A weekend apart

We've been quiet over the last week, which doesn't mean we've not been busy.

We started the week listing all the things we wanted to do and see before leaving this part of Spain. We've still got 6 weeks left here, but the time is flying past especially with so many Spanish holidays/fiestas leading up to Christmas and beyond.

We have also made some great friends here and so doing things all together is very pleasant, but finding days that we are all free (due to the extensive programme of activities we are all signed up for) is a bit of a mission. Then there are things like fitting the car in for a service, booking the dog into the vets for his annual vacinations, all the things which, no matter where you are, have to be seen to.

Amidst all this Peter got himself ready to fly back to the UK to visit his mum. It was a little more than a social as she is now no longer happy looking after herself - her brother who she has lived with for five years has been ill for some time and is now in hospital, which has left her on her own. He went back specifically to help her decide and choose a 'retirement home' to live in, which would still allow her to be close to her brother.

Peter had a very successful weekend with his mum, but was pleased to get back to the hotter climate over here rather than the wet, dark, cold weather of Devon.

Let's face it, one of the reasons we are doing this 'gap year' is to sample the climate of southern Europe.

We have met Brits over here who have sold up, or rented their property out, so they can travel all year round, and there we were thinking we were doing something unique!

It is fascinating talking to them though, they spend 3 months here over winter, possibly going home to see family in the UK for Christmas. Then disappear to somewhere like Cyprus for spring, going back to the UK for the summer months in a caravan, only to come back out here the following autumn.

Don't worry.......Peter and I have already decided that we definitely know we will be staying in the UK. This is just a wonderful opportunity which we are making the best of for this year....anyway we may have a wedding to come home for next December!

While Pete was in Devon, people couldn't have been kinder to me here. I was invited over for dinner from the couple opposite us, which started at 2.30 in the afternoon, till gone 8pm. I did pop back and feed the dog and walk him at 5-ish!

As I've already written, there are 14 units in our cul-de-sac, and I was inundated with well-wishers throughout the weekend. In fact the only time I had on my own was when I walked Benji or shut all the blinds and closed the door.

It's not only in our little street that everyone is so friendly. Everywhere you go on site you always get a greeting in some language or another, and there is always a lovely smile to go with it.

I don't know if the Spanish realise how lucky they are in this climate. OK, they haven't got rolling green fields, but to be able to live outside because it's warm enough, does mean there is more social activity between neighbours, whether you are in bricks and mortar or a less permanent dwelling. One of my favourite activities at home is doing the front garden, because you get to see people.

Although the days are longer here than at home it is still dark by 5.30 so we are looking forward to getting the shortest day over with and the days starting to get longer again.

We're still not sure how we are going to spend Christmas Day and New Years Eve. There are lots of different styles of celebration on offer in the local bars and restaurants but we may just do our own thing. Church followed by a picnic on the beach still seems favourite for the 25th.