The Hardy Wench

On a dark rainy morning in February, I joined the throngs a of passengers at Gatwick Airport escaping the near biblical rains we have experienced of late in England, for sunnier climes. Apart from the ‘Fray Bentos’ Steak and Kidney pie which, (clearly an offensive weapon!)caused a bit of a delay at security, (gift for a Spanish friend!) I whizzed through the airport and was soon on my Easyjet flight bound for Valencia.

Once above the clouds it was a welcome sight to see a blue sky and a hot orangey thing I vaguely remembered as the Sun. Following touchdown, I was greeted by my friend Nuria, we had met 38 years ago when I was studying Spanish at Valencia University, and have remained friends ever since.

We headed strainght to ‘Las Arenas,’ the beach area of Valencia, almost passing my old home just off the Avenida del Puerto to the seafront area which, when I lived nearby was quite run down with a polluted beach. Not any more; very up market apartments and a five star hotel now replace what were old decaying port buildings. Listen the ‘Americas Cup’ some years ago meant large amounts of cash investment were injected to enhance the whole area. The beach is now clean, with miles of golden sand, although I didn’t venture into the sea I plan to go at least once while I am here.

We had a coffee and caught up with all the news, it is six years since my last visit here so, lots of family and friends news to catch up on. Afterwards we headed to a beachside restaurant for a Tapas lunch which, outshone any Tapas I’ve had at home! It just always tastes different in the home country!

Following this, we browsed a couple of shops and headed for home which, for me this week is a small town North West of Valencia called “L’Eliana.” I was welcomed by Nuria’s husband Antonio, and after unpacking and ‘cena’ headed for my bed, the 5 o’clock start had caught up with me!