For a change this year, we decided on main land Spain and chose Benidorm for a location, staying at the Costa Blanca Innside by Melia Hotel right on the front of Llavant Beach.

We have been here now for 5 days, 5 more to go and have found both the hotel and location brilliant.

The hotel is adults only, but that does not mean you wont see any big kids running around being prats, cause this is party city and all sorts goes on.

Views from the Balco De La Mediterrania

Platje Del Mar Pas

Llevant Beach

See my following posts for more detail on this location

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Minneapolis is a major city in Minnesota that forms “Twin Cities” with the neighboring state capital of St. Paul. Bisected by the Mississippi River, it’s known for its parks and lakes. Minneapolis is also home to many cultural landmarks like the Walker Art Center, a contemporary art museum, and the adjacent Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, famed for Claes Oldenburg’s “Spoonbridge and Cherry” sculpture.

St Paul is like the commercial centre of the twin cities, but even saying that is well worth a visit.

There are plenty of places to see, the food is great and as you would expect plentiful, and the welcome you recieve is extremely friendly and genuine.

My wife and I stayed at the INTERCONTINENTAL SAINT PAUL RIVERFRONT hotel, which we found to be modern, spacious if a bit tired, but this was just after opening up after the Covid19 lockdowns. More importantly though was the friendlyness of the staff. They just couldnt do enough for you. Only complaint we had was the price of the valet parking. 35 dollars a day is excessive in my opinion.

Overall though the hotel helped to make our stay a memorable one. Thank you.

Just a few images of the area to browse below.

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Ibiza, Santa Eulalia Del Rio.

Its great to be back to our favourite place in the world. The world may have gone slightly twisted over the last couple of years, but this is just the place to chill out and unwind.

Just a few pictures below of this beautiful town.

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Well it’s been a couple of days since my last update. Lets face it who wants to spend all day on the net when you are in such a lovely relaxing place as this.

We started yester day morning with  a walk along the high street in Santa Eulalia in the direction of Ibiza Town to the bridge then along the river to what used to be Mariners Bar. (closed and boarded up now, not sure if it will ever re-open) then along the front and back into town. Not a long walk at all, but it was already 27.5 degrees with a 65% humidity, so ended up darting between shaded areas.

The footbridge over the river pictured below used to have engraved padlocks the tourists left as memories, all across it. Sadly they seem to have all been cleared now.

Then last night we decided to have a meal in the restaurant street. (Carrer De Sant Vincent) as shown in the below map.

You will always find a good choice of places to eat and chill along this street. Point to note, as this is in the centre of town and does not really enjoy the coastal breeze, it is generally always warmer then you would expect along the front. We went early in the evening, only 7.30 pm so the street was relatively quiet. It does soon fill though.

The restaurant of choice for our meal tonight was Restaurante Rincon de Pepe which is predominately a tapas restaurant, but still has a pretty comprehensive menu for a mixed choice of food group.

We chose from the tapas menu, and the food was very well present fast, hot and tasted just as good. Well recommended. On top of this a meal for the 3 of us plus a large glass of wine came in at under 50 Euros. Can’t complain about that.

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4 days into a truly relaxing holiday on this wonderful island. We have not done a lot really, just chilled out around the Santa Eulalia area with a quick excursion yesterday to the NE of the island through pretty unspoilt villages and towns of Sant Charles de Peralta, Cala de Sant Vincent and Sant Joan de Labritja.

The roads through the hills are an added fantastic driving experience, giving the frequent view that you would love to stop and photograph, its a shame but this is really unsafe to do with a car as the roads are too narrow and windy. If this is what your heart really desires, I would suggest hiring a bike or scooter.

Lovely little bar in the village of Sant Charles

The view down into Cala de Sant Vincent from the op of the hill coming from the direction of Sant Charles and a gem of a beach cafe.

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After 2 years stuck in the old country due to the COVID 19 virus, we have escaped for 10 days, back to the beautiful island of Ibiza and our favourite town of Santa Eulalia del Rio.

