Bessie Part Three

Well we are leaving cold wet England for home, onto Sea France then start our journey through France home calling at Nice and Monaco.

The sea was very rough as the rain was lashing down and the wind blowing quite strong, boats are not my thing at the best of times but this one was not good, you could not walk in a straight line on it, thank goodness it was only one hour over. We satyed in Calais for the night still raining, and set of in the morning heading towards the alps, this is painted on the wall of where you park up for the night.

WE traveled a good way the first day and stayed over night at Montmiral, nothing special just mile after mile of farm land with sun flowers and grain fields, it all gets to look the same after a full day of it.

Traveling the next day we start to see the lower alps in the distance, at last the land scape was changing. we stayed over night in the lower Alps, then went on the next day and finally the wow factor was there, what a sight as we climbed, we found a camp in the mid Alps and decided to stay for two days it was so beautiful. there was snow on the top of the mountains and very warm weather where we were. the place was Vissily, the castle there is where the French Revelution started, so as well as being beautiful it had a lot of history to enjoy.

Our camp site was on the banks of the lakes. We woke the next morning to the sound of bells, not church bells these were too quiet for that, just like a ting a ling type of bell, we could not think where they were coming from, then we discovered what they were all the cows in the field across the road had alpine bells round there necks so every time they move we had the sound of the bells

This area was so beautiful the lakes went on and on and the mountains in the back ground were fantastic, but if we wanted to have a stay in Monaco we had to start moving on.

Put Monaco in the sat nav says Brian, well that was the start of the scariest experience yet the most wonderful experience I have ever had. We started off in the morning and by the time we turned the first bent we were climing and I mean climbingup the mountains, but boy was the sights so breath taking, wow look at that I would say to Brian in sheer wonderment the just as quickly say no keep your eyes on the road. As we climbed the road got narrower and more with more and more twists and turnsin it the scenery got more spectacular, there I am camera in hand trying not to sway about as we rounded another bend.

By now we are high in the alps 20 kilometres from the Italian boarder and there is snow on the side of the road as well as the mountains. Every so many kilometres there was a road sign telling you how high you were above sea level.This photo is a bit blurred as I had to zoom it as far as my camera would to get it.

The 2295 is how high above sea level we were, and the road was by now not much wider than the van.

We could not understand why the sat nav had brought us this way, beautiful as it was it was getting very scary, we had traveled about 25 Ks. and not seen an other car, the gorges were such a deep drop down and the mountains were very high at the side of us, this is a photo of the road we had just come along taken out the back window of the van, so as it is a right hand drive I had the gorge was on my side.

Then as we rounded another bend I went into panic mode, ahead of us was a tunnel cut out of the mountain stating that the tunnel was three metres high, we are three point two metres high, point two higher than the tunnel.

There was a bit of the road to pull into so oncoming traffic could come through the tunnel, but not enough with us parked in it to allow anything to pass us. As I said we had traveled 25 Ks. without seeing anything then in the middle of my panic three cars come up behind us and two coming through the tunnel towards us and us causing a traffic jam. We can't turn not enough room and the gorge was bottomless I am sure I could not see the bottom anyway.

While Brian is out of the van trying to puzzle out what to do I am sat in my seat getting ready to throw the sat nav into the gorge, when a knock came to the window on my side, the stupid frenchman must have thought I was the driver not realizing that we were a right hand drive.

As we have spanish number plates on he tried to talk to me in Spanish, if I had of been Spanish I don't think I would of understood what he was saying so I imformed him English. "Ah" he says " you will have to turn round and go back you cannot get through there" well I do not swear but have you ever wished you did, I gave him a I'm disgusted look and said and just how or where would you like me to turn this motor home round.

Jeanette Spain

Bessie Part two

Well we left Whitby making for what I think of as home excitment growng in me wondering what changes I would find after all the years way (left this area in 1964). First place we came to was Redcar shall we stop says Brian, inpatient me says no there is nothing of intrest there keep going.

I remembered there was a camp site at a place called Crimdon Dene a few miles from where I lived and a lot of my childhood was spent there, I was hoping it would still be open.

As we came back on to the coast road I let out a yell we are at Seaton Crew (you may recognise the name from the story in the news of the man who went missing then came back from the dead). Not far now through Hartlepool then Crimdon.

