Yesterday was my birthday, and considering we had no plans it turned out to be a pretty good day!!!

After a leisurely morning watching some Sky+ and then playing on the roof with the cats we headed off to Almeria to pick up a watch that I have had repaired and serviced. First off though we popped into a Movistar store to be told that they weren’t expecting the iPhone until September or October which isn’t very impressive so no presents to myself this year!!!!

Watch collected we stopped at a roadside cafe for a coffee and tostada. Slightly more expensive than the marina and I had forgotten that you had to pay when they delivered the food in Almeria rather than when you leave as in Almerimar, but it must be at least 3 years since I had been to Almeria so no surprise that I had forgotten.

We had a lot to discuss as we have been pretty busy recently and haven’t had much time to catch up, plus I have been approached about a opportunity with a Start Up company that I wanted to chat to Sands about away from the usual interruptions of Phone, IM, Email etc.

On the way back to Almerimar we stopped at the BP petrol station by Copos and took the picture above. No idea why, but in all the years we have been here I have never noticed the pet wash next to the car wash!

As we drove down into the Marina we decided that we would go and have lunch at Al-rruz.

We ordered some clams cooked in Sherry and some tomatoes in garlic and oil to start, and then had another excellent fillet steak. Couple of glasses of red wine …… perfect. Juan Carlos then presented me with a cheese flan with a candle in, well I was meant to think it was a candle but it was in fact a fire cracker!!!!

After a very pleasant lunch Sands headed back to see the cats and I headed off to Coco Beach with Juan Carlos for a few drinks:

Very pleasant afternoon spent with Horacio discussing a few joint initiatives, and then it was back to AL-rruz for a few drinks. It was the second evening of their 10€ Taste Of Spain offer and it was good to see John and Diane back as they had enjoyed the meal so much on the Tuesday. Dianne had never tried Paella and thoroughly enjoyed it which is exactly what the evenings are for. Our neighbour Pam was there with a table of seven, and they certainly seemed to be having a good time!!!

Has to be said that by this time the drink was starting to win, but I wasn’t going to accept that and was bouncing around from table to table and restaurant to restaurant - at one point having a glass of Rosada with some friends in the Gourmet. Sands gave up and headed home and I staggered into Mc Gowans to have a last drink with Kris and Emma

Well that was the theory but Guinea was there as well and then in wandered Welsh Howard who I haven’t seen for years!!!

Oh well …… today was a bit of a slow start, and I think I need a siesta now!!!