Bedrock

After our big trip to Toledo, the last week has been relatively quiet. From my old life as IT Director of the FSB I kept a few friends and two of them have been over here for a visit.

Norman and Alexis have been with us for a few days and return to the UK tomorrow. Norman was the Sponsorship chairman of the FSB and we’ve known each other for many years.

With such a short trip, we’ve done little else but visit the pool in Orce and catch up.  Oh and of course participate in the Ruta De La Tapa.

Norman is into Roman history so we’re going to take a look at some ruins on the way to the airport . 

Since my last entry, our friends and neighbours Dave and Karen have been here and we’ve been travelling, usually to local pools but specifically to Toledo, a 3-day excursion. 

Our first trip to Toledo, very nice – we took the bus tour in the morning to get an overview of the place then took it again to hop on an off. As you can see in the photo above – there is lots to the place – and yes, we have walked from the bottom most of the way to the top.

A great place Toledo – I have to say we were not that impressed with the restaurants which tended to be much of a much-ness – on the surface at least not a patch on the choice available in Granada – however – other than that, a fine trip.

In the above photo, starting at the left – myself, Dave, Karen, Elizabeth, Maureen and Dale.

Thinking about it we’ve done so much recently, we’ve been to BBQs hosted by existing friends and new friends, we’ve been to new towns to check out their pools, I have the pool heating system up and running and have been on a learning kick for a while, we’ve friends coming over this weekend..

On our return from Toledo we took the back route, visiting or passing through several towns which need future examination. We came past Lake Negratin just in time for the sunset and a quick dip – which given the high temperatures was truly excellent.

A shame to see our friends leave, we won’t see them for a while now – but it gives us something to look forward to…

What a great week this has been…   on Sunday we headed off to Granada to pick up my sister-in-law Elizabeth and her husband Dale. We stopped overnight in Granada and as we’ve done before took the opportunity to experience the Flamenco dancing up at the top of the hills in Granada overlooking the Alhambra. Our visitors of course had spent the morning at the Alhambra itself.

Maureen and I arrived in Granada in the afternoon – and it was HOT – thankfully our hotel, the Five Senses Hotel (on Calle Gran Via De Colon) had a little (and I stress little) pool on the top of the building which was kept VERY cold.

Just as we were about to arrive at the hotel I spotted a little Indian dealer in Calle Elvira (I think #67 – next to Marchica Shawarma) and the first thing we did after parking the car was to go back to that store – and as I suspected she sold incense sticks – lots of them – they turned out to be winners all but for one packet which was almost empty!!!

The first thing we did after meeting our relatives in a local cafe where Maureen and I stopped for lunch, was to go and  soak in the hotel pool followed by a shopping trip in the middle of Granada – around Calle Ermita – which I have to say was excellent – in the car the town is a disaster but on foot there is just so much to see and do. 

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Hard to believe it’s been a week since my last write-up.  One set of neighbours has gone off to France for a while and others have appeared as often happens this time of year – so we’ve been busy catching up, partying, working on the hot-tub and made a discovery that might help our water supply.

Flushed with the success of my first attempt at heating the hot-tub on solar, achieving temperatures up to 38c, I’ve been putting together a new version based on 100metres of black irrigation pipe…

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Another in the series “Spain, pool by pool” – yesterday we went off to Tijola – which in case you didn’t know, is along the A-334 heading east from Baza  -  and discovered this beauty..

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Another entertaining evening yesterday, solving the world’s problems with our neighbours and pals John and Julia (who is holding the camera). Thanks guys – great night.

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