Spring into summer in Spain

[jumartoo]

Today's ride took us along the very beautiful coast away from the lighthouse. We were heading to see what a parking area on P4N was like. It's now marked as daytime only, but the vehicles that were there hadn't just turned up this morning. A lovely spot but very busy.

Looking back towards the lighthouse, just the top peeking out behind the hill. We're parked out of view on the narrow bit.

The "parking" at the beach at Nemiña.

The beach and surf school

Oooops, back view again

This part was protected from the hordes by the placing of concrete blocks. Easy to cycle between them but not possible to drive along.

The rest of the ride was nice, but not for photos.

We've decided on a plan for tomorrow. The weather is cooling inland a little, so we're going away from the coast for a few days.

 

[jumar]

Time to move from this stunning area, we've had a couple of nights, a great bike ride and a spot of fishing, we had 3 others near us, but far enough away to guarantee our privacy...
As it's been a long holiday weekend the numbers increased, but never too uncomfortable, regular passing of cars and MHs to visit the lighthouse.
A quick visit to a service point and local supermarket to keep us self sufficient until Monday..
Today's ride has been Komoot planned and will be transferred to GPS for riding..a little warmer where we are heading, but there might be a significant change in our weather soon..
Two more weeks and the summer season is over for most, it's been a bumper year for numbers, appears the motorhome sales and the self built creations have increased, the occasional roof top tent has been seen less this year than last... perhaps not as popular and not overly practical..

 

[Nigel Crompton]

...... the occasional roof top tent has been seen less this year than last...

They were all in Ireland ...

 

[jumar]

They were all in Ireland ...

Never thought about buying one of those Roof top Tents Nigel, the need to take a 3am bathroom visit would be challenging....although I've managed quite well in past years whilst climbing,
I'd also need the Deluxe model, with sprung mattress, 42" Flat screen TV, induction hob, toaster and coffee machine...just a mo...I've got a Motorhome...

 

[jumartoo]

We've been riding through, what must be, thousands of maize fields. Looking at the plants growing got me wondering whether the actual sweetcorn was the seed, and if so what are the seed like flowers right at the top.

Google to the rescue.

The sweetcorn are the seeds and the things at the top are "tassels" or male reproductive parts. They release the pollen to fertilise the plants. They are sometimes chopped off to prevent unwanted fertilisation

Another bit of trivial information.

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[Barriesimpson]

We've been riding through, what must be, thousands of maize fields. Looking at the plants growing got me wondering whether the actual sweetcorn was the seed, and if so what are the seed like flowers right at the top.

Google to the rescue.

The sweetcorn are the seeds and the things at the top are "tassels" or male reproductive parts. They release the pollen to fertilise the plants. They are sometimes chopped off to prevent unwanted fertilisation

Another bit of trivial information.

View attachment 1103913View attachment 1103911View attachment 1103912

We have seen an awful lot of fields full of maize in Switzerland. Maybe there are a lot of Mexicans here.....

 

[scousebird]

We've noticed more maize being grown this year, the field opposite our house is full of it.

 

[Barriesimpson]

We love the corn on the cob that they sell vacuum packed in the supermarkets. Heated up in the air fryer (or microwave if you have one) pour over molten butter and loads of freshly ground black pepper. Messy and lovely

 

[jumar]

We have seen an awful lot of fields full of maize in Switzerland. Maybe there are a lot of Mexicans here.....

Most go to produce oil Barriesimpson but we all know there is only one oil we use in our cooking....also animal feed..

 

[Mr porky]

Most go to produce oil Barriesimpson but we all know there is only one oil we use in our cooking....also animal feed..

Lots of fields of maize in france too.

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[jumar]

Was that rain we heard in the early hours, it sure was, but short lived, it's cool this morning, bikes are prepared for a short ride this morning, we then need to drive a short way to benefit from a cooler afternoon than last...we have a plan..

The early morning Pilgrims and Sportage walkers are passing by, some heading to Fisterra others Muxia...both places will be a shock to their normal tranquil surroundings they have experienced since leaving Santiago a week or so ago....

This long weekend of festivities ends today and in two weeks from now, normal service will be with us, the crowds would have returned to their towns and cities, having had a good time, spent their hard earned cash, for us the same, tootle along, enjoy nature and sport which most times is combined..

