Project 365 2017 Week 30-32 Day 204 – 224 – wishing we’d bought the Spanish sun back in our suitcase!

Sunday 23rd July –  Day 204

We had a quiet day at home, Brewster decided to chill out in the garden as you do.

Monday 24th July – Day 205

A bit of word fun with the Bananagrams.  I’ll do anything to encourage Monkey to read and I started playing by myself, and it wasn’t long before nosy decided to join in.  Result.

Tuesday 25th July – Day 206

We had a quiet morning at home and then Daddy P dropped us off at Birmingham Airport for our flight to Spain. We lunched in Giraffe and everything looked good for our flight, we boarded and then sat on the plane at the gate for 2 hours.  Grrr. Monkey made good use of the time inspecting the emergency landing card in finite detail.  We eventually arrived in Malaga, collected our case and Monkey dashed out in search of Granny and Gramps.  Our holiday had begun.

Wednesday 26th July – Day 207

Gramps had an issue with his car that needed fixing, so he dropped it at the local garage in the morning to be looked at.  It meant we’d be having a few chill out days at their house, but we both really needed it.  We walked up the end of their road to admire the olive groves and the mountains.  The weather was glorious – over 40 degrees most days and dropping down to 28-29 by 11pm.  Perfect. In the evening we walked into the village for a drink and some tapas.

Thursday 27th July – Day 208

Gramps and I walked into the village in the morning to do a few jobs, whilst Monkey kept Granny company.  He’s becoming quite a little Wordsearcher with her guidance.  There was plenty of fun to be had on his Mickey Mouse ride on train that he’s had in Spain since he was 1.  We all thought he’d be too big for it, but no, it was still a must play with toy on the trip.

Gramps also showed Monkey some of his insects, they both love them so.

In the evening I went out with Spanish friends for tapas, a girlie night, which was lovely.

Friday 28th July – Day 209

Gramps’s car was back in action so we headed to Osuna, to do a bit of shopping.  A must for any trip is a visit to the John Deere dealership there.  Monkey had some spending money and bought himself a new tractor – it’s amazing what you can buy for €16 these days!

In the afternoon we headed to the pool in Almargen with a family friend.  It’s a beautiful salt water pool, set in lovely countryside and we would be regular visitors in the week ahead.  At €1 per person per day, it’s a bargain.

Saturday 29th July – Day 210

A full day at the pool with Spanish friends.  Monkey may not have taken his armbands off, but he was jumping in at the deep end at 2.3m with no fear at all.  He’d stand on one of our friends shoulders and jump off.  He even went in the pool without me.  It was just so wonderful to watch him having so much fun, and to see that he clearly doesn’t have my fear of the water at all.

He might have developed a bit of a crush on lady P, he followed her around like a puppy, and blushed whenever she spoke to him.  All part of growing up I guess.

I love sitting out in my parents back garden at night.  Their light pollution isn’t as bad as it is here, and the stars are amazing.  I’d made the decision to leave my DSLR at home as I was so tight on space.  It’s the only time I really regretted that decision.

Sunday 30th July – Day 211

We headed out early on a bug hunting exploration with Gramps.  These two really are two peas in a pod.  Monkey has become quite the bug spotter and we saw lots of butterflies, beetles, dragonflies and even a grasshopper, on our walk.  The Cicadas were making lots of noise in the trees but we couldn’t see them, luckily Gramps had some at home in his collection, so he could show Monkey what these noisy insects look like.

In the afternoon we headed up to El Penon hoping to grab some lunch in the restaurant on the mountainside.  But it was closed, so we ended up stopping in the village of Algamitas and had a wonderful meal in Los Bandoleros.  It was so nice to see the difference in Monkey on this trip, with regards to eating out.  Far less stressful than normal thankfully.

Monday 31st July – Day 212

Monkey and I headed back to the pool for some fun in the sun.  At certain times in the day the locals go home for lunch and a siesta, and we pretty much had the place to ourselves.  Bliss.

I went over to a friend’s house in the evening (10pm is early in Spain!!) for some food and a little drink.  By 2am I had to call it a night or morning.  They were all working in the morning but were still chatting for hours more.

