Watching Gremlins.. yeah yeah I know! Anyways.. and seeing the hi tech modern equipment.. and then fast forward to now, to real life tech and the enormous leaps we've made in the past nearly 40 years since this movie was made, can you believe it was 1984.. makes the TV tech seem so old fashioned, even when it had seemed impossible to us back then.

But, look at us now, in this Covid world, this locked in, locked out, restrictions and tests, no contact, no travel no life life we have now.

Who was better off.

I know this will pass, maybe not completely, ever... This will have changed so much for so many.

I just want to go home and can't, down to the bare bones of it I need to work for the money.

If I could go home I would right now, BA are flying, and I can go home with no test and just be home where I want to be.

But I can't.

Lols yes sound a bit stroppy, stamping my feet and throwing toys from pram.

But we all must feel we've just had enough now.

If only more people had been more careful or more caring for others.. if they hadn't just acted like this isn't a life changer.

Okay.. off my soap box.. or soup box as I called it the other day!

Just looking at figures at home and thought I'd add a little history info here.. 

Leapt from Gremlins the other day to this evening watching Notting Hill.

Family all a'bed, and I'm watching this..

Four weeks time I'll be home, fingers crossed of course. Third flight booked to get home, Covid test booked, train's and hotel prior to work, Airbnbs closed so has to be a different one to last when I paused in Stratford Upon Avon.

Looks a very old building.. so maybe full of ghosts and spooky happenings.

It's been so lovely staying here with younger son and his family.. spending quality time with the new baby.. well nearly eight month old baby. Was awful not being able to visit when she was born and then the long gap before I came back to the UK.

Now of course I miss elder son and his family so badly too, I've never not seen them for this long.

I know, and feel extremely lucky to have spent a month with them in April and lucky now to be here either side of these placements dates to be here.

Mmm photos?

I'll post one that isn't really great! Lols but has parakeets! Like the ones on the coast!

Lols spot the parakeets! There are two there, was crazy seeing three of them flying about!

TTFN

Marian

And to come back now and add a post script. I returned to Notting Hill movie, and a song began to play and instant tears fell.. how music can effect our emotions so quickly eh..

Oh the song? Ronan Keating, When you say nothing at all.

 Today feels like a poorly made 1980's movie..

"you are asked to wear a face covering at all times, covering your nose and mouth except if you are exempt"

"Please wash your hands and keep a safe distance from other people"

"Our station is being cleaned more regularly"

All said by what sounds like a poorly made android.

This was Monday, travelling back to Tony's from work.

Journey from hell, left at 2pm arrived at Tony's about 8:20pm.. long long journey.

Taxi, trains, bus.. an hour at Coventry station, an hour at a bus stop in the rain.. 

Pretty yuk, without the pretty.

Been a good week here now, relaxing, walking when weather nice, being very well fed, both my daughter's in-law great cooks, both my son's and offspring very well looked after..

Few stressful events, worry over getting a certificate to time with flight home in December. Glasses ordered great, but don't fit.. I am too worried about breaking them to adjust to much.. they've been sent back, unfortunately.

I have another two weeks here, and two more at work.. plus a couple of odd days, and that's my eleven weeks done!

My third flight booked, fingers crossed no more cancellations, hotels booked and cancelled, and now this Covid test to have done to be able to gain entry to my home country!

It starts November 23rd. And the issue of timing a test no longer than 72 hours from arrival, a test that might take three or four days to get emailed.. is causing weird dreams and great worry!

TTFN

Marian

Wanted this photograph on yesterday's blog, but I was weary and no amount of trying got it to load.. 

So here it is today, Alhaurín under a fiery sky..

Because for some reason.. fires and all things warm are making me the more eager to get home, which might sound slightly confusing to those not living in a warmer country.. but, when you have hot summers day in the 40's.. and winter drops to high teens.. that's one helluva temperature drop! And the thought of wooly sweaters, and roaring fires just sounds perfect!

Baited breath today on the Presidential election. Trying not to fear the worse! 

Six weeks tomorrow I fly home.. I sigh with hope and great excitement!

TTFN

Marian

Do I need a quote here?

Lols just got all poetic but deleted it! Bit wordy! 

So hey, "just be you!"

Getting back to the lady for whom I carry her memories.. watching Coco, again.. this evening on the night that this also is..

Like the man forgotten and fades away in the other world because he had no one to remember him.. 

I will carry her memories for as long as I am here..

