New tyres AND new phone

Got the tyres changed, and now realise I should have done it months ago - amazed at how much better the car drives, most likely because they were out of balance besides being worn ...... whoops...... I really do take my little car for granted far too much.

Because of an assumed holiday on Monday I had to have the work done on Tuesday so rather than make two journeys to Moraira in two days I missed out on Monday lunch with the girls. (And the 'holiday' Monday was a typically British one - wet, windy and miserable!). However on Wednesday I had to go back to Moraira yet again - this time to buy a new mobile. My lovely old one, a Nokia 6085, suddenly went blank on me while I was reading a text from Sara. Problems with either my computer or my mobile always send me into meltdown - I can't do without either! (Get a life, woman!). I wanted a flip phone, like the 6085, but all the shop had to offer was a miserable little Alcatel thing - it looked and felt flimsy and cheap though it was a pretty shade of pink...... So I asked to see whatever they'd got in a slide, preferably Nokia. This is what I ended up with:Nokia Navigator 6210 - far more features than I either need or want and some really useful ones from the 6085 aren't available on this one. Expect I'll get used to it in time.... Credit card took another battering ....... I'M SICK OF HAVING TO SPEND MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Had a lovely lunch with the girls today and BRENDA IS BACK! Brenda went back to the UK in July last year after being diagnosed with breast cancer, which spread rapidly to her organs and bones. We truly did not expect her to make it to Christmas. However, she is one determined lady and after chemo and radiotherapy she is now on Herceptin and looking bloody fantastic! Brenda has always been the most glamourous of us by a mile and nothing has changed. She has a beautiful wig, very natural and very Brenda and is as cheerful and as positive as anyone I've ever known. It was just so good to see her again, none of us thought for a second we'd ever again be sitting outside having lunch at La Boheme just as we did a year ago. She's here with her daughter and son in law preparing her house to put it on the market. They go home on Friday and I doubt I will see her again before she returns to the UK, though the rest of the group are meeting on Wednesday evening for a meal. I'd like to go but the drive back through the mountains is not good at night.

That's it for now, have a good week!

Of cars, cats and happy days....

Well that resolve didn't last long did it? Where did April go......

A couple of weeks ago I learned (as if I didn't already know) how important my dear little car is. It broke down, just died on me and refused to start again, in the middle of the village and all but snarled the streets up. The village is small and it doesn't take much, since the streets are mostly one car width.... I did manage to get it into a parking spot so all was well - with the rest of the traffic. In Spain you are not allowed to do your own car repairs on the highway. You have to call a grua (towing service) and this is included in your car insurance. The grua will tow you to a garage of your choice, your home or wherever you wish. I chose to have it brought back home as I wanted a mobile mechanic to look at it and tell me what was wrong before I decided where to take it.

It happened on a Friday and fortunately I didn't need the car over the weekend and it was Monday before I got someone to look at it. Turned out it was the battery, though it wasn't clear from the warning lights or anything else - in fact, I think the battery light was the only one that DIDN'T come on. I had it taken to BusyBees in Benissa and collected it the following day - battery, auxiliary belt etc. etc. and I'm €250 poorer. Next week it goes in for two new tyres .......



Cats ..... I am not a cat person but I have to share the house not only with Nick but these two as well ...

The ginger one is the mother, known as GoodCat. The other one is the daughter, hitherto known as BadCat but now referred to as ASBO Cat - because she deserves it. She couldn't be more stroppy, mouthy, whingey or contrary if she was a human teenager... 'Nuff said.......

And then last week I had one of those randomly fun days that are all the more special because they happen so spontaneously. Especially welcome after the preceding two days... Beginning of the week I discovered my phone had been disconnected. What was that all about? Turned out that Telefonica had not sent me a bill since reconnecting the phone before I moved in here. Well, they might have sent one but I didn't receive it because they hadn't got the buzon (post box) number in the address details. The postmaster in this village will not deliver anything without a buzon number. I owed two bills totalling €282 :( I was told I had to pay at the Post Office. No chance! The post office is open for ONE HOUR a day! I got round it by registering online and paying by credit card. Took me four hours to sort it out and I've emailed the two bills to Europa (with whom I have my ADSL and calls) so they can now apply to take over the line rental as well.

Anyway, back to the 'fun' day .... I'd been in Jalon shopping for June's birthday and was chilling at Luke's with a coffee and the paper when said June and John pulled up, waved at me and said back in 5 for coffee. They had their coffee and then went upstairs to their own bar to do a few things. June was quickly back, asking me if I wanted to drive over to Moraira with them when they'd done, have some lunch etc. The downside was I had to help them clean up the bar first! No prob....

