Diego and Diana's milonga at Hotel Elimar in Rincon de la Victoria is now getting established and is on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month.  The milonga starts at 10:30 but we went down to the coast early and had a walk along the beach and then went to a fabulous fish restaurant just yards from the hotel.  We will definitely be going back there, it is the best we have been to yet.  Diego plays fantastic music with really good tandas and there were some new faces.  After we had danced a while Ken was off on his usual misson to dance with every woman in the room so I danced with a man called Pablo from Madrid who gave me the low down on all the milongas there.  I also danced with Diego, Paco and Rafeal from Granada.  They have such lovely names!  

Friday 20 August 2010 - Very proud of my plum jam!

We have picked about 12lb of gorgeous sweet plums so after freezing loads for plum crumbles I decided to make some plum jam with my new jam pan bought in TK Maxx and lugged back to Spain in my hand luggage! All day the kitchen was like a production line and we now have 12lb of jam and some plums left over. I am going to make plum chutney with the rest.  Yum yum, looking forward to breakfast.  Not good for my diet!

Thursday 19 August - Arkwright's

Those of you who are old enough to remember Ronnie Barker in 'Open all Hours' will remember Arkwright's store.  Well we have our very own Arkwright's in Puente Don Manuel overlooking Lake Vinuela, next door to my hairdresser.  It is an English store selling all English stuff that you cannot buy in Spain.  So all the strange things we Brits abroad miss you can buy here.  It is surprising as most things you can buy or find an alternative for but you just can't get decent icing sugar, mango chutney, naan bread (though I started making my own and they are much nicer) Thai red and green curry sauces, tinned soup, processed peas and English tea bags (but still no Yorkshire tea).  No sign of Nurse Gladys Emmanuel as yet!

Wednesday 18 August - A little chocolate brown puppy!

This morning when I was driving back from Colmenar along the mountain road towards home I came around a tight bend and a very young chocolate brown Labrador-cross puppy bounded in front of the car.  I slammed on the breaks and stopped but the puppy went underneath the car.  At the same time driving towards me was Jean-François and he stopped.  I was pretty shaken and worried about the puppy so Jean-François jumped out and crawled under my car to get the puppy out, who by now, was happily sitting in the shade totally oblivious to his brush with death.  We were totally blocking the road on a bad bend and soon there was a queue of impatient Spaniards hooting their horns and shouting behind both our cars.  So Jean-François jumped into his car with the puppy and we both headed off on our way.  A good job he stopped, otherwise we would now be a three dog household!

Tuesday 17 August - Argentine Tango at La Feria de Malaga!

Peter arrived for lunch and a tango lesson this afternoon and after our evening meal we headed off to a special milonga at the Malaga Feria.  The Feria ground is vast with over 400 bars, shops and restaurants all set up just for the ten day festival.  It is like a complete town and at one end there is a gigantic fun fair.  Lots of noise, loud music, singing and dancing.  I am sure the Spanish have evolved their ears to cope with high volume as there is only one level - LOUD! The milonga was next to a disco so very difficult to dance when you could hear boom boom boom next door.  Peter did amazingly well so I reckon if he can dance there he can dance anywhere!  Not the best ever milonga we have been to but the main aim was to promote tango in Malaga building up to the October Festival and there were lots of people watching so I think it was a success.  It was a nice evening and good to see the Feria.  There were some fabulous restaurants so we might go back for a meal one night before the end of the festival.    

Monday 16 August - Golearnto....

We have been talking to Golearnto all weekend about the possibility of a couple coming for a tango holiday from Tuesday or Wednesday for a week but it fell through.  We sell tango package holidays via their website http://www.golearnto.com/.  They have some interesting courses on sale, I quite fancy some myself.  But their loss is our gain as Peter has now booked to come back on Tuesday to stay and to take more classes.  So we think he has definitely caught the tango bug! 

Saturday 14 August - Captured on film

Denise came for her last class with Peter today and after we had gone through everything they had learned in the last five days we filmed them dancing together so that they could remember everything they had learned here.   Tonight off to a restaurant in Periana where you eat on the terrace overlooking Lake Vinuela.  Think we have earned it!

Friday 13 August - Sorting out a few problems! 

Our classes today focussed on sorting out the problems encountered on the dance floor last night with some technique and lots of floor craft rather than more new steps.  Four more hours of tango rounded off with barbecued Dorada (Sea Bream).    

Thursday 12 August - Missiles on the dance floor

Peter and Denise came with us to El Jardin for their first ever milonga.  We went first to a great tapas bar in Malaga old town.  El Jardin was buzzing and full of tourists as well as the regular dancers.  Peter was very brave and we were impressed to see him up on the floor with Denise and coping with the various other dancers coming at them like missiles from all directions!  They were a bit afraid but survived to tell the tale.  Denise also had a dance with Carlos and Ken and we all came back to Colmenar tired out but happy. 

Wednesday 11 August - Hot and tired

Very tired after four hours of tango classes!  We were going to go and see Iguana Tango playing at the Feria in Colmenar but we were all too wrecked!

Tuesday 10 August - From tap to tango

Denise joined us this morning for her first two hours of tango as Peter's dance partner.  She used to do ballet and tap in Holland. Ken gave her all the usual health warnings that tango can seriously damage your heart and your wallet!  Undeterred she put on her old tap shoes and we had them dancing around the floor within the hour.  No going back now!  

Monday 9 August -  We have cracked the New Zealand market

Peter joined us today from New Zealand for five intensive days of tango.  He is a beginner and wants to leave us able to dance traditional tango salon around the world when he is travelling on business.  So no pressure then!  He is having four hours of lessons a day and still has the energy for a swim.    

Sunday 8 August - A day of rest

Sunday is normally a day of rest but no rest for us.  We have a guest arriving tomorrow for a weeks tango holiday.  We also have Denise (a dutch lady from Alfarnateco) joining us for classes.  So we spent the day ironing, cleaning the pool and dance studio, cleaning the house and making up rooms.  We also found time to put up two new geckos on the walls in our shaded area that Demot and family bought for us and sat listening to Dermots mixed bag (cd selection).  It took me back to my teens in the 80's and Ken kept saying "who is that?"

Saturday 7 August - Milonga in Hotel Elimar, Rincon de la Victoria

Diego and Diana have started a fortnightly milonga in Hotel Elimar, on the beach in Rincon de la Victoria and so after a barbecue of sardines and fresh mackerel we got ready and went out.  This is the third time the milonga has been held and they had moved it to a new room in the hotel with a perfect new wooden dance floor and large white sofas and armchairs arranged around coffee tables.  It was air conditioned and had a lovely curved bar in the corner.  Outside you could hear the sea lapping up onto the beach.  A great nights dancing with great music and more new friends.

Friday 6 August - Yippee we passed our ITV!

This morning we headed with trepidation for our second ITV test in our car with expensive new headlights and expensive new tyres!  A BIG relief when it passed.  Now we can import it.  This week we also got the water problems fixed by Mecol and had a Daisy solar pool cover and pool steps installed.  The solar pool covers are made in Australia and extend the pool season for about three months a year so we will now be able to use the pool from around 1 May to 30 October.  So make a mental  note if you want to come when the pool is usable!  On the way home I went to the Pescaderia and got a bit carried away.  I bought fresh mackerel, sardines, king prawns, calamari, scampi and sea bream.  Hope our next guest likes fish!

Thursday 5 August - The Spanish class go to church!

We met in our nearest bar in Solano for a few drinks and tapas and passed a lovely few hours sat under a tree practising our Spanish with a lot of gossip thrown in! The new bar is in the church and it still has its altar and on Sundays there are still services there!  Now that's what I call a good ploy to pull in the punters on a Sunday morning!  Mass and a pint of the cold stuff!

Wednesday 4 August - The Last Supper

Our last meal with Ken's brother and the family before they head home in the morning.  Barbecue, swimming and finished off with a game of Poker into the early hours.  Aine kept praying for divine intervention but decided it must be god's night off and Ken won!

Tuesday 3 August - Iguana Tango

The Smith's have gone off to Malaga for the afternoon and evening and I am here at home dog sitting and catching up with updating the 'What's On' guide for Costa del Sol with all the August Ferias in the 'pueblos blancos' that take place over the next two weeks.  Most Spanish people are on holiday and mostly in Spain.  There are lots of tourists wandering around Colmenar day and night and it is buzzing, but fortunately still not packed like on the coast!  La Feria de Malaga runs from 13th to 22nd August and the city will be packed with a huge fairground and many events in the old quarter.  It begins on the beach with fireworks.  La Feria de Colmenar runs from 11th to 15th August and has daytime and evening events like best mule, best goat and there are dance and sport competitions for the children.  Every night there is mucho beber and musica!  It starts at midnight with an al fresco rock concert by the municpal swimming pool with a Spanish band called Iguana Tango! Spooky!  Take a look. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NabM-vtMlNo&feature=related

Monday 2 August - Stars in their eyes

I headed inland with the family today to go to the Lobo Park (wolf) where we learned all about wolves from all over the world.  It was very interesting but I will go back in winter when they have their magnificent coats.  Aine was blowing them kisses but somehow I don't think they are the cuddly type!  This evening we had a Casa Media Luna paella and finished off the night laid on sun beds looking at the fabulous sky.  It was very clear and there were lots shooting stars, something I have never seen before.  Also we can at this moment see the Milky Way which is directly overhead this month and truly spectacular.  It is only visible in very dark places and you can be sure of that where we live!   None of us wanted to go to bed.  Check out our blog dated 9 July for a fab website about the stars.

Sunday 1 August - Two legs of lamb, three jars of honey and a plum tree 

We took the family to Casa Ortega for Sunday lunch for the famous leg of lamb.  Aine desperate to visit 'the holy one' wanted to go to Comares.  So we went and took her to the graveyard (we take our guests to all the best places!) and then to buy honey followed by a visit to a restaurant for more drinks and a sit under the shade of a yellow plum tree.  Our host, the infamous Columbian Iván, showed us all his latin dance moves and gave us his plums directly from the tree, they were lovely and juicy!!  We tried to get someone to order his famous desert 'The Michael Angelo' but no one was brave enough!  When we arrived home there was an orange glow again over 'Bethlehem' (Comares) and Aine thought another miracle was about to take place but it was just the glow from Brian's nose!

Saturday 31 July - The Smiths arrive in Colmenar and a child is born!

For a change, I went to Antequera to do the shopping and Dermot and family went to a market in Caleta on the way to our house.  They all bought things and brought us a lovely Gecko to put on the wall outside.  We headed into Colmenar for an early evening drink after an afternoon of swimming and relaxation.  Outside one bar there was a horse tied up, like in the Wild West, a sight we often see. All that was missing was the tumbleweed!  I guess the horse knows its own way home if the rider comes out a bit worse for wear!   Then it was back home for a barbecue and more wine tasting.  A lovely cool evening under the stars.  Aine said looking at Comares with its orange glow and stars above it reminded her of Bethlehem and before long a whole story had evolved about a child being born?  Such imagination!  I think she had too much sun!   

Friday 30 July - A trip to Competa

A bit tired after a fantastic nights dancing but we were up early and headed off to visit Dermot (Ken's brother) and family at their holiday villa in Competa.  We had a lovely drive through the mountains rather than round on the motorway, passing through Canillas de Aceituno and the Sierras of Tejeda, Almijara and Almara Natural Park and Nature Reserve.   Paddy and Bridie came with us and had a great time exploring a new house.  We spent the day relaxing in the shade, tasting a bottle or two of local wine and having a barbecue.  Tomorrow they come to stay with us for 5 nights.  

Thursday 29 July - Withdrawal symptoms

Off to the tyre shop in Colmenar for new nuematicos and after much debate and head scratching we decided what was needed to satisfy the ITV inspectors.  Our new tyres have to be ordered and will hopefully be here tomorrow.  I also helped out a Scottish couple who are staying in a rented villa near us and had a flat tyre and no Spanish!  Then with a little time to spare I wandered through the weekly market in Colmenar, they have good stalls in summer with the fab fruit and veg stall, a spice stall and some good clothes stalls.  Then I headed to the town hall as I also have to renew my Certificado de Padronamiento (certificate to prove I live in Colmenar) as I need one issued within the last three months to pay the taxes at the tax office for importing my car.  Another little industry, I have one dated March but that isn't good enough so you have to pay for another!  More stamping of bits of paper!  On the way back to my car I bumped into Alicia outside Pepe's Bar so I sat with her and her husband and had a natter and coffee.  Back home now to do some work.  Then a swim followed by a few tapas with Ken in Malaga and dancing at El Jardin! Yippee, not danced since Saturday, having withdrawal symptoms! 

Tuesday 27 July - A visit to the drive-in ITV centre 

This morning I went with Rosie to the ITV (equivalent to an MOT) test centre near Torre del Mar to get a special importation ITV test done on our UK registered X-Trail.  Surprisingly it is a very efficient process!  A bit like a drive in Burger King, you pay your money and wait in the car park listening for your car to be called.  When it is called you drive to the line they tell you and you drive into a garage at the back and get spat out the front when it's finished.  You stay in your car throughout the whole process while they shout orders to you to rev the engine, press the breaks etc. First they do the emissions test then check all the indicators, lights, wipers.  Then you have to drive onto some metal plates and a machine tests your breaks.  Next you drive forward and over a pit where they give you a walkie talkie and while they are under the car they tell you what to do so they can check the suspension, axles and steering etc.  Eventually you end up at the exit and drive back to the car park to collect your paperwork.  Only to find out it had failed!!  SHOCK!  It is really frustrating because there is nothing wrong with the car at all.  It had new tyres in Sept last year and they are the Nissan recommended specification not good enough for Spain so although they passed the MOT in the UK, not here.  Now have to buy 4 new tyres and take off perfectly good ones and go back for a re-test. Ouch!  

Monday 26 July - Casa Media Luna on Facebook!

You can now find us on face book under my name Erika Abbatt and we have a page called Casa Media Luna with lots of photos, so look us up, share our site with your friends and chat to us online.

Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 July - Adventures in Marbella 

Saturday night we went to a 6 hour milonga in Marbella with a live performance by Otros Aires.  We decided to stay the night in Marbella as the milonga did not finish until 4am.  But first we had to take Paddy and Bridie to stay the night with our new dog sitter Rachel.  She has a house at the bottom of our track along the river, with horses, other doggies to play with and a river to splash around in. We booked them in for one night to get them used to the place as we want to go to Madrid in the autumn.  With the dogs settled in, I tore myself away feeling very guilty and we headed off to Marbella.  We were craving an Italian meal as we've not had once since we left the UK last year and when we checked into our hotel there was an Italian restaurant across the road so it was meant to be!   

Stuffed full of lovely food we headed to the milonga.  Being more of a traditionalist when it comes to music I was not sure what to expect but I went with an open mind.  They were actually very good (although I am not converted!) and we enjoyed dancing a milonga to 'Milonga Sentimental'.  It was nice to dance to live music for a change.  There was also a performance by some Argentinean drummers who were very good, lots of testosterone in the air!

Today feeling very tired, we picked the dogs up at about 1pm and when we got home all four of us crashed out for a long sleep.  I think the dogs' adventure had tired them out as well.

Friday 23 July - Blues Festival and Tango ballet coming to Malaga

With our Dutch guests gone to their next destination yesterday we are looking forward to a relaxing weekend on our own to recharge the batteries.  There is a Blues festival on in Antequera with live performances outside every night until end July which we might go to one night.  Check out the website: http://www.antequerabluesfestival.com/.  Also there is a performance by the Argentinean Ballet called 'TANGO DE BURDEL, SALÓN Y CALLE' on the 18 October in Malaga. We have booked a box! 

http://www.teatrocervantes.com/es/genero/danza/ciclo/70/espectaculo/948.

Thursday 22 July - They say things come in threes!

Well for us this week it was all water related.  As you will have read on Tuesday someone turned off our water.  Then for the past week, since we had the solar hot water installed, we have had an air lock in the cold water pipe connecting to the boiler so every time a tap is turned on you hear a squeak.  Not funny especially when the dishwasher is on.  So I have called Mecol (electricity company) out to look at it three times and I will be getting them back again next week as it is still not fixed!  The man has been so many times now we are on first name terms, another Antonio! Still we have loads of free hot water.  Then last night as I went to bed I noticed water leaking through the bathroom ceiling.  Luckily it was dripping into the sink!  So with nothing that could be done I went to bed and left it.  The air conditioning was leaking so it was another call to Mecol.  Very embarrassed that Antonio came out again for the 4th day in a row, worried he will think I fancy him, and he is coming back again tomorrow to fix the aircon!  

Wednesday 21 July - More photos

With our lovely dutch guests dispatched to the water park for the day I have, at last, a little time to update the website with some photos.  Here is one of our new outdoor furniture that Arend brought up from Malaga.  Imagine, this is where I will be taking my siesta this afternoon!  If you scroll down the blog there are some new pics to go with the stories going back as far as when we won the world cup on 11th July (in case you have forgotten already!). Includes one of Baxter the saltamonte.  Also new pics added to gallery, accommodation and tango pages.

Tuesday 20th July - Aaargghh no agua!

All good things must come to an end but we have had five days of great fun with our guests rounded off with a lovely meal in Comares last night.  This was after the trauma of no water!  It transpired that someone turned our water off by mistake at the meter and we ran the water deposito dry.  It took a few hours to refill and then I was scrambling around in the dark at 1:00am trying by torchlight to get all the airlocks out of the system so we could go to the loo!  Anyway drama over and we have water again.  Today our guests spent a good few hours practising in the studio before heading home, while I cleaned the bedrooms as I had a very fast turnaround to do.  Our next guests arrived this evening.  A lovely family from Holland with their 11 year old son Julian who is 12 in the morning! 

Monday 19th July - A match for Imelda Marcos!

We have a great source of tango shoes here in Malaga as a friend of mine imports them from Argentina.  Jenny and Anne went to her house today and had a field day buying tango shoes.  They bought four pairs between them!  We think there should be a wealth warning as well as a health warning for all new tango dancers.  Not only can it break your heart it will seriously damage your wallet!

Sunday 18th July - Blood, sweat and tango

We taught two private lessons today.  The first with Ken and Jenny when we did milonga and later in the day we did tango with Anne and Richard who had been in Granada at the Alhambra all day.  At the end of all the dancing we were all wrecked and ready for a relaxing dinner on the terrace together; gazpacho, paella and almond and plum crumble with our own almonds and plums.  I made Jenny a chocolate cake that was non dairy and 'sin' gluten and it was so nice we all had some!

