Purloined a public domain photograph here, purely because as a tiger mosquito settled on my hand I automatically shook it off! 

It's how my reactions work! Mosquito! Shake! Bumble bee stroke his soft velvety body! 

I tried to find the mossy again but I either shook him unconscious or he went into hiding!

"The tiger mosquito – a potential carrier of dengue fever, Zika, and chikungunya – has already doubled in number and will be present in all areas of Spain this summer."

Apparently then reached Alhaurín El Grande! 

Terrific! I remember getting bitten badly by them summer 2019, on the Moho journey, they were in Italy.. and all over me!

Just realised I have been bitten just now on the terrace, only up there five minutes to water plants, although very distracted by the amazing sunset this evening absolutely heaven sent, nature sent.. 

Three bites are already having a very bad effect on me.. time to get the bite cream! 

No filters, no camera help.. just pure beauty..

M.

Photograph from Friday November 29th.. I was in Naples at the time Google photos chose to remind me I drank coffee it seems!! 

By the by... The tendonitis that hit my right arm in December last year and was immensely painful, more so at night, keeping me awake along with other aches and pains.. like sleep isn't difficult enough already!! 

Anyways!! I had noticed it was getting better, the tendonitis I mean! And then the last week or so really was only noticeable at night..

And right now there is only minimal pain in my right wrist from it and if I'm sitting holding this phone for long periods, that doesn't help.. but at night it is the only time the whole arm hurts... 

Still waiting for the physio the doctor was organising for me... So I am guessing by using it fully at work, as much as I could on painful days.. and exercising daily as I do.. and now some wall pilates, has helped I guess...

And on a brighter note..

Went out to lunch today, to the Picasso restaurant in Banús, was a beautiful day and the walk around Banús and the lunch were lovely, the food was excellent.. We got there as it opened at 12 noon, first in, and by one, not an empty seat in the front section, it's a huge place and there is plenty of seating at the back.. 

Drive down was slow going, stuck in an unfortunate traffic jam on the way there, added about half an hour, must have been a bad crash, four ambulances.. just our side of Cabopino.. 

Although the speed restriction is now 80k it's the on/off lanes.. some are short, a few are on bends, and all are difficult for drivers not used to this way of driving.. you pull on and have to build speed fast.. coming off can be as bad, trying not to slow down too much it causes problems, but enough that hitting the barrier doesn't happen!

M.

Time flies.. as always, Saturday took friends to a tattoo place I use in Fuengirola, Art Monkey, two tattoos later, they're both very pleased with their new ink!  And we headed to the paseo and had a cool drink, went to a bar I've never been to before, it looks recently updated, and maybe I have, a long long time ago..

Time has a habit of running away without us if we don't keep an eye on it! 

We had a bite of lunch at Luis Bar, where I have been going since '89, and also very changed, not sure in a good way though..  then we went to the Sky Bar.. definitely never been there.. it's in the hotel that faces the statue of the woman whose back is to the med.. near Luis Bar..  I say in, the bar is on the rooftop, like at the TWA hotel at JFK.. similar but not the same.. 

Was wonderful up there, sat on sofas, and under a shade, good friends and conversation, the warm sun and a little breeze.. very very nice..

Above and below La Cala de Mijas on Sunday..

Sunday I drove down to La Cala, sat on the beach, then along onto a sunbed, had a bite of lunch.. sea breeze was wonderful, but then I could see dark battleship gray clouds approaching from homeward direction and decided to head home, saw my neighbor and had a coffee with him, before it started to rain, which it did so we had another coffee!! 

Today a coffee up this end of town, before a walk down to town, and, more coffee! 

I've had a bad day on Facebook, shared way too many soppy poems and saved even more in my 'to keep' list..

Sometimes we have days like that, they weigh heavy for whatever reason.

M.

 

I can hear a hoopoe bird while I'm parked here waiting for a colleague, my favourite birds.. Used to see them every day at work on the golf courses.. and been lucky to see them now and again in unexpected places..

What's been happening? Last weekend I watched the Eurovision for the first time in fifty years! THAT was quite a thing! 

We, two of us girls from work, started off at Playa Luna bar, had lunch, very nice.. about 2pm..

Then moved to a different table and enjoyed the singer..

