Saturday 20 June 2015

W/e Saturday 20th June
What has this week been like? Well this week began with the first visitors - V's parents from the Czech Republic. It is good to see them but hard work as the only language they speak is obviously Czech, I can identify some words but have to have translation.They spent most of the morning on the beach and I only met up with them late afternoon for a drink.

Everywhere round here is beginning to look very dry and parched, I just pray that there are no fires. I don't think I have been so frightened as when we had the fires a few years ago. Two cats, one dog an myself spent the night on the beach. Just hope holiday makers realise the danger of disposing of cigarette ends and act responsibly when enjoying barbecues.

Noticed the difference in the amount of traffic on the beach road this morning the holiday season is starting. Possibly the Spanish children have finished school now.

Our exercise swimming class started on Tuesday morning, the water was a little cold but after a few minutes of jumping up and down the feeling of numbness ceased. This morning, Saturday, it felt a little warmer. Our group is called the 'Flutter kickers' and at least five of us have been attending well over 20 years. We used to meet at the Rambla bar pool then transferred to the Kimrick when the Rambla closed. Keeps our jaws fit as well as other parts!

Wednesday afternoon I go to a bar called the Loft, we call ourselves the WOW club (Women on Wednesday) apart from having a good natter and putting Mojacar to rights, we have a small raffle to support a local charity. Earlier this year we donated about 200€ to a club called Stepping Stones, this club was set up by a lady called Fanny Davies when she became a carer for her husband. It helps people who are carers and perhaps find they are isolated living in Spain. Here in Spain there is very little social funded care.

Thursday morning along with two other people I spent two and a half hours in a bank opening a bank account.When something like this happens I always think back to what my friends in the UK said to me - What will you do when you get fed up of sunbathing? I wish I only had time to sit around in the sun. I find here in Spain if you allocate one day to do one task and you complete the task then you have done well, complete two tasks and that is a miracle. Don't forget most offices, banks, post offices etc. only open in the mornings, so what doesn't get done in the morning well that's it until next day.

Tuesday's daily task was swimming and a visit to the doctors, yes two things in one morning - a miracle. I have been struggling with a painful hip for over two years and have already seen the orthopaedic consultant but he wouldn't operate until I had had another op. The last few months each movement has been so painful I had to do something, so have now been referred back to the consultant.

I am looking forward to a week tomorrow when my daughter comes for a visit, she is only here for five days going back Friday on an early morning flight, so will have to make the most of the visit, I know it will go so quickly. Hope the jelly fish will have disappeared from the sea by then. Must look out some good restaurants as well.

I am still crocheting the blanket squares and have at least 30 to crochet or sew together. I am still making 'the cross in your pocket' should have kept count of how many I have made altogether, must be 50 at least. Both these projects are so easy to do when I watch TV. 

No photos this week must remember to take my camera out with me, I do not have one of these posh iphones or whatever they call them.










Saturday 13 June 2015

Another month has flown by and we are now half way through June. What a hectic first half to the year it has been. I always find this time of the year very busy, so much to sort out before the heat of the summer arrives.
At the church AGM in April I was elected church warden so am now responsible for the fabric etc of the churches.

My car that I bought as a present for my 60th birthday was due its ITV (MOT) at the beginning of the month and glad to say it passed with flying colours. 
My 60th Birthday present to me
Summer is coming and I made the decision to have my hair cut ready for our water exercise class that begins on Tuesday. Friday I went and tried a new hairdresser  to see what could do about the colour, ( I had heard he was fantastic with colouring hair) he didn't disappoint and I like the new colour.

Last month I lost a dear friend Mike, we had had such good times together and he was my partner in crime when I was church warden many years ago. We had been on holidays together, Santiago, Barcelona, Seville - one memorable one was on the Loire canal, when only a couple of weeks previously I had broken my ankle, so was unable to do much jumping off the boat to man the locks, poor Audrey (his wife) had to open all the locks, as another friend who was with us fell in the canal and had to return home. He taught me about bullfighting and we attend many fights together. A service in celebration of his life took place in church and was attended by at least 180 people. RIP Mike you are no longer in God's waiting room as you used to say.

On the weekend of the 16th May we had a visit from the Suffragan Bishop of our Diocese he came to confirm two adult members of our congregation. On the Saturday we had a rehearsal in church, then a few members of the church council met informally with him and shared a buffet supper. It was gone 10.30pm by the time I arrived home, only to be up early next day for the confirmation service. At the beginning of the service the Bishop installed Pam and myself as church wardens, and as he said rightly so, as we are officers of the Bishop. A very busy weekend with mixed emotions.
Myself, Bishop David and Pam 

It is the Moors and Christians weekend here in Mojacar, the festivities started last night and end with the big parade on Sunday evening. I will not be going to see it as I have seen it more than a few times when my family are staying with me. Tomorrow from about midday all along the beach road there will be loud explosions from their blunderbusses (if that is the plural).

I really wanted to do some craft work but have only managed a few greeting cards, some cross in the pockets, and blanket squares for Africa over the past few months. If I carry on like this I will be gone to the craft room in the sky before I use 1/4 of my materials up! NB not to buy anything else craft wise.

Last Sunday I had an unwelcome visitor outside my front door - a rather large hissing snake, think he was the largest I've seen around here. He was caught on a brush handle and delivered back to the mountainside. Hope he does coming calling again.For the full video see my facebook page.

Hissing Sid

Looking forward to two weeks tomorrow when Sarah and Cameron are coming for a few days,they are not here for my birthday this year so will have to put my birthday meal on hold. Hope to go to the Brazilian restaurant again.

Have some good plants in the garden at the moment, must go and check on the cucumbers  and am waiting for the tomatoes to colour. The sunflower looks a little damp after the heavy rain we had this week.




Must away now and sample my gazpacho soup I made earlier.