Our plans which are always flexible, may need to be modified, there remains some very serious Wildfires in both Spain and Portugal, we need to look closely at the situation before venturing away from this part of Galicia...

 

[gus-lopez]

We are actually classed as permanent but cant renew until the card expires and then we begin the trial of trying to get appointments. There are none coming up on the website. When we get home we may have to bite the bullet and reluctantly use a "fixer" to get appointments for us.

when we did ours in 2020 I used the Policia Nacional office in Murcia. No problems with appointments then apart from covid nonsense,
We actually have an office here in Lorca 6kms away yet appointments for that only appeared on website on a friday & I found it impossible to make any. I'd even been in there & spoken to them but all I got was the customary shrug & "it has to be made online"

* In 2030 when the renewal is due, subject to still being alive, I will attempt again using Lorca but drawback to that is the waiting area is outside whereas in Murcia you have an air conditioned football sized stadium to wait in

We've noticed more maize being grown this year, the field opposite our house is full of it.

There is also maize that is predominantly grown for animal feed & has no 'cobs' That is what is usually seen both here in spain,the Uk & all across France. Rare to see any with cobs on

 

[gus-lopez]

* In 2030 when the renewal is due, subject to still being alive, I will attempt again using Lorca but drawback to that is the waiting area is outside whereas in Murcia you have an air conditioned football sized stadium to wait in

Also just remembered that ours will be renewed in the 'holiday months' ,july/august ,when most will not be doing it

 

[jumartoo]

We actually have an office here in Lorca 6kms away yet appointments for that only appeared on website on a friday & I found it impossible to make any. I'd even been in there & spoken to them but all I got was the customary shrug & "it has to be made online"

I had no problems getting appointments at Lorca 5 years ago and I got appointments for neighbours as well at the same time. Now it's totally different. There were appointments available using Cl@ve last week, but we were lazy and didn't get one or a digital signature. That will be high on our agenda when we get back, unless we can do one online whilst we're away

 

[Barriesimpson]

I had no problems getting appointments at Lorca 5 years ago and I got appointments for neighbours as well at the same time. Now it's totally different. There were appointments available using Cl@ve last week, but we were lazy and didn't get one or a digital signature. That will be high on our agenda when we get back, unless we can do one online whilst we're away

You will always need a digital signature, for everything basically and it is so easy to get that I see no reason not to have had one already. So much planning on bicycle runs and no digital ID, shame on you

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[gus-lopez]

You will always need a digital signature, for everything basically and it is so easy to get that I see no reason not to have had one already.

unless it has changed you had to download the stuff on your computer then here we had to attend the council office to obtain the password/code,for which you needed an appointment, & which could only be entered on the original machine that you started on ,whilst hoping that your internet had not dropped out & you had lost it all:

 

[Barriesimpson]

unless it has changed you had to download the stuff on your computer then here we had to attend the council office to obtain the password/code,for which you needed an appointment, & which could only be entered on the original machine that you started on ,whilst hoping that your internet had not dropped out & you had lost it all:

These days you can have it on all the computers you want, I also have it on the phone. The first time out you do need to attend the Hacienda so they can see you actually exist. After that you renew it online every 5 years I think.

 

[jumar]

You will always need a digital signature, for everything basically and it is so easy to get that I see no reason not to have had one already. So much planning on bicycle runs and no digital ID, shame on you

I hang my head in Shame.... actually we haven't got round to doing it because, we haven't got round to doing it..there are so many other important issues that take up our time...our support team is below.
Our accountant is a Friend.
Doctor is a the brother of our accountant also does DGT work.
Solicitor is a biking Friend..
Officials in Ajuntamiento, in our mountaineering and running club.
Our Municipality Alcaldesa...known since she was a 10 year old..
Chief technician for MH related issues, a Fun friend..
And I'm an President on our Urbanisation..and a funsters..
Who needs a Digital signature...well up to now...we haven't..
It's on our list of things to do, but don't hold ya breath....I might need to oil me chain...

 

[jumar]

These days you can have it on all the computers you want, I also have it on the phone. The first time out you do need to attend the Hacienda so they can see you actually exist. After that you renew it online every 5 years I think.

Don't go to Hacienda...we have someone that goes for us...
But here in Murcia, Judith tells me we can do it on line then visit the Ajuntamiento or even via video call...

