Casa Rosales

Casa Rosales

Wednesday 9 October 2013

A perfectly lovely week

On a beautiful evening last Tuesday, I drove down to Malaga airport to collect my mum. Having been looking forward to her coming all summer and hot on the heels of Janice and Mark's visit, when she came through the gates at Arrivals, it suddenly didn't seem two minutes since she was here last time, in May. We had a lovely time then and had no intention of doing anything else this time either.

The weather, which had been miserable just a few days before, perked up beautifully. Mum enjoys gardening - she didn't always and never needed to garden when I lived at home (not because I did it!) because my grandparents lived next door and my grandpa was an avid gardener. She now does most of her own garden and it's a credit to her.


She started on mine and has done a bit almost every day, clearing weeds, pruning roses and clipping the juniper bush.


It all looks much better now and I shall have to make a concerted effort to keep up to it...



We had a little adventure on Friday, when we went to a nearby village up in the mountains - it was market day there but when we got there, the town was preparing for their fiesta and there was no market... It's an impressive village up a steep mountainside but guess who had forgotten her camera.

In lieu of my own photos, I will share this image from todopueblos.com which shows the dramatic position of the place which we drive past on our way home from Granada.








On our way back home, we stopped off for a drink and tapas. (I'm glad to say we did rather a lot of this during the week.) The intention was then to do some shopping and come home. But when we emerged from the bar, the car wouldn't start. No way, no how. I had to call FR. Who didn't believe it wasn't something I had done wrong. But who eventually had to call the insurance company, who eventually came and, finding the car wouldn't start, (see, not my fault) loaded it onto the truck and brought it and us back to Alcala to one of the mechanics there - but one that was away at lunch. Fortunately for us, we have Sergio - our magical neighbour - who solves all our problems and makes us laugh too. When the mechanic eventually had a look at the car, turns out it was the distributor belt or something like that. Something Rather Expensive. Not me. Phew!

We seem to have spent the week eating, chatting and going for little walks - often to take a coffee and a little something at a cafe - and time has flown past. We have, however, played lots of Charades...Mum does Charades!

On her last full day here, Mum said she'd like to see the sea. What a good idea, I thought! So today, we went to SalobreƱa and had a really glorious day out. But I forgot my camera again...these are the best my phone could do.


A sand scuplture we found along the promenade - I think from a fiesta from earlier in the month...

Enjoying a delicious lunch at a chiringuito on the beach..


My plate of incredibly fresh fish.

And today, the pleasure doesn't end when the taxi comes - with my neighbour, Bev's mum and sister, who have conveniently been visiting at the same time and have a flight just before ours from Malaga - because I am returning to Manchester with Mum! That was the big surprise and it was a question of how long I could keep it secret - would I actually get on the plane with her before she realised??? It was a possibility but in the end, because of the broken car and arrangements that had to be made, I told her - and it was a good thing to do as it delighted her and added an even better end to her holiday.

It has been a really lovely week. I shall endeavour to pack my camera when I set off. It's good timing...possibly...as my sister moves house next week so I'll get to see her old house, where we've had some great time and also to see her new place!

Oooh, can't wait!!


21 comments:

  1. Sounds like the perfect week, apart from the car!, lovely that the weather was nice for your Mum and she could enjoy doing lots of things. Safe journey to you both for you uk trip.

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    1. Thanks Chrissie...this is the last blog check before I get to my sister's so good to hear from you. We've had a very lovely week. Axxx

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  2. Hi there, Annie! I've discovered your site from Janice and am loving your vivid and fun account of your time with your Mum. I've only been to Spain once and after reading what you've written about your life there think that I need to go there again and do more exploring! Have fun on your trip back to the UK -- I live not far from Manchester in Southport...

