La Pena

Built in 1930 and covering an area of 113 hectares the reservoir is currently 61% full, exactly the same as it was at this time last year.


La Pena collects water from the surrounding mountain range and forms a very picturesque lake.


Today was ideal for the Boxing Day walk, an attempt to burn off a few of the calories from yesterday.

No one else had the same idea however - we were the only people there!

It's Christmas!

And it's a beautiful day - sunny with no biting wind.


After the church service we go round to our friends, Floyd and Jorge, to see their Christmas grotto...

...and nativity displays. Not just one...

..but two!!

Then back home for a Christmas dinner for two...

...and then, another wonderful sunset.

Evoque!

Got it at last!

And it's every bit as good as we'd hoped!

Presentation at Alcañiz

We are a special end of term treat to the mature students learning English at the escuela de idiomas, the school of languages, in Alcañiz.


We present "25 of my favourite films" to groups of between 40 - 50 students on 2 nights.


They are in 5 "teams" and have to answer questions on the film clip they have just been shown.

Competition is keen...

...but everyone wins a Spanish delicacy as it's so near to Christmas.

Ariadna's party

To celebrate Ariadna and Carmen's birthdays they had a joint party!

They both received lots of presents...

...and Raúl cut the cake.

A great time was had by all.

Our christmas tree.

We decorated the village christmas tree this afternoon.

Lots of boxes had been wrapped as presents...

...and some of these were placed around the base of the tree...

...while others were hung from higher boughs along with other decorations.


It certainly made the job easier having Manolo and his tractor available.

It was a very pleasant, sunny afternoon which made the job easier...

...although the job wasn't finished until it was dark.

Jorge's 50th!

Some of us have been there, others have it yet to come but one birthday you will never forget is your 50th.

Jorge had a special celebration at Hotel Calpe in Alcañiz...

...where he opened one of his presents...

...and we all enjoyed a splendid meal.