22 August 2026 Fuengirola: Off to Our AirBnB

 

We got a late checkout from the Leonardo but still had to store our bags because we could not get into the ?AirBnB until 4.  So we walked along the promenade, poked our heads into a few shops and then called an extra large uber to take us over.  The driver was not be best and he dropped us off a block and a half away from the stay.  We managed to wheel all the bags to the door and waited for someone to greet us and give us the keys to the apartment.  At 4:10 we started contacting the  host.  After 5 or 6 phone  calls, wattsapp messages and texts we were finally in the apartment.  There were also issues with this apartment, scratched pans, a frost filled freezer, so  ice caked that the freezer door would not close, a kitchen faucet attached with string and a plastic bag.  Definitely not a good start!

The dog's balls!

A funky outdoor seating area

The beaches are packed!

A sea of color

https://youtube.com/shorts/qRfRCFWKSAA

Stopping in for lunch

Weapons of war!

War dog

Is this overloaded?

So many people named Sandy

Spainards may recognize these folks but we do not

Fantastic tile work everywhere

Little boat shaped grills

cooking sardines

Our lady of the sea

The runner

21 August 2026 Fuengirola: Back at the Leonardo

 

We arrived at the Leonardo around 10 AM and got into our room.  The two main problems with this room were there was only one bed and the AC was not working. As these issues were major issues we went downstairs multiple times to try to get this fixed. The maintenance crew came up and determined the thermostat was not working and they promptly left.  They said we probably would 3 or soo before a room would be available.  We both took showers and laid on the bed to try to cool off.  Luckily the front desk called around 12:30 and a new room was available.  It took a whjile to roll everything to the new room but this one was facing the water and had a balcony so we were happy. 

Outside the window we can see the harbor and this rowboat is heading out

Lots of folks in the water

One big raft

Is this the gin cruise?

Yes, please

Old Mr. Yellow legs

Jets skis 

Such a beautiful day

Fishing fleet returns

Pizza dinner

As it cools down we see the horse drawn carriages emerge

This long day is coming to a close

The mountains in the distance towards Malaga

Time to head back and get some more sleep

 It has been 4 years and 71 days since we began our Migration

20-21 August 2026 Orlando - Fuengirola: Back in the Front of the Plane

 

We spent a few days finishing the final pack.  How we obtained so much more stuff is a mystery.  We drove over to the various family to say our final goodbyes and then loaded everything up in our car service and took off for Orlando Airport.  Here we spent the night in the Airport Marriott as our flight was relatively early.  The night in the hotel was good and we were ready in the morning.  Next stop was Newark NJ.  We had a 5 hour layover so we walked a bit, hit the lounge and then walked a bit more.  It went quickly and once we were on the plane it really hit us that we were heading back out and rejoining our migratory ways.  The plane boarded, we were pushing back when the rain started.  By the time we were out of the gate zone the attendant that was signaling us with her red batons was soaking wet!  We had to wait for the rain to stop but once the runways were open we the first to take off!  The flight crew head was taking care of us and as it turned out he is living in the Coast del Sol!  Leslie's seat was wonky and my video screen had to be restarted four or five  times.  We were each rewarded with 7,500 United points.  We breezed through immigration, got our passports stamped (as was required to prove our entry into Spain), and then got our luggage.  Leslie's big bag lost its cover and straps, but otherwise our bags fared pretty well.  

A new counter on my phone, counting up from when we we got back to traveling

Staying in the Orlando Airport, lots of aviation themed items

Looking into the terminal from the hotel

It is pretty big

Time to fly out of here

We were able to get one og the hotel staff to wheel our bags all the way to the counter

We really bonded with Lorena the attendant in the lounge

Today we fly united

In Newark, we had some time to spare so we ventured afield

The city off in the distance

We took that left turn when entering the plane and the pampering began right away

Individualized monitor that went wonky mid flight

Spain, here we come!

 It has been 4 years and 71 days since we began our Migration

16 August 2026 Sanford: Returning the Car to Ken

 

We had to get the car back Ken who lives in Jacksonville.  That was too far to drive straight from Hollywood so we drove to Sanford on Sunday and then I left at the crack of dawn on Monday to get to Jacksonville.  Ken had a 3 PM Doctor's appointment so I needed to get up there in time for him to drive back south, drop me off and then return to Jax in time for his appointment.  Fresh from my 1000th bird, I decided to swing by the New Smyrna Beach Dunes Park for some sunrise birding.  It was easy enough to get there but it was a very popular place for sunrise exercising.  Lots of joggers and even bicyclists were on the beach with me so fewer birds decided to join us. It was great place to stretch out my legs but not so fantastic for birds. I left there and got on the highway straight to Jacksonville.  I picked up Ken, we stopped for coffee and Ken immediately spilled his thick black coffee all over himself.  No problems, we continued south, back to Sanford.  

The early bird gets the top of the tree

Here comes the sun

All big and orange

This frog is up early too

How long until it is too hot?

Ride Sally ride

Popsicle sun

Watch your step

A lone egret

Lots of egrets to join in

Sanderling zipping along

A semipalmated plover

Move over Mr. Plover

Getting a tan

There are shure lots of shore birds

A pretty sunset

Terns hanging out

A Royal Tern

A yellow crowned night heron

The lighthouse across the inlet

Looking for a make in all the wrong places

Heading back over to the mainland

In Ken's yard a tuffted titmouse

Im my cup a hot cuppa macha

An oddly shaped truck

Watertower ready for launch

Back in Sanford for a swarm of swallows

      

 It has been 4 years and 65 days since we began our Migration