Museo Carmen Thyseen Málaga today... We made good time to Málaga, bit of traffic in the city, but not too bad, parked easily and came out into the heat... was 39º by 10am! Like an open oven door! We had a coffee by the Alcazaba, I popped into the ladies there.... What a toilet! Huge room, old oak door with a massive bolt on the inside[of course!], georgeous tiffany style lamp and an oil painting on the wall of a naked man! There was a head and shoulder portrait on the door, of a woman, so I am guessing likewise in the gents, well the other way around of course!

I had printed out a map to get from the Picasso gallery to the Thyssen, but it was easy to find anyway, and five stories high, was a long haul walk... but very very good, although after the Louvre in Paris..... well, spoiled I guess eh!

Beautiful books in the shop on the way out, but so expensive....


Above is something I caught sight of on the way into the City, I thought initially it was scaffolding, but look closer..... go on zoom in! Its a piece of art, see the chairs??? Strange eh! Although a better photo than the first I took of a white van as it pulled up along side as I took the photo!!!!

Anyway, back to the Thyssen, after we left we went back to the main plaza at the end of c/larios and had a paella, mixto with a beer!

Then home!

I got lots in the mail box today, a card[*smiles*], and a bill from the phone company, for well over a hundred euros!!! They want[ed], 50€ for a call out fee, remember I called them out because the line was bad? Well they were charging 50€ for that effort of coming out, looking, using the phone and leaving! So I got straight onto them, told them I wasn't happy. I mean afterall, he didn't have the means to fix was what was needed, he told me what to get. And a couple of days later I bought the fixings from a hardware store, and I fixed the phone myself! And they want 50€??? I should send them my bill for fixing they're equipment!!!

Also had an Aviso[notice of mail in the post office for collection], its not our house number, or name, quite possibly not even out street! So popping that back in to them tomorrow, to get back again at a later date no doubt!

Oh and lots of post for next door but one, as usual!!!!

I'v had to lug the rug[oh!] up onto the terrace for a wash, Pippa has been so afraid to go up there, she had a couple of.... what shall I say? accidents? on the rug[pheuwy!!!], I tried to clean it downstairs out the back, but not a good idea, and so made it worse by having to get a wet rug up two flights or stairs!

Anyway, its washed, and dried up there now, but I think I will wash it again before bringing it down again! Poor little Pip!

Then last night, no, the night before, I was hosing down the plants, watering the plants really I think I mean! And the end came off and soaked me, so that was fun!!!

The last two nights sleep has been wonderful, Sunday night was as bad as Saturday night, even though we thought the celebrations were over, they weren't, 6am Sunday morning the rockets started again, and went on all day and all evening, then, no bands, nothing but rockets, and at about 10pm, there seemed to be a whole crowd of people milling about outside in our street, and there they were, hundreds and thousands[well almost], and they didn't leave till about 1am!!!!

Monday, hospital, I forgot to mention Friday, went to the hospital too! I had had a phone call late one evening, about 9pm telling me an appointment had been changed and thought it was my Monday appointment for the heart scan... so, off we went, waited up by the room for well over half hour, at least until they switched off the lights!!! Then we knew we were either in the place, or it was the wrong day and time, the later is the answer of course!

So a complete waste of time... We went as previously arranged to the correct appointment, we arrived early, but I went in on time, I watched the whole scan, could see lots of highs and lows on a monitor, me, inside of course, my heart beating away, thank God! And lots of lights, green and purple and red, like flashed of colored lightening, very pretty!

Took the results in a sealed envelope and went down to the appointments desk, because we thought the phone call must have been telling me of a change to the results consultation... we waited about an hour, nearly, and no, that appointment is fine and correct also!!! So what the heck was that all about? What appointment did I miss? And what for???

I now have to NOT open the envelope and take a sneak peek at the results, I wouldn't know what they mean, and would only get the wrong idea and worry, but its difficult not opening them.... isn't it???

TTFN
Marian

ps, sorry, very very tired and may be many errors, mis spellings or grammar or just plain weird writing today, apologies amigos, must try better next time!!

As I write, I hear rockets.... rockets rockets rockets, all we have been hearing all week, and I am all rocketed out now! These things must be costing someone some money, somewhere! And for what, to get people to the church?? Arrrrrhhhhhh, I know I have said this before, and I have every intention of saying it many times more yet, but honestly, we all have either mobile phones or alarm clocks to get us to be somewhere we are supposed to be at whatever times we are supposed to be there, we really do not need rockets for that any more!!!


Trip to Benalmadina this morning, we borrowed a friends car, a 4x4, I had only driven it once before, but it was ok, bit bigger than I am normally used to! And I felt very small at the wheel! We went down the coast road to Fuengirola and then along the coast road, along, well along the coast! To Benalmadina port, I hadn't been there for a while, I don't think since Mom passed away, she and I went there alot, so I could see her there... Everywhere, but then we passed the Chinese junk boat, and I could see Tony and I on that too! The new sea taxi was there, it looks like it would be a bumpy ride, but you get the boat from Benalmadina to Fuengirola, or Cabopino, Marbella, and even Gibralter, at some point! Every two hours from 10am, and its a return trip, just hope not everyone wants to get the same boat back, no standing, tha'ts forsure!

We arrived ok, parked, had a coffee, then went to meet Franco's sister Maria and her friends, they were at a beach bar on the other side of the marina, and we found them fine... had a coffee while they had breakfast then said our goodbyes! Maria is only here for the weekend, so just a fly by visit... Then we were back to the car and off outta there! We came back a slightly different way, and about half hour quicker too! Popped into Aldi on the way and stocked up! [on ice cream], although what I got will take a lot to beat the bubble gum ice cream I got earlier in the week from Overseas[Iceland], Mmmmmm yummy!

Back in town, couldn't get home! We came down the road, and the police were blocking the road, por que, the band was walking up our street! So engine off and waited... I drove up our street behind the band, pulled up outside the house, un loaded the shopping and left Franco to meet and greet the Pip, I then continued to follow the band up our street.... once again, engine off near the junction with plaza alta, once more they left, and the whole load of us cars made a quick get-away down a narrow lane, and away.... but slowly, this time the street was filled with people walking about! But I made it through, taking no prisoners... or maybe just the one or two across the bonnet like trophies!!!

Last night we had an impromptu walk! The phone rang, late, and I mean late!!! My friend whose car I had borrowed couldn't find his wallet, etc etc, everything! And that it might be in his car, in his bag, somewhere there! And he had only just realised it was missing, and where it might be, so off we went to the car, parked up the road, a way[!!!], Pippa thought it was great fun, going out so late, that is until the rockets started going off.... poor thing had to be carried for a while, and then she just kept wriggling and trying to get away, goodness knows what she would do, or where she would run, in panic... I hate to think!

