Good afternoon everyone, we hope you are all keeping well and that life is treating you kind.

I realise I have not written on here for some time and I apologise, to some it may even be a blessing !!!!! But I am back.....so in the words of Miranda's mum "bear with " ( my favourite comedy programme of all time )

What has been happening with us......the house is virtually finished to our ( Grahams standards ) , just the last bit of painting to do on the outside..just tarting up the bannisters etc and the last few things to get before we have any visitors, bedding, towels and odd things like that.

We have started going out and about a bit more, we have now been to Alahama and to a Market at Polaris World ( not a place I would choose to live, all the houses looked like boxes ), we have driven round a few country lanes and through villages I cannot remember the names of and had a few coffees out.
We did discover some fantastic pottery factories along one of these country lanes and cannot believe how cheap the terracotta pots were, it felt rude not to buy some so our seating area outside is gradually being taken over with the plants in their lovely ( cheap ) pots.
The thing I am finding strangest about living in Spain is just how friendly everyone is and how they have the time to chat or help in anyway they can...a few examples....
The car had to go to Lorca to get a new ITV ( the equivalent of an MOT ) and the man from the garage where we bought the car gave up his afternoon off to take me and show me the way and the procedure with which it is done...I offered him 30 euros but he wouldn't take it and said his philosophy is that one day he may need help and guidance....I was so grateful he was there as over here for the ITV you stay in the car whilst it all happens...you join a queue and that get told to put lights on, test breaks, indicators etc etc...all very confusing above the noise of the engines and the language barrier.
Another example I was walking Basil ( the Scottish terrier ) last night and some people were sat outside the front of their house, I said good evening and ended up having wine with them...never met them before in my life...seems to be a good thing walking basil at night as also a few days ago I left at 1030 for his night time wee and ended up coming home at 1230 after a bottle of Rose wine with neighbours.....
But dog walking does have it's downside as well as the morning the day before yesterday we were walking along the road and then to my horror I saw Travis ( the poodle ) had dis front foot in the middle of a snake that was curled up...I think you probably heard me yell in the UK as I just yanked him as fast and hard as I could, thank god the snake didn't bite him which was my biggest fear, it just wound it's say off along the road. It was about 18" long and has made me very aware of where mine and the dogs feet are treading now.

I have also joined a local walking group and go off with upto 20 other people every Thursday morning at a ridiculous time in the morning , we meet at 0650....but saying that by the time we have done our walk it is sweltering, I joined as a way of getting to meet other people as well as he exercise.

We had some friends round for drinks the week before last and I have to say I think that was really the turning point in my head when I thought how lucky we are to be living here, sitting outside at 1130 at night in the warm and so many stresses of living taken away from us.
If someone asked me at this present time would I return to the UK the answer would be no although I miss family and friends the quality of our lives here is fantastic, I feel very honoured and lucky to be living this dream.

Mum and Dad are coming out for 8 days at the end of August which we are both really looking forward to..hence the exploring of the surrounding areas to find some nice places to take them.



The dogs are doing fantastically and really settling in well and getting into a good routine, Ralph is definitely a morning dog when it is at it's coolest...the daytime temperatures over the last couple of days have gone into the 40's, I got so hot yesterday the Graham just poured a watering can from the outside tap to cool me down but all that happened was I just steamed....

Hope this has brought you all up to date a little

Send you all our love

Barry & Graham
Plus the Boys
Xxx