Peaches, pools, tarantulas and thanks.

Just about three years ago, we landed in Spain, having packed up and loaded all our worldly goods at the Huddersfield end and spilled them out into a barn in Leon at the other end. A good third of our possessions are still in that barn - and oh, how we've missed them...(not!)

At least now we have the intention of gathering them up once again so that they can be reunited with the rest of us in our own home. I'm looking forward to doing an impressive car boot sale not long after that!

A quick reflection on the past three years leads me to believe we've settled quite well into our new lives. It has helped that FR is Spanish (even though the locals here are bemused by his accent...it has a bit of Italian, a bit of English and of course, a Castilliano, rather than Andalucian base to it.) It has helped that we have three amazing children who have adjusted, adapted and continued to develop in their own special ways. It has helped having found friends and neighbours who are generous, endearing and welcoming - and who have offered and given us their time and support from the outset.

Having found this lovely house has helped too. That's not to say everything is or has been simple or straightforward - or even easy.

But when friends drop in with a pile of peaches.....

THANK YOU ANTONIO!!!!

And you've 'splashed out' on a bigger and better temporary pool...

What can be more fun than watching your children enjoy it to the full - even when the water is still rather chilly early in the morning!

Various swimming styles...

When you can enjoy these things, then you can just about manage when FR and Mateo find a tarantula* in the garden late at night.

Handsome beast, isn't he? He's REALLY angry and every time we go near, he raises himself up on his legs and acts in a most threatening manner....FR is currently on the phone to the Reptile and Amphibian rescue centre in Alcala la Real to see if they would be able to take him. (I know, he's neither amphibian nor reptile but they take all sorts of things there!) We don't feel inclined to let him out anywhere much closer!!


I said the reflecting would be brief. I still miss friends and family and the easy conversation with lots of people at the same time - I still sometimes feel tongue-tied and unable to express myself in the language of Spain - the former is helped by technology and the latter, well, I can continue to work on it.
And will.

For now, I look forward to what the next three years bring and say a big thank you to everyone who has helped us in the last three!


* We did a bit more research on the spider and it turns out to be a relative of the scary Australian funnel spider - not a tarantula at all. Tarantulas are sweet, furry friends compared to this beasty. The Reptile centre won't take him because he's a protected species so we have to let him out. We may go on a long car ride this afternoon with our new pet safely inside several containers. Who will be brave enough to take the last lid off, I wonder.