Today's our Wedding Anniversary.

It seems hard to believe, but 4 years ago today Neil & I were in California for our wedding.

Where does the time go?

We have wonderful memories of our wedding day, we were very lucky to have met our new friends, Lynn & Andy, on a Mediterranean cruise the year before. We had been dinner-table-buddies for the week and all got on really well, so there were the usual 'we must keep in touch' and 'here's our e-mail' comments at the end of the week, and we did keep in touch by e-mail. Lynn & Andy live in California, about an hour south of San Francisco, so probably felt safe from us 'just popping-in' - but then it happened. They got an e-mail from us to say we would be in California, in April 2005 - would they be at home for us to call.

After a few e-mails, what we had planned as an afternoon visit as part of our 2 weeks holiday in California, turned into us staying with them for the 2 weeks. We had only known them from our cruise but here they were, opening their home up to us. We had a wonderful 2 weeks in Gilroy, met so many of their friends and had a few days travelling to Yosemite & Las Vegas - to see a bit of the surrounding area.

While we were there, Lynn spoke to Neil and said if we were ever to think about getting married, they would be happy to host the wedding ceremony for us, should we wish.

A few weeks later, Neil proposed to me and, after a nano-second, I said yes. So, thoughts turned to the venue and we decided we would ask Lynn if she was serious about us getting married at their home in California, and when she said yes, we were both agreed - we would marry abroad.

For several reasons, we set the date for Sept 3rd, less than 4 months away. One of my dearest friends, that I had met at college, had missed my first wedding and said she was definitely going to be at my next. So, it was an interesting phone call to her to tell her we were getting married (lots of screams down the phone) and her immediate response was 'this time, I'll be there!' I told her I would love that but it was happening in California - her response? 'I don't care, I'm still going to be there!'

And so it was that the 3 of us flew to California on Thursday, 1st September. We were due to collect the marriage licence from San Jose on the Friday, with the wedding on the Saturday.

Lynn had been fabulous over the previous 4 months, organising ....... well, everything. She had sorted the flowers, the cake, the buffet, the tables & chairs, the guests, the photographer - just everything. All I did was turn up with my husband to be and my dress. I had e-mailed a photo of my dress to her so she could match the colour for the cake decorations and my flowers, oh there was just so much I had to be grateful to her for, the day was fantastic.

We were married in their garden by Lynn,who is registered to perfom marriages, with Andy as Neil's best man and my dear friend, Liz, as my bridesmaid.

There's so much more I could write, so many little stories to tell of our wedding day (mmmhhhh, I feel another blog idea) but it all went amazingly well and 4 years on, it still remains an incredibly wonderful memory for us.

And so Neil & I are well settled into our new life in Spain and in a few weeks our Californian friends will be here to spend some time with us.

All this from being dinner-table-buddies!

Many thanks to Lynn & Andy for being brilliant friends.

Happy Anniversary Neil.

Feeling sorry for myself today.

We've had Sophie overnight and after a peaceful night all the dogs were up early this morning, so I got up to take them all onto the Campo for a long walk before it got too hot.

Getting 3 dogs ready for a walk, getting them out of the door and through the gate is quite entertaining, especially when they all have extending leads - but I managed it and we headed up for the Campo, the entrance of which is literally a 2 minute walk. Once on the Campo I can let them all off their leads and they wander around together quite happily. It should be a stress free half an hour stroll around the Campo. Note those words - should be.....

I was happily strolling behind them all, enjoying the breeze that is coming in from the sea this morning when all of a sudden my foot slipped from under me and I fell heavily on my hands and knees, dog leads thrown in all directions and the next thing I know I have my two boys all over me trying to see if I am ok.

Now, I always struggle to get up from the floor because I cannot put any weight on my wrists. Normally I can manage it by getting on to my knees first - but both knees were incredibly sore from the fall and one had blood running from it and I was covered in brown dirt - front and back - so I sat there for some time wondering how an earth I was going to get back on my feet. It was too early in the morning for other dog walkers to be around and I was on the verge of ringing Neil to come and find me when I noticed a step in the path that I could shuffle down to and maybe get up from there.

It was a struggle, but I managed it and limped home with blood dripping from my knee and feeling very bruised and battered, but at least I had avoided the embarassment of other people watching me fall.

I have no idea what happened, I didn't trip, I definitely slipped somehow but I cannot blame the dogs as they were all off their leads and no where near me.

So, I am feeling very sorry for myself, but it was sweet how my boys came back to see if I was OK.

Not such a gentle stroll in the Campo after all.

Cadey, such a cutie!

It's almost a year since I saw Cadey, and as she's only 2 and a bit now - it was unlikely she would remember me, and so it was always going to be an interesting get together. To Cadey, I am Nanna-J who lives away.

As soon as she and her Dad came through the door it was obvious she hadn't a clue who I was.... and maybe I was a little scarely to her - certainly the look on her face suggested so. We'd met for something to eat and so after we had chosen from the menu I needed to go to the bar to order. Bearing in mind that Cadey had looked terrified of me since she arrived, imagine my surprise when she told her Dad she wanted to come with me!

