AudioBoo - Saturday Morning Beach Walk.

listen to ‘Saturday Morning Beach Walk.’ on Audioboo

An impromptu walk along the beach on a lovely sunny, September Saturday morning.

Andy and Clive Go To Spain - Part 5 (cinco)

Today we are talking about the sudden change in the weather, amongst other things.

A Spanish Holiday - Part 2

Blogging by the pool.

So, here we are in Orgiva for the third time. All three times have been in different rental properties and in slightly different areas of the town. Which does give a bit of variety and also ensures that, although you are staying in the same town, you do see things differently every visit and notice something new every time.

This does bring up that question of whether it is better, or more preferable, to holiday in the same place every year. Or, whether you should try somewhere new?
I'll admit, that if you'd asked me this question a few years ago, i would probably have said that it would be better to go somewhere new. After all, the familiar is all very good. But, where's the variety and excitement in that?
Now though and as much as i'd love to visit new places. There us something good and maybe even reassuring, about going on holiday to somewhere that you know and are comfortable in. Especially if you are travelling with your family. That family element makes a big difference. You have to have found the right place of course. But, i believe that we have.

This also raises that old question about the difference between a holiday and travelling.
Personally, i would consider this to be a holiday. Travelling, for me, means going somewhere different and exploring the area a bit more. This holiday is really all about relaxing and there's nothing wrong with that. But, i certainly wouldn't call it travelling.

For the first time in Spain, we don't even have a car. That shows how much "travelling" we intend to do this time around!
This decision was made for a few reasons. One was the sudden rise in the price of car rentals in Spain. The cost was getting ridiculous, especially if all you are using the car for is basically to get to and from the airport. Plus a bit of driving around town.
Another reason was that, for the first time, we are actually within walking distance of the town centre. That makes a great difference and is really very useful. I'm not a big fan of driving at the best of times. So, to have the centre of Orgiva on your doorstop was a big consideration and a big bonus, when renting this property.
Another aspect, was that the owners of the property, who live next door, were prepared to come and pick us up from Malaga airport. That's a 90 minute car journey, each way. Ok, they charge us for that service. But, it sure works oiut a lot cheaper than renting a car for essentially the same thing.

So, we are now happliy settled into our holiday home and we're all getting into our own routines.

As i mentioned before. This year we have brought my daughter and her friend along with us, as our son has basically flown the family holiday nest and is too busy with his girlfriend. The experience of holidaying with three women, two of whom are 16 years old, is an interesting one, to say the least! But, to be fair to them, it's all working out. So far at least. And having my daughters friend along is great company for her and didn't cost us any extra money. So, it's all good.

It is amazing how you can slip into a completely different way of life, a brand new routine and in a foreign country too. The fact that you are not tied by time in any way obviously helps.
Mornings are spent lazing around, or blogging by the pool. The afternoons are spent sunning ourselves and lying by the pool.

The sun is shining and life is good.

Strange Days Indeed...

...most peculiar Mama.

Another momentous happening in the life of andymooseman.

A beach vlog.

Down To The Sea.

"I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky"

That is the first line from the poem "Sea Fever" by English poet, John Masefield. Now, i'm not in any way a big poetry fan. But, that line just came to me as i sat down to write this blog post.

Why?, you ask.
Well, i've just been down for a walk by "the lonely sea and the sky" & felt compelled to write something about it. Isn't that what blogs are all about, after all?

I'm very lucky in that i can see the sea from my bedroom window. Ok, i have to look out of the window at just the right angle. But, if i was trying to sell the house, the words "sea view" would no doubt appear in the description. As it happens, if i lean out of my rear bedroom window i can see Hastings castle (built in the 1080's, by the Normans) Well, what remains of it. But, that's another story...

I have lived in Hastings & close to the sea, for over 20 years now & in that time the sea has never lost any of it's initial appeal. I think you naturally feel that after you've lived by the sea for a while, you would get used to it & maybe not notice it quite so much. I know that this does happen for many people. But, in the case of my wife & i, that has not happened. If anything, i think i appreciate the sea more & more as time goes on. The fact that the sea front is so close to my home may have a bearing on that. As might the fact that i wasn't born here & moved here purposely to be near the sea, amongst other reasons.
I have got so used to living by the sea now, that i'm not sure that i would ever want to move away from it & i know that my wife feels exactly the same way.

Anyone who has ever walked by the sea, or on the beach, especially in relative solitude, would understand the calming effect that that walk can have & that was primarily the reason for my walk today.

I am currently going through one of those life changing periods that occur in most peoples lives, more of which at a later date & having the sea so close at hand has been of great benefit to my peace of mind.

I was out walking along the beach the other day, with the sand beneath my feet & between my toes & i thought to myself "I really ought to try & get out for a walk by the sea far more often".
It was one of those great summer afternoons. The tide was out, the sand was exposed & i was able to walk along a, relatively, deserted beach in my bare feet, with my feet in the water & all  in the warm sunshine too.
It's at moments like that that you realise how lucky you are & that life could be a whole lot worse.

I have a feeling that there will be many more walks down to the sea to come in the near future.
I can't wait.