Getting all the paper work sorted to travel was a bit of a pain, but only really on the timings of getting it sorted. If you have the NHS App and have had both jabs, it is simple enough to either print off or download your proof with the required QR code, you just need to make sure that you time it right so the 30 day validity of the certificate covers your whole trip. The no earlier that 2 days before you fly out, you need to go to the Spanish Government web site and fill in your locator form. (Dont worry, it is in English). The other thing to think about is booking your fit to fly test for your return and the 2 day PCR test for after you return. We used an online company called Chronomics, just over £200 for my wife and myself. Then dont forget, you will also need your English locator form which again cannot be completed more than 2 days before you fly back. All sound complicated, but it seems to be going ok at present. I will update on my return if there are any pitfalls to avoid.

Santa Eulalia Town Hall.

Our favourite restaurant on the port called ‘Skuma’. This is not a place to eat and run. This is a place to sit and enjoy a fantastic location whilst being served great food and drink by really friendly staff.

The Ibiza style lamb shank here never fails to impress, and if it was the only reason for hopping on a plane to here, it would be well worth the current hassle of traveling.

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If you are travelling to Tewkesbury along the A38 from the south (Gloucester direction) you will come to the Gupshill roundabout, here you will see these resolute knights guarding the way in. Well not literally, but I thing they definitely add something to the experience of visiting this medieval market town.

The featured phot above is looking at the roundabout from the relief road, so the A38 towards Gloucester is to the left and the town centre going passed the abbey is to the right.

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TewksNight
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I CAN’T WAIT, BUT WILL HAVE TO – BOO HOO

No Time to Die was originally scheduled for release in April 2020, but was postponed worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is now scheduled for release on 12 November in the United Kingdom and on 25 November in the United States.

In No Time To Die, Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.

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Ibiza Old Town

Are you thinking of a summer break? Well Ibiza is still worth a consideration.

The old town of Ibiza is just perfect for walking around on a hot day. The old streets full of great cafe’s, restaurants and watering holes are a fantastic way to while away some time and chilling right down.

For more information on travel, accommodation, packages etc why not visit this Blog

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Cala Portinax

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Beaches and Coves of Cala Portinatx, Ibiza. The fantastic beaches and calm settled water in the bay of Cala Portinatx makes it one of the most perfect places to swim or just soak up the sun.

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Ford

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Bristol Street Motors

Established from a single motor retail dealership in Bristol Street, Birmingham nearly 100 years ago, Bristol Street Motors has grown to become a national brand recognised for its honesty, integrity and quality of customer service. Over this time Bristol Street Motors has earned its reputation as trusted dealers of new cars and used cars, as well as supplying a great selection of practical vans across their local dealerships in England.
Acquired by Vertu Motors in 2007, Bristol Street Motors has gone from strength to strength, retaining its place as one of the largest motor retailers in England and building on its reputation as one of the Country’s most trusted new and used car dealership groups. As well as being one of the country’s most reputable car dealerships, the servicing and aftersales available is second to none; including body repairs, accident management, and MOTs among other services.

 

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Well after what seems to be a long winter, we are now on holiday on the fantastic island of Cyprus, staying in the Constantinou Bros Pioneer Beach Hotel in Paphos.

Day 1 – Great day by the pool, doing absolutely nothing, followed by an evening meal and a bit of a walk along the coast to work it off.

Hotel Pioneer Beach from the back

Old Kato Pafos Church

Hotel Pool Reflection

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Snow and Flooding in Tewkesbury – 18th March 2018

Just when you think its all over and spring may pop in an appearance, the country has been hit with another cold blast from the east.

Tewkesbury woke up this morning to a few inches of snow again. I know other areas of the country have had more, but I am not there. Also most other areas of the country are not already suffering with high levels of flooding, so it is different here.

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Cala Portinatx

A great little cove at the north of the island. The drive here from anywhere gives view to some of the most beautiful vista’s.

Whether you are staying in the TUI Sensimar Beach Resort or stopping in one of the great self catering apartments, this resort has everything for couples, individuals or families that just want to get away for a quiet break.

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Old cannon ball guns monument by the Paphos castle on the sea shore.

Paphos Castle. A must-see site located on the picturesque Paphos harbour, it was originally built as a fort to protect the area. One of the most distinctive landmarks in a town that’s a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, visitors from near and far flock to catch a glimpse of its beauty, while it also hosts the annual Pafos Aphrodite Festival.

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