We have just realized that it has been 10 days since we last posted on here so time for a quick update on what we have been getting up to here in La Manga.
It would be quite easy to get bored and unfit when not working for as long as we do so you have to fill your time off well.
We came prepared this time with plenty of things for us to do and in no particular order we have between us:
- Mountain Bikes
- Knitting
- Spanish, German, French Lessons
- Books (Cooking & Reading)
- Ukulele
- Guitar with Beginner’s course by Justin Sandercoe http://www.justinguitar.com (Very sore fingers)
- Walking Gear
- Music (IPod with 16GB’s of all Genres)
- Podcasts (Mainly Frank Skinner)
- Games
- DVD’s (A right mixture)
We have decided not to bother watching TV while we are away as it is evil and if we had it we would not be able to do half of the things listed above.
So back to what we have been up to since last post,
Angela has been knitting most days and on one occasion she had made a mistake (she is human after all). None of her usual helpers were to be found so she went wandering off with knitting basket in hand in search of assistance and found a lovely lady called Pat. She sorted Angela out and told her about the craft meet once a week where there would be lots of help if she needed it. Angela came back with a big smile on her face and told me all about this lovely lady but unfortunately she was leaving in a few days time. Angela has been to 2 meetings since.
Angela is swimming 3 times a week. She swam 20 lengths the first time but is now doing 50 and will be increasing it soon I’m sure!
While Angela is swimming I go off on my mountain bike. Sometimes on my own as I did last Tuesday for ten miles or with Geoff. When out with Geoff it is very painful for me as he is very fit and although I class myself as fairly fit I am no mountain biker or even a keen cyclist but I am going to keep practising as it must be doing me some good.
For those that read the last post you will recall that Geoff and I went out on a fourteen mile bike ride and I went over my handle bars for the first time leaving me bruised and aching! Well we went out again yesterday for eleven miles this time on a more challenging ride up a steep mountain but some would call it a hill and guess what………………I am cut and bruised and got winded when once again I went over my handle bars landing flat on my back only more spectacular than before. It’s a shame Geoff was in front this time so he did not have the pleasure in witnessing it.
We have been out on our bikes into Los Belones to get some provisions from The English Shop run by John and also into the English butcher called The Missing Link who does brilliant sausages amongst other things relating to a butcher’s shop.
On another occasion also in Los Belones Angela and I have been to get our hair cut but Angela is still not happy with hers so may be going again soon to have it shorter!
Thursday is 2 for 1 Tapas here on site so we went last week with Geoff and Barbara again and had a good selection of dishes and 2 bottles of wine while talking the time away. Barbara is so funny.
Most days I have been doing my guitar lessons and I am about to move onto stage 2. Angela sometimes accompanies me with her little green ukulele and it is so much fun (for us anyway) it may explain why we still have no neighbours!
Today we were practicing Dirty Old Town and it soon became apparent that neither of us can sing, maybe with a little bit more practice we will get there.
Big respect to those of you who can not only play a musical instrument but sing along at the same time and in tune (Bushy).
Angela has been good at practicing her Spanish lessons with CD and book. She has made up some flash cards and I have been testing her. She is doing well. I have some German books and CD’s and the bit I have read so far I understand quite a bit but isn’t that always the way? What I need to do is practice my speaking of the language. Angela and I are determined to learn German ready for when we visit the lovely Heike next year. This we will do when we are working next year instead of watching TV in the enenings.
The last couple days have been wet and windy so Wednesday we decided to put up our Christmas decorations. That evening ended with a big thunder and lightening storm and it has been better since so today we were back out sitting and reading after our jamming session.
Tonight we will probably watch a DVD in bed which we do occasionally if not reading or listening to a Podcast. We need to get to an internet cafe so we can download some more of Frank Skinners Absolute Radio Podcasts as we have listened to those we had.
Enough for now as I am going to pour a rum and coke while Angela has a nice hot shower in the van. I might have another go on the guitar!
Adious!
