Friends Visit

Hi everyone, i say everyone but might only be me and graham reading this...hi graham....

We have just had a fantastic week with our friends Steve and Vince who came over for a week and went home on Saturday 24th.

They arrived on the 17th and I drove to San Javier airport to pick them up, the journey went well except going round the usual roundabout twice...it is always the same one that catches me out...i will learn.
We had a great week sightseeing and going to the beach, the weather was lovely apart from the Friday night when it rained, fortunately we had just finished eating our supper outside in time.

The highlights of the week for me and I think everyone else were the visit to Aledo ( and the Monestry ) and the views from the Statue Of Christ breathtaking.

On the Sunday we went to a local bar in El Saladillo to watch the Spanish horses dancing and me being the soft git that I am ended up with a tear in my eye when they danced to a Spanish version of My Way..a great lunchtine out and its free apart from buying the drinks of course, Vince had the largest Vodka I have ever seen poured.

The beach at Bolneuvo was a hit with the guys and the water was still plenty warm enough to enjoy swimming in, we met a lovely American lady who called Vince a "Floater" because of the way he was floating on his back in the water, sadly the word "FLOATER" does not translate so well in the UK....

We have brought some lovely outside oil candles to burn around the dining area which also help keep the mosquitos at bay, but these were bought after Vince had been bitten a few times...told him he should have worn long trousers, a parka coat and balaclava....so its his own fault really !!!!!
The garden is really starting to take shape and I love the fact that you can grow exotic plants outside rather then your standard Geraniums or Marrigolds...The Guys bought us a beautiful Bird Of Paradise which is fantastic.
We discovered a really quaint little bar called La Jardin which is very quirky and the gardens are planted very heavily and all the walls just covered in "bits" ...plates, bottles, parrots and even a sewing machine hanging..all sounds very bizzare but it is fantastic.
Steve and Vince stayed in the room at the top of the house which I think they liked as it gave them their own sun terrace and they went home with fantastic tans...did'nt like to ask if it was all over..
Very sad saying good-bye to them at the airport and it has taken me a couple of days to get back into a routine as the house seemed so quiet..the week spent with them made us feel like we were on holiday as well.
My sister and 3 freinds are coming out in 2 weeks time so that is something to look forward to and we have booked to go to the Benidorm Palace on the Friday night by limousine....can't wait..hope we bump into Madge !!!
We were woken up early Sunday morning by an earthquake which made me jump out of bed as the house shook and the windows rattled, Ralph was not impressed, did'nt know what was happening, it was all over very quickly but then we had a second one an hour later..they were a 3.1 and 2.6 about 5 miles away from us, fortunately no damage was done.

So life is now all back to normal and we are both still loving it, the dogs seem to like it even more now that we are having cooler evening ( still not had a window shut though ) still in the 20's at night and high 20's in the daytime...tough life !!!

love to all
xxx

Mum & Dads Visit

Hi Everyone

Mum and Dad have been out for 8 days and went home last Thursday so this blog is dedicated to their trip and all the things we done whilst they were here.

Wednesday 31st August
Mum and Dad arrived at 3.30 pm, Graham and I were so excited it was making our tummy's churn, waiting at the Arrivals gate was really emotional because people coming through were coming out to visit relatives and there were alot of tears flowing...it was nearly enough to start me off even before they got through. We saw Mum first waiting by the luggage carousel and I thought she may run straight through and leave Dad waiting for the suitcase..but she remind in control. We could not believe they were here, never thought we would be seeing them so soon..yahoo

We arrived at the house and the Dogs were really excited to see Granny and Grandpa, they said the house was so much nicer than they even imagined and even better than the photographs we had sent through.
That evening we had a meal outside in the garden and a view glasses of wine and plenty of time to catch up on the news from Eastbourne etc.
The following day we went to la Hoyaz where there is the most beautiful bar set up on a hill overlooking the whole bay and across to Mazarron, the views are spectacular and you feel like you could be anywhere in the world it is so tranquil.
Oh I forgot to say after living here now for over 2 months and just wall to wall sunshine we had a storm last night, could not believe it first night of parents visit and we end up with thunder and lightening...typical eh !
Friday Graham went to do his days work at the charity shop so I took Mum and Dad up to see the Monastry in Elado....not sure whether to write this or not....but it was lassoing it down with rain, it was like a red river running down the mountain side as we are trying to drive up it...all a bit worrying..could not believe it...we carried on and when we got to the top the weather did ease a bit and we went inside the beautiful chapel there and then in the Hotel for coffee, due to the weather we could not walk round the gardens but it was a lovely day all the same.
Saturday the weather was all back to normal and we went off to the beach, persuaded Mum to don her swimming costume and we all went swimming, fantastic.
In the evening we went to a local Market to get some bread and fruit and veg etc.

Sunday and it was round to our friends Mike and Gareth for morning coffee which turned into Gin o Clock...parents think they are two wonderful guys and I think Mum wants to adopt Gareth.

Monday it was another day at the beach and a fantastic Tapas lunch in the port of Mazarron.

Tuesday we went to Totana for morning coffee and "Tostada Con Tomat " which they loved and then in the evening Gareth and Mike came round for a few drinks !!! They left at 1.15 and cannot remember much about the night.....

Wednesday it was a relaxing morning at the beach and lunch at La Pena which is a restaurant which Graham and I first went to when we were out here house hunting.

Thursday...local Market at Camposol and then it was time to pack the cases....saying that most things have been left here as they have booked to come back again in January....we must have got it right I guess

Saying goodbye at the Airport was horrible and was far worse than saying goodbye when we left to move out here...really strange..
We had the best week ever and I miss having Dad on the dog walking with us, mind you I am sure he will be glad he missed the snake that Travis and I came across on Sunday night...how come people have lived here for years and never seen a snake and I have been here 2 months and seen 2 already ?

Mum and Dad bought us a Lemon and Orange tree which we have planted up in lovely terracotta pots and they are sitting either front of the main steps leading up to the house they are called Peter ( the lemon tree ) and Gill ( the orange tree ), Peter could do with growing a bit quicker as Gill may fruit first !!!!
It all seems very quiet here now and life is returning to it's old routine...Graham has caught up with Hollyoaks and Emmerdale is being viewed once again.

We also now have Spanish television so are trying to make sense of what is being said !!!

Still loving our lives and look forward to our next visitors who arrive on Saturday ( Steve and Vince )

I shall waffle again soon

Lots of Love

Xxx