The three alarms we set last night all went off as planned so by 3:30 we were both up and into exit mode.
The journey down to the airport was fine although the ANPR on the car park did not recognise the car number and we had to resort to the rather low-tech option of having the barrier terminal scan a bar-code.
We left the car having thoroughly checked that we had not left any lights on and having secured the keys in the zipped pocket of my carry-on bag (now if I forget where they are you'll all be able to remind me).
Speedy bag drop, fast track security and priority boarding all helped to minimise my airport phobia and Easyjet managed to get the plane to Marbella half an hour ahead of schedule. They must not have told the bag handlers to be ready though, as we had to hang around for a while to collect the big case we'd stashed in the hold. None of this actually mattered as we spent much longer on the transfer bus waiting for the final two passengers to arrive.
The journey from Malaga to Marbella (via Fuengirola and a couple of other drop-off places) was a pleasant intro to the holiday and when we passed around the the Marbella Arch* we knew we were almost at our destination.
Everything finally fell into place when we were granted our wish to be assigned the room we had last year. It's just like coming home. It's still the same, still not been refurbished, but that's how we like it. I do wish I'd brought my Leatherman though, so that I could tighten up the screws in the patio door handles (which were loose last year) - maybe I'll look for a cheap screwdriver on the market.
Not much else has changed either, as the old guy across the road that we noticed last year is still on his balcony doing his modelling. I thought his car might have been finished by now but some stealthy photography indicated that he's still working on it.
At about 2:30 we left the hotel in search of food and found ourselves on the sea front in a nice little cafe I don't think we visited last year (although the waiter looked familiar) having scrambled eggs, with shrimp and mushrooms (for me) and a mushroom omelette with salad (for Eunice). Hmm, this is beginning to sound a little Facebooky isn't it - I'll have to watch that.
As last year, we've brought a kettle with us for afternoon refreshment and after lunch made our way to a supermarket we'd passed on the coach on the way here, to get some milk, oranges and a bottle of wine. The supermarket was memorable because it had a bike shop next to it which we hadn't visited last year. And quite a good bike shop too (and open!), a lot of BMC high end stuff, as well as Canondale and Trek. Some really nice shoes too ....
We're back in the room now having a rest before venturing out again for tea. We might make this a bit early as we need to catch up on some sleep, although whether or not we'll be hungry enough after that lunch remains to be seen.
That's about it for tonight, so in the immortal words of that famous Californian governor (although nobody over here seems to use them) "hasta la vista mis amigos".
*normally one would expect to travel under the Arch, but it's being refurbished at last (just before it fell down by all accounts) and the road is currently diverted through two petrol filling stations which lie either side of the arch. No, it wouldn't happen that way back home.
It's nearly 7:30pm on Friday night and in just under 9 hours we'll be leaving the house for the airport, and our holiday to Spain will have begun.
Slightly worrying news, passed our way this afternoon, was that the M56 is to be closed from tonight until Monday morning between junctions 5 (the airport) and 6. Fortunately, the Highways Agency must have been informed of our imminent departure and will allow traffic to leave the motorway at junction 5, so all is well.
This year I have to remember, firstly, where I put my car keys on arrival at the airport so that we don't have to call Sally out again with the spare ones on our return, and secondly, not to leave the internal light on in the car so that hopefully there will be enough power left in the battery to start the car when we get back. Regular readers of our holiday blog will know what I'm talking about.
The weather forecasts are predicting we'll be leaving home in the rain, but arriving in Spain to some sunshine, which should last at least for a few days, so it looks like we'll be able to get in some walking in between coffee stops with plenty of photos. How many will make the blog depends on the quality of the wifi in the hotel (it wasn't too good last year), but I'll try and get the most interesting ones up.
Right then, time for some last minute packing and then it will be almost time for bed, if we're to be up at 3am.
I hope there'll be something in the blog to keep you amused, and as ever, I look forward to your comments. Adios mis amigos