Anyway, the car, the bag, yes! Hidden away out of sight, but there, thank goodness, then home, and back to sleep!

Today we have had bad trouble with internet, well no wifi, that is! Franco was trying to connect something, and ended up using the Ethernet lead, then when I tried to get on line, nothing, nada, and nowt as well!!! I started to lose the plot and thought I would just give it up, then on the hundredth time of switching everything off, mine at last started working! Why does this happen? Makes no sense to me at all....

Maybe its the heat, no no I do know its not, but it is hot hot hot hot! Washing taking half hour to dry... which reminds me I have more to put out just now!

Do you remember I brought my Step-Dads guitar in from the cave? It was so damp and ruined, I didn't know what to do with it, it seems so sad that it was left to rot in there, I feel bad about having done so, it was last year when we had all the rain and it was flooded like everything else in there!

Anyway, its been drying out, but is real stinky and in so many pieces its beyond repair I know, so today, I washed the case, and the back panel of the guitar has come away, I cleaned it up and its now making a very strange new addition to the lounge!!! maybe I should frame it? The label came off, but I'm going to stick that back on, Dads guitar was a Spanish one, made by Manuel Segura Roma E Jerez, sold in London!!! Oh and just googled all the info I have on it, one similar is for sale for 50£... Although I am sure its in much better conditioned, no cave damage me thinks!!

Before I go... Franco wanted something in my make up box, not as dodgy as that might sound by the way folks, but he opened it, peered in and the look on his face made me say to him "... you look like a stranger in a strange land!...."

adió amigos time for ice cream!
TTFN
Marian

Phew its hot, we're not complaining, well just a little, well don't we always complain about the weather it seems? May was still too cold, too wet, June was slow to get hot, then wham bam hot hot hot.... 24/7! Its so over 50 degrees on the terrace now, and even until late in the evening!

We are still having rocket fire all over the place, the purple church for the last couple of weeks and up to July 9th it seems!!!

My nose is red from a drive to La Cala market this morning in friends open top car, love it! But must remember sun screen on nose next time! Its glowing so much now its light will keep me awake later!!!

I'm leaving the fan on for Pip when I am out at all during the day, its so hot when I leave, but its still keeping cool down stairs in the evening and nights, with the persianas down and windows closed, but Pippa won't stay down there during the day and chooses to hide away up stairs where, of course, the heat is!

We wake up in the mornings in a boiling hot up stairs, even with the fans on, and come down into the cool, right now my skin is cool, and bites!!!! Everyone I know is being bitten this year? Maybe the late heat? the rain last month? Don't know but getting fed up chasing the little critters about in the evenings and still missing the hungriest one who wants to feed off me at night, and very fat he must be by now!!! Got some good bite cream now though, ah ha!!!

Had a very very painful day yesterday, I suppose now I know what exactly it is that's been causing the pain over the last few years I should understand and be more careful with my actions, for instance I was getting some photo's out from their place and in such a way was idiotic of me to do so! Its been alright me being so obstinate with the fm, I always knew even if it hurt or I pushed myself too much, I wasn't actually damaging anything, it just hurt, and would hurt for a while until... well until sometime, but I guess these cyst things being the size they are, me moving around is squishing them badly, and yesterday the pain was worse than I can say, at times making my eyes fill, and during that, some of my toes went numb???

Anyway, going before I go on further.... Have heart scan on Friday this week, so, we will see, what we shall see, I guess!

Today I begin to understand what love must be, if it exists.
When we are parted, we each feel the lack of the other half of ourselves.
We are incomplete like a book in two volumes of which the first has been lost.
That is what I imagine love to be: incompleteness in absence.
~ Edmond and Jules de Goncourt ~


TTFN
Marian

Today, is a rather strange Blog... as you all know, and over time hear me go on[and on], and Fibromyalgia, which I was diagnosed with back in 1994, after five years of tests and operations... It is hard to tell, or rather describe this disease, and how it effects the body.

Then just over 3 years ago, nearly four now even, I began to have other symptoms, the pain was different and I feared it was just the fm getting worse, changing in some way...

I went at last to the doctor, as I knew something was different, and the pain is so much worse, I knew I couldn't carry on like I was, also there was the erratic heart problems and high bp.

So I was diagnosed with Spinal nerve root cysts... This is also a chronic pain problem, also something that effects so much of ones body... A Letter to family and friends on the site explains how it feels, and so much of it is very similar to fm also, [apart from painful pressure points, brain activity whilst sleeping and a million other things!!!!]

So below.... This is me folks! However I might look, however the smile on my face, my laughter, the me that's got me through since 1989 with the fm, and now this, on top of it all.... But I am still bloody minded, stubborn, strong minded and determined to carry on, and continue to carry on, until I really cannot carry on any more!

******************************************************

Dear Family and Friends,

This letter was written in hopes of improved understanding of those who live with symptomatic Tarlov cysts and the chronic pain, nerve damage, and life altering changes they can cause.

Having cysts on my spinal nerve roots and the resulting nerve damage causes chronic pain and means many things in my life change, and a lot of them are invisible. Most people do not understand about relentless, intractable pain and its effects, and of those that think they know, many are actually misinformed. In the spirit of informing those who wish to understand, these are the things that I would like you to understand about me and my medical diagnosis.

Please understand that living with this medical condition doesn't mean that I am not still trying to live a "normal" life. However, I spend most of my days and nights in considerable pain and exhaustion; sometimes I probably don't seem like much fun to be with, but I'm still me…….. stuck inside this changed body. There are things that I can no longer do, and I have had to accept that. I worry about how the changes in me are affecting you. I care very much about my family and my friends, and I'd still like to hear you talk about your life, your family, and your activities. I like to talk about things other than me and my medical condition and pain. I still have the same interests I have always had; there are just some of them I can no longer actively pursue. I am grateful, by the way, for the things I can still do.

Please understand the difference between "happy" and "healthy". When you have the flu, you probably feel miserable with it, but in a week or two you are back to normal. I've been living with this diagnosis and its symptoms for years; I can't be miserable all the time. In fact, I work hard at not being miserable. So, if you're talking to me and I sound happy, it means I'm happy. That's all. It doesn't mean that I'm not in pain, or not extremely fatigued, or that I'm "getting better". Please don't say, "Oh, you're sounding good!" or "But, you look so good", as if nothing could possibly be wrong. When I am around you and others, I try to smile, laugh, and enjoy being with you. I am merely coping. I am happy to be with my friends and family and trying to look normal and act normal; it does not mean that I am not in pain or that I have had a miraculous recovery.

