What else have we been doing in our first 3 weeks?

The time has flown since we arrived, and I cannot believe how quickly the days go by.

The first couple of days were spent finding our bearings. We had passed a bar on day 1 which had a sign outside advertising Internet computers. So, after a couple of days we decided to go down there and get back in touch with the rest of the world. €1 for half an hour ( plus I had a coffee and Neil had a lager, so in real money - more like €5 for half an hour - but at least I could get to my e-mails). It turned out that this is a bar run by Ron, an Englishman - and San Juan now had an English bar - he's been there since March (after our last visit)

While we were outside finishing our drinks we got talking to another English couple, Ann & Steve - they had lived here about 3 years and live on the same set of villas where we are renting.

They told us about Wednesday night being quiz night at the bar, where as well as the quiz they do a full English Sunday dinner, roast meat, vegetables, gravy etc. Ann & Steve invited us to join them the following Wednesday and introduce us to some of the other people they knew. We happily accepted their kind offer.

Ann then told me of a Thursday morning meeting at the bar of the Terreros Ladies, a group of English ladies that meet once a week and share information and help each other with any problems. This seemed to be something I should get involved in as I would have so many questions in the early days that such a wealth of knowledge would be invaluable. Again, I accepted her offer to go to the meeting with her that week.

Finally the conversation turned to golf, and the fact that our clubs had not yet arrived and Neil was itching to play at our new golf club. Steve informed us that we needed to speak with Dennis, who could generally be found in Meson Pepa's most afternoon's. he played golf at the course and would have some clubs Neil could borrow until his arrived.

A chance meeting had opened up several avenues for us - and we couldn't help but feel very lucky to have met them.

The following day found us down at the bar where Dennis would probably be - and he was. Neil introduced himself and explained about his meeting with Steve. The end result was that by the time we walked out of the bar, not only had Neil got the promise of a set of clubs to use until his arrived, but he had been invited to join Dennis and the others who play at the club the following morning. People here are so friendly - it's was so much more than we had ever expected.

So, over the last few weeks we have been to quiz nights, I've been to my ladies group (at which I was so surprised to find there were over 20 ladies go each week) and Neil has played golf a number of times. Life is beginning to settle into a routine of dog walking, golf and relaxing.

Before the end of the first week I had people waving to me as they passed me walking the dogs, stopping to speak to me as they saw me in the supermarket and inviting us to join them when we met them in a bar.

It was all helping to make us feel settled in our new home.