Saturday 17th July - Dancing with Diego

This morning I went to Malaga with Arend (the husband of Denise, someone I know from the language school.  He has a transit van!) to pick up our new rattan furniture.  It wouldn't all fit in the van so we brought the dinning table and chairs back and we will get the rest on Tuesday. When I got back everyone had just finished breakfast so we spent a couple of hours in the dance studio.  By the end they were all collapsed on the floor but still smiling.  Have a look at their pictures and comments on Facebook!  This evening after dinner outside at our new dinning table we headed off to Rincon de la Victoria on the Costa del Sol where there was a new milonga in Hotel Elimar on the beach!  Jenny and Anne were thrilled because I had phoned ahead and asked Diana to bring them lots of dance shoes to try on.  Anne bought 2 pairs!  The milonga was friendly, in a nice air-conditioned room and had about 5 pilars to dance around!  Entry was €5 including a free drink, so Jenny, after a very large (free) glass of neat Martini (she claims she didn't know how to ask for lemonade) boldly asked Diego the DJ/organiser and professional tango dancer/teacher to put on a milonga and she got a dance with him.  She was very happy that she managed to remain standing!  

Friday 16th July - Tango boot camp!

Today was the first of five tango classes with our guests so we got stuck in straight after breakfast (well 11ish!) for their first lesson.  They all worked really hard and afterwards, feeling very hot and sweaty they went straight into the pool to cool off and relax.  We had lunch and evening meal outside and passed a very relaxing evening listening to tango music beneath a very pretty media luna.

 Thursday 15th July - Baxter the saltamonte!

Ken, Jennie, Richard and Anne arrived today for lunch which then kind of ran into evening meal so we all felt as if we had spent all day eating and drinking, interspersed with a bit of swimming, snoozing and talking about tango!  We also had our car headlights switched to left hand drive ones (the next stage in a long process!).  Next we have to hope it passes its ITV (MOT equivalent).  We have an extra guest staying here called Baxter.  He is a very big pea green saltamonte (grasshopper) who lives on the house wall outside under the shade - hence the name Baxter.  Work it out!  If you read my blog earlier in the year you will know saltamonte literally means jumping mountains, well believe me, this one could jump over a mountain.

Wednesday 14th July - Spanish Group

Our Spanish class is now over until September but our group has decided to meet once a week over the summer to improve our Spanish together (coffee morning!).  We were a bit naughty and spent more time catching up on local gossip but from next week we will continue bringing a new word to share and we have some Spanish word games to play.  Could be fun!

Monday 12th July - Solar hot water and air conditioning in the dance studio

A very exciting day.  Our solar hot water was finally installed and we couldn't believe how hot the water got so quickly.  Hopefully that should cut the electricity bill and it's nice to know the hot water is free, well it will be eventually after we break even!  We also ordered an outdoor sofa, chairs and coffee table and matching dinning table and chairs for outside under the shade so we and guests can spend lazy afternoons relaxing under the shade.  Not sure when it will be delivered, they won't deliver to our house so I have to get in touch with 'a man with a van' and we can go and collect it all.  We also bought an air-conditioning unit for the dance studio.  The house already has air-conditioning but we didn't have it in the dance studio.  It isn't really needed apart from July and August but it makes the classes more comfortable for everyone.

Sunday 11th July - World Cup Championes!

Well they did it!  Fabulous to be here when the Spanish won the world cup.  The fireworks along the valley in each village were amazing to watch from our little spot up the mountain.  They went on until late into the night and I suspect a few sore heads in Colmenar this morning.  A great way to end a lovely day spent relaxing at our friends' house where we had a lovely meal and great chat before watching the game.  A lot of people watched the game in the Dutch bar in Colmenar - glad we decided against it!  This is a picture of the statue in the centre of Colmenar now proudly wearing a Spanish bandera!

Saturday 10th July - Axalingua end of year party

This evening we went into Colmenar to a party organised by the Spanish school.  Juanme's (our teacher) mum had made lots of lovely food and we all brought food typical of our country.  So there were lots of Spanish, Dutch and English dishes.  I made a Bakewell tart.  One of the Dutch dishes had little Dutch flags stuck in every piece - I think some subliminal message there!  We had the party in the Dutch bar where tomorrow they will screen the Spain v Holland match!

Friday 9 July 2010 - The Casa Media Luna sky at night

The sky tonight was amazingly and the star constellations were extremely clear.  You feel like you are in a planetarium and I wanted to lie on a sun bed and just watch the sky.  It was also pleasantly cool after 36 degrees today!  The stars are so numerous and clear it makes you want to know more about them and I found this web site dedicated to the stars above the Costa del Sol.  According to the website we should be able to see Venus, Mars and Saturn very clearly on the 15th.  http://www.kencampbell.info/  

Thursday 8 July 2010 - Advice for las Cabras

This morning I had an assignation with a man at the Colmenar petrol station! The first step in the car importation process is to get an EU certificate of conformity, which was duly issued after the car and documents had been checked over.  I then called on Antonio (mechanic) and asked him to get me a price for the change of headlights.  Lots of sucking in of breath so I am expecting it to be costly! I then ordered our solar hot water from Mecol and it is being installed on Monday! 

Today is the hottest day of the year so far and my new pool thermometer (to avoid the toe test) says here in the office it is 32 degrees, outside it is about 36.  Just like in the UK, the Spanish media love to make a drama about the weather and today was no exception.  With temperatures around Sevilla hitting 40+ there was lots of advice about only going out if you have to!  There was also a special piece of advice for the goatherds!  Only let them go out after 4pm and then you must keep them under the shade of a tree.  Our goat farmer brings out his goats and their fast growing kids in the evenings now and there is always a lovely sound of tinkling bells.

Wednesday 7 July 2010 - Going for a double win!

Well with Nadal winning Wimbledon we have to go for the double!  Although I watched the Spain v Germany match I didn't need to, all I could hear at the end of the game were car horns along the valley in celebration of Spain's win!  Looking forward to Sunday.

Tuesday 6 July 2010 - Something for the Celtic fans

We put up a load of prints today that Ken has brought in the car.  One is a  Celtic football jersey signed by the whole team.  I had it framed for him as a surprise and now having a few regrets!  It is gigantic and it is hanging in the office.  The only place I would let him put it!

 Monday 5 July 2010 - Printing heaven!

I installed our new printer/fax/photocopier/scanner today so we can now print out people's invoices instead of having to drive to the village computer shop!  I also paid Mecol (electricity company) a visit today to chase up the switching of companies, they are so slow!  I parked by the Colmenar municipal swimming pool and all the children who are now on school holidays were all there.  It has just been done up and looks fabulous. A very big outdoor pool with nice surroundings.  We are looking forward to next weekend, there is a tango ball at the Hotel Monte Malaga so a chance to dress up and tango until about 4am!

Sunday 3 July 2010 - Old rockers

We unpacked all Ken's stuff from the car.  I was traumatised by the amount of stuff and rubbish he hordes.  He has a memory attached to every item he keeps. He brought some of my cd's so I put on The Police and then Blondie, two of my favourites from my teens!  We bopped (not tango) in the kitchen and Ken said I only like wrinkly old singers.  I pointed out that at least my favourites singers are still alive!  His favourites are all dead!  Dean Martin and Johnny Cash!

Saturday 3 July 2010 - Piscinas

Ken arrived tired but safe this evening so we now have two cars here which is quite reassuring because if one broke down we would be really stuck.  I spent a quiet day at home and went for two nice walks with the dogs.  In the morning I bumped into Manolo (the Builder) and had a good chat with him and in the evening I bumped into his wife Loli and the children. They were excited to show me their new swimming pool so I went to their house for a look.  I went in our swimming pool at 9pm tonight.  It doesn't go dark until 10pm so nice to cool off at the end of the day when the sun has gone down behind the mountain. 

Friday 2 July 2010 - Español

A bit wrecked this morning after a fab nights dancing! I really missed my Spanish class yesterday as we have now finished until September so in a effort not to forget anything I have dug out the Michel Thomas advanced course to listen to in the car over the summer.  We have to take a new word to Spanish every Thursday and my new word this week is percha  (hanger) and probarse (to try on).  Yes, the summer sales started today so I went to Massimo Dutti and tried on a few bargains on my way back from the vets (to buy ear protectors for Paddy )and the garden centre.  Poor Ken is on a ferry again from Portsmouth to Bilbao with our UK car which he is bringing over packed to the gunnels with his stuff.  We have finally decided to import our car as it is cheaper than selling it in the UK and then buying a replica in Spain.  Second hand cars really hold their value here.  He should arrive late tomorrow. Hopefully he will win some cash on the Blackjack to cover my couldn't resist bargains today!

Thursday 1 July 2010 -A walk along the riverbed

Got up early and took Paddy and Bridie a walk along the river bed from the dam at Solano  It is too hot now to walk after about 9am so they get an early walk and then an evening one at about 8:30pm when it's cooling off.  In between they snooze on the cold tiled floor at my feet while I work on the computer.  Tonight milonga in El Jardin, dress code all white to celebrate the start of summer (I thought it had started at end of April!).

Wednesday 20 June 2010 - Hot

Ironing in this heat is no joke but it helps when you can jump into your pool halfway through to cool down. Still, I have to get rooms ready for our next guests, so it's not all play!  Well, Spain  won yesterday so that means our milonga on Saturday night is put back an hour and the class with Pablo and Valeria brought forward and inbetween a party and meal while watching the match together in Bar Stylo.  Also some birthdays so that means there will also be cake!

Tuesday 29 June 2010 - Spain v Portugal

I am writing this while watching the match!  Hope Spain win as England now out.  If they don't we will have to shout for Argentina!

Monday 28 June 2010 - Who needs a pizza oven?

Following a fourth tango class our guests departed back to Estepona and we fired up the barbecue and grilled some fresh king prawns.  Then with the help of a glass or two of vino we decided it would be a good idea to cook the pizza on the barbecue!  It only took 10 minutes and tasted just like they do when they come out of a pizza oven!  Much better than when done in a conventional oven so from now on we will be cooking our pizzas on the barbecoa!

Sunday 27 June 2010 -  R&R

After a morning of tango Pauline, Alan and Carmen went to Casa Ortega for the famous leg of lamb.  We had Sunday dinner outside cooked on the barbecue and had a relaxing afternoon before having an early evening swim and a walk with the doggies.

Friday 25 June 2010- La fin de la semana

We really enjoyed our dance class today in the studio especially with the new mirrors as it helps us to show people what they are doing - or not doing!  After two hours hard work in the dance studio our guests jumped into the pool for a cooling swim and then went to Comares for a well earned lunch.  I made bread for tomorrow's breakfast and then did an hour's work as I now have a second job working from home as Editorial Support for a local website.  Amongst other things I update their What's On Guide, so I am now a walking talking guide to events on the Costa del Sol!  At about 6pm we called it a day, the weekend started and we went for a swim.  I now go swimming every day as the water is lovely and warm and Bridie runs from one end of the pool to the other to meet me as I do each length, so it exercises the dogs too!  To be able to work at home and then just step out onto the terrace and have a swim without sharing the pool with anyone always reminds me how lucky we are!

Thursday 24 June - Guests from Estepona

Pauline, Alan and Carmen arrived today to stay with us until Monday for a tango break.  We met them in February when we taught Graciela's class in Estepona.  Pauline and Alan are from Emley and we also sent them to Woodkirk earlier in the year when they were back in the UK.  Carmen is Spanish so I am practising my Español even more this weekend!  We all went to Malaga to El Jardin for a night's dancing before hitting the dance studio tomorrow for classes. It was nice for Carmen to visit Malaga old town as this is where she was born.

Tuesday 22 June - Bomberos

It's amazing how any sounds here in the mountains can register excitement with us as we have become accustomed to the silence. This morning we heard the sound of the fire brigade so we rushed out to see at least five firemen (bomberos) and a helicopter trying to extinguish a fire which had started on the other side of the valley. It was a small fire but in this climate they need to work fast. The helicopter would approach through the valley and just when the driver released his bucket of water he set his siren on which was the signal for the firemen on the ground to move fast as there was alot of water coming down.

Monday 21 June - Private lesson in our studio

I was up early and took our car into Antonio (the mechanic) for a service and new break pads and on the way back I bought lots of meat in the butchers.  Graciela and Donato came from Estepona to our house for lunch.  We had a barbecue with morcilla (Iberian black pudding), local pork and burgers.  Graciela brought yummy Argentinean cakes from a special shop in Marbella and so we passed a very relaxing afternoon eating and drinking outside.  The children played in the pool and the dogs followed them around everywhere.  In the evening we had a private lesson with Andres and Genoveva in our dance studio - Fantastic!

Sunday 20 June - Tango at the Albayat resort - Estepona

We drove over to Estepona for Andres and Genoveva to run workshops followed by a meal and milonga.  A very pleasant hotel with a nice wooden dance floor.  Got home feeling very tired Sunday night!

Saturday 19 June - Milonga en la playa

What can I say?  Dancing outside at the beach.  That takes some beating!  It was a perfect temperature with a gentle sea breeze.  We had a lovely evening of dancing and ended it with a meal in Casa Lucas a fish restaurant where we tried lots of fish dishes before headng home. 

Friday 18 June - Andres y Genoveva en Estepona

I am writing this with a strong cup of coffee Saturday morning.  Last night we got to bed at 4am.  We went to Estepona with Andres and Genoveva and the twins.  I was baby sitter for four hours while they did the class and Ken helped out as an extra leader.  We played hide and seek in the garden of the restaurant and lots of other games.  I was wrecked before the milonga even started.  I spoke only Spanish all day with Andres and Genoveva and got by very well.  It was good to have so much practice. I told the twins I was learning Spanish and Laureano kept correcting me.  He would point at me with his little index finder and say "No! se dice ....."  So, that puts me in my place.  My language skills are not as good as a four year old! More photos of last night and our new dance studio mirrors added to the Gallery!

Thursday 17 June - It takes twins, two dogs and two to tango

For those of you who don't know Andres and Genoveva, they have twin boys aged 4 years called Laureano and Lisandro.  Two children and two Spaniels, it's a mad house!  We picked them up at the airport today and had a relaxing afternoon playing in the pool and then a barbecue.  We took Andres dancing to El Jardin in Malaga in the evening so he could meet Marta and Manuel and some of the tango dancers in Malaga.  Genoveva stayed in with a glass of wine and when we got back she told us the twins had spent the evening curled up on the sofa together with the dogs, all four of them fast asleep! 

Wednesday 16 June - Andres y Genoveva en Malaga!

Busy busy today changing rooms as Andres and Genoveva arrive tomorrow with the twins for a spectacular tango weekend with dancing Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  I am especially looking forward to the milonga on the beach on Saturday night.

Tuesday 15 June - Bath time and Lake Vinuela

A day for the doggies today, a long walk and a bath for both of them.  We went for a visit to Carolina the vet and Paddy got the all clear on his ear.  Bridie went as well just for the ride so she can get to know Carolina. They sit in the back of the car like two nodding dogs looking out of the window.  On the way home I drove past Lake Vinuela which is a large turquoise lake at the base of the highest mountain in the Malaga Mountain range, La Maroma.  We look straight out on La Maroma from Casa Media Luna.  It's especially beautiful at the moment because the lake is at full capacity.  Normally it's only ever about 25% full. 

Monday 14 June - Fig-ures

This morning we said goodbye to Gail after her tango break.  We have sent her off with details about tango in Vancouver Island just five minutes from her home so she has no excuses!  We now have fresh tomatoes every day from our tomato plants and our strawberries are still producing.  Also the fig tree has a second crop so hoping for lots of lovely figs.  My favourite is the local homemade goat's cheese with almonds and dried figs. Not good for the figure!

Sunday 13 June - Eagle Watch

We said goodbye to Alice and JP from Liverpool this morning as they moved on to their next accommodation.  We are on eagle watch as we think there is a nest very close by.  We kept racing for the binoculars as there were three eagles, one with a massive wing span and two smaller ones.  We think it's a mother with her two chicks.  They are amazing to watch.

Saturday 12 June - Los Espejos

Manolo (our builder) came around tonight with his daughter and the good news is the dance studio mirrors arrive on Wednesday.  I am very excited!  This evening our guests all had evening meal with us and we cooked on the barbecue.  We had gazpacho, grilled King Prawns, Dorada (Sea Bream) and salad and finished it off with apricot and almond tart and ice-cream. The apricots and almonds were from our trees.  Yummy!

Friday 11 June - Milonga in Stylo

We headed to Stylo tonight with all our guests. One to dance at the milonga with us and the other two went into Malaga for a night out and few drinks as they were getting chauffered home by me!   

Thursday 10 June - Casa Media Luna on Google Maps

Our guests from Liverpool tried out my Google maps link and found us using SatNav so we didn't have to go into the village to meet them.  We all had a meal outside last night and lots of food and wine consumed! 

Wednesday 9 June - Paddy and Carolina

I was mega busy today trying to get the house clean and do some baking for guests arriving tomorrow.  Then Paddy threw a spanner in the works and decided to pounce head first into a bush and get something else stuck in his ear.  So it was off to Carolina the vet again!  Four hours out of my day that I didn't have spare!  Anyway Paddy sat still for Carolina this time as I think he finally realised he won't win and she pulled out another grass seed.  He is fine now.  Think will have to buy him a hair net to stop him getting stuff in his ears. 

Tuesday 8 June - All change!

All change today.  For me a lovely morning treat at the hairdressers with new colour and style and then when I got home I got stuck into changing rooms ready for another house full on Thursday.  We have people coming from Liverpool for a walking holiday and from Vancouver Island for a tango break!  It was too hot for using the ironing press so half way through I jumped into the pool to cool off (keeping new hairdo dry of course!). 

Monday 7 June - Una mapa

Well, with the Smith family despatched to the airport for their flight back to Canada we had breakfast on the beach in Torremolinos and then headed into Malaga to the map shop.  I bought some better maps for our guests so I just need to get them copied now.  I am going to write up some of our favourite walks for guests to use, when I get a minute!

Sunday 6 June - Eagle eyed

Well, good to see they didn't drink Colmenar dry - well not quite! I dragged Ken off his sun bed today on a walk with the walking club.  We did a walk along the riverbed from the dam below our house.  The dogs were never out of the water and had a great time.  They also cooled everyone else down as they kept shaking at the side of everyone.  We then stuffed our faces on leg of lamb at our favourite Casa Cortega and snoozed it off before a cooling swim in the pool (it is a lovely temperature now).  This evening I watched two eagles through our new binoculars as they sailed effortlessly high above our terrace.

Saturday 5 June - Monkey business!

Ken here again bringing you the Saturday blog. I did the tour guide for Brendan and Laurie today and took them to the Alhambra in Granada where they took over 100 photos and several camcorder recordings. The luck of the Irish got us three tickets for immediate entry even though we had not booked. On the journey home we had a big debate on whether the Alhambra in Granada or the Mezquita in Cordoba was the best. Finished the night with some tapas in Pepes and back to the villa for a few glasses of Monkey Shoulder (google search to find out).

