It’s not as bad as it sounds

Day 17 – Thursday 9 March 2018

It rained through the night, leaving the morning cold enough for a coat but with the weather forecast promising a higher temperature from midday. The noise of rain within the caravan always sounds worse than it actually is outside.

Thursday is local market day in Vila Joyosa, a mile and a half from our base. We missed it last week and certainly weren’t going to miss it today knowing its mostly food. Parking within a hop, skip and a jump (more luck than planning) out eyes lit up at the fresh veg, salad, fruit, meats, fish and of course olives. The market was large enough to be large, but not so large as to be daunting and with multiple stalls selling the same tat as we found in Benidorm. It was, as mentioned, mainly food and we were spoilt for choice. Look at the size of the fresh strawberries. Definitely going to have a punnet or two of those.

Towards reaching the end of the market I was very pleased to come across an ‘electronics’ vendor from whom we had purchased two sets of headphones the day before in Benidorm. We’d taken our time to choose them as Steve wanted to connect them to our TV, so they had to have our exact requirement of connections. When we got back to the caravan to try them out, of course one set didn’t work at all. Annoying! I hadn’t brought the dud pair with me, but after a bit of standing my ground and a language barrier that didn’t exist yesterday the vendor gave us a replacement. Result.

Our day’s haul comprising fresh ham off the bone, pate, goats cheese, artichokes, avocados and of course oranges. Roll on lunch time.

We allowed enough time for the market without having to rush back for a mid-day cooking demonstration of a typical dish from La Mancha. It was diced bacon with croutons served with a slice of melon and a grape. A great appetiser to our buffet lunch of fresh produce.

Tony, one of our chefs. Believe it or not the other Chef is called Curtis

A very interested member of the audience showing appreciation with a glass of local red wine.

Jenny, one of the waiting staff, with Steve in the background anxious for his tasting.

The afternoon was written off sunbathing in a clear blue sky almost cloudless. Feeling the need for exercise around 7pm we walked along our beach with Stella watching the sun set.

After another feast for dinner, the largest steak cooked by Steve, we settled to watch a DVD in bed. The choice was The Boat That Rocks. We’ve seen it before but always enjoy a re-run. Plugged into headphones that worked, we can have the volume as loud as we like without disturbing other residents in the campsite. It’s amazing how noise can travel through a quiet evening!!!

It’s rather strange slowing down, with nothing to rush for, but we’re continuing to enjoy the novelty of being Brits Abroad (not).