Please understand that being able to sit, stand , walk, or be sociable for 15 minutes doesn't necessarily mean that I can sit, stand , walk, or be sociable for thirty minutes, or an hour. Just because I managed to sit, stand , walk for thirty minutes at a time yesterday doesn't mean that I can do the same today. With this medical condition, it gets more confusing everyday. It can be like a yo-yo. I never know from day to day, how I am going to feel when I wake up, and how painful the day will become; in most cases, I never know from hour to hour. That is one of the hardest and most frustrating components of living with Tarlov cysts and chronic pain. It sure makes planning ahead difficult, and it means I have had to adapt to an altered life style.

Please understand that chronic pain is variable. It's quite possible that one day I am able to take a walk, go out to lunch with you, go shopping , although when I get home or the next day I'll have trouble walking to the next room. Please don't be confused by saying or thinking, "But, you did it before!" or "Oh, come on, I know you can do this!" If you want me to do something, then ask if I can. I may need to cancel a previous commitment at the last minute. If this happens, please do not take it personally. If you are able, please try to remember how very lucky you are to be physically able to do the things that you can do. I have to re-prioritize my plans and activities constantly, because of the pain and other symptoms that persist. I am still learning each day to cope with what I can no longer do, and to remain very thankful for what I can do.

Please understand that "getting out and doing things" does not always or necessarily make me feel better, and can often make me seriously worse. I really try to be as active and involved in activities as I possibly can, as far as the pain and symptoms allow. If I was capable of doing something that would take it away all of the time, don't you know that I would?

Obviously, chronic pain can deal with the whole body, or be localized to specific areas. Sometimes participating in a single activity for a short or a long period of time can cause more symptoms and an increase in physical pain. The recovery time from doing something I should not do, or longer than I should do it, is significant. I call it ODI (overdoing it) and I pay for it dearly .You can't always read the pain on my face or in my body language. The pain is not caused by depression. The sadness and sometimes irritability that you might hear in my voice (even though I try hard to hide it) is from the pain and adjustments I have had to make in my life to go on, and it is due to the changes such as the loss of my job/career, my inability to jump in the car whenever I want to run errands, see a movie, go to a restaurant, visit friends, shop, clean my house, work in my garden, etc. as I did previously.

Please understand that if I say I have to sit down or lie down now, that probably means that I have to do it right now; it can't be put off or forgotten just because I'm somewhere else, or am in the middle of doing something..

Chronic pain does not forgive, nor does it wait for anyone.

You may have wondered why I don't just take something stronger for the pain. I have tried many different medications, as well as surgery which did not result in improvement for me, although it has for many patients. I have developed many more cysts since my surgery. I have been made worse, not better, due to side effects or allergic reactions from the medications. These symptomatic cysts on the spinal cord nerves are rare, and are not related to more commonly understood problems, such as herniated or ruptured discs. Currently, there is only a handful of courageous Neurosurgeons and Interventional Neuroradiologists in the world who are seeing the majority of patients with this rare disorder and are willing to attempt treatment. Currently, the treatment outcomes are not indicating a high percentage of "complete cures"; however many patients are much improved.

If I seem touchy, irritable, or distant occasionally, it ¡s probably because I am. It's not how I try to be. As a matter of fact, I try very hard to look and act normal. I hope you will try to understand. I have been, and am still, going through a lot of change. Chronic pain is hard to understand unless you have had it. It wreaks havoc on the body and the mind. It is exhausting and exasperating. Almost all the time, I know that I am doing my best to cope with this, and to live my life to the best of my ability. I ask you to bear with me, and accept me as I am. I know that you cannot literally understand my situation unless you have been in my shoes, but as much as is possible, I am asking you to try to be understanding in general.

In many ways I depend on you. I need you to call or visit me when I cannot go out. If you live with me, sometimes I need you to help me with the shopping, cooking, cleaning, gardening. You know me well enough to know it is very difficult for me to ask for help.You are my link to the normalcy of life. You can help me to keep in touch with the parts of life that I miss so much. I know that I have asked for a lot of understanding from you, and I do thank you for listening to my innermost thoughts on paper. It really does mean a lot to me that you care. My head and heart are still the same; it is my body that has changed, and my life as I knew it before Tarlov cysts has changed. Thank you for trying to understand what I myself do not completely understand. I appreciate your love, concern and prayers. This new journey of learning to live with this medical condition has blessed me in many ways.

The Tarlov Cyst Disease Foundation's vision is of a future in which Tarlov Cyst Disease is well understood, accurately diagnosed, and easily treated, so that those afflicted should not suffer needlessly. We hope to make the path a little easier for others with this rare diagnosis; we hope our efforts will bring about a cure in the future.

Reta Honey Hiers, R.N., C., President

Tarlov Cyst Disease Foundation

www.tarlovcystfoundation.org

P.S. If you are a TC patient, please feel free to print this letter and share it as is, or edit it to make it your own to share .

************************************************
Well, there it is, the high-lighted bit is all me really, the bit about the operations etc, who knows yet, lets hope what they decide to do here to help me works, because by the sound of it, the other option doesn't sound too good does it!

Now I have depressed you all, go get a glass of wine or a beer eh!

TTFN
Marian

On Monday I went into the bank to pay the IBI [council tax], rubbish and sewerage bills...

He, cashier, noticed something I hadn't, typical! That the date on them was last years dates, so he had torn off the bottom bits, put the money into my account, instead of just scanning and paying the bills, then he said, these are last years! You need updated invoices to pay them... I said how strange as I have paid them.... he just told me to go to the office to see....

I checked my files[!], and was correct that I had paid them, last August! by the way!

la la la.... This morning, well I had to leave it a bit, you know build up the momentum for the conversation of hell! In I went, I didn't take the receipts from last years payments, I know what can happen when you hand over original documents, in the past they have been taken and thrown away and copies given!!!!

So! In I went, I said these had come through my mail box a month or so ago, and did he have this years to pay... He said that they are not due out for delivery until August! That he didn't know where these had come from and that....click click click... I had paid these in August last year! Yeah!!! Just like I knew I had.... So out I went, only a matter of minutes from going in!!!

Then I had to make an appointment for the doctors... in I went, up to the desk, asked for an early appointment as soon as please! Tomorrow morning early! Fantastico!

I had phoned Vodafone myself earlier in the week, having tried and tried previously in the shops to get my contract cancelled, but it just never worked out! I had tried a number I was told would put me through to an English speaker, that didn't, wouldn't! And was never working!

So I had just called the regular number, cup on tea to hand, ready for a long hawl.... But NO! I asked for an English speaker and English"!!! So I said I wanted to change to pre paid... And he took all my details, then I said what price plan I wanted and he said yes fine... 6 and half minutes later, tea still hot I went back downstairs, in shock! But, and its a big but, I'm not so sure he has cancelled my account, and not just changed my price plan!!!

I guess I will find out soon enough eh!!

