30 December 2013 Our Trip To Alora

It was a bad nights sleep last night maybe due to having a late evening meal and a drink of coffee, had some strange dreams, isn't it odd readers how they are so vivid at the time but then so quickly forgotten when we wake and where do they come from.

Well I had better get back to the plot as I read elsewhere my readership may grow a little in the next day or two thanks to the interest of Misty and others on the Senior Friends website.

So I got up fairly early had breakfast, I am not sure if we are getting used to the temperature here as it did not seem that warm, although I am aware its in the 15s, whilst back home you are all suffering with the bad weather, but we put the heating on, oops all was ok until we put the hob and toaster on and the circuit breaker cut out plunging us into darkness, luckily Brian quickly sorted it out, no sign of Zorro yet so we continued with breakfast
Eventually he appeared, we discussed plans for the day and they decided to go shopping whilst I had a shower, then the plan was to go to a little village we had noticed(senior moment will have to name later )Alora which was in a picturesque setting and had a market, so off to the station, now we have the hang of obtaining tickets from machine so waited, train was on time and we had a pleasant trip there.

At the station there was a small bus that took us into the centre, which was just as well going by the winding roads and distance there. We went looking for the market down the narrow steep roads( hopefully when I return home I will put photos on which will show places better) the traffic did not seem interested generally that they nearly ran us over, unfortunately we never found the market but found a small square with the museum and tourist office which were both closed, whilst the others rested I went exploring up a step path finding views across the valley, people who live there must be very fit to cope with the incline and steps.

Next we tried another route that was further along the top of hill, down in the valley was a single horse and goat, I did mention that there was a path down to the rail line, I think the others thought I was serious but in reality you would need the ability of the goat to of coped, there was an old church here slowly being renovated, Zorro and I started back down the slope, whilst Brian stayed to take photos, when we reached the bottom I had a look a bar for drinks but going by the expressions of the old men thought better of it. Instead we went into a small shop and Zorro kindly bought me a drink and some local biscuits, we then sat and patiently waited until Brian joined us, watched by some of the locals.

We then retraced our steps back to the square where the bus had dropped us off, seemed we had a while to wait so had a drink and yet another pizza each, the bus came and went whilst waiting, I had a look at the timetable and said, not to worry there would be another in 30 minutes, when Brian looked I was wrong it was another hour, but we were not in a rush. Eventually it arrived and quickly we were back the train was waiting so we boarded and off we set, I slept most of the journey.

I forgot to say earlier Brian had been starting a cold over the last day or so, I am hoping its the same type as I had a few weeks ago ad could do without yet another, so he was tired and wanted to return to the flat which we did, I went to bed for an hour or do after catching up with FB and e mail, when I got up Zorro was on his computer with no sign of Brian, we decided to leave him to sleep, when I came to bed he had not appeared, hopefully he will be better in the morning.

We discussed what to eat, Zorro decided he only wanted sardines bread and fruit and I decided on eggs and tomatoes yet again but fried this time and to try one of Brian’s persimmons, unfortunately the non stick pan was not so not the most attractive meal I have ever eaten but at least it filled the gap, after Zorro continued with computer as did I for a while, then we chatted until he went to bed and I read the English version of the local paper, I was quite surprised how much the people from other countries put into the area financially and how many have homes here and that its only now that it is being recognised and local government and businesses are at long last doing more to encourage them.

Well as I said I am in bed typing, waiting for our nightly rubbish collection, wonder if I will miss it when I am back home, maybe I should record it to help , me sleep LOL, have put music on random so nice to hear some of my music I had forgotten about

29 December 2013 Another Wander Round The Sights Of Malaga

Got up late this morning, yet again air con man did not arrive, others still not up so first task breakfast, eventually they appeared, suggested that maybe Brian should be accommodated so asked what he wanted to do, seemed he wished an easy day, so relaxed in the morning, apart for brief trip by the other two to supermarket next door, decision eventually was to go out for walk possibly have sandwich for lunch, then meal later, many families yet again out today, more shops open than would of thought.