Drove over to Moraira, June said she fancied paella for lunch - sounded good to me! After they'd done their business at the bank we wandered through the village and found a bistro which included paella in their menu del dia (€11.90). The whole meal was delicious, the mixed paella one of the best I've ever had, the house wine (half a bottle included in the menu del dia price) was a decent one (makes a change! it usually tastes like vinegar...). Then we had a wander round the harbour, drooled over a few spectacular boats and wound up at the Club Nautico, upstairs deck, where we had more wine and coffee. The girl and boy tending the bar greeted John with: "ELVIS!" Apparently she'd worked at a bar/restaurant in Calpe where John sang last year and recognised him (once seen, never forgotten!). As with all 'artistes' recognition is key to the survival of the ego! The upstairs deck is sumptuously furnished and could easily become a favourite place to visit when in Moraira, though I've been in the downstairs part several times.

Can't remember what time we left but we went to the shopping centre on the Benitaxell road, had to have another drink as we needed the 'servicios' (loos!). Did some shopping in 'Vanilla and Chocolate' and the Chinese shop, and left about 8 pm to return to Alcalali. Texted Nick to say we were on our way and going to stop off at the Indian Palace, just at the bottom of our street, for something to eat. He joined us and we had 'supper' consisting of a number of starters with naan bread etc. John and June introduced me and Nick to the 'game' 'Mornington Crescent', which Nick got the point of straight away and I failed miserably to catch on at all. I think whenever the four of us are together this will be played at random moments. We seem to have fallen into two pairs for this - Nick and June, and John and me. John's lent me some tapes of 'I'm sorry I haven't a clue' in which 'Mornington Crescent' plays a part and I'm catching on - there are no rules for a start, I can't even begin to explain it to anyone but if you're curious Google it!

I left home that morning at around 10 am - we got home at 11.30 pm!

Two days later it was June's birthday - St. George's Day, 23rd April. She'd arranged a St. George's Day theme evening at the bar with typically English food - roast beef, fish and chips, apple pie, treacle pudding etc. and though UK artists' songs would have probably been more appropriate for John to sing, she had specifically asked him to do Neil Diamond, who also happens to be one of my favourites. For once she took the night off (or almost) and sat with Nick and me to enjoy her meal and the 'entertainment'! Nick and I gave her vouchers to pamper herself as she keeps putting off going to the hairdresser or getting her nails done. I also gave her a bouquet of flowers - big yellow gerberas and white lilies mainly.

The Terrace Regulars won this week's QUIZ NIGHT! Yay! We've lost John from our team as he now has to sing in Javea on Tuesdays, and Gary, Nikki and I were not confident of decent results without him, we've always considered him our strength especially with music but he has a very wide knowledge on a number of subjects (that's private education for you - *envious*). Anyway, we did very well on our music round, played our joker (doubles the points you get) and scored 10 out of 10, doubled to 20. Did well on three other rounds too and were astonished to come out on top with 64 points.

This afternoon we're having a trial run of the new barbecue at the bar. From this weekend all evening meals will be of the BBQ variety with no more Sunday lunches, only Sunday evenings with John singing and hopefully utilising the terrace itself, candlelit - it should be good. So J, J, N and me will be there late this afternoon stuffing our faces (yet again....) and slurping good wine - wonder who draws the short straw for driving this time.... I bet it's me, Nick's vehicle is a disgrace and not to be entered when wearing anything better than 'scruffs'. I think he does it on purpose......

Happy Bank Holiday weekend!

Random bits .....

In an effort to keep up in a more timely fashion ...... just a few bits and pieces from the last couple of weeks or so.

Our visit to the 'Preventorio' at Gandia - this is a children's home. Not an orphanage, just a place for children who are temporarily in difficult domestic sitiuations. Over Christmas and New Year John and June ran a raffle at the bar and raised in excess of €200. I donated four little Steiff teddy bears for the raffle, which Derek and I had collected (among others) over the years. The home is run by nuns with help from outside staff. I've never seen such a beautifully kept place - wish I'd taken pictures of the inside but there wasn't time. June was delighted to see that one little girl who'd just arrived before their last visit several months ago was still there, and looking much brighter and more talkative this time. But sad too, that the circumstances of this delightful child's life haven't changed and she hasn't been able to return to her family yet. Picture shows John and June and one of the nuns.


