C prepares return to UK

Wednesday 17th October

Spent the day re-scraping the kitchen ceiling, and plastering the many defective bits ready for textured paint to cover the uneven surface. Unfortunately I was unable to buy any textured paint in several ferreterias or drogurias (sell perfume and paint). Ended up with some industrial paint and a stippled roller which the enterprising ferreteria avienda sold me, but decided not to use it and used the regular paint….not too bad a finish.

Also painted all the holes cemented yesterday, so Ricardo’s emergency drain holes no longer exist and hopefully, Ruin man and his wife will be happy !

Thursday 18th October

Severe flooding continued yesterday to the coast north of here…..rivers of mud, roads washed away, houses demolished and a powerful tornado. More rain is forecast today, but not severe here.

Posted the blog in Fuengirola (Swedish wifi café open at last), before returning to paint the stairs and other minor painting jobs. Last post before returning home tomorrow night. J to pick me up 00.50 Saturday morning from the airport.

J returns to UK

Monday 15th October

Another sunny day, and spent most of the day doing last minute tasks and shopping in preparation for J’s return to UK tomorrow.

Whilst we have been praying for a big storm to test the drain, other parts of Spain have been experiencing just such storms, mainly north of here from Almeria in the South to Catelonia in the North. Some towns experienced 400mm of rain in 12 hours, which would have been equivalent to 17,200 litres (17 tons) of water falling on the house…..unlikely even the new drain could have coped with that. Calpe had a large bridge washed away, with rivers of mud pouring through homes destroying everything in their path, and numerous cars washed away.

Tuesday 16th October

Another thunderstorm in the early hours of Tuesday, with big thunder and lightening but not much rain. I got up at 6am to monitor the drain, but it coped easily with a moderate flow of water and not a real test. Drove J to the airport in the rain, but it brightened up towards Malaga, although heavy traffic.

Said our farewells after J checked in and I took the car back without any problems, and caught the 2 buses back to the house, stopping off in town to catch up on e mails at the locutorio.

After lunch, spent the afternoon cementing /tidying the 9 original drain holes and the 2 large holes Ricardo had made, which was quite a job.

Graham phoned from Mother’s house, ironically about holes in walls….the original gas man (over a month ago) had condemned the 30 year old boiler until a 100mm vent was created, but the next gas man said it needed 2 x 100mm vents. Advised to go ahead, as we need heat over the winter when visiting Mother.

J also phoned after safe arrival home to a wet and rainy Bristol, saying Antonio had left voice mail that the banister would be 232 €….rather expensive we thought. I popped down to see if he could do it before I go home Friday, but “it is impossible”…so will leave until next trip in February 2008.

Exploring J's past

Sunday 14th October

Another nice day, although cloudy over mountains, so we decided to drive to Nerja along the coast to visit the famous caves, which we have talked about for several trips. I suggested we make a mountain detour to see one of the villages where J had contemplated buying a house 7 years ago. J doubtful about tackling the mountain roads as it would take hours, but reluctantly agreed. Got to Competa about lunchtime and quickly found the house just off the town square…seemed ok, but would have been very isolated from anywhere, quite a way from the airport, and there were a lot of British there…

Had lunch, and J then decided she would like to try 2 other houses she had looked at on that trip, in smaller more isolated villages….Drove on to Archez along more windy roads, and quickly found the huge house on a small square. It had been renovated , but again would have been isolated and very expensive to do at the time.

On to Salares….even more isolated and rustic, but did not find the house….only the duck pond she remembered, and an old rustic church.

By now it was 4pm and too late to go to Nerja, so we went to Torres Del Mar, a coastal town popular with the Germans, and had an ice cream (crème catalana) and a walk along the front.

On the Beach

Saturday 13th October

Drove to Fuengirola to post the blog. The market was closed because of a large Feria, as was the Swedish wifi, so used the locutorio across the road which allows laptops whilst J went for a walk. After lunch on the front, sat on the beach for a couple of hours reading. J had earlier spotted a book I had wanted “Backroads of Spain”….25 driving tours on minor mountain roads in Andalucia, which I popped back to buy.