Thursday 3 June - Brendan is keen

I took Paddy to the vets this morning for a checkup on his ear and when four of us managed to hold him down he finally got the message and allowed the vet to examine his ear which was fine. In the evening I took Brendan and Laurie through the side streets of old Malaga and went into some traditional spanish bars. We ended the night in El Jardin and I danced Tango for a few hours. Brendan tells me that he could give it a go after watching it a few times. ! Anyway, Erika is back tomorrow after her visit to the UK so it's "adios amigos".

Wednesday 2 June - Red sky at night

We spent all day today by the pool and we all agreed to have another barbecue with local pork chops and sausages and this was a great decision. For most of the evening the skyline views and colours changed dramatically over a period of two hours. Brendan and Laurie kept reaching for their cameras.

Tuesday 1 June - Sardines and reality

We went to the coast today to swim in the Mediterranean sea and taste sardines cooked in the traditional way with wood fires. Tonight we finished off with another barbecue of steaks and Canadian baked potato and a few tins of beer! 

Monday 31 May - Cordoba on a healthy breakfast

Well after our adventure with the eggs yesterday I treated Brendan and Laurie to a big breakfast omelette and afterwards we set off to Cordoba to tour the old quarter but especially the historical Mezquita. They were amazed with the inside of the Mezquita and spent over two hours walking around. We then spent a few hours looking at the old Roman architecture. Finished off the day with a big juicy steak from the barbecue and a new recipe for traditional Canadian baked potato

Sunday 30 May - Eggciting trip

We set off to travel the tourist route to Malaga and as we were half way up our track we met Manolo (our builder) and his family at their own house. It's customary to stop for a  quick chat which lasted about twenty minutes and Manolo ended the meeting by handing over 15 eggs hatched today form his chicken run. They were still warm. Laurie became the custodian of the eggs on the 35km winding road  to Malaga. We had a great few hours in the city visiting all the tourist places and returned to Colmenar on the same route with all the eggs intact. 

Saturday 29 May - Pepes Bar and song contest

After leaving Erika in Malaga airport today, I acted as a tourist guide for Brendan and Laurie and took them to Comares for a tour and lunch. Later on I did our usual tango dance class in our studio  while Brendan and Laurie were watching and listening from the terrace outside. I think they will succumb soon and ask for a tango lesson. In the evening we went to my favourite bar in the village for tapas and beer . We could  not resist watching and commenting on the Eurovision song contest. Old habits die hard.

 Friday 28 May - El Banco

Off to the bank in Malaga today to change my account from non-resident to resident account.  Usual rigmarole, stamping of forms and photocopying of everything in sight and an hour later I walked out with old account closed and new one opened but no bank cards!!  Hope the standing orders transfer ok but they doubt it so what hope can I have?  Can't help feeling nothing achieved but we will see!  Off to UK tomorrow for a few days so Ken in charge of the blog -  hmmmmm interesting!??!!!

Thursday 27 May - Ken and his brother in El Jardin

Off to Malaga and a jug of Sangria later we took Brendan, Laurie and Bobby tango dancing to El Jardin.  Not sure Ken has convinced them to learn to dance but he is working on it!  Afterwards coffee and cake in a lovely bar in Malaga.

Tuesday 25 May - Paddy in a right paddy!

Paddy (our Spaniel) started crying and shaking his head last night and I suspected something had got stuck in his ear.  So first thing this morning after not much sleep for either of us I took him to the vet in Torre del Mar.  I was expecting trouble because he wouldn't let me near it and normally he will let me help him if he is hurt.  After getting himself into a right paddy and four of us trying to hold him still, the vet ended up knocking him out for 10 minutes.  He had a massive grass seed in his ear and an ear infection.  Five hours later I finally got back home, both of us traumatised!  We now have the trauma of trying to get ear drops in twice a day for the next week.  You can imagine what that is like after the vet experience! 

Monday 24 May - The Smiths and a tsunami!

Ken's brother Brendan and his partner Laurie arrived from Toronto and Ken's son Bobby also arrived from Dublin.  So we have a week off from tango holidays and B&B and are having a holiday at home with the family.  Spent the day by the pool and in the pool until Brendan did a huge belly flop right on top of me and there was a tsunami on the Costa del Sol!

Sunday 23 May - Hotel Arco del Sol

As a reward for all the painting we decided to do the same as all the Spanish and go out for Sunday lunch.  We went to Hotel Arco del Sol which is just outside Colmenar.  After a nice juicy steak cooked on their barbecue we got talking to them about their Flamenco nights.  Every month or so they put on a dance show and a meal on a Saturday night, and they were interested in our taking part in a tango and flamenco show.  Later we had a nice walk with the dogs and then an early evening swim in our pool to cool off. 

Saturday 22 May - Team Colmenar

Ken had been practising his Spanish for our dance class today but he hadn't planned on needing to speak Norwegian!  Our neighbours Bjorn and Ortil came along so we had great fun with them.  We are planning to hit the milongas in Malaga with them in a few weeks time. 

Thursday 20 May - Two to tango

A night out dancing at El Jardin in Malaga. It was a bit quieter than normal becasue there is a big tango weekend coming up in Seville, but I still we had a great night and I danced with Ken and Manuel and Carlos and Ramon and Pepe and .... .....

Wednesday 19 May - Spaghetti eating contest

And more painting.  Bridie insists on going to sleep under my ladder.  It's a good job she is white with black flecks as she has a few extra now.  You can't tell the real ones from the paint.  This evening I cooked some spaghetti and saved a bit for the dogs as they love it.  So we had a spaghetti eating contest which involves me dangling a long piece above each dog's nose and when I say GO they eat it.  Paddy always wins, little savage. 

Tuesday 18 May - More guests!

And more painting.  Wish we didn't have so many windows!   We have new guests but this time uninvited ones!  I kept hearing lots of tweeting round the back of the house and every time I peeked round the corner it stopped.  Anyway mystery solved this afternoon as I caught mummy flying back to the nest.  It seems we have a family of House Martins nesting in our air-conditioning unit so we will have to stay warm for a few weeks longer until the babies have flown the nest.

Monday 17 May - Scorchio!

Someone turned up the temperature this morning!  Even Paddy wouldn't go for a walk, he had more sense and stayed under the shade of the house while watching me puff and pant up the hill shouting walkies!  He was having none of it.  More painting of window grills today. This evening I took some more photos of the views from our track, the house and the new barbecue and I have put them on the gallery.  Also see if you can spot two pictures of us all dancing at the new milonga Che Madam. 

Sunday 16 May - Pasta by the piscina!

We said our farewells to Philip and Jenny yesterday and so with no guests we decided to go for a walk with the walking club.  The walk ended at a new bar in Solano (our nearest bar).  We spent the day painting our window grills black.  They are currently white so a slow painstaking task.  By 7pm we had finished another two windows, so five down and four to go (but one of the four is a double gate in front of the patio door!).   After all the hard work we felt we had earned our glass on wine and pasta by the pool!     

Friday 14 May - Mucho viento milonga alfresco!

You may remember we went to an outdoor milonga in January here in Malaga.  It was a lovely afternoon.  Here is the youtube clip.  Listen to Paco talking at the start!  It was a bit parky!  >http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZGa-y8XI1s&feature=channel

Thursday 13 May - Kittens, snails and puppy dogs tails

Hard work getting up this morning but I made it to Spanish class.  Afterwards I called in the fruit shop to buy some cherries and grapes for tomorrow's breakfast.  Snails are in season and there was chaos as the snails had made a bid for freedom and were all over the floor.  Everyone that walked in had to try and avoid treading on them.  Phillip and Jenny went for a walk this evening with our dogs.  You can walk from the house without dog leads, but the dogs kept coming back for us so in the end Ken had to go as well.  A friend in Solano contacted me today about some kittens looking for a home but Ken said no way! I am working on it!

Wednesday 12 May - Che Madam

A new milonga opened tonight in Malaga.  It will be the 2nd and 4th Wednesday every month from 21:30 to 01:00.  We took Philip and Jenny and we all had a great night.  The floor was a nice wooden floor (unusual for here they are usually ceramic tiles) with a bar and a good atmosphere.  All the tango groups and teachers turned up and it was nice to see everyone under one roof dancing together.  The venue also had the obligatory pillar in the middle of the dance floor to negotiate.  It is good for practising dancing the line of dance because if you don't you smack into a concrete pillar!  Bed at 3am, I will never get up for Spanish class in the morning!

Tuesday 11 May - Bandit country

Ken is painting the house again today!  I am busy changing the bedroom after our Norwegian guests left to move on to the Sierra Nevada for the next part of their trip.   They took my lemon curd recipe with them after trying some home made lemon curd at breakfast.  Philip and Jenny have gone to Alfarnate to do a 10k walk and then for lunch I have directed them to the oldest Inn in Andalucia, Venta del Alfarnate built in 1690. A haunt for bandits who took refuge there, it is now a museum and restaurant.

Monday 10 May - Un nuevo neumático

Philip and Jenny arrived for a week today so we have a full house tonight!  I was kept busy cooking and dispatched Ken and Philip off to the Colmenar tyre place for a new tyre because they had a flat on the road up from the coast.  A Spanish man in a village changed their wheel but he didn't have a new tyre the right size.  They were gone for ages because the guy in the tyre shop can talk the hind legs off a donkey!  Jenny and I had no choice but to open a bottle of wine and some olives while we waited for them!

Sunday 9 May - Orchids and al fresco tango

Our guests from Norway arrived today.  One guest works at the botanical gardens in Tromso and it was very interesting talking to him about the wild flowers in Andalucia.  They came here to go walking because this area has a rich variety of wild flowers.  He had seen a very rare orchid on their first walk and I would have probably walked right past it!  We have wild Sweet Peas at the moment and Poppies everywhere, its very pretty.  We missed the outdoor milonga in Malaga today but Jenny and Philip went and had a great time.

Saturday 8 May - Zzzzzzzzzz

Our Dutch guests left today and it was all change to get ready for new guests arriving Sunday and Monday.  A trip to the coast for a big shop at the supermarket and we made the finishing touches to the barbecue, so we will have to try it out next week.  In the afternoon we held our dance class in Colmenar which was very enjoyable and then at 10pm we headed to D'Flow in Malaga for a milonga.  Lights out 3:30am....zzzzzzzzzz  

Friday 7 May - The bells

My favourite time of day here is around 7pm.  Everything is so peaceful and all you can hear are the tinkling of goat bells and birds and of course the Cuckoo! This evening there were two goat herds walking on our land.  One to the left of the house and another to the right.  So I sat by the pool on my bench with a glass of wine and took in the view of all the mountains and listened to the goat bells.  It felt very Tyrolean!  

Thursday 6 May - A night or three out on the tiles!

Busy busy!  New guests arrived today, a Dutch couple are here for two nights.  We have people arriving from Norway on Sunday and on Monday we have Philip and Jenny joining us from our old tango club in Yorkshire for 5 nights.  I managed to squeeze in Spanish class this morning but I was in trouble as I had not had time to do last week's homework.  Double homework to do for next Thursday!  I am giving El Jardin a miss tonight because we have guests and we have a busy tango weekend coming up.  Saturday in Colmenar at 5pm is our class, Saturday night D'Flow (11pm to 3am) in Malaga and Sunday afternoon (1pm to 5pm) al fresco milonga in Malaga (hoping to meet up with Philip & Jenny and Bob & Pam King for a Yorkshire take over!).  Next Wednesday a new milonga in Malaga organised by Dobleatango will begin called Che Madam (what a great name!).  Apparently it has a 150m2 wooden floor!  So our guests had better get ready for some late nights.  Not sure what state I will be in at Spanish classes on Thursday mornings!   

Wednesday 5 May - Barbacoa rustica

Our guests John and Mary left today full of enthusiasm and raring to go back to Tango Cheshire after their five day tango holiday with us.  It was great fun and always very rewarding to see people go home having achieved lots in their dancing. 

I spent most of today with Manolo (our builder).  He came to the house to help me tile the barbecue that Ken built.  I say help me; it was more a case of the reverse. I stood there all day fetching and carrying and practising my Spanish.  Dictionary in one hand and trowel in the other!   I learned a lot of new words.  We discussed the local village gossip (always lots of that) and talked about our families and had a good laugh about Ken being muy cansada (private joke).  I also found out he is the owner of the hens nearby our house so I picked his brains about keeping hens as well.  He did a bit of plastering on the barbecue and said "I have done it rustic style to match what you have already done".  He is such a diplomat!  

Tuesday 2 May - Think I'm turning Spanish - I really think so!

A busy day with tango classes and trips to the village to print stuff out in the internet cafe (my printer is broken) and baking bread for tomorrow's breakfast.  This evening as I was doing my evening routine it suddenly hit me!  I am turning Spanish.  Every evening without realising I sweep my doorstep (very worrying).  I always used to see old women in Spain doing this when I was on holiday.  Now I know why, with dry sunny weather comes dust and with rain we get Sahara sand so you cannot avoid it.  It gets everywhere and so I find myself habitually sweeping the doorstep.  It's quite therapeutic, but then I think pegging the washing out is as well!   

Monday 3 May - Skype in Seattle!

I bought a webcam for my dad for his birthday recently and today my parents finally got set up on Skype and we had a chat 'face to face' for the first time since before Christmas.  I think my mum was more excited at seeing Paddy wagging his tail at her!  Ken also spoke on Skype to his cousin Carol Ann who lives in Seattle.  It was great for them as I don't think they have seen each other for a good few years.  I am a BIG Frasier fan and have every episode ever made on DVD.  I would have loved to see it live sometime. 

On Saturday Ken dared to say to me "I will paint your house tomorrow" (see blog below) so as promised I handed him some paint brushes.  He has started to paint the house with Nansulate insulation (his latest project!).  It is what NASA use on space crafts.  If you don't believe me Google it!

Sunday 2 May - Where eagles dare

After another tango lesson in the dance studio we spent a busy day around the house.  Ken painted our water deposito and did loads of weeding whilst throwing sticks for the dogs at the same time.  I was busy cooking and catching up on paperwork!  Our guests relaxed around the pool all day and decided it was too nice to bother going anywhere.  This evening they headed out to a local restaurant and we sat and watched the sunset by the pool with a glass of wine, while two eagles circled above us.

Saturday 1 May - A day in the life of

We got up to a hot sunny day and made breakfast for our guests.  After a few cups of coffee we headed into the dance studio for 2 hours of tango.  After we had lunch outside by the pool and then got ready to go and teach our first class in Colmenar.  Colmenar was buzzing and packed with people who had all come into the village to see the painting competition being judged.  Everywhere all over the town were artists painting scenes and there were some really good paintings.  We also saw a number of locals walking along with their mules, a regular sight in town.  Bar C02 where we held the class had lots of tables outside on the village square and this was packed with people.  We had some new people turn up and so it was not long before tango music was spilling out onto the square and we had people peering inside to see what was going on.  Afterwards we left our guests to explore Colmenar and have an evening meal and we headed back to Casa Media Luna to crash out and have a curry with home made nann bread.  Final task for the day is writing this blog.  Think I will sleep well tonight! 

Friday 30 May - New arrivals

A couple from Cheshire arrived today for a 5 night break and have some tango classes with us.  A lovely day spent getting acquainted with lunch outside and a good chat about tango over dinner. 

Thursday 29 April - El Mercadillo

After Spanish class I went to buy some strawberries at the market in Colmenar.  You need the patience of a saint because all the women in the village buy their fruit and veg on a Thursday morning and the fruit and veg stall is very busy.  So busy they have to have a ticket system and my number was 67.  He was still calling out numbers in the twenties so I had to hang around for ages.  You can't afford to lose concentration for a second because he will suddenly rattle a list of numbers off and if you don't jump up and down and scream "aqui, aqui" you have missed your turn.  The women must have big families as they buy everything in one or two kilos and then stagger off with about 10 heavy bags.  While you are standing there you inevitably end up thinking I will just get some grapes, and some tomatoes, oh and cauliflower!  Cauliflowers in the supermarket here are expensive and at least 1 Euro 60 cents or more for something quite small.  I bought the king of caulis today for 1 Euro.  When I got home I weighed it and it was 6lb 12oz!  As heavy as a new born baby.  I hope it will compensate Ken for the lost cabbage when he was a boy - a story for another day.  I also bought a wooden crate of strawberries for 2 Euro. I hope our guests like them as I am starting to look like one I have eaten so many.   My favourite is a strawberry smoothie topped with ice cream.  This afternoon I made rum truffles with almonds from our trees, cherries, Malaga raisins and chocolate to go with dessert for Friday night's meal.

Wednesday 28 April - Nunca

Our yellow plum tree has suddenly sprouted about 50 plums so looking forward to plum and almond crumble already.  Our plum tree is called Nunca 2.  A long story but when Ken was trying to get planning permission to build Casa Buho he planted a yellow plum and called it Nunca.  Nunca means 'never', to symbolise that he was never going to give up on building there!  Sadly Nunca died so we bought Nunca 2 this year but planted it at Casa Media Luna where we can keep an eye on it.  I must stop writing about food, it makes me hungry. 

Tuesday 27 April - Local produce for all you locavores out there!

A busy day spent preparing for guests that we have coming in the next two weeks.  I did some more painting of the window grills and some touching up in the dance studio as we had suffered some damp on one wall after torrential rain in December and January.  I did however find half an hour to dip in the pool to cool off this evening. 

Colmenar means Beehive and this region 'Axarquia' is famous for it's honey production.  Casa Media Luna guests are served the local honey at breakfast and I thought it would be nice for guests to be able to take a jar of their favourite home with them.  The supermarkets are not the best place to buy the honey so I have sourced some to save guests from having to hunt for it.  Honey has many medicinal properties. We have Polyfloral (from many flowers) which is anti inflammatory and good for the digestive system and hay fever.  Romero (rosemary) honey which is said to be good for acidity and stomach ulcers, rheumatism and vertigo.  Thyme honey is recommended for respiratory diseases, asthma and helps control blood pressure and tiredness.  Eucalyptus honey which is good for coughs and Orange Blossom honey which has a relaxing effect on muscles and helps people get to sleep.  Most important of all it tastes fabulous. So, all you locavores out there come to Casa Media Luna for local honey, our own almonds, local olive oil, dried figs, juicy Malaga raisins, local goats cheese, local rabbit and pork from the famous butchers and home made bread and yummy cakes!

Sunday 25 April - A walk on the beach 

This morning we went for a long walk along the beach near Torremolinos.  The dogs had a great time and got covered in sand.  Then back home for a siesta followed by some serious weeding!  Everything is growing faster than we can keep up at the moment.  The wild flowers around the house are beautiful and there are lots of bright red poppys.  It is also "El dia de la morcilla" (day of the black pudding) in Canillas del Aceituno, a beautiful village near Lake Vinuela.  Lots of black pudding and alcohol consumed and lots of singing and dancing. 

