Thursday, October 26, 2017

Fiona and Justin visit!

We have been friends with Fiona and Justin for over 47 years. Fiona taught in the school where Margaret first started teaching and we have kept in touch ever since.



However, this was the first time they had ever been to Spain and, needless to say, the first time they had visited us here.


Despite the fact that it was getting a little late in the year, the weather in mid October can be quite changeable, we were very lucky as each day was sunny and even quite warm.


During the week we took Fiona and Justin to some of our favourite places such as the Ermita de Santa Bárbara and the Sanctuario de la Virgen de Gracia at La Fresneda in the photos above,...


...the bar/restaurant El Racó dels Torrats in our village, Torre del Compte...


...as well as showing them around the village itself.


During the week there was an emphasis on eating Spanish cuisine and sampling the many varieties of wines.


Rocky loved their visit as this was another opportunity for him to make new friends.


Valderrobres is always outstanding...


...a visit to the castle is a must...



...as is a meal at Fonda Angeleta, one of our favourite restaurants.



The next day to Alcañiz and lunch at Restaurant Meseguer...


...followed by coffee at the Parador.


On Sunday to Morella...


...and lunch at the Hotel/Restaurant Rey Don Jaime...


...followed by a walk around the shops.


A Monday morning a walk to the Viaducto del Val de Zafran...


...and another lunch at the El Racó del Torrats.


On Tuesday a visit to La Torre Cremada, the ancient Iberian watchtower on a hillside along the Matarraña valley,...


...the Iberian settlement at Calaceite with a view of the Ermita de San Cristóbal,...


...lunch at the wonderful Hotel/Restaurant Miralles, Horta de Sant Joan,...


...and a visit to the Convent de Sant Salvador in the afternoon.


After such a busy day, a quiet evening meal.


Next day, to Zaragoza, lunch in IKEA, then the flight back to England after a thoroughly enjoyable week.

Saturday, October 7, 2017

My coffee table is finished!

It's been too hot during the summer to work on my coffee table but for the last few weeks it's been just right.


I actually started this project last spring having got the inspiration for the legs from our visit to the Monte Cristo gardens in Gran Canaria in January and amassing the welding gear after that.


The large mosaic gecko was bought a couple of years ago. The smaller ones, actually fridge magnets, came form our holiday in Gran Canaria.


So, with the top of the table in the modernist style of Gaudí and the legs more in keeping with the surrealist style of Dalí, the entire project has finally come together. Margaret pointed out that the "flow" of the mosaic reminded her of the work of Van Gogh but that was towards the end of his life when he was a little unstable. Say no more!