Tuesday 11th July 2000
I called a cab at 1830 and left for Abbeywood station. It
was my intention to catch the 1843 train but the driver was running late
and I ended up on the 1858. I sat back in the comfortable seats and watched
the long shadows cast by the trees and posts as we sped by in the evening
sunshine.
The weather was still very cold for this time of year and I wasfeeling
very glad that I was heading out of London to a sunnier clime.
On arrival at London Bridge I had a direct change merely having crossed over from platform 6 to 5. There were many people already on the train but I was fortunate in that I found a seat straight away, arriving in Gatwick airport at 2015. I immediately went to the check-in but when I presented my Belizean passport they gave me all sorts of problems and told me that I needed a Visa before they would let me travel on it. In the end to make things easier on myself I proffered my British passport and asked them to use that one instead
Having completed all the baggage checking and signing in I went upstairs but was disappointed that there was no restuarant in the airport where I could have dinner. I settled for a snack and a half pint of beer. I decided to buy a bottle of whisky for £9.99 at the tax-free shop before boarding the plane. The flight was due to leave at 2245 but due to delays in the airport it was 2315 before we were cleared to the runway and took off. Once we were airborne and settle down the drinks trolley came along and I asked for whisky and lemonade. That was the first time I had been on an aeroplane where the stewardess wanted to charge me for a drink. She explained that one doesn't get free drinks on a charter flight; only on scheduled flights do they extend such courtesy and hospitality. About an hour into the flight dinner was served although it was a feeble excuse for a meal compared with what one gets on scheduled services. Unfortunately due to there being substantial turbulence they were unable to serve any hot drinks on the plane so we got no coffee after dinner.
On passing through the Spanish immigration I was again given hassle when I presented my Belizean passport and they told me that I must have a Visa in order to enter. Again I passed through on my British passport and went to the airport lounge where the Air Tours representative was gathering her passengers. Unfortunately due to my late booking she did not have my name on the list and I had to wait some considerable time, much to the chagrin of everyone else, while she went in search of my allocation. It was nearly four in the morning when we eventually arrived at the hotel in Benidorm. Although I had booked a twin room in a three star hotel I was allocated an apartment instead. I asked for a porter to take my luggage, as the apartment in the complex was 100 yards away from the main hotel building. After trudging along past the vast swimming pool lined with palm trees, deckchairs and tables he informed me that my room was on the second floor and that there was no elevator. I pointed out that I was a disabled person and unable to stay for a week if I had climb so many stairs. He understood and we went back to the reception but they were unable to allocate another room for me so I agreed to use the apartment allocated for one night only.
When we arrived at the apartment for the second time I realised that what the Spanish called the second floor was to us British the first floor. The apartment was well appointed, clean and tidy. On the immediate left I found the bathroom and opposite on the right there was small kitchen. Straight ahead led to a combination dining and sitting room with patio doors opened on to the balcony. Leading of this room a door to the left opened into the bedroom with twin beds. I poured myself a large whisky then smoked my final roll up and remembered to set the alarm for 0830 before falling asleep.
Wednesday 12th July
I woke up promptly as soon as the alarm went off, showered and dressed in shorts, shirt and sandals before I went downstairs and walked across by the swimming pools to the restuarant for breakfast. When I entered the room I was asked to pay for my breakfast. I immediately refused to do so and told the man that I had already paid. He went to the reception area and I followed him. The girl there asked to see my flight ticket in order to ascertain my status. I told her that my flight ticket was in my room and that I needed to see the manager in any case as I wished to change my room. She told me that in order to a breakfast I must produce my flight ticket. I pointed out that I had no intention of going back to my room in order to get my flight ticket before I'd eaten breakfast but I would be happy to bring it to her after I had finished. She reluctantly agreed to this and I returned to the dining room.
Breakfast was a self-service affair laid out buffet fashion and I helped myself to bacon, scrambled egg, baked beans, a slice of toast, which I made in an automatic rotary toaster, a croissant and a cup of coffee. When I finished breakfast I spoke to the Airtours representative and asked about being relocated to an hotel more centrally located in Benidorm. She advised me that there was no space available in any of the Central hotels and that I was really in the best place. I reluctantly accepted this and went to talk to the manager. He immediately understood my problem with the stairs and relocated me to room 104, which was on the first floor and serviced by a lift in the main hotel building. After packing my bags I called a porter who, took about 15 minutes to arrive and help me complete my transfer.
