My new phone was a hairs breadth away from being flung out the window last night. I used to be 'up with it' as far as computers and mobile phones go but just lately I've come to realise 'tecchie world' is so far ahead of me I don't even understand what has gone wrong when it goes wrong, why it has gone wrong, how to fix it or how to stop my pissed offness turning to anger and then depression. Hence phone has been switched off for a whole day.
It's all to do with Mrs Sat nav. Basically our relationship is over, we've split and she's b*******d off taking all maps with her. Oh! and she sabotaged her workstation too which has left me with only one option. Trusty old paper maps and frequently getting lost. Which funnily enough has a familiar feel to it. There are bonus's though. Paper map equals stick to major roads. The N340 to be exact. Big traffic jam so we dive off down a side road and come upon the charming 'Castellet la Gornal'. Complete with empty and ideal car park under the castle ramparts giving views over the large lake of 'Riu de Foix'.
There was a second bonus too. A restaurant with fast Wi Fi connection where I was able to re-load some maps back into a re-installed Mrs Sat nav. I'm sorta hoping this younger and updated model will be less troublesome. (Please feel free at this point to act out, with passion, the statement:- 'Ha! don't this guy ever learn'.) Lets just hope she does'nt talk to the X Mrs Sat nav eh!
The whole map thing was upsetting as I was about to negotiate Barcelona and did not fancy my chances using a paper map clipped on the window plus magnifying glass to read it while dancing clumsily down narrow streets full of busy, foreign and aggressive city centre traffic.
I had only recently, during my latest visit to Lenny and Wyms lovely country villa in the Almond and Peach orchards North of 'Gandia', loaded fresh maps onto my new phone. So you can see why I was tearing my hair out when 'Mrs (now departed) Sat nav' decided, all on her own with not a word of warning, to update and ditch all maps.
Right now however; I am very peaceful, calm and happy. Who would'nt be, having your own home on wheels parked overlooking a mirror calm lake on the edge of the very civilised town of 'Banyoles'. I've cup of tea on the go, Tanya is fed and snoozing on her 'drivers seat bed' and in a minute I'll decide what to do. Shall it be Wash dishes first or myself? I'm slowly wending my way to France via 'Cadaques' a place I love and although reaching it means travelling extremely twisty mountainous and very slow roads, it is a stunning way to enter France from Spain. Weather is forecast to be dull, dare I say it, even raining, for the next few days so there is no hurry.
Talking of mountains I was atop a steep pass over the mountains yesterday on my way here to 'Banyoles' The pass was on the border of the 'Garoxta' and 'Barcelona' areas of 'Catalunya'. We had stopped for lunch and as I parked up so did another car with two English speaking Dutch ladies. The one, with camera in hand, set of briskly down the steep hill while the other explained to me they were waiting for her 69 year old husband to finish cycling up the pass. She went onto explain that it was now two years since his heart attack and after driving up the pass ahead of him she was not too confident he would make it. She said the last part, which I was due to travel down, was extremely steep. Well he did make it much to his, his sister, and his wife's delight. I duly clapped and cheered as he topped the rise very out of breath but in good shape and with an ear to ear grin on his face. They all joined me in Sadie for coffee and chocolate cake. I felt kinda underwhelmed in the presence of this super fit 'year older than me' guy and it did'nt help as he explained this was a practice run ready for the real race in a couple of days time. When they left Tanya and I set off for an hour long walk along the wooded ridge. I was knackered when we got back!
"Ah! This is'nt what we want is it Tanya." I said as I looked despondantly at the mist and listened to the rain hammering down on Sadie's roof here in 'Cadaques'. It was, however; exactly the weather as forecast. Furthermore it is forecast for the whole week over Spain and France so no chance to drive out of it. Funny how situations turn. There's me seeing Zoe (niece) complaining of sunburn back in the UK and Ry (X wife still good friends) travelling on the Kennet and Avon canal in her home, a canal barge, in glorious weather. All compliments of Facebook.
I cannot complain though. Just four days ago we were in very hot sunshine too. Naked on a designated 'Nudista' beach in a bay and holiday resort that went by the exotic name 'Temple de Sol'. We came across it purely by chance as we diverted off the main road for a lunch stop. Lunch was quickly put together and off we headed down a rough track to the most deserted end of the beach. On 'Nudistas' I usually observe, as a solo elderly male appearing among the numerous pairs of glistening and basting mounds of flesh that I am initially seen, even though clothed at this point, as threatening, predatory and voyeuristic. Never been a problem for me just an observation. I am soon stripped, beach umbrella raised to give Tanya shade, and I am in the sea enjoying a gorgeous cool, and favorite thing, naked swim. The basting female bodies once they witness this seem to lose interest but fidgety (and mainly with their 'bits') glistening unhealthilly brown/orange males restlessly stroll ankle deep in the gently lapping waves. They tend ever closer toward my end of the beach demonstrating to their respective females their courage in respect of 'I can do the cold sea bit too you know'. In all I suppose we were about one and a half hours on the beach swimming initially then eating lunch. In all that time, and I could see virtually the whole bay, not one other person went any deeper than ankle into the sea. What a missed opportunity is all I can say. For me one of life's great gifts is a cool naked swim in a clear blue Med sea.
I am afraid there will be none of that here in Cadaques this year. The driving rain and green wild foamy sea are not the seductive deliciousness this area usually affords me. A shame as the stunningly beautiful coves are a definite walking and swimming favourite of mine.
"On to France tomorrow then eh Tanya."
1 comment:
Wot! No pics of that beach and its occupants?
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