This morning a child was hit whilst crossing the road, on a crossing, with her Mom and sister, the man didn't see her, and she was thrown into the air, still holding onto her Mom's hand! She was ok, thank God, just a scratch on her elbow... I arrived just after the incident, thank goodness, wouldn't want to have that in my memory, and I'm sure the poor child doesn't either of course! You know, no one called the police??? Someone took them to the medical centre, but nothing else was done????

The doctor at the hospital said if my bp came down below 110, the upper number, to come off my bp meds, it has today, I hardly have any bp at all!!! So tomorrow I will leave it out! Just take the Beta blocker! Bit worried about this, but that's what he said... So there we have it amigos!

TTFN
Marian

Saint Augustine -Don't cry if you love me!

Dragon as seen in the Mijas International weekend, lots of stands from many countries around the world... Not Italy though, not sure why, they haven't been there any time we have gone to visit the fair....

We had a whole plateful of meat from Uruguay.... Look away now if your not a meat eater please!!



Couldn't get the whole bbq area into the frame!! I did try standing back to take a better shot but people just kept getting in the way.... as we do!!!

We had had to get the bus to Mijas, the 2:30 from Alhaurín, which didn't get to our parada until ten to three! So was 20 minutes from there to the pueblo, unbelievably a guy at the bus stop asked us, more Franco really as I was hiding in the shade of the bus top... not much as it happened, but, sorry back to guy... he wanted cigarettes, so left his small daughter alone, with us, and 3 or 4 single guys and another couple... to get go them!!! The shop was out of sight from us, and I still can't believe he just left her with so many complete strangers!

I went with friends to the lakes again! And found that the tree by the church is a Mulberry tree! And in fact there are two of them there! Well never too old to learn something eh! I took them to the top of the mountain first with the reservoir and Bobastro remains, we would have had a coffee in the bar up there.... but bar gone, sold, and it looks like a private house now only, and a very beautiful one at that!

From there down to El Choro, the railway station bar and coffee.... and then to the lakes at Ardales! By then 'they' were almost tourist'ed out I think! So we had some very nice food at the Kiosk restaurant over looking the main lake...

I then pushed my luck and we walked around the corner to the two dams, the old, and the new... And then, went just a bit too far and took them down to the lower level of the lake... where they almost lost the will to live, well one anyway! He had had enough of the tourist trail and just wanted to leave the place... So we did!!!

We had a meeting at work during the week, and I was thanked for my TV appearance! Did anyone actually see it? I hope not, but I have been advised I will be doing it again as it brought so many people in??? I think they wanted to see the clown who spoke gibberish do you think!!!

Have dates for my heart scan now, July 4th! And results from that a couple of weeks later... Just wish it was sooner, all seems to be taking so long, and still not quite got used to these Beta blockers, still hoping I won't have to take them forever...

Feeling a bit vague now actually as I type, so will leave you here, with a quote I came across during the week... I have a few actually, that came just when I needed them, and one beautiful poem from Saint Augustine a good friend sent me.... which I have just now, as I write, found on YouTube and posted herein...

You see I took a step back this week, I felt like I had lost my Mom all over again... I came home one afternoon, walked into the kitchen, put on the kettle to make a cup of tea, and thought, as I do every day, that I would phone Mom, and bam, I burst into tears, and for all the rest of that evening and into the next day, I cried like I had last year...

The truth is that there is only one terminal dignity - love.
And the story of a love is not important -
what is important is that one is capable of love.
It is perhaps the only glimpse we are permitted of eternity.
~ Helen Hayes ~

TTFN
Marian

ANother trip out today! This morning headed out to Cátama and then to Estacion de Cártama... Market is still on there on Sundays, let me tell you! Didn't want to get involved with it, but got caught up in traffic and ended up circumnavigating the whole of the town because of it!!!

From there we took the Pizzara road, stopping off there and walking into town for churros, the stand didn't have any chocolaté, must remember to carry thermos of creamy hot chocolaté at all times to save further un happiness having to eat churros without the hot chocolaté... back in the car, also, of course sugar less! I normally have some sugar in my bag[!!!!], but also today, none of it! At present, now I think of it, there is one solitary churro left in a plastic bag, in the car, keeping warm, or even very hot, considering how hot the sun is today, even now at 7pm!

Summer at last, and about time too..... Just published this and checking it out realised I haven't explained the photo above, there is a monastery, its about mid mountain, and over to the right a bit, a while building, zoom anyway... oh and I am just guessing about what it is, sorry....


Above a great shot of the road... less travelled these days, maybe! Managed to get over it ok, although on reflection I think should have taken the part of the road that had already sunk, because driving over the higher bit, about 5 foot higher, felt decidedly dodgy!!

Then further along, the pic below, you can see how the side of the road here has actually risen, not fallen.... So, no complaining about pot holes over there in Blighty por favor mis amigos... these are what real pot holes look like! You don't lose your tires over here, you lose your whole car!!!

And below a new'ish, what we thought was a road, and for the past couple of years, we thought it was a road, but on closer inspection anyone can see its a railway line! A very high railway line! you can see this from so far away, even nearly here! And where we spent my birthday last year, when we thought it was an empty road!!!

And finally below, a view of Alóra, taken from a garden centre car park, we didn't go into Alóra today, but there on the mountain on the left you can see a castle...


The garden centre was huge! And had the biggest restaurant I have ever seen in a garden centre!!! They are 'doing up' the rest of the place, but still had plenty of plants and gardenware!!!

Alot of the roads we travelled on today were in a state of bad repair, just like a couple of weeks ago, if people drove too fast, in the dark, they wouldn't last long forsure!

Our journey ended, as it has before strangely by coming down the mountain that over looks the Garganta restuarant and El Chorro station, passing the restaurant near the top where we went with Tony some years back now... Although not entirely sure if it was from the same direction! As if I remember correctly we passed the restaurant on the left, and not up the right on a side turning? This means nothing to you, sorry, rambling....

I think I am getting used to the Betablockers now, its my fourth day, and I seem to be typing ok, Mmmmm, did a typo there, so maybe not! And still confused how the meds make me even more tired than I normally am, but also give me insomnia at night! How does that work then???

Oh and today whilst out, I saw another owl! Asleep on a fence post, on the Alóra road! And then later we saw this terrific little lizard crossing the road infront of us! And in a major hurry he was too! His head held high, legs going as fast as he could, bright green in color.... Sooooo cute! Trouble is the only photo I have is the one in my minds eye!

Came home about 2pm and sunbathed up on the roof terrace, summer is here[I hope!], started reading a book I haven't read for years, and years, Silver Metal Lover its called...

And now there is a robot movie on tv... oh well!

