Today is like summer... absolutely gorgeous... Was meeting up with a friend at one after my covid test, decided to see if he was free before as too nice to just wait for later.. So called him and yes earlier would be fine.

So I was down town before ten and had a good chat with friend in her store, then my eleven o'clock coffee date came in and we sat outside for coffee..

Lots of people passing by we both knew, and got chatting to a friend who was waiting to meet with her daughter, she started talking to a man at a nearby table and before long we were discussing this and that, learnt he was waiting for his daughter to come back from having her covid test.

That she is flying Saturday on BA... I said "me too!" So of course we are on the same flight, really not that many flying to Heathrow from Malaga now at all.

He said about her covid test and I said I was having the PCR he said antigen is fine, she had checked with BA, who she works for, and I checked there and then also on the BA site and the .Gov site, and yes, antigen is fine!

We left there, Bar Cruz and headed up Gerald Brennan to another bar where my friend has some of his artwork up, we joined some friends of his, restrictions at the moment to four at a table, so I sat with three friends of his and we chatted about my work and the what how when and where of it.. two of them have done similar in the past and thinking of doing so again.  My friend sat at another table with another of his friends.. until I went for my test.

So when I went for my €115 PCR test, and asked for the antigen test at €45 I saved myself some money! Absolutely fabulous!

I was in early for my appointment, and after ten minutes results in hand left.. all good, negative result.

What a life now we have when a negative result is the positive thing we want!

As I was only in and out quite quickly I came back to the last bar and rejoined the group, only three left so we could sit together.. Was nice, new people, four different nationalities.. the sun was warm.. one could almost believe we were having a normal day in a normal world, except for masks to hand, and hand sanitizer everywhere.

From there we walked down the street a short way and my friend asked me if I would join him for lunch, which I did.. I had my moms favorite scampy and fries, then for desert, my favorite lemon meringue pie.. good grief, its a wonder I can move!  

Last night a neighbour and I had a curry delivered, now this... I am well and truly stuffed!

A great day, still beautiful blue out there.. truly good day to be alive..

Some photographs below from our walk the other day.. These amazing olive trees, not so much for olives but topiary.. each one in the field a real work of art!

And above, our most unwanted of forest friends.. the pine processionary caterpillar! On the move, looking for a fine pine tree to make a nest and rebirth as moths, as we know dangerous to humans and deadly for dogs.

Digressing, on a sad note.. I was looking for something yesterday and instead found trouble in the form of melancholy.. Opened a cupboard for one thing and something else there.. a tuft of Pippa hair! Like she'd left it there on purpose.. And a Christmas card from Baz, but inside the card, was a note from Franco.. It read from him to me, "See you soon, I love you." After the initial jolt, I thought, I hope he doesn't know something I don't!

TTFN

Marian

I was motivated into clearing my shelves this afternoon when chatting on the phone earlier...

Since I've been home I've had a few things I seriously needed to do, and instead of doing them they've been pushed to one side, later later later..always mañana eh!

Well, today, chatting about meditation, yes, meditation, and clearing things from minds and 'to do list.'

And on a shelf an old photo album, with of course old photos.. the Bonelli ones I've posted on our group page..

And then these two of me, back in the 1990's.. I loved this coat.. but didn't bring it here with me..

And oddly, I saw a dress like the green one above, in a store I passed this morning.. and wished I'd still got mine.. then here the photo.. 

All too often we get what we ask for, in different ways maybe.. but we do.

Couple more photographs of the beautiful almond blossom.. it is perfect.. and the aroma.. smells delicately of honey to me..

After a break of a few days.. I'll explain in a moment.. did a good walk today, just over seven miles... 

And yesterday, as a warm up I did three virtual walks, courtesy of YouTube.. the first twenty minutes around Manhattan.. followed by another twenty around the river Seine running through Paris.. and I finished off with half an hour in Naples.. that was amazing, it was filmed in September 2019, only two months before I was there.. finished the day 6.3 miles of walking!

Also yesterday I made the trip to Fuengirola, with my appointment paper, as proof I could legitimately leave the town, for my TIE card, it's a card all non EU nationals needed to live in Spain.. other non EU citizens have always needed it, and of course now, lo and behold, British passport holders now need to also.

Felt very strange down there, bars and stores open, completely unlike here.

I arrived early for my appointment, walked in, signed in, was seated, only four of us, and all the rest of the seats taped off.. I was called, all the paperwork delt with, fingerprinted, and left, just before my actual appointment time!

