We are a group of Yorkshire senior citizens who every year take time out and have a good time away from home.
This year, in January, we are staying in Salamanca in north-wesr Spain. The ferries and hotel are booked.
ABOUT US
Some of us have known each other from school days, even being at nursery together.
This year there are seven of us. This number varies from year to year, it is usually between six and eight.
Trips away have mainly been in the UK, but we have also been to Ireland, Malta, Barcelona and San Sebastian. So, this years trip is continuing our recent trend of expeditions abroad. As I've already stated, some of us were at school together whilst others we have got to know through work or social gatherings.
Day 1
I'm getting a bit worried about us senior citizens travelling. Graham and myself arrived at Peter's house where I was to leave my car, so phoned Peter to ask where he wanted me to put my car when he replied "it's next week, I'm walking the dog". On entering Peter's house, his wife Jackie said "come in, sit down & shut up". After a quick suitcase pack the three of us met up with Ken and Richard at a cafe for breakfast.
All was fine until with alighted the Grand Central train at King's Cross station when Richard couldn't find his ticket to get through the barriers.
Surprisingly, everything was fine for a while. We arrived at Portsmouth without any further traumas where we had a good meal in the Ship & Castle pub. It was later as we alighted the bus at the port when Graham got off and left his case behind. Fortunately, Peter was more awake and reminded him before the bus departed.
We had a bit of a wait before we could board the ferry. Once on board we couldn't access the cabin immediately, so had a nightcap before retiring for the night.
Day 2
Not a pleasant morning, misty, raining and windy with a choppy sea. Most if us had the cooked breakfast which could only be described as mediocre at best. Not to be recommended.
Later, as we were approaching the coast off Brest, it was like sailing on a duck pond, although it did become choppy later on. Early afternoon, Peter and myself managed, briefly, to get on deck. It was very windy though. Mid-afternoon the sea became quite rough for a while before turning calm.
Got to say, if the breakfast was disappointing, the evening meal in the restaurant was fantastic. If travelling from Portsmouth to Santander then the restaurant is essential.
The forecast for the rest of the crossing was not good so after one drink we all retired for the night.
Day 3
Early start today, ferry docked at 08:00 local time. We did manage a small breakfast before disembarking. By the skin of our teeth we managed to catch the Salamanca bus at 09:00. Had problems with the ticket machine though. We had a 25 minute break in Vallenodid where there was an International Motor Cycle Rally taking place. We arrived at our hotel Casino del Tormes at about 3pm.
After booking into the hotel and a quick wash we headed out into the old city which wasn't far from the hotel. We eventually arrived at the main square and had a tapas and drink in a cafe. After walking the streets for a while we called into Cafe Dominicos Restaurant for a beer, a place we would frequent often.
Day 4
Started the day with a really good breakfast. We now have a candidate for the Morrisroe Memorial Trophy in Peter who attempted to unlock the room door with his ferry boarding pass. First thing in the morning we crossed the river on the Roman bridge giving us excellent views of the cathedral. On returning over the river we visited the motor museum - a good 3 euros bargain.
A light lunch was had in the bar that we visited last night - Cafe Dominicos. Graham and Peter walked to the railway station to enquire about hiring a car while Ken, Richard and myself visited the cathedral, which is actually two cathedrals, the old and the new. One of the most impressive cathedrals that I have ever visited. Ken and Richard returned directly to the hotel whereas I took a detour through the University campus.
We arranged to meet in the hotel reception at 6pm and headed for Cafe Dominicos again. The meals ordered were mainly a selction on tapas picked by the waiter. These were found excellent and were washed dowm with copious amounts of alcohol. The only downside was the group encouraging me to play the piano in the bar. I therefore apologise in advance should you come across the video on Facebook.
Day 5
Started the day with an excellent breakfast as usual. It was decided that Peter and nyself should check out the option of hiring a car for a couple of days. We therefore walked to the railway station and received two quotes and opted for Enterprise, picking the car up tomorrow.
On receiving a phone call from Graham, we all met up in the main square for tea / coffee. After a short walk we arrived at a concensus where three of us would walk to the bus station and buy our tickets for Thursday from Salamanca to Madrid airport. We were just enjoying a drink at the bus station when a call was received from Richard when it was decided that we would all meet up at the Museo Art Nouveau y Art Deco - Casa Lis, a really interesting visit.
Day 6
The hire car was picked up after breakfast by Peter and myself and driven to the hotel to pick up the other three of the group. We had previously decided to visit Segovia and Avila, two UNESCO heritage sites along with Salamanca.
The car was parked in an underground car park in Segovia where we visited the Roman aquaduct. Absolutely impressive structure considering it is nearly two millenia old. Leaving Segovia we stopped off in Avila to visit the medieval wall which for 3 euros three of us tackled. It's certainly an impressive structure being the best example of such a structure in the world.
Quite late getting back to the hotel, so we were later than usual getting to the restaurant. I had had turbot the previous evening so three of our group opted for that this evening. I had entrecote which was massive, but fabulous.
Day 7
Again, an excellent breakfast was had by us all. Graham wasn't feeling well so there just four of us We travelled in the hire car to Ledesma, which has a medieval bridge. After walking around the old town we drove to the main town centre for drinks. From here we took a rural route to another small village called Santiz which was very peaceful but much there. That being the case, we headed back to Salamanca, but stopped on the way for drinks and a light snack.
Ken and Richard were dropped off at the hotel while Peter and myself returned the hire car at the railway station. On the way back to the hotel we visited the Monastry.
Another good night in our regular bar with excellent food. A lady came to join us after we had eaten, must have been looking for someone to have a conversation with. Before leaving, we had a photo taken with the chef and Chris the waiter. Richard probably had too many whiskies, swinging around lamp posts back to the hotel.Day 8
We had a leisurly walk after breakfast, across the Roman bridge and around the park at the side of the river Tormes. This was just to pass some time until it was time to catch the No.4 bus to the bus station.
There was a bus from Salamanca to Madrid airport, leaving at 3pm which we caught, arriving just before 6pm which meant quite a wait until our flight to Manchester departing at 9:50pm. Because we missed the 11:30pm train Graham booked a Uber taxi. The driver was bit of a miserable sod, objecting because we wanted to drop Ken and Richard off before our final destination. His loss - he didn't get a tip.