Then we walked along the boardwalk to the Chiringuito Dunes, the breeze had picked up and it was a bit chilly, well, I suppose not really! But we've already had high temperatures, so felt cooler.. 

So we were inside, then outside, then back inside and finally outside and out back in the sun!

Then joined by another work mate, about half six by now..

Walk back to the appartment and last work mate chica joined us! 

Eurovision started at nine, I think? And finished at 01:30!! And so did we! Great night, absolutely! 

Finished it off with a McD's in the morning, well, about 13:00 when two of us left..

So that's it now for me, never again? We'll have to see! 

We've had rain, but not as much as forcast, either that or I've just missed it over my house or where I've been... 

This was some size bird making a skydive down near my steps at home!! After snails my neighbour recons! I recon he's correct! 

M.

When I left home this morning it was to bright blue sky and sunshine, coming down through the mountains was spectacular, wishing I could take photographs with a click of my eyes! A river of mist gliding between the mountains.. 

Seeing the swirling sea mist, following the valley up from the coast, and definitely not down from the sky.. then at a turn in the road all sun left and only very thick fog.. couldn't see 50 yards ahead of me! So lights on main and came down to this! Above!

A quote from The Sur in English today

"A very dense sea fog rolls in and creates traffic problems on the Costa del Sol with 10km tailbacks on A-7

Malaga Airport was put in a pre-alert situation this Tuesday morning, although the change in wind has helped disperse the ‘taro’ and the runways are currently operating as normal"

And now I'm home and its half seven and 34°..

That's hot! 

A good day at work, busy and never a dull moment!

I am tired.. had about three hours sleep .. just couldn't settle, get comfy, my mind was busy and nothing would shut it up! 

Hopefully tonight I'll sleep better..

I feel there's more to say, but tiredness is definitely kicking in...

M.

Today I had another tattoo, the itch for ink is strong ... Well, can't find a Darth Vader emoji! And may the forth was yesterday, so a tad too late for Star Wars humor me thinks!

Well, I randomly, as I am, picked up a book off the shelf... It was my mom's Grimm's Fairy Tales, and it opened at a bookmark, of mine! The piece of paper above.. which is directions of how to use the tattoo cream it came with! 

Very strange! Of course! 

Next also random, picked up this book below of my mom's.. 

Thought I'd post the writing my grandfather's godfather, Mr G Daniel.. 1894.. had written on the inner page .. almost 130 years ago.. crazy isn't it.. my family have always written in books, to whom and when, and why... And to see the history like this is a beautiful keepsake..

My mom loved the same authors as her father.. and she read them to me.. wonderful stories, I guess my favourite of his is 'Ayesha, the return of She'

And me leaving Art Monkey Tattoo today! All wrapped up! 

This above is a rubbish photograph, but I was sat reading on the terrace and one of black bees came a buzzing around, he started on the sweet peas then came down to these Heart leaf ice plant flowers! Aptenia cordifolia is the Latin name.. 

And no, until this very moment I had no idea of the name of this plant I have been keeping alive in most parts of the wall behind the house and here and there on the terrace, for eighteen years! 

Then the bee came buzzing over me, I just dipped my head down into my book, then he flew off and over to the geraniums etc on the other side and back around again, and again.. quite a busy little bee! Well no, not so little... And while I'm rambling it was the color I wanted to try to show you, but wasn't easy with his speed, I have always thought of them as black.. but he's really the most beautiful dark purple.. gorgeous!

I know I handle British bees, letting them walk on my fingers and hands, and even touch the soft velvet of their little yellow and black bodies.. but not sure about these.. maybe I could try?? Am I a true bee whisperer!  

M. 

Randomly looked at Getty images last night, I knew some of my photographs have been selected by Getty but never looked before..

Getty Images 

Was so cool seeing them here though! 

Was watching random programs on YouTube this afternoon and came across an old, 41 years old episode of Love Boat, the Italian cruise episode.. and as I watched I thought I'm sure one character was Marie Osmond.. just checked, it was! To be honest, probably not seen her for that many years so she was the only Marie Osmond I have ever known.. 

The band has been playing around town now since about Thursday, it's our local church, Santa Vera Cruz so I've been wearing green for last two days, mañana work, although here the town
celebrates the finale of this celebration, I have work! 

When I worked for the tobacconists I also got all of Alhauríns holiday days off too, but I don't think this company makes for those allowances!

