Blog time right! I’m merrily tapping away on the keyboard. I won’t berate myself for yet another ‘long time between drinks’ (posts actually), but have opted to get cracking with some writing and I promise not to bore.
As it happens we aren’t at Frog Pond Farm – so there won’t be any photos of home, sorry. My marketing manager, AKA Bill (hubby’s dad) didn’t join us for Christmas this year, in fact, it’s been 3 years since we saw him last, so we have joined him instead for some of the European summer.
Bill lives in UK and is 87 years old. He has been part of my life now for about 30 years. His cooking is enviable and the flavours divine, while not so keen on preparing his food degustations anymore, it is only fair that he sits back and gets spoilt. He is smart, kind and generous, has a great sense of humour, and strangely enough was very eager that we should get on with our holiday. I wonder what that means?
His car minus air conditioning, delivered us to Marlborough for a few days where we were stayed in a gorgeous cottage in the countryside with Andrew’s sister Joe and her partner Will. Walks, talks and divine food plus the odd glass of vino, was all on the agenda before we drove back to London, and then on to Luton airport which as far as airports go, wasn’t a bad experience. Spain next on the itinerary.
We stayed in an old villa just out of Ronda called ‘Santa Anna’. It is complete with cobbled yards, bridges providing access across a dry creek bed, a pool, pots of beautiful geraniums, swallows nesting above a wooden door, 3 pooches, about three hundred olive trees and gardens. It’s hot and very dry.
Spain was fabulous, very Spanish of course where food is such a social event. I adore food and travel, the two are such a great combination.
Tapas, a jumble of plates and tastes, seem to be the staple – grilled calamari and prawns, chick peas and sautéed veg, tzatziki, green juicy salads, slices of ripe heirloom tomatoes drizzled with home grown olive oil and chopped fresh basil. We can’t forget the crusty bread with more lashings of olive oil, glasses of Spanish vino and fresh patisseries to finish. Needless to say I appear to have gained weight!
I would also say that Spain is renown for its hikes and one of those is called the Caminito del Rey. Although quite frankly why anyone would want to walk along a track that is built into a cliff face is way beyond me. As I suffer from vertigo it isn’t surprising that I didn’t go – but of course hubby who doesn’t suffer from heights went with his good pal Phil, who like Andrew, enjoys a challenge.
They survived the 6km walk, the photo above is proof. Of course Phil who is tall, athletic, wears the correct hiking shoes unlike me, considers any hike no matter the distance, height or rating completely doable! He can manage with skill to coax you into climbs that are highly questionable, scoff when you suggest mutiny, and disappear with stealth up a steep track to prove a point. But trust me, there is nothing better than at the end of a hike, to sit down and enjoy a very large cold beer and wonder at the days events!
Spain was fun, the company was wonderful, and the hikes in the country to remember! Thanks so much for your hospitality Phil and Francis!
Time to head back to the UK. See you soon.
Wonderful photos, Julie. You had a wonderful time. Not quite a year year since you last posted. Time flies.
We sure have been having a great time! Crete to come next 😊 And you are so right … nearly a year since I posted! Shameful right … Always great to see you here
Not shameful when you are having a good time.
WOW what a fantastic adventure and amazing photos. Have a fabulous time you two. Bill look great by the way.😀
Having the best time … and even better seeing your comment! Glad you liked the photos .. Watch out for another post next week! 😊☀️
Very well composed seeing as. It’s not from your usual spot. I think the photos are excellent and stunning as well. Shame you couldn’t do the mountain walk but I will forgive you because of the shoes 👞. Look forward to the next episode .
Lots of love ❤️
Bill, xxx
Hello Mr Bonner … to think I can go downstairs and see you! Yay .. Thanks so much for your lovely comment and for being the best marketing manager! Big hugs and lots of love right back at you xx ❤️
Decent blog,some great photos too, the Food pic is to die for.. Bill you look great btw, last time I saw you was in 1987,I thought you looked like Father Christmas then & you look like him now too!! Your hair line is better than my too… Take care, Phil x
This is a wonderful write up of a special time. The accompanying photos open the narrative to make it even more refreshing. This work of art might be best preserved as a small but precious booklet. Such a brilliant piece of work. Sent it out a a warming Christmas card even to bring a warm glow in winter.