Cleaning up & another Feria

Friday 12th October

Spent most of the day cleaning and mopping throughout the house from the dust which had got everywhere.

Took the drain cover off to reveal a 60mm diameter hole…..smaller than we had hoped, but it leads to a 110mm pipe rather than the previous 40mm pipe, so it should work with the cover on, which acts as a siphon.

In the afternoon, we decided to visit another Feria….Ojen, which is high in the mountains overlooking Marbella.

Home - New Drain

Thursday continued

Back home early evening to the house, with a new large drain, with the kitchen and patio looking pristine, as if it had never been dug up.

Welcome to the Family !

Thursday continued



Drove on across the plains to Fuente de Piedra, home to “El Refugio del Burrito” , a donkey sanctuary for maltreated and abandoned donkeys and mules from across Europe. It is a branch of the Sidmouth sanctuary, and is set amongst olive groves. They have an adoption scheme to raise money to support the sanctuary, and needless to say, we are now the proud parents of “Belen”, an Andalucian female donkey, who had lost a foal last year. For the modest price of 10€, we have an adoption certificate, and a newsletter on the donkey’s progress.

Belen is also pictured here with her best friend “Maria”, a small rather shy donkey.

Swap Car & Carmona

Thursday 11th October

Another beautiful autumn day. After breakfast at local cafeteria, checked out of hostal and walked to car, fully expecting a ticket , but nothing, so we loaded up luggage and drove to entrance expecting to be challenged by the 2 parking attendants…..instead we were waved through urgently, as our vacated space was needed, so free parking is possible in Seville.

The car was still knocking badly, and we decided to take it to Seville airport to report the problem. They immediately offered to change it, and we left an hour later with a small Peugeot 207…..such a relief…..obviously should have done it much sooner. Drove on to Carmona, the “Star of Europe” according to its tourist literature. The church tower of San Pedro was indeed impressive, and it was great to be the only tourists up there, treading through the pigeon droppings. The tower afforded great views of Alcazar de la Puerta Sevilla, the massive gate dominating the entrance to the town.

After lunch in the main square of medi rancions, which they only served to tourists, rather than tapas the locals had inside, we walked round the town including the Alcazar now converted to a smart Parador hotel.

Seville - City Walls & River views

Wednesday continued

We then caught the city bus downtown to the city walls, before walking back through the old city and more churches. Finally, a circular walk across the river via yet another church.

Seville - Plaza de Espana

Wednesday continued

After lunch, on to the Plaza de Espana and Maria Luisa Park ….one of the most impressive public spaces in Spain according to the guide book, which it certainly is.

Seville - Geralda Tower & Cathedral

Wednesday continued

Back to the Cathedral which was now officially open…..entry charge now, and climbed the Giralda Tower, which dominates the city skyline. The tower started as a minaret in Moorish times, and then was redesigned as the bell tower of the gothic Cathedral. Instead of stairs, the climb to the top is via 35 gently sloping ramps, wide enough for 2 mounted guards to pass apparently. Spectacular views of the city.

Periodic checks on the car revealed a very full car park, attendants, but no sign of a ticket or clamping. We even checked with Tourist Information, who said it was probably cheap parking for local residents, but assured us there was “no free parking in Seville”

Seville - Palicio de Carlos Gardens

Wednesday continued

We escaped to the Palacio de Carlos and strolled the vast landscaped gardens.

Seville - The Alcazar

Wednesday 10th October

Another beautiful day, with a punishing schedule planned by J. First to the cathedral, which was not officially open, and wandered around the many shrines and chapels. A section was occupied by a “live in” by andalucian miners, protesting about some dispute with the Government.

Then on to The Alcazar, the site occupied by the rulers of Seville since Roman times, and the favoured residence of Spanish Kings for 4 centuries after the Reconquest. Although marred somewhat by the mass of tourists, the Alcazar is truly stunning and must rival the Alhambra in Granada.