TTFN amigos
Marian

Ok amigos, had to write notes beneath so I don't forget or get mixed up, and maybe I should start with the note at the bottom, in case nothing makes sense here, I am taking, for a while I guess for now anyway, some betablockers to try to regulate my heart arrhythmia, and am thinking when its sorted out I can off them, hope so, either that or these symptoms go, or I get used to them, whichever is the quicker, only been taking them for two days, but am having trouble typing, thinking or pretty much anything, make me so tired, no not actually tired, fatigued, maybe, as last night despite being so tired I kept waking up all through the night and not actually feeling like I would be able to go back to sleep!

Tuesday was a terrible day! It began with a television advert.... I was supposed to do, for Cudeca, what a mess, and it really was, I am not just saying that, seriously camera shy, although not helped by the fact that another girl should have been with me from Cudeca, doing the Spanish bit, so I was on my own, only person speaking English, and a girl from the company was trying to help, but her English was so bad I couldn't understand a thing she said to me!

Another woman introduced me, sort of, didn't ask my name, and I was too dumb to even say who I was when I began my introduction to the Summer fair on Saturday, at 10am until 2pm, and all we have for sale etc etc, I was actually speechless, yes! Totally, well apart from a new language I learnt very quickly, and very fluently, its called Gibberish! Absolute Gibberish, that's all I spoke! So I have decided to stick to only one type of television now, and that's CCTV!

Then, I went to work, and gibberished my way through the humiliation of telling people what a hopeless wreck I was!

In the evening I had my hospital appointment, for my results... Which they actually had! From both the heart monitor test and the MRI, the MRI showed I have spinal nerve root cysts... a couple over a centimetre in size, they need operating on, but not until I have had my arrhythmia sorted out! The appointment I have been waiting for since early February has still not come through, it sounds like an ultra sound scan, they will watch my heart and see what its up to, then see what's to do! My friend picked me up from the town centre, just before 6pm and we got to the hospital in Malaga very quickly, it was 30°, and felt like it! The good thing, although there were lots of cars, not many people left in the hospital! We almost walked straight in, no one in front of us to go in at all! My friend is leaving the area, so who knows what we will do without her!!!! We won't know what the doctor is saying, or him us, we could come out with all sorts of things, or come out with nothing!

Anyway, the op on my cysts.... lovely! Cysts... And this is a shot in the dark, but reading about them and the symptoms of them, it seems they can cause Fibromyalgia like problems, wouldn't it be funny if they have been there for the last twenty years, and its been them causing all my pain, fatigue, joint pain, sleepiness nights.... Oh and yes I know I am clutching at straws, but one can hope.... Can't one???

And today rain! In June.... oh well.... just a smattering of it, and its been so humid the last few days... At the boardroom this morning we got the centre table, the only dry table in the house, so to speak! I was somewhat disorientated at the table this morning, didn't really know who or where I was! And its taken all day for the half a tablet to wear off and I go and take the other half!

At least no one seems to have seen the tv advert for Cudeca summer fair....?? At least no one laughed at me in town today!!! Its on the net somewhere too, I can't find it, I seriously cannot find it folks, I am not just not telling you where it is, maybe they decided against showing it? Although of course, I suppose I probably sounded just like I always do? I was speaking English after all, and Gibberish, in English, may sound not so dissimilar to my normal talking!!! lol

Think that must be it for today.... Oh no, before I forget, I called Telefonica on Friday evening, really bad crackling phone line, almost impossible to hear from my point of view, and by Saturday mid day, a man was here to fix it! Turns out where we had the really bad damp in the bedroom the winter before last, the box had got a bit rusty, or something, so he advised me to buy the new bit, which is what happened on Monday, I came home and wired it into the wall, and hey presto, clear line again!! Strange that the telephone man didn't carry any actual parts in his van, isn't it? Or maybe not!!!!

TTFN amigos!
Marian

ps view at the lakes, the water measure line...

Some more photos from last Sundays trip to the Ardales lakes... Hopefully some areas, most people seem to miss from their visits... I always have to go somewhere different, get off the beaten track, investigate paths not trod, oh anyway you know what I mean!

I just go my own way!

I really wanted to walk further along this path above, but I am holding the camera through a very high gate which was not negotiable, well maybe if I had a rope and tackle to get round the high wall which was hanging over the water!

This is the path you would come to if the bridge was till up, and they unlocked the gates and pathways down from the upper levels....

This bit above, with my shadow is looking down over another little bridge which leads to the water works bit! There were thousands of figs in the water, the wonderful fig trees there are unreachable by anyone, so not sure why so many young looking figs had fallen from them... but they were piled up, caught by rocks and puddling where the water had taken them...

Also loads of prickly pears, as mentioned yesterday... These though are up near the newer dam, looking forward to getting back here when all this fruit is in season, pair of think gardening gloves in my pocket eh!!


And above the tree near the church, zoom in and look at all the fruit, looks like loganberries maybe? But black... People were eating them and or, throwing them to the huge fish!

No more mobile phone news just yet, thought I would have a days reprieve, although did have to phone Telefonica this evening, have more crackle than Snap Crackle and Pop cereal !!!

Town was quiet today, well this morning anyway, our bar wasn't even open first thing, we moved the boardroom over the street, and looked down at our place, which did open, too late mate!!!

Last night we were kept awake by lots of passers-by, who wanted to talk very loudly, because they maybe were deafened by loud music further down the street... I am expecting the same thing for the next two nights, Pippa has been told, but she says she will still get up-set and bark at them for disturbing our sleep!

TTFN
Marian

All these photos today are taken at the lakes, we were there on Sunday... Beautiful day... Look at that wonderful rock formation above, when we got close you could see a man made pillar to hold that great overhang from falling down and bringing the mountain with it!!!

My little computer here is going so slow I am typing away and nothing is appearing until two lines later, very frustrating and annoying and driving me mad, not the only thing today either, but will tell that after these photos! If I can get this bit done that is!!

OK photo above taken from the top of the dam, looking down at the very still and murky looking lake! Thats the bit with the steps and gardens that are off limits... I think because once down at the bottom there.... see below.....

... here we are below now! There sort of left of centre... is a bridge which is broken... So maybe 'they' think it would be dangerous having those gardens etc open to the public, but they must have been closed for a long time now, pity, that would make a great walk through those woods and over the lake... Still its nice to see from the other end isn't it.... We were down here once before and Tony and Franco got hold of some prickly pears, much to their discomfort!!

Above classic photo of the lakes, near the Kiosk restaurant... if you zoom in, kind of in that little dip after the forest on the left! You can see some of the wind turbines now... They were not here two years ago! I think they look wonderful, amazing...


Look how deep the water is, its amazing those eucalyptus trees don't rot!