She took my hand and we walked through the pub together and then when we got to the bar I picked her up. OK, there were no screams of fear, no tears and no frantic looking around for Dad - but all the same she did look scared to death - and the lady next to me commented to that effect. I hastily explained that I hadn't seen her for so long to try and avoid an incident whereby this lady thought I was making of with a child I was not entitled to.

Fortunately when we got back to the table one of the waitresses had brought a colouring sheet and crayons and Cadey, who is obviously an expert in such things, immediately got stuck in to colouring the dog green.

As dinner progressed she started to chat, ate well and eventually performed for the video camera so that I could bring back some video for Neil, she even blew her Grandad a big kiss.

She has changed enormously since I last saw her and is a really lovely little girl (but then I would say that, wouldn't I?) and after a final photo, she was off home to bed.

Not quite a smile for the camera, but a treasured photo just the same.

Day 3 of trip - more travelling.

After a lovely meal out (all I seem to have done this trip is eat!) last night it was up early for the drive to Guildford Train Station. Andrew was going to have a coffee with me before I left but the price of the car park was outrageous, so we said a quick goodbye and off he went.

Now, Thursday was Ladies day at Ascot. I have no idea where Ascot is but I know half of Guildford were dressed in their finery and catching a train. I felt rather under-dressed but I bet I know who was more comfy on the journey.

I had to change at Waterloo and get the Underground across London, and everywhere was heaving with Ladies in hats and posh frocks - lots of them looked wonderful although I have to ask myself if some of them had actually looked in the mirror before leaving home (okay - claws are away again!) Anyway, I knew my Spanish friends would love a photo of ladies dressed for Ascot and I found 2 young ladies who were all dressed up to the nines (that will be an interesting expression to teach them - my Spanish friends, not the young ladies going to Ascot) so I asked if I could have a photo, explained why and they were delighted to pose - even switching sides so their hats didn't clash. Thanks you ladies, I hope it didn't rain on your picnic!

I won't bore you with the train journey to Sheffield other than to say there was a chap with a dog in the seat infront of me. This dog was a quiet little thing and just curled up in his bed under the seat and never moved the entire journey - what a little star!

I was met at the Station by Sue & Graham, more very good friends who I haven't seen since last summer - Oh, it's been a good trip for catching up with people. They'd also done a trip of a life time since I'd last seen them, so I could feel another evening if stories and photos - this time from Route 66, USA.

But first, time to see Cadey. How would a 2 year old react to someone they hadn't seen for a year? This could be fun!

A Healthy Lunch by the River and a walk in the countryside........

We had arranged to meet my brother at The Swan in Staines for lunch so that he could take responsibility for me for the next 24 hours - http://www.fullersenglishinns.co.uk/swan-hotel/about.asp

I don't miss much now I'm in Spain but I have to admit to not having had a decent Cappuccino since I moved there - we don't have Starbucks and the likes near us - maybe in the bigger cities, but not in Terreros, and the coffees we do get are ALWAYS in small cups not mugs!
So I thought, 'Great, I'll have a coffee!'

I was presented with a large mug of very frothy Cappuccino accompanied by a little dish of Maltesers - heaven.

My brother arrived shortly after and we went through to a lovely table by the window overlooking the river. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite warm enough to sit outside (and it did look like it may rain, although it didn't)

One of the specials was Avocado and Shrimp salad - far too much green for my usual plate but it had 2 of my favourite foods and so I decided that would do for me, and it was delicious, it came drizzled with Balsamic Vinegar AND I did eat most of my lettuce, for a change.

So lunch over, I said my goodbyes and thank you's to Liz and headed off with Andrew. He had plans to drive me around the contryside to remind me how beautiful England is and then on to Polesden Lacey, a National Trust Country House and Gardens - http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-polesdenlacey/

We had a lovely stroll around the gardens in some very pleasant afternoon sun before wandering around the house. The house is steeped in history and connections to royalty and full of amazing pottery, books and pictures. My main question was 'why there were statues of Griffins in the gardens etc?' - but no one could give me an answer and a quick Google hasn't found anything either - photos of them yes - and explanation why? No.

Still, the place was beautiful and very worth a visit.

I'm leaving on a Jet Plane......

... but I do know when I'll be back again ....

Friday!

I've been trying to sort my pension out since I turned 50 last year - and various things have caused delays. Finally all the paperwork is ready BUT I need to be in the UK to sign the papers, so I fly over today for a meeting on Friday.

In the meantime I am going to make the most of my time in the UK. I fly to London this afternoon and have a couple of days visiting a good friend who I haven't seen since we moved out here. Then tomorrow I visit my brother before getting a train to Sheffield on Thursday where I have more good friends to visit before my meeting on Friday morning to sign the papers, and then back to East Midlands for a flight back Friday night.

So, my bags are packed and I'm ready to go.......

All together now....

I'm leeeeaving on a jet plane......

55 and Beige!

