Can’t believe it’s Sunday night already 🙄😳

Sort of chilling but still doing something useful… Moving forward but not going too far… Not too much exertion as after all, it is Sunday! That nasty rain and gales have gone, so something outside is doable. After coffee, obviously. No real hurry. Enjoy your day, it’s there to enjoy! 😉🤚

16 days or so until I’m on the road again. The initial camper build has proven itself, and highlighted a few adjustments required. Like the microwave’s difficult to access when the table is up, which it usually is! Storage is the big issue, as there’s too much stuff. Plus, I need the motorbike!

Attention U.S. citizens! Starting October 12, the European Union is rolling out a new automated Entry/Exit System (EES). U.S. citizens traveling to most European countries should expect new automated border checks and to have their biodata digitally collected upon arrival and departure. Us and them…

The Conservatives will pledge to create a new "Removals Force", modelled on US immigration enforcement, which would be tasked with deporting 150,000 people a year as part of plans to detain and deport illegal immigrants. The force would be expected to “integrate closely” with the police. (ITV News)

“Be inside before the fallout arrives. After a detonation, you will have 10 minutes or more to find an adequate shelter before fallout arrives. If a multi-story building or a basement can be safely reached within a few minutes of the explosion, go there immediately. The safest building is concrete”

October. Almost forgot. Pumpkins. 🎃 🎃 Orange. Rain. Colder. Skellingtons. Ghouls. Bats. Spiders’ webs. Black. Dark. Scary. Ish. Trick or treat? Who started that? Won’t be long. What? Christmas! 🎄 Surely not! New Year’s Eve. Another year. Scary. Again. It all is… 😳

Very good to meet up with @intruder1500stevie.bsky.social whilst traversing France. It’s a very small world and we’re all interconnected in several ways perhaps not always realised. Try giving Stevie a follow if you aren’t already as he’s an exceptionally nice chap! 😃🤚🏍️

Almost can’t believe that I’ve lost a couple of pounds following a fortnight of perceived over-indulgence! Mind you, driving hundreds (nay, thousands) of kilometres on a diet of Spanish oranges and Special K bars must have an influence! Blood pressure is good too! 🤷🏻‍♂️ Have a very good weekend! 😃🤚

Back to life. Back to reality. Returned to Ford Hall after days on the road, and likely to be here for 2/3 weeks before the next adventure. The weather in Spain bears no resemblance to today in Northern France, where rain is expected later. And strong winds obvs. Still, always nice to be home! 🏡

It’s a long drive to take the camper to Mediterranean Spain! From our Brittany base, not far short of 20 hours driving each way, although that’s avoiding French toll roads, thereby saving well over £100! Notwithstanding the distance, I’m driving back again for the New Year! Oh yes! 😎 #RunToTheSun

Of course, after The Avengers came the New Avengers. These titles turn up something completely different these days. So this is what old age feels like…!

Final evening for the moment at the Beni campsite, and I have cable TV which includes the original series of Star Trek. Also available is the first outing of Charlie’s Angels, and old Avengers with Diana Rigg as Mrs. Peel. Pretty good for a Spanish caravan park, eh? I may have to return! 🤔

And another month bites the dust. If that was September, it must have been Benidorm. Amongst others, we’ve witnessed Elton John, Michael Jackson, Gary Barlow AND Robbie Williams, plus Diana Ross & the Supremes! Need a holiday to get over the excitement! Heading towards the Pyrenees tomorrow. 🚐…

Maureen. TY. Again. 💙

Norma Jeen, you’re a 🌟 😎🤚

It’s the weekend, and we find ourselves in the centre of downtown Benidorm. What to do? 🤔 Aha… Gin and slimline tonic please… Er, two… 🍸 🍸 What time does the turn come on?! 🤩 🕺 🪩 🎶

Look, I’m not complaining, and I’m not rubbing it in, but… Really?! 🥵 🍹

Arrived on site in Benidorm! Currently 26 degrees without a lot of shade, so sitting in front of the air con for a while. Electric cable connected, and there’s a TV hook up with quite a lot of English channels, which is a bit luxurious. Just need to put up the awning, then off into town! 😎🤚🍺

My brother has gone under the knife for open heart surgery today. Not a lot I can do as it’s in Brisbane, Australia. They reckon that the success rate (survival) is very high, so it’ll probably be fine… Can’t help worrying though..! 🙏🏼

I may not be on here much tomorrow as we’re moving lock, stock, & barrel, to the Costa Blanca. Having been twice before, I’m very much looking forward to being there again, albeit from a different perspective. Here’s a very handy map for your reference. It doesn’t show the differences tho… 💃🏼 🇪🇸 🕺

Just 3 months to Christmas. (Sorry!) 🎄 I know this because the 25th of this month ie today, is my eldest daughter’s birthday, and it’s easy to remember. Not for the first time I’m AWOL abroad, and this year, will be away for Yuletide also. Feeling slightly guilty I send Home Thoughts From Abroad. ♥️

Costa Azahar. Never heard of it until this week. Means Orange Blossom Coast. Of course, you only see this blooming around March time, so it’s pushing it a bit. It’s our intention to be this way around then, purely by coincidence, so I’ll let you know if it warrants an entire region named that way! 🌸

Hello. How’s it looking where you are? We have an expected high of 24C here in North Eastern Spain, so cooler than recent days. After a bit of brekky, I feel a bit of a stroll is in order to see what can be found in the immediate area. Have a great Wednesday, whatever you’re doing… 😎🤚

