I digress...!

I know I promised to write up the 2nd part of the Hen weekend in Benidorm...but I've got sidetracked!!

Early this morning we whizzed along to Garrucha market for our Friday churros and chocolate at Ana's..the last we will have before returning home next week...

On the way we tucked in behind all the cyclist just going out in their daily ride...

We then had to attend the Spanish Notary to amend and update some of our legal documents...we used the same solicitor and Notary that we did 12 yrs ago when we bought our property..situated in the Parque Commercial....

Then the next appointment was a soothing pedicure...also in the Parque Commecial..she is a Russian girl and she always does a fantastic job....

It was a little early for my next appointment at the hairdressers so we decided to have a coffee on the sun terrace at Hola Ola right slap bang on Mojacar Beach..

Great views from the sun deck terrace on this lovely, sunny day...

The into the hairdressers called the Whacky Barbers in Mojacar..I've had my hair cut there a few times now, Debbie is a lovely girl so I asked her to cut it shorter for me and left the styling up to her.....what do you think?? Before & after pics!...

Driving along the front I asked to stop so I could jump out and photograph all the Chiringuitos that look stunning today...it's the beginning of the season, they're all open now after having a thorough clean and polish!!

1st is Aku Aku..

Renowned for their Paella..

Next is El Cid..

One of the oldest bars on the beach, founded in 1978!

Next is Lolas'..

Personally this is my favourite simply for the decor..And the huge glitter ball...so stylish!

Next up is El Patio 2000...

Equally one of the few original chiringuitos on the beach of Mojacar, and I think it was founded in 1968?...

Next door is Bahia..

Now I can personally vouch for this one as we have eaten their Paella and it was to die for!!...a bit pricey granted but divine all the same...all washed down with a jug of freshly made chilled Sangria..heaven..

Last on the end is Maui Beach..

The largest of them all and most certainly has had the most euros thrown at it decor wise..

Beautifully presented with newly installed all weather glass bi-fold doors..it really is quite classy!

As you can probably gather from this entry...these are just a few of the reasons we love Mojacar so much...there is so much to do and definitely NOT enough hours in the day!

Lastly I just wanted to share with you my latest "pimp my plants" experiment..

I had previously only crocheted one Cover for the Palm and that had faded with the constant sun on it, so I decided to go all out and do all three!.. End result..ta dah!...

Número Uno..

Número dos...

Número tres....

Lastly...group photo ladies please!!...

These little jackets should last another season surely?!..

Next instalment of the Benidorm Hen weekend will follow tomorrow..promise!

Off for a Chinese meal this evening with our neighbours so will let you know how that goes too...xx

 

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The first 48....

Thursday 9th April...

Decided to leave the car safe in the underground parking and travel everywhere by local bus..it's easier plus we can have a drink if we choose and not worry about driving!

You can buy 1/3/7 day tourist passes, so we decided on the 7 day and they cost just under 30 euros each. Considering each journey costs €1.50 it makes sense..

We decided our first trip would be to Albir, so we boarded the number 10 bus and headed on out of Benidorm. It's not far, a few miles but completely different to Benidorm.

Very much quieter and very popular with Norwegians, Belgians and the Danish..

Today it was very windy, so a quick brisk walk along the front certainly brought colour to our cheeks!!

I can imagine this place would be lovely when the sun was out and in the height of the summer months..

After we had a coffee there we decided to head back and get ready for our evening meal.

We decided to catch the bus into the centre of Benidorm, head through to the Old Town and eat at Ray's 1 Fish and Chip restaurant..

As usual it did not disappoint...it was our anniversary after all!

We then just HAD to walk the length of the Levante Beach to walk it off!!

Friday 10th April....

Today we decided to drive along the coast road to Moraira and Denia..

As we approached Moraira old eagle eye me spotted a charity shop! Bees to a honey pot..I will say no more!

I managed to find some really nice things... A selection of craft books, some shorts,jeans and tops for me plus some cute Retro egg cups..LOVE charity shops!!!

Once we had parked up we noticed that it was market day in Moraira so we decided to have a wander around the town first and then come back..

Moraira is not huge but extremely pretty and has a lovely front to wander along..

First the port/marina with all the yachts and fishing boats..

Nice sandy beaches.

And perfect vistas for selfies...!

After a quick scoot around the market we decided to head on back via Denia and found a lovely local restaurant along the way that was offering Menu del Dia..

Very healthy don't you think?!

As you head back through Altea just before Benidorm there is the most humongous Russian Orthodox Church that has been built in the hillside.. Sorry the picture isn't brilliant but I took as we were driving along!

Back in Benidorm we headed for the Hen Party hotel to meet up with Louise, Ella and her friends..they were around the pool having drinks...well what else would you expect on a Hen weekend in Benidorm?!!

We were both presented with party bags that contained everything needed for a great time..

Dress code for the evening was black plus sashes had to be worn..!

Ella was surprised with a stripper which I was told went down well??!! And everyone seemed to enjoy it..

