the Pope - he leeeves - in alicante of all places!

Well here I am back in Alicante

This decision was a culmination of several events - not being able to get any more accommodation in Murcia as the uni medical school has hogged all the room for graduation, not being keen to have a 9 hour train ride on a tiny train to Bilbao, having eventually got advice from other cyclists that the hills are just too wearing unless you are training for tour de france/triathlon, and basically at the end of the day feeling like I had bitten off more than i could chew with the heat.

Again, whilst cycling today ended up in the desert at 42 degrees c....etc sodit im getting a train. I was tempted to get the train to Alicante, get to the airport and get the next flight home to do some serious mileage in an easier climate...but then I had one last go at finding somewhere nice to stay in Alicante.

I went from very depressed feeling like its no fun being on holiday on ones own, not speaking the language (although having learned the essentials such as wheres the loo, wheres the internet, does my arse look big in this etc), terribly missing previous holiday chums cos they´re either getting married and under the thumb or are ex´s. For those who received a despondent text, have no fear cos im here for a few more days at least.

Last time i was here i saw only a few main areas of alicante, this time i went to tourist information (I think the 500 gram lonely planet guide might ned up getting binned at this rate) and found the cheapest hostel in the arse end of the town...however it might seem a dank area, its got so many nooks and crannie and bars and cafe´s hidden away its a bit like the Medina in Marrakech.

I was greeted at the Pension Cathedral by a rather short bronzed septuagenarian man who had so many crucifixes around his neck and resembled Pope John Paul II so much I thought the man had in fact risen on the third day(ye gods remembering that appalling catholic Jesuit upbringing i had to endure)...aaaaaaanyway after him saying i couldnt possibly stay cos ihad a bike his not so sacred eyes lit up when i offered to pay the full 12 quid for a double room in order to keep the bike there! By the way this chap doesnt speak a word of english but understands a few words of greek and french plus sign language, we managed to muddle through...hurrah for opposable thumbs indeed! My room is clean, it has an amazing balcony (again) with a better view than the 5 star abode round the corner and is seated just above the casino, the internet cafe and best irish american bar ive been to.

Popping downstairs to have a quick caña (half pint) i met an american barmaid called megan and her aunt who is visiting. Incidentally she´s 21 shagging the 47 year iranian bar manager which her aunt is not meant to know and so between you guys, me and the lampost we shall have to treasure this dirty secret to the end of our days. Another incidentally as soon as the bar manager found out i was a doctor he asked why his viagra wasnt working on his 4 girlfriends - anyone with any (clean) suitable suggestions can send a postcard to Dirty Old Hamed, Austin Powers Bar, Plaza Mexico, Alicante etc.

In short my mood is much better and Im off down the beach tomorrow (34 km away so still cycling) as long as tonights revellery (or is it just revelry).

I shall leave you all for now and i hope you are all well. Take care

Love Jamie xx

PS starting to get a twinge in upper right four...i hope this isnt the start of a toothache as dentists here are all private:(