Wine tasting

Had a fantastic night last night after a friend of Linda and Paul's came over to teach us all how to taste wine.

Anthony runs wine tasting classes and regional wine tours in the Languedoc region but was kind enough to run our own little mini class in the front room.  First of all he compared different basic wine varieties and what to look for to distinguish them.  We had loads of fun going through the whites and reds and then spitting out.  We did manage to drink a bit though at the end when the tasting had finished.

Starting with Sauvignon we looked at the colour, followed by the intensity of the first smell.  After this we took a good sniff and trie to tell what type of smells were present.  Next came the tasting and spitting out.  Once we had been given a few pointers it was really fascinating trying to see what made up each different wine variety.  Anthony also gave us some history behind each producers wine and the land and different production methods used.

So not only can I teach you a bit of Scuba but can pass on some insider wine knowledge as well!

Back in France

Well I made it back to Linda and Paul's house in the south of France last night after a cool drive from Bilbao.

I took part in a Grand Prix as well!  Well not exactly.  Pau was holding a classic car grand prix along the streets and I was able to drive along the course 'ala' Monaco.  Did a quick little cheer as I crossed the finish line, think I got beaten though by the bashed up Peugeot.

Went through a nice couple of towns on the coast - St Jean de Luz and Biarritz were pretty bohemian looking.

As I traveled on from Pau I headed towards Loudres.  Ihave now renamed this "Disney for Old Folk"!  It just had queues of old people in wheelchairs waiting to be healed.  Looked very sad to be honest and a bit of a waste of time.

Didnt really get to see much of the Pyrenees as the cloud cover was really low.  Infact I only really saw the tops when I get near Linda and Pauls in Belgarde-de-Razes.

Amanda comes out and joins me on Sunday so we can have a little holiday out here before coming back to the UK finally next weekend!

Toledo pictures

Coast to Coast

Well yesterday it was goodbye Torremolinos and hello Bilbao.  I surprised myself by reaching the other end of Spain.

Another breathtaking drive up past the Sierra Nevada just to the side of Granada took me to the central plains of Spain. It seemed the bodegas I passed were never ending.  There are certainly a lot of wine producers in Spain and it is a shame I didnt take the opportunity to taste them all but doesnt really go down to well with the Police when driving.

After about 4-5 hours I arrived in Toledo for a pit stop and a bit of an explore.  What a beautiful city.  So old but in such good condition.  I have to apologise but I did have a not so traditional McDonalds and I made a prat of myself in the process.  Feeling all confident about ordering in Spainish I went up to the counter and ordered a 'hambegeusa con leche'.  Yes thats right everyone a 'hamburger with milk'.  I have been ordering a 'cafe con leche' so often I forgot to change the all important milk to cheese!  Just got a funny look and had to just say 'cheeseburger please'. I did take some photos of Toledo and I will try to add them in the next few days.

After my superb linguistic performance I was off again through Madrid and carrying on further North.  I could see the start of the mountains (is this the start of the Pyrenees?)  As I reached the summit I was engulfed in thick fog and the temperature dropped 10 degs!  It has been a high of 32c as I had traveled through Spain and now the temperature was at about 11c.  As soon as I started coming down the other side the scenery dramatically changed.   Gone was the rocky and desert looking lands to be replaced by intense greenery.  The is basque country and it really is very different.  Even the language on the roadsigns is completely different.

I got into Bilbao about 10ish and thanks to Amanda had the address for the local Ibis at the ready and managed to find it first time!

A good nights sleep and it is now onwards towards the Pyrenees and France.

The last night

Just sitting here in the internet cafe having a relaxing Magners pondering over the last 3 months.  What an adventure!  I am so proud of myself and what I have achieved, shame it has to end as I have really enjoyed my time and the diving has been superb.

It will be amazing to get back with Amanda though and we can now plan the next step.

I am all packed, the car is ready just have until tomorrow when the landlady comes round to give back the deposit and I hand over the keys.  Miraflores has been a lovely base, peaceful and quiet.  It has been really relaxing to sit back at the end of a hard day and watch the sunset over Gibraltar with a lovely wine.  Wine at only 55c a carton as well, thanks Mr Lidl.

Sad to say goodbye to Simon and the trainees.  Simon has been inspirational and a great teacher.  Natasha also has been very supportive and always around should you need assistance.  I know the trainees have been thankful of her hard efforts to get them settled.  You cant go far wrong in using www.simplydiving.com to learn to Scuba.  Also said goodbye to Alex, best of luck with the Scottish Championship - should be in the bag for your boys, I will look out for the result!

I am going to keep in touch with everyone if I can, maybe shoot back with Amanda for a quick dive or 2!

Another quick last request - have a look at the simply diving website and make comments on their blog - they have just started it and I think you will all enjoy.  The is a fantastic contribution as well from a new Open Water Scuba Instructor - cant think how he learnt to type such a nice expose of his Examination.  I think I may have even read it somewhere else - he is very popular!

I will endeavour to update you all on  my journey home - up through the spine of Spain this time - new things to see.

Goodnight from Spain

Almost there...

Another dive day down and it was my last in the temperate waters of the Med.  Today I played a panicked diver with the divemaster trainees on their Rescue diver course.

It was very tiring playing a panicked diver time and time again but quite enjoyable trying to drown them as they learnt ways to try and save me and keeping themselves safe!  They did well and will make great DM's. 

Back into the shop tomorrow but only to hand back the phone and keys and say my final goodbyes before I start my journey back on Thursday.

It will be so good seeing Amanda as we plan the rest of our lives together, whats next - who knows!

Nice roast

Enjoying a nice lazy sunday afternoon here in Spain.  Just devoured a lovely roast chicken dinner and had my five a day veg as well.  

Well the packing has begun and I am slowly getting all my stuff together for the journey home.  I have also been cleaning up the flat today as I am moving out on Thursday.  It has been a great base for all my adventures here in southern Spain but my time is coming to an end.

The weather here at the moment is beautiful, nice breeze to take the edge off as I relax with a couple of Magners!

4 more divers to take down tomorrow and then I am teaching on Tuesday so I still have a bit to do before I go.

Will be really great to join up with Amanda again and I am looking forward to seeing Linda and Paul as well in Belgarde-du-Razes.  My journey north is going to take me through the centre of Spain and I am weighing up my options as to where I go and what I am going to see.  I think Pamplona might get a visit - have a quick little run with a few bulls! Not!  Anyone got any tips or suggestions?