Battersea to Barcelona

Over the last week I am sure I must have shed enough tears to fill a bath, if we had had one! 
Last weekend whilst Tony was in the UK for his mum's funeral (if that wasn't bad enough) Xali started to appear a little off colour. Over the weekend his condition deteriorated and despite offering him his favourite foods he still wouldn't eat. I feared the worst. Cuddling him Sunday evening my heart started to tear apart. 

On Monday we were the first into the vets. They took some blood for tests and gave him an anti-inflammatory injection, and some special food. The vet suggested that it may be a problem with his kidneys. My ears pricked up at this - it is one of my biggest fears for anyone I hold dear. 

During the day on Monday Xali picked up a bit and fairly wolfed down the tin of special food. He then tucked into his own food like normal. My heart soared as he appeared to be returning to normal.  The vet called later to tell us that the blood tests they had carried out showed he did have a kidney problem and that he was anaemic. suggest that he may have contracted Lashmaniasis and wanted our permission (because it would cost) to send off some of the blood to Barcelona for further testing. No issue there we agreed and Xali seemed to be going from strength to strength. 

For the next two days Xali was OK. Not strong enough to go for his usual walkies but well enough to trot around the house and even steal some of my food. By Wednesday night though he started to falter again. We spoke to the vets and they told us it was not Lasmaniasis, but that I should call in for some pills for his kidneys. I did so and agreed that we would come back the following day (Friday) for another anti-inflammatory injection. 

During the night on Thursday Xali got progressively worse, and by the morning was almost too weak to stand. I was beside myself. I spent the night cuddling him and crying. First thing on Friday I called the vets and we took Xali to see how he was. I already knew in my heart.  We swaddled him in a blanket to take him there. He looked so frail and old, it broke my heart. I could hardly drive for the tears. (And can hardly type now for the same reason). 

The vet told us he had a high temperature and was weak. He told us that he could give him something to bring his temperature down and we could then see how he was after that, but advised that his condition would slowly worsen. Not a great prognosis. again I held the life of one of my babies in my hands. I had already reached a decision on the way to the vets, that if things were bleak I would have to let him go. I would not allow him to suffer more, even though I wanted to keep him with me. I nodded and signed the forms.

Holding Xali tightly, crying and whispering to him how much I loved him and would never let him go the vet administered the final injection. Slowly and without drama he fell asleep in my arms. The vet left us with him for a moment. I wanted to howl, but cried and held him for the last time, before wrapping him in his blanket for his journey. 

Since then there have been so many happy and painful reminders of my little man, and I embrace them all. During his life he made me smile and cry, laugh and shout, so why not now he has passed. IN my dreams he is running in Hilly fields (Brockley, London) with his big sisters, Chasca, Bobbie, Samm and Spike, where they are waiting for me to come play some day.

Xali was a wonderful dog, a part of the TulStig Clan and loved with such depth. He returned that a thousandfold, even when we didn't deserve it. I miss him and will always miss him, but I remember him with so much love. Sometimes I ask myself why I set myself up for such heartbreak, but the reason is clear and heartwarming - the incredible love devotion and pleasure they give us.

From Battersea to Barcelona, the last of our London babies has gone. "Run Xali run." 

The Quest for the Magic Key

On sale now

At  www.lulu.com/spotlight/houseoftulstig 

need I say more - 

get on over there now and get your order in delivered before 24th December

just in time for Christmas

Winner

So yesterday I put the finishing words down for the cousins' second adventure and completed the Nanowrimo challenge for the third year running. I can't begin to tell you how good that feels. I started the month off not knowing where I was going with the story, but day after day the plot fell onto the page from my fingertips, and I loved every minute of it. Just under 52,000 words....

And now I am working on the final proof of 'The Quest for the Magic Key' which will be on public sale next week. 

Anyone wanting a signed copy should let me know and I will arrange to get a copy to you ASAP. There will be more details of this BESTSELLER!! soon...

Thirty thousand plus...

