stevesainty

Hi everyone
Just an update after our 2nd foray into the Costa Blanca trying to find a suitable area to settle.
We stayed for two weeks at Albir Gardens in l'Albir (is it Albir, l'Albir, En Albir or Nucleo Albir as is quoted on some property websites?)
What a little gem of a town, ticked all our boxes. It seems to be an all year round town with an ecclectic mix of nationalities.
We toured around quite a bit visiting Denia, Javea, Parcent, Moraira, Pueblo Finestrat, Benissa, Oliva, El Campello, Jesus Pobre and Altea. Quite frankly we could see ourselves living in all but a few of the above.
The weather was kind to us with only a couple of cloudy days and a few hours of rain. I know the weather has been a bit iffy lately.
We did spend almost half our time relaxing by the pool and reading a few novels. We were also self catering and so decided to cook for ourselves for half the time and eat menu del dias for the rest. This was partly to save a bit of money and partly to sample Spanish food. We try to always cook from fresh these days to cut down on added fat, sugar and salt found in processed food. Anyway with a very primitive kitchen, only two electric rings with no numbers left visible on the dials and a small pan and casserole we did ok. Not having a basic stock cupboard the meals were basic but were tasty nourishing and economical.
Whenever I left our apartment I tried my best to speak only in Spanish and got on quite well, unless the natives were humouring me. I asked an assistant in the bread section of Mendoza where to find the tortillas and she sent me to the chilled section. After searching for a few minutes without finding them I suddenly twigged that she thought I meant potato tortillas. I went back and asked again pointing out that I wanted to make fajitas. She smiled and took me to the correct shelf, near the crisps.
One lunchtime I fancied trying the takeaway paella shop across the road. When it eventually came I was surprised that it came in a pizza box complete with pan, for a small deposit. After ordering the young lady told me it would take 20 minutes, that impressed me, I thought most of it would be precooked. This was my opportunity to try an extended conversation in Spanish. I did quite well after struggling a few times for the correct verb endings. The assistant was very patient and interested. I gathered that she could speak english but only in the context of serving. Anyway once I had got underway she spoke only the odd word in English. She told me that most of the punters never speak a word of Spanish and either speak in their own language or point.
I walked out of the shop feeling very pleased with myself and clutching a gift of some fruit that was on the counter after being given a lesson in how to peel and eat it. I think it was quince although I have never before seen or eaten one.
Later this year we are making out penultimate trip, flying into San Javier and staying for one week in Torrevieja and one week in Playa Flamenca. We hope to visit places like Lo Pagan, Rojales, Torre de Horadada, Pilar, Pinar de campoverde, Guardamar and the Mar Menor.

busters mum

It was really good to meet you both over a nice lunch (that stretched untill 6pm) Ha ha ha.
Pizza ? how's the diet going then Steve ?

Mitzyboy

Ahh, an expats meetup eh?

stevesainty

I know that Jill has pm'ed thanks to those BE members that met up with us during our recent visit but thanks again to Buster's Mum, Searcher48 & Lynnxa. Your time and input was gratefully received and most helpful as well as being fun to put faces and personalities to our posters.
I put on about 12 pounds during the fortnight but have lost more than half of that in the first week back. I would still like to think I can get rid of that last elusive stone and a half before the end of September, the end of my two year plan. 18 stones to 13 stones.
We had lots of fun, can't wait until we get to Spain permanently, only 71 weeks left with two more recces.

lynnxa

I met them too

busters mum

We should meet, i'm in Javea a lot, i work in Benitachell.

lynnxa

we should - my work timetable has been stupid recently - but calms down a lot from next week - PM me

Mitzyboy

So you started having ex pats meet ups without inviting us

mikelincs

Of the places you have mentioned, I would suggest Albir as the nicest, we lived there, and in the Torrevieja/playa flamenca areas, and much prefered Albir.

stevesainty

Well there were no offers from 'us', we were in Oliva, twice.
The brit bar Magnums was not very friendly, nobody spoke to us apart from the barman.

lynnxa

must be the mod's hat that scared them


actually I only managed to fit in an hour between classes late one morning..............

lynnxa

ooh you wouldn't find mitzy in a brit bar

busters mum

No, sitting outside one maybe !

Mitzyboy

Magnums ... wonderful place ..... I've never been in there

You find you get a friendlier welcome in the Spanish bars, of whic there are many. Sometimes they look at you in shock, as a Brit actually has walked into a Spanish bar ... and if you don't ask for a pint of bitter then you'll probably do well

johnnyone

I generallv am not a fan of expat bars and having been in Magnums once (free wifi) when we first purchased. I understand your comment fully.
Fortunately Oliva only has a couple of expat bars out of the many to choose from in the town.