Thread: Continuing Research Into CB

Hi everyone
Just an update after our 2nd foray into the Costa Blanca trying to find a suitable area to settle.
We stayed for two weeks at Albir Gardens in l'Albir (is it Albir, l'Albir, En Albir or Nucleo Albir as is quoted on some property websites?)
What a little gem of a town, ticked all our boxes. It seems to be an all year round town with an ecclectic mix of nationalities.
We toured around quite a bit visiting Denia, Javea, Parcent, Moraira, Pueblo Finestrat, Benissa, Oliva, El Campello, Jesus Pobre and Altea. Quite frankly we could see ourselves living in all but a few of the above.
The weather was kind to us with only a couple of cloudy days and a few hours of rain. I know the weather has been a bit iffy lately.
We did spend almost half our time relaxing by the pool and reading a few novels. We were also self catering and so decided to cook for ourselves for half the time and eat menu del dias for the rest. This was partly to save a bit of money and partly to sample Spanish food. We try to always cook from fresh these days to cut down on added fat, sugar and salt found in processed food. Anyway with a very primitive kitchen, only two electric rings with no numbers left visible on the dials and a small pan and casserole we did ok. Not having a basic stock cupboard the meals were basic but were tasty nourishing and economical.
Whenever I left our apartment I tried my best to speak only in Spanish and got on quite well, unless the natives were humouring me. I asked an assistant in the bread section of Mendoza where to find the tortillas and she sent me to the chilled section. After searching for a few minutes without finding them I suddenly twigged that she thought I meant potato tortillas. I went back and asked again pointing out that I wanted to make fajitas. She smiled and took me to the correct shelf, near the crisps.
One lunchtime I fancied trying the takeaway paella shop across the road. When it eventually came I was surprised that it came in a pizza box complete with pan, for a small deposit. After ordering the young lady told me it would take 20 minutes, that impressed me, I thought most of it would be precooked. This was my opportunity to try an extended conversation in Spanish. I did quite well after struggling a few times for the correct verb endings. The assistant was very patient and interested. I gathered that she could speak english but only in the context of serving. Anyway once I had got underway she spoke only the odd word in English. She told me that most of the punters never speak a word of Spanish and either speak in their own language or point.
I walked out of the shop feeling very pleased with myself and clutching a gift of some fruit that was on the counter after being given a lesson in how to peel and eat it. I think it was quince although I have never before seen or eaten one.
Later this year we are making out penultimate trip, flying into San Javier and staying for one week in Torrevieja and one week in Playa Flamenca. We hope to visit places like Lo Pagan, Rojales, Torre de Horadada, Pilar, Pinar de campoverde, Guardamar and the Mar Menor.

I must admit,if you had asked me where the tortillas were, I'd have sent you to the chilled section as well...Although I have only visited the places you went to in the north Costa Blanca, usually to watch my local football team play, I have lived in the south for the last nine years, and have a pretty good knowledge of that area..Let us know when you are coming, and if you need any information, I for one will be pleased to help.

Keep up the Spanish..If you are thinking about the verb endings when speaking Spanish, you are far more advanced than most of the British residents living here. With some words they come naturally, but others, even some Spanish speakers aren't too sure.
You will find the Spanish really appreciate it when you try to speak their language and won't worry about mistakes. In the south you won't have to contend with Valenciano, as you sometimes have to in the north.
CD

Originally Posted by stevesainty

Hi everyone
Just an update after our 2nd foray into the Costa Blanca trying to find a suitable area to settle.
We stayed for two weeks at Albir Gardens in l'Albir (is it Albir, l'Albir, En Albir or Nucleo Albir as is quoted on some property websites?)
What a little gem of a town, ticked all our boxes. It seems to be an all year round town with an ecclectic mix of nationalities.
We toured around quite a bit visiting Denia, Javea, Parcent, Moraira, Pueblo Finestrat, Benissa, Oliva, El Campello, Jesus Pobre and Altea. Quite frankly we could see ourselves living in all but a few of the above.
The weather was kind to us with only a couple of cloudy days and a few hours of rain. I know the weather has been a bit iffy lately.
We did spend almost half our time relaxing by the pool and reading a few novels. We were also self catering and so decided to cook for ourselves for half the time and eat menu del dias for the rest. This was partly to save a bit of money and partly to sample Spanish food. We try to always cook from fresh these days to cut down on added fat, sugar and salt found in processed food. Anyway with a very primitive kitchen, only two electric rings with no numbers left visible on the dials and a small pan and casserole we did ok. Not having a basic stock cupboard the meals were basic but were tasty nourishing and economical.
Whenever I left our apartment I tried my best to speak only in Spanish and got on quite well, unless the natives were humouring me. I asked an assistant in the bread section of Mendoza where to find the tortillas and she sent me to the chilled section. After searching for a few minutes without finding them I suddenly twigged that she thought I meant potato tortillas. I went back and asked again pointing out that I wanted to make fajitas. She smiled and took me to the correct shelf, near the crisps.
One lunchtime I fancied trying the takeaway paella shop across the road. When it eventually came I was surprised that it came in a pizza box complete with pan, for a small deposit. After ordering the young lady told me it would take 20 minutes, that impressed me, I thought most of it would be precooked. This was my opportunity to try an extended conversation in Spanish. I did quite well after struggling a few times for the correct verb endings. The assistant was very patient and interested. I gathered that she could speak english but only in the context of serving. Anyway once I had got underway she spoke only the odd word in English. She told me that most of the punters never speak a word of Spanish and either speak in their own language or point.
I walked out of the shop feeling very pleased with myself and clutching a gift of some fruit that was on the counter after being given a lesson in how to peel and eat it. I think it was quince although I have never before seen or eaten one.
Later this year we are making out penultimate trip, flying into San Javier and staying for one week in Torrevieja and one week in Playa Flamenca. We hope to visit places like Lo Pagan, Rojales, Torre de Horadada, Pilar, Pinar de campoverde, Guardamar and the Mar Menor.

Glad to hear things are moving along nicely, well done on your Spanish

San Pedro del Pinatar rocks Check out Excmo. Ayuntamiento de San Pedro del Pinatar it's the website for the local ayuntamiento and has lots of useful information......you can also practice you Spanish ;-)

Originally Posted by JazminesII

San Pedro del Pinatar rocks

I thought it was mud for which you were famous, not rocks...But it does have some sand as well. ........... Jaz, you don't have to quote every word, you can delete some.
CD

Originally Posted by Thader

I thought it was mud for which you were famous, not rocks...But it does have some sand as well.
CD

Ha ha ha yes lovely therapeutic mud, lovely walks around the nature reserve, nice beaches, two marinas, mar menor and med seas, great culture, nice main plaza in San Pedro del Pinatar town......phew and that's just a starter for 10

Originally Posted by Thader

Jaz, you don't have to quote every word, you can delete some.
CD

DOH I know I was in a hurry