It was Halloween when I wrote the above.. 

So two evenings ago.. lady called then buzzed me, and buzzed me again.. 

I went flying downstairs.. and racing along the floor towards her at break neck speed.. the father? Or mother? Of all the great house spiders.. arachnid muy grande! He was on a mission to get to her! The lady had a tissue in her hand which I grabbed then grabbed the spider and ran through the kitchen into the utility and unlocking the back door threw said arachnid out, tissue and all!

Locked the door behind him!

I ran back in and in mock shock fell to floor laughing! 

Halloween spider! Thanks little furry friend!

And today, I hit my head on the open oven door, no I wasn't on the floor it's a high double oven/grill, I was grilling cheese onto my lasagna! And bent to throw something in the bin and whack.. it really hurt, it still hurts, actually.

Flights! Have mentioned my flight home on the 14th December I had to change, work error! I changed it to the 15th, Ryanair changed it to the 16th.. this is all from East Midlands.. they then changed it to the 14th.. round robin! So of course I can't fly on the 14th.. money back please, and thank you.

So booked a flight from Luton on Wizz Air.. for the 15th.. they cancelled this afternoon.

I have now booked a flight Ryanair from Stansted! Fingers crossed, and will only believe it when I'm on board..

Very tired now, noisy house as night; we get to know the noises in our own homes.. the creaking, the refrigerator motor, just odd sounds we don't take any notice of any more.. it's not like that when you work away in someone else's house, you don't have time to settle in, every noise could be something wrong.. someone wrong. Sleeping with one ear open and one eye open, like having a small child in the house, sleeping but barely, and always aware of noise, shadows.. sounds, or even lack of sounds..

Now to sleep, perchance to dream, of olive groves and lakes.. of mountain air and dark starlit skies.. of a warm fire, a blanket, a hot drink and a good story.

TTFN

Marian

Halloween 2020 Hunters Moon

Our new regulations as they stand today..

Yes we are in the yellow sector..

And here in the UK emergency talks later with regards to a full on lockdown, again.

Feels like the end of the world as we knew it, brings all the distopian ideas, films, books.. into a reality none of us could ever have envisioned.

And I just want to get home.

Don't want to be here feeling like this, it's worse being away from home at times like this.

Bit of a nothing Blog.. but needed to share how I feel.. 

And I'm not alone in this, I know.. I mean about these times we're all in together.. not my Blog!

Was ending here.. but it's Halloween, and a full moon today, Hunters Moon..

The moon photograph above is probably the best photo of the moon I have ever taken, taken December 3rd 2017 from my brother's home in California...

This purloined piece of art.. just because I've always liked it.. 

I jokingly told the lady I am supporting I would be out tonight on my broomstick.. she said not to leave her at home, so I said I'd hitch on my sidecar to my broom.. and we can fly like that! 

We had this conversation yesterday, and today she brought it up again, so tonight we shall fly towards the moon a while, me on my broomstick, her on her sidecar.. 

Wish I could pen this picture in my mind to paper.. what a sight!

Happy Halloween peoples across the world.. 

TTFN

Marian

Searching for other things the other day.. just thought I'd remember back in March this near and happy days in NYC.

The Vessel..

Me in Central Park, Strawberry Fields area.. John Lennon's apartment beyond me..

Just abstract colors above.. taken from my aunt's house..

This amazing old store between the high rises..

And home in February before.. deep cloud cover.. 

A huge area of Andalucia went into lockdown as of midnight last night.. Jaen, Seville, Granada, Cordoba, Cadiz, Jerez, many of the smaller towns and villages encompassed in these areas..  

Not sure why not Málaga.. it's like we're being kept out.. locked out.. not locked in.. although of course we can't get into these areas..

Maybe they want us to thin out and reclaim the beaches!!

Very strange..

This morning my alarm woke me for the first time in five weeks here in the UK..

Sounds good eh! But really probably because I was awake for a good or not so good.. three hours or so in the night..

You know, the thoughts start up, I am worried sick about moving around here in the UK, and even worse the worry again, of not being able to get home.. 

It's awful, just want this to pass.. like we all do. It'll be here next year, maybe the next? 

Children whose first years only have this? And people whose last.. what a world.

Then that set me to thinking about a lady I supported a few years ago now.. 

About how she said I was her keeper of her memories..

Until we came to support her she had not lived with anyone since her parents passing.. her fiancé having died in WW 2.. and I was her first live-in support..

