Five more days in Spain

On the familiar balcony enjoying drinks with Richard and Elizabeth 

We pulled into the little station, we hadn't even known existed, on a much better air-conditioned tram. Got off to find a beaming Elizabeth. Straight into the car and we were at the house in 10 minutes. Glass of wine with lunch as we settled into our very pleasant routine for the next few days. 

Whilst enjoying the amazing view of the mountains from that balcony

Unbeknownst to us the Friday and the Monday were both Bank holidays, so shut shops and supermarkets. We did manage to visit a couple over the weekend, to stock up with wine and water, the heavy things to carry, and to buy what seemed like the only chicken on the Costa Blanca. 

This is part of their house from their driveway in early evening with the setting sun picking out the contours of the amazing Bernia Ridge towering overhead. Always satisfying to know we have traversed the entire ridge and every peak of the mountains in the other photo too

It was a nice surprise yesterday (Monday) to pop into Altea, for a coffee, to find that actually some of the shops were open so we managed to get all the bitty things Elizabeth said she needed. Saucepan, washing up bowl, bathmat, solar lights, wine glasses, all those odd things, but a very successful coffee stop.

Down in Altea La Vella for a yummy Indian meal

I rushed out of the restaurant to take this photo of the whole ridge in the evening sun

As ever we ate a lot, drank a lot, quizzed, chatted and laughed. A couple of meals out, at the places my father still feels comfortable in and three good home cooked meals. Peaking yesterday with a joint effort of a yummy roast chicken dinner. This sadly wasn't followed by the planned steamed syrup pudding as the bowl 'escaped' while Elizabeth was trying to put the lid on. Uncooked sponge mix and syrup all over the floor, the kitchen, Elizabeth and me. The amount of mess it made was quite indescribable. Brian was sent to wash two pairs of shoes, Elizabeth to put on a clean dress while I scooped it off the floor and got the mop out. When we opened the oven to put the chicken in, it was in there. When I lifted the lid of the vegetable steamer, it was in there. Such was the carnage we were quite put off the whole idea, with even father having the sense not to ask where pudding was at the end of the meal!

The little cafe in town that we visited most days had a very friendly cat

Quick as a flash it's all over and we are sitting at the airport, waiting for our delayed flight back to Birmingham. We did manage a few jobs, between relaxing but we don't expect to be sitting in the sun and eating outside when we return to Birmingham.

That wanted to sit on everyone's lap, including Elizabeths. She was hoping it wouldn't, but the cat had other ideas!

The photo Jackie's dad didn't want me to take. He'd cocked his sun hat over to shield him from the sun. Of course, once he said that I immediately took a photo!

They have another area by their pool that's shielded by trees, keeping it cooler in the hot late afternoon sun. It gives an excellent view of the ridge that Jackie was taking full advantage of with binoculars 

As it was a long holiday weekend in Spain, there were many people out on the ridge, some leaving it until late to come down after dark. This photo is on a long exposure, long after dark, so a bit blurred. You might just see three of the stars of The Plough co stellation and, below it, the light of a torch from someone descending after dark

The view from our bedroom window, every morning as we lay in bed with our coffee

This very cute squirrel came to visit us every evening to get water from the watering can. I made sure it was full for it every night

Time to go - see you tomorrow!

Theres a little gecko (in fact one of several) that tried to catch the mosquitos to stop them biting us

Elizabeths new solar lights. Arrangement by me!

Final view of the mountains from the balcony this morning as we waited for our taxi to the airport this morning. At least our delayed flight allowed us to do this post! The planes in now and we should be boarding soon. See you back in Blighty!