Costa Azahar. Caster sugar fine sand under a pale blue sky. The walk passes loads of semi-resident caravans and motorhomes, showing licence plates from Holland and Belgium, but the vast majority being German. 🇩🇪 We strolled around the whole site and only found 2 lonely units with a UK plate. 😎

You don’t get this in the UK! Sun shading hung between the trees creating almost a private garage effect. Hedge at the back and on both sides of the pitch gives quite a private area, which feels cool even in the midday sun. The beach is adjacent, and photos follow of that, so watch this space! 😉

The Costa Dorada to the Costa Azahar tomorrow. No idea if that makes any noticeable difference to life, because it’s only an hour’s drive, & still to a site by the sea. Speaking of which, Mrs F has been paddling today, a very rare occurrence, so that proves how warm it is! Pic shows exit road. ⬇️

Monday morning by the Med. It’s been breezy overnight with some showers yesterday evening, but that was the exception rather than the rule. Back to wall to wall sunshine & the higher 20s now, so it’s shorts as usual. Flat as a pancake here so ideal for cycling, walking, &c. After breakfast obvs!

Just watched the Commitments for the umpteenth time. One of my 5 star faves. Still in love with Maria Doyle… 🎤

Every day’s a school day. I’ve already discovered that diesel is up to 20% cheaper in Spain compared to France(!) The supermarket shop is definitely advantageous South of the Pyrenees too, with little gains adding up to a substantial difference. Even the campsite cost is better. Viva España! 🇪🇸

A lot of vans leaving this morning. You’d normally think Sunday travelling due to Monday work commitments, but most are of retirement age… We’re staying here for another couple of nights before heading off to pastures new. Eating fruit before it goes off in the heat! #TravelTroubles! 🌞 🍓 🫐 🍉 🇪🇸

Good afternoon from Mediterranean Spain, where it’s 31 degrees C. Arrived late yesterday having crossed the Pyrenees from France. Water melon 🍉 is the order of the day, with a cheeky Rioja for later. Plenty of Dutch campers (as usual) with not many UK vans. Mind you, we’re headed to Benidorm! 💃🏼

My #FBPE starter pack is up to 151 accounts. It's work in progress, and I'll be adding a lot more accounts. Please share. Building networks is a vital and urgent task in the fight to defend democracy, freedom, and human rights. I also have a RejoinEU list, which is longer. go.bsky.app/PtsPYaW

Greetings from Lourdes, in the Pyrenees, South France. This is a popular & busy place. Attended the morning mass (in English) & witnessed the procession. Then queued to touch & collect the healing waters, and for a little self reflection. Many souvenir shops in the town. Bought a candle. 🕯️😃

Robert Redford, who has died aged 89, was the definition of a movie star - another great name bites the dust. RIP.

Boxer Ricky Hatton dead at 46. 🥊 RIP.

So Trump sends troops to various cities to try to ‘sort out the disorder’. The situation gets worse, mostly because of this action, and we then see a state of emergency declared. Too dangerous, and inappropriate to have mid term elections, thereby leaving the president in situ for the foreseeable…

The World Athletics Championships from Tokyo currently under way. I like being a spectator now having competed when much younger. In fact, there are not many disciplines that I won’t be interested in, although the sprints are always the star events. Should be a good weekend of armchair sport! 🏃🏻‍♀️

Safe to say I’m a fair weather biker. I have all the kit, and if you’re on tour it’s inevitable that you’ll get wet, but given the choice, I’ll try to avoid the showers. So, I went out before breakfast (!) this morning, bought the essentials, and got back home OK. It’s now throwing it down! 🌧️ 😅

Morning. Weekend, you say? Son-in-law’s done his back in! He’s a hard working vet so always lifting sheep etc into the back of the pick up. I can sympathise as I know exactly what a disc problem feels like; it’s not a 5 minute recovery either! But he has youth on his side. Take care out there! 🐑

Had quite a comprehensive melanoma checkover today. Not really requested or indeed needed (as it turned out), but good to keep an eye out for possible issues. I’m not convinced that such a service would be available through the NHS, so a point to the French system. Paid €16. Bargain, I’d say! 🇪🇺

Poland shoots down Russian drones after ‘unprecedented airspace violation’ - Sky News I’m finding it hard to be positive. Best advice I can muster is not only to accumulate some essentials, but think that nothing is as permanent as it seems. Would you be mobile enough to move at the drop of a hat?!

Midweek mayhem. Water from the sky. Russian drones over Poland. Why would anyone seek WW3?! It’s beyond my understanding that territory is more important than freedom and life itself! Is the human race hell bent on self destruction? Needing to get more supplies for the Apocalypse room… Oh dear. 🤷🏻‍♂️

And a wonderful Wednesday, Maureen! 😃🤚💙

It's time to fight Fascism everywhere! FAR'RIGHT'RAGE NEEDS TO BE EXPELLED FROM PARLIAMENT

There are a lot of strikes coming up. ✊🏼 A big one in France (for a change), plus Italian and Spanish air traffic controllers could scupper your September travel plans. ✋🏻 I’ll be caught up in some of it. A winter of discontent? Getting that way. Follow the stories, sympathise, & stay stress free! 🚐…

Great collab between @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social and @ivan-ehlers.bsky.social for the @latimes.com! Share widely