Annie takes the lead in Little Robin Red Breast!

Fri 17 Dec 2010, Runnymede College Madrid.  Annie played Little Robin Red Breast in the school Christmas production.

Comares, Andalucia

The small town of Comares is perched on top of a mountain in Andalucia 2500 feet above sea level.  The views are stunning but not for those scared of heights.  An old lady dragged us into her house, still in her dressing gown, to buy her homemade wares... mountain honey, juicy sultanas, figs and almonds. The fruit is dried on frames which line the surrounding villages. Even on a relaxing holiday, we managed to explore and go shopping!

El Cortijo, Andalucia 4-8 Dec

This was one of the most relaxing places in which we have ever stayed.  El Cortijo was a beautiful finca in the mountains of La Axarquia, restored by Robin & Linda over the last 15 years and stunningly decorated. We headed south to Andalucia for the last public holiday of the year (the Saint's days are often public holidays here).  We were within a short drive of the Costa Tropical/Del Sol and Torre del Mar, where the temperature was still 24C in the sun.  At night, we were very cosy and the wood burner kept us warm as the night-time temperatures drops dramatically.






El Cortijo was about a mile from the road and after one stormy night, a 4x4 would have been better than the Touran on the un-metalled olive grove tracks! Although the pictures do not show it very well, there were oranges, lemons and pomegranates growing all around. We also discovered some very good Spanish Rioja that cost 18€ for a case of 12 bottles!!




If you ever get the chance of a cheap flight to Malaga and want a genuinely relaxing holiday, here is the link.  Thanks Robin & Linda for a fantastic holiday.

http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/Spain/Costa-del-Sol-Malaga/holiday-farmhouse-Riogordo/p53779.htm

Javea, Costa Blanca 30 Oct-1 Nov & 5-9 Nov

With the best bits of the Costa Blanca within a 4.5 hour drive and as the Spanish had two "bank holiday" weekends, we took an apartment in Javea in exchange for a week at the Hayloft.  The weather was mixed, ranging from hot to windy, but we spent 2 or 3 days on the beach and enjoyed snorkling in the Med. The girls 'trick or treated' around the sea-front bars on Halloween and we had a much-needed Brit-experience of shopping in Iceland, eating toasted teacakes and stocking up on books at the charity shops (I haven't seen one in Madrid!).

Crumpets and English tea - very Costa Blanca

And as ever, the seafood was excellent, even with a gap in your front teeth (Annie)!

Visit to Ferrol, Spanish Naval Port

Chris spent a week visiting various Spanish military units including the Naval Port of Ferrol, the Naval School and the aircraft carrier, Juan Carlos I. It was launched on 30 Sep 2010 and cost a fraction of the price that the next generation of British ships will cost.  It may not be the most advanced war fighting vessel but it is a very impressive platform for a wide variety of operations with lifts large enough for Chinook and Harrier, cargo decks for vehicles and tanks, a dock at the rear for 2 - 4 landing craft and an office suite for the headquarters of an embarked force.  The Spanish have got something very right with this investment in the current financial and political climate.  Furthermore, it has been constructed in Spain and with its very favourable price I dare say there will be export opportunities!

Finally, it was a sunny week in Galicia and the seafood was just as good as its reputation!

Guernica, Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid

Having read a book earlier in the year about the Guernica atrocity and Picasso's painting, we had really wanted to see his work in the flesh.  This picture of the girls in a crowded gallery does not do justice to the scale of the painting and this and accompanying sketches were well worth seeing. There are lots of Picassos, Miros and other great Spanish art here.

Cuenca 8-9 Oct 10 with Mark & Julie

Carrie's brother, Mark and his wife Julie came to stay for a week in early October. We visited Cuenca, another World Heritage Site within Castilla-La Mancha to the east of Madrid, reachable with within two hours by car.
It is an extraordinary place, enclosed on three sides by deep gorges with balconied houses hanging over the cliff top. Our hotel was one of them - La Posada San Jose and was a historic building next to the cathedral.

The view of one of the gorges from our balcony. Cuenca is a haven for artists attracted by the views and light. The girls took their sketch books with them.

The footbridge across the river was a little precarious. The picture does not do justice to the height! Uncle Mark is filming whilst Aunty Julie braves a look over the parapet at the 100ft plus drop. 

Miraflores de la Sierra with Grandparents

First Day at Runnymede 2 Sep

The first day of school was great!!!Well, some parts.I soon made lot's of nice new friends from both the classes of year 7.The first playtime I had at Runnymede was really embarrassing.... My friend Rosie and I went to the school loos.The only thing we didn't check was how the locks worked.I pulled on the door and found I was stuck.I called Rosie and she was stuck too. I thought I would miss the whole school day stuck in the loos.We started banging on the doors , and luckily the science prep lady, Julia , found a screwdriver and managed to get us out!I was so relieved!The rest of the day was normal, but by the end of the day I had 50 million books to carry home! 
            Charlotte x 

La Fuente - Fuente del Fresno

Annie & Hayley by Fuente's fuente!

What can happen when you follow a SATNAV

There I was, minding my own business, following the SATNAV to Siguenza when we encountered upon some roads that where not yet made.  I am used to the SATNAV not knowing about new roads and taking one along old routes but this is the first time that I have ended up on a roundabout still under construction.  Worse still, Paula & Nigel were following us in our Polo!

Siguenza with Paula & Nigel, Lauren & Hayley

Paula and Nigel, Lauren and Hayley came to visit for 10 days in August. We visited Siguenza, 120km northeast of Madrid. Many of its buildings are medieval but signs of bullet holes from the Civil War opened up another fascinating era of history. We walked up to the castle which is now a parador hotel. It was also the weekend of the Festival of San Roque so there was a funfair and lots of bullfighting posters everywhere.

The Collingwoods visit, El Parque Retiro

Charlotte & Annie, Lauren & Hayley, Niall & Niamh in the Parque Retiro, Madrid 14 Aug 2010.  The smiles came after the photo when we visited the Ice Cream shop.  Where were the ladies?  The Art Galleries.  Where were the Dads? Taking the photo and buying the Ice Cream!

Madrid with the Coward Family Aug 2010

Chinchon - 4 Aug 2010

Chinchon - a fantastic little place!  I first heard of it when Johnny Tamlin asked me to bring him a bottle of "Chinchon" back from Spain in April.  I had never drunk it until this visit.  It is a sort of anise and very moorish.  Infact, I have not drunk much of it since partaking of a few glass a little later in August with Chris Collingwood and Nigel Coward!  The aperitif aside, Chinchon is definitely worth a visit!

Avila

The walled city of Avila

29th Jul, we visited Avila and walked around the Roman Walls

Charlotte's 11th Birthday in Segovia

For Charlotte's 11th birthday, we had dinner in Sergovia with Grandpa Henry and Grandma Joan.

Segovia 28 Jul 10 - Charlotte's Birthday

The cathedral in the Plaza Mayor, Segovia - one of Spain's many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  The aqueduct, the main attraction, is amazing and is still standing after 2000 years despite being 'dry stone'.