Saturday 24 April - Cultural Week in Colmenar

From now until 2 May is cultural week in Colmenar with events and activities for visitors and locals to take part in.  There is a photography competition, a chance to sample local speciality dishes, an organised walk, sports and a magic show for the children and much more.  On Friday in Solano the nearest small village to us there is "Dia de la pipa en Solano". Pipa is the traditional name also applied to the kidney bean. They will be taking people from Colmenar to Solano by bus as it is so tiny you wouldn't get a lot of cars there!  We will probably walk it.  This will involve flamenco dancing and eating lots of paella!  On Saturday in Colmenar's main square there is a painting competition and locals will ride around on their magnificent white horses dressed in traditional dress. This is when we have  our first dance class and the bar we are holding it in opens out onto the square so it should be a great atmosphere.  This evening we went to a new restaurant in Riogordo called The Lemon Tree and had a lovely meal.  It is no smoking inside which is a plus as a lot of places here still allow smoking and the food was very reasonably priced and very tasty.

Friday 23 April - Tango in CO2

Ken finally made it here last night.  The first thing he did today was walk up to Casa Buho as it is now finished!  He has the keys and is waiting to get electricity connected etc.  I was at Casa Buho earlier in the week talking to our builder Manolo and I was telling him I had been talking to my lawyer.  He looked very confused until I realised I had called my lawyer a meatball!  Albóndiga when it should be Abogado!  Oh well I will keep up the Spanish classes!  We also called into Bar CO2 to finalise plans for a tango class in the village.  It starts on Saturday 1 May 5:00 to 6:30 which is after siesta but before people get ready for a night out.  It is on the village square and so we could have dancing outside at some point in the future. So busy putting posters everywhere now.     

Wednesday 21 April - I will paint your house tomorrow!

Ken often says to me "I will paint your house tomorrow" in answer to anything I say to him.  He is totally deaf in one ear and so quite often does not hear me as opposed to selective hearing which he also suffers from like all men!  When he genuinely does not hear me he says "I will paint your house tomorrow".  I think he may live to regret this saying.  I started the enviable task of painting the metal grills on all our windows today.  It took me 7 hours to sand down and undercoat one.  So times that by 8 more windows and a patio door, undercoat and topcoat and I reckon about 22 days work!  So next time he says "I will paint your house tomorrow" I will hand him a paint brush and say thanks very much.

Tuesday 20 April - Did the earth move for you?

There is certainly plenty of it going on in Andalucia!  An earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale hit Andalucia last week.  The epicentre was 16 miles south of Granada and 671km underground.  It struck at 12:08am and there was no damage reported.  It seems we all slept through it.  The earth also moved for this lorry driver in Andalucia this week. He tipped his load and his whole lorry was swallowed up! 

This morning I set off on an adventure to the hairdressers as I cannot wait any longer and desperation forced me to brave it.  I got as far as the top of our track where a huge JCB was doing an excavation.  They had built a hump (like a gigantic speed bump) on the track to support the digger and when he saw me he easily moved off it on his caterpillars and waved me on.  When he had moved I was faced with a mountain to climb while all the workmen helpfully stood around watching and waving me on shouting "no problema!"  I wasn't so sure as it was very high and gingerly set off.  As the front wheels went over the top I promptly (as I had anticipated) beached the car.  Thank god it's got 4 wheel drive.  After a bit of pushing I was over the lump and on my way.  To make up a bit of lost time I went down the chicken run which is a series of z bends going down a steep hill into Colmenar.  I never get round the bends without some reversing backwards and forwards but today I did it in one - Ken will be impressed! As for my hair, the hairdresser was from Bingley and knew her stuff, so my fears were unfounded and I will go back there again.  It's different, I like it, I think! 

Monday 19 April - Dog Whisperer en España

Well sorry to disappoint, Ken is not taking over the blog writing this week after all as he is still stuck in the UK and my trip back to the UK is cancelled.  When out walking with my dogs today I felt like the Dog Whisperer.  We were joined by One Eye Why (see blog 16 Feb and all will be explained), Manolo's (our builder) dog and two of her puppies and Paco Caballo's dog (a cute dog that has a real nice character).  So off I marched surrounded by my pack!  I think they like going for a walk and for most Spanish dogs in the campo walkies is a foreign concept!  I often pass the same old man on my daily walks.  He sits under a tree chewing his cigarette end and always says "un paseo con los perros?" and laughs.  He probably thinks I am a crazy English woman.  Why (a tiny Yorkshire terrier) has adopted us as his second home and spent the day either laid at my feet when I was working in the office or sunbathing outside with Paddy. 

While I was surfing on youtube last night I looked at my other favourite milonga teachers, Eduardo and Gabriela who are brilliant dancers and teachers.  They are coming to Europe this summer and hopefully to Malaga in July.  So here is a link to one of their performances http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3POJAdnctM  Also a link to a milonga Ken and I did for a charity dance last year to raise money for Breast Cancer Haven.  It was improvised as I was just back from Spain and we hadn't seen each other for two weeks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6iKnG-ybKo

Sunday 18 April - Andres y Genoveva are coming to Malaga

We are bringing Andres y Genoveva to Malaga for a Tango weekend 18 - 20 June.  I spoke to Graciela last night about arrangements for the weekend and there will be workshops on Saturday and Sunday, a milonga on the beach Saturday night and a milonga and meal in a nice restaurant on Sunday night.  I will email more details nearer the time.  We have been very fortunate to have had Andres y Genoveva as our main teachers for the last 10 years.  Here is a youtube link of a performance in Leeds at the Morley Ballroom milonga where we used to dance.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85VUwAHQQsE

Saturday 17 April - Milonga in Hotel Monte Malaga

I spent a lovely evening dancing until 3am in the Hotel Monte Malaga organised by Dobleatango.  There were milonga performances by Claudio y Vito, Graciela and Diego y Diana following the milonga workshops earlier in the day.  I danced with the man from Seville again and he said he hoped the volcano would ground flights for the next two years!

Friday 16 April - Prmavera weekend welcome milonga

Friday saw the opening welcome milonga for the Primavera Tango weekend in Malaga.  There was a milonga con traspie class with Claudio y Vito followed by everyone sitting down for dinner together.  Everyone was very friendly and it was a great opportunity to practice my Spanish and get to know people better and meet new people.  There were groups from Marbella, Antequera and Seville and further afield.  One man from Seville who I danced with reminded me very much of Tino.   A great time was had by all but it would have been better if Ken could have been here too.  It is looking like my trip back to UK on Monday will also be cancelled.

Thursday 15 April - Small World, or is it?

Ken was due to fly here today but his flight from London cancelled due to the ash from the Icelandic volcano so I rebooked for Friday and that's cancelled too.  So he is now booked on a flight Sunday morning fingers crossed.  My loss is Morley's gain, so he will be dancing at the Morley Ballroom Saturday night.  This weekend is the Primavera Tango weekend here in Malaga with loads of tango visitors and milongas every night. So I went to El Jardin dancing and bumped into David from Leeds!  He is doing a 6 month Spanish course here.  Small world! I also found Ken a milonga in London to cheer him up and he went along.  He got talking to a lady sat next to him called Carmen and she was telling him how excited she is to be going to Casa Media Luna for a tango holiday in June!  Ken had to confess who he was and that she is coming to stay with us!  Very small world, except when there are no flights!! 

Wednesday 14 April - Mud and mirrors!

I spent much of today doing lots of odd jobs around the house and found time to help out our Dutch neighbour whose car had broken down.  This afternoon Manolo called with two men from the window company after installing the windows at Casa Buho.  I also wanted a quote for mirrors for the dance studio.  I know some of you do not like mirrors but they are very useful for the ladies to practise your decorations!  There was much humour from the three men stood in the dance studio with Manolo doing an impression of a dancer posing and preening in front of the mirror!  He was a bit too good at it I think!  Anyway mirrors ordered!  Those who don't like them will have to learn to dance with their eyes closed - which is the best way to dance tango anyway.  Then it was bath time for Paddy and Bridie.  They don't like it much considering they can't stay out of muddy water the rest of the time.  Bridie just looks sad with her doleful eyes until drying time and then she goes a bit bonkers.  Paddy is more stubborn and has to be carried to his bath.  Then while bathing Paddy, Bridie elated at being clean and away from my grip stole Paddys towel, then the shampoo bottle and generally misbehaved.  Suffice to say not for the first time I needed a bath when I had finished with them both.  Now sleeping back to back like two little devils. Ooops sorry meant angels. 

Tuesday 13 April - Un sistema de agua

I headed off to Velez Malaga this morning to the garden centre to buy a watering system for our plants as already getting bored of walking around with the hose pipe.  It gets so hot here in summer that if you miss a day things will die.  After staring at all the black plastic bits and pieces for an age, I enlisted an assistant to help me.  Two hours later after we had drawn our garden, and designed the optimum system I headed for the checkout armed with all the bits.  Now we just have to work out how to put it together!  We now have flowers on our lemon tree so hoping for lemons. There are 17 apricots growing and I was very excited to see 3 figs growing on the fig tree (it's still only a baby tree).  The mango has new leaves so Ken's prayers have been answered and the avocado is also sprouting.  It is strawberry season and on the coast close to us is a major strawberry production area that supplies the UK.  That makes strawberries very cheap here so I bought a big box today and had a big dish with ice-cream for my tea!  We are getting some from our own plants but not many as they are still only small.

Monday 12 April - Peace and tranquillity

Today I did a bit of decorating in our bedroom, something that has been on the list to finish for months.  This evening I took a walk with the dogs and all the birds were out in force.  There was a Kestrel hovering in mid air and our resident Cuckoo was making a lot of noise from an electricity pole.  We also have Eagles, Vultures and Nightingales.  The goat man brought his goats down close by the house and there are lots of cute kids now, so I sat outside with a glass of wine and enjoyed the sunset, peace and tranquillity with the goat bells tinkling and the Cuckoo singing his head off across the valley.  I also organised my trip back to the UK next week.  The blog will be handed over to Ken for a week from next Monday so that should make interesting reading! And I will be in Woodkirk on the 22nd to say hello to everyone. 

Saturday 10 April - A milonga and a mop

Well as they say, while the cats away the mice will play!  Ken is in the UK for a few days to tidy the garden in Wakefield and go to the new milonga in Walkley last night to say hello to Andres and Genoveva and all.  There was a milonga on here that we haven't been to before (so many to choose from!) and it is on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month in a place called Academia D'Flow in Malaga.  It started at 11pm so off I went to find it.  It is on the edge of an industrial estate right next to the motorway in Malaga so very easy to find and park!  When I arrived only 5 people there, including Pepe the organiser.  A milonguero from Buenos Aires. I put a picture of me dancing with him in the Gallery on Thursday night.  Two ladies were beginners so I helped Pepe out by leading and dancing with them.  About 12:00 when the football was over everyone turned up!  There were about 30 people and we danced until 3:15am!  Amazingly there was no pillar in the middle of the floor and around the edge were red and white plastic seats and shiny plastic red sofas, very retro.  The wall tiles were black and white with tiny holes and looked like Braille and the dance floor was tiled.  In the corner was a squeezed out mop waiting for a dance.  The floor was very slippery and at one point dancing with Pepe he took me over and introduced me to the mop.  Everyone wipes their feet across it to dampen their soles for the slippery floor. Much better idea than sloshing a glass of water on the floor.  I got loads of dancing and arrived home wrecked at 4am for a cheese sandwich and a cup of tea before crashing out for a long lie in!

Thursday 8 April - Malaga meets Yorkshire in the milonga at El Jardin

More pictures added to the Gallery!

Wednesday 7 April - Barbecue building

I headed off into Colmenar this morning to go to the butcher and fruit and veg shop leaving Ken at home in charge of serving breakfast to our guests!  Today was barbecue base building day so Ken was kept busy mixing cement for his construction.  Joanna and Simon went for a drive over to Guaro and Alfarnarte and said the scenery there was like the Yorkshire Dales.  We took them up to Casa Buho this evening for a look.  It should be finished next week. 

Monday 5 April - Hop it!

Joanna and Simon headed off to go walking in the Montes de Malaga park today after getting lost in Colmenar. So after reversing along narrow streets and being helpfully ushered the other way by a woman with a broom they arrived at the visitors centre in the National Park.  However, part way through their walk they were hooted by the park warden in his truck as it was getting late and the park was being locked up.  So he helpfully offered them a lift back to their car.

On the way home they stopped at Pinar de Ventar where Simon imitated a rabbit to get across to the barman that he wanted the rabbit tapa dish.   What he didn't notice straight away was that the barman resembled bugs bunny and had a big gap between his front teeth which he conveniently used to store his cigarette in while he talked and served you.  

Sunday 4 April - All change

Our Spanish guests headed off back to their home in Malaga this morning and we had a busy day turning round the rooms in preparation for Joanna and Simon's arrival.  I baked a lemon cake and we also found time to plan and measure up for the base for our barbecue.  Joanna and Simon arrived late afternoon and we had a bottle of cava in the sunshine and spent the evening catching up on Tango news from Yorkshire.  For dinner we had beef carpaccio, pork loin stuffed with spinach and pancetta with apricot brandy sauce and honey and mustard glazed sweet potatoes, wild asparagus and broccoli followed by lemon cake and ice cream.  I will need a big walk tomorrow to burn it all off!

Saturday 3 April - Confession time!

Well, since it is Easter and I am in a Catholic country I have a confession. My bread the other day did not rise to the occasion!  The meatballs were lovely and it was hard not to eat them all there and then ourselves!  I was foxed and could not understand why the bread didn't rise until I read the Spanish information on the fresh yeast packet a second time - it said sin gluten and I think that is why my dough stayed as flat as a pancake.  Anyway, not to be defeated I had another bash today with different yeast and turned out two yummy wholemeal loaves which didn't last very long!  I also made homemade chocolate turnovers for breakfast, but they didn't last long either!  We have a lovely Spanish couple staying here and they spent the day sunbathing and swimming in the pool. Looking forward to tomorrow as have more guests arriving for a week.

Friday 2 April - Una prístino piscina!

With the warm weather comes more frequent pool cleaning so while our newly trained pool boy "Ken" cleaned our pool I made another batch of tapas for our guests arriving this weekend.  We had breakfast outside by the gleaming pool and then started on planting the tomatoes and aubergines.  I was constantly reminded all day to stop and admire the results of Ken's expert pool cleaning.  Hmm, mental note, I must try that with the hoovering!  Easter is bigger here than Christmas and the local area is filled with people holidaying in the countryside as this is a popular area with the Spanish.  In early evening you can hear the music of the bands playing in Riogordo down the valley as they celebrate Easter.  There are processions in all the villages as well as the big events in Malaga itself.  We bumped into Manolo (our builder) and his wife Loli this evening while out for an evening stroll.  We were telling them how Easter is celebrated in England and she liked the idea of the chocolate eggs.

Wednesday 31 March - Rising to the challenge!

I drove to Velez Malaga today for a big supermarket shop and the Costa del Sol was living up to its name!  It was very warm and sunny.  I also called at the garden centre and bought some herbs and flowers.  Fed up of trying to buy tarragon, they don't really use it much here so I am growing my own along with basil, purple basil, coriander, sage and parsley.  I also bought some tomato and aubergine plants.  Fresh herbs are not readily available in the village so it will be good to have my own supply rather than driving 40km when I want some!  I also found fresh levadura (yeast) and bread flour so making my own bread in the morning as well as a batch of meatballs in almond sauce for our tapas menu.  The bread making is virgin territory for me but my dad was always good at it so I can call on his advice if I need it.  We had our first strawberry the other day and I couldn't resist eating it, yum yum! Don't tell Ken, the next one to ripen is for him!  

Tuesday 30 March - Casa Buho progress

Manolo called again today with his car fixed.  It turned out to be a flat battery.  As you can see from the picture below Casa buho is about two weeks from being finished to the end of this phase.  It is starting to look like a pretty country cottage.  We hope to rent it out as a holiday cottage eventually but not for a few years as there is still lots to do including fitting it out inside with kitchen etc, building the pool and landscaping the area around the house.  Here is the link to Semana Santa, it seems to be working again. 

http://www.semana-santa-malaga.com/english/holy-week-malaga.html

Monday 29 March - Semana Santa

This week Málaga celebrates Semana Santa (holy week) and there are processions every day until Sunday.  Málaga is grid locked at about 4pm every day as hundreds of people try and get into the city to watch the spectacle. I was going to put a link onto the official web site but that is also gridlocked with traffic. Antonio Banderas is back in his native Málaga this week to take part once again as the Mayordomo of the Virgen de Lágrimas y Favores (the Virgin of Tears and Favours) in the Semana Santa procession in the city, so maybe that's why they all go! 

Manolo (our builder) called by today and when he tried to leave his car wouldn't start.  Eventually we decided to try and jump start it but he was at the bottom of our drive which is quite steep.  He has a massive Mitsubishi four wheel drive truck.  So I ended up trying to tow him up the hill backwards so he could roll back down and jump start his car.  I was a bit dubious about this as my X-Trail looks little at the side of his car.  Anyway I managed to tow him a short distance and then ground to a halt, so he had to call in his friend who had a monster vehicle.  Fortunately it worked and the car started.  I was worried he would end up in the pool!

Sunday 28 March - Tango at the mill on the hill!

Last night we went to a restaurant called El Molino de los Abuelos at the top of Comares, which is a lovely little village built on the top of a rocky outcrop that you can see from Casa Media Luna.  There was a meal and dance night on with a Sevilliana performance (like flamenco). The uniquely extrovert camarero, a Columbian called Iván danced to your tables with the food and certainly liked an audience!  The stage is about 1.5x1 metres and is really for flamenco and has seen better days with a big dip in the middle.  We got up to do a tango for the crowd and it was very challenging dancing on a postage stamp while I thought my heel was going to go through the stage!  Today we did a 12k circular walk near Alfarnarte with fabulous views.

Saturday 27 March - 3 men and a swimming pool!

Watching Ralf (our pool boy), Ken and Michael I couldn't help thinking "how many men does it take to clean a pool?"  Today it was bikini weather and Sam managed to break the record for the first person in a pool in 2010.  They say you have to get in before 30 April or it's bad luck and last year Ken jumped in and out rather quickly on 30 April.  Sam has set the new record at 5pm, and unlike Ken last year she wasn't back out in a nanosecond!   

Friday 26 March - Thinking in Spanish!

Well the Cuckoo is evading me today, so I still have no photo!  I thought I would give you an update on our fruit trees.  We now have tiny baby apriicots and the yellow plum is in full blossom.  All the rest are sprouting leaves now.  The leaves on our almond trees have now come out and everywhere is very green with lots of butterflies.  Sam and Michael are due to arrive any minute as they have booked in with us so I have been cooking all day and starving now!  I have local rabbit in the slow cooker and it has been driving the dogs crazy!  At Spanish class yesterday I was told I now need to start thinking in Spanish!! I can't even think straight in English so no hope for me but I really enjoy the classes so will stick with it.  Sam and Michael are driving down the track so have to go now.