 It was a well appointed apartment ,this is the sitting/dining room. |
 The bedroom was sufficiently roomy and the wardrobe space was adequate. |
 The bathroom was fitted with all modern conveniences as you can see |
 In the kitchen a microwave cooker, fridge, kettle etc.meant there was all the necessary equipment to cook simple meals. |
After settling in and arranging my belongings I took my flight ticket to the receptionist who issued me with a card which she told me to show each time I went into the dining room for a meal and I would not be asked to pay. I thanked her and left.
By now it was 11 o'clock and I went out to catch a bus into the centre of Benidorm. There were many people at the bus stop, as the Spanish buses appear to run quite irregularly. It was midday by the time I got into the town centre and I went directly to the beach. Beautiful soft sand right around the Bay was covered with people lounging in deckchairs, lying on towels and generally milling about.
 With the mountains and the tall concrete and glass buildings behind them the beautiful clean golden sound of the beach became the main attraction for many holidaymakers. |
 in
Spain, unlike in England, people feel able to lie back and enjoy
the sunshine whether they are exposing their breasts or not. |
 The
one thing I noticed about Benidorm beaches was that there was
a shortage of attractive young men. However |
I wandered along the streets of the old town behind the beach and eventually flagged a taxi and came back to the hotel at 1500. Fortunately I was able to download my photographs and fix the camera by reformatting the Smartcard. The rest of the afternoon was spent by the hotel swimming pool. I went into the hotel bar and asked for a half pint of beer to be charged to room 104 but the barman refused to charge it telling me that I must pay cash. I pointed out to him that I was a resident in the hotel and had no intention of paying cash each time I came to the bar. He explained that it was the rules of the hotel and that I had little option if I wanted the beer. I told him that I had been in the swimming pool and had no cash with me so he told me to pay for it later.
I had booked a seat on a trip to the Benidorm Palace which was due to leave at 2100 in the evening. The tickets had to be collected at 1700 from the Airtours representative. I spent half an hour in a queue with other impatient people waiting to collect our tickets.
Upstairs in my room I dressed for dinner. In light of the experience I had had with beer and the barman in the afternoon I decided that I would go to the local shop and purchase a bottle of wine. Dinner, like breakfast was a self-service buffet with the food laid out in the centre of the restuarant. I went to order a bottle of red wine and the headwaiter drew the cork. It was fortunate that I had the foresight as I was told that I must pay cash for any wine or drinks and could not add it to my hotel bill. I pointed out that this was supposed to be an hotel and I had never been treated like this in an hotel in my life. I told him I did not expect to go into a restuarant and pay for my meal by credit card and my wine by cash neither was I prepared to do that here either. He told me that it was hotel rules and that he was doing his job so I told him that he could put his wine back on the shelf in that case.
I enjoyed my meal although the mass catering did not produce the standard or quality and that I would expect from an hotel restuarant. It turned out to be a very pleasant wine that I had bought in the local shop and I felt satisfied with the day so far. After dinner I took the opportunity to go to discuss my grievances with the hotel manager. The manager, whose name was Kim, was a very pleasant and affable man who pointed out that he had 1400 people in his hotel complex and did not have the facility to create individual bills for each person. We had an amicable discussion and he took care to explain that it was not intended to offend me personally but was just a rule that had to be adhered to.
I next mentioned that I wanted to have the telephone in my room available to make and receive calls without having to pay for 5000 peseta deposit. Again Kim pointed out that this was in a rule that had been introduced due to people leaving without pay their bills. I explained that I was not that kind of person and that I was trustworthy and after further discussion he agreed to waive the deposit. I thanked him and left his office.
By this time it was almost 2100 and I had to board the coach to the Benidorm Palace. On my arrival at the nightclub, which was very much like London's 'Talk of the Town' the usher seated me with a Dutchman. I objected to this and asked that I be seated with the rest of party that had come from my hotel as I wished to speak English and enjoy the evening. He refused to be accommodating so once again I had to enlist the expertise of the management to facilitate my needs.