Grandaughter number one, Chloe, celebrated her 11th birthday with a sleep-over, which left Sara on the verge of a nervous break-down I think! Not a birthday treat that will be repeated anytime soon. I ordered a large box of cupcakes to be delivered on the day, much easier than trying to send presents from here. I use a company in Scotland and so far they've never let me down but this time things weren't quite right and I've had to complain unfortunately.

Elli (GD3) went to see the ENT specialist on Monday, in an effort to find out why she's suddenly having hearing problems. Good old glue ear, so it's grommits on 26th April. And at the same time they'll remove the bead that's stuck in one of her ears! No-one knew it was there, but it must have been in there for some time as Elli herself swears she didn't put it there - but then she's only 4.... Hopefully all will be sorted by the time she starts school in September.

We finally celebrated John's birthday (a week late) with a meal out in Denia, followed by a bit of a 'bar' crawl, though I was driving for once (usually it's John who drives everywhere). Nice evening, though both John and June were still feeling a degree or two under after their gastro-virus.

June had a big booking for Sunday lunches this week so I helped out. Left the house at 12.15 - and didn't get home until gone 10 pm. She and I went to the bar next door for a relaxing drink while waiting for John to finish at the studio, had another couple after he joined us and then went on to a restaurant here in Alcalali (the CastellVi) for a very late dinner. I had to leave my car in Jalon, I imagine you can guess why......

I've booked my trip to the UK for the end of July, returning home 20th August. Three weeks should give me plenty of time to catch up with everyone - please let the weather be kind to me this time ... the last time I was there in the summer it rained for 19 of the 22 days.... Now I just need to get that passport sorted.

And there may be another trip to the UK in the autumn, this time to see The Fortunes at a venue in Essex. John has intereviewed two of the band members on his Sunday show in the past few months, which has made us all the more keen to get to see them if we can.

Just when we thought the weather was really getting better we've had two days of fog and light rain, and it's quite chilly today. But this morning I found some freesias in the garden and there are some plants that look like irises coming out too. I daren't do any weeding or tidying up until I know what's there but everything is so late getting started. There are two avocado trees and an almond, but not a lemon tree which is a shame (good job I'm not a fan of G and T!).

OK, that's it for now, see you anon......

Third anniversary ....

I am SO rubbish at this blogging business! Anyhow, off we go again.....

My last post was about christmas and new year, a little late I admit. I posted it two days after the third anniversary of Derek's death. Nick, my house mate, was working on the day (23rd February) so I had the house to myself. I didn't plan anything on purpose. My life has changed so much in the last three years, more particularly in the last six months, and I didn't want to be around people just in case it turned into a difficult day. Thankfully I got through it OK and went down to the bar for the Quiz evening in fairly good spirits. That might have been the night that our team won but I can't be sure!




The following day it was Nick's birthday, he was working again so we met up with John and June in the evening for dinner at Casa Caty, right in the centre of Jalon. Lovely meal, June baked a big cupcake for Nick and we all had a piece - delish! We bought him shirts, he's not good at buying for himself..... I think he could do with new trousers or jeans too but I balk at going there - he's not my partner and that would just be too personal!

A couple of weeks ago the valley turned pink with all the almond trees coming into blossom. It looked so beautiful and I wish I had a decent picture to display. Sadly it didn't last, we are still having rain, strong winds and it's still quite cold at times, like today when it hasn't got above 10 degrees. I know I shouldn't moan but, as in the UK, this winter has gone on far too long......

Today is John's birthday, we should have been out celebrating this evening but unfortunately he's ill. June went down with something similar to gastroenteritis on Sunday evening. She recovered sufficiently to be at the bar for Quiz night last night but got help in so she wouldn't have to handle food. Her plan was to go home once the quiz was under way. Unfortunately John started with it during the evening and had to leave very quickly. He's still quite ill today, so I went with June to the bar this morning to clean, bottle up etc . The birthday dinner has been postponed till next week though I'm hoping John will feel sufficiently well tomorrow for Nick and me to go round and take our presents.

Looks as thought I might be back in the UK in August. Sara had planned to come out with the girls but can't really afford it so has suggested that I go there, especially since she celebrates a significant birthday on the 1st! Sounds like a plan! First though I have to get my passport renewed - HOW MUCH DO THEY COST???????? My God, what a shock! Still, it has to be done.

Till next time .......