So over time, I learnt and remembered her life.. 

A sick cousin whose sheep Norman, would bang on the farm door, come in and go upstairs, onto her bed, shifting her dogs off .. and lay there with her.. almost like he knew she was ill.

A day in Aldershot when the King and his young daughter, princess Elizabeth.. were being shown the hospital there, and the lady's father being the most important person there normally and his young daughter with her dog.. the young Princess noticed the childs corgi and commented on it to her father the King.

The memory of her fiancé dying and how she learned of his death; all her recent letters to him, returned unopened and left on the mantel of the Hotel the Pumphouse  in Llandrindod, being used as a war hospital.. the matron hadn't even bothered to tell her they were there, or why.

How she went into London, lost and broken hearted and visited an art gallery.. she saw a painting, a Stubs.. Whistlejacket.. and somehow she gained a strength, found in herself a reason to go on, to carry on living even though she felt her life too had ended.

How, in the hospital, a cousin, a different one, was asked to clean all the men's false teeth.. (the men were very young and dying of their wounds and missing limbs.. so many false teeth?) She gathered them all up and washed them all in a bucket! Matron was like.. " whose teeth are whose?? Stupid girl." Needless to say the cousin left shortly afterwards. 

Of how also in the hospital.. these young men, always teasing and wanting kisses.. not been near a female while fighting, and probably would never live to have a girl again.. 

Wounds these days that can be healed, or prosthetics to bring a full life back to injuries, which in the past would have lead to only death.

She told of being in church where a minister, very ungodlike, told her she could not join the mother's union as she had no child, or ever would, because her young man had died.

I have since checked, well, then and there, actually.. no one is not allowed to join now, male female any age race creed or color.

I remember for her, the awful day of Aberfan when 116 children and 28 adults died, a colliery tip buried and killed them, and she amongst others went to help, to save, to dig, to give grace and support to those who they could, and those they couldn't.

And above all that she was born in Nepal in the town of Nainital, her first sight each morning the Himalayas from her bedroom window.

Her and her brother being cared for by an ayah.. It was the time of the British Raj.. 

The now famous artists she met; a writer called Bruce Chatwin. I'd never heard of him but his info is well worth reading.. I think she held a candle to him, as the old phrase goes.

And he knew Gerald Brennan.. who of course, those of us in Alhaurín El Grande.. know of, and many other people too I'm sure.

So many memories, so much history.. I'm sure if I live long enough to start to forget.. it's her memories I will remember by mistake.. and that will confuse people! For sure! 

TTFN

Marian

 Sometimes life has more color..

Just saying..

Today I'm on my way north, Tony and family dropped me of at Watford Junction.

On my first train now and headed for Coventry, a high level/tier/stage!! Area.. And where I saw the man with the crisp packet back in the vending machine incident.. Ugh!! 

I've had a great two weeks, enjoyed every moment with my newest grandbaby, she always is so happy to see me.. Maybe she's just so 'oh Nana! The hair! Your the face!' Whatever, so beautiful to see her beautiful face shining into my eyes..

Passed through Berkhamsted! Wonderful.. but so fast..

Didn't do much, of course, walked most days.. Ate well, thank you very much.. And stayed safe.

Now feeling the stress again, three trains, and then an Airbnb.

So many areas going into stage 3, in Spain areas doing similar things.

I wanted to see Barry and his family, but looks like I can't, not allowed to travel into areas and stay, and work against any travel into restricted areas if I'm not working. Fingers crossed things change, and I'll hope for the best.

Have to complain now, here again.. People wearing splatter guards in this train without a mask! Hello!! Won't work without a mask! Only keeps splatter from getting into eyes and off faces.. Not infection coming from you, or getting to you!

And passing trains, can see people who have pulled their masks down or off..

I'm wearing mine to keep you safe, I would like the same respect.

This won't go away without everyone being vigilant, well, and a vaccine of course.

As soon as I boarded and we were off I started to get a tickle.. I know the masks make breathing difficult, moist air, out and back in.. But please..

Do we want this to be a way of life, or a time we did good, we fought through it together.. And..

And here I have deleted  huge portion of me complaining about someone on the train..

Lols okay Calmed down now, but because I left the train and in less than two minutes I boarded another, off that one already and sat on a sunny station platform in sunny Leamington Spa!

Thankfully only in Coventry for two minutes! Wow! I just got the first one away! Maybe not the correct train? But ticket says any train.. 