Wednesday 24 March - Sahara desert

Well after war and peace yesterday I will keep it short!  We are mesmerised by the Cuckoo.  It sits on our electricity cable singing very loudly all day long.  Tried to get a photo but by the time my camera batteries had charged it had flown up the hill.  So I am charging them overnight ready for use tomorrow.  I spent today cleaning the house and cooking ready for guests this weekend and Easter the week after. To add to the cleaning I had to clean the windows because it rained a little overnight only it was more sand than water as I think it dumped half the Sahara desert on us!

Tuesday 23 March - A brush with the law,  a Woodpecker and a Cuckoo!

Very busy day for both of us so we were up early.  Ken had a meeting with Manolo (our builder), Juan (Ken's neighbour) and Alfredo (the topographical map man) to redraw boundaries and get an updated topographical map of Ken's land so he headed off on foot up the road to his land while I walked the dogs.  When I was out with them this morning it was very peaceful except for the sound of the goats up in the nearby goat farm, two cockerels competing for who could be loudest, a woodpecker that has moved in close to our house and a cuckoo!

I headed into Malaga to go to the main police station in Andalucia, which is also a prison!  I had been there once before a couple of years ago when I applied for my NIE (NI number).  There are two doors together; the one on the left for the prison and the one on the right for immigration and residence issues.  I went in the one on the right to apply for my certificate of residence which you need in Spain if you intend to spend more than 6 months here.  When I applied for my NIE I queued along a corridor for 3 hours, then was sent to a bank with a form (that you cannot get anywhere in advance) to pay a fee, then came back and queued for another 2 hours to apply for my NIE. I still had to wait two weeks and go and queue again to collect it!  So, I wasn't looking forward to all the waiting around and expected it to take the best part of 4 hours.  When I arrived the queue stretched right outside the police station and I walked straight past everyone (in true Spanish style) and went inside and asked where to go.  Luckily I was sent off down a corridor which I remembered queuing along last time.  I was pleased to find only five people waiting in this queue, so I went in armed with the completed application form, NIE and passport (all photocopied) but I knew I needed a payment form which you cannot download so I had to go through the usual rigmarole of queuing for the form, then going down the street to the bank to pay and then coming back, skipping the massive queue and waiting again with my payment form duly bonked!  Five minutes later I came out with my certificate of residence!  So not as painful as anticipated and with about 4 hours to spare!

As Ken was working from home (and dog sitting) I made the most of it and went shopping in the warm sunshine.  First stop spice shop where I buy all my dried figs, flour, herbs and spices which are all in big sacks, then El Corte Ingles and finally a few clothes shops.  

Monday 22 March - Barbacoa weather is here

Went into Colmenar today and bought a MASSIVE barbecue and had a look at bricks as we need to build a platform for it to sit on.  We are assured by Manolo (the hardware man) that this is the best barbecue in the campo!  Let's hope so!  We bumped into Ann who lives on the next ridge from us and she asked us if we would consider doing a dance at her party next month as she wants to put on some entertainment.  I also drafted posters to advertise tango classes and weekends in Spanish. 

Sunday 21 March - Like buses!

This morning we went for a long walk exploring in the Montes de Malaga Natural Park armed with my map.  We found another nice walk and after getting lost a couple of times found a circular route.  This afternoon we relaxed and while Ken watched football I did some catching up on the website admin.  Things have been a bit quiet on the enquiries front this week and just when you think nothing is coming they all arrive together like buses!  We had four enquiries this evening, two of them confirmed bookings so June now starting to fill up. We have also started giving some locals private lessons in our dance studio and promoting tango weekends locally as Colmenar is a popular spot with the Malagueños for a weekend in the country.

Saturday 20th March - Gran Fiesta de Bailar

Feeling the effects of two very late nights today!  This morning we went to lots of hardware shops looking at barbecues.  Think we have narrowed it down to one we like and also saw some bricks we like for gateposts.  The Spanish are fond of having gateposts that appear to lead to nowhere.  No gates and a just a long drive which seems pointless.  We have now decided we need some!  Mainly so that we can put a Casa Media Luna sign on the gatepost so that when guest come back to the house they know which is our track.  We always drive to meet guests when they first arrive in Colmenar and let them follow us back to the house as directions are not that easy but this will help them when finding it without our help. I have also put lights up at the end of the drive for people coming back in the dark.  Tonight there are 5 hours of dancing with all styles, Tango, Salsa, Rumba, Waltz, Cha cha cha etc. 

Friday 19th March - Tango dancing with Claudio y Vito

Discarded socks and boots today in favour of flip flops.  Had a lovely relaxing day sitting outside listening to tango music playing in the dance studio and doing some work outside on the laptop.  The wifi works on the terrace so very pleased about that!  In the evening we went to Stylo in Malaga for a milonga.  We had a fantastic night on Thursday at El Jardin and we are really getting to know people now.  Claudio and Vito the two guys from Madrid who are teaching at the next Primavera event in April were in Malaga for the weekend.  I remember Carole introducing Claudio to me before Christmas when she brought him to our milonga at Woodkirk Valley Country Club.  The milonga in Stylo was free entry as is El Jardin every week.  It was packed and I had a lovely dance with Vito who sings all the time he is dancing.  The Primavera weekend is April 16 - 18 and there is a milonga Friday night, Saturday night and outdoor milonga Sunday afternoon.  Claudio y Vito are also teaching a 4 hour milonga con traspie workshop.

Thursday 18th March - Migration of the swallows

The almonds are now starting to grow on our trees and at the moment it is very green everywhere.  The yellow broom is starting to flower and the other day we saw hundreds of swallows on their migration north.  They stopped for a break on our electricity cable.  It reminded me of the old BT buzby adverts as they were all just sat in a row making the most incredible noise.  I thought the wire might break under the strain of all the extra weight.  My dogs were a bit scared and hid behind us. If you like birds this is a fabulous blogspot based in southern Spain.  Here is a link to a blog on the swallows but there are some more recent posts about the eagles migration as well with fabulous photos.

http://naturalandalus.blogspot.com/2010/02/spectacular-migration-of-swallows-and.html

Carole and Will headed off today to stay in Granada for a couple of nights.  They couldn't get over how quiet it is at night here and both slept through until 9ish this morning, something they say never happens in York.  They also said the view was amazing and no photo could really capture the panorama, it really has to be seen.  I never get bored looking at it, as it changes constantly with the shadows and weather and sunsets.  We are off to El Jardin for more tango tonight!

Wednesday 17March - I think summer is nearly here

Today was very warm and sunny, the best day of the year so far.  Our guests were sporting sunburn from yesterday and headed off after breakfast for a drive around the pueblo blancos.  They started off armed with directions and maps with the shortcut to Comares (very adventurous) and then had a drive through Benarmagosa to Lake Vinuela for lunch before heading back via Colmenar.  Off tonight for a meal in Colmenar.

Tuesday 16 March - Relaxing on holiday

I met Will and Carole this morning at Hotel Arrieros and we sat outside on the terrace having a chat and a cafe con leche before heading back to Casa Media Luna.  Once they had got settled in we had some tapas for lunch and then went on a long walk to see progress on the building of Casa Buho.  It was a lovely sunny and relaxing day.  We finished it off with a meal back at the house and a few glasses of wine in front of a roaring fire.

Monday 15 March - A Dia in the life of Casa Media Luna

We have guests arriving in the morning for two nights.  Will and Carole who go to tango in York.  The weather has been lovely and sunny for the last week and is forecast to be the same for the next week so it should be nice for them.  Spent the day in the kitchen cooking for tomorrow but managed to squeeze time for lunch outside and a nice walk with the dogs.  Feel like a true local now, I have a Dia card.  It's a bit like a Nectar card for our local supermarket which is called Dia.  I have made friends with one of the women in Dia.  She is learning English at the language school and so we practise on each other,  I talk to her in Spanish and her to me in English.  

Sunday 14 March - Ken's almond experiment!

Bridie has already worked out how to get the other side of our new fence!  Paddy hasn't and sits on the other side whimpering!  Ken has been reading up on how to grow almond trees from an almond.  As if we haven't got enough of them already!  Anyway, he hopes to have eight more trees this time next year, so we will watch and wait!

Saturday 13 March - Our new fence

This morning I was on duty as hairdresser and dog groomer.  I bathed Paddy and Bridie and then Paddy has his coat cut and looks fab as now getting expert with the dog trimmers.  Ken also had a haircut but no repeat of the disaster at New Year as he has new hair trimmers too.  After this we set about putting up a 15 metre fence stretching between the pool area and the dance studio.  We have landscaped the length of this area along side the terrace and the dogs keep trampling our new plants.  Also it's quite a drop so we thought safer if anyone comes with young children and it will keep the dogs off the plants.  Tango dancing in Granada tonight, milonga 11pm to 3am in a nice hotel! Can't wait for next weekend when it's the three milongas endurance test!  "TANGO PRIMAVERA IN MALAGA" 19 -21 March 2010" with milongas Friday night, Saturday night and outdoor milonga Sunday afteroon.

Friday 12 March - Truly authentic Argentine Tango in Malaga!

We keep telling you how lovely the outdoor milongas in Malaga are.  Well judge for yourselves, here is a YouTube link to Milonga en la Plaza.  They hold them on the last Sunday of every month. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B1ldZjSdec&feature=channel

Thursday 11 March - El Padron

Spanish class this am.  As usual it involved lots of discussion and a card game.  For homework I have to do a crossword!  I am rubbish at these in English so no hope in Spanish!  Also paid a further visit to the town hall and registered to have my name put on el Padron.  Basically I am now officially resident of Colmenar and can vote in Spanish and European elections.  Having worked for Wakefield Council I would love to get my hands on the town hall here, they need bringing into the 21 Century.  So much paper and duplicate copies of paperwork and every single page has to be stamped and signed in triplicate! My passport has never been photocopied so much.  Tango in El Jardin tonight and a milonga in Granada at the festival.

Wednesday 10 March - Triumph at the Correos!

If you have read about my postal problems in my earlier blog entries you will know what a sense of achievement it was for me today to finally get my post box!  I went to the Ayuntamiento (town hall) as I was determined to visit them every week until they give me a post box and today they said it is here. They handed me the keys, after I had picked myself back up off the floor in shock and after the usual form filling of course!  Then in typical style they said I had to go to the post office to be given the correct address to use.  They couldn't give it to me as not their responsibility!  So I went to the post office, and our 'friendly' postmaster had popped out for 10 minutes so I went and sat outside Pepe's in the sun with a cafe con leche.  When I went back half an hour later he was just coming back!  Anyway I have him wound round my little finger now, so he gave me the forms with my new address and a nice smile!  Our new address is:

Casa Media Luna 

Lagares de Galán
Buzón 20
29170 Colmenar
Málaga
Spain

Not satisfied with my achievement I then went to the Endesa (electricity) office and switched companies to get a further 6% discount, all in Spanish!  A good morning's work and two things to tick off my long list! 

Tuesday 9 March - International Tango Festival on until Sunday in Granada

The Granada International Tango festival is now on until Sunday with a milonga every night!  Call me for late availablility if you have the stamina!

Monday 8 March - Gamekeeper turned poacher

Come over to the dark side!  Ballroom dancers turned Argentine Tango dancers!  One lesson with us and they were wrapping their legs around each other!

Sunday 7 March - Lip smacking lamb

Been here three months now and what do I miss most?  Cadbury's chocolate twirls, Yorkshire Tea and a nice leg of lamb!  We all went to a new restaurant today in the countryside called Casa Ortega.  We had heard that they serve leg of lamb which is hard to come by in this part of Spain.  Even in the butchers lamb is hard to get, most don't even sell it and it is expensive.  We had called in yesterday and ordered the leg of lamb in advance so we set off mouths watering at the prospect. The restaurant is set in a lovely traditional Spanish finca with great views.  You can eat on the outside terrace in summer.  There was a noisy bar full of old men playing dominos and a separate restaurant with a massive wild boar's head over the roaring open fire.  The place was packed full of families and the noise level was incredible.  We were not disappointed and were served up with not one but two legs of lamb!  A few hours later, stuffed with lamb and desserts and wine and coffee and brandy we rolled home!  The dogs were not disappointed either as I took the bones back for them and they were devoured in no time.  

Saturday 6 March - A sack full of oranges

Ken's parents are here for the weekend and today we headed off to the coast, first to Caleta to the Saturday market.  The market is full of fabulous stalls and my favourites are a spice stall, a traditional Spanish pottery stall, one selling pretty fans and one selling dried fruit including yummy figs.  We bought saffron as it is so cheap here compared to the UK.  Then we went to Torre del Mar and walked with the dogs along the seafront for an hour before stopping at one of the Churringitos for fresh sardines.  On the way home we passed a man selling oranges by the road and bought a big sack for only 8 Euro.  They are just being picked at the moment and when we got home we tried some and they were gorgeous and sweet.  I am going to make some marmalada for guests to eat at breakfast and might try preserving some in Brandy or Contreau for use in desserts. 

Thursday 4 March - Un noche en el coche

I met Sam in IKEA car park and I left my car and headed into Malaga in Sam's car to pick Ken up and go tango dancing in El Jardin.  We had a fabulous nights dancing and finished it off in a lovely cafe/bar with cafe con leche and delicious cakes.  We then drove back to IKEA car park at 2am to get my car and head home.  When we got there the barriers (that I hadn't noticed before) to the car park were locked down!  No way out as the perimeter has concrete bollards all the way around.  The prospect of spending a night in the car in IKEA car park did not appeal and Ken eventually found a way out over the flower beds.  Hope they don't have CCTV!

Wednesday 3 March - The mad house!

This afternoon I headed off to Torre del Mar to register Paddy and Bridie with the vet.  I arrived at the vets at 5:30pm about half an hour after they opened for the evening.  It was packed, no appointment system and no real sense of queuing!  Three staff; a vet called Carolina, a vetinary nurse/receptionist called Sonia and a guy working in the dog grooming salon.  Everyone in the tiny waiting room had at least two dogs or two cats and were either waiting to see Carolina or the dog groomer.  To add to the chaos there were two resident dogs just wandering round the waiting room.  There was a woman from an animal shelter trying to get me to foster a gorgeous big white wolf that stayed glued to my legs for over an hour and couldn't be coaxed in to see the vet as he was a rescue dog.  I think he adopted me! (Ken would kill me so I resisted the temptation to save him).  Meanwhile I waited and waited while Sonia looked like an Octopus serving about five people at once.  Sonia was not only multi talented on the job front she also speaks about four languages.  She is German and one minute she is speaking Spanish, then German then English, I was very impressed.  She was extremely helpful and took me through all the inevitable form filling!  It will now take at least three months to get my registration certificate as the authorities have to check with the UK that my dogs are not stolen!!  Then we had a long discussion about appropriate combination of treatments for all the nasty doggy diseases around this area.  I came away an hour and a half later feeling reassured and in safe hands and headed back up the mountain.

Tuesday 2 March - A tour of Andalucia

Today two lovely ladies arrived to stay for the night.  A mother and daughter.  The mother had arrived in Seville for a conference from Lebanon and the daughter from the US to spend a week with her mum touring the Andalucian cities of Cordoba, Granada, Malaga and Seville.  Back home they keep chickens and goats so I picked their brains on how to look after them.  They gave me some fabulous video clips of the Mezquita in Cordoba and the Alhambra in Granada to put on our web site.  They are planning a trip to Ronda tomorrow which is only about an hour and a half from here.  It was a pleasure to have them stay with us.

Monday 1 March - Nothing but blue skies........and Argentine Tango

It was Andalucia Day yesterday and so today is a bank holiday in Andalucia.  A lot of Spanish head to the country for the weekend and it has been a gorgeous warm sunny day.  We had breakfast and lunch outside and spent the day pottering around the house. Ken was doing some work from home and I sat in the sun and finally started reading a book that Sara loaned to me called "A not so dutiful daughter".  Even Paddy and Bridie were sunbathing!  We also had a practice in our dance studio.  Having this facility at the house is still a novelty.  The Granada Tango Festival is coming up 9 to 14 March and 19 to 21 March is a weekend of three fabulous milongas in Malaga so lots happening on the tango scene.   

Sunday 28 February - Oh My Darling Clementine!

This morning after breakfast outside, Ken walked into the kitchen singing Oh My Darling Clementine and said I had to follow him outside to admire his handywork.  He had planted my Clementine tree that Sam and Michael bought for my birthday.  I had tried to plant it, but the ground is so hard I couldn't dig a hole big enough.  So here it is the new addition to our garden of fruit trees, out little Clementine.  We were both wrecked from getting to bed at 4am so we had a relaxing day and went for a walk in the Montes de Malaga Natural Park as this walk is on the flat!  We ended the walk sat outside Venta del Pinar with a few tapas and a cafe con leche.

Saturday 27 February - Tango in El Jardin de las Delicias 

Today had a garden theme; weeding our new landscaped garden at Casa Media Luna and dancing Argentine Tango at a new venue near Estepona called El Jardin de las Delicias. We were delighted to be given the opportunity by Graciela Heredia to teach her class.  As usual another venue with a pillar in the centre of the dance floor as you can see!  We arrived early to suss out the venue and music system.  Everyone else

arrived late and Graciela told us 7:30 can mean 8:30 so we start when everyone arrives!  The tango group were a lovely friendly bunch of people and the atmosphere was buzzing.  I was very impressed with Ken teaching the class in Spanish and English, although Graciela translated when we needed to explain things in more detail.  After the class we all went into the restaurant for a meal.  There was a strong international flavour to the group and it was a good lively atmosphere. After the meal more people arrived for the milonga and this got going at about 11pm with dancing until 2am. Here pictures of Ken working his land!

Friday 26 February - Cutting a long story short, something I am good at as Ken will tell you!

Went to post office again and stood my ground.  This time he agreed to keep our post and our address until we get a post box is Erika Abbatt, Lista de Correos, CP 29170 Colmenar (Malaga) Spain.  Honest that's it!  So you can now send us cards and presents, though nothing valuable as not sure if its secure!

I also went to the butchers for meat for the weekend as it's Andalucia Day on Sunday and a bank holiday weekend.  He is how you would imagine a butcher to be, a big man in an apron.  He thinks I need feeding up and can't cope with my request for small amounts.  That's after you have queued behind some woman who buys half the butchers shop and tells him her life story and troubles while you wait about half an hour.  If you want mince you pick your piece of steak and then he minces it for you, so you know exactly what you are getting.  It is so tasty compared to the stuff you buy in a supermarket.  He also gave me two giant ham bones for Paddy and Bridie. End of story!!