Writing, writing, writing. I am all consumed by it at the moment as I rush past the 30,000 milepost, nearly 33,000 to be more accurate, in the Nanowrimo challenge.  I am loving the journey with the cousins again. We've made some new friends along the way -Taylan is one of my favourites and I think he'll be back if (when) I get to book three. At times I have found this book a little darker than the last adventure - I may have to change some bits before publishing! 

On Friday the proof paperback copy of 'The Quest for the Magic Key' arrived and I've started the proof reading of it- little scribblings in the margins- I'm always amazed at how, after so many edits, that there are still errors now! Ah well. I should have this final proofing done by mid-week when I will be releasing the book for general sale. Janey's already said she may have a book launch party at hers before Christmas, so if anyone wants to get their copy at a special prize before Christmas you'd best let me or her know and we'll ensure your copy is there to pick up. 

Also on Friday 'The Artist's Way' arrived from Amazon and having just briefly dipped into its pages I am enthused and encouraged...

Over Half Way

This month I've been in a writing frenzy, by the 30th I hope to have written my second children's novel- tentatively titled 'The cousins' second adventure'.

So far,  and only day 13, I am over half way as shown in the screen capture of the Nanowrimo site. 

Today I wrote another 1915 words bringing the total to 26,017, and as I left the page the cousins were marooned in the middle of an ocean... but fear not I know what happens next even if they don't ...

Writing

Oh how much I love writing, and how much I love the Nanowrimo challenge each year -it really focuses me and gets my muse flowing freely.

Today I have added 4,095 to this year's effort, and am rushing towards the 20,000 word barrier. And I've even manged to pop up to the Lottie, do some washing, water the garden and cook a roast dinner. Not quite superman, but a happy story-teller. Happy!! 

On Friday I managed to get everything together for 'The Quest for the Magic Key' and it is off at the publishers for a proof copy, which I should get back within the next ten days. Then after a final proof I will be able to release it for general sale. It's been a year of work (on and off) and I am so looking forward to seeing it all come to fruition. 

Getting the right illustrator has been a challenge, but I love Ritu's illustrations, and work for the cover. I was going to post a pic of the cover here, bu have decided to hold out a bit longer. Do you want to see the cover. If so comment below. If I get at least five comments I may just post the cover on here ... what do you think? Do you want to see the cover? am I teasing, well just a bit yes...

November Fair

This weekend has been the annual November Fair in VnG. 

I was working this morning so at 2.00 I met Tony after the end of classes and we had a wander around the stalls. 

Had a quick drinkie at a new place in town (Koppenberg has arrived in VnG)

And ended up having a snack lunch on the seafront in the sunshine- Patatas Bravas 

Before going home and writng a bit more of my Nanowrimo Novel, and a short story for Writey-Ho  but more of my writing endeavours tomorrow..

Molt Bé

As you may already know about a month ago Tony and I (With Sue) started to do Catalan Classes. We thought that as we have decided to make this our permanent home, and have no desire to move back to the UK we would take the plunge and learn the local language. 

Tony took some classes when we first moved here, but these are more intense and we are rushing along with both vocabulary and grammar.

We have always manged to read in Catalan, and generally understand when others speak to us in Catalan, but reply and making use of the language ourselves was pretty non-existent. 

At the end of our last class, on Tuesday we were warned we would be doing a little test on all we have learnt so far. Needless to say, as with most students that word 'test' made us panic a little and we've spent the last couple of days practising verb conjugations and how to say things like the time etc. Telling the time in Catalan is very different - not like any other languages we speak at all. 

Anyway this morning we checked our homework and then were given a blank sheet of paper on which we had to write about our daily routine. Not too bad. Once we had written as much as we needed our papers were collected in. We were then invited to make a large circle and present to the class our daily routine orally, with no papers to help. Golly but when I'm put on the spot like that I find it more difficult to think clearly, especially in a language I hardly know. 

