Nerja: Beth and her class dressed up for Halloween today and took trinkets into school with them. They all looked fantastic and made me chuckle.

Nerja: Spooky class getting ready to go inside.

Nerja: Paella anyone? The result of Parkes' cooking lesson.

Nerja: Wow check out my kebabs?!? What a feast of colour and flavour!!

Nerja: Beth tries her school Halloween outfit ahead of its Friday debut.

Nerja: The building opposite Beth's school had a gas fire on the roof.
The fire brigade were in attendance (naturally) and all the mothers
who'd dropped their kids off were standing around watching events
unfold. An old guy lectured me on the dangers of gas fires - at this
point I decided to head home.

Nerja: Monday morning is mopping-floors morning but I also managed to take a cheeky panoramic snap from the terrace of our apartment. Both the sierra and sea were looking quite inviting.

Nerja: Parkes enjoying booze and tapas. Things we have learned this weekend: (1) people are still spending as lots of holiday-makers have hit the Costa for the school half-term break (2) Soberano and coke is lovely (3) Manchego is better with wine rather than lager (4) Strings' hips don't lie.

Nerja: Parkes and Strings enjoyed a night out on Saturday night. We tried some lovely tapas and I tried tripe for the first time and thought it was ok(ish). My father John Stringer Senior ate tripe in Italy 20-odd years ago and was very ill afterwards so it was nice to exorcise a family ghost.

Nerja: Saturday on Playa Playazo. Was a warm but overcast day so we had a walk on the beach in search of a ice lolly.

Nerja: Beth stretching her legs in the playground. We have completed
our first month in Spain.

Latest

We have almost completed a month in Spain and have accomplished quite a lot. We have found ourselves a great pad, Beth seems to have settled at school, Parkes is enjoying language school and I have inherited a super mop for cleaning the apartment floors on a Monday. The weather has cooled and is now reaching the early twenties each day which is a lovely temperature. However in the mornings it is decidedly chilly and I might have to start using Keith's army socks fairly soon. I start my language school studies in November and I really cannot wait - I hope it doesn't disappoint.

Nerja: Relaxing on Playa Playazo

Nerja: Beth on the dog.

Nerja: One of the most important anthems of our time.

Féria and School

The Féria ended on Tuesday and everyone in Nerja seems totally pooped. The party lasts all day and all night for four days and much effort is made in looking the part and enjoying oneself. Beth had a reasonable time of it - she didn't think much of the Spanish dance displays but really enjoyed the Spongebob bouncy castle.

We finally managed to get our hands on the school books Beth needs. €100 later Parkes and I were needing some fresh air and a sit down. It works out at €30 a term which isn't too bad when considering we haven't had to pay any education fees or purchase a uniform.

Nerja: Féria - good times bouncing..

Nerja: Féria Bob Esponja

Nerja: Féria!

Nerja: Féria!

Nerja: Féria!

Nerja: Féria!

Nerja: Féria!

Nerja: Plenty of action at the fish counter in Mercadona today. The fisherman must have brought in a good haul. Meanwhile, the weather is going to be rubbish over here for the next five days or so and lovely back in the UK. It's payback time....not good when it is Nerja's féria (the annual Nerja knees-up).

Nerja: We had a nice sunny afternoon on the beach. Beth had a snooze then ran about like a mad thing in the surf. Parkes' course is going well and she says she is enjoying it (so far).

Weather Report

Well, the weather has been hot with beautiful skies thus far but today the change began. High winds blew in the clouds and the mountains went from looking friendly to looking distinctly unwelcoming. Rain is forecast for tomorrow and also later in the week - the Féria starts on Friday so hopefully it won't dampen the fun.

Parkes begins her 4 week language course tomorrow and Beth will be at school so it looks like I will be doing the cleaning.

Sunset

Nerja: Sunday 3rd October Sunset, very windy day with a threat of rain tomorrow.

Nerja: Beth muscles in on another Irish wedding at the church near the Balcon.

Nerja: Parkes: Beth and I met up with Barbara and Margherita (the former owners of Birras - the bar I used to work in) on Saturday. It was brilliant to catch up after 5 years and find out what has been going on. It was also nice for both Parkes and I to have some adult conversation.

Nerja Donkey Sanctuary: The sanctuary rescues ill-treated animals and gives them refuge. It's great for kids who want to get close to animals and feed them (2€ for a bucket of food). Lots of pigs, donkeys, horses, goats, chickens, a sheep and a rabbit. We will be going back.

Nerja Donkey Sanctuary: Beth getting friendly.

Nerja Donkey Sanctuary: A very fat pig but it was very friendly.

Frigliana: The road to...

Frigliana: Strings having a spot of lunch in Frigliana, rumour has it that Keith Duffy from Boyzone lives here.

Frigliana: Parkes and I ate at Las Chinas - very tasty Prawn Cocktail and Revuelto with young garlic and green beans - delicious!

Frigliana: Whilst Beth was doing what she was doing at school (she never tells us!) Parkes and I went up to Frigliana to unwind for an hour or so.

Nerja: Second day at school was a more tearful affair but Beth said she enjoyed herself when she returned home.