Now, why I've taken it easy.. Sunday.. email came to say a delivery was arriving, and not good as the store is shut on Sundays and so I expected a phone call.. I was downstairs cooking and heard my phone ring.. I ran upstairs.. and not really sure what happened, but I fell, completely fell, flat on my face, turning in the nick of time not to smash my glasses into my face.

I'm okay, I was okay enough to jump like a cat straight back up and still answer the phone! 

Then I sat and thought right, what did I do.. I cut my right ankle, bruised both knees, surfed along the floor on my right cheekbone.. and kind of jangled all my bones, and especially the ones I fractured in my left foot, back whenever now.. 

I know, I know, walking might or might not be a good thing.. 

I am okay, and falling isn't the best thing.. and or rather 'taking a fall' as son says!

So, also, not sleeping too well, am trying things like meditation.. again, but seriously trying now.. It's those thoughts, ideas, plans.. they flood my mind at night.. 

Need a plan to plan them during the day and not between 3 and 5am!

TTFN

Marian

 

More beautiful views from Nuestra Sierra..

When we paused yesterday for snack and water I thought I spied bee hives..

They were.. lots but all empty.. sadly..

Today no long walk, knee and foot on opposing sides need a rest, nearly used the word 'break'.. but due to the break is why the left foot hurts I think!

We're heading out just to the mill later.. a mere stroll.. 

Last night Juanma Moreno announced we will stay in our present situation until February 15th.. not permitted to leave the area.. 

We have had beautiful weather though for about two weeks now.. yesterday was 23° very nice.. 

The streets are eeriely quiet.. bare minimum, essential stores only open.. surreal and sad.. still though people gather at the bars serving take-away drinks.. the meaning take-away seems to be ignored seeing people grouping together even closer than if the bars were open.

Police closed down two bars in one square, it was ridiculous the amount of people just hanging around drinking and smoking so close to each other.

TTFN

Marian

Forget regret, or life is yours to miss.

Jonathan Larson - 1960-1996

Another view of the sea from the mountain.. bit clearer today.. the sea looks a beautiful color..

Not sure what was going on here, sun behind the Sierra.. but a strange patch of light also.. little bit ethereal..

I am getting obsessed with our 'piramids' so, unless even more spectacular, then this will be the last!

Walked a different route today directly from town, wasn't as steep, but a long gradual uphill.. we walked as far as a dropped pin.. and seemed an end to the track... almost.. Seven and a half miles.. más o menos.

Mañana we're heading up.. probably less distance, but a straight up the mountain path!

Today I had a second cancelled flight, I read the email, not totally unexpected, and once home rebooked a new flight and the PCR test.

It's not that I'm not effected by all these cancelled flights over the last ten months, more like I have gone through surprise, anger and now reached a state of acceptance.. It is what it is.. isn't it.

TTFN

Marian

ps who am I kidding I am so fed up with this, the flight cancellations, the changing PCR tests.. the constant uncertainty of anything any more. I feel constantly on edge opening my emails, I feel so tense and worried all the time.

When Spain was one big country, before it was broken up into the seventeen Autonomous Communities system we now have.

The Government did something called "Ordenación Territorial." In order to catalog all public spaces. M. P. means Monte Publico and the number is the one which identified it. See many of these on route.. 

Above and beneath.. this mornings beautiful awakening.. nature at her finest.

Looks like spaceships.. they won't be stopping here.. too much infection.. too many people doing crazy things...

If you zoom in on these mountain's lit by our glorious sun catching them in exactly the right place and time.. they look like piramids.. 

No long walk today, just into town, when I was home I cleared through some paperwork I needed to sort.. not really anything to throw away, although I did, just one small carrier bag full.. but cupboard tidier now, and that was today's mission. I can never spend too long in 'those' cupboards.. memories spill out and into me, and that's hard.

TTFN

Marian
 

Another good walk today, about six miles.. Every day we get a little bit further, and it's always quicker on the downhill journey, of course.. 

Today less people, so many on Saturday and Sunday.. was like Piccadilly Circus! Not just busy with people walking but bicycles, motor bikes and cars!

Today, much quieter and a horse! Beautiful creature.. 

The top photograph, a bar, near some closed toilets.. both seemed strange out in the forest, and the bar looks unused for a long time.

Above a cave, which I definitely want to explore, need a torch.. my phone torch isn't really strong enough.. I walked a little way in and it didn't seem to get any narrower.. I would love to see where it goes.. 