Albert and Jayne with love xxx
Hi Albert … oh my what a delightful comment! Thank you so much. How lovely to hear from you. And I’ll surprise you yet with another post very soon. Much love to you both xxx
So wonderful to ‘see’ you again, dear friend! This little expedition of yours looks simply fabulous. What a wonderful experience for you and the hubster! I look forward to hearing more from you again. Take care and safe travels!!
So good to hear from you! It’s great to finally get another post out and even better being on holiday with hubby and seeing his dad. Thanks for your lovely comment 😊
Oh so glad you can be with Bill and enjoy the UK!
Oh thank you so much … it’s wonderful to be here and spend time with Bill! What a wonderful summer. Lovely to hear from you …
It certainly is a warm summer!
Wow! This was marvelous and just perfect for winter travels. Warmth, friends, FOOD, family! Wonderful!
I know how lucky are we! The weather is amazing Linda, so is the food and it’s magic being with family and friends! Watch out for another post next week 👏 xx
Oh goody! YAY!
Amazing … at last! Hugs
What a fabulous holiday you are having Julie! It’s lovely to meet up with family and friends and to see Bill looking so well. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photographs and we wish you a blessed rest of the journey 💖
Hey Xenia … we are having the best holiday. It’s just wonderful catching up with family and friends after such a long time. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the photos – it’s always lovely seeing you here 😊
Wow, looks like a fantastic trip Julie, you got some great photos.
Hi Leanne … it’s great being away and enjoying the European summer. Glad you liked the photos. Another post coming soon …
Hey Julie, so great to see some of your adventures. Have fun out there, lots of love x
Hey Rom .. so good to hear from you! Nice to share our travels … Lots of love right back at you xx
What an interesting trip you’ve taken me with you, Julie! Great to hear that you are also visiting family and friends. Enjoy yourself and thanks for the superb photos too! See you later! 😀😎
Hey Iris … so nice to share our travels with you. 😊 It’s lovely being away and catching up with family and friends. I’ve got another post coming up very soon … see you then xx
Looking forward to reading reading, Julie… happy travelling! 😎
Wonderful! 🤗 Was it very hot?
The weather in Spain sure was hot … but it’s also been hot in the UK. Great to hear from you ..
Great read. What a fantastic trip you’ve had/having. Steve and I take off to US Tuesday so am going to see Milt today. I’ll send you a text and photos when with him. Safe trip home xxxxClaire
Hi Claire … we are having a great trip! Hoping to speak to you before your holiday begins. So looking forward to seeing your pics. Glad you enjoyed the read. Hugs x
Sounds like you guys are having a wonderful time. I am glad you found time to post. Pictures and report are superb. In the Ronda picture I couldn’t help but think of the wisdom of building that close to a cliff. Enjoy the remainder of your trip.
Hey Bob, we are having a great time … the weather has been amazing. Yes about time I posted! And you will be pleased to know, there is another coming soon. Ah Ronda .. sure is perched right on the very edge. Always great to hear from you.
It’s good to see you Julie, it looks like you’re having a great time.
Hey Andrea … and it’s always good to see you too! Yes, we sure are enjoying ourselves, it was great to leave winter behind 🙂
Beautiful photographs dear Julie, and I am so glad to hear that you made a wonderful travel to Europe. Bill as always seems amazing, Greetings to him. Be sure, if I were there, I would have stayed with you, not going to walking, “Caminito del Rey”,… but I would have been so excited to see the photographs. Thank you, Love, nia
Hello dear Nia … always wonderful to hear you! I will say a big hello to Bill from you. We are having a great holiday and there is another post due very soon. Take care lovely
Food and travel are always a great combination for me, especially that scrumptious tapas you tasted! Happy to hear you enjoyed your little getaway.
Ah tapas such an enjoyable meal! Yes food and travel are such a great combination. I did enjoy the little getaway, in fact, I’m still OS. So good to see you here.
This post brought the longing in me to travel. THANK YOU for this share, Julie! I adore Europe and want to very much return some day. I honestly don’t foresee that YET who knows!! So good to see a post from you!! xoxo
Hi Amy … oh you are so welcome. It’s nice to share travels with others. Next post is Crete … yes I’m working on another one already! Lol Always wonderful seeing you here xx
Santa Anna and the Caminito look memorable indeed but Bill is clearly the major draw! I love the photo of father and son. The photo of Marlborough looks quintessentially English, the one of tapas the essence of Spain – lucky you! I wish you safe and happy travels for the rest of your trip (and I’m glad to see you back!).