 

[Barriesimpson]

Don't go to Hacienda...we have someone that goes for us...
But here in Murcia, Judith tells me we can do it on line then visit the Ajuntamiento or even via video call...

So do it.

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[jumar]

So do it.

Just had a look at application form...easy...checked the town hall appointment system...I can do it when I renew my Fishing Licence in November,
same desk, same clerk, we could be back for a day or two in our apartment then, the cat will need feeding
Just love going to the Ajuntamiento..
nearly a good as going to the Post Office..

 

[gus-lopez]

Who needs a Digital signature...well up to now...we haven't..

I've never found the need for one?

 

[SMB]

These days you can have it on all the computers you want, I also have it on the phone. The first time out you do need to attend the Hacienda so they can see you actually exist. After that you renew it online every 5 years I think.

I don't have the cl@ve but have the other digital certificate which I just renewed a couple of months ago. I tried to get the cl@ve but when I went in to apply they asked me to go back as they'd been hacked three weeks previously and it was still being sorted out! Needless to say it didn't fill me full of confidence considering what personal details it holds! Everyone will need one eventually but it's very handy for medical appointments etc and I like having my driving documents on the MiDGT app

 

[jumar]

Found that moving to a place we knew, with shade and tranquility would be the right choice, and it certainly was..
We could smell burning nearby, I just had to go out and check our immediate surroundings, there were Fire trucks around, but our situation was secure.
About 10pm a fire truck arrived, then another, they were topping up their tanks from the nearby street hydrant.
This gave me the opportunity to pop over and ask them what the current situation is.
All's well the fire is out, they told me, we can sleep soundly, and this we did.

 

[Peavy]

This gave me the opportunity to pop over and ask them what the current situation is.

Must be interesting talking to firefighters from your own perspective and experience. Good job.

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[jumar]

Must be interesting talking to firefighters from your own perspective and experience. Good job.

Yes it can be, our best Spanish friends in Totana running club are Firefighters, we are very much a Brotherhood, we get on great although what they do is very different to what I did...a great degree of reciprocal respect is shown between us.
They have a very difficult job being a Firefighter in these very hot and humid conditions....and they are greatly understaffed, when I tell them I had at my disposal vast amount of manpower and technical equipment, they are genuinely amazed, and equally so, I am surprised how they manage with just a handful of guys serving two large towns...with a joint population of 70,000 people.

 

[jumartoo]

Well we're back at Camariñas, decided on because it is still one of the coolest spots and we didn't get chance to ride the coastal route past the English Cemetery on our last visit here, it was just far too windy then. So tomorrow that's on our agenda.

This morning we detoured to Vimianzo to wash the van, do the services at the excellent Eroski service point and I did a supermarket shop there in payment . We then decided to come here and park on the port, but there was a nice spot available on the official parking, so here we are.

The kayak has had its first dip of the trip because the sea is calm today.

On landing he asked some kids if he'd arrived in Spain! We half expected a visit from the Guardia

 

[gus-lopez]

but it's very handy for medical appointments

In Murcia we have a standalone app,SMS; that does all & everything for anything medical.

Keep in the cool area both of you.nearly touched 43º here this afternoon & that was in haze with little sun

 

[jumar]

In Murcia we have a standalone app,SMS; that does all & everything for anything medical.

Keep in the cool area both of you.nearly touched 43º here this afternoon & that was in haze with little sun

Cool here in Galicia Richard, just 20°c yesterday afternoon...same again today, no plans to return to Murcia until October..best avoided..

Office now open....my daily read is done, now time to plan today's route on the bikes...Costa del Morte makes a good round trip, especially as there isn't any significant wind...this is the most westerly part of mainland Europe..it's normally windy here...

Still lots of Motorhomes around here, which is expected as the rest of Spain is still incredibly hot, as Richard said

My canoe adventure (not,) wasn't too great as I appear to have a bit of a leak on one panel..needs attention...like most things do..

 

[jumartoo]

Without moving from my bed I've got this view (well I had to lean towards the dirty window to take it) and the sun almost ruined the shot

There's been a steady stream of older people walking on the prom doing their cholesterol walk and a couple of youngsters in hi viz walking the beach with litter pickers and bags. It looks like being another lovely, warm not hot, day and I'm looking forward to our ride today.

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