Going through the register one by one everyone spoke about their daily routine.  Just before it was Sue's turn she got a call from the Nursery to go pìck up Lily who was a little distressed - how did she plan that one we wondered?! Tony went before me, and I must say I was proud at how he managed it and was given a 'Molt Bé' mark. He hardly stammered or stuttered at all.

Then it was my turn. Yes, I faltered on a few verbs -interference from my Spanish vocabulary, and made a couple of errors in pronunciation, but at the end I too got a ´Molt Bé' 

So there we have it our Catalan is coming along just fine. 

Back to the land

Popped up the lottie this morning to do a quick bit of watering. ended up being even quicker than I thought as the water wasn't turned on and there was no-one around to ask to turn it on, so I used up the water that was in the pipes and came back home. Sue will go up later to water, otherwise our poor plants will wither and die as the weather's turned warmer again. 

 Banana trees replanted

 Pergola/tent and trees straightened up 

& a bit of watering done

The winds of the last couple of days had taken their toll. The tent/pergola thing had lifted off it's base, luckily it's also secured to the fence. The trees had also blown over- no damage done there, I just uprighted them.

Mike has done a good job in digging out the footings for the water tank, let's hope it turn s up soon so we can get down to some serious planting with plenty of water for healthy plant growth. 

Oh and if anyone knows where we can get some chickens leave me a message or give me a call. Preferably want to rescue some battery hens. 

Three

Today started with the car's ITV (UK MOT) -road test and it passed with no problems -aside from my worrying. I get so stressed that when the mechanic tells me to press the brake I wonder which pedal it is -No joke - I really forget which foot is supposed to go where! 

The only thing they could find at fault was that the registration plates were scratched. (parking in Spain does that for you!)

When I got home I found an e-mail sent by Mikey confirming that he is coming to visit this month. We always look forward to his visits, and as we haven't seen him for a while that's great news. He'll only be here for a couple of nights but in that short time we'll have fun fun fun. 

Then when the post-girl came this afternoon  there was a delightful little packet for me from Michelle in Australia. My very own JOY notebook. As I'm busy writing at the moment and am likely to be hit by an idea anywhere I shall be carrying this around to make notes. 

They say that good things come in threes - well I am the lucky one! 

Lottie

Spent a few hours up at the allotment this morning. While Paul dug the fruit beds out I levelled out the veggie beds and prepared them for planting. 

I'd been to the market yesterday to get some seedlings and got a little carried away... leeks, lettuce (3 types), brocolli- some red and some green, artichokes, peas, broad beans, and celery. Well I thought I'd over-bought until I got them planted early this afternoon, and although they look great they only take up a little of the whole plot that we have.

I also did a test bit of the irrigation system, which won't be up and running until we get our water tank sometime this week. Luckily it rained this evening and more is forecast for tomorrow so the plants should be okay.

This afternoon three banana trees were added to the plot and the footings were dug out for the base of the water deposit which will need to be on stilts to give pressure for the irrigation. The plants were also watered in manually. 

It won't be long before i'm writing about all the wonderful products we've grown. How I love working on the land, contact with the soil and nature. 

Free falling thinking

Morning at the market and a coffee, bumping into friends, chatting. 

Afternoon writing. How I love that as a project started runs away with me. I could hardly stop writing, but don't want to overstretch my muse- or perhaps I'm just a little lazier than we thought. The story really is falling into place and if you want to check out the first scribblings check it out here - A new adventure. 

A bit of work in the garden - love making contact with nature, wherever and however it may be.

A cup of early Grey and some ginger biscuits. waistline disappearing as quick as the biscuits, but hey ho...

Evening- jacket potatoes and homemade coleslaw, yum. As the oven was on decided to throw together some muffins (banana, cranberry and oats). 

ON the telly -Strictly come dancing - Ben Cohen topless- a feast for the eyes. If you don't know who he is (and why?!?!) check his images out on google. 

Heating on - warm cats and cuddly dogs.

Maltesers to snaffle while I type. 

