As we prepare to return to Spain after three months in the UK, it's time to reflect on our stay. Overall, it's been pretty good, despite the worry and stress of my daughter's stroke and my husband's illness. While I'm looking forward to going home, there are some things I'm really going to miss when we go back, although after the July heatwave, the weather won't be one of them. In fact, it will be good to get away from the humidity to the dry heat of the Costa Blanca. Here - in no particular order, as Philip Schofield is so fond of saying - are the things I'll miss about England.
Morrisons
I've always been a big Morrisons fan - I think it's generally the best of the big supermarkets. There's a branch of Morrisons en route to the hospital where my daughter spent 8 weeks, so it became my default supermarket for that time. I love their fresh bread and instore baked pies and pasties, and they have a great range of offers - we've had several 'Buy 1, get 2 free' bargains since we've been here, and the motor home is going to groan under the weight of the bargains as we make our way back.
Green fields and rolling hills
While the Mediterranean scrub land around us in Algorfa has its own particular kind of beauty, nothing beats driving through the rolling hills of Devon, with a vista of green fields stretching out into the distance. I never tire of it - it's balm for the soul. Okay, I know England is a green and pleasant land because of the industrial quantities of rain that get deposited over its fields, but it's a wonderful sight to behold.
I've often tried - and failed - to count just how many different shades of green go into the mix. It's wonderful, and I'll be sorry to turn my back on it.
Cornish pasties
Both Tony and I love a good Cornish pasty, and I have to say we've indulged in more than our fair share while we've been here. I know we can get them frozen - at a price - in Spain, but nothing beats the smell or taste of a freshly baked Cornish pasty from one of the many independent bakeries in Cornwall and Devon. I make my own pasties occasionally back in Spain, but it's great to just wander into the shop and buy one.
Bargain book shops
As everyone knows, books are not at all cheap in Spain, although avid readers can get their literature fix from one of the many book exchanges around. In the UK, there are bargain book shops in just about every major town, and you can buy 3 new paperbacks for £5, or even less. Then there's the Book People - the online bargain book shop that has made more than one delivery to Piddock Place in the last three months.
My star bargain is a hard back copy of The Lady of the Rivers - Philippa Gregory's recent historical novel. The jacket price is £18.99, but my copy cost jus £1.49. I devoured it in a few days, and it's now doing the rounds of the caravan site, as there is a lot of interest here in The White Queen on television.
Primark and Poundland
I know I can go to Primark in Murcia, but it's like a market stall in comparison with the Primark in Plymouth. I'm returning to Spain with around twice as many clothes as I came over with, partly because I had to buy some new shorts to cope with the heatwave, but mainly because I couldn't resist the many bargains on offer in Primark.
Poundland is one of Britain's biggest treasures, in my opinion. Many discount stores have different prices, and no real bargains, but Poundland has quality at a rock bottom price. I've stocked up on Maxwell House coffee, Kellogs cornflakes, Heinz salad cream, Hellman's mayonnaise, Fray Bentos steak and kidney pies for Tony and enough cleaning stuff to last me until the apartment falls down around my ears - all for just £1 per item. I've also picked up a lovely set of melamine tableware for use on the terrace.
In Spain, I often darken the doors of Domti, and stagger out under the weight of my purchases, so I have a Spanish equivalent, but I do love my visits to Poundland.
These are the main things I'll miss about the UK, but, as with my previous post about things I've missed about Spain, I expect I'll think of a few more later. And I'm sure my loyal readers will add to the list over time. I'm really looking forward to coming home - hasta agosto, mis amigos!