I went to Ikea this morning and got the world's thinnest duvet and new cover.. something also to keep my shoes tidy, it's supposed to be hung up but fits very tidily in my otomen!

Yesterday was a trip to Casa Flores and I bought a a couple of red geraniums and a chrysanthemum!

Looks very nice up on the terrace now.. 

M.

Yesterday went for a walk, up the mountain with neighbor, another 12k.. I've walked that walk many times and relied on my phone to tell me the distance, but Seems there was a three kilometres difference between my phone and friends tracker.. looking at my phone, up the mountain it cannot get a good GPS so its way off! 

Watch is in the post! 

This morning went for a nice drive out somewhere different, most of the route was familiar just the last turn was different, so nice to see new places.. and even better nearby places!

M.

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.

Ralph Waldo Emerson - 1803-1882 - Lecturer-Poet-Essayist

 

There's been a fly up on the terrace all afternoon, or at least since I've been up here.. he's just this second gone, now I am writing about him! 

He's been doing the square dance waiting for a mate to approach.. 

Some have come and gone, checked him out and moved on! 

I was downstairs for a couple of hours, so give him his due.. he could have got lucky or it could have been two flys! 

Went into town early to have coffee for 8am.. and was home about 10:30.. 

Finished painting the terrace walls and started to take down the bricks on the walls.. I took down one side last year, and have completed, neat the other side..

I've caned up the sweet pea and moved plants over on the other side... 

Looks good, it's so peaceful up here.. 

When the band isn't practicing, when the dogs aren't barking, when... Cuando cuando cuando...

I have recovered from yesterday's mammoth boardwalk walk! Learnt NOT to wear flipflops for long walks, and maybe eat more sooner rather than later.

There has been a fire burning on the Mijas side of our mountain this afternoon.. and I've seen a few fires this side in the Guadalhorce valley, controlled legal fires.. but nonetheless, probably as it's been so dry, not a good idea!! 

Just also heard some rocket fire, but some way away.. 

It is a beautiful evening.. just beautiful 

I'm reading a book I started way too long ago so shall get back to it.. 

Maybe another photograph..

M.

Yes! Here it is.. the grand finale to the day..

Arh! Well okay, two, was zooming in on another helicopter out checking for fires..

And my little fly friend is back

And the grand finale!

You really can't make some stuff up can you! And I've written some stuff!! Apart from novellas, my Blog! But life is more amazing than fiction, more unbelievable, more crazy, more of just everything.. and we should never forget this fact! 

I stand here now outside work and amaze myself for forgetting that I work where I can see the sea.. albeit through the trees opposite, it is still a beautiful view.. 

One I've known now since February 1989.. and lived by for twenty-one years... 

I was just taking a photograph of said views, and when zooming in saw our van from work passing by and our driver craning his neck looking back at me!

The other day, going somewhere on exactly the same day as last year unbeknownst to me until I got home.. and Caleta is not near home, it's almost as far as Nerja, so not a usual trip by any means, infact until last year's visit I had never been there, which is why it's so strange! 

And when talking about my son's car, one similar drove past, when relaying that story yesterday, to a colleague as we drove to the warehouse, another car similar drive past, and it's ..

'It's' I don't know what! Because I started this Blog yesterday morning, the day after the yesterday before! And just stopped there! 

Now I'm sitting on the beach at Luna Mar.. pretending to be a tourist, in my beachwear, and back pack, as pale as a newly arrived tourist!

I had coffee near home first then drove down to La Cala, parked and walked to the little chiringuito where I always go, had a zumo de naranja and planned to walk and sit a while, turnaround and come back without too much of the walking I suppose..

Yet here I sit, where I started sitting twenty-one years ago! It's beautiful still... Different, but beautiful always.

Last time I walked along the boardwalk to Calahonda was with Franco and when we reached the river that divides Rivera from Calipso we had to either walk the beach or walk up to the road..

Now it has met up with what was here.. 

Okay, so now I have to walk back!

And home! Twelve kilometers walk... In flipflops no less! Hadn't actually eaten either, trying the option of first meal is lunch, not breakfast at the moment, just to see if it's helps my stomachache.. not yet! But I'll see, oddly I'm not feeling hungry now when I wake up, like I always used to, I do miss my porridge though..

