Nerja: Leading up to Nochevieja (New Year's Eve) there is excitement in the air. The supermarkets are filled with Cava and grapes to rapidly stuff into one's gob at the stroke of midnight. We're all looking forward to 2011; they'll be lots of fun and games for the first three months of the year and we are moving back to the UK in April.

Nerja: Beautiful day today - you could just about get away with wearing a t-shirt. Had paella at Ayo followed by a walk back in town. Parkes bought me a new man-bag for Christmas and it's fab.

Boxing Day

Lovely sunny day in Nerja, Beth showing off her amazing running skills.

Nerja: Too much fooooood. Cannot moooooove.

Nerja: Merry Christmas!

Feliz Navidad

So, Christmas is finally here! Beth currently has a cough and cold but should be right in a few days. I apparently have vertigo and have been feeling dizzy for the last couple of weeks (or is it last couple of decades!). Still, I should hopefully be shot of this virus soon. Parkes, however, is fine and is tucking into our Cómpeta vino dulce.

The weather on the Costa has been challenging of late. Lots of torrential rain and thunderstorms in the past days have given way to gale-force winds. It is supposed to warm up next week to 17-18 degrees centigrade so I am keeping my fingers and other limbs crossed.

Christmas Day for us will be a English-style roast dinner with Christmas pudding and custards. Beth will open her presents from kind relatives on Christmas Day and presents from us on El Día de Los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) on the 6th of January.

Proud moment!

Beth has written her own name all by herself !

Sunday

Nothing like a dance routine on a Sunday afternoon..

Happy Christmas from the UK to everyone around the world. The weather is currently snowy and cold but Christmas spirit abounds. Peace and love. (Picture courtesy of Russell Photography Ltd.)

Nerja: Nerja's cemetery is not what I expected. The plaques are stacked on top of each other - it was like walking down an aisle in Toys'R'Us. It certainly saves on space and the place was not neglected with lots of beautiful flowers. It had a happy feel about it.

Nerja: Navidad is approaching and the religious juices are stirring. There are a few of these infant Jesus banners appearing draped over terraces - curious but not unpleasant.

Nerja: 3 year-old angst.

Nerja: One of the more impressive pieces of graffiti.

Nerja: It was a long day in Málaga on Saturday. Once we got home Annerie kindly babysat and Parkes and I went for a couple of pints and an Indian courtesy of Granny B. Jolly nice it was too!

Málaga: Beth on a kiddie-friendly donkey.

Málaga: Girls eating churros. This was our second stab at churros after not really digging them initially. Rather than dipping them in hot chocolate, dip them in sugar and let the good times roll! Combine these with a coffee and you'll be flying for hours.

December Warmth

Strings in action

Moral Of The Story Is...

Don't let your child get hold of your phone..

Nerja: The Christmas lights are up and look splendid and surprisingly tasteful. 

Nerja: Annerie and Helen enjoying the buzz and excitement that is the Escuela de Idiomas Nerja Crimble party. It was fun and apparently lasted until the wee hours of Wednesday morning.

Nerja: View from the Balcon.

Nerja: Some warm, wet air has blown its way over from northern Africa and the temperature gauge hit 20 degrees for the first time in two or three weeks. It was nice to wander around in a t-shirt. Rain tomorrow though.

Nerja: Nice pic of Beth and Parkes on Playa El Playazo.

Nerja: A lamp post about to receive the wrath of God.

Nerja: Monday 6th December is Constitution Day in Spain and seems to be taken fairly seriously. Beth has her face painted with the Spanish flag at school on Friday and looked a little like Adam Ant. 

Nerja: Nice family shot on the Balcon.

Nerja: The three of us are at school this week and just as well as the
weather has been cold and wet. I shouldn't complain though as the UK
is really suffering with freezing temperatures and snow.