Friday, June 29, 2007
the last leg !
Well what can I say ??? The photo s say it all I think ! The atmosphere there was just mighty , from our exceptional vantage point on the red sunbeds we could see the racing out in the bay , behind us there were mant T.Vs so you could see exactly whay was happening , and wow was it exciting ! Also very nice for the princesses to have little boy getting us drinks all day !! well Emer , the pilot had to drive . We spent the whole day there and left about 6.30 and drove 400km to Torrevieja where Barry Barrable (ex fr ) has a bar called Durty Nellies ! Barry was in Malta but Brian was there his bro who also used to work with both Emer and myself a million years ago ! got there about 10pm and no hotel booked , and believe me a gin and tonic was much more important than a hotel after 400km. Anyway Brian made a call and we were sorted , happy days !Our third hotel on the beach !!
Left there the next morning and headed to Pereleja to see my house , which was a shell ,but did the business pretty quickly and after many phone calls to Dublin it was imperative that I got to Marbella that night ,SO we drove to Granada and thanks to Dave (and google Earth ) and Rick , my sat nav we found the alhambra , which was absolutely amazing , we spent 2 hours there , its an absolute must see place , its on the list of entries for the next 7 wonders of the world so check it out ! Granada was a beautiful city too , I had skirted it twice on my way up to the sierra nevada skiing and only saw high rise blocks , but this time we drove into the heart of the city and wow very grand old streets with stunning old spanish architecture , I ll definitely be back .
Left there and drove to Marbella , dialled Terrasana from malaga and ordered our food and arrived there about 8.30 where we ordered margaritas and toasted ourselves !! we had driven in total 1600 miles . It was a fab trip , very different to last year , the coast of spain is absolutely stunning and the landscape the whole way along , was just breathtaking , Much more mountainous than I realised and much more vegetation than you d think too . I would definitely reccommend this to all of you would be euro drivers !! Next year who knows , We both are keen to drive through the alps , Switzerland especially for me , I ve done it in winter but would soo love to do it in summer so watch this space !!!!!!
Left there the next morning and headed to Pereleja to see my house , which was a shell ,but did the business pretty quickly and after many phone calls to Dublin it was imperative that I got to Marbella that night ,SO we drove to Granada and thanks to Dave (and google Earth ) and Rick , my sat nav we found the alhambra , which was absolutely amazing , we spent 2 hours there , its an absolute must see place , its on the list of entries for the next 7 wonders of the world so check it out ! Granada was a beautiful city too , I had skirted it twice on my way up to the sierra nevada skiing and only saw high rise blocks , but this time we drove into the heart of the city and wow very grand old streets with stunning old spanish architecture , I ll definitely be back .
Left there and drove to Marbella , dialled Terrasana from malaga and ordered our food and arrived there about 8.30 where we ordered margaritas and toasted ourselves !! we had driven in total 1600 miles . It was a fab trip , very different to last year , the coast of spain is absolutely stunning and the landscape the whole way along , was just breathtaking , Much more mountainous than I realised and much more vegetation than you d think too . I would definitely reccommend this to all of you would be euro drivers !! Next year who knows , We both are keen to drive through the alps , Switzerland especially for me , I ve done it in winter but would soo love to do it in summer so watch this space !!!!!!
Americas Cup
So off we went by taxi to Port Americas cup , now this for me was the highlight of the whole trip , Ill load photos of the day so you ll understand why !! Oh and BTW wherever its on in 4 years time ,we re there !
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Valencia
I m writing this now and it feels like a million years ago so much has happened since then !
We drove from Roses to Valencia , stopping to take a look at santa marguerita and Empuriabrava , a lot of the houses here are built along connecting waterways and have their own jetty at the end of the garden with their boat tied up , it looks really cool .
Into the supersol and stock up the fridge as we need to get to Valencia asap. I swear they knew I was coming , every juggernaut in Spain was on that leg of the trip , definitely more of them than cars ! Quite gruelling for the pilot so when we eventually arrived at our hotel which was right on the beach the other side of Valencia I had been cute enough to phone ahead and book myself a massage ! Simply heaven , a celebratory bottle of vino that had been chilling in the car fridge was opened and the girlies raised their glasses and patted themselves on the back for surviving such an awful drive !!
