1 to 14 Aug 2010 - Visit to UK

We have just returned from a two week visit to UK to help look after our grandson Jack whilst his mum is busy presenting him with a new sister.

Last Christmas Jack’s favourite movie was called something like “Ice Age”. It featured three baby dinosaurs, and Michelle used this to explain to him that his mummy was also going to have a baby soon. We were quite worried that he might be disappointed if she did not bring home a cute dinosaur.

Our first few days involved a lot of walking into Rothbury with Jack, and always involved a visit to the local park and an ice cream or a similar treat. There is a charity shop that has a box of old toys for a few pennies each, and that was always a favourite with him. He also liked to feed the ducks, but found it hard to understand that the bread was for them and not him.

Much as he enjoyed the novelty of walking to the park with his grandparents, his favourite was always playing one of his computer games with dad.

Just two days after we arrived Michelle gave birth to Georgia, a beautiful 8 pounds 3 ounces little bundle of joy.

The next day we all went to visit her in hospital. Jack appeared to be not too disappointed that Georgia did not look a lot like the baby dinosaur, and Jan would not put her down.

A few days later Michelle and Georgia arrived home. Jack took to his new role of big brother with ease, and both Stuart and Michelle took pains to keep him involved with his new sister.

We were still in demand to take him to the local park. He would insist on taking his new scooter, and would ride on it all the way downhill to the park. His granddad would carry it all the way uphill back to his house.

When Stuart was this age I used to swap my half eaten ice cream for his new one. Jack is much more street wise. He is pointing out that the one with very little left is Granddad’s and he is not letting go of his one.

Jack recently spent a weekend in a caravan, and loved the experience. We wanted to get him a toy one, and were sold on this one because the car looks just like his mum’s. He thought so too, and loved it.

When he got tired of playing with his caravan he was encouraged to play with his sister, under strict supervision. However we need not have worried, he was very gentle and affectionate.

We had our fair share of typical English summer weather – grey skies and light rain. But on the rare sunny days we made the best of it. A sunny morning decided us to go into Morpeth for a picnic lunch in the park.

After lunch Stuart, Michelle and Jack took to the water, whilst Jan and I looked after Georgia.

Morpeth has a lovely park, and at this time of year it is full of both locals and tourists making the most of it.

Stuart and Jack ambled off along the river to do some “man bonding” as he showed Jack how to skim rocks

And what better way to finish off the day than tackling he “stepping stones” – quite an adventure at Jack’s age.

24 July 2010 - Weekly Food Shop

The only exercise we get at this time of year is when we go to Calpe each week for the weekly food shopping. We usually shop here throughout the year, as it’s also an opportunity to get our “people fix” and have a nice walk along the promenade. But at this time of year we restrict it to walking to our current favourite café to sit and watch the world go by.

Normally we would sit outside, but with the temperatures at 34o we find it more comfortable to sit inside. This café has lovely views of the sea, plus deep shade. And it also provides free English papers, which is an additional advantage.

Coffee con leche and a tostada with this wonderful view, not to mention the free English paper, cost less than £2 each. There are always empty tables, and no objection to taking as long as you like. In fact the most difficult part is getting the waiters attention to pay the bill when you are ready to go.

It was too hot to walk along the promenade, but just right for a paddle in the sea. The beach was really crowded and I don’t understand how people can lie on the sand in direct sunlight when it is as warm as this.

But then its time for the serious business of the day, shopping at Lidl…….

…..followed by more shopping at Mercadona.

We always enjoy our weekly visit to Calpe, but we enjoy even more returning to the Jalon Valley. When we see this view we know we are back home.

By now we are usually very hot and uncomfortable, so what better way to finish off the weekly food shop!

19 July 2010 - Paul and Jean Visit

Paul has wargamed with us for many years, but Jean is a relative newcomer to the hobby. It was nice that Jan and I could play on the same side rather than against each other.

Paul and Jean have recently moved to Spain, and were very interested in Jans collection of Spanish Gardening books. Not a subject which I know much, or indeed anything, about.

This time of year it is never long before the heat gets too much and it’s in to the pool to cool off.

In the evening we went to a local restaurant. We had booked a table outside, but it had turned very windy so we ate inside instead. We were the only ones to do so, and we were quite pleased to note that they had to struggle to control their table cloth.

Despite the large selection of starters, I could not find one I liked except for my usual soup. However I was impressed when it arrived as I had obviously chosen the best looking one.

Paul had clearly chosen the largest one. Don’t be fooled by the bottle of water that was mine as I was driving. The menu includes a half bottle of wine or a bottle of water. Mind I did have a small glass of wine in exchange for sharing my water.

Next day we went to the marina at Denia. Another very hot day, so we did not walk far. In fact we had to abandon the elevated path to the lighthouse and seek shade below.

It’s always nice viewing the “rich people’s toys”, and today was no exception.

There are lots of bars and cafes around the marina, but this is our favourite. Lots of deep shade to keep the heat at bay whilst we had a coffee and watched the world goes by.

It was then back home for a little more of this…….

….and quite a lot more of this.



We plan to visit each other each month or so, and if they are all as pleasant as this weekend we will be very pleased.