After trying to discuss this matter with him I realised that his poor English was a hindrance rather than an asset. I suggested he called the Airtours representative to translate for him, which he duly did. She understood my position when I explained that I had no wish to spend the evening on my own with a complete stranger who would not speak my language. Had I wanted to spend the evening in this fashion I would have gone into the town and not booked a place at the Cabaret with the hotel party.
She told me she will sort it out and asked me to follow her, this I did but stood back while she spoke to a number of people at the tables where her clients were seated. Presently she called me over and asked if I would care to join three people.
I thanked her before I sat down facing a gentleman who looked to be about fifty-five years old, with a ring of soft grey hair, graduating from his ears to the bald skin on the summit of the dome. When he looked up I saw he had a rubicund complexion, which opened into a friendly smile as I introduced myself. He told me his name was George, shook my hand and offered the lady on his right, saying "my wife, Billy." The third person, seated between these two and on the corner of the table, was Margaret who turned out to be the widowed sister of Billy.
It transpired that they were from Northern Ireland and the four of us engaged in conversation. As I had I had recently been travelling there they were interested to know what I had thought of the country and what I had seen on my travels. The flamenco dancers were absolutely fabulous, talented, good-looking with lithe and supple bodies being used to great advantage to display the variety of expansive and colourful frocks on the ladies and the tight, often figure hugging, costumes that allowed the men to disport their prowess throughout their dancing acts. All too soon it was over and I boarded the coach back to the hotel arriving just before two o'clock.
Thursday 13th July
When I came back to the hotel I took some time to write an e-mail to Richard, read all my outstanding e-mails and replied where necessary then I telephoned to Richard to find out if the hotel line was operational. We had a few words and he told me that he misses me. I brought my diary up-to-date, sent my e-mail and went to bed at 0415 after setting the alarm on my mobile to make sure I was in time for breakfast.
I ate a substantial breakfast and at 10 o'clock took the elevator to my apartment where I downloaded the photographs that I'd taken yesterday evening. I listened to the UB 40 CD and dealt with my mail whilst I enjoyed the music.
The coach stopped at a number of hotels to pickup passengers before taking the mountain road into the hinterland. We drove through the dry countryside and saw the bleak and barren mountains configured of pure rock with little or no vegetation and few trees. The roads were extremely winding and at times it was difficult for the coach to pass other vehicles as they approached. It was a beautiful warm sunny day and an interesting journey. The time passed quickly and it was 1510 when we finally negotiated the narrow streets leading into the village of Guadalest. This tiny village is precariously situated high on the top of a hill and the coach was unable to get up into the village proper because the streets were too narrow, designed long ago to accommodate the passage of the donkeys and carts I imagine.
I wandered round the streets and browsed in shops many of which displayed local crafts. It was very picturesque and busy with tourist's, milling around the buildings and eagerly perusing the museums while others could be seen sitting outside the cafés and bars drinking beer or soft drinks. At 1640 we again boarded the coach and left to visit the waterfall which was a half-hour drive away. Our journey took us up through the mountains and on our way we passed through acres of citrus trees covered in plastic mesh to prevent the wind from blowing the fruit to the ground.
On arrival at the waterfall, 'Fonts de L'Algar', we were told we had about an hour to explore the waterfalls which are interesting but not spectacular. I climbed up the steep slope, crossed a small wooden bridge then continued upward using stone steps that were cut into the mountainside and reinforced with concrete where necessary. At the top of the waterfalls there are pools and, encouraged by the hot weather, some people jumped into them and bathed.
The return journey was along the same route of weaving winding mountain roads and being somewhat uneventful I dozed for much of the time. We arrived back at the Albir Gardens hotel at 1920 after a most enjoyable if exhausting afternoon. I showered and changed my clothes before going downstairs to dinner. During the evening I rested in my apartment and edited the photographs that I'd taken during the day.
Friday 14th July
The alarm on my mobile phone woke me up but I didn't feel like getting out of bed. However it was 0930 and I did fancy some breakfast. I wasn't sure what I was going to do today so I took the elevator and went downstairs to think about it whilst I put fuel into my body over the breakfast table. However, I returned to my apartment after breakfast without having made any decision, took a shower, dressed and then went downstairs to see if the tour representatives were at the desk. Unfortunately they had left by this time so I wandered across the street to buy some cigarettes. On my return I bumped into the Avis representative and asked him how much it would cost to hire a car for the day. He told me it would be £30 and promised to return with one in 20 minutes. I went upstairs, packed up my camera, took my passport t and driving licence from my baggage and then returned to the reception area to wait.