The Americas cup has already started and Valencia is absolutely buzzing , we took ourselves off into town and the crack was simply mighty Many New Zealanders obviously mad people all out to party in Spain . We slept with the patio door open that night as we were so close to the sea and the wind had picked up , It was pretty awesome listening to the waves breaking outside our window . I woke up at 5 a.m to a massive storm with serious thunder and lightening which was quite spectacular to watch , but I was concerned about getting out to see the racing later , the seas were sooo rough .
Anyway , I was right I got a call later to say it was not likely that the spectator corporate hospitality boat that had our names ,would get out , but fear not a table has been reserved for us at the Foredeck club at port americas cup ! Hey , I will be honest and say at the time I was disappointed I soo wanted to be out there , Emer on the other hand was quite relieved as it was still unbelievably rough and windy .
!. We got "the phonecall " from our contact at the Americas Cup and yes all was sorted for us access all areas
We drove from Roses to Valencia , stopping to take a look at santa marguerita and Empuriabrava , a lot of the houses here are built along connecting waterways and have their own jetty at the end of the garden with their boat tied up , it looks really cool .
Into the supersol and stock up the fridge as we need to get to Valencia asap. I swear they knew I was coming , every juggernaut in Spain was on that leg of the trip , definitely more of them than cars ! Quite gruelling for the pilot so when we eventually arrived at our hotel which was right on the beach the other side of Valencia I had been cute enough to phone ahead and book myself a massage ! Simply heaven , a celebratory bottle of vino that had been chilling in the car fridge was opened and the girlies raised their glasses and patted themselves on the back for surviving such an awful drive !!
The Americas cup has already started and Valencia is absolutely buzzing , we took ourselves off into town and the crack was simply mighty Many New Zealanders obviously mad people all out to party in Spain . We slept with the patio door open that night as we were so close to the sea and the wind had picked up , It was pretty awesome listening to the waves breaking outside our window . I woke up at 5 a.m to a massive storm with serious thunder and lightening which was quite spectacular to watch , but I was concerned about getting out to see the racing later , the seas were sooo rough .
Anyway , I was right I got a call later to say it was not likely that the spectator corporate hospitality boat that had our names ,would get out , but fear not a table has been reserved for us at the Foredeck club at port americas cup ! Hey , I will be honest and say at the time I was disappointed I soo wanted to be out there , Emer on the other hand was quite relieved as it was still unbelievably rough and windy .
!. We got "the phonecall " from our contact at the Americas Cup and yes all was sorted for us access all areas
Monday, June 25, 2007
Bay of Roses (Sat /Sun )
We left Brieve and and drove South through the languedoc area, vineyards the sun shone for a change we didnt eat biscuits ! 475km later arrived at Bay Of Roses Spain , Emer had already sourced the Terrazzas hotel which was on the beach and we decided that it was time for vegging in the sun having covered so much so quickly in such awful weather conditions , wine removed from the fridge the celebration began we had finally hit the Med .
A few texts and phone calls later to both John Aungier and Ian Switzer the girlies had a list of hot spots in Roses . Roses is a beautiful horseshoe shaped bay with a rocky headland that is not unlike the peninsula (howth )at home actually !
We walked for miles the next day and Emer has now decided that a property here is on her list of wants !
The wind came out of nowhere (which was obviously great for The Americas cup in Valencia ) so we had to make do with the private garden for ray catching instead of the beach .
Planning the next few days over dinner that night we were an interesting sight in the restaurant with maps sat navs treo for web info all over the table !!
So Monday we ll leave here and cover about 450 km along the coast of Spain to Valencia where the Americas Cup awaits us , We re both soooo excited about that so fingers crossed for access all areas
A few texts and phone calls later to both John Aungier and Ian Switzer the girlies had a list of hot spots in Roses . Roses is a beautiful horseshoe shaped bay with a rocky headland that is not unlike the peninsula (howth )at home actually !
We walked for miles the next day and Emer has now decided that a property here is on her list of wants !
The wind came out of nowhere (which was obviously great for The Americas cup in Valencia ) so we had to make do with the private garden for ray catching instead of the beach .
Planning the next few days over dinner that night we were an interesting sight in the restaurant with maps sat navs treo for web info all over the table !!
So Monday we ll leave here and cover about 450 km along the coast of Spain to Valencia where the Americas Cup awaits us , We re both soooo excited about that so fingers crossed for access all areas
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Saturday, June 23, 2007
MUSIC AND CHRIS
And a special thanks to Chris for the Ipod updated music ! 1100klm later still love it !!
