Link to Jan and Paul in Spain 2025 Blog

We have started a new blog for 2025 and you can find it by clicking on the link below

Jan and Paul in Spain 2025

19 December 2024 – Christmas in Rothbury

As always we spent Christmas and New Year with Stuart, Michelle, Jack, Georgia and Chloe

Plus, of course, Mika and Storm

By the time we arrive Rothbury is looking very festive with their decorations and lights

Jack, Georgia and even Chloe still like to put out a mince pie for Father Christmas and a carrot for the reindeer on Christmas Eve

Most days we walked along the river, followed by a hot drink in the Turks Head

This year we had more sun, and less rain, than usual – but still bitterly cold

Jan noticed this unusual nativity scene outside Rothbury All Saints church

The usual Christmas tree has been replaced by these four foot high carved wooden figures

On one wet and miserable morning we were cheered up to hear the happy sound of this little robin

I wish I had recorded a video with sound

And of course we spent a lot of time watching TV

And taking turns trying to control Mika

We were very impressed by Stuarts new large TV with speakers built into the wall around the sitting room

16 December 2024 – Alcalali to Parcent Play Area

19 of us for the last walk of 2024

The relatively low numbers reflect how many members had already left for Christmas holidays

No less than 14 have confirmed that they would miss this last walk of the year.

However Barry and Linda arrived in Spain just in time for the last walk

We shall miss Janette who returns to the UK after an extended visit

It was even colder than last week

But the forecast promised more sun

We had pondered whether to wear Christmas hats

But decided against it as hardly anyone did last week

Lovely and sunny, though quite chilly, for our banana break at the play area

A photo of Tina, “the selfie queen” taking a photo of all those wearing Christmas hats

Thanks to Kris for taking this festive group photo

This was our 40^th walk of the year

Not as impressive as the 77 completed in 2013

But we were doing two walks each week then

The membership has also greatly increased during the year

We had 16 resident and 10 non resident members in January 2024

We now have 33 resident and 18 non resident

We have lost 6 resident members during the year, with 4 more that have 

not walked for 3 to 6 weeks.

This is more than we had planned, but it is very difficult to restrict numbers

Thanks to everyone who supported the group throughout 2024

And look forward to walking with your again in 2025

Temperature – 5 to 12c

Time Taken – 3 hours

Distance – 9 km

 

9 December 2024 – Lliber Zoo

It was very festive in Lliber square with the Christmas decorations

It was very cold when we started, and everyone was well wrapped up

There were 25 of us walking today

It should have been 29, but four cancelled the day before

This happens most weeks, making it difficult to plan who can walk

We had two new members today, Isabelle and Patje

Both are Belgians and have moved here recently

Pierre and Jenny wore their Christmas jumpers on their last walk before the break

We were tempted, but did not want to be the only ones to do so

Jan did bring a Christmas hat, which she then wore

But the strong winds kept blowing it off

Fortunately the sun was quite strong during our banana break

But it was still too cold to sit for very long

And we avoided the picnic site where it was shaded

In favour of the "tin man" which was in the direct sun

Except for these three who braved the cold for the impressive view

Despite the sun most of us needed our extra layers throughout the walk

And the pace was faster than normal because of the cold wind

Though we did have short breaks to admire the views

However we arrived back in Lliber about 10 minutes early

Fortunately the square is a real sun trap

So it was very pleasant having our after walk drink there

 Another very enjoyable walk

 

Temperature – 10-13c

Time Taken – 3 hours

Distance – 9 km