The rep arrived in 40 minutes rather than the 20 he'd indicated and I was able to negotiate a two-day deal for about £55. After dealing with all the paperwork he showed me a red Seat Ibiza fully air-conditioned and with a radio so I was delighted. I spent the day driving up the coast from Benidorm and stopping off at the some of the villages I passed through. I walked along sandy beaches and carefully negotiated rocky outcrops. There was a light swell on the sea and the waves came crashing over the rocks. It was a beautiful day with pure blue skies and the temperature was 36 degrees with a very, very light breeze. At a supermarket I stopped off to buy some bread, cheese, ham, wine, beer and cigarettes. I remembered to buy a postcard which I later sent to Peter with three Spanish stamps affixed to it.
In the more isolated coastal villages that I passed there were fewer tourists than I had seen hitherto and more Spanish boys, their naked upper torsos with golden muscular bodies showing off to advantage the carefree days of youth in the sun drenched Mediterranean. It was 1700 by the time I returned to the hotel. I parked the car in the forecourt then went to drop off my purchases in the apartment before going for a swim in the warm water of the hotel pool. The water actually felt pleasantly cool after the heat of the afternoon but today it was over chlorinated. I swam around for some time but the chlorine was just too heavy so I went to the poolside and relaxed with bar bottle of beer.
After dinner I asked one of the holiday reps if they knew where the gay bars in Benidorm were located. The girl told me there were several, she marked on the map where they were located but told me she didn't know any by name. I went to the car and drove into town. Benidorm was very busy and I found it very difficult to find a spot to park in the area that she had indicated.
After finding space to leave the Seat I made inquiries in several places and eventually it was an English guy working in one of the bars who told me that the gay bars were, not in this area but in the Old Town. He pointed out that I was in the main nightclub area of the new town which was mainly, hotels, restaurants, straight bars and discotheques catering for the younger holidaymakers. I returned to the car and making my way by following the directions he'd given I drove to the Old Town.
I soon learned that in the main they did not open until around midnight and the few that had opened earlier held few customers and were certainly a not busy. I returned to my car, collected my camera and went for a wander around the shops and the stalls on the streets. The Old Town was as busy as London's Oxford Street is in the daytime with a wide variety of activities including some good artists painting or drawing portraits to make their living. I took some photographs but had to use a very slow shutter speed as there was not much light about.
At 20 past midnight I went into the Zanzibar but. apart from a heavily made up Queen sitting in the corner the place was empty. As I left I asked a gentleman who was entering if he knew of another and busier gay bar in the vicinity. He led me into the Zanzibar and gave me a small booklet containing information on all the gay bars and other gay oriented businesses in the town. He recommended the Peppermint bar two streets away as a small and friendly place. He added that the Zanzibar would be very busy around two thirty as they had a cabaret artist performing at that time.
In the Peppermint bar I found a small crowd seated around a horseshoe shaped bar in as small room with a cosy intimate atmosphere. I stayed there and chatted to a couple of fellows who told me that there was a good bar opposite the Zanzibar called Look that was worth checking. I left at ten past one and made my way round to look at 'Look'. The streets were very busy with people sitting at pavement cafés or meandering and window shopping as they passed along on the pavement. I entered the Look bar, bought a beer and spend some time talking to a gentleman from the Lebanon who now lives in Valencia. After he left I was approached by a rather interesting Spanish chap who spoke no English. He was about 35 years of age, slim, with dark hair and a pleasant countenance. Clearly he fancied me and after much tactile behaviour with kisses, cuddles and general gropes he invited me to go with him by signing his intention to go to the toilet area. I followed him and he passed the toilet without entering. He continued leading me into a backroom which was almost totally dark and each side of the passageway was lined with black painted three foot square cubicles.