Christmas and New Year

As if she didn't already have more than enough to do at the bar June decided she, John, Nick and I would spend christmas day together at their house, and a lovely day it was too. I helped where and when I could, both with prep for the bar and our own christmas lunch, which was lovely - June always remembers those little extra touches that make the difference. I'd already given Nick his gifts - an electric heater with a remote control for his bedroom, plus assorted little bits and pieces - and he'd given me mine - a voucher for a pampering session at the local beauty salon (much appreciated too!). When we arrived at John and June's we sat out on their naya with a glass of cava each and unwrapped the rest of our pressies before settling down to lunch.....

..... which went on for some considerable time! I think we'd just about cleared the table when the first of the 'evening' friends arrived (Margaret and Gerry). Another couple were half expected but didn't come (Gary and Niki) - found out later that they'd just 'slumped' after their lunch and couldn't be a*sed to move! No matter, it was a casual invitation - 'come if you feel like it' - as so many are out here!

We played a couple of very amusing party games suggested by Margaret which had us in fits of laughter because one needed good balance and the other good eyesight, and you can imagine the results as by that time we'd all consumed a considerable amount of alcohol.

'Boxing Day' doesn't exist in Spain so on Saturday the rastro was in full swing in Jalon which meant June and John opening the bar at lunchtime. I seem to remember there was a steady flow of customers.

The day following Boxing Day (Sunday) Nick and I cooked dinner for John and June. June walked down to ours late in the afternoon and John followed after finishing his radio programme.

The New Year's Eve party at the bar was a huge success. June and I spent a day and a half preparing and cooking in her kitchen and later in the little kitchen at the bar, as well as setting up the tables etc. The feedback from the customers was very encouraging and I'm sure the bar will get busier and busier as the weeks go on and the weather improves.

Talking of which - we've had more snow on the mountains, followed by lashing rain, gales and it's been so cold. As in the UK, the winter here has really dragged on and it's only this week that the temperature has begun to rise significantly. We're all so fed up with it. The worst thing was when I found that the rain had got into the underbuild - not via a leak, just under the door - and had reached two suitcases in which I had all my summer clothes and 'posh' frocks. Everything was damp if not wringing wet and I had to dry it all out, which took days because the atmosphere was so damp even when it wasn't actually raining. The whole lot will need washing but not until the better weather is here to stay!

Next blog I'll tell you about our new road and hopefully have some pictures of the valley now it's turned pink!

At last ......

.... Never meant to leave it this long - but then I always say that! Can't believe it will be 1st March next Monday. So, on with the update.....



My last entry was written the day before Dave Semthurst's funeral service. Found it a little un-nerving to be back at Denia crematorium to begin with. Dave and Brenda have/had lots of friends and were involved in various different activities locally, particularly bowling and golf. So the crematorium was full of friends, in fact it could well have been standing room only, so around 200 people present. Three or four of their closest friends recalled their memories of David, but I think for everyone the most moving and significant moment was when local opera singer Izzy sang 'Time to say goodbye'. Izzy used to live next door to Dave and Brenda, she came over from England to live with her grandmother several years ago and now spends a lot of her time singing on cruise ships. Not only is she stunningly beautiful, but her voice is amazing and she is such a sweet girl to talk to - click on the red link above to go to her website.

In a former life Brenda was a Redcoat and I have to say that side of her is still in evidence today, so we shouldn't have been surprised that she chose 'Always look on the bright side of life' to end the service, after rather bravely saying her own public goodbye to David.

Everyone was invited to return to Brenda and David's house for refreshments after the service - copious amounts of food and drink flowed and whilst there was sadness there was also lots of laughter and I enjoyed meeting more of the folk who live in this village and surroundings; I was still very much the new girl on the block and maybe the object of more than a little speculation.

I'll tell you how we celebrated christmas and new year in my next update.

News from Alcalali ......

Moved in just about two weeks ago but didn't even begin to sort myself out for several days afterwards as there was so much still to do back in Moraira. However, it got done, the tenants moved in - and there began the coldest spell of weather I have know since moving out here in 2006. Being 22km from the coast and in a valley doesn't help! I miss my central heating! But I survived by wearing so many layers I could hardly move. This is what I woke up to last Tuesday! The snow is less than 15km away, far too close!

Spent the last few days cleaning, tidying, arranging and generally sorting out. I think Nick wonders what's hit him. He did say to June I always seem to be cleaning! Hardly surprising, don't think he's done a lot in the time he's been here! Now we're preparing for christmas - cards and decorations up, including fairy lights all round the sitting room. My shopping, both presents and food, is almost done, not sure about his! Went to the 'market' in Jalon this morning - it is so small compared to the one I'm used to in Moraira, and is scattered through two or three side streets. Prices are lower though.