Anyway, here now.. Awaiting third and final train of the journey. stomach rumbling like crazy!

Been used to a lovely lunch served up for me..

Just got into the Airbnb before the torrential rain! These photographs are the wrong way around.. but not matter.

I got out between storms to get snacks, and again later to collect a Chinese takeout.

And now, here I am at work, serving up the food for my client..

All good, a return placement for me, and a bit like a coming home feel to this pretty village and part of the world.. and safe..

Like I wrote the other day on fb, saying feeling safe, or in a safe area, is not something the majority of us, would have ever thought we'd say.

Posting now!

TTFN

Marian

Bit tired should I do that E&OE?

I'm with my youngest son and his family now, since Friday evening, I am out of quarentine! Yeahhhhh!

He came to get me, it was a long drive, and twice the distance for him... 

We came through our old area, Aylesbury.. passing where we used to live.. it's changed a little.

Been out for a couple of walks, I'm wearing my mask mostly, always on to pass people, it feels very strange not wearing one here from door to door, so feels more natural already just wearing it..

I ordered a frame which fits under my mask and makes it so much better to wear, it keeps the material away from my nose and mouth so breathing is so much easier, I found it very hard going especially in the heat.

I am kind of worrying now, already about getting home, all this time here, and only half of it for work, I mean the work is good, I need to work, but I am worrying about flights back home. My flight has already been set back a day by Ryanair. 

It's so lovely being here though! Seeing my newest grandbaby, absolutely wonderful, her beautiful happy face.. seeing eachother for the first time not through a videocall! Makes me so happy... 

She watches my every move, and I hers..

And their dog has taken to sleeping with me! Even escorting me to the bathroom! Lols, and in the lounge, sitting on my lap when he can!

TTFN

Marian

 

I finished watching the movie I spoke of yesterday... 

I'm glad I persevered, it wasn't how or what I expected at the end and and there was some random dancing, which freaked me out now and again.

But, the last third of the movie for me was the best.. It is split into three parts really, the drive to his parents house, at the house, and the drive back to town.

It's what they spoke about; sometimes we hear things when we need to hear them, for instance I listened to a YouTube video and in the feed was this amazing poem.

Do Not Love Half Lovers by Khalil Gibran 

Which I had never heard of, but so glad I have.

And to follow up on 24 hrs of 'things we're meant to know, cropping up at the time we need to!'

I have just watched the new Pixar movie.. Onward..

So that brought tears to my eyes.. Its a wonderful movie, absolutely.

These above photographs; unusual fruits were on the ground at the botanical gardens in Gibraltar.. Osage oranges.. which I have never seen before or even heard of! 

My last full day here.. 

And off to son's tomorrow.. 

TTFN

Marian

I forgot to post these photographs of the Osage orange.. 

I hadn't heard of these or seen anything like them before..

Time is passing by.. cabin fever big time! I know during the limits set during general lockdown, I was either with family or in work.. and it was strange days enough indeed..

But this is way more difficult, way more weird! Yes I've walked around the garden and land.. including the private driveway.. and pathways.. and that's been considerably fantastic! But not in the rain.. thankfully not too many of those days!

Two and half days left.. am I counting down? Lols er.. yes!! 

Am I losing my mind! Lols maybe!

No WiFi.. So even more arhhhhhhh! 

Eating lots of wrong foods.. and sleeping badly! The weirdest dreams.. 

Started watching a strange movie today.. It's a 2020 movie I'm Thinking of Ending Things.. it has a couple of people I know in it, Toni Collette and David Thewlis.

It's very complex, I have an hour left to watch.. it's very well acted.. but, yes, very complex is all I'm saying.

And I'm interested in seeing it's conclusion.

Lols Sorry, sounds very mysterious, but I don't want to give anything away..

TTFN

Marian

A memory that came up on Facebook today, photographs I took passing by Benidorm today a year ago.. prompted me to continue here...

2020 has brought so many changes.. Some enforced which have brought so much to us we would never have known.. So, already I am thankful..

Isolation has actually brought people into my life I would never have met.. 

And not temporarily friends, I truly feel lifelong friends.. 

Despite my days where I get down.. I know too I am so lucky in so many ways.. 

Really wish I could post some of the field photography I've taken here..

The parrot above was in the street, down outside Bar Cruz a couple of weeks ago.

Untethered.. I think some of his feathers had been cut.. he was with three men, just hanging out and enjoying the evening.. he was watching all the birds walk by! 🤦🏻‍♀️

Lols see if that emoji shows up!