I too love that photo of Andrew and his dad .. it was taken about 4 years ago in Central Otago. Such a great pic. Next up is Crete ..I’m working on another post already (good aren’t I). Great to see you here Lynn
oh no i definitely could not do that cliff walk! i have terrible vertigo. well not the fear of heights; the fear of falling from a great height 🙂
Hi Sherry … no there was no way I was going to do it! I envy those that don’t have vertigo problems. Lovely to see you here … thanks for commenting
Such lovely pictures , great place to catch up again,you’ve visited some beautiful places with plenty of history.the food looks very tempting.
Hope you three are keeping well and safe travels.
Martin,croxley green ,uk.
Hi Martin so good to hear from you! We have had a fabulous holiday – it’s been so good catching up with friends and family and seeing Bill. There is a post to come on Crete next – I’m working on that now. Glad you enjoyed the photos. We are super good thanks and heading home soon.
Travel and food shared with family and friends sounds like a wonderful holiday and from your lovely photos I can see that it is. I would be sitting on the sidelines too when it comes to that Caminito del Rey hike.
Hi Karen … it sure has been a wonderful holiday! We have been so very lucky seeing friends and family, and enjoying the summer. Glad you enjoyed the photos. And as always, lovely to see you here.
A totally enjoyable post! I was just wondering what you were up to, so went searching, and there you were – and starting with one of my favourite people whom I’ve never met: Bill! Is he still making jams?
The photos of fabulous as usual, and when it comes to that Caminito – I’m with you, sister! Not into vertigo-inducing walks at all.
My best to you, Andrew and Bill.
Hey Cynthia .. No Bill is taking it easy now, no jam making. I sure will pass on your best to the boys. So pleased you enjoyed the photos 😊 Absolutely no Caminito for this girl either! The thought makes me dizzy. Great to see you here ..
Fabulous picture of Andrew and Uncle Bill. Great to have seen you both – safe travels, Claire
Hi Claire …it was great to meet you! Glad you joined us for some of our travels. That pic of the guys is a couple of years old now, but a favourite of mine xx
What a fabulous post. Good to see Bill again, he’s looking well. He must love having you as his DIL, you describe him as a man everyone would love to have in their lives.
Spain looks fabulous. Ah that beautiful villa. Envious. And the food. But, I was horrified to see that insane camino across that mountain. Nightmare material. Andrew, how could you?!
Lucky ducks, enjoy. Xx
Hi Miss great as always to see you! I love that shot of Bill and Andrew – it was taken a couple of years ago. Oh I couldn’t agree more, he is an absolute treasure! Spain is fabulous … haven’t you been there? And yes the villa was amazing .. old but beautiful. Food and travel go together right! Ha ha Andrew is not bothered at all of heights – lucky right! Hugs xx
Love this sentence: ” I adore food and travel, the two are such a great combination.” So true!!! Your pics are lovely, too.
Hey Kim … how nice to hear from you. It’s true isn’t it! 🙂 Probably why I’ve put on weight. Glad you enjoyed the pics …
What a beautiful vacation! I enjoyed all your photo selections. I especially love that last photo with the sunflowers and mountains.
It was a fabulous holiday. So good catching up with family and friends 😊 That shot you like was taken with my iPhone .. Always super to see you at Frog Pond Farm
Beautiful photos, Julie. This looks like an amazing holiday, but were you there during the heatwave?
Hi Mr Draco … so good to hear from you! It sure was an amazing holiday .. and we missed the heatwave!
Dear Julie, I’ve almost missed your comeback! Usually your posts come by mail, don’t know what happened. In any case I’m thrilled that you managed to go and see Bill and some fab places along the way. Just showed the pics to George and we both agreed that we’d love to do that hike in the rocks ;). Now over to your next post 😀
Hey Annette .. so pleased that you didn’t miss my return! It was fabulous catching up with Bill, family and friends. And the places that we visited were special. Would you like to do the Camenito del ray? Oh way too high for me 😀
I‘d love to😁
The hiking trail on the cliff-face made my legs go wobbly – just from looking at the photo! I’m sure it is a wonderful hiking experience for those brave people who enjoy the challenge.
And it’s so lovely to see Bill again. xx
Hey Joanne, gosh so sorry I haven’t replied sooner. Ah that cliff face! Made my legs go wobbly too looking at the pics. There was no way I could climb it! So nice to hear from you xx