My love affair with Spain

My first experience of mainland Spain, as an eighteen year old, wasn’t good!

So bad in fact was that first visit I didn’t return for another 24 years. 

I visited the Canaries and Mallorca but not the mainland. 

The original ill fated visit was with a work colleague who would later play a role in my decision to make 2017 the year I realised my dream. 

My return to the mainland, to Mijas Pueblo, came in the form of a girls break in 2004 and it coincided, unfortunately, with the unexpected passing of my mum.

Mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer in February of that year but was doing well as the prearranged break approached in April. On the second day of our trip she took a turn for the worse and I was unable to get a return flight until the next day. I slept badly during the night having managed to talk to her by phone in the hospital assuring her I was on my way home. I woke suddenly at 4.45 am and went out on to the balcony and as I looked down towards the sea I sensed she was gone – I felt very calm and strangely comforted by the view.

I would later learn that mum left this World, peacefully, at 3.45am UK time – 4.45am in Spain!

The amazing outcome of that experience in Mijas was that, rather than having an enduring bad association with Spain, I fell in love with the country right there on that balcony and each time I return I get the same sense of calm and comfort – Spain had claimed my soul!

I went on to spent many happy times there  and The Dream grew legs and started to gain pace each time I returned. 

Mijas 2014

Introducing Pixie the mini caravan

It’s time for proper introductions – you’ve already had a sneak preview of my new mini caravan in my last post – but I  wanted to begin at the beginning, of what seems to be proving to be, my next ‘Great Adventure’!

Pixie is the name I have given to my 1995 Elddis Elf mini 2 berth caravan.  Having never towed anything behind my car before I was somewhat nervous about having a caravan and set out to find the shortest, most lightweight unit I could. Added bonus is, not only does the van fit on my drive, it is also about the same width as the car – meaning visibility along the side of the van is good from my wing mirrors.

Although made in 1995 the van has clearly been looked after and is beautiful inside and out.  Everything works as it should which means I have a fridge, grill, hob, oven, blown air heating plus hot and cold running water.  It even has a flushing toilet and a shower!

I also discovered an awning packed away under the sofa and am keen to test the extra space it will give me.

Being a dedicated follower of Pinterest I then started trawling posts on caravan renovation to see what I could do to update the interior of Pixie – as usual I lost several hours of my life that I will never regain and became imersed in paint finishes, fabrics, kitchen items and sticky backed plastic!

So first came the sticky backed plastic (Blue Peter favourite)!  The folding table at the front of the van is very nifty and I chose a floral pattern to invoke thoughts of a Cath Kidstonesque table cloth.  Being highly delighted with the effect I went on to touch up the fridge and sink cover – perfectly covering some of the tired wood effect finish and giving a fresh feel to the space.

 

I then moved onto painting the cabinets above the cooker and sink – using chalk paint in a soft ivory, again to lift the wood finish.  Although I was pleased with the effect I decided that I wasn’t going to continue with paint – it kinda felt like messing with the van’s integrity so I  resolved to add just little personal touches to make her my own.

New handles on the cupboards, new fabric tie backs and pelmet cover and a few handmade cushions and throw completed the look.

 

Touch up done – now for some serious adventure planning…………..