A Spanish update.

22 October 2012 09:00AM

So the idea of sitting in the sun and relaxing whilst finishing one of my books didn’t happen. The dreaded flu bug manifested in full force and one week later I hadn’t even put pen to paper. Somewhat irritated about that, yet having enjoyed watching so many movies and documentaries, I strangely felt rested when preparing the next leg of the 2 week Spanish vacation, which was to be a coastal drive from the province of Murcia to Malaga. That comes later, first what happened before leaving.

Travelling with a friend of mine we realised that we had eaten too much chocolate. This was meant to be a time of detoxification and shedding of the pounds but, when someone is sick they seem to need pampering food like chocolate. Well we did! Think we have put on the pounds. Oops!

Obviously feeling better what do girls do? Retail therapy….we went on a shoe bender. Surprised to find such a shop in this dusty little town – beautiful shoes and not expensive so, we were able to buy a few pairs for the price of one, and we did! A few small gifts for the folks back home, and goodbyes to my Spanish friends, the car was packed for the long coastal drive. The country sounds behind us, the mewing of the peacocks, the farmer and his goats soon out of view, we once again passed through some of the flood stricken areas and on this occasion I was able to get a better look.

It’s always difficult when you’re the driver!  What’s that song we used to sing when I was a little girl, ‘keep your eyes on the road and keep your hands on the wheel?’ Well I soon realized that it wasn’t just a case of a bridge collapsing but the road had gone! No wonder the people in this village were stranded for a week after the storm. I recall my friend saying how pleased she was that she had done a big shop the day before.

 

Photo copyright of  euronews. http://www.euronews.com/2012/09/29/ten-dead-in-spanish-floods/

 

Well as the clean-up continued we had breakfast on the coast near the port of Garrucha and then headed south. In my wisdom I thought it would be more fun to take the coastal road than the motorway. It would be picturesque and enchanting wouldn’t it? And I felt led to go this way, didn’t I?  After all time was our own. What was the rush?

Oh My gosh! I dealt with all my fears in one day. A few miles into the route and the road narrowed. No turning around, no turning back and my heart began to beat at an uncomfortable pace. Hands clammy and gripping the wheel I didn’t want to carry on but had no choice. I remember saying to my travelling companion. ‘We’re not going up there!’ I dare not look at her face. Nor to the left or right. We had no option but to keep going and, I felt ill.

Tell you more later…

Anna

A New Season

16 October 2012 12:00AM

S-o-o- here I am in Spain and so far to date my time here has been most unusual. But first….The Chavos Ball;

What an amazing night. Clearly this function is going to just get better and better and already looking forward to the next one. I suppose the question is which will come next. Leeds once again or, London. Uhm!

Well a huge thanks to those who made it special including as always our Mariachis, Suzi our Soprano and the Folkloric dancers. Thanks to the boys who sold raffle tickets all night until they finally ran out and to all the people who worked so hard to make it a great event. A big thank you to Amathus drinks for a fabulous tequila cocktail reception and what about my consort who looked very dashing. Let’s see if I can book him for the next event!

I was so pleased that both the Lord Mayor of Leeds and Lord Mayor of Wakefield were able to attend and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Both were women, so power to the girls. Love it!

If you missed it this year I suggest you don’t miss the next one. Check out my facebook fan page as photos go on over the next week or so.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151068794987077.432031.114090792076&type=1&l=76cd3be04d

Can’t remember whether I kissed any frogs or not that night ‘cos I had a few tequilas and then dashed off to Spain soon after, and of course I’m still there. Let’s see what’s waiting for me when I get back to the UK but, I really needed this time out. God’s perfect timing, as they say.

I know the Chavos Ball marked both the end of a season and the beginning of something new. With so many plans in the pipe-line and so many decisions to make, both personal and business. Not to mention books to get to the printers, people to see, places to go…..

I will tell you more about the ball, how much money we raised, what we are going to do with the money and what’s happening in Spain soon.

Luv and stuff

Anna