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Going Home – 23 April 2026

Posted on by Zogman

Waiting for the bus. The waiting is always the worst.

The bus arrived just after breakfast. Stewart did the checks and we all got on. Then some strangers, the germans who had plagued us since we arrived, decided this was our bus. After some sharp words from Stewart and Jane, they got the message and left to a chorus of expletives that I’m sure they understood!

With the germans disposed of we said goodbye to Calpe for this year and we settled down to the long journey to Alicante and the airport.

Despite the horror stories we’d heard about the queues at check-in we sailed through the new customs checks. Our plane arrived in time and that’s when things went awry. Nobody was telling us anything, but someone passed the message that a passenger on a previous flight was ill and paramedics had arrived to deal with the situation. Finally our flight was boarding after a wait of about two hours.

The flight was fine and we arrived in Glasgow late but happy to be there. We got the airport bus to Buchanan Street bus station, then got the X3 back home.

I’d say it was a lovely day, but I’d be lying.

Things I’ll remember:

  • The Germans!
  • Two bus drivers both trying to communicate with the germans
  • The lack of information at the airport in Alicante
  • How everything fitted into place when we got to Glasgow
  • Even the cases arrived ahead of the predicted time

Despite everything, would I do it again? In an instant!!

Thank you Scamp for your patience. I know I’m a pest.

Tomorrow, it’s back to Auld Claes and Purrich!

Last Full Day – 22 April 2026

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We went to The Coffee Box for coffee in the morning. Two Cappuccinos with a large Tiramisu for Scamp and an equally large Apple Tarte de Pom for us both to share.

Watched the cyclists limbering up. It must have been a race or a club outing, because there were always loads of them going out in the morning.

We found rows and rows of painted wooden ducks for sale outside one of the shops, but we knew we were almost overloaded with the stuff we were bringing home as well as our clothes and my camera gear, so reluctantly we had to leave them for some other boys and girls.

The weather was a bit cooler than it had been and there were occasional banks of mist and fog rolling in from the sea, sometimes almost covering the mountain on one side and the posh houses on the other side of the bay.

Dancing again at night and another lively time. Eventually Stewart turned off his amp and most folk just talked for a while. Others who hadn’t started their packing left a wee bit early.

Things I’ll remember:

  • The coffee and pastries in The Coffee Box
  • The cyclists clogging up the roads and pavements
  • The wooden ducks
  • The mist on the mountain

Another early rise tomorrow. I know we’d both like to come back here.

 

 

Sweet Bay Salsa – 21 April 2026

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Today’s dance was Sweet Bay Salsa. No sign of Salsa! There was a fair bit of shuffling to one side and another and some waving of hands in the air, and that was about it.

Scamp wanted a second look at a dress she’d seen yesterday in the avenue of shops that look out onto the sand and the sea. Usually the ‘second look’ just means she’ll walk out with it and a smile on her face, but no sale today.

Next we walked round to The Coffee Box. I thought the Americano was just a little bitter, but Scamp agreed. More of this company’s pastries and a seat outside.

We walked back along the promenade and just missed the wee train. It’s a bit like a small tractor made to look like a train engine pulling two carriages. We seem to see them all over Spain and Italy.

We walked back along the prom, checking out more architectural high-rise buildings, proving that AutoCad is still alive and kicking. Eventually we walked back to the big supermarket ( My MerKat ) for tonic water and Scamp bought that dress.

We were just in time for the wee train’s return and found it was full of Spanish pensioners, they sang their wee hearts all the way round the circuit!

In the evening we danced for two or three hours. We sat with Barry and Cath and laughed all night. I think we were all beginning to flag on our third day.

Things I’ll remember:

  • The wee train ride
  • The indecision on Scamp’s face looking at that dress
  • Finding all sorts of strange sweeties in the supermarket
  • “My Merkat” What a name for a supermarket

Last full day tomorrow.

The Coffee Box – 20 April 2026

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Woke at 7am and dozed until just after 8am. That’s early for a holiday!

