Mitzyboy

Having been back here a week now ... I noticed at first how fast everyone is driving. I'm on the motorway at about 75 and there are cars tearing past me as if I am standing still. On the way to Pembroke an Escort undertook me at about 100 mph, then swerved between two more cars up in front then rolled about 5 times before ending up on its roof in a realy mess. Missed everyone but probably killed himself!

In rural and city areas everyone seems a lot more aggressive in their driving and I've had any number of people pull out infront of me and flick the finger when I dared to shake my head!

Traffic jams everywhere

I'm spending a fortune ... so no one tell me again that supermarket shopping in the UK is as cheap as Spain. It's not, and the choice of fresh meat and fish is definately not as good. Yes ... theres two for one offers, but they aint much good if you dont want two of whatever it is!

The skies are grey .... its raining , and within a week I already have a miserable cold.

Not long until I return, although I guess I will be buying logs as soon as I get there!

agoreira

I'll stand by the Sir Benfro sign at Llanteg and wave you goodbye, if you like!

steviedeluxe

Don't suppose we can interest you in a meal at Wetherspoons either?

Mitzyboy

Thats where you are?
I was in one of the bungalows at Llanstadwell on the hill overlooking the bay at Pembroke

lynnxa

I hope you remembered to shut your windows or you might need to bale the house out!

rugbymatt

Had a good time then ya miserable sod!

agoreira

Llanteg, no! Nowhere near, but I know the area very well. Llanstadwell, nestling beneath the oil refinery, overlooking the Haven. You can´t see Pembroke from there, you´d be looking at Pembroke Dock, not a nice place.

jackytoo

I think the choice in supermarkets is just the opposite. Infact even most of my friends who hardly ever whinge about Spain complain about lack of choice in spanish supermarkets. The problem I find in the UK is that there is too much choice, about 10 different kinds of potato in sainsbury! I spend ages deciding which to buy. Whereas in Alcampo it is should I buy the loose ones with eyes in, or the bagged ones which are slightly green. Thats only one example

Mitzyboy

Oil refinery has gone. I can see the bridge in the distance, the marina area behind it and the frontages of Neyland from where we were

Mitzyboy

I knew you would disagree with me

As I often say, I am convinced its down to areas. I'm talking Solihull area in the UK ... and thats a relatively well to do area. In deepest Moseley its cheaper, but the choice is much less and the vegetable choices aint so good

The fish counter in the mega all singing all dancing Tesco's in Shirly, Solihull (Brum) is about half the length of the one in Mercadonna in Oliva and the cheese counter is ... well ... small. Having said that the cheese in Spain, you have to find one you like

VFR

We were in Mijas Costa at the weekend & that 332 is a lunatic asylum with an accident waiting to happen at most entrances/exits, if ever a road needed an 80k MAX with a camera every 2ks that is the one.
Spent years flying around London in Cars/HGVs/Bikes and yes it can (and does) get a bit mad at times, but never as dangerous as that 332.

agoreira

Well the processing side certainly has, the storage facilites are still used, all those large tanks.(Petroplus) Plus the huge new gas terminal a little bit along the coast, and the new gas fired power station being built opposite you.

Dick Dasterdly

Much the same for me.
I get used to fast European driving, from Scandinavia through Germany,France and down to Spain is a trip I do quite often, but when I go back to the UK I expect a bit of sanity on the roads, yet every time it seems crazier and crazier and takes some getting used to.
I must still have a fixed impression in my mind of how it used to be.
On the other hand I've noticed a general slight slowing down in Spain in the last two years and in France for about the last four years, I presume due to a tightening up of speed restrictions and enforcement.

Mitzyboy

Not opposite me mate, my place is in Birmingham

HBG

My wife is in the UK at the moment and we both go back regularly for family and other reasons. Each time, apart from the things we went back for, we reconnoitre (thank God for the spell check) the possibility of returning if we really have to.

She was complaining bitterly about the amount of foreigners where she is (in east London), and I reminded her that we are foreigners in the country we live in. ‘It’s different.’ she said, implying that we are the same colour, although a bit lighter, than our Spanish neighbours.

The flat we have left in London is in an area full of Mosques, white people are a rarity. And I’m trying hard not to sound racist, which I’m not, but I prefer the company of people I can relate to easily and places of worship that will welcome me. I’ve been to Pembrokeshire a few times and it’s a lovely place, but it always rained there when I was there.

I suppose if the wheel comes off, I’ll be standing at the cockle sheds at Leigh on the Essex coast, in the pissing rain, wondering what the hell went wrong. Or right.