BERJAYA

Animalcouriers stayed the night in Alcacer do Sal in Portugal, where we were lucky enough to get a bargain rate at the local pousada. Portuguese pousadas are similar to Spain’s paradors and, like the paradors, many are ancient buildings which have been sympathetically restored.

Our accommodation in Alcacer do Sal — a 15th century former monastery

Two characters wondering if there was room in our van!

A very seasonal image on the side of the chapel

Santa on his rounds

We collected lovely black cat Babi from Ana’s mum, who’s been looking after Babi since Ana relocated to the UK. Now that Ana has found a home and settled in, it’s time for Babi to join her.

Ana’s sweet black cat Babi

In the Algarve we met up with Sam, his neighbour Charlie, and Sam’s bearded dragon Jon Jon. Sam and Jon Jon are heading home to Essex for Christmas, and will then travel back to Portugal in March, in time for the start of the surfing season.

Sam (L) and his neighbour Charlie

Handsome Jon Jon is very low maintenance — his favourite foods are worms and rocket

We stopped for elevenses and couldn’t resist a traditional Portuguese custard tart

Next stop was to reunite gorgeous cat Mia with Angela and her husband in the Cadiz area.

Mia started meowing with pleasure as soon as she heard familiar voices

Such a happy reunion

We have double luck on this trip as we now have two black cats on board! In Malaga we met up with Allen who’s travelling with us to Brentwood.

Slinky Allen, getting nicely settled in

Gorgeous hound Rubia is travelling to the UK with feline chum Floyd, who is devoted to Rubia.

Floyd would like to have shared a bedroom with Rubia

Rubia enjoying an early walk in the morning sunshine

Even Jon Jon got to enjoy the sun — we left the van door open while dog walking, so that he could feel the warmth on his face

We couldn’t drive past Nerja without popping in to see Oscar (and John and Margaret). Oscar was so excited, bouncing and running around. We were glad to see him in such good form, as he’s just got over a nasty time with a tumour in his paw.

We met New Zealanders Mike and Joy with their lovely young dog Lolita in La Herradura. With family and grandchildren beckoning, they’re heading back to their homeland. Lolita is going to board at partner kennels near us until early February, so that we can oversee the preliminary tests and treatments required for dogs to enter New Zealand. Mike and Joy are taking advantage of a dog-free time to visit places in Europe they want to see, before they fly off.

Joy, Lolita and Mike on a wonderfully sunny beach near their Spanish home

Rubia also enjoyed that sunny beach

After breakfasting with a fine view of Gibraltar yesterday, Animalcouriers set off through Spain to collect our UK-bound passengers.

First up was Rikki, a slinky black cat from Sotogrande. Pippa and her husband are going back to the UK. Concerned that this gentle ‘wuss’ of the cat world would be disrupted by the kerfuffle of the move, they’ve arranged for him to go on ahead to stay with Pippa’s sister in Hampshire until their new UK home is ready for him.

Then it was Arfa’s turn. This lovely Staffie is one of our regular passengers. He takes his trips to and from Spain very seriously and has told his owner, Matt, it’s Animalcouriers or he won’t budge! Arfa’s grandparents brought him to us at our regular rendezvous spot outside Aldi. Arfa’s usual compartment was ready and waiting for him, so in he hopped, stopping for a drink of water before lying down for a snooze.

From there we went to pick up Tommy, whose owner Nick had to go back to the UK before Tommy’s passport was ready. So Tommy’s been staying with Sarah and Eliane at La Residencia Canina. We’ve been calling here for more years than we can remember, and it’s a very caring environment for dogs and cats. Tommy is one of four cats whose owners moved away, leaving two behind. Clever Tommy attached himself to Nick and is now off to join him in Devon.

Our next collection was Great Dane puppy Fina in Almeria, who belongs to Perry. Fina has been staying with another old friend of ours, Joan, until she was old enough to get a pet passport and travel to the UK to join Perry.

We then drove on to meet Mateo, who came to settle Almona’s two young cats, Tigre and Hippi, into their travel compartment. Almona and Mateo had four kittens between them but have now split up. Mateo is keeping two, and Almona is taking two with her to the UK.

Our final collection last night took us to Javea to meet a bearded dragon called Dexter who belongs to Marijke’s son. They were struggling to find a way to get Dexter to the UK — until they found Animalcouriers. Marijke brought Dexter to us at our hotel with a supply of chopped veg and live worms which are apparently his favourite.

We stayed last night at the wonderful Hotel Palau Verd, in Denia — a tranquil setting where we and the pets all felt very welcome. We somehow managed to drag ourselves away this morning to meet Belgian Shepherd Duchess and Newfoundland Maisie. These two gentle giants belonged to Billy’s mum, who sadly died a little while ago. Louisa has been taking care of them until they could travel to the UK where they will have a new home with family members.

Pippa brought Rikki to us so she could settle him in for the journey. Here they are having a final cuddle…

…and a goodbye chat

Arfa! We are flattered he likes travelling with us so much

Arfa with his grandparents. Check out that blue, blue Spanish sky!

Sarah with Tommy

Tommy settles in for the trip — we can see why Nick fell for this handsome fellow

We were keenly observed by this black-and-white cat while collecting Tommy. Sarah told us he’s one of several ‘resident’ cats who’ve been neutered but can’t be handled. So Sarah and Eliane keep an eye on them and feed them.

Bargain bags of golf balls for sale

Joan with young Fina

Fina is wearing a cone because she has a cut on her elbow which has been treated and stitched.

Mateo says a very fond farewell to Hippi who is travelling to the UK with Tigre

Tigre, Hippi’s travelling companion

Marijke says goodbye to bearded dragon Dexter

Courier M with our host Tony at the Hotel Palau Verd in Denia

The atmosphere at the hotel was truly peaceful and the food was excellent — lots of local produce, including locally sourced, sustainable fish; and one of the best tiramisus courier M has ever tasted

These bright green tiles must have something to do with the name of the hotel

Arfa found it a very relaxing environment

Courier M checking Fina’s cut

Louisa saying goodbye to Maisie and Duchess — she says she’ll miss looking after them

Maisie on board

Duchess gives us a grin

Mount Montgo, also known as elephant mountain — because it’s said to resemble an elephant’s head — overlooking Jesus Pobre and the surrounding region in Alicante