Days 72-75, 23-26 August 2014, Fuengirola, Spain. As the old adage goes... when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping. Not that the going is particularly tough I must admit. Now as most of you know, "frugal", "thrifty" and "tighter than a fish's..." could all feature as my middle names. It's not that I don't like new things, shopping etc. I just don't like spending (much) money. And as very soon to be retired flibbety-gibbets travelling about and hous...

Days 66-71, 17-22 August 2014, Coasting along on the Costa del Sol. Somewhat incredibly today marks 4 weeks here in Spain. Sometimes it seems to pass by so slowly and peacefully - but now I'm thinking - wow - 4 weeks - accomplished so much in terms of learning some basic Spanish, most definitely a work in progress. Also up to 20 laps of olympic class doggy paddle around the pool. As is the case with any long term stay, a routine has developed and as I'm not su...

Days 62-65, 13-16 August 2014, Fuengirola, Costa del Sol. Not so much quite busy as "busy, quiet" here on the coast with the most (most sunshine, most tourists, most cheapest supermarkets, most cats!) After my big day out to Nerja/Frigiliana in 42+ degrees, Tuesday was recovery day. Chill out day - etc. Finished off the last 3 lessons of the Spanish course by Thursday which is when the overcast and humidity set in - getting frightfully fit from the pool as a r...

Days 57-61, 8-12 August 2014, Fuengirola, Nerja (view from the Balcon de Europa) and Frigiliana, Costa del Sol, Spain. El Espanol coming along nicely - muchos gracias! That really has been the focus recently - 7 straight days of studying and a couple of days off as a reward. Still have 3 lessons out of 31 left to complete. Tomorrow. Los Gatos have been enjoying having me here full-time to the extent that all four were stretched out around the house at the sam...

Day 53-56, 4-7 August 2014, Fuengirola, Spain - Housesitting on Las Costa del Gatos is fabulous - I feel for the furballs over the last few days though because my neighbours have been having their dead lawn removed and replaced with concrete (and any day now... pavers). Los Gatos however really (really) don't like the sound of the angle grinder. It's not my cup of tea either, but I can successfully drown it out with my Shortcut to Spanish online course blaring ...