michelleinspain: June 2006

update

I'm slowly settling in to my new home. I've made friends with a couple of the women at work (Vanessa and Montse) and we've started going to the cinema and stuff together-we watch the films in Spanish, unfortunately, because there isn't a cinema here that shows films in original version and I can't be bothered to go to Barcelona alone. If a film is good I can always watch it on DVD in English later. We went to see the DaVinci Code a few weeks ago and Vanessa took this photo of me and a very big and very dishy Johnny Depp. Let's hope the new films are as good as the first one.
I'll be popping back to the UK in September, but only for a couple of days to go to the Lakes for Pla's birthday, I'll be flying back to Spain on the 25th with my mum and Dave, who'll be here for the rest of that week. Stuart's coming in August, so I've booked my holidays for then. I need to think about Christmas-I'm not sure I'll be able to come back as Sara and I are planning a girl's road holiday here for Easter-let's hope it doesn't turn into a Thelma and Louise type trip!!!!!
I went for a buzz in a helicopter again last Friday-I went and forgot my camera again!!!! We flew down to Reus, near Tarragona, and then up the coast as far as Sitges, more or less, before having to move inland to avoid Barcelona.We were in the air for about 2 hours-it costs about 500€ for 1/2 an hour if you have to pay-it's a pretty cool perk!!!!! We can't fly too near the city due to all the commercial traffic. I'm getting quite a taste for the helicopter-I don't feel ,as sick as I do sometimes in the light planes. I'll try and remember to take my camera next time.
Apart from all that-the last puppy went last Saturday to live with an elderly lady in the village, so maybe I'll see him around when I go back to visit. Gabi has to have a liver transplant-but he doesn't know when yet-keep your fingers crossed for him. I'll look after the animals while he's in hospital.
More to come when something interesting happens!!!!!!!

A quiet weekend

On Sunday there was a little music in the street festival in Sabadell, I went down and spent the day in the park sunbathing and watching a few local bands. There was a group who did Ramones and Green Day covers, a few who did their own songs-many in English, Rumba, electronic, rock etc. There was also a Castellers gathering, there is a photo on the right. They make the smallest kids climb to the top-scary stuff.
The park here is quite pretty-there's a boating lake with ducks and swans-I tried to feed them, but the carp seemed to be hungrier.

There's a type of waterfall that you can sit under and get spray blown at you by the wind-rather pleasant on a hot summer's day.

I got a bit of a wet bum sat on the grass so decided to go for a walk to let it dry off a bit and discovered a couple of palm trees inhabited by parokeets and other exotic birds. You may just be able to make them out on the photo. There were loads of them making a real racket as they got ready for bed.

Well here are Pippy's pups all grow up and ready to go. I arrived home yesterday and it was such a lovely surprise to see them again. I've been playing with them non-stop as Gabi isn't one for giving animals a lot of attention and they need to get used to people. Now they come running when they hear my voice. This one is a little shyer-Ray keeps giving him what for.

They are soooo fat and cuddly

Here they are bonding with Ron.

Mega cute and all tired out after playing.

The latest visit

I went to Masquefa on Friday and took a load more photos of my "nietos". It was really difficult to leave them on Saturday as it could be the last time I see them. it's a good job I'm not there all the time and they get cuter every day, and more playful. They recognise my voice and come looking for me when I call them....

Some more photos of the belly dance group.

Here we are from left to right-Eva, Alexandra, Lola, Raquel, Mireia, Ruth, Me, Amelia, Lucia, Aurora and Anna.

Another of Aurora and me. I'm sorry but for some reason it's uploaded it twice and won't let me get rid of one of them-never mind as we look fabulous it's worth seeing it twice!!!!!!!

The babies aren't so little anymore

Here are a few photos of Pippy's pups-they are getting bigger every day and they are mega cute. They'll probably be going in the next couple of weeks. I'm trying very hard not to get too close to them-probably a good job I'm not living there anymore!!!!!

Rob and Ryn came to town

First thing this morning I dropped my "baby" brother and Ryn off at the station after their flying visit to Spain. They were in Malaga for a wedding and then popped up to BCN to see me. They arrived on Sunday evening and we went out for dinner. On Monday they did the tourist bit-Gaudi etc. and last night we went to a club to watch one of my students play the drums with his blues band-they were excellent and we got in for free and had free drinks!!!!! Thanks a lot Aldo it was really good of you. Rob was in his element talking drums and stuff, and I've got a great place to take visitors now. Although the visit was short it was great to see them both and get a chance to get to know Ryn a bit better.

Here's a photo of the two of them in Luz de Gas.

Last night we had our belly dance end of year show, this is me just before I went out. our costumes were all hand made-I must thank Yaya Ascension-Rogelia's mother-in-law for making the sleeves and skirt-the bra and belt are my own work. I'm sick of the sight of sequins!!! It was a cold night so there weren't too many people and a vodka and 2 glasses of cava got rid of my stage fright. Once I receive the photos from the other girls I'll post a full group photo.