Well, today the sun is most definitely shining and my spirits raised.. I don't suffer from SAD but being here where I am is making it very difficult if the weather is bad.. 

I have chocolate, coffee and sunshine!

Another day gone, and soon we with family.

TTFN

Marian

Decided to place a quote first today.. 

Because some people see a wall, and assume that's the end of their journey. Others see it, and decide it's just the beginning.

Angeline Trevena - Author

Because, sometimes walls are imposing, or feel impossible to get over.

And sometimes I wonder whether it's even worth trying..

Today it's raining.. so not even a walk around the field today.. no looking searchingly into hedgerows for blackberries.. had one! Did I tell you? Just one I have found, hopefully although low to the ground it was relatively untouched by any animals.. 

There's lots of sloe berries.. for use in making sloe gin.. or for witchcraft, I've just read.. apparently!

No WiFi, so bear with for uploads.. 

I walked up the path yesterday to get to the field and found a jigsaw piece! Always wondered what happened to that!! The missing jigsaw piece, or the missing piece to my puzzle, take it whichever way folks!

I'm on a bit of a downer today with this weather, and realize there is no way I could have survived lockdown here; very isolated location.. 

The need now for chocolate is great! Mmm eBay maybe? Now that's an idea! Lols

I should have thought ahead for that doing the shopping before my arrival! 

Thinking of home, mi casa, mis montanas.. mi buena vista.. 

It'll be cola coa by the time I get home.. and the wood burner!

TTFN

Marian

Well it's been sunny here in Blighty, but mighty cold when out of the sun!

Indoors at the moment when the heating is off its flipping freezing! 

Feeling stuck, and isolated in my isolation period! 

Walked around the garden, took photos of the field! Lols

No WiFi, so will upload anything when I can.. will bleed off some data later!

British TV? So is it like the British high street now.. repeat episodes of very old TV series = charity shops; adverts for data/WiFi, banks/building societies.. = phone stores and .. well, banks!! 

It mirrors it doesn't it? If you want good up-to-date movies, or something different.. it would be like visiting out-of-town shopping centres with cinemas attached!

TTFN

Marian

You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.

Rabindranath Tagore - 1861-1941 - Poet

This world makes me happy in so many ways I didn't think it ever could again..

But sitting on board a plane with another twenty-five people flying from Malága to Bristol.. this makes me so sad.. the lack of people.. the masks, the eyes all looking just as wary as I expect mine do.. 

The airport usually so full, full of life or hope of holiday makers leaving, of people with arms full of even more gifts .. 

Stores are all closed.. even a few of the eateries.

No long lines to wait in, no nothing really.

Not even a dozen cases loaded into the hold.

I'm in row four.. my free seat.. and two people in front of me.. no one along side me.. and then  the few others behind.. 

Now at my isolation point.. 

Bristol airport was like coming into an apocalyptic dystopian decontamination zone! So few people that lights came on as we entered corridors.. and as it was just me and one other person leading the line.. it was odd.

Only when reaching the security area.. did we see anyone.. and a room usually heaving, where on occasion I have had to lineup in an adjacent area to even reach.. I walked straight through and up to a security guard.. 

Showed passport and papers regarding the quarentine info and done..

My case along with the other nine cases came through on the only conveyor belt in operation.. 

Bus stops all moved.. I guess to keep people away from the arrivals area.. which is cordoned off now, tented off to be exact! 

A long line, and fewer passengers.. as one person to each double seat.. so a bit of a wait there, then on the bus I sat upstairs .. hadn't been on a double decker for five years! Was great! Actually! And I booked my train ticket on my phone.. 

Beautiful evening, amazing clouds and sunset.. 

And bloody freezing cold!

Okay, maybe not freezing, but my hands went numb! And then had to do the tingling and burning thing once they warmed up again!

Settled in now.. eaten and coffee.. 

Tired and missing home.. 

Wishing I were there..

TTFN

Marian

So nearly time to leave home for travel to the UK, family and work.. 

My heart is actually beating far too hard, I do not want to leave home; looking across the Guadalhorce vally now from my terrace.. 

My heart is in Spain, I wasn't sure for a couple of years.. but I know now.. completely and utterly sure.

Now I just want to go.. I can't wait to meet my newest granddaughter.. and also see my other two babes.. for them I am travelling.. and for work.. 

Then I can come home, Ryanair has just changed my return date so now an extra day in the UK.. 