We entered one, he closed the door behind us and immediately opened his shirt front and pulled me toward him. I responded and allowed him to kiss me, .His darting tongue parted my lips and I tasted the sweetness of his saliva and the tang of the beer he'd recently consumed. Holding me against him with one hand he used the other to unfasten the buckle as he undid his belt letting his jeans and underpants slip down round his thighs. I read this as an invitation to do likewise and while I was enjoying this wet, deep throat kissing my hands soon had my belt undone and with my trousers now open at the front, he lifted my T-shirt with remarkable swiftness, pulled back from me slightly in the confined space and put the front of my T-shirt over my head and around the back of my neck thereby exposing my naked chest. Again he took me toward his lightly haired chest, allowing our naked bodies to feel the warmth of being against each other, while our hot breaths were stopped as our mouths met in heightened passion. We snogged, we nibbled, we caressed each others bodies, my hands on his buttocks holding him close against me. By now my trousers had slipped down round my thighs and I was holding them in position by standing with my legs apart. My cock was already hard with the excitement, as too was my Spanish friend's so we enjoyed and played with each other for a short time. He manoeuvred his position that he could slip down in the cramped space as he sucked and bit gently on my nipples. Soon his head was lower down and his tongue was darting around my navel while his hands pressed my buttocks and massaged my arse. Meanwhile my hands slipped up and over his back and shoulders and came into contact with his ears. The Spaniard explored my lower regions and in the darkness of the cubby-hole he took the stiff rod and popped it between his lips. I enjoyed the next several minutes and then returned the favour for him though during our encounter neither of us climaxed. The Spaniard dressed and left the backroom very quickly.
I restored my clothes from their state of disarray and wandered back along the corner to the main bar. I couldn't find the sexy Spaniard anywhere so I bought a beer and chilled out. Later after a few beers I returned to the backroom where I again found sexual satisfaction by way of a first-rate blowjob from a dark skinned guy with spectacles perched precariously on the bridge of his nose. I think he was Spanish too. I left soon afterwards but managed to get a bit lost on the way home. However I pulled up and was able to get clear directions from a couple of Spanish lads and so I arrived back at the Albir Gardens at 0400. Back in my apartment I poured myself a large whisky to wash down one cheese roll and then one ham roll as I was quite famished after my adventure. I sat down with my laptop and I sent my e-mail at 0515 but it was well after six o'clock by the time I got my diary up-to-date it was ready to turn in
Saturday 15th July
It was 11 o'clock when I woke up so I was unable to have breakfast which finishes at ten o'clock. Instead I had cheese and bread and a few cups of coffee in my apartment.
I decided to go into the mountains today so I drove south along the coast road passing through Villajoyosa. Later on I turned right off the national route, theN.332, just before I came into Allicante and headed towards Busot. I have never travelled on such windy steep roads before. The barren countryside was spectacular. The mountains towering up on either side of the road stretched into the clouds. Some of the country villages seemed to be perched on the very edge of the mountain and were so isolated that I wondered why they had been built there are all.
The road weaved its winding way northward until I reached the village of Relleu where I turned right and travelled to the east. I drove slowly in order to enjoy the scenery and I had to use all my driving skills to navigate the tight bends where the road very often doubled back on itself. I stopped from time to time when I found a stretch straight road that made stopping comparatively safe and took some photographs of the expansive vistas of receding hills. Many of the hillsides were terraced with stone worked walls, which must have taken years of man-hours to erect in order to hold back the soil and prevent total erosion.
At the village of Finestrat, the last before I would return to the main road, I stopped to wander round and, since it was a few hours since my light breakfast I was a feeling a little peckish so I decided to buy some lunch. There were two restaurants on the Main Street, one of which had tables set out on the pavement and shielded from the hot sun by blue and white striped awning. It was here I chose to eat here and since it was the middle of the afternoon there were few tourists about. At one table there were a party of three middle-aged Americans, while at another there were some Germans.
When the proprietor brought the menu to me I found it was written in Spanish and German only so I had to ask what some of the items were. I settled for an entrecote steak, salad and a beer. The beer arrived almost straight away and after a short time the elderly gentleman brought a delicious mixed salad and a basket of bread. The entrecote when it arrived was not the best quality meat that I have tasted and it was served with overcooked cauliflower, overcooked carrots and some reasonable chips. I was not impressed.
After driving through the narrow streets of the village, which were the width of one vehicle with barely enough space for a pedestrian to pass by. Most of the shops were shut as though it were a holiday, which it wasn't, so I guessed it must be siesta time.