Tuesday 1st August – Day 213

Clouds! How dare there be clouds and a 20 degree drop in the temperature.  Monkey and I headed to the pool for a couple of hours, but the water felt so much colder, it wasn’t long before we headed back to Granny’s house.  Late afternoon and the sun had started to burn through and it was time for some bubble fun in the garden.

Wednesday 2nd August – Day 214

Blue skies and 40 degree temperatures again.  Relax. Gramps and I walked into the village to do some shopping and then headed home to photograph his bug collection.  He’s arranging for the collection to be sent to the Oxford University Natural History Museum next year, so we may never get to see it again.  It was a chance for Monkey to ask lots of questions.

In the afternoon we headed to the pool for a few hours and this is the view close to Granny and Gramps’s house.  It’s a totally stunning part of Spain.

Monkey wanted to go out for tapas in the evening, a ploy to stay up really late, but he loved it.  Gecko spotting on the walk home was another highlight of the trip.

Thursday 3rd August – Day 215

A little trip to Osuna and on the way home we stopped at the Cooperativa to see which tractors were about.  Always another favourite place to visit.

Monkey decided he wanted to spend the rest of the day at home, so that’s exactly what we did.  I got the packing done, he played, blew bubbles and enjoyed time with his grandparents.  I made the most of the sun and sat outside reading a book.  Everyone was happy.

Friday 4th August – Day 216

Law of sod and the one night I needed Monkey to sleep well, he didn’t and ended up in with me, tossing and turning.  It was going to be a long day as we headed home.  I suck at saying goodbye but it’s easier to hold it together when I’ve got Monkey with me.  We waved goodbye to Spain and the sun and headed back to Birmingham and a 20 degree drop in temperatures.

We did spot a combine harvester at work as we zoomed down the M40 so that perked Monkey up.

Saturday 5th August – Day 217

Rain, rain, rain.  I struggled with everything today and the weather really didn’t help.

Sunday 6th August – Day 218

Thankfully the weather improved so we could enjoy our day at Countryfile Live without waterproofs.  We had a great day.  I got to listen to Simon Reeve talk about his travels, I’m a huge fan, so I was really chuffed. We got up close to Matt Baker, Adam Henson and Monkey’s heroine Ellie Henderson.  She even wrote a personalised note for him in our programme, making me the best Mummy ever for sorting it.  Monkey and I sat in a potato harvester, so that’s another vehicle to tick off the list!

Monday 7th August – Day 219

We had no plans really for this week.  But this morning one of my NCT friends sent a message, fancy soft play?  Monkey said yes and off we went.  It used to be my idea of hell as he’d rarely leave my side, or would insist on me going in with him.  But he got there, and was off, with an NCT buddy he hasn’t seen since December, and his younger brother.  It was lovely.  After our session we all had lunch together and then headed to a local park.  A perfect kind of day.

Tuesday 8th August – Day 220

The rain was back, torrential rain, but that didn’t stop us going to Stowe for the afternoon.

Wednesday 9th August – Day 221

We had a really quiet day at home.  One of Monkey’s requests for the holidays was to make shortbread.  We’d been given an Oak leaf cookie cutter and a shortbread recipe by the Woodland Trust when we were at Countryfile.  It was all meant to be.  Monkey had to read the ingredients and the recipe, another way to get him reading – result.  He was so pleased with his efforts and I can confirm that they taste very good indeed.

Thursday 10th August – Day 222

Monkey spent the morning playing whilst I caught up with the washing and ironing.  In the afternoon we went over to see two of my nieces and went out for tea with them and their Nan who’s staying with them while my brother, SIL and nephew are in Norway.  After we’d eaten we took their dog for a walk and to play ball.  Monkey used to be terrified of Jess, but slowly he’s getting happier with her, and ended up walking her home.

A quick trip to a local park and then it was home to bed.  Another lovely day.

Friday 11th August – Day 223

I’d woken up with a cold yesterday and today it hit me full force and I felt rotten.  After we’d done a couple of chores in town and filled the car up with petrol we headed home.  Monkey was happy to play, and I was happy to lose my living room!

Saturday 12th August – Day 224

The sun may have returned but I feel rubbish today, full of cold and just bluergh.  Monkey has been great and we’ve had a bit of a sofa day this morning.  Then his Dad rang to say he was going to finish work early (that never happens!!!!) so the two of them have gone out for the afternoon and I’m going to take that spot on the sofa and stay there!