Gran Canaria

Because we had a late evening flight we arrived at the hotel after the restaurant had closed so we were given a special cold dish.

The following evening the restaurant had the Canarian theme for it's dishes - wonderful!

For all of the 3 week stay every day we had blue skies with a little light cloud at times.

Morning coffee time.

The influence of the local fishing trade.

This group of 4 acrobatic dancers performed each week in the lounge in the hotel and were very good.

They had some amazing moves.

Sunrise is always quite spectacular here.

The moonrise too was exceptional.

The full moon was tremendously bright.

Despite initially saying we wanted a 3 week holiday of doing nothing we visited 'Cocodrilo Park Zoo'.

This amazing place was home to many animals brought by individuals or seized by the government.

Visitors are encouraged to have a 'hands-on' interaction with some of the animals such as these miniature foxes...

...a python called Monty...

...and a young crocodile.

The mature crocodiles were quite at home bathing in their water area where we saw them being fed although they weren't that hungry as being cold blooded creatures they were more interested in dozing at this time of year.

To see my video of the animals and plants click HERE.

Sunset is another favourite spectacle and the views here did not disappoint.

Another sunrise, below, and at the same time the moon was visible in the morning sky.

A typical lunch on our terrace.

In the centre of Puerto Rico there are some wonderful trees...

...some of which are very architectural.

Yet another day out and this time to the garden of Monte Cristo...

...which houses a vast number of interesting plants and works of art.

Around every corner is a sight of a sculpture or other interesting piece which draws you through the garden.

To see my video of the Monte Cristo garden click HERE.

Back at our hotel the same cat we saw last year when we stayed here visited for a snack.

The parasols on the beach are very colourful with the blue of the sea and the gold of the sand.

It may be January but the plants here flower throughout the year.

Finally we flew back to Barcelona and met up with our good friends Maria and Juan...

...and enjoyed a meal in the hotel restaurant before returning home the following day after a truly momentous holiday.

Los Reyes Magos

Because of all the work being carried out still in the village we didn't have a Christmas tree in the Plaza Mayor this year. 

Instead, the hedge on the corner of the crossroads was "decorated" and very nice it looked too.

Following tradition however, we did have the candlelit procession on the eve of "3 Kings"...

...as they and their pages were carried on a trailer pulled by a tractor through the streets to the hall adjoining the bar...

...where they proceeded to give out presents to all the children and a few adults!

For some, it was their first experience of the 3 Kings event but certainly not their last!

Merry Christmas!

After the early morning church service...

...it's time for a photo session. Well, it's not every day I get to wear my black hat.

And while the turkey cooks, it's time for a walk up the camino.

I built this cairn!

Behind us in the distance, the Ports de Beceite, the mountains between us and the Mediterranean.

It's present opening time! (With a bottle of Cava of course!)

And then it is time for Christmas dinner with sprouts! (And the special bottle of wine we bought in Galicia in July.)

Hona gets her teeth into her Christmas present from Aunty Eileen.

Christmas pudding, a Christmas candle table decoration and a Pointsettia - could this be any other day?

Note my change of jumper, a special Christmas jumper from Eileen and then the crackers, a present from Sara,...

...and another present from Sara, a piece of Cornish Serpentine - what a brilliant gift!

But just like any other day it must end. Pity, it was so good.

My best Christmas present ever!

Last March, just before we visited Rome, I noticed that the vision in my left eye had deteriorated so I popped into our optician who took a look and suggested I visit my doctor. The doctor conducted his eye test by asking me how many fingers he was holding up just to make sure I wasn't totally blind. However, he referred me to the local hospital which I visited in June and they confirmed I had a cataract and I was put on the waiting list.

A month ago I was given the choice of having the operation carried out at our local hospital sometime next summer or at a hospital in Zaragoza in around 1 month.

The Hospital Nuestra Señora de Gracia is like no other hospital I have ever seen. It is in the very heart of Zaragoza and resembles a Parador, the exclusive state run hotels, rather than a normal hospital.

The staff are very friendly and efficient and are certainly not stressed or harassed as you often find in ordinary hospitals.

The operation yesterday morning went very smoothly and I had a checkup this morning just to make sure everything was OK. The procedure involved replacing the lens so when everything settles down I shall have virtually perfect sight in my left eye.

However, I was told that within 6 weeks I am due to have the same operation on my right eye so that I won't need to wear spectacles for the first time for 55 years. Now that is a great Christmas present! I give all the doctors, nurses and staff at the hospital my most grateful thanks, every Christmas blessing and wish them continued success in the future with the wonderful work they are performing.

The photo above is of the inside of the Parroquia de Santiago el Mayor and the 2 above that are of the Christmas Crib on display. The first 3 photos are of the hospital.

We stayed at the Hotel Melía Zaragoza just around the corner from the hospital for the 2 nights. Can't wait to return in a few weeks time!

Archery for beginners!

Years ago archery was quite an expensive hobby, a bow and set of arrows would cost a lot. However, now they are much cheaper and just as good, if not better, for the beginner so I thought I would give it a go.

I even made the frame for the target which I put in front of the woodpile - stray arrows can easily be recovered!

I have only had a couple of attempts at this new 'hobby' as you can tell by the holes in the target above. You can see my efforts by clicking HERE.

My greenhouse

When we had the hail storm on the 31st August, my greenhouse was one of the casualties in our garden. 

The panels had been smashed and the aluminium frame had actually been bent where it had been struck by the hail stones. It was beyond repair!

A few weeks later, the new greenhouse arrived and I started to construct it which took 3 days.

It was similar to my previous greenhouse, which had lasted several years, the main differences being that this one was actually 'green',...

...it had polycarbonate panels which slotted into the framework rather than plastic panels held in with plastic strips...

 ...and had double doors.

So, a couple weeks ago we put all the tender plants inside for protection against the low temperatures and wind which were forecast...

...and on the 21st November the wind was so strong the doors blew off and 5 of the panels were blown out! 2 of these panels were blown out of the garden and were lost into the surrounding countryside. We bought 2 panels to replace them but were not able to fit them as it was still quite windy. However, I was able to reinforce some of the remaining panels by fixing them with nuts, bolts and washers onto the frame.

But then it became very windy again and with missing panels the greenhouse collapsed with many of the parts of the frame being bent and most of the panels being blown away.

The replacement for this greenhouse should arrive this week! Just hope the plants can survive.