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    1. Hello Broad (can I call you that?) I think we are very nearly family already as we have so many blogging pals in common! Lovely to hear from you - I have read some of your posts before and am delighted you've left me a comment. Will keep in touch. And I love Southport! Axxx

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  3. Even the weather behaved itself for your mother's visit...though the least said about the car the better.
    She must have been delighted to have you going back with her...and it sounds as if you are going to be busy when you get there.

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    1. The car problem is apparently one that has been waiting to happen since we bought it three years ago! I feel totally exonerated of all possible blame.
      Mum certainly was thrilled to find out my little secret. Compared to life here, though, it will seem wonderfully peaceful!
      Axxx

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  4. What a wonderful surprise it must have been for your Mum. it's always a nightmare when car problems get in the way of life but perhaps it has curtailed some of that 'running around'.
    Children learn so much from their granparents so it is good that they were able to spend time together.

    Enjoy your trip back to the UK. ASfter a few beautifully sunny days the weather has changed to cold and wet...

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    1. Sorry.... I really should proof read! It's/life,/grandparents/ After... ;o)

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    2. You're certainly right about the weather, Gaynor - I'm pretty chilly here and have on layers and layers of other people's clothes! It's amazing how quickly you adjust to being warm...But, it's a small price to pay and I'm having a lovely time. Axxx

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  5. Bon voyage - My mum is coming out today and our weather has perked up too.

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    1. Oh that's great, Annie. Hope you two have a good time together - we two certainly did. Axxx

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  6. By now you will be back in England, enjoying part 2 of time with your mum. I bet she was thrilled to find out her brief stay with you was only going to be part of her time with you. I hope Romy, Ruy and Mateo were not too envious as you set off for the airport. I hope FR manages to get the car sorted while you are away. The road from Villalobos to Alacala must seem pretty long and extra windy without reliable transport. Feeling anxious about whether your car is going to start and get you where you need to be on time is one of the worst feelings. Never mind....you don't have to worry about it while you are in England. Enjoy it all. Jxxxx

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    1. Car's is now sorted, all seem quite OK at home - Romy has SKYPEd me a couple of times and is very funny both in conversation and the messages she has sent me. I'm rather cold but having a good time. In haste before eating Rob's famous curry....a real treat! Axxx

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  7. I'm so glad the sun shone for your Mum, Annie, and I'm sorry it's probably not shining for you now you're here in the UK. What a wonderful surprise got her, unlike the unpleasant one when the car wouldn't start. How like a man to blame you before knowing all the facts. Mine would instinctively have done the same. :-)

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    1. We had the best weather possible, Perpetua - and now in the UK, I'm definitely feeling the cold and feeling like a bit of a wimp! It was lovely travelling back together too and now I'm preparing to eat one of my brother-in-law's special curries - should warm me up!
      Axxx

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  8. Is Sergio really real? Or is he magical or a very useful geni in a bottle?
    Wish he lived round here!

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    1. Sergio is absolutely wonderful! I do describe him as our magic neighbour and he does look rather like a genie... Axxx

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  9. So I'm guessing you are not too far from where I'm typing just now ... this Annie waves frantically in the Cheshire direction from N.E. Wales :)

    It does look like, car problems aside, you had a perfect visit.

    I'm terribly behind on my blog visiting just now Annie and I have to say thank you for all of your lovely comments on my blog of late. I know if we ever meet we will just be the firmest friends xxx

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    1. Yoohoo!! I am waving back - lovely to imagine you waving at me from not too far away. Yes, a very lovely visit and great to come back together.
      I really do enjoy your blogs and always delighted you find the time read mine. Axxxx

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  10. Just catching up on your posts Annie and so pleased that you had a good time with the visit from Janice and Mark and then your Mum. And how delighted she must have been to have you do the return journey with her xx

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    1. Thanks Ayak - I'm dreadfully behind with blog-reading at the moment too! Everything has gone swimmingly well and so far, I've managed to avoid catching any bugs. (I expect things to change as soon as I publish this reply though!) I was glad to be home despite a great week in England. Axxx

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