Ok, can't wait any longer.... Today, this morning 10am at a mobile phone shop... To cancel the contract and go back to pay-as-you-go, type thing, the monthly bills are way too high, and we have never received a statement, so who knows what's been going on.... Anyway, I digress as normal! So, first in, first to be served.... 50 minutes later out of the shop, only one number sorted out, mine still to do, it has to be done at 6pm this evening, apparently it was 18 months ago to the day I began the contract, freaky isn't it! So also lucky, must admit I hadn't remembered I had taken an 18 month contract, having been with 'them' before, and using them for nearly 10 years... Sorry off again aren't I !!! So came back just after 6pm... 20 minutes later was told, no has to be 6:49 exactly, so its 18 months to the date and time! Out for a coffee, back at 7pm... Ten minutes later than time... just in case! Back on the phone... and NO NO NO!!! If I cancel the contract today, I will have to pay a cancellation feeeeeeeeeee!!! WHY??? Who knows!! So I can't do it tomorrow, no here in Alhaurín anyway, town is closed... period! Feria weeks remember!!!

What a nightmare!!! The poor people in the shop, it wasn't they're fault... but the people on the phones... But for me, the nightmare will go on until I have managed to cancel it!

And now for me its time for tea!

TTFN
Marian

Giant Asparagus! Wow eight foot hight so far, amazing!


Should have posted this on April first though shouldn't I! So ok, its Agave! But looking like this? Hay gotcha didn't I!!

Today, this evening hospital appointment, I had an MRI, unexpectedly... I knew the department I was going to, but not until we were outside the door with 31 on it, did I find out this was what the appointment was for!

Few people waiting, about 45 minitues late getting in, and out just over half hour, mas ó menos! On our way home 7:15pm... Seemed so late to be coming out of a hospital appointment eh!

Firstly, after being settled onto the machine the doctor placed an awful thing over my face, like a mask, with a mirror! So although laying down and looking up, I could see my legs and her face on the other side of the glass wall! When she put it on I said.... "Ah, Silence of the Lambs" which made her laugh!

Then she wasn't laughing when she came back to me, pulled me back out and took it off, she realised I wasn't having my head scanned!

So that was better, horrid thing, the mask.... and the MRI machine, its noisy, sounds like being in a hole with a dozen workmen using those hammer drill things, although it sort of had a tune, now and then... ba ba ba ba, bounce bounce bounce! Sounded like being in a rave, not that I have actually been to a rave, but how I imagine one to be like!

I thought I would jump when it first was about to start, but there was a light knocking noise, before each bout of scanning... I had earplugs in, didn't get those last time I had an MRI, I think that was back in about 1994....

Anyway, all done now, and just have to wait till May 31st for results...

Before I go, did a funny thing on the way there in the car, was chatting with friend and was telling her about the bread pudding another friend had made this week, saying it was the best bread pudding I have ever made... and you know when you mix words up? Putting either two words together or swapping the first couple of letters around.... I did that, and will tell you what I said instead of best bread pudding.... Breast pudding!!! LOL, and did we laugh? Yes, for ages!

TTFN
Marian

Take the life that you have, and give it your best.

''Life just is. You have to flow with it.
Give yourself to the moment. Let it happen.'' Jerry Brown

Life can be hurtful, and not always fair.
Life can surround you, with people who care.
Life clearly does offer, its ups and its downs.
Life teaches us to take, the good with the bad.
Life is a mixture, of happy and sad.

So.....

Take the life that you have, and give it your best.
Think positive, be happy, let the Universe do the rest.
Take the challenges, that life has laid at your feet.
Take pride and be thankful, for each one you meet.
To yourself give forgiveness, if you stumble and fall.
Take each day that is dealt you, and give it your all.

Take the love that you're given, and return it with care.
Have faith that when needed, it will always be there.
Take time to find the beauty, in the things that you see.
Take life's simple pleasures, let them set your heart free.

You're only here for a short visit. Don't hurry, don't worry, and stop to smell the flowers along the way. Walter Hagen

Above from Positive Thoughts... that come to pay a visit on my fb page at usually the exact time I need to hear them!

Please enjoy, as I always do....

TTFN

Marian

Got my glasses back! Thank goodness, what a nightmare! Above photo taken in town, a classic eh, three ladders up to the balconies....???

And below, two, not so great photos, as photos of photos! A friend in work had taken them the evening before, she had gone out to her garden at dusk and there was this animal leaning over her fish pond!

What a face eh! Intense look about it, strange but beautiful... Lastest is its a Genet... At first Civit was the best idea, although some of photos didn't look quite right for it to be a Civit...

And a Twitter follower suggested the Genet, and I am sure this is it.... Look at the tail! How long??

Interesting read on both of the animals, of which I am sorry to say I had heard of neither!!!

Work was ok, time went bit slow, and there seemed to be no people out and about at all! But we did good non the less, which is why we are there!

Weather has been a mix of hot sun, or pouring rain! We even had hailstones yesterday afternoon, and thunder and lightening early hours of this morning! What is going on, its May!!!

The Feria in town next week, so does this mean rain or sun!!!

Pippa still is coming to terms with all the noise and turmoil of the May celebration rockets, she is still hesitant going out for her walks, we come to full stops, or she only wants to go down dead end roads! My poor little baby....

I have hospital appointment again tomorrow evening about my hip, don't really know who with! And results are now on May 31st, got them brought forward by a week, better than nothing I suppose.

I have been training on a Wii fit plus, did some of the sports stuff last week, but began a proper routine yesterday only, and yesterday my wii fit age was 51, today, only 24hrs later I am down to 39! That's better!!!

Glad I burnt off some calories earlier, a friend gave me a wonderful piece of home made bread pudding, which I ate with custard just now!! Although not sure that's the point of burning calories? So you can eat them up afterwards???

I'm spending too much time on solitaire, and seem to be making my way through every 80's hit on YouTube!

And today, feel like I am saying so much about nothing, and nothing about things I should!

TTFN
Marian

A different view of the lakes, not seen before by me! Just before we came out on a reservoir we knew well!!!! From a road not previously driven because we thought it out of bounds!!!

Not sure what I was taking here... above? But a pretty looking field of something or other eh!!!

Above and below more taken in Setenil de las Bodegas! When your sitting there looking at the mountain and the houses, it looks more like the mountains have moved over the houses, rather than the houses being built beneath the mountains!

I know I took the pic above before, but look how close the mountain is to the bedroom balcon above! A matter of what? Two or three foot at the most! I must admit, I wouldn't like to see that view from my window... Could feel a bit claustrophobic don't you think? Or depressing! I remember staying at a friends house in... Abertillery, Wales, and the mountains surrounding the houses were oppressive, seeming to lean down and over everyone... Although certainly not as close above!



And lastly, above, the castle at Olvera, one, for the second time I have been unable to get inside! I bet its not worth it! Is that it? There is a castle in England, I have always wanted to go inside, Bodiam Castle, E.Sussex. I have been as far as the car park a couple of times, but never inside, for one reason or another I cannot even remember now... One day I guess eh.... Have a look at the link, I think anyone would love to visit it!