Has it really been 12 months ? No advance planning required, we have the TeeShirt, let just hit that road, in the rain yet again. The winds have been high & I fear not only will I be on iceberg watch but hurricane too. Pharmacy is recommending non-drowsy travel tabs- thank you Ill take drowsy, please. Coffin, sorry cabin is in better location than last year & I may actually surive the night. ... but it will require a couple of bottles of .... anything. Jeanne has absoutely no idea of her way around the boat, I reminder that last year I walked this boat for 17 hours checking out the location of every lifeboat, I think these are particularly good skills for navigator exradonaire to have.
Just to confirm my navigator skills & sniffing out unsual places to lay our heads 800km from Roscoff we stay in a pretty hotel, with restaurant gastromomic & an excellent wine list, which could challenge Dougies mighty selection for our drive , but not quite...........
Just to confirm my navigator skills & sniffing out unsual places to lay our heads 800km from Roscoff we stay in a pretty hotel, with restaurant gastromomic & an excellent wine list, which could challenge Dougies mighty selection for our drive , but not quite...........
the year thats been for Jeannie
Well since the first Girlie Tour ssoooooo much has happened in the year to both of the girlettes . We ll start with a quick log of Jeanne s year which I might like to add ,REALLY does permit me to exile status !!
Having driven up from Marbella last july in a record time of 10 hours to Biarritz, I was welcomed by my navigator Emer , who had decided to fly there to join me and do the final leg of the journey we had started together 5 weeks previous. She had the hotel booked , the champagne a chillin and the party zone mapped out , the girlies DID Biarritz and drove on the next day to Mont St Michel , stunning stunning , a must for would be cross country drivers . The luxury liner at Cherbourg took us to Rosslare and believe me the worst part of the whole journey was rosslare - Dublin.
The Summer continued with our most memorable trip to Caherdaniel with Jack Fifi SJ and Harry three tents , no baby 6 torches , rain jackets , 3 tents , BBQ , Guitar and heavy rain . It was, I have to say, the most fantastic three nights , we had such mighty crack with the kids . Hopefully to be continued this year .
Mid September I headed back to Marbella to close the sale of my new 20sq foot villa on the beach at Bahia , much wheeling and dealing later I got the keys and a new phase in my life in Marbella began .
I drove straight from there and headed to Gibraltar where I met with my very interesting crew for my week of sailing in the med and down into Morocco as in Smear . All the wrong clothes (whats new ) lived in my jeans for the whole week , night sailed across the Straits and learned loads , competent crew cert awarded I left Gib a happy girlie whirlie !
November took me to visit Nick in Newcastle , where we had an absolute blast at the Killer
s concert , tiny venue , 2000 people , front row , never to be done again !!!
Back to Spain twice in November to order furniture and meet with interior designers etc to turn the new gaff into the amazing gaff it is right now !
Then the Birthday was coming up and shit whats a girl to do , refuse an invite from her bestest buddy Emer to go to Marbella for it ??????
Christmas came , Tenebo 24 great day much singing and dancing late into St Stephens day and then time to pack the whole family off Skiing , ok new gaff means no holiday or cheap holiday so me and my family being of similar minds , we chose the cheap holiday . Andorra !!! Never again , well what can I say , you bloody well live and learn . a winter of feck all snow a tacky village , but We as a family had the usual ,, mighty crack together . Much money won by Fifi from the guys !!
OK missed out on a memorable trip to Brooklodge with Dougie after christmas , lots of massages and eating !!!
Back from skiing 4 days and hey its Dads birthday and DH and I made a surprise visit to him in Bahia for 4 days . you re not 72 every day of the week .
Back home drudge drudge , ski time again , just a weekend with the usual suspects , Eamonn and Lorraine , Ruth and Greg , and Nora and Paul. We just had the best crack , you start laughing at Dublin airport and Stop at dublin airport . fantastic skiers the lot of them , way too much food as usual and way too much wine at lunchtime . Liver history end of January.
February came and back to Marbella house stuff again .
Then SJ went off to Calcutta and Jeannie went to Peru volunteering . What a month that was
.
My Moms 1st anniversary 23rd Feb , thanks to all the kids who went and spent the time with my Dad at Ardgillan .Where did the year go ??
The long awaited Thailand trip was almost cancelled for the 3rd time , but we got there and did Thailand . white water rafting , quad biking thru the jungle , powerboat around the islands , Bankok . Great trip , great country .