Then onto the infamous party street where all the pubs/clubs are for a spot of entertainment and dancing..

This is where we left the bride to be...on stage enjoying herself!!

The next 48 instalment tomorrow!!......

 

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Benidorm + Happy Anniversary number 32!!!

Benidorm here we come...

Well...the bags are packed and we are ready to head on up to Benidorm for Ella Witts' hen party!!

There are 9 ladies flying out from Bristol on Friday 10th April, and John & I have driven from Mojacar to join them. The weather back in Mojacar was not good so we were hoping for some sunshine as we headed up the E7 motorway and then onto the N332... And lo and behold it is shining here!

As we turned off the main carriageway we were greeted with the welcome sign as you enter into Benidorm...

Our hotel is literally 1 minute away, The 4* Hotel Estacion...

As we were parking our car in the secure, free underground hotel car park I couldn't help but notice this little cutie...

Not only is it yellow which happens to be my favourite colour, but also adorned with scrumptious amounts of granny square seat covers plus bunting!! What a welcome!

We are here for 5nights/6days so there are bound to be plenty more blog entries and pictures to follow....

Plus today is our 32nd wedding anniversary...another reason to celebrate!

Thanks Lin & Jerry for the card! Xxxx

 

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Crochet projects completed!

As promised in my last blog....(plus to keep my Mum happy!)..here are all the crochet projects I have been working on recently..

The first was Easter bunnies and chicks..

Here they are being blocked...

The bunnies are from The Green Dragonfly blog and here is the link if anyone out there is interested in making some of these...Nibble nibble, hop hop | The Green Dragonfly

Also the chicks are from the same blog...Here is the link for the chicks..

Cheep cheep the crochet chick | The Green Dragonfly

The crochet daffodils were crocheted to make into brooches. I made these for the MACS cancer charity shop here in Mojacar. The pattern for these are from Lucy at Attic24, here is the link for these too...

Attic24: Crochet Daffodil

Lucy at Attic24 was the first blog I visited when I returned to crochet after many years, and she is a great source of inspiration and I am still learning new techniques from her..like the join as you go method..!

Here they are all ready to go to the store, I was really pleased how these came out. I used a perle acrylic cotton type yarn and a 3mm hook. I then secured a pin brooch attachment to the back secured on a felt circle and then presented them on tags..cute eh?

All of the bunnies, chicks and brooches were taken to MACS where they were gratefully received and I hope it raised a few more euros for their great cause.

I then decided to use up two 14 inch mini cushion pads that I had bought on my last trip to Ikea in Murcia.

The rose centre flower is adapted from a design by Apple Blossom Dreams blog which can be found here.. Apple Blossom Dreams: C.A.L. Granny Rose Week #2 of 5

The photo above shows the 3 stages of construction..the actual flower then the first round in green ( to look like the leaves) and then the final round in cream. Again I used the same perle acrylic yarn and a 3mm hook to keep it nice and tight..

For the 14" cushion I needed 5 squares across x 5 squares down..25 in total for each side..

I decided not to leave an opening and joined the cushion all the way around, and finished it off with a simple shell crochet border. The cushion can easily be laundered by just popping it into a net bag and washing on a cool wash/30 degs..

After completing the first cushion ( which I am contemplating giving as a gift to someone) I decided to use the last remaining cushion pad and make the Something Pretty motif by Millie Makes...here is the link if you would like to make one the same..

something pretty – the pattern | mille makes...

Again I raided the perle acrylic ( I'm desperate to use this up before I leave Spain!) and again used a small hook ..3mm to keep it tight.

I liked the idea of making up one in each shade..

I just used 2 rounds of her pattern and then finished off the 3rd round with a granny type round to enable me to keep the square to the required size I needed for the pad..

Again I needed 5 x 5 squares for each side..a total of 25 for each side. I also didn't leave any opening on this one too, I just joined as I went, and didn't include a border with this one. I felt it didn't need it..

So here they both are in all their glory..the photo illustrates both sides..

Equally I am very pleased with how these came out too, and I think they are so 'Girly' pretty..

Every Friday we visit Garrucha market and partake our freshly made Churros and Spanish chocolate drink. So I decided to buy the two ladies who own the two establishments a small Easter gift... Pretty plants with small pink flowers. I thought I would 'pimp' the pots with some colourful crochet covers..

Needless to say they loved them...hopefully I'll get double helpings next week!!! (Only joking!)

Lastly I can share with you a project that I started last year whilst here in Mojacar..

4 squares in an Aran weight yarn. Again I have used the Something Pretty square by Millie makes plus a plain 5 round square.

I have now joined them all together to make a blanket for a wedding gift for a special couple...

I can only show you small snippets so as not to spoil the final surprise!

I joined the squares together using the Flat Braid Method after a lot of sampling.

The wedding is in the 3rd May, so after the date has passed I'll show you the full blanket in all its glory!

Well that's all my projects shared, now I think I will sit and work out what I can make next!!

Until next time....xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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