No wonder my jeans are tight these days -just re-read what I wrote -food food food obsession. 

NaNoWriMo

I wasn't sure whether to write about the allotment today or about my writing.. as you can see below 'writing' won out...

Today being November the First the Annual nanowrimo challenge has begun, and today I have started writing the sequel to my children's novel.  At the moment I have written just 1,747 words, above the day's goal and well on my way. I was a bit worried about the story flowing, but so far so good. I had an initial idea and it's growing. I just hope it continues to do so during the month. If you're a follower of my Writey-Ho blog I may just be posting the occasional snippet up there during the month....

Here's how the stats stack up at the moment... (one of my writing buddies has already written over 7000 words!)

Talking of Writey-Ho I have even made time to post a short story up there today too. A bit of a cliff-hanger as usual, but a story that as soon as I started to tap away on the keys virtually wrote itself. I do like the 'tales of the unexpected style of writing' -leaving my readers keen for more.  you can find today's post here:  FRUIT. 

And for those of you patiently waiting on 'The Quest for the magic Key' I can tell you that once I have the cover design back from Alan I shall be sending it for publishing... Hopefully you should be able to get a copy before Christmas. 

No new flat, but a new gym

First of all  - an update on yesterday's flat buying scheme.  The purchase has fallen through as the vendor is not willing to budge on price at all. He says that he has already reduced the price to get a sale and won't discount it any further. as the previous reduction was well before we even viewed the flat it doesn't really have any import on our offer. anyway we are unable to go to the full price, especially considering the current market, and have backed out. Whilst being disappointed we know that there will be another place that we like, and as we are in no hurry we are content for things to take their course...

And now... Yesterday a parcel arrived that we had been waiting on. It was a new cat gym for the boys, all the way from Germany via E-Bay. Their old cat gym was more than a little frayed at the edges and was in need of renewing. Happily it is their favourite scratch place, meaning that they leave the furniture scratch-free. 

Having opened the box and taken out all the pieces it was clear we could just have bought the box the parts came in as the cats immediately decided that it too was a great toy. As the gym  was made in Germany the instructions came in German, with an interesting English translation, and full diagram, which really was not of great help.

However, I managed to fix it all up quite quickly with just one error, and even incorporated some parts of the old gym, the bits the cats used most.

It's already taken a bit of a hammering as they've bounced all over it and scratched (as they should). any bets on how long this one will last? 

Holiday let...

WE put a very cheeky offer in on the flat we like a couple of days ago... Arghhh what on earth are we doing I've been thinking since, as well as excited at the possibility of becoming holiday-let landlords. We are hoping to get our hands on a four bedroomed (two doubles and two singles) ground floor flat in the middle of town- 5 mins form the beach. For anyone who knows VnG it's near where Oganquit used to be. It also had a large terrace/patio and two smaller ones, one off one of the bedrooms and one off the kitchen. Both Tony and I loved it as soon as we saw it.

After I'd put the offer in the estate agent called and asked me to drop in the office for a chat. 'Oh-Oh' I thought too cheeky?!

The living room

I dropped in for a chat and she suggested putting some money on the table to prove we are serious about purchasing. 1000 or 500 euros. This will then reserve the flat so no one else can view it until an offer we make is accepted, or we decline the purchase. At which point the money is returned to us. Is said I'd have to speak to my old man first and get back to her. It all sounded a little dodgy.

kitchen

She also said my offer was a little 'Fuerte' (cheeky). To which I replied we just want to open negotiations. Also pointed out that we have the money in the UK ready to pay up front. NO chain, no mortgage to arrange.. should make our offer more appealing.

terrace/patio

After umming and Ahhing for a while I plucked up the courage to call one of my ex-students- the Notary of Sitges and ask if this was normal practice and to see if she would represent us with the purchase. Shouldn't have wound myself up so much. She was delighted to hear from me and said this was normal practice. She also said she'd be more than happy to represent us, which is great cos she'll really have our backs and as I've taught all her family I know she'll not rip us off.

bathroom

Called the estate agent back and have agreed to drop off the smaller amount of money tomorrow... fingers crossed we can reach a satisfactory negotiation with the current owner...

