Christmas in Estepona, Spain

Tuesday, 15th December, 1981                 fine

John and Sandra off to town, Sean, Rae and I had a quiet interesting day at home.  

Kids decorated the van, made a garden outside and suburbanised the area.  The camp is full of German retirees in their Mercedes and caravans, and English pensioners escaping the severe winter - some have been here months and are quite suntanned.  Down to the beach to sunbake - can't believe it doesn't get light till 8:30 a.m. and stays light till 8 p.m. Did a big wash in machine for a hundred pesetas.  So good to have all cleaned.  Booked in for Friday & Saturday early to do sleeping bags, hope the sun and wind stay around.

Met some funny people - at dusk a Volkswagen pulled up an out poured 8 people - three adults and five kids - up went 2 tents.  They are an English couple with five kids on the way to Morocco for four weeks.  To see them pack the van then wonder where the kids were going to fit was fascinating.

Estepona, Spain

Sean and I went into Estapona to finish shopping, had a great morning, picked up photos, only the second lot we have had developed.  Worked out at $0.48 per photo.  We had a coffee in a cafe, lunch and more cafe con leche, sent parcel to the kids, had lovely day at market and looking in shops.  Sean brought a pair of sand shoes. We bought chicken, mushrooms, peanut butter for Christmas tree - oh for some Vegemite.

Thursday, 17th December, 1981               overcast

Awoke to a windy day, great excitement - you can see all of African coast from here.  Apparently it doesn't happen too often.  We were invited for a drive with Ron and Joan Russell up the mountain ranges - Sierra Nevada - to Sierrania de Rhonda, 730 m above sea level.  What an experience, the road is called the "road of a thousand bends”, a whole new project has provided a lovely smooth road but it still is the road of 990 bends.  Ron has a 1981 Land Rover, so it climbed okay but left our stomachs on the floor.  Sean ended up with a migraine, John was feeling queasy and I was also from rigid muscles.  Anyway it was a nice afternoon company wise.  Up through cloud and mist to an ancient old town built on a chasm.  The donkeys must have worked overtime to transport the material.  There is a lovely new town too.

Ronda, Spain (Britannica)

Safely back at sea level, wine dined and went for a Christmas drink at the Russell's - met an English couple - Pat and Mac.

Friday,18th December, 1981                    windy and showery

Battled with the elements to wash the sleeping bags, first time in 4 ½ months. Booked in at 9 a.m. - they put down Mrs Great - because when I was given the early morning appointment for the machine I said “great” so now it's Mrs Great.  Managed to dry three of the five bags.  Decided to have early night, so cooked tea early - John brought a piece of pork from Estapona.  We had just cooked it when we are invited to a "benefits of flamenco" in San Pedro by Joan and Ron.  Well none of us knew what to expect so we dressed up, Joan even took her opera glasses.  So while Sandra, Rae and I went to the show, the boys, left to their own devices, found the bar where dominoes are played and had a great time.  Well the "beneficio" was held not in the Opera house but local cinema house and it was a village do.  The theatre was full of Spaniards except for us. Firstly, the local dance school performed a flamenco dance and very much enjoyed, they were little girls dressed in colourful frocks, and then they had a couple of men singing Fado - and one played guitar then interval.  People were moving singing out and talking the whole time - during acts luckily the music was turned up allowed to get over the noise.

At some time interval must have been over, because they started again with their guitars and wailing and when we left at midnight they were still going.  It was supposed to start at 8 p.m. but about nine they began. Home to bed about 1 p.m.  Mañana

Saturday, 19th December, 1981                fine and sunny

Slept in till 9:20 a.m. and had to rise to put the last two sleeping bags in.  When finished took a drive to Marbella for petrol.  It is a holiday place very busy where film stars and Arab oil king's winter. After lunch a laze on the beach - beautiful sunlight and day.

As part of the coast is prone to smugglers it is patrolled by police regularly.  Whilst at Tarifa the Guardia Civil would drive through during the night and there was barbed wire and cacti all along the coast.  Joan and Ron came for a farewell drink - they are off on a seven day tour to Morocco.  They will be back on Boxing Day.