Thursday 25 February - Tango and a taste of Argentina

Tango in El Jardin tonight was fantastic.  The place which reminds us of Cafe Ideal in Buenos Aires was packed, hot and sweaty!  Had our usual empanadas and a San Miguel and lots of dancing to great music. Made some more friends and I got asked up by an old Argentinean man called Pepe.  He reminded me a little of Frank which was really nice and he also reminded me of the old milongueros in Cafe Ideal. He has lived in Spain for 5 years now so we had a good chat about Buenos Aires.  We are thrilled to have been invited by Graciela Heredia to teach her class near Estepona on Saturday night.  This will be followed by a meal and a milonga.  Everyone here is so inclusive and friendly.  We are planning something nice on musicality and technique.  The venue is by the beach and a great location, especially in summer.  Check out Graciela's website at http://www.gratangog.blogspot.com/

Wednesday 24 February - Vicious circles

Another morning of sorting things on my list! Got loads of Spanish practice this morning in Colmenar.  First I went to the Correos (Post Office) and tried to persuade the guy who works there that he should hold onto my post, as I still don't have a proper address which is proving to be a nightmare. Successful in that we understood each other very well! However he won this time and I left unsuccessful as he kept referring me to the town hall, something I have already done!  Then I went to the Ayuntamiento (town hall) to see the woman managing the list for post.  Still no post boxes but they will be here in a week!  I'll believe it when I see it.  Then to see Anna in the town hall to sort out some paperwork relating the purchase of Casa Media Luna.  She was very helpful.  We only bought it 18 months ago, things here move very slowly and still haven't had a Council Tax bill. So unsuccessful visit but again I was happy that I managed it all in Spanish, which is good because no-one speaks any English. Everything seems to take 27 visits before you can sort it out so my list never gets any shorter and I am someone who gets great satisfaction from ticking things off on a post-it!  Last stop, Endesa as last night I had a coronary when I saw what they had taken from my bank for the electric bill.  I went in and got a copy of the bill as without an address they can't send me one.  Anyway managed to find out about switching companies and getting a better tariff, they moved to a free market in July last year and if you didn't opt for a company they just cut your electric off. Obviously not receiving post I was blissfully unaware so guess who got their electric cut off!  Feel like I am in a vicious circle!

Tuesday 23 February - "Digame!"

I am so chuffed!  I managed to drive into Malaga (without getting lost), find the shops I wanted (without getting lost) and drive straight home (without getting lost).  This is a major achievement as Malaga can be confusing especially if you go where they are building the new underground train line.  Every time you find a route and remember it, you go next time and a crucial road is closed leaving you to find another way out - that's when the fun starts.  I love Malaga, it's a really beautiful city and today it was sunny and 18 degrees, just like an English summers day. We have had our fair share of rain for the last two weeks so it was really nice to walk around without a coat.  I went to the Junta de Andalucia (more red tape to sort but they are very helpful and friendly) and then I found the spice shop that friends have told me about.  Its a little shop on a corner with loads of sacks of herbs, spices, flour and dried fruit etc.  They had Estragon (tarragon) and lovely dried figs.  I wanted fenugreek but couldn't find the Spanish word for it, so will have to go back another day.  I also found a hairdresser that uses the same products as my UK hairdresser and ventured in for a chat.  They seemed to know their stuff so might brave it.  Prices are a lot cheaper than in the UK as well, about half the price. I finished off my trip with a coffee and a cake at a little cafe near the car park.  The woman who works there clearly has relationship issues! She is never off the phone arguing and loses customers as a result who get bored waiting for her.  She never smiles and when she finally gets off the phone she barks "Digame" (tell me) at you. I still go though because I like the coffee.

On the way to Malaga I called in at Casa Buho and they were all on the roof finishing it off while it was dry weather.  Manolo tells me the house will be finished at the end of March!  V exciting.

Monday 22 February - Head in the clouds

This morning I headed off to Colmenar to meet Manolo (our builder) at Miguel Bustos to pick bathroom tiles.  Miguel Bustos owns all sorts in Colmenar, hardware shop, house decor shop, concrete and swimming pool shop, petrol station.  It's almost like Roys of Wroxham (for those of you who know what I am talking about!) but much nicer!

When I compare the drive into Colmenar with the drive into Wakefield in a morning there really is no comparison, here there is always an adventure. This morning at Casa Media Luna it was sunny but I could see the mountain road to Colmenar above us was in the clouds.  Being so high up sometimes when there is low cloud we are above it and it's weird to be there in sunshine looking at poor Riogordo down the valley in the rain.  When the cloud is higher we are usually smack bang in the middle of it. Its like driving in fog!  So I bounced up the track waving to Bjorn and Ortil (our Norwegian neighbours who always sit in their window) and headed onto the road.  I couldn't see Ken's house at all as I passed and could see about a car length in front of me.  I passed an old man who is always out in a morning with his two goats and two dogs.  It's like he is taking all four of them for a walk along the road.  Only this morning there were three kids as well, a black one, a white one and a brown one.  So I stopped to say hello they were so cute. The onwards into Colmenar waving to the school bus driver and then waving to the JCB driver who at the moment goes up and down the road in a morning clearing the landslide from the villa falling down the hill, its still precariously hanging in there. On a street in the village I saw a Shetland pony just waiting at the door of a terraced house all on its own.  This afternoon I walked the dam with the dogs and spent a couple of hours picking wild asparagus. My assistants!

Sunday 21 February - Milonga in Marbella

There is a milonga in Marbella tonight.  It takes place on the first and third Sunday of the month.  There is pretty much a milonga every weekend either in Malaga or Marbella.  Tonight the milonga starts at 8:30 but there is a 7:30 start for newcomers and beginners, not to segregate but to give people just learning a chance to go to a milonga without feeling intimidated.  They get a chance to dance and tips on dance floor etiquette and line of dance.  I think this is a fantastic idea. 

Saturday 20 February - News from Malawi

When Ken's mum phoned to ask him what he thought to there being a new addition to the family, he thought that his niece/goddaughter had given birth in Canada as she is currently expecting. But he was wrong; his brother who is the Ambassador for Ireland in Malawi has done a Madonna and adopted a little Malawian girl aged 2 years 5 months called Elisa Kamwaza. So Ken is an uncle again!  He said he thought he was only going to be an uncle again when his goddaughter gave birth until I pointed out that when this baby arrives he will be a great uncle! This did not go down so well!  Anyway Elisa has been welcomed by the whole family and we are looking forward to meeting her sometime when they come to visit Casa Media Luna.

Friday 19 February - One of those days!

Today is a cleaning room's day and getting washing done for the next guests. It is really windy and I had to retrieve four tablecloths which blew over the edge when my washing line broke. I had already bought extra strong pegs as keeping things on the line is an art form in itself. This time the washing stayed on the line and the whole lot blew down the mountain. It looked like a giant sail flying off into the distance. Anyway now washing again as my white tablecloths turned orange when they landed! Then Paddy cut his paw and blood everywhere. He is going to be fine but I think I will go back to bed and get up again, it is turning into one of those days!

Thursday 18 February - Tango in El Jardin

We said goodbye to our guests today and I went to my Spanish class. We played a game where we pretended to be the paparazzi and we had to jump up with our pretend camera and shout click click click when we read a statement that said the model Maria was doing something worth photographing! Very competitive bunch! Afterwards I went to see Antonio 'furniture man' as he had managed to source me a new glass lampshade to replace the one I broke when hoovering! It took me about an hour to extract myself from the shop as he was trying to sell me all sorts.

This evening we went to El Jardin for a milonga. It was a great night and Sam and I got lots of dancing from about 9:30 until 12:30. I met a lady who teaches bridge, so she has offered to come up to the house and teach bridge to anyone who wants to play bridge on their holiday. So tango and bridge, another option. Afterwards we went to the beach and found a churringito still open for tea and chocolate cake. Where else would you get this? Tango and the beach in the same night. They hold a milonga on the beach in July and August. Finally hit the sack at about 3:30.

Wednesday 17 February 2010 - Learn you wedding dance at Casa Media Luna

After another very productive tango class this morning our guests headed off for a walk in the Montes de Malaga Natural Park. We also headed out with the dogs. The almond blossom is out in full now and the tracks all look like the isle at a wedding because they are covered in blossom. It looks like confetti. It really is a very pretty time of year. Speaking of weddings, we had an article published in a wedding magazine this week. What better way to recharge your batteries before your wedding than at our Andalucian Mountain Retreat and learn the passionate Argentine tango dance for your wedding. http://www.newlyweds-uk.com/article/tango-and-tapas-1329

Tuesday 16 February 2010 - Why

Our guests had booked another tango lesson this morning so we had a very enjoyable couple of hours in the dance studio building on yesterday's lesson. Then our guests headed off to the Picasso museum in Malaga and we had an afternoon of dog walking, catching up on emails and Spanish homework! My new word for Spanish class on Thursday is Enchufe (socket). We met manolo this afternoon at Casa Buho to mark out where all the electrical sockets and light switches will go and agree the exact layout and size of the bathrooms.

Our neighbour's dog joined us on a walk today. When I asked what his name was, she said "why?" I said "I just wondered" and she said "no, he is called Why". I asked "why" and she said "I do not know why!" Why has one eye, so we call him 1IY.

Monday 15 February 2010 - Chicken Man

Today we had a leisurely breakfast and then we all went into the studio for a private dance class. By the time we were finished it was almost lunchtime so I got some tapas ready while we listened to our guests playing the piano, it was very relaxing. Then the rest of the day was free for them to go sightseeing or walking and they opted to go back into the dance studio for another practice.

Ken still wants to get chickens and I've now found out where to get them from. Not a shop or farm as you might think but the chicken man! I wonder if he is also called Antonio. Think ice-cream van with a big loud tannoy only instead of a magnum you buy a chicken! He drives around the countryside with his loud speaker shouting something that you can not decipher and you just flag him down and hey presto you have chickens. Hmmmm, Ken will have to look after them, I do not mind collecting the eggs, that's the nice bit.

Sunday 14 February 2010 - Carnival milonga in Malaga

Had a fantastic night out with Grahame and Lynn, our guests, and Sam and Michael at a special Carnival milonga in Hotel Monte Malaga. The room is in a beautiful modern hotel with a marble dance floor surrounded by large circular tables with white table cloths. There was a 1920's theme and everyone had made a big effort and dressed really well. The dancing went on until after 3am. We got back to the house about 4 a.m. and had tea and biscuits and did not get to bed until 5:30 as we were all buzzing from a good night out. There were more than four local teachers / organizers at the event and it was nice to see them all supporting each others events and working as a team. The 22nd International Tango Festival in Granada is on from 9 to 14 March with musical performances, dance performances every day and running alongside all these events are tango classes and milongas. These include a 'Tango Electronico' milonga on Thursday 11th March for all you fans of tango nuevo and a 'Traditional Tango "milonga on Sunday 14 March for all the milongueros out there. We are just an hours drive from Granada, mostly on motorway, so close enough to stay here and attend some of the events. I will send a full program to those on my mailing list. If you want to be added to my mailing list email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Back to bed now for a siesta!

Saturday 13 February 2010 - Mangoes and chickens

Today we have guests arriving so got up early and while Ken walked the dogs and cleaned the swimming pool I got on with baking and cooking. Now our guests are safely on their flight (watching it on flight tracker) I can share tonight's menu, beef carpaccio, rabbit in white wine and tarragon and home made lemon tart. Made a chocolate cake as well so we can have coffee and cake when we get back from dancing in the early hours. Manolo (the farmer) called this morning and we got an expert opinion on our fruit trees. All should be ok except the mango, I thinks it will be too cold so Ken is praying to the god of mangoes. Ken also thinking about getting some chickens but I still want a mule!

Friday 12 February 2010 - Doors closed

At our Spanish class yesterday our teacher told us the village gossip. Last Sunday was the Candeleria festival where they carry the Virgin in a procession from the church in the lower part of the village up to the church at the top part of the village. They parade along the narrow streets and everyone opens their door as they pass. Only this time the women did not open their doors, they had all gone on a coach to their embroidery class in Malaga! There was uproar!

Wednesday 10 February 2010 - Dances with Wolves

Tuesday 9 February 2010 - Malaga Carnival and milonga this coming weekend!

This weekend is when Malaga holds its annual Carnival there is a special Saturday night Carnival Milonga at the Hotel Monte Malaga. We have guests joining us for a tango holiday so they will have a great night out on Saturday when we join Michael and Sam and the group at the local tango milonga. There will be plenty going on in Malaga for our guests to see including lots of music, Flamenco dancing, singing choirs in the street, the Carnival parade and lots of consumption of food and drink. We still have a room available for anyone fancying a late getaway from the ice and cold in the UK!

Today I had an off road adventure! I decided to drive down our track to the dam and see if I could cross the river and pick up the Riogordo - Benarmagosa road from this direction, I was determined not to be defeated by my failed attempt yesterday so I decided to try from the opposite direction. It was great fun, but so glad I have an X-Trail as the track further down the valley is not in a good state of repair in places. After bouncing my way down I found the way. I would definitely not try it in reverse ie up the hill! But useful to know if we ever cannot get to Colmenar and need to get out another way. I also found the stables in nearby Roma who organise Mule rides!

Monday 8 February 2010 - Chicken Run

I headed off to Velez Malaga today to return the extinctor (fire extinguisher!) as one of the ones I bought was faulty. I was really impressed as I managed a whole conversation in Spanish and he understood me, so we now have a replacement. When I got to the Velez-Malaga road just outside Colmenar it was closed for repairs. I call it the rollercoaster, because that's what it is like to drive on. They also have names for the road that circumnavigates Colmenar. If you go in one direction round the village it is called the goat road and if you go in the other direction it is called the chicken run! To get to the coast I had to take the old road from Colmenar to Riogordo which is not much better but very scenic! This took me through Riogordo which I have not been to for a few years and I forgot how nice it is. It is a typical Spanish white village. Not the prettiest but it has a nice character. After visiting Bricolage I went to the Gestor to collect my Permiso de Circulation for our car. This is basically your ownership document, it has only taken 2 months to come through! On the way back I explored a different route on the Benarmagosa road which should be a cross country short cut to our town if I can find the way! But I could not find the turn off and it turned into a long cut! So my four hour trip to the coast turned into a six hour trip and got back to two doggies desperate for more than a walk! So we had an early evening trek down to the dam and back. I picked more asparagus, it is everywhere now I know what to look for!

Sunday 7 February 2010 - Matanza Festival

Saturday 6 February 2010 - Picking wild asparagus on a warm sunny day

Got up to Wedgwood blue skies this morning and a hot day (like a good summers day in July if you can remember one!). All the birds were singing and there were about four eagles soaring around the valley. I decided to walk with the dogs to see progress on Casa Buho as the builders are not there Saturday and I can have a good poke around. The roof is almost finished now with most of the roof tiles on. While I was wandering around Ken's land a man appeared just over the fence on UB40 villas land. He had handfuls of wild asparagus. He is called Miguel and lives across the valley, so a neighbour, he was out picking wild asparagus for his wife. I had bought some earlier in the week when our guests were here and we all tried some. It is very strong compared to the supermarket stuff and very tasty. I got him to show me which plant to look for and then spent the next hour picking asparagus. Bet this will taste even better because it is free and the first food from Ken's land. Below two views taken from the terrace at 6pm this eve. It does not go dark until 7pm. Off for a meal and milonga with the group in Malaga tonight.

Friday 5 February 2010 - Our microclimate

I didn't go out today except for two walks with the doggies. I was too busy washing and ironing and cleaning rooms. It was a lovely sunny day so I did allow myself two breaks. I had breakfast and lunch outside on the terrace in the sun looking towards Comares. For breakfast I had eggplant with honey (berenjenas con miel) which is a tapas dish. If you like eggplant you would love this. It sounds like an unlikely combination but the aubergine like a tomato is a fruit and so it goes with both sweet and sour flavors. The Spanish often eat it at breakfast. They have it fried in batter but I cooked mine in the oven drizzled in olive oil. At the head of the valley by Riogordo the sky was black all day but we have what they call a microclimate around here and we stayed in the sunshine. I was watching in case I had to rescue my washing! Often we see a rain storm pass close by but we do not get any. Its weird sometimes it is so close you feel like you could reach out and touch it.

Thursday 4 February 2010 - Antonio Banderas

I took our guests back to the airport today and after I had dropped them off I met Sam for lunch. We met for coffee at Plaza Mayor. We had heard that one of the restaurants in the Plaza is owned by Antonio Banderas and he often serves for a while in the restaurant, as he lives on the coast in Marbella. We had eyes peeled but did not see him so we will have to arrange another lunch trip! When I got back I walked down to the dam with the dogs and dug up some wild thyme to plant in my herb garden. I now have Thyme, Rosemary and Purple Basil - well you have to start somewhere! Then catching up with emails and the blog as it's been a busy few days. Tomorrow is cleaning day - changing beds and getting rooms ready for our next guests.

Wednesday 3 February 2010 - A trip to Comares

After breakfast I went walking with the dogs in the Montes de Malaga Natural Park for a couple of hours and called in on Casa Buho to check progress on the build. I needed more honey so I offered to take our guests to Comares with me this afternoon. First we called at Mirador de la Axarquia, for lunch as it was 2:30 pm. We sat on the terrace overlooking the far reaching views and had Prawns Pilpil (prawns and garlic cooked in hot olive oil infused with chilli and served with fresh bread for dipping). This is one of the tapas on Casa Media Luna's tapas menu. Then we had a walk around the village which dates back to medieval times. There is a Moorish fortress, a beautiful 16th century church and a very interesting graveyard. I have found a good source of local honey at an old woman's house in the village. She sells all local produce from her land and is a good saleswoman! While you are talking to her she stuffs food into your mouth and you end up spending far more than you had planned to! She had oranges, mandarins, figs, almonds, honey and goats cheese to name a few. My guests bought plenty to take home and I ended up with two big jars of honey and half a kilo of goats cheese! So I will be making more spinach and goats cheese empanadas this week!

Tuesday 2 February 2010 - Almond blossom

Guests arrived so a busy day yesterday getting orientated. Their first impressions were the astounding views, clean air, almond blossom everywhere and total peace and tranquility of the place.

This morning we woke up to a clear blue sky and they headed into Colmenar for a walk around the town. I had to go and see Antonio furniture man and get some fruit and veg so I met them in Pepe's at lunchtime for a coffee and a few tapas. They loved the traditional features of the place and felt like it was a real taste of Spain. They did not feel out of place and were made very welcome by the locals. They loved the freshly homemade tapas including eggs stuffed with crab, spinach tortilla, meatballs, salad and sausages. Pepe's even run sausage making courses on occasion. Pictured below are some of our almond trees in full bloom, they really look stunning now.