My mind has already visualised a magic land! Lol or at least treasure!

There was some rain today but didn't bother us much.. and a bit more of a sudden and quick down pour when I was in Mercadona this afternoon.. Fearing a full house arrest, I wanted to get plenty in.. meant to get wood to, but it's quite mild now, and maybe I can get by now without any.

Not sleeping well at the moment, I know, I don't have a great sleeping pattern, but definitely spending more time trying to sleep than actually sleeping..

Tomorrow I am going to sort out some stuff in a cupboard.. been meaning to attack it for a while, no more procrastination! Nothing to throw away, just tidy and organise really.

TTFN

Marian

View this morning from my terrace.. a beautiful day on its way..

Above, and you might have to zoom in, a view of the sea at Malaga from our walk.. stunning! And who knew you can see the sea from Alhaurín? No doubt many people, but I've only been in the town for 16 years and didn't.. 

The most beautiful almond blossom everywhere.. 

So pretty... You can see why so many great artists have painted these flowers.. 

So many bees all over these trees.. honey bees and the big black bumble bee type.. the sound was so loud..

The smell delicate, pure.. wonderful.. 

Tonight, in the living room.. and suddenly I heard my mom's musical Christmas snow globe start to play.. 

I ran downstairs.. and caught the last few notes.. amazing.. I felt like my mom was just checking in on me.. felt happy and sad.

TTFN

Marian

 

Alhaurín El Grande on a working week.. but only for essential stores.. So very quiet and eerie.. 

Yesterday our walk up our mountain.. taking some higher roads, and higher they are, lung burning can't get breathe higher.

This above taken the day.. or two days? before, we stopped for coffee and water.. sat on the path.. 

And the view from higher up and further in.. 

TTFN

Marian

 

Today we took a different route, and I brought the smallest flask in the world, and a bottle of water...

Tomorrow, we'll try another route no doubt, weather permitting, says rain, but anything can happen, as we all know.

Today EasyJet cancelled my flight and I've rebooked with BA, now just have to keep on crossing my fingers, it's becoming very painful.

It's been a good day otherwise, wood burner warming me and my house, the sun has been warm and the house cold as usual this time of the year.

I think, we may go into house arrest soon, if figures keep going the way they are, so making the most of our walks until we hear otherwise.

TTFN

Marian

The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.

Christopher McCandless - 1968-1992 - Adventurer

We can't exactly have new horizons every day, but we can greet the day with expectation, with hope, with awe and wonder..

Even as this world is; because we are in this world, we are lucky, so many people gone we have loved and lost.

My neighbor and I made a trip onto our mountain yesterday.. I led her up the wrong path, until finding the right one.. bit like life..

And today we went again.. more photos later.. 

TTFN

Marian

Snow on the Sierra beyond Casarabonilla, taken yesterday morning..

The river down by the mill..

And the other morning walking into town.. 

Piece of music today.. Total Eclipse of The Heart..

Just because.. actually because it on the TV right now.. 

Today I opened my last jar of my homemade marmalade, need to make more me thinks! I am thinking also to add ginger with the oranges? How would that taste?

Today went to Tráfico with a friend, or should I say she came with me.. So stressful doing some things.. 

When we were driving away, I saw the time and realised that an hour before we were having coffee before going in, crazy, as we felt we'd been in there for hours!

But anyways, all done now.. 

First time I've come off the main road at the hospital turn off.. threw me for a minute.. and then having to pass the turn again on our way back to Alhaurín.. 

This afternoon went for a nice walk around the edge of our barrio with my neighbors.. such a beautiful day, sun warm on our backs.. What with all this and all that, we are so lucky to live in this beautiful country.

TTFN

Marian

Snow you know!

Mountains on all sides covered with snow, used to seeing snow on the Sierra Nieves, and of course Sierra Nevada.. but we are surrounded now all on sides by snowy mountains.

Walking into town this morning I stopped to stare at a car covered with ice! Such a normality in the UK I know, but ice in town.. not a normal thing at all.

After town this morning and coffee.. well, Colacao with friends, I got the car and drove out to Coín, a whiz around the bazaar and got firelighters again.. again, because I bought some yesterday and they wouldn't light.. I could smell the paraffin smell, but they wouldn't stay alight and therefore no fire.

I cleaned it out when I got home, the wood burner, and using kindling and the new firelighters all good now!

It has been frozen in the house, absolutely.

But now after the storms and snow, the sun is shining the sky is blue and all would be good except...