April took all of the Heathers and all the Dillon /Colleys to Marbella , rain rain and more rain , but Marbella being Marbella , there was loads on offer . We were also the only people out in thew new boat in the lashing rain !!
May came quick dash to Bahia with Nora for house stuff and a really chilled few days , and back again with the Ballymaloe six a few weeks later for much yoga walking and unfortunately wine !!!
June I passed the motor boat test so yippee will be now capable of taking the boat out in Marbella .
And here we are again a year later , how fast its come up on us , are we any different ? have we learnt anything ? I think loads !!!
We ve one shot at this thing called "LIFE" and no ones going to do it for us !!!!!!!! Happy reading
Having driven up from Marbella last july in a record time of 10 hours to Biarritz, I was welcomed by my navigator Emer , who had decided to fly there to join me and do the final leg of the journey we had started together 5 weeks previous. She had the hotel booked , the champagne a chillin and the party zone mapped out , the girlies DID Biarritz and drove on the next day to Mont St Michel , stunning stunning , a must for would be cross country drivers . The luxury liner at Cherbourg took us to Rosslare and believe me the worst part of the whole journey was rosslare - Dublin.
The Summer continued with our most memorable trip to Caherdaniel with Jack Fifi SJ and Harry three tents , no baby 6 torches , rain jackets , 3 tents , BBQ , Guitar and heavy rain . It was, I have to say, the most fantastic three nights , we had such mighty crack with the kids . Hopefully to be continued this year .
Mid September I headed back to Marbella to close the sale of my new 20sq foot villa on the beach at Bahia , much wheeling and dealing later I got the keys and a new phase in my life in Marbella began .
I drove straight from there and headed to Gibraltar where I met with my very interesting crew for my week of sailing in the med and down into Morocco as in Smear . All the wrong clothes (whats new ) lived in my jeans for the whole week , night sailed across the Straits and learned loads , competent crew cert awarded I left Gib a happy girlie whirlie !
November took me to visit Nick in Newcastle , where we had an absolute blast at the Killer
s concert , tiny venue , 2000 people , front row , never to be done again !!!
Back to Spain twice in November to order furniture and meet with interior designers etc to turn the new gaff into the amazing gaff it is right now !
Then the Birthday was coming up and shit whats a girl to do , refuse an invite from her bestest buddy Emer to go to Marbella for it ??????
Christmas came , Tenebo 24 great day much singing and dancing late into St Stephens day and then time to pack the whole family off Skiing , ok new gaff means no holiday or cheap holiday so me and my family being of similar minds , we chose the cheap holiday . Andorra !!! Never again , well what can I say , you bloody well live and learn . a winter of feck all snow a tacky village , but We as a family had the usual ,, mighty crack together . Much money won by Fifi from the guys !!
OK missed out on a memorable trip to Brooklodge with Dougie after christmas , lots of massages and eating !!!
Back from skiing 4 days and hey its Dads birthday and DH and I made a surprise visit to him in Bahia for 4 days . you re not 72 every day of the week .
Back home drudge drudge , ski time again , just a weekend with the usual suspects , Eamonn and Lorraine , Ruth and Greg , and Nora and Paul. We just had the best crack , you start laughing at Dublin airport and Stop at dublin airport . fantastic skiers the lot of them , way too much food as usual and way too much wine at lunchtime . Liver history end of January.
February came and back to Marbella house stuff again .
Then SJ went off to Calcutta and Jeannie went to Peru volunteering . What a month that was
.
My Moms 1st anniversary 23rd Feb , thanks to all the kids who went and spent the time with my Dad at Ardgillan .Where did the year go ??
The long awaited Thailand trip was almost cancelled for the 3rd time , but we got there and did Thailand . white water rafting , quad biking thru the jungle , powerboat around the islands , Bankok . Great trip , great country .
April took all of the Heathers and all the Dillon /Colleys to Marbella , rain rain and more rain , but Marbella being Marbella , there was loads on offer . We were also the only people out in thew new boat in the lashing rain !!
May came quick dash to Bahia with Nora for house stuff and a really chilled few days , and back again with the Ballymaloe six a few weeks later for much yoga walking and unfortunately wine !!!
June I passed the motor boat test so yippee will be now capable of taking the boat out in Marbella .
And here we are again a year later , how fast its come up on us , are we any different ? have we learnt anything ? I think loads !!!
We ve one shot at this thing called "LIFE" and no ones going to do it for us !!!!!!!! Happy reading
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