Sunday 31 January 2010 - Alfresco afternoon tea and tango

Headed off to Malaga to dance alfresco at a lovely tapas bar in Plaza San Pedro de Alcantra. The dancing is held outside the bar in a lovely square surrounded by tall buildings in the old quarter of Malaga. There is an amazing old tree at the back of the square and a couple in the middle so instead of the regulatory pillar to dance around here you have to dance around trees instead! The dance floor (terrace) is pretty smooth so no sore ankles. The music provided by Paco the organizer of Dobleatango is brilliant. They serve homemade Empanadas with lots of fillings, we had spinach, mushroom and chicken. They also serve tall glasses of hot tea with an infuser and it is lovely and refreshing. We were worried about causing an accident because the road runs along one side of the square and people kept stopping and hanging out of their car windows to watch not caring about the traffic jam they were creating behind them. Every so often a car hooted us as it drove by and lots of tourists stopped to take photos. A crowd of about 36 turned up for the dancing so it was a great afternoon. Piccy below of Ken dancing with Annette, Edith's friend. Later I cooked a seafood paella and prepared for tomorrow when we have some guests arriving for a few days.

Saturday 30 January 2010 - Casa Buho

Manolo called this morning to see us and we all went up to the Parthenon. It now has walls up to window height and the roof is ready for the concrete which is coming Monday so praying for no rain or wind as they spray it onto the roof. Spent an hour agreeing the exact place for the windows in accordance with the plans! It does not look like the Parthenon anymore so we will tell you the real name. We have always planned to call the house Casa Buho (Buho means owl). The land the house is being built on is called Terrano del Buho (Land of the Owl) on the deeds and topographical maps. We have a really cute stuffed owl that I bought in Grassington called Buho and he is watching over the build from our bedroom window at Casa Media Luna as you can just see the land from here. I like the name Casa Buho becasue also secretly a Sheffield Wednesday fan, but do not tell Ken!

This afternoon we bought loads of palm plants for around the perimeter of the pool terrace and planted them before dinner. It looks really exotic now!

Tomorrow off to an outdoor milonga in Malaga from 12:00 to 4:00 where you can sit in a lovely courtyard, eat tapas and have a dance. Perfecto!

Friday 29 January 2010 - Plaza Mayor

Up very late this morning.. This afternoon went to Plaza Mayor which is an out of town shopping centre near the airport in Malaga. It is really nice and has some nice clothes shops, some a bit different to the usual UK ones. It was hard to resist the temptation. It also has nice cafes and a cinema. It's kind of outdoors but more like an internal courtyard with palm trees growing by the escalators. There is a Mercadona there which is my favorite supermarket so I did the shopping and then picked Ken up at the airport on the way home. Had a lovely Sea Bass for dinner.

Thursday 28 January 2010 - Tango and Tapas

Usual routine today, Spanish class for 2 hours, and picked up loads of local maps for guests. I walked up to the Colmenar hairdresser and poked my nose inside to suss her out but still have not made an appointment! Then I went round the market in Colmenar which is on a side street every Thursday. This afternoon I did a 2 hour walk on the edge of the Montes de Malaga Natural Park, it was idyllic, the track followed a stream and the dogs loved it. Another nice walk to add to the list for guests. On the way home I had to wait for the goats and the Shepherd's dogs saw Paddy and Bridie in the car, it was mayhem. About five dogs escorting the car for about a quarter of a mile before they gave up. They are all noise though, when I walk by they bark but never come near, I think they are protecting their herd. It must be spring in the air as two goats had locked horns in the middle of the road for a while. Speaking in goat terms, they are a very pretty breed of goat with floppy ears and cute noses. After all that excitement I came back to the villa to relax and to get ready for Tango.

I met Sam and Michael at El Jardin at about 10pm and the milonga was just getting going. It's in a lovely cafe / bar and you sit around the edge of the dance floor at round tables and have waiter service with drinks and snacks. It has the regulatory pillar in the middle (every milonga here has one!) But this was not as difficult to dance around. Bar Azucar on Tuesdays has a pilar with steps round the base and if your leader forgets to allow room for you, you end up doing a Fred Astaire impression! It is free to get in and it was a big crowd. We both danced with Michael and then he was off up asking all the ladies and having a ball! Sam got asked up by one of the best dancers in the room and so did I, so we both had our 3 minute Media Naranja! The milonga ended at about 12:30 so we called at a lovely trendy little bar for a cafe con leche and a cake! Finally got home and to bed at 3a.m. but I do not have to get up for work so who cares!

Wednesday 27 January 2010 - Cafe con leche

Today was a business day. Even I have to work! We went live on a couple more websites today so that kept me busy checking all the information and calendars and so on. That should increase the number of enquiries. Also did 2 hours of homework for my Spanish class which is 9:30 to 11:30 every Thursday. As part of my homework I watched the news, it was all about the first face transplant in Andalucia. As usual far too graphic, they showed the operation itself and it reminded me of the John Travolta film Face Off! For a break I dug out my espresso maker because I have bought some cafe con leche glasses. In Spain they drink coffee from a small glass. A lot of tourists want a cup but the Spanish believe it tastes better in a glass, I agree. So I made cafe con leche and drank it from the glass. Very nice and nearly but not quite so good as in Pepe's bar in Colmenar.

Tuesday 26 January 2010 - Mesilas de noche

Woke up to more snow on the mountains opposite but we do not have any at the house. They look really pretty at the moment. Called in on Antonio 'furniture man' this morning and my mesilllas de noche are still not ready. I like Antonio because he always has time for a chat and corrects my Spanish, in fact he will not let me go until I have said everything in Spanish and pronounced it the correct way! I was asking for my chest of drawers because I know the Spanish for this but he have insisted on the correct name. He is always good for getting a discount but you have to play a game involving lots of head scratching and he taps his calculator a lot and says "un momento".  Bought loads more plants in Velez Malaga and spent the afternoon planting. Now have a Fig Tree, Passion Fruit, Jasmine and some cacti palmy things! So looking forward to when we have our own fruit. Paddy and Bridie love to help with the gardening and they are good at digging holes in-between chasing rabbits (but fortunately the rabbits are faster) so when we were finished the three of us needed a bath! Now wrecked and going to eat left overs for tea - the best bit is I have a spare left over sticky toffee pudding - it would be a shame to waste it!

Monday 25 January 2010 - Paco Caballo

A quiet day as Ken was working from home and we were a little tired after our late nights over the weekend. Had a walk with the dogs and saw Paco Caballo. He owns land bordering Ken's plot and he keeps horses and yes everyone calls him Paco Caballo. Ken had a meeting with him last year to discuss boundaries and he turned up with his four strapping sons. Ken was a little worried when they all piled out of the car but in the end there was no problema.

Sunday 24 January 2010 - Tango on the terrace

Wow, that was a good night's tango dancing. We met Sam and Michael who go to our UK Woodkirk group as they are in the area for a few weeks. We arrived just as the class was finishing and everyone pulled together a load of tables in the dance studio and we all sat together for a 3 course meal. Then about 11pm we started dancing tango. It was a great night, lots of wine consumed as well as dancing and we all finally staggered home at 2:30. Sunday morning, I spent cooking for the evening as our friends Gary and Ralf were coming for a meal. Rabbit cooked in white wine and tarragon with potatoes roasted in garlic and rosemary, followed by date and walnut sticky toffee coffee puddings yum yum. While I was busy cooking Ken walked to the Parthenon with the dogs to have another look and take some photos. Sam and Michael drove up to Colmenar for lunch and we spent the afternoon sat outside in the sunshine on the terrace of Hotel Arrieros eating and drinking (hard to imagine its January). Sam and Michael came back to see the Parthenon and have a drink at Casa Media Luna. Piccy here of them dancing on the terrace! Then more socialising and eating! Just the way a weekend should be!

Saturday 23 January 2010 - The Parthenon is growing on roof!

We got up early and walked up to the Parthenon with the dogs as Ken was dying to see the progress. They have been working on it all week. Once they get started things move at a pace. We now have half the roof frame built in brick ready for the concrete. We have lost three weeks due to the weather but this week has been really settled and sunny so they have been working to catch up.

At the moment Ken is outside planting the rest of our trees, I gave up as it's so hard to dig the ground. Forget a spade, they laughed at us in Garcia's (hardware shop) when we asked for a spade, they came back with a pick axe and something I have never seen before!

Off to Malaga tonight for a milonga con traspie class with Marta and Manuel followed by supper and then a Milonga from 11pm. All very civilized!

Friday 22 January 2010 - Tapas in Pepe's

Shopping on coast this morning at Mercadona. The women on the checkouts here are Olympic standard. I thought I was quick at packing but I am no match for these women. The Spanish will not wait either so they stand round you getting in your way while you try and pack your bags and pay! The big supermarket on the coast is not a quick trip, it's almost an hours drive each way so you can write off the day and it's best to combine it with a day out and do your shopping on the way home. I have to take cool bags as there are no fresh fish counters in Colmenar especially for summer so you need to keep the fresh fish and frozen stuff cool in the car for the journey home. Also bought fire extinguishers as necessary for our licence. Just have to work out how to use them now!

Picked up Ken at 7pm this evening and we went straight to Pepe's in the village for a beer and a few tapas on the way home. It has a great atmosphere on a Friday night.

Thursday 21 January 2010 - Mi media naranja

Hairdresser trauma is looming! As every woman knows this is worse than changing dentist. Everyone here tells me not to get the Colmenar cut or they will not talk to me. So do I risk the local hairdresser who is cheap and local. Some say she is ok, though do not expect a head massage and a coffee! Or do I find one in Velez Malaga or Malaga? Hmm think will let it grow a bit more!

Language school this morning. My class consists of five women and a gay man. We have a good laugh as well as learning lots. My favorite new words from today are pecholobo (hairy chest) but it is literally hairy wolf! Media naranja which the Spanish use to describe their perfect partner, it means literally half an orange! So for homework I have to write an advert for a lonely hearts column in search of my media naranja! So I will be describing Ken of course!

Wednesday 20th January - Introducing another Antonio

The first signs of spring have arrived. Blossom is appearing on our almond trees. I think spring is the prettiest time here because everything is still green, the almond blossom stretches for as far as you can see and the temperature is lovely. Manolo (our builder) turned up this morning with Anthony his new employee. So, for clarification purposes only, we will call him Antonio 'Manolo's Lackey'. He came to install two electric sockets in the Solano room so that guests can have bedside lamps for reading. Tomorrow I will go to see Antonio 'furniture man' to hopefully collect two new bedside tables that I have ordered. I played tango cds while they were here hoping to brainwash them with a subliminal message that they should learn tango.  I caught Antonio singing along!

This afternoon I did some more cooking and some odd jobs like giving the dance studio a good clean. I am also spending a lot of hours getting set up on other web sites for marketing our dance holidays, this takes for ever as they have to be built in English and then translated into Spanish. I made courgette and tomato dhal while watching a 'Soap' on Spanish TV. I have to watch it for my Spanish homework and we discuss it in the class. Think Home and Away only worse, it is so bad it's funny so getting quite into it. The Spanish news is the best, it's so graphic! They do not hold back anything. Tomorrow we will have been here a whole month.

Tuesday 19th January - A mule at the Dutch bar

This morning I headed up to Colmenar to take the car to Antonio 'the mechanic' for a car service. I walked from there to Hotel Belen, a very traditional hotel in the village which is a popular breakfast spot and meeting place for people doing business. It was very busy as everyone pops out for breakfast at about 10am. Go anywhere for an appointment at 10:00am or 10:30am and you can forget it, you will always be told Antonio or Paco is at breakfast! Very frustrating, so I always make appointments for meetings after 11:00am to avoid having to wait around. I had a cafe con leche and spent two hours doing my Spanish homework before collecting the car.

On the way home I passed through Ken's land on the road and I could see a big lorry and crane unloading bricks onto the roof of the Parthenon. After lunch I walked up to take a look with Paddy and Bridie. Manolo is waiting for the hot water tank to be delivered tomorrow and then they can make a start on the roof. On the way to Ken's land ahead of me on our track there was a mule carrying olives which had just been picked. I love to see the traditional way of life and farming methods that still take place here. You often see people with their mules in Colmenar especially early evening. We even saw someone sat outside the Dutch bar having a drink with their baby mule in August last year. Perhaps better company than his wife! That's how you know you are in the campo!

Sunday 17th January - Empanadas

I went on a 12k walk with the walking club today. About 32 people and 12 dogs met at 10:30 for the walk.  An organised walk takes place every two weeks until it gets too hot. We headed off from a village called Guaro near Periana on a fabulous walk in the mountains on an old disused railway track towards Zafarraya. It was a beautiful clear sunny day and we were rewarded with views of the snow covered Sierra Nevada, the sea and the coastline of Morocco in the distance. I had to leave Bridie at home as her paw was not recovered enough for such a big walk, so it was just me and Paddy. At the end of the walk we went to a restaurant which has a lovely terrace and fabulous views.

This evening I made Empanadas with olive oil pastry, a recipe from my tapas cook book. Never made them before but have to say I was very pleased with how they turned out. Genoveva and Andres would be impressed! My official tasters (Paddy and Bridie) gulped them down so they will be added to the tapas menu for guests. Feel a bit full now, I ate too many but did save some for Ken!

Saturday 16th January - Our new lemon tree

Got up early and watched the sunrise and had breakfast outside as it was so warm. Decided to start our gardening project so after the usual trek down to the dam and back with the dogs I headed to the garden centres in Velez Malaga on the coast. The drive down from Colmenar has spectacular views but you have to be a bit careful with the road. There is one place on a tight bend where the road (which is at 60 mile an hour road type) has subsided. It's been like this for at least 2 years now. In true Spanish style they have loads of warning signs erected and put speed bumps in the road but the problem still is not fixed! They just patch it up when it gets too bad. It's on an adverse camber so if you hit it in anything other than 2nd gear you would probably turn the car over!

Bought a Lemon tree, Hass Avocado tree, Mango tree, Yellow Plum tree and an Apricot tree as well as strawberry plants and some Jasmine. Fingers crossed we are not too high up and they grow! Recorded 32 degrees on the terrace at 4pm this afternoon, Although admit this was the temperature taken in the sun not the shade.

Friday 15th January -"TANGO PRIMAVERA IN MALAGA" 19 -21 March 2010

I have received a list of the milongas and events that are taking place in Malaga over the next couple of months so I will email this out to everyone. On the 19th, 20th and 21st March there are a series of milongas taking place. Friday night with meal and milonga at our usual spot, Primavera Milonga Saturday night in the Hotel Monte Malaga (a fab venue) and Sunday if you have any energy left an outdoor milonga from 1pm to 4pm. The night time milongas start at 11pm and go on until 4am or 5am! We will be going to all these so for anyone fancying a bit of sunshine and tango instead of snow this is one not to miss!

It's been another beautiful sunny day and it was 22 degrees on our terrace at lunchtime so had lunch outside listening to tango music playing in the dance studio and watching an eagle circling in front of the house. For about a week every September Eagles and Vultures collect in the valley in front of our house and circle on the thermals in preparation for their migration towards Africa. It's a spectacular sight.

I did a long walk with the dogs this morning from Colmenar village to Riogordo. Riogordo is a village in the valley that you can see from Casa Media Luna. The walk meandered down through the valley along a stream past olive trees that are heavy with ripe olives. There were smells of wild thyme and sage growing along the track. All you could hear were birds and goat bells tinkling in the distance. Bliss!

Thursday 14th January - Tango in El Jardin

Bridie cut her toe quite badly on a rock the other day and will not stop licking it, so bandaged it up this morning to give it chance to heal. I actually bandaged it up last night as well but when I got up this morning the little monkey was running round with it in her mouth! no progress in a couple of days and it's off to the vet which is in Torre Del Mar on the coast.

Went to my first group Spanish class and made some new friends. Afterwards we went for a coffee in Bar El Campesino in the village. It is a Dutch run bar and on Thursdays they run a library in the bar with Dutch and English books. The place was buzzing and I met even more new people! After swapping emails to help each other with homework I went to the market. Colmenar has a great market on Thursdays, so I bought some fruit and veg before heading back to the villa for lunch.

Tonight there is a milonga on at El Jardin near the Cathedral in Malaga. A nice little restaurant where I once spent a great night out with Michael and Sam. You might wonder why I do not go into lots of detail about the milongas and who I have danced with on my blog. Well, for me the Tango is a private moment between you and your partner for the three minutes or so the dance lasts. At a milonga I might experience a number of emotions, have great fun doing a milonga with one partner, enjoy the challenge and mystery of dancing with someone I have met for the first time or enjoy a dance with an old friend who you dance with regularly . If you are really lucky it will feel like a brief love affair! But every dance is different and a moment in time shared between two people that can never be recreated. People can write about it all they want but for me it has to be experienced. That's why I love the Argentine Tango.

Wednesday 13th January - Ole Ole logs delivered today!

Had a private Spanish lesson today which was excellent. He aprendido mucho! Got loads of homework to do for the class tomorrow to catch up so a short blog tonight! The Spanish group is off on a visit to the San Miguel factory in Malaga soon. They are getting a bus from the village for a tour round the brewery followed by lots of intelligent discussion, in Spanish of course (and beer). Suspect bus ride home will be more Ole Ole than anything else!

Later this evening the log man arrived to deliver our logs as we were running very low! He is called Juan which is the forth most popular name in Colmenar after all the .. olos! I had great trouble explaining where our house was in Spanish, no address can be really problematic! (try explaining it to your Spanish bank!) I have to tell people to meet me at the school bus stop on the road by the UB40 Solano house. Yes, we have famous neighbours. Someone from UB40 owns a big house right next to Ken's land and they also own the house nearest to Casa Media Luna.

Tuesday 12th January - Antonio the mechanic

Today I went into Colmenar to the local mechanic to book our car in for a service. His name is Antonio! I should have guessed, half the village is called Antonio or Manolo or Bartolo! We have to define people by their job so we know who is being referred to. Antonio mechanic, Antonio furniture man, Antonio kitchen man. They even give their children the same name so our builder has two sons called Manolo. Little Manolo and big Manolo, very confusing!

This evening I made homemade meatballs in tomato and almond sauce as stocking up on home made tapas for when guests arrive. Tomorrow it's a chickpea, tomato and spinach tapas dish.

