My birthday party.

Planning the party was a bit tricky this year as the village Amas de Casa, the housewives group, were having their annual meal on the same day in the afternoon. 

Therefore, we decided to start the party at 19:30 when the afternoon activity should have reached a conclusion and people would be able to be present.

There were 22 of us and we enjoyed a large salmon pie and a large chicken pie that Margaret had made that day as well as a couple of pizzas and salads.

As Margaret was attending the Amas de Casa meal our friends Joy and John turned up early to help with the preparation.

Here's a small clue as to the number of years I've been around. Actually the tee-shirt is made by a company which calls itself "55" but I changed their logo with a couple of strips of black tape for the day.

It's a good idea getting actual numbers for the candles because one candle for each year would have been a fire hazard!

After the cake and cava we had the games; darts...

...table tennis...

...pool...

...and table football.

A great day and everyone was so generous with the presents they brought or sent.

I can't wait for next year!

43rd wedding anniversary

To celebrate our wedding anniversary this year we went for a rather special meal to the restaurant in La Hospedería Virgen de la Fuente situated 2 km outside the village of Peñarroya de Tastavins which is 34 km away from us in Torre del Compte.

The restaurant is inside a 14 century Gothic sanctuario and features a baroque chapel which is currently displaying works by local artists.

The meal started with 3 hors d'oeuvres, a gazpacho soup drink, a chorizo sausage...

...and a piece of toast with spread, sufficient to whet anyone's appetite.

This was followed by what could only be described as ham, egg and chips for Margaret while I had garbanzos, alioli y panceta, chickpeas, garlic mayonnaise and bacon.

For the main course Margaret had the local lamb chops...

...and I had a secreto de cerdo, the "secret of pork"which is a cut between the shoulder and the ribs which is so tasty that the butchers would keep it for themselves.

For desert Margaret went for the homemade ice cream...

...and I had local cheese with dulce de membrillo, quince jelly, a fantastic combination.

The meal was finished off with a liqueur...

...and then downstairs to the courtyard for coffee.

Then, to finish off, an evening session in the jacuzzi.

A perfect day!

¡San Juan!

It's the midday mass in the ermita de San Juan to celebrate his day and the choir and musicians are in fine form.

San Juan seems to be enjoying it!

This is followed by a BBQ with 15 of our friends at the peña...

...and this is a proper BBQ on the embers of a small bonfire on the ground, not charcoal in a specially constructed fireplace.

Everyone tucked into the steak and lamb chops...

...accompanied by salads and various wines...

...followed by melon!

And because it was Rosa Marie's birthday, a piece of a rather large cake!

A great time was had by all!

In the evening it was time for dancing in the street, el camino, directly in front of our house...

...to music from a very good sounding trio.

A terrific way to spend the longest day and celebrate San Juan!