After leaving Spain, our author, Roberta Howe, revisits Spain, tying up loose-ends, retrieving her car and telling us of more stories about her times in the country. Spain Revisited for the author of ‘Azalea and I – On the Road’ is the latest blog from Roberta.All her blogs can be found on the R.M. Howe Books website which celebrates all the books written by one family from their homes in the English Lake District….
Many siestas involved going to different beaches. One in particular was famous for its wonderful soft sand and easy parking basically on the beach. Not to mention the bit at the end for nudists!
I used to place myself in the middle – between fully clothed and no clothes. One day a man from the nudist part strayed into the middle, jogging. I can only say, it not only opened my eyes but made them water – on his behalf. Anyway, I digress.
After two years I finally decided that it was time to go back to pick up my car from Spain which my friend had kept safe for me. He had also taken over my small rented house and kept all my clothes there. I had had the odd complaint that he didn’t have much storage space because of my various possessions. So – it was time to sort it out and have a holiday.
I enjoyed being a tourist. It was interesting to see how quickly things were changing. More English spoken to attract business. More English moving in but some old timers moving out, tired of the “dream”. Running a bar or restaurant in retirement is not the easy, fun thing most people assume. Dedication is needed to obtain and keep, a loyal clientele who go to see you, not just get any old drink in a bar.
My journey home took me on a circuitous route over a steep mountain pass. A fabulous trip and I got safely back to the UK. Nearly home, but on the motor way I stopped for a break in services. Obviously, the car wasn’t taxed and needed an MOT but I had organised all this and had taken the precaution of getting my local garage to write me a note to this effect. My car was booked in. What foresight. When I got back from my coffee break two policemen were eyeing the car up. I produced my note and explained. I had no choice but to get my car back this way as I couldn’t afford to ship it back. Fortunately, whilst I had broken the law, they understood and told me they personally wouldn’t further it, though it was not up to them. I never heard another thing.
After my car was made fully legal again and I went to pick it up, I was told I was lucky not to have crashed. My brakes had been full of sand from the beach I used to go to. All the way down that mountain pass —– phew —– was I lucky.”
R.M. Howe is an author from a family of successful authors from the Lake District. Her latest book, ‘Azalea and I – On the Road’ is selling fast on Amazon in paperback format and is re-launched by LR Price Publishers. It is also in Waterstones. The family have now released in excess of 60 books, ALL published through mainstream publishers. Read more about The Family of Authors HERE
‘Azalea and I – On the Road’ is a light-reading novel, following two ladies as they romp across Europe in a chase of murder, mystery, suspense and comedy. The book has been described as a “refreshing read” and as we learn more about the author, we can understand how the characters of Barbara and Azalea from the book are influenced by the author’s own life, experiences and the land around her, wherever she may be . . . Roberta gives us a sneak preview into the life and times of an author . . .