Fingers crossed everyone please...

Double dig day

Today was pretty much a day dedicated to the Allotment.
I went up there this morning with most of the 'Horta buddies', Tony being the only one missing - he was chained to the kitchen making pumpkin soup for lunch.
We started by getting the block of concrete out of the hole and rested it by the fence -job done (at last)!

Then more digging over, weed and stone removal, before we all headed home for lunch and naps.
This evening we went back for an hour or so with a couple of bottles and a few snacks for an  impromtu get toegther 

and to meet Dani, one of the other horta people who has a rotavator and has agreed to rotovate all our plot for a small fee. Ironic as we'd almost dug it all over already.

We took Cuddy and Xali up with us so Cuddy could have run around and Xali could watch. uddy loved playing in the mud and chasing stones.

 It wont be long before we can start planting now... 

(Back) In the zone

Isn't it funny how sometimes the decision is made for you, and yet all along it was you who made the decision and then the pieces fall into place.

Recently I wasn't enthused with one of my passions - writing - and didn't even make many posts on here, or Writey-Ho. I knew Nanowrimo was coming and thought that this year I might give it a miss, although I kinda fancied the idea. 

Then walking home I had a flash of a story, in fact the start of a story, the first chapter.

Within a day or so Michelle checked on me to see if I was doing Nanowrimo.

Then a friend at school lent me a book - 'The Artist's Way' about creativity and flow. I read the first chapter and felt it was written for me. I've now ordered my own copy to read it all. 

Same friend then said she had a great idea for achildren's book but didn't know where to go with it- Nanowrimo I suggested, and I'm hoping she's going to sign up so we can encourage each otehr.

That day I got a message from another friend who used to live in VnG and was back in town for a few days and wanted to meet up. He too did Nanowrimo last year. We met up and talked books, story-lines and characters. We both love our characters and the way they are so real to us.

That was just what I needed -I am enthused - so much so that today I moved my last effort another step towards publishing. One more illustration from Ritu, a cover from Alan and I'm pretty sure we'll be fit to go...

I'm back in the zone, my muse is chattering for me to write. Nanowrimo here I come, and a sequel to 'The quest for the magic Key' ....

A Dog's life

What an exciting day.

This morning we had meat and biscuits for breakfast. meat and biscuits, meat and biscuits. It was delicious - I love food. I tried to sneak some of the cat's food too but Daddy M was watching me carefully.

Right after breakfast we went for our walkies. Xali's a bit slow these days but that's OK, he's my biggest brother and I love him. There were a few strange clouds in the sky so I was a bit nervous when we first got out on the street, but Daddy M chatted to me all the way up to the park where he let me off the lead and I could run, run run.I love the park, love love love it!

I love the park. Xali wanders around sniffing everything while I bound around 'tigger-like' enjoying the smells and wind rushing past my ears. Sometimes I have to check what Xali's looking at just so I don't miss out on the local news, but often I'm just too busy run run running. When I scratch at the ground Daddy M chases me off and we play a game of chase. Isn't life fun!!

This morning we saw the cat from round the corner so I went a bit mad, but Daddy M held me tight so I couldn't chase. Lucky cat, unlucky me. Still another day I may be able to chase it. 

When we got back indoors Xali had his breakfast and I'd kinda forgotten that I had mine so was a bit disappointed that I didn't get some food too, but it was okay. I did get to lick out Xali's bowl afterwards, even though he hadn't left anything the taste was still there... mmm -- biscuits and meat! I also watched Daddy M have his toast and hoped I might get a crust but he wolfed it all himself, but he did let me sit on the sofa beside him. 

Next Daddy M went out. I didn't quite understand where he was going. I think he's trying to learn the cat language,which is silly co they understand him well enough anyway. Daddy T stayed in bed cos he wasn't feeling well. I took him my rag rope, and rasta man but he wasn't in the mood for playing so I curled up beside him and listened to him and Xali snore.