Seemed to be a problem finding place to eat so continued walking, had a look at cathedral heard woman’s voice singing wad not sure of location, eventually discovered was elderly lady near cathedral, she had a beautiful voice, shame we did not stop to listen, had a look round inside cathedral seems took over 2 centuries to build(sounds like typical British builders) then went to site of ancient ruins, wandered round, took photos, seemed very popular, the others decided to have a closer look, before that listened briefly to man playing his harp, whilst waiting people watched, back hurting so went for walk to ease it, noticed pleasant walk up hill so may go back and explore another day.
When others appeared carried on looking for elusive cafe in the end decision was to go to usual cafe, on arrival owner not there but pleasant young woman, seemed uncertain if would be open in the evening so pizza it was again with idea that we have something light in the evening
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I mentioned whilst waiting for meal how in my marriage, often we would find a good restaurant, shop etc that seamed to tick all the boxes but so often, then for reasons I have never figured, we then had to explore everywhere else in case, but then ended up back at first place, in terms of food it usually meant I was famished when finally resolved and that this was part of why these days often it is easier for me to go to fast food places such as McDonald's, as I know what they sell, its consistent and quick, obviously its a personal point of view and for some the search is part of the task.

I also mentioned that I had realised the difference in the three of us when on holiday, which i had never thought of in the past in that Zorro and Brian loved to soak up the whole culture, including the language and buildings, whereas, I personally, preferred to people watch and often see places more as a photography opportunity, not that either was wrong just different, maybe when planning my holidays in the future it is something to consider regarding priorities
The young woman made the pizzas much quicker but just as enjoyable to eat. After the meal we made our way back to the apartment, I went for a lie down and a painkiller, it wad over 2 hours before I woke, Zorro was watching a film on his computer, Brian was watching TV, we chatted for some time on a range of topics, was still feeling dopey from the effect of medication and for time after. Later decided we would have a sandwich to eat as was getting late in the day, Zorro, spent the evenin

g watching movies, whilst chatting I caught up with e mail etc, seems from Facebook grand daughter had broken down in her car but eventually rescued, must check tomorrow what happened, also noticed younger one seeking a flat for herself in the new year, its amazing how I know more about their life through it than have ever known previously.
Brian eventually went to bed and Zorro quickly followed, I was going to stay up but back started aching again, so here I am listening first to Anita Harris, singing one of my favourite but with a reminder of a time in my life when I was saddest the song Sam, which still has an effect 40 years on, then Barbra Streisand with quite a different mixture of songs. Well so far have not heard the bin men not sure if have not heard due to music or have yet to have the pleasure, oh dear spoke to soon, they have just arrived, oh dear, so will find more lively music to drown them out so maybe a good time to finish the blog, goodnight readers.

28 December 2013 Trip To Seville

Early start, this morning, man should of turned up before 9 30 to solve air con, still waiting. By the way as I type here, it is nearly midnight and the dustbin wagon is outside, just as well not asleep, I am listening to Barbra Streisand on headphones , others had an early night, I have been chatting with son on skype and catching up with e mail.
Back to the plot, we had breakfast then off on trip to Seville, first Brian went for bread and Zorro and I for cheese, mistake was ask them to slice, unfortunately he did it in nice little triangles which took forever, eventually sorted then off to station
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We had reserved seats, Brian got chatting to man in next seat, Zorro and I got into reminisce, then had a read then I nodded off. On arrival noticed McDonald's so we had a coffee(first time have seen separate coffee bar in their places) and our rolls, then on the bus to town. It was very busy and the city was packed.
I wanted to take photos of cathedral and palace, after discussion I went off on own, went up to river and then pleasant walk alongside, got lost, then back on track, lots of tourists at cathedral, walked back to town, the others were already in bus queue, eventually it came was not sure really if it was safe for the number of people crammed on, but seemed to take for ever to get to station, was just enough time to get drink before boarding train.

Was tired now so had read of e book for little while then sleep, (am finding some of Andersons stories quite a heavy read), then read a little more then chat with Brian until we reached destination, back to flat in case man came, we decided to stay in and I made yet another omelette for us all, which seemed to be ok for the others, it would of worked better if I had sorted the grill out quicker.
Well thats the end of another busy day, it seems that we are having an easy day tomorrow or today as I now realise looking at the time, hope you are not to bored with reading the blog.