Hello again!
I’m back from our lovely week in Spain and it’s beginning to feel like a dream. Was I really there, was the sun out every day, was it a beautiful consistent warm temperature throughout the day? And it’s a yes to all of those. Wow, I mean, that clear blue sky that we had Every Single Day! We just don’t get that kind of weather in the UK, we get four seasons not in four days but in some instances, four seasons in just a single day! And as I look out of the window as I’m writing this, yes – it’s raining!
But before I go into a short description of our first few days I would like to thank those of you who commented on my last blog post. I read all the comments and appreciated them so much, but being on holiday I didn’t reply. I am back to normal now and will reply to everything you say.
I think my favourite colours are orange and black and you’ll see why very soon as Part 1 shows you the orange theme in my clothes.
I’m starting with a photo of me looking fed up! I’ve put it in small as I really do look a bit glum, but honestly, airports! I’d forgotten how ghastly Gatwick is. But although I hadn’t flown for years, I found the actual flight quite pleasant – I simply love that take-off. It’s the waiting around that’s horrible and Gatwick is so in your face with that huge emphasis on buying alcohol and gaudy rubbish. And as for security I didn’t get through that gateway thing and had to be patted down. What do they think this old lady might do on a plane, I wonder? But OK, that makes you think they are being careful with everyone. But I don’t get the logic of not being allowed much in the way of liquids and then once through you can be a humungously large bottle of water!
Anyway, I had already brought with me a couple of brightly coloured tops and pants, but on our first day my friend Jan and I passed a little boutique and we just had to go in, whereupon I bought two more orange tops – here’s one of them.
There’s nothing I like better than sitting in a plaza with a coffee, people watching.
Later in the day after lunch you can see me sitting contentedly happy to be in this lovely country. My orange pants were perfect for the weather.
The pants are charity shop and bought years ago and you can just see a lovely necklace I bought at a market. Don’t you love the markets in European countries, I know I do.
We were staying with friends which was such a nice thing to do. They live in a village called Niguelas, which is half way up a mountain so actually it was quite nippy in the morning and the evening. In another month the temperature will be red hot during the day and much warmer at each end of a day, but I quite liked the slightly cooler weather we experienced – not a hot weather person at all. We also came back as pale skinned as we arrived as we do NOT sit in the sun what with both Mr F and me having had melanomas. We put on the 50+ sun protection and sat in the shade all the time.
Our friends live in a lovely house and, of course, we ate outside.
And here’s a better look at the amazing aeonium, which is left outside all year – you couldn’t do that in the UK as it would have to be wrapped up and stored in a greenhouse.
The surrounding countryside was both stark and awe inspiring and we had several drives through these mountainous regions – it was so different to the gentle English hills.
Here’s another example of that blue, blue sky.
Half way through our holiday we were invited to a birthday party
It was such a wonderful occasion with spontaneous guitar playing and singing very much in the Spanish style. We felt it was a privilege to be there participating in the celebration in this unique setting.
That’s all for now. Part 2 will come at the end of the week with my fab new black dress! Thanks you so much for bearing with my absence and do tell me if you have some good memories of a lovely holiday.
With love, Penny, the Frugalfashionshopper
How lovely Penny – it all looks fabulous, as do you! Those orange pants were a real find. I’ve been looking in our charity shops for some summer clothes, but as my daughter pointed out, far more people sell their stuff on Vinted, etc now, and so far I haven’t found much in the shops.
My best holiday memories are more to do with the experiences (like the party you were invited to) than the scenery. As a schoolgirl I went on two ‘exchanges’ to French families, one in Le Mans and one in Tours. They were very kind and took me to chateaux and other places of interest, but the thing I enjoyed most was just living in a typical French household and finding out how other people led their lives. (I grew up in the London suburbs and I don’t think I’d been futher than Brighton at that time.)
I enjoyed going to the local market with the mother of the family, and I remember being so impressed with wonderful stalls laden with fruit and vegetables, and especially the one selling all kinds of goats’ cheeses. (I’d never had anything except Cheddar before – I took some goat’s cheese home and my mother was appalled! ‘Get that smelly stuff out of my fridge!’) Nectarines were another new experience – you just didn’t see them at home in those days (or at least, we didn’t.)
One of the French amilies took me to the farm where they bought their wine. It was very basic and uncommerical and I was fascinated.
On the first exchange the family actually drove all the way to Paris to pick me up from the station (I had flown to Le Touquet, from where a train took one into Paris) and we spent a few days there. It was so beautiful and different (at least it was then) – we ate croissants on a terrace in Montmartre, which probably was, even then, very touristy, but I didn’t notice that. We walked up all the steps to the Sacre Coeur, which is still my favourite church in Paris.
I must have put on at least a stone during each of those holidays, the food was just fantastic. In both cases, my ‘exchange partner’ was a grumpy teenager who really didn’t want me there at all, but I was still very happy!