Weather report - Bit cloudy today, but still warm, bordering on hot and muggy! No rain, although it looked imminent all day!

Work tomorrow, lost my glasses there last week, only need them for reading[!] So only put them on to do so, but wish I had kept them on, slipped out of my pocket... and into someone else's, [she thought they were a donation and took to try] luckily she is bringing them into the shop tomorrow, they didn't work for her! Surprise surprise... funny eh!!!! Had another pair on order, saw her an hour later, and got back on the phone to shop... so saved a couple of hundred pounds running into her, as just managed to cancel the order in time!!!


It is not enough to be able to drop your body
as easily as a bathrobe, take flight like the eagle,
enter the hollow hills, talk with angels, and
dance among the stars.

We must make the return.

We must live in this world and be gardens
for the dreams that want to take root in it.
~ Robert Moss, Dreaming True ~

Above taken, with thanks from bloominghumans.com

TTFN amigos
Marian

Went for a day out today.... Long long drive, we started out towards the lakes at Ardales, but decided to try another route once we reached the town. And took the Teba/Ronda turn to the left instead! Driving through beautiful patchwork mountains, as above photo...its amazing how different the landscape is only half hour drive from here! Fields of rape seed, wheat, poppies! and herds of beautiful brown cows! Also, the most pig farms in one area I have ever seen! Not a pig in sight though, all tucked up in doors - not so good, or the smell!!!

We stopped first at a road side venta, two coaches had just pulled up and we managed to skirt around them and get to the bar! Two coffees and bread with oil... A nearby pig farm supplying the many jamons surrounding bar I imagine!

We were headed actually now for the turn for Arriate... To get to Setenil de las bodegas, where we have been a couple of times before, but has always been too busy to appreciate the village! Both above pics are amazing, well the subject matter I mean! The one below may be a bit confusing[dot.com]... I took a photo of the ceiling above the bar where we stopped for coffee, actually I had a beer, don't know why, just fancied one! Sorry I digress, and per norm! So the pic below is the cave above, and the stone was covered in cobwebs!!! Also there mid photo and down towards the bottom, is a swallows nest, so many birds flying to and fro, and so fast, they swoop down towards the cars while driving, or people while walking, what a game they have!

I tried to take photos I didn't take last time, but different day and less people, so hope I haven't repeated myself! More than usual!


Lots more photos, so will post more tomorrow, hopefully, not been too busy on here of late have I!

While walking in Setenil past a shop, the owner opened the door and told us to go in, have a look around! We did, well we really had no choice! He told us all the plates were painted by hand, here in the town, well that would be good, it all was 20 years ago, but I think most of what you see on the markets these days is not Made In Spain any more!

We went from Setenil to Olvera, it was almost as hot as when Tony and I were there in June one year, well seemed it, although it could the amount of up hill walking you have to do to get anywhere whatsoever! But a very pretty town, we went first to the bar in a plaza, we had a coffee, then started up the mountain to the church, Tony and I were too hot and too tired to go further up to the castle, so thought we would go today.... No chance! it was 1:35 and about to shut at 2pm, definitely not long enough for that climb! And also, they shut the doors!!!! Well time for lunch for them then I guessed! On the way into town we needed petrol, and I remembered a gas station on the left hand side of the road, I know I had only been to Olvera once before, but I did, and it was...! Funny how I remember that but go to put the cereal into the refrigerator!!!!

So back down, took a couple of photos from a distance, back to the car and off again! We had passed a sign for Campillos, so went back to that junction, and took that route back towards Alhaurín, although, no where near it yet of course! And the journey took other turns well before we got back here!

We ended up coming down the road we had originally started from, my now famous road to the hospital! We were on the other hand nowhere near it, being still in the lakes vicinity! We had passed a turn and thought to turn back to it, so we did, and began a new journey around the lakes we had never taken before, getting a bit confused[dot.com], which is unlike me in this area! hahahaha!!! We were very confused actually, then ended up coming to a road we knew!?! I have spent years travelling around the lakes here, and still find a new bit!

phew... So from there, we were going to have a coffee at the Kiosk bar, but was busy, too busy, so off to El Choro, where else! And had a coffee there! Sat by the railway lines, watching the birds go by, well lots of dogs anyway! Apparently they are going to renew the whole of the Kings Walk, and the whole area around there, I suppose, that will be good, but so many times, in the making of something better, you lose some of the old, which was the reason it was good in the first place, the roads will be wider, the place tidied up, new this and new that, and soon, the 'thing' it had will be lost.... Its going to take about five years, so we have time yet to get the best from the way it is now! [does that make sense?]

I am not sure in what way the Kings Walk will be left, if people will all have to use the rope and tie thing, rock climbers equipment etc, or if it will be safe to just stroll around the narrow walkway, but we will never, I am sure, be able to get to the narrow bridge over the gorge we have taken before, in the way we did!!!!

Just watched a bit of Planet of the Apes, the old one, but, in my opinion[!], the best! The final words when Charlton Heston sees the Statue of Liberty... "oh my God, we finally did it! blah blah blah..." It was of course, only a surprise the first time I saw it, but still this bit is the best bit of the movie, the realisation of what has happened!

Its taken about two hours to do this Blog today, stopping for breaks... friend at the door, Pippa barking at passers by up at the back, coffee making, phone calls, oh washing up the dishes and washing my hair! Oh and send an Ecard!!!!

Ecard for friends who had a lovely BBQ on Saturday afternoon, beautiful food, wonderful surroundings and good people... Wasn't there long, and should have stayed longer... Thanks again amigos!

After not Blogging for a while my mouth seems to be running away with itself now, or my fingers over the keys anyway... So I better quit before everyone falls asleep!

More photos tomorrow amigos, adío!

TTFN
Marian

Dixie Chicks, Lullaby

If you have a Mom in Heaven!¸¸.•*"Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ"*•.¸¸
If flowers grow in heaven Lord, then pick a bunch for me; place them in my Mom's arms and tell her they're from me.
Tell her that I love and miss her, and when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for a while
Miss you still MOM ♥

Mothers day today in the states.... As Mom and I are American I guess now we can celebrate today...

Photo above one of my favourites of Mom and I in Cadiz, with Tony, holding the camera of course!

Beautiful weather today, just sun and sun and more sun... At last and wonderful, went to La Trocha market in Coín this morning, nice walk around and coffee with apple strudel... again! I am going to start to look like a piece of apple strudel soon!

Washing has dried on the line and I really should be bringing it in, or it will feel like cardboard... Though it probably already does!

