Sunday 19 July 2009

Back - but not for long!

So, we are back from Spain. On the day we left we got to the airport in good time and were checked in within 20 minutes. Flight was delayed 2 hours! We telephoned our friend meeting us to break the news and then wandered off to get a drink and kill the time! It went quickly really and finally we were on our way. A good flight over, I sat by the window and was very impressed by the cloud formations I saw. Some of them looked like huge meringues - beautiful! Guess who didn't have her camera with her! We arrived at around 10 pm - very warm! Our friend met us and we drove directly to the local village for something to eat.

We had a lovely relaxing holiday. The weather was hot, very hot, relentlessly hot, day and night! So we sat in the shade and dozed or read or chatted. We cooled off by having a swim. Our friendly duck is still in situ - it is actually a thermometer and the water temperature was around 30 degrees most of the time we were there.

We ate out most days, catching up with acquaintances made last time we were there and making new ones. One evening we (about 16 of us) went to a local cafe for supper where there was a live band playing for a couple of hours - mostly tributes to The Beatles, Van Morrison and a Country & Western singer I can't remember! Later there was dancing. It was a great night and we walked back home at around 1 am.

That was pretty much all we did. I only took about 3 photographs. It was wonderful to just - well I can't say "chill out" - but to RELAX! I read "The Good Earth" by Pearl S Buck which I thoroughly enjoyed, a wonderful book. It was first published in 1931 and in 1937 it was made into a film. In 1935 Pearl S Buck was awarded the Nobel prize for literature. You can read more about her here.

I also read "The Conjuror's Bird" by Martin Davies. I thought it was a good, pacy read. I am a little confused about the reference to "the conjuror" but think I know what was meant. If any of you have read it I would be interested to know your thoughts. I also got well into "The Return" by Victoria Hislop. Having read her previous book "The Island", I guessed I would enjoy this story.

Our flight back was uneventful and on time. When we left Spain it was 39 degrees. We landed at 10.10 pm and were back indoors by 11 pm. Temperature here was 16 degrees!

I have been trying to catch up with fellow bloggers this week because on Tuesday I'm off again. This time to Stratford on Avon to look after our 5 year old grand-daughter for a few days, to help out for the first week of the school holidays. I won't have my camera with me this time though, as OH wants to borrow it whilst I am away.

Looking into Blogworld I found I had an award from Hadriana. She has designed this award herself and awarded it to fellow bloggers who have kept visiting and supporting her in spite of her being a little out of touch lately due to family commitments/work pressures. Thank you Hadriana - I do appreciate it.

I also found that I have been tagged by Karen at The Rubbish Diet. I will be doing this once I am back from my grandparenting duties in Stratford on Avon. Hope you don't mind Karen.

One task I must tackle before I go off on my travels is to make a birthday cake for my lovely daughter, who will be 40 at the end of August. It will give the cake time to settle and mature and I will be back in good time to ice and decorate it.

12 comments:

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

What a wonderful holiday. I like nothing better than relaxing with friends. Have a great time in Stratford Anne.

Maggie May said...

Glad you had a lovely time in the sun!
A rude awakening coming home and I don't suppose it will be any warmer in Stratford on Avon! As long as it is dry that is the main thing. It is chucking it down here.
I have read the Good Earth by Pearl S Buck and thought it was a lovely read!

Enjoy your granddaughter.

Winifred said...

Sounds like the best kind of holiday. Thanks for the info on Victoria Hislops book. I read The Island when I went on holiday in May and thoroughly enjoyed it so I'll look out for this.

Enjoy your babysitting. Well not exactly a baby is she, but you know what I mean.

Jay said...

Aaaah, it sounds so nice just to relax and read and be hot! Lots of cooling drinks with ice to hand, I hope! My brother loves Spain, but I've never been.

So, are you back from Stratford now?

Ladybird World Mother said...

Your holiday sounds simply gorgeous. Just how a holiday should be. have fun with the cake!x

DeniseinVA said...

Sounds like it was a fantastic holiday Anne, and I am sure you are going to enjoy your time with your little Granddaughter. My sister used to live only half an hour away from Stratford. Loved visiting all those wonderful places. Never been to Spain but hope to go one of these days. It sounds like a fantastic place.

Angie said...

Welcome back :~)

Cynthia L. H. said...

Sounds wonderful!!!!
Continue to enjoy!
;^)

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

RAC - most enjoyable.

Maggie - I'm off today and it is chucking it down!

Winifred - Hope you enjoy The Return.

Jay - I forgot to mention the drinks!! Off to Stratford today.

LWM - My type of holiday these days.

Denise - it was great and I will have fun with GD. She is such a little character!

Angie - thank you.

Cynthia - I will.

Thanks to all for your welcome comments. A x

Hadriana's Treasures said...

Glad you like the award SJA! I must try to get over to Stratford some time...I've never been.

Your holiday in the sun sounded lovely.

Pam said...

Welcome back and good luck with the next trip. Spain sounded lovely - a perfect holiday in my book. Talking of which, I'll check out those books you read and see if they might be for me.
Enjoy your visit XXX

Gill - That British Woman said...

gosh you are a busy bee, enjoy your visit with the grandchildren...

Gill in Canada