Lols Blogging on my phone before I leave the house, my hands are shaking!

Okay, finish up here.. then go. I'll keep you posted, from England next, of course!

TTFN

Marian

 

Photograph above coming across the boarder in Gibraltar on Wednesday, cloud heavy and looming over the rock...

After having lived in La Linea for a while last year, I know it is not every day.. it had seemed that way visiting now and again.. and seemed only right the cloud should be there on my day trip also.

A few photographs I took in the Botanical Gardens, it's been 18 months, they have been working hard and the whole place looks stunning now.  Relaxing and calming. The zoo, a planting garden.  Really nice.. the only disappointment being, my little hiding place was gone! I had found a seat at the back on the cemetery section, mostly hidden, a relaxing quiet place.. lols.. it's gone, but then, so am I.. it was there when I needed it I guess...

I tried to get a picture of some beautiful butterflies.. but they just would not pause in their play long enough!! 

The coach was only half full, but they're hoping to get back on track and get back to the weekly trips from Alhaurín to Gibraltar.. the raffle on board is for a local Age Care, and they help out so many people in our local area.. this time here now, especially here.. we don't have the backup that might be available back in the UK. Down at the UK food shop in town our friend has been helping so many needy people, income gone or paused, no financial help available here.. people donate and give freely to help so many people.

Few more from the Botanical Gardens..

Ten years ago this memory on Facebook this morning tells me I posted this...

Journey...

What makes the 

world go round? It's people who can't sit still.  People like you and me.  Roaming the earth for new ideas.  Always wandering, constantly challenging.  And taking whatever they need for the ride.

Life's a journey. 

 Embrace it, live it, love it.

Still me isn't it? 

I really want to stop wandering now!! Lols don't I? Very thought provoking; all of my grandparents were people who travelled a long way to get to their final destinations... Maybe I have to?

TTFN

Marian

And before I knew it, the time has flown! 

Photographs of sunsets above and below.. taken from my terazza..

And below walking down into town on a morning this week past..

I went to Gibraltar on Wednesday, photographs tomorrow! 

It's been another good week, not sure where I fit time in for working!

Walking into town early, coffee at Bar Cruz, chatting to friends in the Papeleria I used to work in.. then coffee with my vesina about ten.. 

A walk and wander around town.. maybe a jaunt out here and there.. 

Below last two sunsets for this post!! 

It's just especially at this time of the year, they are extra special.. 

The month of the cigar clouds.. maybe into October.. not seen many yet!

The sounds of tires screeching around the streets is a sound we hear more at seasons change also.. 

Saturday today, been nice weather.. cooling down now, and yesterday was rain rain and rain.. not all day but enough! Already!

The plants are happy and green, I have flowers on a few of the succulents, and a climber.. just wish the climber would climb! It's needs to grow first, and each year it nearly dies off in my absence..  it survived the long time I was away this year, more by luck than anything else.. there was rain now and again, just enough apparently!

I have flights booked for travel for work, I had to change them.. of course, nothing goes to plan.. the first two flights were covered by credit from Ryanair.. then it cost me more to change them.. and then I booked a whole new flight for only 7€ so cheap! A one way to Bristol.. 7€!! Incredible eh!!

Oh and I filled out a new claim form for another cancelled flight with Ryanair.. two days later, money back in my bank account.. thank you very much! 

The plan for work was set, then changed so many times I felt my head was spinning! But it's sorted now, 14 days quarentine, visit with family.. work,visit with family.. work! And home! 

Everything is so different, everything so not what we're used to.. 

Here we have to wear masks, everywhere outside, so I will continue to, even in the UK where you don't have to.. Seems silly to risk not doing so!

In Gib some people were others not.. so I did; although around the botanical gardens I unhooked over one ear, but if people came past it was back over again!

Half midnight now, and today has become tomorrow... 

TTFN

Marian

Need a poem or quote... Okay here's one!

Inspiration comes from within yourself. One has to be positive. When you're positive, good things happen.

Deep Roy - Actor-Stuntman-Puppeteer

Mmmm very difficult being positive sometimes.. I really try, but the smallest thing can send me crashing down still.. 

I was randomly watching my saved stuff on YouTube, a piece on mindfulness.. I was also learning Spanish on an app on my phone and Candy Crush on my Kindle!

And I wonder I can't concentrate!! 

I need to spend more time in the present, the right now right here, because really, this is all we can guarantee we have.. isn't it.

