Gala dinner

Ok so I came in with just the pink cava!

Mijas

Got to Mijas just before 1pm and had an ice cream for my lunch.  Took the horse and cart ride round the town to get my bearings then settled in a little bar for a glass of wine.

Back on the coach at 3pm and at the hotel soon after 3.30pm. No nap this afternoon but managed my swim just before 5.30pm.

Now off to the gala dinner!

Mijas

Blanket factory

Well today's trip to Mijas involves a stop at the blanket factory first, that's why it's a free trip!

Left hotel just after 9am and after a few other pickups in Benalmadena and torremolinos we got to the factory about 10.30.

Interesting talk all about morino wool and how good it is for good sleep. I will soon need a new mattress so must admit am quite tempted. Not committed to anything today though.

Back on coach at 12.30 and on our way to Mijas.

Day 3

Benalmadena

Caught the bus to Benalmadena today €1.70 and headed down to the port. Found a nice seat in the sun and just sat for a while. 

Watched everyone going down a ramp behind me so followed suit and came to the promenade with lots of shops and bars.

I knew I had a long way to get back up and decided to try the steps route.  Not easy but I did it! And was rewarded with a beautiful square with a bar in it so stopped for lunch and a glass of wine.

After quite a long sit soaking up the rays and reading my book decided to head the rest of the way up and make my way back to the hotel.

Bit of a wait for the bus but made it home just before 4pm.

Morning entertainment

The hotel entrance features revolving doors and it's fascinating to watch how so many people don't seem to realise that you need to push them!

Day 2

Marina Bay

After my happy hour sangria I headed down the pathway to the Marina Bay for dinner. Very strange setup, although they limit the numbers the place was almost empty.

I must admit that when I walked in I really thought I'd made a mistake as it felt just like a greasy spoon/cafe.  I looked at the menu and found it hard to pick something that wasnt just burgers or pizza. Anyway I eventually settled on smoked salmon to start and cod in pepper sauce (with chips) for my main. I even had a brownie with ice cream for dessert!

All in all I was glad I went and might pay another visit during my stay. It feels as if they are missing a trick with this place really.

Home to bed about 9.30.

Happy hour

Afternoon swim

Decided to go for a swim before dinner so headed down about 6pm. It seems that you're not supposed to access the pool while the dining room is open but they did open the door for me as another lady was inside complaining!

Had a nice swim and they let me out through the dining room again although they said tomorrow I would need to go outside and use the stairs - we'll see!

Very strange that the only access to the indoor pool is through the dining room, probably why you can't swim before breakfast.

Along the promenade

Set off along the front, quite warm but still very windy.  Plenty of benches along the way so lots of stops to be had. Sand in my shoes from the wind and when it finally got into my hair decided I needed to cross the road and head inland a bit.

Sun coming out but couldn't find a nice bar to call in at so kept going. Found the bus station but didn't fancy the steps to go into it so headed back to the front.

Saw where the hop on hop off train departed from but thought it was a bit late in the day to start that and just got a taxi back to the hotel. Stopped in the bar opposite and had some sangria and snacks then went back to my room for a nap. Booked dinner in the Marina Bay for 7.45.

Day 1

Had a reasonable nights sleep although it was still very windy. Wind still going strong when I eventually woke at around 8am but doesn't appear to be raining.

Breakfast (fruit then scrambled eggs on toast) then off to find welcome meeting at 10am.

Got there a bit late but managed to get maps of Fuengirola, Torremolinos and Benalmadena as well as the location of the nearest bus stop.

Booked a free trip to Mijas for Wednesday- have to go to blanket factory first but thought I'd give it a go anyway.

Welcome drink appeared to be limited to  first 20 or so guests so have come to Marina Bay (part of hotel but on the front) for a diet coke and to see what it's like. I can swap dinner in the main restaurant (buffet) for here (a la carte) if I want to so might try that out tonight.

Dinner

Ate in the main restaurant which was quite nice, although I'm not really that fond of a buffet.

Had some seafood for a starter, chicken salad (with 4 chips) for main and Cheese, fruit and olive for dessert. All washed down with a bottle of house rioja (€9.75).

Did really do much after dinner, retired about 9.30 as it had been a long day.

Gin time

Had my swim, pool a bit small but not bad. Now enjoying a gin and tonic before dinner.
I do like the Spanish measures

Hotel Angela

Arrived at the hotel about 3.15, had a private transfer from the airport a I guess I was the only one on my flight coming here.

Felt like a force 10 gale with rain thrown in for good measure! Cab driver couldn't open the boot to get my case out!  He eventually drove round the corner and walked back with it. The wind nearly blew me over!

Anyway checked in to room 701, very nice!

Put my raincoat on and decided to go  exploring, only as far as the supermarket opposite.  Got there in no time, with the wind behind me but it was more of a struggle coming back.

Having done that thought I would go to the promenade (about the same distance in the opposite direction) and take some pics of the and sea.  At least now the rain has stopped and it feels like the sun is trying to get through.

Next I'm off to investigate the pool.

The adventure begins

Up with the alarm at 5.30 and ready when Philip arrived  at 6.25. Good run to Gatwick, arrived at about 7.15.

Made my way to the bag drop as instructed (bit of a walk but I managed it) and told them I had special assistance booked! Seems I probably should have just gone to the desk at the drop off point as no one at the bag drop knew quite what to do.

Anyway it was really quiet so they helped me check in my suitcase and told me to go upstairs to the special assistance desk. From there it was plain sailing and all checked in, ready to go by about 7.45

Went off to find coffee and bought a sandwich (just in case) and settled back in the lounge to wait. Trolley came to take me to the gate around 8.30, looong way so glad I didn't try to do it on my own.  On the plane by 9.15, full flight so a bit chaotic.

Not sure what the delay was but plane finally took off at about 10.15. Ordered a glass of wine (rose) and mini tub of Pringles  and settled down to read my Fuengirola guide book. Just as I started to doze off they announced our descent and we landed about 12.30 which they told us was more or less on time.

Got collected from the plane and transported in trolley at record speed through what seemed like miles of empty  corridors, although we did see a few people at passport control. Finally located TUI reply who escorted me to my private taxi

First time today I've felt cold AND it's pouring with rain!