Had a very relaxing time here in Alicante. We caught the train down from Barcelona which was very comfortable and a bit of a surprise. I had purchased the tickets back home and bought Tourist Preferente which meant 1st class sort of. Took our seats and not long into the ride they came along with OJ or water with some crackers. Not long after we were given a drinks menu which included wine, beer and spirits. With these drinks we were given 2 types of ½ sandwiches which were nice and fresh. We thought that was lunch. No, after leaving Valencia, we were given a lunch menu, again with your choice of drink. It was a 3 course meal - Gazpacho (cold tomato soup which tastes better then it sounds), Cous Cous Salad with chicken, fresh cheese, walnuts and dates followed by veal with vegetables. Oh, and fresh apple for dessert. Crazy. Needless to say we didn't need the dry baguette we had bought from the station in the morning.

Arriving into Alicante, I started to wonder if I had bought tickets to the wrong place as there were no signs of the ocean, it looked more like the desert. However, once we jumped in the taxi and were taken to the hotel, we soon found it. The hotel was lovely, our little splurge for the trip, mainly for the pool on the rooftop which we hoped to take full advantage of. Once settled in, I found out how to get to El Campello where we were going to meet others who had come for the wedding. It was about a 45min local bus trip away, my travel training from work came in very handy. We soon found it and it was great to see Andy and Kate and meet some of the others who were here for the wedding. Enjoyed some sangria's by the beach and a lovely seafood paella. We caught a taxi back to Alicante with another couple here for the wedding. Mum and I wandered down the night markets - 10pm, 11pm, midnight here is just like 6pm back at home. Nothing too it.

Tuesday was a very lazy day. After a nice sleep in, I popped up the road to pick up some pastries for brekky before we hit the beach for the day. Rented a couple of chairs and an umbrella for the day and we were set. Mum pretty much didn't move from her chair, except if it was to chase the shade, while I was in and out of the very warm, beautiful ocean. Perfect day to do nothing. Headed back to the hotel around 4pm and up to the hotel pool where mum finally got into the water. Beautiful spot with good views towards the cathedral and fort. Eventually we had to get ready to head to another pre wedding dinner, again in El Campello. We met the other couple and shared a taxi to the beautiful venue overlooking the marina. We had a very traditional english menu for dinner which was a surprise but again, nice to spend time getting to know other guests.

Wednesday was the day of the wedding but we weren't being picked up until 3.45pm so that meant a relaxing day by the pool today. We pretty much didn't move except to pop over the road to have some quick tapas for lunch before getting ready for the wedding. Beer was 60c a glass, tapas 90c each. Pretty good bargain. After getting ready, we walked over to the hotel where the bus was picking us up from. It was about an hour trip to the vineyard. As we got closer, the roads got narrower and all of a sudden we had stopped. There was a very steep ditch and the bus had bottomed out. He had taken a wrong turn and this was not the road for buses. We had to get off the bus until he figured out what to do. Eventually we were told to get back on board and he slowly reversed a couple of kms down the road until he hit the road he was meant to turn down. We eventually made it. Usually the bride is late, this time it was the groom!!

The wedding was at a vineyard called Bodegas Francisco Gomez. What a beautiful setting. Couldn't imagine it being so green out here. The chapel was almost like it was underground, in a very cool setting, surrounded by rocky walls. Beautiful. What an amazing wedding. After the ceremony, tapas served in the courtyard before we took our seats out on the beautiful patio and were served way too much food. It really was an amazing evening and we were so glad we were invited and were able to be part of a such a special day and evening. Soon the DJ was rocking the vineyard before the bus arrived about midnight to whisk us back to town (this time with no mishaps, just a toilet stop for a few along the side of the road).

Back in town around 1.45am and again, still so many people out, still eating and wandering around. I don't think we got to bed to about 2.30am so enjoyed the sleep in once again on Thursday. Not much for it but again to have a lazy day by the pool. I was booked in for a 50min massage at 4pm and mum had a complimentary 15min one which came with the room reservation. Althought nice and relaxed we thought we better go and see some of this town. Went for a wander though the old town, stopping for an icecream before visiting Catedral de San Nicolas. We caught the lift up to Castillo de Santa Barbara, a huge 16th century castle which had amazing views over the city. Much bigger then I thought it would be. Gave mum the choice and she chose to walk back down, a decision I think she soon regretted but she managed it.

We went for a walk to find somewhere nice to eat for dinner and came across Andy and Kate and another couple from the wedding so joined them for a drink and a final farewell which was nice. I think we eventually ate around midnight. Getting used to it now. Just not going to be so easy getting up in the morning for the bus to Granada since we still have to pack!!