Nerja: Beth off for her first morning at school. She seemed a little apprehensive (as you would be) but dealt with it well. Her mum and dad dealt with it less well. We are looking forward to 2pm to find out how it went.

Nerja: 3 year olds line up for class.

Nerja: On our way back from a school visit. The staff in each school we have visited have been so friendly and helpful. We have tried to converse in Spanish and they really appreciate the effort. So, Beth starts at a local school tomorrow morning at 9am. We are off to buy her school books this afternoon and go to the beach for some beach volleyball.

Lanjarón: Up in the Alpujarras close to Granada there is a lot of wind. Good thinking indeed to put a wind farm in the mountains to harness this bountious windy crop. They are really loud when you are standing at the foot of one, or maybe it needed oiling.

Tandoori Express

Just ordered a delivery curry from Tandoori Express. Curry was very oily and the man on the phone said it would be really nice. I feel a little cheated. Still I have finished my stint at RBS and am looking forward to some catching-up time with my neglected family. Spain beckons on Tuesday - I cannot wait!

I have been trying out the camera on my new phone. It has some funky function on it that is meant to take a very quick series of photos at differing exposures and produce good results. So there may be a few 'arty' snaps on here - apologies. Beth, Parkes and I are off to Spain for a while next week. Really looking forward to it and I am well and truly fatigued. I guess the Blog should change it's name to Perro Mundo del Amor.

Who's this gorgeous girl? Oh, and no vehicles, right!

Herne Bay beach. The Baywatch chair has been vacated due to chilly northerlies.

Beth devouring a Penguin biscuit in Tesco restaurant earlier today.
Whilst Parkes was away we spent the day swimming and shopping - both
activities seeming to complement each other.

A sunny Bank Holiday Monday in August. A very nice day to not be at work.

Winter Retreat

Less than four weeks now until we depart for our winter retreat in Spain. With the current weather situation in the UK I will be glad to be somewhere a little warmer. We are currently making list of things to take with us and getting the house into some semblance of order. Our language school is booked and Beth's playgroups will be organised when we land. All that's left for me to do is polish my castanets and pop them in their travel case.

Beth in the play park on Saturday. 

Granny B, Parkes and Beth getting blown bandy on high ground.

Walking in the Peaks in Derbyshire.

St Mary the Virgin in Minster. I loved this church, not only for its old feel but also because it reminded me of one of the churches I spent much of my time in when I was a kid. It was a fine sacturary for quiet reflection.

Grandad Up North and Beth. Not quite sure what Beth is up to.

The Queen on her throne.

The house in Sandwich with the 'secret garden'. God knows how it remains secret as it is enormous.