Other life

This view taken on our way home yesterday, from the village... I was taking the photograph below... when this cloud formation looking like a dragon maybe? A horned something or other? flowing smoke, or a tongue..  from his mouth caught my eye!

Why the photograph above anyway? Because I thought it looked like someone laying down... knees bent! Lol... yes seeing lots of things out of things!! 

My pareidolia obviously on high alert for signs of all sorts! Lols..

The village, or a small part thereof... It looks hot because it was, ten degrees hotter than back here at home in Alhaurín... Said 38C so was I guess as per the norm, warmer than that in standing heat...

Lake view... absolutely stunning, and so peaceful... This village is truly like another time and place, one can forget the world, everything around us, all the bad, all the mixed up life we have these days... Almost, masks being worn on the street, a reminder of this world we're all now sharing.

And most of our visit was defiantly like a different time and place! Two visits for me far and both very surreal. This time we had water! Which was good being three of us! 

Three nights, every night at the bar until closing at one am... the first night back home afterwards... the second a fiesta at a friends house, music drinks, talking and laughing, was like a party of teen-agers.. a great evening, a broken chair, fighting over the music control, watching the night sky and the zillion stars shining down on us, all talking in a mix of español and English . we were home about 3:30am.

What made that night funnier was we arrived too early for the fiesta, so dodged the square and went home! Only to be messaged with 'where are you? And sorry we weren't home yet when you called!' so back down to the square.   Round two!

...and the third... ? Well altogether different, 

Bar first until 01:00 plus a bit more while drinks finished after doors locked, and then a small park area... small group of us, beers and benches, the lake, the dark dark sky.. conversation in español and English again, talking about jobs and where we live or have lived.. the whole time there was very strange, I was sat on the ground, and no problem with that, was comfortable, and didn't feel any after-effects yesterday morning, of either the beer or the hard surface I'd been sitting on... So all good... It actually felt like I was living some other life in some other dimension! Lols... yes okay I had had two beers and an anise... but hardly enough to make me drunk... and as that was over a six hour period? Nope, not drunk... It just felt so strange, other-worldly; don't get me wrong, I was so happy there... just being under that wide and starry sky and conversing in two languages..  Who knew!

Anyways, we were home about 4am! Jokingly I said "Couldn't keep this up, not 40 any more!!" And we eventually got to bed about half four!

Do you see the stork platforms there... 

Dog paradise! And human... just such a peaceful spot... So untouched.. A natural place, the nearby town of Martos, about twenty minutes or so... has all the shops you need, a wonderful market on a Saturday, we had to give our names and phone numbers for tracking purposes.

Great prices; and I thought our local markets were good!

Below two photographs I took in Alcaudete, we went there Friday morning for churros con chocolate! Beautiful... another mountain town, like Martos.. Can't walk downhill without knowing you have the uphill walk later on! And in that heat! wow!

Feels strange leaving the village; it attaches itself to you... or you to it! Draws you in, holds you, makes you happy, makes you relaxed, makes you want to stay... Then when you have to go it has to be torn off quickly like a plaster or it hurts more! Oh so dramatic I know!

When we left the three of us, humans, in the car.. (dogs just being dogs.. although.. maybe them also.)

We were very quiet, very melancholy I guess.. all thinking, all coming to terms with leaving!! Strange how it is.. I am sure the many people born there must feel the same though, because the young seem to return.. People still living there without having moved on like in so many of the small villages.. losing the young until the streets are empty and only the elderly remain.. 

The plaza of an evening is filled with all ages.. small toddlers to the oldest, through the age spectrum.  

 

Mmmm and on another note!

Last week or so ago?  Friend and I at local bar here in town... I asked her if she knew the song by JP Saxe, If the World was Ending... she didn't so I Googled it... and started reading the words out.. 

I'll try and explain.. I just read it out, sentence by sentence... with my right hand beating it out in the air... and the way it sounded sounded like rap! So she started with the sounds rappers make.. Oh heck this is hard to explain and you really needed to be there... it was so funny! Like an impromptu rapping session! 

So there we were in the centre of town, two seat table in the middle of a busy morning, outside the usual bar... rapping!! Oh so funny!! If you were there!!

So much I feel I have missed out here, but tired, and need to post, come down now, fog or sea mist possibly.. come through the Guadalhorce valley.. making everything damp and clammy.. time to put out my rubbish and tidy up!

TTFN

Marian