And of course it meant for today when I got home and ate it was about three, and not eaten since last evening! 

Maybe a little chocolate now to make up for lost energy!

M.

My small back patio is looking good with flowers and plants now.. 

Just have to remember to water them!

Had lots of days off work this past week, last Sunday went to La Cala with neighbors, we walked a bit, had lunch in a chiranguita on the beach.. then walked to a bar and had a couple of drinks.. 

Really lovely day..

A view from the other morning.. the moon still high in the sky..

Wednesday went to La Cala market, and a bite of lunch afterwards, different chiringuito! Walk about and home afterwards..

Friday went into town to help celebrate a friend's birthday, was a lovely evening, five of us.. beautiful late afternoon and early evening.. 

Gibraltar in the background here.. a few weeks ago.. obviously not from my terrace!! From Cabopino!

Went down the coast yesterday, as far as Torrox on the motorway, then came home via the coastal road as far as Malaga then onto main road and home.. it's a really lovely ride back, seems so different there compared to our stretch of coast, yet just an hour or so away.

I'd been to Caleta last year..and checked exactly when later.. unbelievable coincidence.. it was April 16th last year..

The same date!! How's that for craziness!! 

I've been painting on the terrace, around the back area and up the stairs, up one side and still the other to do.. should have been my mission today, but came home from coffee and I've just chilled! 

Maybe later, after grocery shopping.. maybe not!

It looks so much better, probably not been done for seven or eight years.. I did some prep, but still as I rollered on paint old paint came off also! What a mess! It's difficult painting white on white in brilliant sunshine! Notice the missed bits later in the evening! But at least the sand from last year's sandstorms is being painted out.. until the next one! 

I tried cutting my throat the other night! Unintentionally! I pulled my necklace across in my half sleep, I could feel the star sticking in my neck.. and scratched my throat! Hilarious! 

I'm trying to get my stomach back to working normally! Wondering if it's just the effects of antibiotics every month for fourteen months.. so taking strong probiotics.. did I mention this already!!?? Lols! 

M.

Well yes I'm home.. it's Good Friday, been home eleven days.. 

Just always feel so bereft when I leave my family.. Like I'm sort of exiled from them.

Above a can of soup I had.. picked it up in a store when we went food shopping.. have to admit, although very nice it was nothing like and no where near as nice as freshly made and eaten out of a giant bread roll on a pier in San Francisco!

I also picked up a microwave meal and when I heated it up the lid melted!! So therefore, not all microwavable! 

Going through some wonderful old photographs suddenly I saw my mom's handwriting!! A card to my aunt Rita and family.. from us! 

That was strange seeing her handwriting out of context as it were..

We went to a wonderful 'old' place.. old for the US of A.. Raynham Hall Museum, Oyster Bay out on Long Island..

This is my new pad, out over the other side of the lake.. mmm juts kidding, my cabin by the lake could be built here though, never quite known where I'd like it situated.. this could be it!

Here is the Museum.. a beautiful old building, wonderful history, just us three and a random man in the tour, well worth visiting, learnt a lot about this area and the men who lived here..

Raynham Hall Museum..

At my cousin's I used the Google search thingy to identify their cat, I'd seen one before at a client's when working in England, and placed a 3D by his side!

At work on my break, surrounded by crates.. 

Thinking of the sun outside.. and happy thoughts of things.

M.

It is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.

Queen Elizabeth II - 1926-2022 - Queen of the United Kingdom

TWA Hotel at JFK, New York

This blog is purely photographs taken at this amazing iconic TWA Hotel..

From the outside..

To the what appears to be old walkway to board the planes ...

The rooftop heated pool overlooking the runway..

An overnight stopover, a day pass.. and here one can lounge and enjoy...

There are rooms 'set' in the 1960's..

Below on four legs the blue plexiglass item.. zoom in.. it's Barbie!

Cant move stuff around, probably more against stealing which is understandable, so everything is stuck down..

It truly is an amazing building, and I am so lucky my cousin decided to stop and let us spend some time.. 

Below the whole building from the designers point of view..

From shoeshine to the old telephones..

The teal room is maybe a bit too much!

And all the TWA uniforms.. wonderful! 

I left wanting to put on a pair of 4" stilettos and pencil skirt with maybe a cashmere twin-set! 

M.