Later on Daddy T got up and went out too. When he came back with Daddy M they were a bit excited about something.  They'd seen a flat something and they were talking numbers which I didn't get, but I did get a chewy before Daddy T went back to bed and Daddy M used his computer thingy. He's got a sore wrist at the moment. I think it must be all that W stuff he does on the internet. I can't quite remember what it is but he gets really excited and moans now and then, it sounds a bit like walking, or washing... ah now I remember it's writing. He loves writing.

In the afternoon he was talking to the PC thing and a picture of uncle Michael in Düsseldorf talked back. It was kinda funny to watch. Then he said he was going to take me out and picked up my lead so I got a bit excited too.

We went a really long way and bumped into Auntie June on the way.  We also saw some things that were all woolly and smelly, Daddy said they were ships or something, they worried me a bit so I tried to ignore them and their funny old noises. When we stopped, like a hundred miles from home, we were in a place with funny smells, but we found Daddy's car, so we came home in that.

When Daddy T did our dinner- meat and biscuits- I love it - Daddy M went to a thing called work, but first he said he was meeting a Nanowrimo friend. I wonder if that's like a Rasta doll? He came home soon and said he'd had a good time with John and that they'd talked a lot about their writing stuff. Daddy M was very happy. Writing makes him happy. I like it when he's happy.  If that had been me I would have been panting and wagging my tail. Perhaps his tail was wagging in his trousers. He was happy anyway. When he was changing I rolled around on my back on their bed until he tickled my tummy. I love having my tummy tickled- well doesn't everyone? I know Vinci does, and I'm pretty sure Daddy does too! The smell of their dinner was tantalising. It was sausages and stuff, but I only got to smell it.

I've just had a chewy now, and the cats have had some biscuits, so that's the end of the day I guess... I wonder what we'll do tomorrow... maybe we'll get some good food... I love food!

Lots of love to everyone,  

CUDDY

Digging for victory

During the night, last night, we had quite a lot of rain. So as not to miss out on the softening effect of that on the land I trotted off up the lottie this morning to do some digging. after having taken my car into the garage (the passenger side window to be repaired).

Spade over my shoulder I walked round from the house to the lottie where Sue was already in action.

In no time I was in the zone and digging like a man of the land. Jen arrived for a while but her son wasn't well, and threw up, so she left.  Shortly after Sue called it a day as Lily was whinging so I continued alone. 

I got a good bit of digging done and marked out some areas for future attack. 

 This will be where the fruit garden will be. 

 The relax area- pergola already up, just need a few lavender plants and a cover. 

 The veggie beds, some of my digging from today (rectangle bit top right)

and the beautiful sunny sky that I got to work under this morning- leaving me just a tad wet after my exertions.

During the digging Sue said she is having second thoughts about getting chickens. I think I made my thoughts pretty clear when I said 'No chickens and I'm out'. 

And the beat goes on

Things have been as hectic as ever these last few days at Casa TulStig. Here's a quick resume of what I've been up to:

• Teaching every evening, and  every other Saturday. as well as the preparation of classes etc.
• Taking Catalan Classes every Tuesday and Thursday morning. And the usual obligatory homework and additional practice.
• Starting up a new allotment. Sourcing tools, digging and checking out other stuff like irrigation pipes et al.
• Checking out apartments for our new 'rental venture'. We're seeing about half a dozen each week. We've seen some good ones (and some seriously bad ones) and just one we really liked, but it's over our budget, so we're hoping the price will drop, but if not we will keep on and on...

So these are the major things going on, then there are the usual day to day things like shopping, cleaning and stuff. This week I've also got to take the car into the garage as the passenger window has stopped working, fortunately in the closed position. 

So all in all I've not been in a blogging or writing mood so these projects have taken a back seat. Then on the way home tonight words poured into my head... my muse is back and soon I shall be putting pen to paper (fingers to keyboard)....

