At the coast

Monday 20th April
I wrote about being at the seaside yesterday, then hurricane force winds set in and the super-speedy internet was swept away, and my words with it. Trying to write and post on a daily basis whilst travelling is fraught with uncertainty. I should stick to pictures, (take ages to load and need the internet) and here's one of a distant shoreline, beyond the boardwalk mentioned in today's list. 

Sea, sand and grass - imagine the gazillions of kite surfers off the picture on the right (it was that sort of day)

It looks very nice but the wind was strong and getting stronger

This is my phone note list of the day as it unfolded. Apologies if you don't like lists. Blame the weather.

First day at the coast
Really nice 'tourist' hotel
Big room, bath with chandelier and dream of a shower
Late breakfast
An actual proper buffet
Quiet and whispery - maybe six other guests
No 'buenos dias' here
Walked track at back of hotel
Met group of school children on a nature walk
They practised their English on us
They were very enthusiastic. It was already quite hot and their teachers looked grumpy. 
Went back to hotel (a novelty) and drank a coke with ice (holiday drink) and took bad picture of swallow on nest above my head.
Did some laundry and hung it below the chandelier. Didn't dare risk the prongs of the light.
Drove to a boardwalk not far away. Kentish Plover, Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Pallid Swift.
Horribly sand-blowingly windy
Annoying plump exercise walkers on boardwalk walking right through us.
Unfriendly
Drove further along the coast
Rusty wind turbines
Thick cloud
Glimpses of huge ships and Gibraltar
Not at all appealing
Larger version of Torquay-like area (with rusty wind turbines)
Dog woman moved in next door but one
Huge huge friendly dog
She was sat outside her room (grassy area) and the dog barked at her for ages and ages and ages. She took no notice.
I asked the 'doggy' what the matter was (hungry, lonely, walkies?) and was met with a growl from the woman. It was charging around. I suspect it wanted a friendly chat. I suspect it didn't get one.