The marvelous month of March
Not one but two holidays this month! On 18 March in the wee hours of the morning I collected Patricia and we drove to Belfast Int'l airport for a 6:30 a.m. flight to Alicante. From there an hour in a rented car to her apartment on the Roda Golf and Beach Resort. We did a quick grocery shop then played 9 holes of golf.
Patricia bought the apartment 16 years ago but never played the course. She only took up golf five years ago and hasn't previously had a playing partner. So I was here to give her courage. She played beautifully.
The next day we walked the promenade in Los Alcazares. I was feeling a bit giddy to be honest – trading in persistent rain for sunshine.
The morning started off a bit foggy but the mists burnt off. The coast envelops a massive lagoon called Mar Menor. I would love to have gone swimming but I don't feel like I ever fully shook the cold that started in late February, so I'm being a bit conservative.
That said I did swim in the pool at Patricia's one day, visible in the distance below. We both remarked again and again how lucky we felt to be there – in good weather, with good food, no stress, and the best of companions, for me anyway.
Wednesday morning we went to a wonderful market in Santiago de la Ribera. Patricia scored a Liverpool jersey for her grandson. She also bought roasted potatoes that we ate on the sidewalk on the way to the car. They were amazing – cooked on spinning rods and dressed with oil and salt. I bought cookies that had fennel seeds in them and a walnut on top.
In the afternoon we played 18 holes at Roda Golf Course. It was a windy day and, as it progressed, the temperature dropped. We were both happy to finish the round. Thursday we went shopping at a golf outlet – both wearing our new togs below – and we did a reconnoiter of tomorrow's golf course, Mar Menor Golf Resort, where we had a lovely lunch.
We had a wonderful paella one night and fajitas another night – both vegetarian. Also, lots of wine, natch.
Friday was 18 holes at Mar Menor Golf Resort. We were paired with a friendly Scottish couple. Patricia threading her way between water and a bunker.
Each of these golf courses (there are dozens in the region) are surrounded by thousands of apartments. It is common for me to meet people in the UK who have apartments in Cyprus, Turkey, Spain or France. How can that be when most young people can't afford one house?
Here is the Mar Menor hotel, seen from the 18th green.
We headed back home on Saturday. As always, I was delighted to see my little buddy. Catherine had him at the beach, despite awful weather, so I was relieved to come home and stay home.
18-23 March.