As we got nearer I could see caravans Fingers crossed we drove in and asked the question any room here YES there was, I did control the urge to hug her.

After geting setting up the motorhome I full of pride for my home teritory set off to show Brian the sites and places of my childhood, I have seen all Brian's childhood haunts in Lincolnshire now it was my turn.

I walked him down the cliff to the beach then we walked along to Blackhall rocks, As a child I never got as far as going into the tunnels in the rocks as I was a coward and as soon as it got dark I legged it out of them, my cousin William used to tell me the smuglers still haunted the tunnels looking for their loot, that was enough for me.

Walking a long here brought back so many memories when I used to climb over these rocks with my friends, as we walked home after spending our bus fares, it was easier to walk along the shore than on the road.

The next day we set off for Durham City, we visited Durham Cathederal, which I had visited so many times with school.

The cathederal is the resting place of St. Bede and St Cuthbert who brought Christianity to the north east of England.

St, bede and st. Cuthbert both have conections with Holy Island in Northumberland. (more on this later).

The cathederal has a sanctuary knocker on the main door, I think brian was hoping for sanctuary from all the site seeing.

Next of to Marsdon and South Shields my dads birth place.

As a child I loved Marsdon Groto, I spent many happy days with my parents and sister here, no shops only a bar restaurant wich I never got into as I was not old enough, so at last I had a meal in there and got to see inside it for the first time. There is only a small stoney bay which is called the Groto, and a large rock you can only get to when the tide is out.

The bar is built into the rocks and I was very impressed with it, well I had waited a long time to see inside.

Into Northumberland next wow was I enjoying visiting all my old places, I was a bit worried that Brian might be a bit bored after all these were my memories, but no he said he thought I was very lucky as a child to grow in in such a place, he has since said if he ever bought a place in the Uk this is where it would be.

We visited the Anwick Garden that belong to the duchess of Northumberland, theywould take some beating for colour, water features, well judge for your selves I can't say much that would do them justice.

We stopped of at Holy Island(Lindisfarne) you can only get on and off the tide is out.

In 676, Cuthbert lived and prayed on island of Lindisfarne the st. Cuthbert cross is still on the island but the monestry was ramsacked by Henry 8 when he was distroying many of the cathedrals.

We ended our tour of the Noth East coast at Berwick on Tweed, then went along Hadrian's wall to the lake district on the way crossing the border into Scotland before ending up at Blackpool to visit my sister.

We left Black pool to call on our dear friend Tina's sister Leeta in Sheffield. I was rather nervous but had no need to worry, We were given a warm welcome and a much need cup of tea. Arthur was going to the hospital the next day his birthday. brian enjoyed talking to Arthur, I was sorry I could not of met Sandy and Babs as well but if you are like Tina and Leeta well I know we would of got on well together. Thank you Leeta for making a nervous couple feel so welcome, hope we can meet up again sometime.

The next week visits to Family and the Lincoln Music festival where Hermans Hermits were playing. It was so cold and wet most of the time.

Off back home again now through France.

Jeanette Spain

"2008 Trip in Bessie

We set off in Bessie (our motorhome) on May 29th. for our trip to the UK and France, it was warm (29degs.) as we set of heading north. The trip to the ferry was drive as far as we could before having to stop, for some reason Brian likes to get there as quick as he can , but take three weeks to drive home again.

The ferry was booked for the 2nd of June leaving four days to get to calais. Nothing very interesting on the way to Calais, excepted for the day before we reach the ferry, we stayed on the Somme where a lot of the first world war was fought.

Just short walk from the camp there was a British cemetry, it was kept beautiful with flowers of all kinds and colours, it's so nice to know the villagers keep the cemetry in such good condition.

Out of the many graves there most of them were "here lies a soldier" no name to say who they were, so sad and moving.

We arrived ib the Uk and started our trip at York as we wanted to drive up the north east coast.We spent three days in york it was very interesting and we enjoyed all the site. I have been many times to York but it was Brian'sfirst time so it was fun showing him all the sites. We woke one morning to a strange sound and saw a hot air baloon coming down on the other side of the hedge.

From there we went to Scarbourgh, again Brian has not done any of this coast so anouther first. We went via Filey andof course it was raining, so this was a quick walk round and back to Bessie, we arrived in Scarbough in the rain but the next morning it was warm and sunny so off we go for the day. This day was our first wedding anneversary so Brian took me for a meal in the Grand hotel.This was special for me as this is where my Dad was head chef (in the days when it was the grandest hotel in the area) when I was a child and it was the first time I had been in that I can remember.

