View from the Back
Ramblings of a retiree in France
One from the vaults: Another Trip down Memory Lane
Of course, at this time of year, we’d normally be watching the Vuelta a Espana and consequently we’re heading back to Marbella for the opening stages of the 2015 race. It’s an area which holds many fond memories for us, as I explain below.
We’ve just returned from a few days in Marbella, one of our old stomping grounds, where we were watching the initial stages of this year’s Vuelta a Espana. It’s an area we first visited almost 40 years ago when my parents bought an apartment there. As newly-weds with little money, we spent many a happy fortnight in the sun, exploring the surrounding area. My younger sisters spent all summer there prompting me to speculate why my parents hadn’t invested earlier. Two words – dollar premium.
In the early 1980s, we spent a month there over Xmas and New Year, taking the ferry to Santander and driving to Marbella via Madrid and Toledo. At the time, it was our longest holiday ever and truly relaxing apart from my beloved, a noted swimmer, getting swept out to sea on his windsurfer. He managed to paddle his way back to shore, albeit several kilometres down the coast, without the assistance of the Spanish coastguard, although it was touch and go.
As the years rolled by, we typically spent a week in Marbella either in May or September when the weather was warm but not so hot as to prevent us playing tennis for several hours. Retirement beckoned for my father and my parents decided to sell the flat, preferring to use the proceeds to holiday elsewhere. We however continued to spend a week there most years, often over the late May Bank Holiday.
From time to time my parents accompanied us, as did their closest friends. On my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary, we spent what was to be our final family holiday together at one of our favourite hotels, courtesy of my Dad, and we’ve not been back largely due to our move to France.
When we saw that the Vuelta was kicking off there this year, my beloved and I decided to take a trip down memory lane. In the intervening years, much has changed but our old haunts are still there and happily flourishing. The trip bought back many happy memories, particularly of times spent with my parents who are no longer with us. We’re not going to leave it quite so long before paying the area another visit.
View from the Back 
Absolutely beautiful.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely post Sheree, glad you made it back to Marbella! 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Maxine! It was a lovely trip, full of happy memories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice post 😊
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you for dropping by and commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
wow! it looks like a nice place to relax 🙂
LikeLiked by 4 people
It is!
LikeLike
I’m pleased your beloved made it
LikeLiked by 4 people
Me too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
For some reason my least like region of my Spain.
LikeLiked by 2 people
No, I can understand that as it’s not very Spanish.
LikeLike
Yes
LikeLiked by 1 person
But beautiful pictures nevertheless
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
♡ My Condolences
…♡♡♡…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Love the sign.
LikeLiked by 3 people
It’s great isn’t it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
beautiful vacation spot. i’m glad your beloved made it back! 🙂
LikeLiked by 4 people
Me too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
gorgeous calming photos!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you for droppong by and commenting, Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember: my time in marbella
LikeLiked by 2 people
Delightful! 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Really pretty! Enjoyed your stroll down memory lane! 🌞
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Lisa
LikeLiked by 2 people
Brings back memories of my time there…beautiful place.
LikeLiked by 2 people