The weather continued to be nice for quite a while.  We explored a bit more – going for a long walk with Mick and Magdalena around the once abandoned village of Acebuchal, up in the hills.  We then found the waterfall about a 30 minute walk from our apartment.  The wardrobe doors were eventually finished and the single beds installed, ready for Jean and Barry’s visit.  Sunday we caught up with Dan’s former colleague Alistair, which involved another visit to the Brazilian bbq.  Followers of the Rancho grill will be shocked to learn that Dan has now replaced it with the electric frying pan and lid to grant greater flexibility to terrace based cooking!

Jean and Barry arrived on Monday 12th and we whiled away the time pottering around Nerja, including a visit to the market, a paella on the beach and a tapas night out.  We also visit Almunecar for a wander around and some shopping.  On Thursday we all drove over to Coin to stay with Ian and Diane for the night so that we were nearer to the airport to drop Jean and Barry off on Friday.  This was all planned before the volcanic eruption in Iceland and the subsequent airtravel chaos.  Jean and Barry’ flight back was cancelled so they managed to rebook the 2 remaning seats on the Ryanair flight to Bournemouth on Monday 19th .  Today – Saturday 17th, the Monday flight has been cancelled as well, so they have now managed to rebook for Friday 23rd April – their 5 day visit will have lasted 11!  They are still in Coin with Ian and Diane, but will transfer back to Nerja on Monday – it’s called ‘share a friend’!  Today was also very stormy, with torrential rain and thunder and lightning – it was like some horror film in which various evil forces contrive to isolate 6 friends in a mountain retreat – very spooky!

We caught up with Antonia and Adrian and their daughter, Susana, who live in Fuengirola.  Antonia lived with us for a year in 1984-5 when she was the language assistant at Borden and Maidstone Grammar.  It was lovely to see them again.

I have also been remiss in updating everyone on Ben’s condition.  We’re really please to report that his colitis is now in remission and that he has regained his pre-illness weight and fitness and is leading a normal life, which is fantastic.

Dan is working hard on his tapas tours idea, designing posters and handouts of useful bar phrases.  Hopefully by the next blog there will have been some customers, although all the good intentions stated in the last blog have not yet come to fruition – oh well, there’s always ‘manana’!