Saturday, February 8, 2020

Gran Canaria!

The evening before our flight we were joined for drinks at our hotel by our good friends Maria and Juan.


After the pre dinner drinks we enjoyed our evening meal in the hotel restaurant.


Then, the following morning we flew to Gran Canaria, picked up the hire car and drove to our hotel for our 3 week holiday.


And this year we were in the same apartment as last year!


The first evening meal was one of our favourite dishes, roast pork - a great start!


As Margaret is still recovering from her foot operations the holiday is all about relaxing and recuperation.






We meet up with our friends, Vanessa and Pete and Vanessa's mam, Pat.



We see them and other friends here as people have their holidays at this hotel at around about the same time every year.


The new funicular is fully operational. 



Last year they were building it and we had a courtesy car to take us up to the restaurant.




The design has been awarded best in the world!


The pool looks good at night...


...and in the morning.



A beautiful sunrise followed by...


...a great start to the day, the breakfast which is superb...


...and every morning I had a full English!


Each morning this was followed by a delicious chocolate croissant!


This year I only put on 2 kg over the 3 week period. Last year my weight increased by 6 kg!




Margaret enjoyed a pastry at the end of her breakfast too, it wasn't just me being a little over the top.



Lunch on our terrace was a daily feature...


...with the food being most enjoyable in the open air...


...washed down with a glass of wine!


After such a casual day we would dress for evening meal...


...which was always superb. 


This is just a selection from the buffet for the first course! Every night there would be a selection of different dishes to choose from.


This photo is a typical 2nd course, grilled prawns and fillet steak, surf and turf!


Meanwhile, back home, Storm Gloria had hit the village causing devastation everywhere.


On a couple of occasions we visited the new Commercial Centre which had opened in Puerto Rico... 


...with performing fountains.


We met up with some other friends, Fie and David, at their hotel...


...and took them with us... 


...on the day we visited...


...Montecristo. This place can best be described as a botanical garden... 


...with sculptures and other works of art.


We have visited every year for the last few years...


...as every time we go, there are different things to see.


This year it was only open to visitors on Sundays.


Fie and David were suitably impressed.


The only way to get there is by car, no coaches are allowed.


I'm convinced these parrots and the cockatoo remember us. We talk to them every year.


As it is situated on the south side of the valley it is best not to go too early...



...but to allow time for the sun to get a little higher in the sky.


We take morning coffee at the cafe/restaurant...


...and are served by the proprietor, Guy Martin himself, so it is time for a photo...


..or two.


 The sculptures are intriguing, this has snail shells on the rocks! Quite inspirational!


All too soon the 3 weeks is over, we fly back to Barcelona, another delicious evening meal in the hotel, the following day collect Rocky and Amber from their holiday and head home. 

We have already booked our stay for next year!

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Hacienda Zorita again!

We traveled to Tudela de Duero on the first day to the delightful...


...Hotel Puerto del Arco...


...and this is the view from our window of the Rio Duero or Douro as it is known.


Just across the road was a very nice restaurant where we ate evening meal 
and breakfast the following morning.


The morning weather was fine... 


...so we had a walk along the river banks... 


...and into the town to have a look around.









We then drove to Hacienda Zorita, a couple of hours away...


...and checked in to our room which was upgraded and known as a "villa" - superb.


Margaret made herself very comfortable!


The view from our window was of part of the vineyard.


The main highlight of a visit to Hacienda Zorita...


...is the restaurant...


...where the food is absolutely incredible.




Also incredible at this time of year...


...are the leaves of the trees, the vines and the ivy...


...which adorn the walls and the surrounding areas.



A feature not to be missed...


...is the wine tasting session. We learn more with each visit!


The following morning seemed a good time to explore the grounds.




























































Then it was lunchtime... 


...and time for another superb meal.







It's the first time I've had pineapple soup for dessert - delicious!




After 2 nights at Hacienda Zorita...


...we headed home with an overnight stay just outside Jaraba... 



...at the Hotel Balneario de la Virgen.



The following morning before we left... 


...there was time to explore the outside and see... 





...the Rio Mesa which flowed through... 


...the very steep walls of the valley where the hotel was situated.


From that point it was a very comfortable drive home from what had been a most enjoyable and worthwhile short break.