Continuing on my journey I eventually came to the brow of a hill, which gave a panoramic view of Benidorm.
In the evening I rested, spending some time at the poolside in the evening sunshine chatting to other guests then later in the apartment. As everything takes place so late in Spain I decided to go out to the old town where I had been last night.
Sunday 16th July
I called for a taxi at 0020 which didn't arrive until 0050. There was a couple from Iceland who were also waiting for a car to take them into Benidorm so we shared the journey into town where they were going to meet a friend who owned a restaurant. They got out of cab and paid the driver the 1200 peseta fare he asked for and gave him 300 peseta tip. I asked them to let me share the fare as I was sharing the journey but they insisted so I didn't pressed the issue. I requested the driver to take me to the Old Town and to my surprise he reset his meter. The meter now showed 380 pesetas. He then took a devious route to the old town which I knew to be longer than was necessary and tried to charge me 800 pesetas for the privilege. I told him the most I was prepared to pay him was 400 pesetas which he refused to take. He told me to get out of cab so I did. I again offered him the money but he told me that the fare was correct on the meter and refused to take anything from me. After dismissing the taxi I set off to find the Peppermint bar.
After a beer there I went round the corner to the 'Look' where I met a very chatty young chap called Simon. We decided to leave and went to Zanzibar to see the performers on stage. I bought as a drink when we entered that when it was finished he didn't want to buy a drink so I ditched him. It wasn't long before I was chatted up by another friendly chap and we ended up in 'Look' where I had an extraordinarily good time with him in the backroom. On our way back to the bar area we met up with a friend of his who bought us a drink before suggesting that we all leave and take a walk. I have no idea how we got there but I remember we all ended up having an orgy on the beach.
I woke up this Sunday morning to find that my phone had gotten lost somewhere ,,, on the beach I expect. I felt down and a little woozy after the excitement and beer of the night. I missed the Lazy waves trip I had booked and paid for as it was 1040 when I opened my eyes and I should have been in Benidorm for 1000 to have caught the catamaran. Went into town at 1230 and wandered along the beach before stopping to buy News of the World. After driving back to the hotel I spent the afternoon, reading while lying on a sun bed by the pool at the Albir Gardens. When I returned to my apartment after dinner I spent the rest of the evening dealing with e-mail, as there were interesting replies to an article I had written for motss. I then went on line to send and receive mail before the cheap rate finished at midnight.
Monday 17th July
I was sitting at my computer when I heard loud bangs, which I thought were fireworks. I went out to my balcony just after 0100 and found that heavy black clouds had formed over the mountains behind the hotel. The bangs were thunder and there were flashes of lightning in the distance. There must have been heavy rain over the mountains. It was 0300 before I was able to finally get to sleep. I was feeling very restless during the evening and had a slight pain in my chest which came and went from time to time.
When I rose at 0900 there was no blue in the sky just heavy grey clouds but by the time I'd returned from the dining room they had all but disappeared and the sun was shining again. Breakfast this morning was not really good at all. The bacon was greasy, the fried eggs had been lying around so long that the yolk was solid and the albumen had become rubbery. I did not enjoy this at all.
At 1300 I took the car and drove south along the National Highway toward Allicante. The roads were very busy but I enjoyed the journey. The sun was beating down and my temperature gauge on the dashboard showed an outside temperature of 32 degrees cent. The air-conditioned vehicle maintained a steady 18 degrees inside which was very comfortable. I passed through Allicante with its tall hotels along the sea front and turned left of the Highway taking the road to Santa Pola, which lies south along the coast. I stopped several times to look at the scenery and took a walk along the sandy beach. It was quite windy and a lot of sand was blowing so, as I was wearing my contact lenses I had to be careful not to get any into my eyes. The surf was heavy and there were many white breakers rolling up, one after another losing speed and motion as they travelled up the beach.
The village of Santa Pola is clearly a place where the very wealthy live. I made inquiries on the beach about hiring a Jet Ski was told it cost £18.00 for 15 minutes. A sandwich from the beach bar was priced at 3000 pesetas which is about £12. I thought this price was quite unbelievable and made an inquiry from the man who rents the windsurfing boards and boats. He told me this sounded about right, if I wanted something less expensive I should go into the village. I took a few photographs before setting off again in the direction of Benidorm.
