keep him through the coming months to explore further. Covid allowing we are looking at Portugal and as we must return to the UK by April due to Brexit, we will be looking to tour the UK. Our adventures have taken us all around Europe but the UK is somewhat a blank canvas so that will be new.
For the moment we will stay in Cadizfornia and enjoy the freedom it allows us, We can treat ourselves to the odd lunch out, walk for miles along beaches. We could even take up surfing! Also, if the virus stays under control in the area, I am hoping to be able to play some golf! Yes ‘Buster’ has the clubs too. It is truly amazing what you can do in a motorhome!
Now as we are now stopped again our beloved cat ‘Pino’ will be looked after by us here at the campsite, mind you he now has more admirers as other motorhome arrive. Hopefully he will not desert us for some Swiss or Swedish option. But as soon as this latest lockdown ends he will be getting a pet passport. Then will stay with foster carers until we can take him back to potentially a new home in the UK. Unless of course we can find a new home for him here in Spain, so if you know of someone that would like to adopt the cutest cat let us know.
And for something different. We heard this this morning on Chris Evans and feel it should be shared. Lovely and real.
So stay with us for 2021 and see what happens.
Katherine Clune says
Oooh Aperol Spritz …. lovely. Teaming rain today, so a little jealous of your blue skies!
Janice says
So the thing that is different……Karen is drinking water. Shock horror
So good to hear that you are cosy and warm and enjoying all that delicious food.
Really hope you get into Portugal. I don’t know much about that country so will be great to have an introduction through your eyes
Nothing much changes here.
Everyone desperate for the vacine but not much happening in this village
Take care and keep up the hydration program Karen!
Much love
Janice
Lesley Parr says
I’m so glad you are back with the cat, he’s so gorgeous. I wouldn’t hesitate if it weren’t for the dogs we look after and the main road.
Loved your review today, immediately made me say “we need an oven not a microwave in our next motorhome”. Very surreal to see you reading my book too, will be even more weird when you start reading about yourselves in it
Have a good week and if you do start pre-planning anything in the UK visit the Outer Hebrides. May before the midges x
Gary and Zoe says
We clocked Karen’s water as well but she has got to relieve the pressure on the liver sometimes!! Lots of blue skies in your advert for Elddis….I mean summary of whats happening!! Studying that piece of meat a little closely Dave. You are obviously ready for some good wholesome grub!!
Elddis have been very kind in extending the loan of the wagon so I’m guessing you have already pencilled in details of your UK tour. You are very lucky! We are just a little jealous that despite the odd mishap with the weather, you have still managed to have some glorious sun, sea and blus skies! We are beginning to think we will never see them again here!!
Stay safe and see you soon. All our love and best wishes.
Lisa Hudson says
We saw you at Rincon briefly, if we’d have known you like cats you could have said hello to ours, she’s travelling with us as full timers too. We also have to be back in the Uk in March via Portugal!
Michael Stanley says
The first van obviously the 2016 studio version as don’t recall a mattress of any sort.
Ride out the spring and look forward to following you through Wessex, Mercia, East Anglia maybe even Northumbria.
Britannia (at least) vaxxed to the hilt despite fake news emanating from Upper Saxony.
Keep up the good work. Birthday pressie – Jameson’s here for ya.
Why didn’t you relieve thee of it in December?