What was lost is found - 1993

1993 Decided to take an early holiday to Spain and booked a package deal holiday to Benidorm in February. We arrived at Alicante Airport to be greeted by a welcoming committee of Airport and town dignatories, led by the local town band as we were on a plane which held the 1,000,000th passenger to arrive at the airport since it was first commissioned. We were royally welcomed with wine, sandwiches and much good food before setting off for Benidorm. We took the bus to our hotel and checked in. We had a lovely evening meal and spent the evening, of all things, playing bingo. It was such fun and our fellow hotel guests were from all over England. The following day we walked out onto the wonderful promenade, where half of Spain's pensioners seemed to be on holiday. Every restaurant was filled with old dancing couples - lovely!. During the week we visited a lovely mountain town of Guadalest, where we seemed to walk through a hole in the mountain, reminiscent of the entrance to the Lost Horizon. We walked around the town and bought a couple of little cupids which, even now, grace the space above our bed! What a lovely little town this is. We also took a coach ride to Valencia and sat on the edge of the fountain in front of the strangely shaped Cathedral, before crossing the dry river bed and went into a large Selfridges type of shop where we had lunch. We had to be back in the Cathedral Square to catch our coach as we were being taken to a factory where porcelain figures were being made. The factory is world renowned and produces Lladro figurines. Our coach driver had bought a rather large, beautifully crafted statue of some geese and this he raffled on the way back to Benidorm. What a lovely day. Next day, Sunday, we went to a large open market where all sorts of stalls were set up. On another day we took a quaint little train ride to the next town of Joyosa, where we were conducted around a chocolate factory. We caught the next train to Alicante and we walked around the town, looking for somewhere regional to eat. We found a tapas cafe and ate a nice lunch, before returning to the Station to catch the little train back. On the way we again stopped in Joyosa and spent an hour or so in the large open market. We arived back in Benidorm and after dinner we had a dance and after that we again played bingo - getting to be a habit. Next day we decided to walk along to the old town from the Levante beach. We stopped off at a restaurant and I asked for a gateau, little knowing that Spanish for cat is gato! We were advised to ask for cake. We arrived at a castle like promontary, where we had ice cream and then wandered into the old town, with its narrow streets and touristy little shops. After that we walked along the Poniente beach with its beautiful palm treed promenade. We had such a lovely time in Benidorm and the piece de resistance was a visit to a wonderful show at the Benidorm Palace - a sort of theatre/night club. We really enjoyed our first Spanish visit!
14th March 1993 Bethany born John Radcliffe, Oxford
5th March Sue & Keith Married, Kidderminster Jan brought baby Bethany to the wedding - What a lovely little girl
We all went to a pub in Bewdley Mum and me, Steve, Barbara Gemma and William, Joan and Jane - also the happy couple
Pete was unable to come but Jan drove back with Mum and tried to get on the motorway the wrong direction and turned round at Droitwich,
4th August Thomas born Aberystwyth
Nic divorced Nic moves to Australia and Singapore
Julian meets Jaye
Visited Wales pre Christmas. Julian and Jaye Griffiths came. Had a marvellous time. Went home to Chinnor, to find Beryl June as Pete and Jan had prepared a Ruby wedding anniversary party 26th December