We had a power cut this morning, about 8:30, and was out for a couple of hours, it went off again later, and once dinner was in the oven, it went off again! So had to shift some of dinner out of the electric counter oven into the gas oven!!!! We ate meals at different times therefore!

Missed the Grandprix too, no tv, and then the battery went on this, it only lasts less than half the amount of time it did when it was new... Wonder if this is normal??

Power went again, I think? Anyway was off most of day in the end, back now of course! Or I wouldn't be writing this now...

Can't seem to get house straight today, everywhere I go there is something that needs putting away, so am leaving it now and going to chuck it all out later... Hate it when there is stuff everywhere, can't get my head straight, like a tidy desk at work[when I was], can't work in a mess!

And I am so tired, not had afternoon nap for ages, and ages, but today just couldn't keep my eyes open any longer, not helped by the late night noise outside the house, the end of green week, lots of beautiful plants and decorations outside many of the houses in the area, so last evening everyone went to look, at all of them, taking a band and rockets with them, culminating in fireworks about 12:30am!!!! Then people were walking home from it! I had at one point switched off the tv, but turned it back on at tried again at 1am...

After last week.... What night? Can't remember! Oh yes, Tuesday night, end of celebrations in town, they ended with fireworks at 2am.... yes 2am, and were set off behind the house, Pippa hasn't gone any further than the row of houses we live in, and just round the corner... Then she pulls us home, this morning I didn't even bother trying, not so much for her this morning, was so tired!

Then had to do all my bathroom stuff in the dark, well with a tea light to see by... That was fun!!! What the heck did we do without electricity!?! I know I never actually have had to, but its the same when the phones aren't working isn't it!

Even when I know the electric isn't working I go to switch on a light, or the kettle etc, or think, "shall I watch a DVD then if the tv isn't working?"

What else? La Cala market yesterday, nice morning, sun out, had the roof down on the car on the way home which was wonderful! Stopped into garden centre on the way home for coffee![read tea]...

Loads of tourists at the market, good good good! I got a couple of new charms for my bracelet, a little Buddha and a monkey! One of the three wise monkeys that is!

Last week.... Oh heck forgot I had the hospital on Tuesday didn't I, and I was going to let you know the results... And not leave you waiting! Well, I am still waiting so there we go, what's new!

We were on time, well early, went in early too, Whoopee, he, the doctor asks me if I have my heart monitor results???? So, that was it really, he beat up my hip and its still in agony, wrote out a paper to send me elsewhere for that and told me to come back in the morning and to try to get my results and come back to see him ASAP...

... So we were back early Wednesday morning, and up to where I got the heart monitor before, I asked for the results, she printed them out, got them signed and gave them to me, the doctors assistant could have done that the day before, took two minutes!

Then to the appointments desk, lucky there too, but in getting to the desk only.... only two people ahead of me, not 102, so five minutes and up I went, told him the doctor wanted to see me ASAP as I now have the results he wanted yesterday, but 'he' said I had to have the other appointment first, then see the doctor, they will phone me, and my appointment with the doctor is June 7th!

I very stupidly translated what I could of the results and then Googled them! Big mistake, I now have all sorts of bad things and may not get to finish this post!!!

S'ok, still here...

Although going now, tired, and need to get in washing... I am posting a beautiful YouTube video on here, I heard this song last night, well this morning to be precise, on a tv program, Medium.... This song is so beautiful.... Enjoy.... Its Dixie Chicks and Lullaby...

Life begins and ends in a moment and life can change in a moment. All we have are moments.
VeronicaHay


TTFN
Marian

Its been the longest time.... whoa oh oh... The longest time since I last blogged amigos!

Weather has been a mix of rain and sun! Tomorrow is the last day [apparently], then we have summer, but no one is holding their breath!

We have gone from the Semana Santa celebrations straight into Green Week, April 24th through to May 8th I think.... And its our church of course, the Santa Vera Cruz, so its noisy every evening, and last couple of days have each begun with rocket fire, 20 or 30 or more rockets, setting off the dogs, Pippa went for nearly 24hrs without taking a pee!!!! She refused to leave the house this morning for a walk, we got into the car park and turned right around and pulled me home! Yesterday morning we were out minding our own business when the rockets started and she pulled me home, I had to run she wouldn't walk, and was so terrified, my poor little baby.... Then last night right after her dinner, again they went off, and her dinner lasted inside her very nervous body about ten minutes, maybe! She refused to even go up on the terrace, and eventually went to the toilet this afternoon!!!! I was worried she would damage herself by not going for so long!

Last week we, me and two friends, went to Torremolinos for breakfast, a walk, back up into the town! Those steps, again, only I did them better this time, I should be running up them soon! I also popped into one of the Tobacconists I worked in! Said a quick "hello" well "hola" and besitos all round!

Then we went to Ikea, a friend wanted a frame, and he had been trying to get one elsewhere, he gave up! And although both have an almost morbid fear of Ikea, we went! Me, as you know, I love it there! I showed them immediately the quick way out! Well just in case one of them panicked! This being a real possibility! Then we had lunch! Meatballs of course for me! And coffee's.... Then we skipped the up stairs, they didn't know they could[????] and a quick run around the kitchen bits and short cuts to the frame, and out! The longest bit probably was the check out! But they lived to fight another day didn't they, and was quite pain free!

Been to La Trocha market last two Sundays, bit quiet there... Few marketeers missing, and lookers.... although I am maybe going quite early so possible filling up at a more normal time!

Oh and went to lunch with friends Thursday... What fun! At a road side bar I had never been to before... five of us.... The birthday boy ate something that gave him an immediate upset stomach... and a bad case of hic ups followed, and I mean bad, so bad, he was sick! Right there! At the table!!!!! The food only tasted of salt, the main course, apart from salt was literally swimming in yellow oil, as in over used, the fries were bottom of the frier condition... Passing cars caused dust and debris to fly over the wall around the terrace we were sat at! And 'things' fell from the tin ceiling, into food and eyes!!! [medical assistance needed for the eye!] I'll stop here, enough is enough, I'm really milking the thing now!

So, somewhere I have been now, that I hadn't and won't be revisiting again!

Oh oh, and of course the Royal Wedding! Friday, between William and Kate... I sat through the whole thing, watching every detail, I couldn't help myself, I loved it! And cried here and there, thinking of how Princess Diana would have been so proud of her oldest Son, and remembering Tony was born just a week from him... There was a present to those whose sons were born on the same day! But Tony was on time... So, no present, except the best present of course Tony, you!!! Sorry, still in soppy mood obviously!

I have the hospital tomorrow evening, results....

Won't leave it to Blog too long, I am sure everything is good to go!

"Any life, no matter how long and complex it may be, is made up of a single moment - the moment in which a man finds out, once and for all, who he is." - Jorge Luis Borges

TTFN
Marian

Photo, one I took in Torremolinos few years back