Since then I have been on many more holidays, but I still remember those two summers as two of the best.
I look forward to the next instalment of your Spanish trip.
Oh Rosemary – what a great description of your first encounter with France. I’ve never forgotten the smell of France when I was just a teenager, it hit you right between the eyes. It was a very strong mix of sewers and French cigarettes – I can still conjure that memory up. I too love to find out more about the culture and in fact am quite the city girl rather than a ‘views’ person. The countryside around the village was very awe-inspiring and different to the gentle rolling hills of Sussex – so interesting to see.
Thanks so much for your fab comment 😀
What a lovely time. Visiting with friends is always so enjoyable because they can help you navigate a different area.
It didn’t hurt having amazing weather too.
It’s so heartwarming that you love to wear colorful clothing too. It makes you look happy (even when you’re fed up at the airport, haha)
XOOX
Jodie
Honestly Jodie – airports – ugh! But the actual flight – no problemo. The weather was wonderful but I ask myself would I get bored with the same weather every single day, even though that same weather is lovely and warm? Part of life here in the UK is worrying about the weather! We don’t usually have life-threatening weather – it just rains a lot. It’s kind of daft but I’d miss that slight everyday worry we have 🤣
Thanks so much Jodie 🙂
The difference in those two photos is so funny, all the difference in the world. Your vacation looks fabulous! and you look really good in orange, a color I never wear. I never thought I looked good in it but it becoming more popular and now that my hair is silver it might look better.
I agree that airports are awful. I really think I would travel overseas, go to Europe, perhaps a cruise on a smaller ship as I have in the past with family on my own except the thought of managing the airport, the security and all on my own is overwhelming. I was seriously considering a Viking cruise to the South of France last year but got cold feet.
Eagerly awaiting the next installment! Love, Darby
I think when one’s hair changes to silver or grey or white it means we can change our colours. I never used to wear orange but it really brings more of a zing to my looks. Maybe get an orange t-shirt just to experiment?
Airports are the worst as the actual flight is Ok – I’m not sure about long haul though. Is there anyone you can go with to Europe??? That might be the answer. Mind you I know when I contemplate visiting far flung places (because I just haven’t visited them) I too feel slightly insecure. And I do know there are many places in the UK I haven’t visited and should. I think actually we should go with the flow and if something feels right we follow that and if it doesn’t feel right – then don’t go there. Easy for me to say I know.
Thanks so much Darby, it’s always lovely to hear from you 😊
Oh how lovely to feel the sun upon your face right. To be honest, we had 3 days of gorgeous weather in Rye! And what a beautiful orange top. Perfect to wear in the sun!
Ah yes, when it’s lovely weather in the UK it really is lovely.
And I have decided that orange is the colour of the year for me!
Thanks Nancy 😊
Well, we’ve had a glorious spring, but the last few days have been thunderstorms and torrential rains. I think they may have even ruined one of my favorite bushes. But enough of me…
You look gorgeous in orange and should definitely wear more. I love that new top with your older pants…so much fun! Honestly, I would love to just sit in a place like that and people watch for hours with a drink and maybe a pastry! I love watching people and imagining their lives.
Your friends’ house looks lovely, and that plant is gorgeous! Nothing like that would survive here, either. What fun to be invited to a birthday party, too. I can’t wait to read Part 2!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
I’ve returned from sunny Spain to wild (for the UK) windy and wet weather so some of my plants are horizontal too!
Orange is definitely my colour of the season – but you’ll like the black dress. And isn’t people watching simply the best!
Thanks Marsha 😊
Glad you had a wonderful time with your friends in Spain, it does look a lovely spot. You must have enjoyed your time sitting in the sun and people watching.(its one of my favourite things to do when we travel).
I do like you in orange Penny and look forward to seeing your black buy.
The waiting around at airports really is the worst part of overseas travel. Not sure about the UK but you need to arrive three hours before departure here. I have no problem with security systems as they do keep us safe.
The village they live in is delightful and very Spanish and surrounded by amazing actual mountains – very different to the gentle countryside in England.
Orange is my colour of the year, but the black dress is so good and it cost only 10 Euros! It was on the Sale rail – what a find!
It looks and sounds like you had a really lovely trip!
I have the Gatwick experience to look forward to on Friday. John doesn’t like airports at all. Like you, I love take off. I find it so exciting when the plane rushes down the runway. Approaching Skiathos, and seeing the tourists who regularly greet the arriving planes, is a highlight.
Orange is definitely your colour. Love the trousers. I have a few bits now in “my” orange, bright apricot.
You look fabulous in orange, Penny! The trip to Spain sounds just wonderful, especially to visit friends., in the late spring when you’re waiting for the “boost” to summer. I go to Florida in April each year for the same reason.