19 & 20 May - Coffee Date

With not much to say about yesterday, other than we had a lovely sunny day which was ideal for our weekly washing, I decided on a double blog day today.

Today has been gorgeous and warm enough actually to have breakfast on the balcony! So it was eating strawberries and yogurt whilst watching the seagull chick. Sadly it looks like one took a dive off the roof or has been a small snack for a predator - although we haven't quite worked out the food chain of a seagull. We don't see any hawks around to swoop in on an errant chick and the other birds around (parrots, pigeons) we don't think would eat one 🤔.

After breakfast we took a walk down the prom to meet up with local friends (a Spaniard married to an English lady) for a 'coffee'. We found out what is going on locally and that the inclement weather we've been having is the once in 50 year event. They've never known snow on the mountains this late in the year! At least the reservoir is full, although they'll probably bring a a hosepipe ban soon 😄.

Following our catch up and plans for lunch next week, we took ourselves further up the prom so we had a decent walk before this afternoon's laze on the balcony.

There was an art display in the Ciutadella by students from the local college. All used recycled materials.

This is some of the exhibits being worn.

Anyway, we mozzied back down the prom.

Now those who have stayed with us know the knitting lady who sits sunbathing on her bench, in the same place everyday, surrounded by her creations and knitting away (Ian says that'll be me in years to come😂). Anyway she's quite a sizeable lady who strolls into the sea in her bikini whenever she gets a bit warm. Unfortunately we were walking past her after she had returned to her bench following a cooling plunge only to get an eyeful of ample bosoms, just about covered by a bikini top, being squeezed to get rid of excess water!! Not sure who was the most traumatised me or Ian 😂! 

Back at the apartment this afternoon Ian has been working on a bit of DIY. Handles getting a coat of paint today. The front door was varnished yesterday so all spic and span!

Tomorrow we're venturing out to do a bit of exploring to one of the local villages that we haven't been to before. It might end up being a few houses and a church but hopefully we'll find a place for a bit of light refreshment before our return 😄.

18 May - Local Lunch

As we were out for lunch we thought we'd best get a dose of exercise in the morning, as later on in the afternoon we probably wouldn't feel like it.

With it looking fairly bright we headed out towards the beach in shirtsleeves but had to make a return trip for extra layers as it was a bit nippy!!

Out on the beach today there was a plough and a couple of workmen getting the lifeguard towers in position. They've been sitting on the edge of the beach by the prom so needed to be dragged across to their position and dug in. There's now about 6 ready for the start of the lifeguard season on 1 June.

They've also upgraded the floating swimming pontoons out in the bay. Previously they've been a wooden floating construction so these look a bit snazzy with a sun brolly ready to go up!

After our regular iced coffee sitting outside with a sea view, we had to return in time for our 1pm lunch. Just as well we'd made a move as there was a dark cloud looming over us and a few splodges of rain. Luckily we dodged any further rain.

We enjoyed a very filling lunch in our local, La Bola, with friends from Kent who are returning tomorrow. By 4pm we thought we'd best leave otherwise I think they'd be getting us to wash up! With a dreary afternoon it's been a Harry Potter DVD afternoon, time for an after lunch nap and a spot of knitting 😄

17 May - Train to Girona

We had a great evening over at our friend's watching Eurovision song contest and eating a local fruit called naspero crumble sort of pud. It was very tasty and the Spanish couple who were also with us enjoyed it. It ended up being a European evening with German, Spanish, Irish and UK guests.

As for us it went on quite late we left before the results started to come in so woke up to find out that Bulgaria triumphed. But I don't think we were really surprised that UK came last. At least we got 1 point!! 😂  

So this morning we met up with friends to take the train from our most local train station in Vilajua into Girona. As there's no ticket office or machine you have to pay on the train, but today there was no conductor so we ended up with a free ride into Girona!!

Coming out of the train station the first thing we saw was this impressive roof.

We later found out that it's an historical building called 

Casa Texidor which is no a school.

It was the final day of the flower festival so we managed to see some displays we didn't get to see on Monday.

Some were on display on the city walls.

 This was in a solicitors office!

This was clever with the outfits made out of leaves and flowers.

Even old books were recycled in some displays.

We enjoyed our bocadillos (a panni like sandwich), tapas and drinks in a very Spanish cafe, slightly off the main route of the flower festival. We didn't have to wait to be seated, drinks came straight away and the food was great. Kept us full for the rest of the day.

It stayed warm all day and despite a half an hour delay on the train we were back early evening. As our friends are journeying back to Kent on Tuesday we'll be out for a farewell lunch tomorrow. Probably another leisurely meal 😄