Trying to work out the logistics again of work, Covid test here before UK, a placement I can just go straight to, need two placements to be able to afford the two tests and any accomodation in-between them!

This is turning out to be an absolute nightmare.. 

TTFN

Marian

Beautiful pair of cats.. mom and daughter.. 

It hasn't really stopped raining today, it left off a little earlier, down to a light downpour.. but all afternoon it has just been medium to downright heavy!

I think I just heard thunder.. my fire is in competition with the rainwater coming down the pipe while the hot air and smoke goes up!

My lights have flickered and WiFi checked out for a few minutes.. 

Was going to add a bit about what's happening around the world just now, but it's out there already and I'm trying to stay positive.. Here we can still travel in and around Andalucia, so that is good news, unlike before December 18th when everyone had to remain inside their towns.. 

...As another loud burst of thunder roars around my little house!

Wonder if I should get some candles ready? Or download a movie onto my Kindle!

Supposed to be sunshine tomorrow, and after a week of low cloud and rain that'll do us the world of good... I knew that sunshine was up there, and of course the beautiful blue.. 

TTFN

Marian

 

I bought a Kings Cake the other day, I shared it with my neighbor.. 

We both got luck for the year, a lucky charm for her and the King for me.. he looks enormous here, but really only about an inch and a half.

This morning I went down to Fuengirola with a friend who had an appointment at Specsavers, it was heavy rain on our way down, and some aquaplaning took place on a roundabout! Which was a bit scary! Actually a lot scary!

We had coffee in a bar en route to the steps down to Las Rampas, the bar used to be a store selling leather bags and coats.. and a bar used to be on the other side of the walkway, that one had been there at least from 1989.. seems strange now looking across and seeing a clothes store.. things change, shops open and close, time passes and the ghosts of the past walk on.. New people come and go and begin new memories in those places.

And back home later our town submerged in cloud.. our Guadalhorce valley gone from view..

I'm waking up far too early these days, thinking it's later and it's only four or five in the morning! I'm not worrying about anything, that I'm aware of, difficult not to go get coffee and come back to bed to read.. I did eventually Tuesday I think, but I waited until six..

It's like I just want to get up and get out and do things.. 

TTFN

Marian

Feliz año nuevo 2021

Happy New Year everyone.. a reboot to 2020?

I thought that might be a good idea, but actually no.. lets move on 2021 lets get life sorted, lets get inoculated, lets follow procedures, I know we don't want to, I know everyone wants to live a normal life, but until this pandemic is on its way out we can't, we have to try.. because it'll never leave us if people continue with spreader parties and people taking liberties the majority of us are not.

Couple of strange photographs.. When I was in the hotel in Heathrow, the dinner I ordered came in cardboard boxes... the desert was okay, I mean quite honestly I would eat banoffee pie from a box any time, but not so much the curry.. it was weird, and soggy and a strange thing in deed!

My view from the window that night, the setting sun over Heathrow airport and runway of terminals 2 and 3. If you look carefully there are people holding a demonstration, they were there late and the following morning came back!

Just spent a few minutes complaining about the shuttle bus to terminal 5... deleted it, lets keep negativity out of this year... as much as possible.

Its bursting with the energy we lost from last year, and I can't wait to get started, first thing is to clear this Chromebook and bin it, or do whatever needs doing with it, its had its day and needs restarting every few minutes... I also have one giant box of memorabilia to clear, one last box, and now I have my new bed I can move the bedding from downstairs storage and make way for the last things I won't get rid of, but need tidying. 

The weather is the coldest its been for a long time, but the fire is going, couldn't get the regular olive wood, they would only sell it by the huge sack so have eucalyptus, its been harder to get going, but its warmed the house today admirably.

The AC in the bedroom is warming that up at night, just for half an hour and I've ordered a small halogen heater to take the chill out of the rooms, its easily movable and I need to be warm, the thermometer in house, is reading 10 degrees c... a little too cold to be comfortable! 

Today is a fiesta, last night the Kings delivered the presents.. I completely forgot most stores are shut and neighbor and I went to Coín and La Trocha, but of course, everything is closed.

Tomorrow I am down to Fuengirola with another friend, and Friday will get out and about, just in case the town locks down again, it'll be the last time we leave for however long the Andalucian government say.

Although I have an appointment next week in Malaga, I have paperwork allowing me to leave the town if necessary. 

I am rambling, its this weather, its being home in our beautiful country, and wanting to drive and walk and spread my Bonelli wings hither and thither... 

TTFN

Marian