The Sun has got his hat on!

At last we have the sun back with us and the amazingly heavy rain is but a memory.   The day has been one of relaxation.   The day started with an earlier rising for me and a chat with Terry who comes every  morning to feed the cats who live at Finca Manolo.   Terry is the father of Sue Brown, who, with husband Trevor, own the house.   They have jetted off to Skiathos in Greece for their annual holiday.   they feel confident that the house is in good hands when we are here.   This, at least, is what they say.

There have been a few changes since we were last here in 2013.   The entrance gates have a new coat of paint and palm trees are growing there.   The main door has been painted and the dressing room has had a facelift.   In the nearby village of Colmenar there have been other changes.   A new name is over the door of the butchers and the local supermarket has changed hands for the better.   We used to have to visit the Eroski Hypermarket in Velez-Malaga quite often to get food but now Eroski have opened the equivalent of Tesco Express and a wider variety can be got locally.

During the downpour the local Police have nee noticeably absent on the roads.   Quite often we have seen them stopping speeding motorists whose on-the-spot fines have helped the Spanish economy to recover.   I have even been one of their victims.   These days they have more chance of booking me for loitering than breaking the speed limit.   I have finally got my head round how to avoid their activities.   It takes a great deal of concentration.

The first major benefit of our stay is that Pauline's painful shoulder has been eased to the point where her pain had gone.    She has had it for months since falling at home.   She has the biggest grin you can imagine!   So have I!   As our hosts have renewed the TV equipment we can now watch British TV when we want.   It is screened an hour later because of the time difference.   We are now up to date with the Great British Bake Off!!!

On 15 & 16 September we shall be leaving here for a couple of days exploring the ancient parts of Cordoba.   We have a reservation at their Parador.   I am fairly confident that our SatNav will get us there.