Monday 11th January - Malaga

Today I headed off to Malaga to go to the bank, Junta de Andalucia (more red tape) and el Corte Ingles! At the house the temperature has warmed up to 10 degrees but I still had my chunky jumper and coat on. When I arrived in Malaga it was 18 degrees. I was roasted, so mental note for future, always wear t-shirt and jumper so you can take a layer off when you get to the coast. We always seem to be about 8 - 10 degrees cooler than the coast because of the altitude of our house, which is about 700 meters above sea level. In summer that will be a blessing! Bought electric blankets for the guest rooms in El Corte Ingles for the coldest nights in winter, but they will not be needed most of the year. Still in January it's nice to get into a warm bed, so a bit more luxury for our guests. El Corte Ingles is fantastic and has lovely clothes. I am a fan of John Lewis and this matches it but with different things. Gorgeous bedspreads and fabric, I could have spent a fortune. I had parked at the Larios Centre which is a big shopping centre with nice shops and a supermarket. If you spend 6 Euro in the shopping centre you get your first 3 hours free parking which makes the day in Malaga very cheap. Had a cafe con leche in a nice little cafe before heading home.

Ken spent the day digging holes and preparing some spots for our fruit trees! When I got back the carpenter was there installing an internal door to complete our new office. He has said he will build us a dog run. We want somewhere to contain the dogs when we are busy with guests!

Sunday 10th January - Lemon Tart

We are making the most of our free time at the moment and doing lots of walks. You never get a day off when you have a dog so we will always be off somewhere if guests want to join us on a walk. Today we were out for about 4 hours exploring another circular option on the opposite side of our ridge. Lovely sunny day, stunning scenery and nice walking tracks but nothing we can make circular, still it is another nice option without having to get the car out. Forgot to tell you about the dancing last night, a nice milonga with friendly people and good music. It will not be our main milonga as a bit further away but handy to know when our local one is not on. When we got back from our walk I was in the mood for cooking so we had pork stuffed with apricots, figs and almonds (our own), marinated in sherry. I made a lemon tart big enough for about 12 people for dessert so we will be eating it all week, yummy! Decided we want to buy a lemon tree and an apricot tree. Another thing for my ever growing list!

Saturday 9th January - Caucho on the roof!

Yes I do mean Caucho, it's not a spelling mistake! We had snow yesterday. Yes even we have not escaped this cold snap, though we are still about 5 to 8 degrees warmer than the UK at the moment. Spain is experiencing the same extreme weather as the rest of Europe, it's just that it's been falling here until yesterday as torrential rain. The snow did not really stay long at our house and was gone again this morning. Today is a lovely bright sunny day and the mountains make a very Alpine snow scene. Lots of Spanish people have houses that are currently leaking like sieves. As there is so little rainfall here fixing your roof is not usually a priority. I thought we had escaped any problems until I went into the dance studio this morning. The rain has finally found a way in through the roof and we had a small damp patch on the ceiling. Thankfully there was no leak and the lovely dance floor is ok. On inspection we realized the roof was not properly sealed on the outside along the ridge so Ken was despatched off to Garcias, our favorite shop in the village. It is a DIY shop and family run.  It is not B&Q size but it has everything you could ever want. It is an Aladdin's cave. Ken came back with a tub of Caucho, it is a rubber type sealant that you paint on the roof. So I sent Ken up onto the roof. Having robbed lead gutters from a local Dublin church in his youth he took to it like a duck to water, or should I say more like a monkey up a tree. Let's hope this does the trick and that the weather improves all over Europe very soon. I have added a picture of the snow capped La Maroma taken from our terrace and the Caucho on the roof! Signing off now to go Tango dancing in Marbella!

Friday 8th January - Estudiante Español

This morning I went into Colmenar, I always enjoy this as all the shop keepers have time for a chat so chance to practice my Spanish. One thing about the Spanish, like the English they love to talk about the weather. First I went to the Ayuntamiento (town hall) to register for a post box. Living in the countryside you can not get a postal delivery service and most people used to just call and collect their post from the post office. From 1 January this year they have said they will not allow collection anymore, something to do with EU and human rights! So we all have to go on a waiting list for a post box. My name is now down for one in Solano as I can't go on the Colmenar list, it's full. Not enough post boxes for all the houses! Our house is between Solano and Colmenar but not ideal as I will not be able to just call in when I am passing.

I then went to book my Spanish classes at the language school. I ended up doing a written test and discussion in Spanish to assess my level. Apparently I am level 2 so can not go to the same class as Bjorn, he is in beginners. The teacher had seen our web site last year and is very interested in the Tango. They bring over students from Latin America and are interested in doing something including accommodation and Tango. Last year they did Flamenco. Anyway I now have homework to do by next Wednesday and have private lesson to get me up to speed on past tense and group class starting next Thursday. Now officially student!

Wednesday 6th January 2010 - Vivienda Touristica

Very quiet day today as everyone having their Christmas day and everything closed. Gorgeous sunny day so I did a very long walk with dogs and had a bit of a day off! I know, you are thinking every day is a day off, but my list of things to sort out runs to about 11 post-its now! One of the things I needed to obtained was a tourist license, which I applied for on one of my visits here last year. Having been given some forms by the Junta de Andalucia tourism office, I spent ages translating all the guidance and making sure they were filled in properly. Then armed with completed forms I headed off to Malaga one Friday morning with friends Gary and Ralf to apply for the licence. Everything here is very bureaucratic and involves a hundred unnecessary steps and lots of stamping of forms! First we had to go to my lawyers office and obtain the original Escritura (deeds) to our house as they will not accept a photocopy or an emailed PDF file. Then, we headed to the Junta's offices. We first had to go through airport style security and walk through a scanner and have my bags X-Rayed. This would not have happened in Wakefield Council where I worked in the UK! Then we had to queue up and pay for a photocopy of my NIE (national insurance number - getting this is a story for another day) and Escritura. Then off to the tourism office upstairs. Simple you might think? No, the information board telling you what is on what floor is on each floor not on the ground floor. There are about 12 floors, Gary and Ralf fortunately knew it was 7 or 8 and we were second time lucky, I would have been there all day finding it! Then the nice lady told me I was given the wrong forms last time so I had to fill out new forms. Then back to the ground floor to get them copied! Then back to floor 8 where she could physically stamp every page of every copy as a true copy of the original. Then we had to head to another floor to hand all the copies in at reception. Finally a trip back to the lawyer to drop off the original deeds, but that's an excuse for another day trip to Malaga. Everything here takes at least half a day but you certainly are made to feel like you have achieved something if you get it done! And by then it's 2pm and lunch time! So we headed off to the famous cavernous Bodega Bar El Pimpi, a nice bar for a drink (it is full of barrels all with famous signatures on - one by Antonio Banderas, shame I was not there!) And then a nice menu del dia . Cannot wait to apply for my residencia!

Tuesday 5th January 2010 - Cabalgata del los Reyes

Today is the Epiphany and a major event in the Spanish calendar and when they celebrate Christmas. The Cabalgata de los Reyes (Three holy kings / wise men) is a historic event that is celebrated in many large cities including Malaga. Three locals dress in costume and ride around on horses followed by a large procession of decorated floats, giving sweets and small presents to the crowds of children watching the event. The news today said they have shipped in 5 million hard boiled sweets for the event. I am told the children throw handfuls of sweets into the crowds and it can be quite dangerous! Tomorrow is when the children get their Christmas presents and it is a public holiday.

Other notable events in the Spanish calendar in Malaga include a carnival in early February, in June Dia Pescaito (fried fish day!) A summer seafood festival and the Feast of San Juan an enormous religious festival with bonfires. The biggest event is in August, the Feria de Malaga with flamenco dancing, singing and open air concerts. In September there is an international film festival. Lots of the local villages have their own quirky festival like El Dia de la Morcilla (the day of the black pudding) involving consumption of copious amounts of alcohol. Colmenar our village has its own events including the Feria in August and they organize ski-ing trips to the Sierra Nevada. Check out Colmenar's website http://www.colmenar.es/

Monday 4th January 2010 - Lucky horse shoe

Today should have been my first day back at work, instead it is officially my first day of not being employed by anyone! Spent all morning updating websites and liaising with some of our partners, arranging for Ken to be interviewed by Radio Leeds on Thursday, talking to a Boot Camp slimming holiday provider in Antequera about doing tango classes in their fitness program, responding to a couple of booking enquiries, swapped emails with Andres in Argentina and finding a home for all the stuff I brought over in the car! You have no idea how much will fit in an X-Trail - it's like a Tardis! So first day in my new job as B & B owner was quite busy.

Bridie is always bringing me sticks to throw when we are out on a walk, but today she brought me a horse shoe (a mule shoe more likely), so I have kept it for for good luck. 

Sunday 3rd January 2010 - Goats

Ok, so it's been a quiet day today. But that is Sunday in Spain, tradition dictates a family day. Most locals have a meal with the family and often go out for Sunday lunch (2pm) which is the main meal of the day in Spain. Colmenar is popular with Malaguenas who come out to the countryside for the day. They queue at the famous butchers in Colmenar on Sunday nights to buy their meat. There are three pork butchers in a row and they are known throughout the region for their quality meat. That is not the only thing Colmenar is famous for, Colmenar means beehive and this is because this area of Axarquia is famous for honey (miel) production. Do not buy it in the shops though, I bought my last lot from an old woman in the village who called me into her house as I was walking by. If this happens do not be put off and think they are going to fleece you, they will not. They do want to sell you some local produce yes, but it is very good and they let you taste it first! The honey is the best I have ever tasted and we serve it at breakfast to our guests. The local Malaga raisins are large, fat and juicy. The land of Casa Media Luna and the land belonging to Ken's Parthenon totals 50.000 square meters and is covered in olive, almond and cork trees. So expect lots of things home made with almonds! The olives are generally used for olive oil but we eat the almonds straight from the trees!

Goat farms also feature in this area and there is one not far from us. In an evening you can hear the goat bells tinkling as the shepherd takes them down past our land. Also expect to come round a corner on the road and suddenly in front of you there is a herd of goats. The shepherd's dogs very quickly herd the goats to one side for you to pass by. This happened to me today on my way to a walk in the Montes de Malaga.

Photo of the Parthenon and Paddy sporting his new haircut now on gallery. Instructions on the trimmers only told you how to do a poodle, so think he looks a bit like poodle!

Saturday 2nd Jan 2010 - Off to the coast

Today was a lovely sunny day and 16 degrees. La Maroma, the highest mountain in the Malaga mountain range is right in front of Casa Media Luna and had a light dusting of snow on the top this morning. I headed off to the coast at Torre del Mar. This is east of Malaga and more of a Spanish resort. Quite nice and lovely long walks along the sea front. My destination was the shops unfortunately not the beach! I headed up our track waving to a man pruning his almond trees and on the track ahead was a taxi. He had stopped to talk to Loli and her children (our builder Manolo's wife). I sat there patiently until he had finished his chat and driven off - it happens all the time here in the village, people just stop their cars along side each other completely blocking the road and have a good natter! I also stopped and had a chat with Loli and then headed off, navigating the landslide by the precariously perched house! Near Torre del Mar is a big shopping centre where I can get a shopping fix if I get withdrawal symptoms from city life. It has a big supermarket and lots of fashion shops, although serious shopping has to be saved for Malaga city which is often bypassed by tourists.  This is a shame as it is a fabulous city. I bought dried figs which I am addicted to, they taste lovely. Before heading back I had a walk along the beach and a drink at one of the many Churringitos (beachside restaurants serving freshly cooked sardines).

This eve walked down to the river, the view changes every time I look at it. It does not go dark here until 6:30pm so the days feel nice and long even in winter.No tango dancing tonight, 5th and 6th is when the Spanish really celebrate Christmas so things not back to normal until later next week. Ken is on the Bilbao to Portsmouth ferry having a ballroom lesson and playing blackjack. So I do not feel too sorry for him!

Thursday 1st Jan - No Brains

We spent the morning relaxing and trying to get the dog guard out of our UK X-Trail and into our Spanish X-Trail. We thought it would be a case of undoing a few bolts - NO - it required drilling the roof inside to fasten the brackets up. I would never have attempted this at home, it would have been off to the Nissan garage and few hundred quid later ....Anyway it took us two hours but it worked. Ken left at 2pm to drive back to Bilbao for the ferry tomorrow to the UK.

Before he went we had a walk up to the Parthenon, its just loads of concrete and hundreds of scaffolding poles holding the roof up at the moment. It was very windy and it sounded like music blowing through the pipe scaffolding.

On the way back our Norwegian neighbours told us how they had made marzipan with their almonds and eaten it with nuts that look like brains. They did not know the English word for the nut and kept saying the one that looks like a brain! We went through every nut we could think of, eventually we established it was walnuts! I will always think of brains now when I eat them.

Thursday 31st Dec 2009 - Glad we did not buy this villa!

Had today's blog planned but now had loads of beer in a bar in Colmenar and cannot remember what I was going to write! Oh well, on the way there on the mountain road to the village, there is a house standing precariously on stilts on the edge of the mountain high above the road. Last winter the garden walls and lots of the land underneath the house collapsed onto the road. They built a new wall and in Spanish style did nothing else all year. I think they are waiting for gravity to sort it out. Anyway we had heavy rain overnight and there is a large landslip on the road now. It is still passable but I wonder how long before the rest comes down! Rumour has it that the owner has an underground garage with lots of vintage cars. Ken is already planning his salvage attempt!

Ken's last night here for a week, he sets off tomorrow to bring our car back to England. He is sporting a nice beard at the moment - looks a bit like Sting!

We took another booking today, so here's to a successful 2010! To celebrate New Years Eve we will be watching a French film, eating a nice meal at home and then toasting the New Year in with Jules Holland. Happy New Year to all.

Wednesday 30th Dec 2009 - Knotted calves

Sitting here in front of a cozy real log fire it's hard to remember you are in Spain. Earlier today we ventured out to attempt to find a circular walk again and this time we found a great route. Most of it on dirt tracks with a little meander through an olive grove to link up to another track. It took about 2.5 hours and it was a lovely sunny day with no need for a coat. It's perfect weather right now for walkers. Anyone who loves the Dales or Lake District will enjoy walking here in winter. Remember we are on the side of a mountain and in parts it is strenuous walking, but well rewarded by the views and knotted calf muscles later in the day! I have bought a map for guests of the Montes de Malaga Natural Park which has miles of walking in dense pine forest on lovely undulating tracks. The park is a favorite for nature lovers and has over 400 plants, birds, mammals and reptiles.

On the way back we met our new neighbour Bjorn who is Norwegian and has just moved here to live. We are both going to go to Spanish classes starting January 14th at the language school in the village. So if tango is not your thing why not have a walking holiday or come and learn some Spanish. When we got back from the walk we had afternoon tea on the terrace and watched the sun set. Tonight the moon is full and the sky is totally clear so the stars are spectacular.

I have added some more Tango photos to the site today with one or two of an outdoor milonga in Malaga last week. The Malaga tango crowd are really friendly and welcoming, just like our group in Yorkshire.

Tuesday 29th Dec 2009 - The Parthenon

This morning our lake was completely gone again and it was a bright warm sunny day. We decided to walk up to the Parthenon aptly named because as it comes into view on the road from the village this is exactly what it looks like. You are probably wondering what I am going on about, Ken is building another villa! The planning permission took 9 years and the building looks like it will take 9 weeks at this rate! They started it 2 weeks before Christmas and at the moment it is just a concrete base with 12 pillars and a concrete roof. Ken wanted an inconspicuous country house, but at the moment it could not be more the opposite. In a weeks time they will begin filling in the gaps with ThermoCellit blocks. After wandering around trying to imagine the rooms and feeling like we were on an episode of Grand Designs we sat down by Ken's favorite cork tree and watched the goats being herded across the valley up the hill. This is a daily sight and the goats here are like sheep in the Dales, lots of them but much cuter.

We also got our phone numbers sorted out. We cannot have a landline here but we are on Skype which is free to download and gives you free pc to pc calls. Our Skype address is not surprisingly casamedialuna. We also have a UK telephone number which is Sheffield +44 (0)114 360 6576 so that people can call us from their landlines for the price of a local call. I also now have a Spanish mobile 0034 622 560 968.

Monday 28th Dec 2009 - My short career as a hairdresser

Ken wanted a hair cut this morning and so as usual I got out the hair trimmers. Paddy, our chocolate brown Working Cocker Spaniel has long hair at the moment and I was already fed up with picking barbs out of his fur for hours after a walk so I decided it had to come off. To save money I decided to use Ken's hair clippers on him. It seemed like a good idea at the time! An hour later Paddy was fed up with sitting still and looked like Edward Scissor hands had attacked him and I was covered in fluff and sneezing so I gave up. I then turned my attention to Ken! All seemed to be going well and his hair looked fine until I decided to shave his neck. I had got the trimmers all stuck with Paddy's fur so took them apart to clean them, but could not quite get them back together the same way. Suffice to say Ken now has friction burns on his neck and we need new clippers!

After lunch we went walking directly from the house because I want to find a circular walk for guests, as this time of year is great for walkers. At the moment it's like being in the Lake District in summer, it rains here only occasionally and not all the time and there are not many lakes (apart from the one that appeared yesterday!) The rest of the time it's like a pleasant English summers day. Half way through the walk the track split into three and we did not know which way to go (no Wainwright book to help here) and so we asked a man who was up an olive tree picking olives. He told us there were three ways but none were on farm tracks and we would have to cut across the land to link to the other path. So we headed off-piste and all went well until after scrambling up the steep slope we came to a gully with shiny wet rocks and a waterfall. Ken and Bridie (our other dog) hopped across like mountain goats leaving Paddy and me stuck! Having already taken a head first dive earlier this year when out walking I was not risking it so we had to turn back and leave our exploration to another day. Ken not impressed at me being such a whimp but if my dog wouldn 't go across I certainly was not trying!

Went into Colmenar this evening and bought proper dog trimmers in the pet shop, where the shop keeper gave us a free bag of dog food and a glass of Anise to toast Christmas and my future career as dog groomer! 

Sunday 27th Dec 2009 - A lake appears from nowhere

Overnight there was torrential rain, and we woke up to sunshine and a lake in the valley below us. There is a dam there but it is always dry and people walk their dogs and even take shortcuts and drive along the riverbed. The locals all stood watching the rising water as if they had never seen water before and we watched it from our terrace. I quite like having a lake added to the views but I guess it will not last for long!

We thought about going tango dancing in Malaga as there was an afternoon tea dance on but decided to give it a miss and go for another long walk in the mountains with the walking club as it was such a great day and an opportunity to meet people. I feel as if we are on holiday. It has not sunk in yet that we actually have finally made the move and live here! No going back to work in an office and we are both looking forward to receiving more guests in 2010. The dogs also think they are on holiday and keep waiting by the car as if they want to go home. 

Friday 25th Dec 2009 - Christmas Day

Imagine, Christmas day and driving along the road from the village you are presented with bright sunshine and panoramic views of the dramatic snow covered Sierra Nevada Mountains. We could have gone ski-ing for the day but opted to have breakfast on the terrace in the sunshine and then a long walk in the pine forests of the Montes de Malaga Natural Park which is on our doorstep. It is 12 degrees and hard to imagine it is Christmas.