Final days at Altea la Vella before heading off - Days 98 to 104

Jackie and Elizabeth

Dad and Elizabeth returned safe, sound and in good time. Fortunately just as we were about to leave the house I did check the arrivals board at the airport to find that the same Ryan air flight number flies at three different times in the course of a week. Confusing or what?

Butter chicken was a success Jane came and joined us, along with the news that they were sending Michael home from hospital ‘tomorrow’, a very surprising piece of news. With no more information than that B and I spent the morning in the apartment while Jane shopped and prepped. As predicted though he didn’t turn up till 16.00 fed up, cold but very pleased to be home. We returned the following day to remove the beard that had grown in the three weeks since he’d last been able to shave, first approached with the hair trimmer before being finished off with the electric shaver. I didn’t mind the trimmer, but B had to use the shaver. We make a good team!

Michael's 80th birthday party. LtoR: Jane, Michael, Elizabeth, Richard & Jackie (Brian behind the camera)

At Michael's 80th birthday party

Yesterday was Michael’s 80th birthday so round for roast lamb, my favourite, followed by coffee and walnut cake, Michael’s favourite. He seemed to have a good day, but I think the emotions of being out of hospital, being 80 and his new Andrea Bocelli CD may have all been too much for him. Talking to him today he says he feels much better than yesterday!

Richard ready to carve our roast lamb dinner 

Jackie peeling the very sour orange

We’ve really done very little more, but our time has been filled, shopping, pottering, wood chopping, eating and drinking. We even went for a little walk with Elizabeth to a small local church. Very pretty it was too. I was persuaded to try the orange that was picked for me from a tree, all I have to say is never let an unripe Seville orange anywhere near your mouth, or hands, two washes when we got back and I could still smell and taste it, it was worse than chilli......

Santa Barbara church on our local walk

So we’ve finished our jobs at Jane and Michael’s shower grab rail, grouting, etc, just about finished jobs here. Though there is just a little bit of touch up painting.... Big Ted has been washed, so all that really remains is to put everything back inside, do a shop and away we go. Was going to be Tuesday, but I’m cooking garlic rabbit tomorrow so it’ll be Wednesday. Heading off towards Murcia and the south to see what we shall find.

View of the complete Bernia Ridge as seen on our walk

Big Ted has had a good shower to make him all clean for our onward journey

Pepa cat allows Jackie to stroke her

But looks a bit startled as Brian approaches