The lifts in the hotel seemed to be constantly full and there didn’t appear to be any stairs, then a cyclist showed us how to access the stairs that would take us down to the breakfast room. Thanks for that, whoever you were.

Most of the breakfast food was either cold or congealing or both. Not very appetising anyway. At least there was plenty of fruit and we finally managed to get breakfast.

Out in the streets there were lots of coffee shops. We chose one at random calling itself The Coffee Box. Two Cappuccinos, a Chocolate Croissant for me and a Neapolitan Crema for Scamp was a much better start to the day than breakfast in the hotel.

We walked round the bay almost to the Peñón de Ifach (Calpe Rock) which is a 332-meter high limestone mountain. We walked back to the town, admiring the amazing architecture, especially the great brown tubes with circular holes which were rooms in a complex.

Lunch was a Spanish Omelette for Scamp and a Bocadillo Especia which is basically a large filled sandwich, for me.

Tonight’s dress code was ‘Tropical’ and we managed to fulfil that task. We danced almost until the end of the night, but had to give in before the evening finished because we were exhausted

Another great day.

Things I’ll remember:

  • The poor quality food
  • Hardly any labels on the food
  • The size of that mountain
  • Bocadillo Especia
  • The Coffee Box

A Very early rise – 19 April 2026

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We were up at 3:45am, bleary eyed and hoping the alarm was wrong, but knowing that BOTH alarms couldn’t be wrong! The taxi arrived at 4am, exactly the time we’d asked for. After that the driver got lost TWICE trying to get out of the estate! However, he managed to find his way out and we were driven over to Glasgow Airport without wasting any time. Almost straight through the check-in and wandered into the main building with the other lost looking souls.

After we’d had the usual expensive breakfast we got the call to the gate. Unfortunately, they only wanted us on the plane, and once we were all aboard we got told that frost during the night had turned to ice and the wings needed de-icing. Also, as a result, we’d missed our take off slot. Isn’t it great when a plan comes together 😡.

Once the wings had warmed up and we were in the air, we just sat there for about three hours before we landed at Alicante and descended into the warm sun of Spain.

After we signed in with our passport and facial recognition we were shown to our Beniconnect bus that would take us to Calpe ( also known as Calp ). Another hour’s journey brought us to the resort itself, and after more signing and waiting for the slowest computer in creation, we were standing in a lovely room on the fourth floor with a spectacular view across the sea to the horizon.

The first thing we did was get changed into more comfortable clothes and find a shop that sold beer. There were a few! Later we walked around the town and took in the sights.

Dinner was a bit of a mix up with a load of quite arrogant germans (am I allowed to say that – well, I’ve just said it!) who would rather walk through you instead of around you. None of them ever smiled. It seems they liked to think they more important than us. They’re not. Note the lower case ‘germans’ to show what I think of their attitude.

We were dancing in the evening. I think we maybe had a bit too much to drink, but the company was good. Thankfully we had our own ballroom for dancing in.

Hoping for more sun tomorrow.

Busy doing nothing – 18 April 2026

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One of those days when I managed to keep myself busy, but didn’t actually do anything worthwhile. I’m getting quite good at it.

We went over to Condorrat to get some rolls for lunch and to post a birthday card to one of Scamp’s witchy friends. Wandered past what used to be called Brodans, but is now in the process of being converted into an Italian restaurant. Maybe next year at or around this time, it might open its doors. So far all that has been accomplished is a few holes have been drilled in the wall and a bit of plastering has been scraped off part of the wall. Wheels turn slowly in Condorrat.

The rolls were converted into Egg Rolls for Scamp and a Bacon Roll for me. I don’t know about the egg rolls, but the bacon rolls were the best I’ve had for ages.

I was eventually coaxed into going for a walk in St Mo’s. It had been a rainy morning, full of April Showers, but the afternoon promised some good weather. I took on the challenge and went for a circuit and a half of St Mo’s pond, carrying the wrong lens as usual. Most of the photos were of blossom from the trees in the park. PoD went to a Dogwood branch backlit with a warm background bokeh. I quite liked it.