It was about 1800 when I drove into the hotel car park. At the entrance to the hotel there was the usual cars and coaches pulling her with residents returning from their various extensions and tours. I took the elevator and made my way to my apartment where I showered, changed my clothing and went down to dinner. From the selection at the buffet I chose consommé soup followed by a very excellent fillet of pork rib, chips and side salad.
I spent some time preparing my web page and dealing with e-mail as there was nothing interesting taking place in the entertainment area. It was my intention to go out on the town for my last night but unfortunately I felt too knackered by the time midnight arrived. Instead I did more work on my computer and then went to bed.
Tuesday 18th
The weather has been more humid for the last 48 hours, which has made it a little uncomfortable indoors as there is no fan in the apartment. I made the mistake of forgetting to close my window last night the consequence of which was that I was bitten by bugs and woke up due to the itch and irritation on my forehead. Calvin Klein moisturising cream eased it somewhat but I was restless as a result for the last three hours.
Just after eight o'clock I awoke and went to the dining room for breakfast. I took care not to have greasy food and so chose cereal, toast, a couple of boiled eggs and coffee. On my return to the apartment I packed my bag in order to ensure that, with my recent purchases, everything would fit into it before leaving for my last trip in the car.
It seemed a good idea to stay local as I was expecting the Avis rep to call at 1100. At Playa del Albir I discovered a market alongside the beach so I parked the car and went to investigate. It was a long market and crowded with many tourists. With all the stalls under canvas morning and the narrow passageway running between it was very hot, humid and uncomfortable.
I was able to find a pair of maroon/brown leather shoes priced at 4000 pesetas. They were soft to the touch and appeared to be of a good quality leather and well-made so I offered 3500. The salesman suggested 3800 but I told him that was more than I wanted to pay. We discussed the quality of the shoes and price but neither of us could be moved. Deciding that he definitely didn't want to lower the price any farther I told him I was no longer interested and walked away. However he called me back and agreed to let me have them at my offered price, which equates to about UK£14.00. At another stall I bought a matching Calvin Klein leather belt for 1000 pesetas before returning to the Albir Gardens.
I telephoned to Avis to let them know I had finished with the car and confirmed that the four-day hire would cost me 25,280 pesetas plus between 3 and 4000 to replace the diesel I'd used.
At 1600 I went for a swim and on returning to my apartment I found that the key would not open the door. On checking with reception I was told that I should have vacated my room by midday. I could see more trouble looking ahead but I pointed out that I was not due to leave the hotel until the 19th, that I was travelling overnight and that I would be long gone before midday tomorrow which is my date of departure.
After much hassle and discussions with the Air Tours rep it was explained to me that effectively I am leaving on the 18th and therefore I have to vacate my room today. They wanted to make an excess charge of around 5000 pesetas for the time I had already spent there. After vehemently disputing this charge I went to my apartment, dressed into my going away outfit and made ready my luggage.
When I came downstairs I paid my telephoned bill of about £15.00 and placed my luggage in the stowage room before going outside to sit in the warm sunshine where I read the daily newspaper and drank some whisky. Life always seems to find problems and cast them in my direction.
Our Air Tours coach arrived at the hotel on time. It took about half an hour for everyone to get their pieces of luggage and their persons loaded so it was 15 minutes after midnight by the time everyone had embarked for the 40 minute journey to the airport. On arrival at Allicante the coach dropped as at the airport terminal but before alighting we were advised that our 0310 flight would be three hours late. Fortunately the large departure lounge was not very busy and most of the passengers were able to sleep stretched out on the seats. At 0330 we were given a complementary beer and a ham baguette as compensation for our delay.
Wednesday 19th July
The flight when it arrived was comfortable and I slept most of the way to Gatwick. I passed through customs without causing any excitement and took the first available train into Croydon. The weather was warm and sunny so I didn't mind having to wait around for the train change to take me to London Bridge. Here unfortunately trains were being delayed and I had to spend over 30 minutes on the platform. It was after a ten o'clock by the time I got to Thamesmead. I was pretty exhausted but there was several things that I had to do. After unpacking my luggage and having a chat with Richard we went to buy a replacement telephone and register a new Sim card. Having accomplished that we pressed on to my friends Peter and Hillary where I picked up what mail had accumulated for me in my absence.