Today is Neil's 55 birthday. He has commented over the last few days that 55 seems old, he doesn't feel old but his age suggests otherwise. And today when we were out we realised that his wardrobe has changed from blues and reds and greens and blacks and whites....

to BEIGE!

Maybe I need to write off and enrol him as one of Terry Wogan's TOG's - only I thought that applied to people who reached 65, not 55!

Today we have been out celebrating with friends, we met up at 4pm with the intention of having a couple of hours with a couple of drinks in a couple of bars and then home for some dinner.

Of course, it didn't turn out that way, we ended up having several drinks over several hours in several bars ......

and no dinner!

So, the birthday boy is now fast asleep in bed and he'll know he's had a good time in the morning by the size of the hangover.

Golf should be fun!

For my Dad.

The hardest thing about moving to Spain was leaving my Dad but he wanted us to go, he knew it would be good for my health and with todays technology, keeping in touch is so much easier. I rang Dad every couple of days from Spain to chat to him about our new adventure, what had happened, what we had achieved and what had gone wrong and he always seemed to enjoy hearing of our experiences so much.

When I came back to visit him in hospital he always wanted to know everything and he was always telling me when he thought it was time for me to go back home.

One of our reasons for choosing Spain for our new home, among many, is that it would only take a few hours to fly back if we needed to, and that was the case last week. I spoke with Dad on Thursday morning and flew back to be with him the same day. I could have a cup of coffee and a chat with Dad as we had done so many times over the last few years before Dad went to sleep for the last time.

When I started this blog I promised myself it would be a 'warts and all' record - well, this has to be the biggest 'wart' that I'll ever include.

Dad, I'll miss ringing you up to tell you of our new lives, but as I continue this blog over the months and years, it will be over a cup of coffee and it'll be my chats with you.

I'm so glad you got to see how happy we are in Spain, I know that was important to you.

The coffee cup is empty now so it's time to end this chat, but from now on this blog will always be written

For my Dad.

A thank you

I want to say 'Thank You' to everyone who reads this blog, and to those that leave me comments. I started writing this as a record for me, for my family and my friends to keep up to date with our new lives, so they could see how we are getting on. What has amazed me is the number of people who regularly read this blog and where they are. I have a link that tells me which country and area people are in, nothing specific, but enough for me to know that, as well as the UK and Spain I have regular readers from the USA and from Istanbul, Bangkok and Bermuda.

To those that are reading this to keep up to date with our new lives, I hope you are enjoying reading it as much as we are enjoying living it.

To those that find this as a result of searching for info on the internet, I hope you find it useful.

And to everyone - please feel free to send me a comment, I love to hear from you all

Back to the UK for a few days

I found out 4 weeks before moving out to Spain that my Dad would probably be having a major operation within weeks of me being in Spain, We obviously discussed delaying our plans but Dad was quite definite that he wanted me to come to Spain as planned and we would deal with the operation as and when it happened. I was fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time with Dad before coming out here, but it was still incredibly difficult to actually say our last goodbyes before leaving Sheffield, knowing this operation was looming.

Well, he had the operation a week ago and it has been incredibly difficult to be so far away, not to be able to visit him in hospital and to rely on others to let us know how he is and how he is doing. I had always planned to go back for a few days when he came out of hospital but as it happens, I decided to go back anyway as I just needed to be able to see him and see that he was ok and recovering well, so I am on a plane back to Sheffield tonight and I will see him tomorrow. All the reports are that the operation went extremely well and Dad's progress is good, and as they would expect.

One of the benefits of moving to Spain is the speed at which you can get back to the UK for situations, just like this. The down side of course, is that I will be apart from Neil and the pups, an equally difficult situation for me.

Anyone contemplating moving away from family and friends needs to consider seriously how they would deal with this type of issue - and then when you think you have worked out how you would feel and cope, multiply it tenfold. I thought I was much better prepared to deal with this at distance than it turns out I am, and although I will miss being in Spain, I cannot wait to get home and see my Dad.

So, it may be several days before I can update this blog, but for anyone reading this regularly, please subscribe to the feed and you will be notified when I next post an entry.

Bye for now, and I'm off to pack some jumpers and long trousers as I understand it's considerably colder in the UK than it is here. Then I shall have one last dip in the pool before setting off for the aiport.

50 years young.

Last Thursday was my 50th birthday and this was a message our 15 month old granddaughter, Cadey, left on the patio table made from stones from the garden - isn't she a sweetie.

Neil had been worried about me being in Spain for my 50th, incase my birthday was a bit of a none event. I was happy to keep it low key, Craig, Jody & Cadey were here to share it and that was fine with me - but not Neil.

He arranged a surprise birthday party with 60 guests at Montesol, the local english bar. They put on a fabulous buffet meal, a disco and decorated the room with banners and balloons. I'm not sure how he managed to get so many people to come but everyone had a thoroughly good time and we finally got to bed at 3am (after returning to the villa and opening the champagne).

Thank you Neil, it was a brilliant surprise and a lovely evening.

I also received more cards through the post from England than normal and some e-cards as well - it was a lovely birthday.

We've now had our first invite to someone else's birthday party - a street party this Sunday.