Oh and I forgot I've also had a bad back again so have been trying to get some downtime when at home... some hope!! 

Sunday on the land

Sunday a day of rest - Not sure what happened here then...

Started off with the final clearing up after yesterday's little do, then had to whizz out to meet Sue and Jordi to see a possible allotment- and happily it's more than possible we've signed up, it's ten minutes walk from home, we're going to get chooks and grow loads of veggies.... much larger than our last one, fenced in, water on site (and a loo) dog guarding (or should have been - liked tummy tickles though), cats running around - and only slightly more expensive than the last one. But I'll save that on petrol in no time! Bit excited to get going. Need to get our hands on a few tools - not usually a problem for me (ahem!)

Back home and quick lunch before Sue and Jordi picked me up to go to the local garden centre. The price of the tools there was exhorbitant so we'll shop around a bit, beg and borrow until we can get our own. Still excited....

Spanish National Day

Yep it was  another holiday here in Spain today, although being in Cataluña it wasn't celebrated a great deal.

We've had a great day though. I spent the morning preparing and cooking for lunch, when we were joined by four of my favourite students. Laura, Guillermo, David & Alberto.

The menu looked something like this:

starters:

Mushroom pate, pea mint & basil pate, cheese provolone

 Endive & blue cheese salad with walnuts.

Main course

Toad in the hole 

roast potatoes, mashed sweet potato 

cauliflower and broccoli in cheese sauce. 

Fried onions with feta cheese

    

Dessert: 

Spotted dick and custard 

Bannoffee pie with banana cream.

  

and I'm pleased to say it was enjoyed by all. Everyone went home feeling quite full!! 

 Alberto kept Cuddy busy for some time playing with her toys and this evening she ahs collapsed on the sofa, so she's happy too.

The washing up and clearing up was a bit of a chore, but means that all our plates and dishes are now sparkling in the cupboards! 

So another fantastic day in VnG at Casa TulStig...

And tomorrow i'¡m off to look at a new allotment. 

Still looking....

Phew, been a bit non-stop today, well it's felt  like that this morning.

After a short walk (Xali wasn't up for it today, possibly because we went so far yesterday) with Xali and Cuddy it was time for Catalan lessons. On the bus on the way into town Tony and I were practising our verbs that we'd been given to learn. There were only four, but we just seem to keep getting them muddled. Knowing we were due a bit of a test on them in class we were both a bit nervous. We needn't have worried, the test was just spoken and was done round the class. I'm amazed how quickly we've bonded as a class already. answers are shared, giggles passed around and we are having a good time as we try to put our newly learned Catalan into practice. 

After class I stopped for a moment on the Rambla for a coffee, whilst Tony popped into the market. During class I had missed some calls from estate agents and possible private students. Before I could do anything about them one of the agents called back telling me she had two propertied for me to view if I could meet her in half an hour or so. I could and I did.

Both of the flats were nice enough, but the first one was too far to the north of town. It was cheap and in fairly good condition and if we were just looking for a nice place to move to (without) animals it would have done fine.The second one was much nicer, a three bedroom ground floor with a small balcony. I have to admit to liking it, but not sure if it's quite right for our needs. The plan is to pass by there over the weekend with Tony to see what he thinks. It was in a quiet residential area not too far from the beach with a nice garden

I am amazed, and told the agent, that the Spanish really don't dress their flats for viewing. Some have looked like the owner has just run out to work leaving detritus everywhere, whilst others really don't smell good- none of the flowers on the table, missing personal items or smell of coffee/baking bread that you'd get back in the UK! 

No sooner had I arrived home than another agent called for another viewing (booked for Monday). 

It's a great time to buy here, with prices reported today as having fallen just over ten percent recently. I've made it known to the agents we've dealt with what we're looking for and that we're ready to sign on the dotted line and pay up as soon as we find something we like. This has made a couple of them more enthusiastic. We're in no hurry and will wait until there is something we really like, so watch this space...