I know that mine and Nick's living arrangements are the source of some gossip and speculation here in the valley villages! I always say while they're talking about us they're leaving some other poor soul alone, and those that matter don't mind and those that mind don't matter! Who cares? - it's our business and we know what the truth is.

Some sad news - Dave Smethurst, the male half of the couple with whom John and June started the bar back in October, sadly died last night after a shockingly short, unexpected and unpleasant struggle with a recurrence of the cancer he had a while ago. It's hard to believe that this tall seemingly robust man is no longer with us. The funeral is at 1 pm in Denia tomorrow. I hardly had time to get to know him unfortunately.

Have had a lovely warm welcome to the little neighbourhood, particularly from Paula and Charley, our next door but one neighbours. I think I'll be OK here!

Merry christmas to everyone and here's hoping for a much better year in 2010.

On the move.....

Well that should give you a clue about what I've been up to recently! Packing frantically ready to move ....

Kim, one of the agents marketing the house, called me to see whether I'd thought of letting the house short or long term. In fact, it was something I was beginning to consider, along with moving back to the UK until the sales market picked up. When she and I finally met to discuss it I was extremely surprised to be told what the monthly rental could be and decided to go ahead. Two hours later she was on the phone with a potential tenant wanting to view that afternoon - and, best of all, for €100 more per month than we'd agreed. I had two or three more viewings the same week and finally saw a couple who'd flown in from the UK specifically to view the house - they are now my tenants, or they will be in a couple of weeks. Originally they proposed moving in the middle of January but changed that fairly quickly to 12th December!

Meanwhile I am moving to Alcalali to share a house with a friend - I haven't got time to find a rental of my own at the moment. Nick offered me room at his place. I emphasise that I am sharing the house with him, not living with him as in a relationship! That will never happen. We are great friends and I hope our living in the same house won't ruin the friendship.

My new tenants are making Spain their new home, bringing all their own furniture and possessions with them. However, they only have a contract for 11 months, the maximum allowed under Spanish law, so they must move out at the end of next year - unless they choose to buy the place, which is what I would love to happen!

I shall be moving out on 9th December. Some of my things will be stored here (with the tenants' agreement). Other things I might need but not immediately will be stored in Nick's underbuild, while my bedroom furniture will be shoe-horned into his second bedroom (I hope!), at the moment it looks frighteningly small but then it is crammed with a lot of his stuff that he's never touched or moved since we moved him in there last June!

Everything has happened so quickly it's taken me by surprise and I must admit I'm beginning to panic just a tiny bit. So wish me luck and watch this space for news of how everything went!

Other news - first Doreen's visit which I mentioned was about to happen in my last blog. We had a great time! Her visit coincided with the opening of John and June's bar and we spent quite a bit of time there, met lots of people and she met lots of my friends. At last she knows what my life here is like now! She loved John's singing of course! The weather was a bit iffy but we just went with the flow and did what we wanted. I seem to remember quite a bit of chocolate was involved, along with copious amounts of alcohol!

In my last blog I also mentioned that Correos had managed to lose a parcel Sara sent me. Guess what - it turned up two weeks ago! Sara had heard from the UK Post Office just the week previously that it hadn't turned up and she should regard it now as lost. Can't say how disappointed I was when she told me. Imagine my surprise to hear the gate bell one lunchtime - when I went outside to see who was calling on me unannounced I saw a parcel come flying over the gate! Thankfully it was light and there was nothing breakable in it. It seems that Correos are now doing the sensible thing and allowing the post-persons to deliver small parcels to the door. She actually had two for me! I was so thrilled to get Sara's - in it were two lovely summer outfits (a bit late now but they are gorgeous and they fit!), a lipstick she'd got for me from Avon and these little darlings - poach pods! I have tried and failed to find a traditional egg poaching pan here but I can recommend these whole heartedly - they are brilliant - available from Lakeland and Amazon, to name just a couple of stockists.

Although the parcel was marked 'Return to Sender' in Spanish I don't think it ever left Spain and someone must have decided to send it out again - make that person a saint please!

We've had some lovely weather again, sunny and warm; however, as I write, it has turned chilly and is raining though it isn't expected to last and should be back to 'normal' tomorrow or Tuesday.

Apologies in advance if I don't manage to get christmas cards sent this year, or at least get them over to the UK in good time. There is so much still to do but I'm hoping I'll get some sent after the move!

Meanwhile I must leave it here for now, still a few things to do before I can take it easy today. Hope to be back with an update before Christmas!