Dinner tonight was Fish ’n’ Chips from the local chip shop. Fish was delicious, but the chips were just reheated potatoes. Could do better!

We watched an episode of Gardeners World tonight. It was about the new area in Regent’s Park. It opens to the public on or about 27th April. Looks like an interesting place to visit, Hazy / Neil. Oh by the way, Hazy, I’m still struggling through “A Drop of Corruption”. It’s a bit of a slog, but an interesting slog!

All seems to be well here. Speak in a few days.

Meeting Charlie – 17 April 2026

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Out in town with an old friend for a couple of beers.

Scamp very kindly dropped me at the station and the train arrived seconds later. Extra kind of her to arrange the transport!!

Charlie and I were meant to meet in the Horse Shoe Bar in Drury Street in Glasgow. I arrived just after midday, a wee bit early, but not much. I had a pint and waited for Charlie to arrive. I had a good view of the front door of the pub and clocked a few folk coming in, but no Charlie. I thought I’d better go and see if he was round the other side of the horse shoe shaped bar, but no Charlie round there either. After half an hour I decided I’d have another look and there he was watching the comings and going on the other side of the bar. He’d arrived not long after me and had gone to the toilet before he’d ordered and that must have been when I went to see if he was round the other side. Anyway, we had a good blether.

Now that Charlie is retired he seems to be having a great time. Driving all round the country and claiming he’s going to work at getting his weight down. We discussed the different folk we’d worked with. He had been my apprentice for a while, before I left to go down to the Borders with Scamp and Jamie, hoping for more secure work. Hazy being the tiniest sparkle in her mum’s eye.

A couple of pints later we went upstairs for lunch. Gammon Steak with Chips and Onion Rings. About a tenner each. He paid, I’d paid last time. Only two of us because Steven couldn’t come as he was looking after his mum who was just out of hospital. More beer and more catching up, then the long walk up Buchanan Street for Charlie to catch his bus to Gourock and me to get the train to Cumbersheugh where Scamp would be waiting for me. The weather was terrible. Lashing rain and a strong wind. Not the nicest weather for April. We said our goodbyes and promised we’d do it again some time soon, if he can find the time!

While I waited for the train to arrive, I grabbed some ‘people photos’ and although today’s weren’t as good as I’d hoped, they filled a page on the blog. PoD went to a shot of the hopeful travellers waiting for their trains.

The weather didn’t improve in Cumbersheugh, but I didn’t think it would. Scamp drove me home because I’d definitely be over the safe driving limit.

Tomorrow I’ve a bit of tidying up to do.

 

Dancin’ – 16 April 2026

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Back to Glenburn this afternoon to get some exercise, dancing.

Before that, I went for a walk in St Mo’s just in case I wouldn’t have time to grab any photos before we left for Glenburn and I was quite happy with my little collection of flowers and plants. A fair amount of sun to make things bright and cheerful. I even managed to get my PoD which is a Horse Chestnut candelabra just opening up to expose the flower buds.

I had been allowed 45 minutes to get to St Mo’s, grab my photos and get back in time for a quick lunch and an even quicker change before we made our way over to the outskirts of Paisley. I made it just in time with a few seconds before the cutoff time.

The hall was only about half full when we got to Glenburn, but gradually the cars arrived and the hall ended up almost as busy as it usually is. The usual mix of Ballroom, Jive and Latin in the first half, then in the second half it was almost all sequence. Since the schools were still on holiday, it was safe for us to take advantage and dance for almost all the available time. If we’re running a bit late and the schools are open, our journey home takes much longer with parents ferrying their little darlings home.

Dinner was from M&S and was Scottish salmon all butter en croute. It was remarkably good. I think we may have it again some time

We watched an illuminating episode of Grayson Perry interviewing folk about their adventures with AI in America. It really did make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. What are these folk thinking about? Do they live in a different universe from us? One woman claimed she had married her AI ‘boy friend’. The more I hear about AI, the less I want to hear.