From here we payed a visit to Robin hood Bay a small coastal village, you had to be good at walking up hills here no wonder there was cafes half way up the hills you needed them.

Onwards we go, now stopping at Whitby with it's abby and everthing based on Dracula.

Nice fishing port but so pleased it was only a short visit.

Now we come to the highlight of my Uk visit Brian enjoyed it as well, the coast of Durham where all my life was spent till I got married.
Jeanette Spain

The May Fair

Today we went to the annual May Andalusian Fiesta held in Torrevieja. There were the horses with the riders in traditional Andalusian costumes, and dancing. Andalusia is a region in the Costa Almerria about two hours drive from us.The fiesta has been on since Wednesday and concludes today (Sunday). The atmosphere was a happy one with everyone out to enjoy the sun, food and entertainmen.

All the dresses were very colourful and worn with pride from the children to the old women, the men were dressed in the typical Andalusian dress and looked very elegant. Families were enjoying the day together

In the bull ring they put on a show which lasted two hours and it cost 3 euros (£2) to watch it, there was horse riding skills and dancing. It was very enjoyable and you could see how much work and patience that was put into the training of the horses, I am please to say they looked well looked after and in very good condition which is not always the case with animals here.

We were very worried about going into the bull ring in case it was a bull fight which is held on Sundays but were assured that this was not the case, we would of had to walk out if it had of been, but the only bull fight were saw was pretend and no bull was hurt.(Video of this)



Here are a couple of videos of the show as it went on for two hours there was to much to video.

After the show every one made for the marquees where there was eating drinking and dancing going on. Apart from the three euros to see the show (which you did not have to go into) it was all free, they were giving drink and paella away.

As were don't eat paella and I don't drink and Brian was driving we went to the bar on the prom. and had a meal while being serenaded by Spanish entertainers.

What a day.

Jeanette Spain

The Gym

What with sorting out pensions, visitors and selling Brian's place we have not been many places of interest this last few weeks. The only place we have really been to is the gym, which we go to 3 times a week, we enjoy it a lot and I can see a difference in how fit we are.

We went today when it was siesta there would not be many people in as I did not think it right to take photos of others doing a workout.

When we got there, there was only two persons in so that suited us fine.

This is the gym you can see how quiet it was,we usually go about 10am and there is a good few people there at that time.

We use most of these benches and weights, but in a way that you are not building up mussels just to tone up.

Most of the photos are of Brian using the equipment as I was taking the photos, but we use the same ones only Brian has more weights on than me(not surprising is it).

We start a warm up on the cycles for half an hour, then move onto the benches, on my time on the cycle I do between 8 and 10 mile depending on how fast I my legs can go.

This contraption is for the legs and lower back, your knees start up at you chest and you have to push on the metal plate till you are stretched out, I started at 10 kg . and thought it was hard to push it, now the trainer has me up to 40kg.that is hard work, but who ever was on the machine before me had 85 kg. on, it must have been a man.

Each weight is 10 kg. 40kg. is 85 lbs. so I feel I am getting better at it.

This one is great, it is for your circulation, you feel like a jelly on a plate wobbling all over, you stand different ways for where you want the vibration to reach, Brian is leaning forward so that it will do the back only, if you stand straight it does every part of the body, bend knees only the bottom half of the body gets done and if you cross your legs only your bottom gets done.

Now comes the hard work, these are like steppers and you have to keep them going while moving your arms as well, I can only manage 10 Min's. on this but as it was only 3 Min's. when I first tried it there is hope for me yet. We go on the tread mill to finish that is half an hour at 5 miles per hour for me it's a pretty fast walk, There is an old lady of 82 goes to the gym, she is crippled with arthritis and is blind, she only goes on the tread mill at 1 mile per hour for 8 Min's then rests then does another 8 Min's. she does this three times so she has done24 Min's. on it.
She says the slow walking helps with the pain and keeps her from stiffening up, you have to admire her.
Well after all that it's time for the steam room and then a shower.

I must say you feel good when you come out of the gym and I am not tired any moor when I finish, I can now talk while on the tread mill without getting out of breath, so it must be doing some good.

Jeanette Spain