Sunday, 20th December, 1981

Met a family of Kiwis who had just returned from a weeks tour to Morocco - at last Rachelle has company - Carlene is same age.  Coming over windy and cloudy after a lovely sunny morning.  Slept in till 10 a.m.  Real lazy!

We are surrounded by Germans.  The old gentleman next to us can speak English - people opposite, we conversed in sign language and JA and nein.  One German woman had a clash with me over washing machine.  Didn't understand a word she was saying but she sure was wild.  Sandra cut my hair today - second time in five months. Olive Lackner will be pleased.

Monday, 21st December, 1981                 five days to Christmas

Week began very windy - force 10 - terrible night.  Gale force winds.  John and Sandra went into town to finish shopping, blew up a storm they will get wet.  So much rain it won't soak into ground - result outside our door 6 inches of water accumulates.  Sean moved the van just out of the water line - we borrowed a shovel from the German fellow across the road, but couldn't keep up with the downpour.  We were saturated - hot shower. Sandra and John were also saturated when they returned.  We moved the van into the trees, out of the water but Gale force 10 winds sprang up and the old eucalyptus trees started to creak, so back we came to our original spot. Mr Fez next door fussed over us before we went, and when we woke up in the morning he says.  "Boomerang eh?” he spent all morning looking for spot, but decided Aussies didn't camp under gum trees, and we were in the safest place.  One large bough of the tree fell near the toilets and a fir tree uprooted and fell - both luckily missing anyone - terrible night - we were all awake all night - three van loads of late comers snuggled in beside and around us for the night.  The whole camp fell asleep about 3 a.m. There was a big cleanup of branches and leaves etc.

Tuesday, 22nd December, 1981

Young German couple, Ludwig and Heidrun, came in with their two little girls, Mayiam and Yulia, for morning tea.  Stayed three hours.  He is a policeman and was going to Australia for eight weeks to visit family, but ended up here.  Very nice couple live near Bonn in Eiskirchen

They left at 2 p.m. and we had to be up to Heidi and Paco's flats to have afternoon tea with a Belgian couple, Sandra met in town - Simone and their son Yves.  They took us to Paco's bar for a drink then in a big rush home to a party the manager, Mr Heinamen was throwing in the bar at the park.  Well, what a night thought it was a glass of wine and a sandwich, but quite a spread was before us - the next problem was to beat all the German guests to the table.  I guess they were all hungry, as I managed a plate of olives.  We were all hungry about 9 p.m.  Bought some hot chips, but too many hands and not enough chips.  It was quite a good night, all nationalities singing Christmas carols and dancing together.  We have some nice neighbours - Sean has christened them all - "Schultz next door".  Real name is Joachim Zeiss and Margot.  Camp cover-ups = equal secret police.  The enigma Department of defence etc,

Thursday, 24th December, 1981

Been busy with pre-Christmas preparation, morning tea with Ludwig and Heidrun then over to ring Karen and hopefully Tony.  Got through in one minute - great to speak to the kids - they came over so clear.  Tony hadn't arrived - coming at 12:30 a.m.  Cook chicken, made salads, Sandra and I were busy in between interruptions.  They all went up to the beach bar for free drinks at 7:30 p.m.  I stayed home wrapped my presents and read.  It was raining earlier but cleared up for swim.

Friday, 25th December, 1981                   fine and sunny.

