Christmas Decorations

For the first time I'vegot the point of poinsettias - they look lovely when they are planted - will take a photo of the roundabouts next time i'm up there and its not raining- yes, I'm sharing your pain just that I'm sitting watching the sea and its still magical. Shortest day today so from tomorrow we're on the road to Spring - hurrah!

Christmas celebrations have started in earnest here- there's been a carol concert in the local hall - all very jolly with  guitars, castanets and most people singing the same tune - great fun especially jingle bells in Spanish. Tomorrow there's a band concert in the church, think I'll sit at the back just in case they're not over rehearsed.

Have met a new friend- Dermot , no prizes for guessing nationality - hes lived here for 11 years, very taken with Betsy and has done loads of travelling- walked the camino earlier this year, so lots to talk about. He knows lots of local bars so have had a couple of good evenings out in the tapas bars in Garrucha. He's joining Sherry and I on our trip out to Capa de Gata on Christmas Day so that will be fun. Had Betsy serviced this week as she had a bit of an oil leak so shes raring to go. Have been asked about Kye- hes really well- having a new lease of life as no sign of any arthritis- running and jumping on the beach every day and raring to go - had forgotten just how lively he can be - did his old trick of running off with Jills jacket when she and Jenni came for lunch and had his head in their handbags - all those endearing tricks of his that most of you will have had to contend with!

Think thats all for now - oh, great, the rains stopped so think I'll have lunch on the balcony.

Bye for now, happy holidays

The Village

The Lovely Lynne

 Here we are sitting in a cafe in Mojacar Pueblo - the old town also known as the village. You can see the views- they are amazing. This was the last evening before she and Tony returned to the UK for a few weeks - neither of us had enough clothes on cause we had been fooled by the blue skies.

Winter has arrived - some days are glorious but it is really weird- like living in two totally different climates - by about 11am the sun has some heat in it and in the afternoon I can be sitting on the balcony in a sleeveless t shirt and cut offs then by 4,30pm the layers start and by 5.30 its thermals, fleeces, socks and sitting under blankets - mind you I'm not complaining. Just that the temperature drop took me by surprise but now I have invested in a gas heater and hit the charity shops for warm clothes all is well. Will know for next year.

Life is settling into a sort of routine, I won't go into details because I still want to have friends when I return to the UK - favourite day is Wednesday cause thats market day in the village - its very small compared to Garrucha - next town along the coast, but I am very fond of it- have found a couple of ladies who bring their homegrown produce - no more expensive than the other stalls, so as with all homegrown veges it is so much tastier. They also have sausage, their own dried herbs, beans, sun dried and salted tomatoes, soap- you get the idea. They are also very tolerant of my halting Spanish.

Sadly its not even as good as my 'Allo Allo' French. I go to Spanish class every week but I have very little opportunity to practice so of course it wont improve but I can read and understand quite a bit so thats good.

Days do tend to run into each other, like being on an etended holiday, so I am having difficulty realising that Christmas is less than two weeks away. Its very low key here which suits me down to the ground as you will all know. There are some nice street decorations and a nativity scene in the village but apart from that nothing much else unless of course you go into the English bars and restaurants where the obligatory tinsel and balls, santas and fake christmas tree are displayed - say no more.

The important days for the Spanish are Christmas Eve and Epiphany when they celebrate the 3 Kings arriving- thats when the children receive their gifts. The other celebration is New Year of course when the tradition is that you eat 12 grapes- one with each chime- if you manage it means you will have a successful year. Guess one of the keys is to make sure the grapes are seedless - otherwise you may not make it to the 1st!
My plan for the day itself is to pack a picnic and head off in Betsy to the Capo Di Gata which is about an hour away- its a national park with an amazing coastline- a friend Sherry and her lovely dog will be coming along too.

So, as I don't have a postal address I will assume all your good wishes. And I would like to wish you all a Feliz Navidad - hope it is stress free and joyous.
Bye for now 

Part 2

 Sorry this isnt a great picture but have been asked for other photos of the house and this is the best I have got. Hope you get the idea.
Now, where was I? This area is a real mixture of expat land and authentic Spain, no prizes for guessing which bit interests me the most but it is convenient to be able to speak English whilst I'm learning Spanish. And sadly I have to admit that it is true that it is harder to remember the older we get- can recognise words and their translations but when it comes to actually using them- well I know they're in there somewhere. Going to spanish classes once a week and practising when I go shopping- Lynne was very good and made me speak instead of asking her, did nearly get myself into trouble at the market as the word for enough is bastanta and I keep saying bastarda! so a tip is to think of asti spumante but of course thats what  I end up saying which causes even more confusion but at least I wont get a black eye!

Now, I am being asked about the weather and I remember the grief I got from so called friends when I told you about it last year so this time please be kinder. The days are lovely - the sun is shining the majority of the day and out of the wind it can get very hot however there is normally a strong wind in the mornings and the temperature does drop very suddenly when the sun goes down and boy then it does feel cold. The spanish are walking round in coats and scarves and boots and I'm in short sleeved t shirt and cut offs on the beach.  I hate to say but it is fab- the sea is a stunning colour and the sky is blue. However cold weather is on the way, there has already been snow in Alicante just up the coast, and the houses aren't built for it with marble floors and no insulation so its up to the market to buy sweaters and get the rugs out - but as most of you know I am a hardy soul having  lived at the farm for 10years without heating.

Think thats probably enough for today - may be outstaying my welcome at the bar cause i've been using their wifi for ages now- internet at home not an option because my little laptop runs too slowly but can get my emails so its not really an issue.

So, hope all is well with everyone, will talk again soon.

At Last!

 Sorry its taken so long to post a message, hope it will be worth waiting for. My first week in the house flew by getting organised and unpacking Betsy- hadnt realised how much i hd managed to get into her and its lovely casue ive got some of my favourite things around me so it really feels like home. The house needed a bit of caring for as well because its not been rented out very much and the owner hasnt been for a few years so lots of old papers etc needed to be cleared away. And then of course needed to get ready for my first visitor- Irene arrived in week two laden down like a packhorse with bits for me,I think everyday she got a new request including tealights (hugely expensive here) vintage cheddar cheese -so do be prepared if you are planning a trip. We had a lovely few days finding new places to go and the weather was goregous. And talk of a smal world- we went to one of the beach bars and bumped into two friends of mine from Cuckfield - Sue and Andrew Ponsford who were down here in their camper van! (They were the people who very kindly let me house sit while they were away in Feb) They were back in town this week so spent a really enjoyable lunch together.
(Part 2 with next photo- this is Irene on beach early morning)

view the other way

Moving Day!!

 !st November and the start of  a new chapter in my life.
My new home is the third on the left with the clear view of the pool and stunning views of the sea, which is only 6 mins walk. Two bedrooms so lots of space for visitors, nearest airport is Almeria.

Its a really peacefull little community with a few residents- so far have met one English lady, a Spanish couple, an other Spanish chap and my neighbours are an Italian couple with their daughter who is Spanish so it will be a lovely mix.

Right- must away and do my packing - huge thanks to Lynne and Tony who have opened their home and their hearts to Kye and I, without them this wouldn't have happened. Will be back when I've got my internet sorted, till then, hasta luego.
Jx