Yesterday we said farewell to Chris and Maria, after spending the day with them in Gran Alacant and Santa Pola. Lunch at Zest, a trip along the old coast road and drinks with Tony and Joan from the Leprachaun. In the evening we popped to Rogers for a few pints and had a lovely meal in the GA Centre!

It was fantastic seeing family in Spain before we leave this beautiful country; it's just a pity we wont see friends and relatives here again. Having said that, our door is always open in Australia, despite the distance.

We will be seeing these two and other members of the family at the end of May, until then we wait with anticipation.....

Cousin Chris and his wife Maria arrived in Gran Alacant from the UK yesterday. They are staying in Sierra Mar, on a fleeting visit, before we both depart for Australia. I haven't seen my Cousin for about 30 years; a long time by anyone's standards, Despite the years that have passed, it was good to sit down and chat after so long.

What does one talk about after so many years apart, well family of course, what else! I haven't heard much about my kinfolk at all in recent times, so it was good to catch up on how everyone is. Happily they are well, though Christopher's Mother, my Great Aunty Ronnie, sadly passed away this Friday; sad news from back home.

I met Chris and Maria at Zest, a hundred yards from their apartment; we spent the afternoon talking about old times growing up as kids and the success and failures of what at one stage, was the biggest family in Hampshire. It was good to hear, that all my Cousins, Aunts and Uncles are enjoying the success of their labours; even though the same can't be said of me. I have never really been a master of anything, battling and struggling most of my life. Having said that I am still with the person I love, after 23 years; that is all the success I need!

Chris and Maria are here for another three days and I will try and spend as much time with them that I can. I am working tonight at LoungeD, but along with Darrell hope to spend the day with them both tomorrow. We do have a lot to catch up on and very little time to do it. The reality is, I am unlikely to see family again for many years, if ever. This is my last chance to interact with all those who are important and make up for lost time!

Christopher is returning home on Saturday morning, so Darrell and I decided to take him out for the day yesterday. Once again the weather was fantastic, so we hopped in the car and drove to Alicante; a city Chris hasn't seen before.

We had a walk around the rather compact city centre, showing Chris the sites; the marina, castle and beach. We sat outside a local cafe bar and had a few pints, overlooking the sea. It was hot and the beer was ice cold, but expensive. I certainly wont be going back there again. In Gran Alacant, I pay 2€ for a large beer; at this beach side destination, 4.50€; astronomical by Spanish standards, even with the free scraps of Crisps in a bowl. These were British prices, something I am not used to paying, so being presented with a bill for 27€ was rather shocking.

Next it was a stopover at McDonald's on the promenade, for a quick lunch, before moving back to Gran Alacant, for drinks at Roger's. Suitably watered, we headed towards home and the GA Centre, where we had a few drinks at Barloko, followed by an Indian; sat chatting with Paul and Natalie. It was a lovely relaxed evening. The fog was thick on the way home, as the temperature dipped to a rather chilly 8 degrees. Finally through the door I collapsed on the sofa, headphones on, listening to a bit of cheesy pop before bed!

So Chris is returning to the UK, after his three week stay. I know he has relished his time in Gran Alacant and enjoyed meeting everyone here. He hopes to return again in a few months, at which time it should be far busier. It is rather quiet at the moment, so we look forward to welcoming him again in the spring! Both Darrell and I have enjoyed having Chris stay with us, despite the expense. Have a safe trip, see you soon!

It was another hot day in Gran Alacant. Darrell and I were up early today; I wanted to get a few hours walking under my belt, as part of my new healthy lifestyle. We must have walked about an hour an a half in total, down to Carabassi, stopping off  at Molly Malones for a fresh orange juice, half way along. When I got home my blood pressure had fallen to a far more healthy 127/81; slightly higher than it should be, but far lower than what it has been.

To be honest I'm not sure what I made today; Lemon Chicken with capers; a dash of white wine, served with noodles. It's the first time I've had capers and I actually quite liked them; salty with a taste of mustard. Tomorrow, a trip to Alicante, before Chris returns to Britain on Friday!

It was a quick pitstop at Mercadona on the way home, to buy some healthy ingredients, making my own diet meals for the freezer, containing my five a day. There is no point doing exercise, if you continue eating rubbish!

It was a quick trip to Dialprix this morning,  to get ingredients for a goulash I was making. Chris popped along with me, mesmerised by the array of English products on Offer. I have to say, Dialprix is perfect for all those British essentials, hard to get elsewhere. He found a few things, he hasn't seen before as well; namely the 'Brocolli Flower,' in the photo above. So it`s been an old fashioned day of cooking for me, as Darrell slept after his night shift. I've got three days off, so can't think of anything better to do; that and writing, of course!

Cooked a roast last night; despite Chris only being here for a while, it's been good to cook for someone else other than  Darrell and myself. When Chris lived with us ten years ago, I was always looking after his culinary needs; best of all he actually quite likes my cooking!

We were talking last night about various different aspects of life, both Christopher's and ours and I was surprised to hear, Chris is nearly 30 years old now. I think myself and Darrell met Chris in his teens, so we have known him nearly 13 years. Time really does fly so fast, the older you get.

Despite moving to Spain, I am lucky to have so many amazing friends, back home in Southampton; people that visit often, Just like Chris. Yesterday, I crossed off another week on the calendar, as someone else booked to stay with us in June. I am happy that we receive so many guests; they still offer that link to home, which is important for me, living my life as an Expat in Spain! If you fancy a visit, just drop me a line; don't be a stranger!