Christmas Day - no church nearby and unhappy about that.  But the day dawned clear and sunny.  So John put up the awning, and we opened letter from Karen, which John had hitchhiked to Malaga for - put on tapes from home, whilst having breakfast.  Lots of love songs and messages come through the tape.  We opened the presents off the tree - everyone pleased - silver pen and refill - little Paris place - a clown place, Shakespeare's quotes and Portugal jug, all filled my coffer.  Very pleased. Santa was good to the kids - Sean likes little presents and money - saving for car.  Rachelle liked her goodies but managed to break ear ring cameo and lose 200 pesetas in 24 hours.  See Pat's blog on Christmas in Estepona

The day was marvellous.  We had Joe and Margaret - Schultz to us, laden with his litre "good red wine" for Sean (makes big strong boy), Eddie and Mariana from Germany, Ludwig and Heidrun  and their two little girls, Ernie and Eunice our English friends from Sevenoaks in Kent, Scott and Judy from Kentucky, Ian and Jenny from Victoria, our naive Australia pair, who will survive only by luck, John and Jenny Heath an ABC announcer from 3LO Melbourne with their two sons Nigel and Nicholas, Dr Chris and his wife Linda Norton, Jenny from New Zealand, plus odd couples that stopped for a drink - we talked and drank till 3 p.m., and everyone disappeared for lunch, except Ludwig and his family, Ernie and Eunice.  

So we had quite a nice lunch.  The young girl Jenny next door, was instructed step by step on how to bake a chicken and veggies on top of the stove.  We had chicken, salami, and plenty of salads, nuts bon-bons and the Spanish small cake called Roscon de Reyes.

Roscon de Reyes

Slept for an hour, then showered, and we all congregated like flies again at the Kiwi bus family of eight-Carlene Angela Lisa and Paul Chapman- Parents, aunt and uncle Carol and Paul, Chris and Debbie.  Two other English couples arrived too, Elsie and John, Tom and Enid and an odd one out- Ted. Rae was homesick on an off till she found out everyone else was to.  We were like lost souls all homing in to be with someone in the same position.  To celebrate birth of Christ.

Stayed singing and dancing till about 11 p.m., the cold had eaten into our bones -the days are nice, but the nights freezing

Saturday, 26th December, 1981                        fine.

I woke quite late, had a disturbance before sleeping.  Our little Aussies next door, came home pretty drunk from the party - drank a whole bottle of Southern comfort.  He fell over at the side of the van and fell asleep, Jenny hopped into bed.  Then Chris and Paul arrived from ringing up and bundled him into the Volkswagen.  Then she fell out the door, and they both ended up in the nude going to the shower.  Heaven forbid - who let these two loose on the continent!

Had brunch and lazed most of the day - had a book exchange outside for part of the day -coffee or wine went with the books - the German manager, Heinamen, came marching over to complain.  The Aussies and Kiwi kids were teasing his kids - heaven forbid, and he's managing a big place like this - let's hope he was only tired from Christmas celebrations.  Thought we were going to have another war.

Went for a long walk along the beach - beautiful day.  Early to bed.

Sunday, 27th December, 1981                  overcast but fine.

Another sleep in, up and washed before the threatening rains come.  Went for a long walk with Eunice, our English friend - Ernie isn't a walker.  So at last, I have someone to accompany me.  Kids having a marvellous time with other children in the park - never see them.  Off to have Christmas pudding with Joan and Ron tonight.  Near us in a Volkswagen is an elderly German pair - they can't speak English.  But we know, he is swearing at her.  He sits and drinks a litre of wine all day.  Then abuses her all night.  Well takes all kinds.

Joan and Ron invited us to sweets after tea.  Ooh bonne sweets - plum pudding and brandy sauce and fruitcake - mmm beautiful.  A nice evening, they enjoyed their stay in Morocco.  Had a lovely time - seven days at five-star hotels.  Home to bed and these dirty stop outs went to bar at 10 p.m. to say bye bye to New Zealanders, who were leaving that next morning.  Rain and windy night.

Monday, 28th December, 1981                rain and wind.

Went into Malaga with Ernie and Eunice to see the folk Festival, but it was a washout.  It poured raining, so we trundled around Malaga had coffee in the square, found a very nice restaurant to eat.  Then drove out through great puddles of water to Pryka.  The super Mercado just out of Malaga - discovered Marmite was sold - much delight in van when brought out of the shopping bag.  Arrived home with plenty of goodies.  Dined and bed to listen to the wind in the gum trees, ocean on the shore and rain on the roof.  Not a very restful night.  Brought white Romeral for 81 pesetas.