Note to self: Thursday Prezzy was a box of grapes, which were deemed to be great!

We watched the final of The Apprentice and agreed that the best woman won. There were no men in the final!

Tomorrow I may be meeting Charlie McKillop for a beer or two and a catch up. Steven may be there too.

Feeding the birds – 15 April 2026

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Another wet day in Glasgow, but the lady feeding the birds didn’t seem to mind.

We got the bus in to Glasgow. Scamp was looking for a pair of sandals and I wanted to get my hair cut. We went separate ways to achieve our goals, but only I was successful. A Number 3 for the top and a Number 2.5 on the sides and back. Ten minutes later I was walking out of the barbers.

Scamp and I met up again on Sauchiehall Street and walked up the hill because she thought I should be looking for a new camera bag. Admittedly, the bag I use is a good age, and it does let in the rain sometimes, but for the most part, it works. Reluctantly I went to WEX, but I already knew I wasn’t going to find my ideal camera bag there. I’m pretty sure I’ve whittled it down to two models, neither of which are available in Glasgow. Empty handed we walked back down the hill again and dropped in at Waterstones, not for a book this time, but for a coffee and a shared cake.

Then instead of Scamp dragging me around, I dragged her for a change. She wanted to find a pair of sandals, so we went in to most of the shoe shops on Buchanan Street, but again, came away empty handed. I think it just wasn’t our day today.
Luckily as we crossed the road to the bus station, the doors in our bus home were just opening and we hopped on. The roadworks are still going on in Glasgow and the bus took us on yet another variation of routes round the city. I really don’t know how the bus drivers remember all these different routes on different days. Well done to the lot of them.

Back home I made Smoked Haddock & Leek Risotto for dinner and it was hailed a great success even although I’d forgotten to add the Crème Fraîche at the end. Maybe I should ignore it in future. Anyway, it’s too complicated to remember all the accents 😉.

PoD went to a lady feeding her flock of pigeons in Sausageroll Street, completely ignoring the rain.

Tomorrow we may be going looking for dance shoes for Scamp and we are hoping to go to the tea dance too.

Meeting Isobel – 14 April 2026

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Scamp and I met Isobel for coffee in the morning and it was a lovely morning.

Blue skies and fluffy white clouds. What’s not to like. I had a cup of coffee with the ladies and listened to the stories Isobel was telling. I’d forgotten that she is well travelled in South America and further afield before she and her husband settled down in Scotland. She must have been a bit of an adventurer when she was younger.

Eventually she had teased enough information from us both and was ready to go back home, so we bundled her walker into the back seat of the wee Blue car and squeezed Scamp in beside it. Then we drove over to The Village and left her to make her own way up to her house. She wouldn’t hear of either of us helping her, she is so adamant that she can manage for herself, and I actually believe she can.

We drove home via M&S to get something for our lunch and we challenged ourselves in Wordle. I thought it was a goner when I realised there wasn’t a vowel in the grid! I suppose that’s not really true because there was a ‘Y’ in it and that sometimes takes the place of a vowel. Still, it was a strange grid that eventually formed although it was a common enough word that appeared.

After Wordle and its extras, and after lunch I was toying with the idea of going for a walk in St Mo’s, but then Scamp told me it was raining. I didn’t want to get the 24-105mm lens wet so I gave in eventually and took a few shots from the open back door. I also took the inside shot you can see here. It’s a couple of dried cut flowers in an old vase I like from the cupboard. That was the PoD sorted.

We watched a film Scamp had recorded about the dangers of allowing AI to control what’s happening in hospitals. Although it was based on situations in the US, it could possibly get a toe hold here too. Very thought provoking.

Tomorrow I may get my hair cut. It’s not quite a ‘Pure Affro’ yet, but it’s heading in that direction. While my locks are being shorn, Scamp ma be looking for a new pair of sandals. Then, if there’s enough time, she might buy herself a pair of dance shoes.