Just looked out the window as you do and saw the most amazing sunset. Particularly liked the colours and the way the clouds were forming a ‘Manhattan Skyline’ with the sea. The silhouette of the boat crossing the horizon was an added bonus!

Didn’t have time to do anything other than grab the Nikon snap a couple of Pics on Auto with the standard lens and then swap over to the Telephoto lens before the moment had passed. Plus Moreno was with me and demanding attention…..

On Saturday we had breakfast at La Barbera which is fast becoming one of our favourite places to have breakfast ( 4 cups of coffee, a bottle of water and 2 Jamon y Tomato tostadas for 7€) as it is nice to get out of the square, watch the sea, and be surrounded by the chatter of the locals. We had a few things to discuss with Paco:

Just completed the first stage of revamping the ways in which we show the photos on the blog. In addition to the Flickr account which holds a huge number of photos, there are now specific Photo Galleries in the sidebar. These show a ever increasing selection of our favourite photos whether they be personal, family the cats, Almerimar or specific events like the Euro 2008 final. These Galleries will grow both in terms of number and number of photos per gallery over time.

Finally got round to having the new tires fitted on the Jeep this morning. 570€ from Neumaticos Moya in El Ejido. They are at the top of the main street, so best way to find them is to head down the ‘motorway’ one junction and then come into the high street (right at second roundabout). They are about 50 yards on the right. They did a great job that took about an hour.

Neumaticos Moya

It is a little chilly here in Almerimar today, not least because there is a fair amount of snow up on the mountains and with the strong wind blowing in from the West it is carrying the chill of the snow over Almerimar.

Thought I would point you in the direction of Mac’s Site so you can see his pictures and thoughts on Almerimar. I will post a summary when he has finished.

Just received this from Mac who is starting to go through the photos of his trip. It was taken from the balcony through my study window.

I have just uploaded all my unedited photos to Flickr and will post the edited ones in a number of specific posts over the next couple of weeks.

Yesterday I was taking some photos and video for The Long Way Round and we stopped off as usual in Ujicar for lunch. Only it wasn’t ‘as usual’ as they were in the middle of a fiesta to celebrate Ntra. Sra. del Martirio, who seems to be yet another Virgin that they go potty over! And have a huge Paella as you can see.

Yesterday I went down to take some photographs and video of the Junior Beach Football for Inés and Juan Carlos as Jaunmi (son of Jaun Carlos) was playing. Things didn’t go so well …….

Yesterday we spent a very interesting, pleasant and eventful day in the mountains with our friends Lorenzo and Luisa.

Lorenzo’s farther set up and runs an amazing winery that specialises in environmentally friendly wines called Barranco Oscuro. Lorenzo is following very successfully in his father’s footsteps, as they continue to produce very interesting wines indeed.

Sandra wrote yesterday about the schedule for the last night of celebration for Virgen del Carmen and last night we went down to participate.

Is there no end to our daring or creativity in bringing you the latest news from Almerimar!!! Not content with bringing you frequently updated news on the haulage strike in Almerimar and across Europe we have again braved the wrath of the Mercadona who last November banned told us we couldn’t shoot video in the store, and have sneaked some under cover photos of the effect that the strike is having on the store. Would love to tell you how we did it, but we can’t blow our cover!

This house has no windows!!! That alone is weird strange but when you consider it backs onto the golf course and would have a great view it seems even stranger!

I have been fascinated by this property for years, but more so recently as I have realised just how few people actually are aware of it, yet pass it every day, week, month etc. It seems a great example of us assuming we have seen something rather than actually looking.

This is the view from the turning circle at the top of our street, outside the apartment. I was struck with how blue both the sea and the sky where on Sunday when I was walking out to the Jeep.

Summer is here for sure!!!! Sometimes it is easy to forget just how beautiful Almerimar can be - when you get a view that doesn’t involve cranes, greenhouses or roadworks that is!!!

Chris and Maria have asked me to thank everyone that went to Kris’s birthday party for making it such a great event. Their are some pictures on their new Flickr! account if you want to head over and take a look.

One to scare the children with - should probably come with a health warning!!!!

If you want to download a full size copy of the picture then you can here or if you want me to arrange for a printed version let me know.

First up thanks to Roberto for the organisation and opportunity to participate in the tournament. It was really well organised, and very well supported. Without doubt we had the largest support and the most vocal (and I have little doubt contributed more to the bar than any other set of supporters as well) but for glamour and enthusiasm top marks go to Argentina. Thanks to everyone that came out to watch, jeer, heckle and support - it was all great fun.