Goodbye to the Chapman's, Ian and Jenny the Aussies, Chris and Linda Horton, the Kiwis.  John and Jenny Evans, our ex-producer of 3 LO Melbourne all gone their merry ways - doubt if we will see any of them again.  The last night here, everyone was down at the bus, and John decided to act the juvenile and walked on a brick wall in front of an angry German, which antagonised him so much John ended up in a fracas.

Keep your feet on terra firma John, my boy.

Tuesday, 29th December, 1981                wet.

Rain rain go away - dampness creeps into our very bones, besides our vans.  Off to Estapona this a.m. with Rae to do some browsing - I love Estapona and haven't had a chance to walk the town - keeps raining.  Simone and Jules came for a drink in the bar.  We are going to tea tomorrow at their apartment.  They came to lunch yesterday, but I was away.  Played ad lib with Eunice - Ernie wasn't well.  He likes to read and laze.  Like the game.

John and Scott are like lost sheep without the Anzacs.  So off into town for a pub crawl.  The old gut will misbehave tomorrow.

Wednesday, 30th December, 1981                       wet and windy.

I woke to another overcast day, not cold, but grey and wet.  Have a washing date for 1:30 p.m. so hope it clears a little - if good winds blow it will dry.  John has gone into Marbella with Scott and Judy, whilst we entertain Elsie and John to morning tea.  The Chapman family from New Zealand adopted them as stand in grandparents.  So they are feeling lonely.  Our German friend, Joe Zeiss continues to look after us with information on wine, cars, Germany etc.  Too wet to walk - Simone and Jules have invited us up to their apartment for tea tonight - chips for the kids, a luxury we can't cook here.

Well what an evening - couldn't find the family at first - found them in Paco's bar.  The promise of hot chips was dashed with one sentence "a blackout on the Costa del Sol."- so we had boiled potatoes, chicken, bean soup, beautiful, (gas cooked) and ate by candlelight.  We had a terrific night.  Such a nice family.  Even the reluctant driver enjoyed himself immensely.  Home at 10 p.m. fully sated.

Thursday, 31st December, 1981                                       raining

Last day of the year and crying many tears from the sky.  Battled with washing all day.  Believe it or not, the Sun came out about 4 p.m. and promised a fine New Year's Eve.  Young Jenny and Ian arrived back wet from Portugal to spend New Year's Eve with us.  Had Eunice and Ernie, Scott and Judy, Ed and?, Jim and Annie (Canadians) into the awning for a hodgepodge tea - everyone bought a plate  - chicken, salad, hummus dip, fried rice etc. filled us all up, plus the Romeral wine.  When the cold crept in we adjourn to the bar, where next door Joe and Margaret, Simone Jules and Yves were dining at a 1800 peseta meal.  They kept bringing out bottles of wine, sweets and "piece de resistance", hats, streamers, blowers all ready for 1982.  Had wow of a time, after midnight, they invited us into dance etc - we all did the chicken dance.  Simone danced to a Spanish flamenco with the Spanish senorita - no Caballero available - went on till we retired at 2 a.m.- enough!

Friday, 1st January, 1982               happy new year to everyone               fine and sunny.

Thank you, Lord for a beautiful first day of 1982.  We washed, cleaned and scrubbed happily all day after a late start; the Sun has certainly rejuvenated us all.

Had a sunbake -  later in the day a visit from Joe Schultz.  He warned us about Italy.  He is a real caring soul told us in 1957 he and Mama were nearly kidnapped.  We can imagine two tiny Italians trying to kidnap 20 stone Joe and 15 stone Margaret, he is a real delight. Canadians and daughter from Valverde arrived today.  Very wet in Portugal, preparing to be on the road again - hardest part is saying goodbye. The boys are up to the bar for their good bye drinks, came home late and decided to sit under the Mediterranean sky and count the stars with all the inebriated friends till Mama changed their minds.  Sean has revolting cold.