Happy new year

I hope everyone had a lovely time Christmas, and Santa brought you everything you wanted.

Our Christmas day this year was on Christmas Eve.

Rebecca had been working five straight days but had the 23rd off, returning to work on the 26th.

Spanish traditions are different and they really celebrate for Three Kings 5/6th January.

It is always difficult when you need to split the festivities between two families, so this year Rebecca and I decided that we would ´do´ Christmas eve and they would stay overnight, leaving them to visit Antoni´s family on the day.

It worked out very well, albeit a little strange as we felt we were one day out for the rest of the week.

Christmas day we joined the neighbours for a drink at one of our local restaurants, we were going to stay for lunch (normal day as far as the Spanish were concerned) but still felt so awful from this bug, we changed our minds.

Yesterday was so mild, we reached 22C it was lovely to sit in the Naya enjoying the sunshine. Then I got itchy feet and decided to tackle the rose bed, it was piled high with debris from our high winds the other day, amazing how far the fig leaves etc travel, including four basket loads retrieved from the pool, the roses were in dire need of a good pruning. I tend to forget that everything is done earlier than the UK.

It looks so much better and just to make me smile one bush even had these

Three lovely flower buds.

Daniel, Shine and the girls flew out from Heathrow on the 29th for a month in the Phillipines.

Visiting Shine´s family and just relaxing

Wishing you all the best for 2018 with lots of love, health happiness and energy

Thank you for visiting my blog and ramblings this year, I really appreciate it

Happy New Year

take care

xcx

Happy christmas

Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas

Enjoy the festivities

take care

xcx

When life gives you oranges

Yesterday we ventured out into town to collect the post and a few necessities.

It still makes me smile after all these years of being here, when I see orange trees laden with fruit lining the streets of the towns.

It is a sort of surreal feeling but feels very festive somehow.

This bug seems to have depleted all our energy and we were both absolutely shattered by the time we got home. Little by little!

On both of my flights to the Uk, I had a window seat and was able to get a couple of good photos

The first one is going over our Sierra Bernia mountain range, you can also see Calpe rock

The second is over Benidorm

The return flight was rather bumpy with seat belt restrictions most of the way, items even flew off the trays unless you held on tight. It was good to land!

Have a good day

take care

xcx

Exeter trip

I decided to go to the Uk, to visit Daniel and the girls. I was only going for a week, but was persuaded to stay for two. The weather was Cold but at least some days were dry and even saw a few blue (ish) skies.

I was able to see Leocia´s first nativity play and then join in a play afternoon with Maia at her nursery. I was definitely on Grandma duty, looking after the girls whilst parents went to work and even for them to have a rare night out with their friends.

One of the high lights was a steam train journey from Paignton, Devon to Kingswear near Dartmouth. It was so well produced with signs along the route for the children to spot and a cast of actors performing Sleeping Beauty. The characters went along the whole train in each carriage to deliver the story and on the return journey Santa arrived in our carriage with some excellent presents.  We even had mulled wine and mince pies to enjoy. 

I have visited these places before but never on the train, the scenery was lovely, especially going into Kingswear along the estuary. Brought back so many memories.

I had a day in Exeter to myself and enjoyed meandering along, collecting a few presents along the way and then enjoying a lovely vegetarian lunch at our favorite Herbies.

I was allowed a generous 23kg luggage allowance and I have to say that every bit of it was used up!

Apart from knitting a new dress for rabbit, there was no time for crafting, or sitting down much for that matter. You forget the constant demand for attention or emptying potties and the next meal, or even the swaying cuddles trying to get a fractious toddler off to sleep.

Everyone was just getting over colds when I arrived so it was little surprise I had a mild dose of one, but on my return I caught a virulent cold that has been going around all the neighbours, including Chris, absolutely awful, thumping headaches and sinuses and hacking cough to boot. It has absolutely knocked me for six, so glad I had organised most of the presents already. Taking life very easy at the moment.

I took advantage of Daniel´s Amazon prime whilst there and it certainly made pressie shopping much easier.

Before the train trip

 Exeter cathedral

 I decided to give my pressies to the girls so I could enjoy the fun of them opening them.

Here is the little elephant I made for Maia

 Love the little tail

I bought the pattern from Little Cotton Rabbits and have to say the instructions were excellent, very clear with total count down of stitches throughout. I have one for a rabbit too.

Maia was so sweet, walking round with elephant tucked under her neck giving it little kisses.

The other gifts were well received too.

  

Think I need a hot lemon and honey, catch up soon

take care

xcx