Another difficult day

I was falling asleep when I wrote my blog last night - Kevin had already crashed out. Too much fun at the campsite restaurant with Ken and his guitar (aided by the free grappa). But sleep was cruelly disturbed some hours later by some VERY LOUD house music. In my sleep-befuddled state, I first thought the campsite party had really gone up a gear. But then I realised it was more likely to be Javea's nightclub, sadly very local. And these locals, they know how to party - it didn't shut down until 4am (I am getting old, that used to be me...) But we all arose cheerful, if not fully rested, and set about another day of enjoying ourselves. 

The sun was shining; Dad went on a croissant run; Kevin and I had a civilised breakfast outside while Jemima kept the grandparents busy; and then it was off to the beach again. Pretty much like yesterday, but slightly cloudier, and with more of a game called 'catch the fish' for Jemima and Granny - we could hear squeals of laughter and cries of 'more!'; and Kevin and I (especially I), slightly more competent with the bat and ball. Lunch on the boardwalk, and a rest: for Kevin some peaceful sunbathing on the beach; and for everyone else, a lie down back at the ranch. Then a gender split: the rugby World Cup final for the boys; and bubbles at the van then shopping for dinner for the girls. And another lovely evening, tapas and salads, this time hosted by the grandparents in the bungalow, with Jemima in her proper Halloween outfit. It's hard to see how you could get tired of this life. (Although another night of Javea's youth living it up until the small hours is going to wear a little thin...)

A peaceful morning:

Catch the fish:

Drinking ice cream:

Bubbles on the boardwalk:

Jemima not sure about her Halloween treat:

Still in Javea:

Beach - boogie

A certain sign that I've been in the sun: freckles appear on my knees. And driving back from the beach today (three generations of Siddall women in the back of the Fiat Doplo Kevin has rented for a few days), my skin had that lovely, tight, sun-scorched feeling. We had a fabulous beach day: beautiful weather, sandcastles and games, sunbathing, reading books, ice cream, swimming in the glorious clear sea, and LOTS of playing on the slide. We managed to set up camp in close proximity to sun, shade, the play park, the sea, and our lunch restaurant (Mexican/Asian, much nicer than it sounds), and between 10am and 4pm we bounced between these. Kevin and I even played bat and ball (for the first time ever) - it was a proper beach day.

Then back to camp and the big event: Ken Waters and his six string guitar in the campsite restaurant (preceded by champagne in the motorhome, courtesy of the grandparents). Pizza, chocolate cake, and then we all danced - Kevin and I; mum and dad; me and mum, Jemima with everyone - a great evening. And a great end to a lovely day. Thank you grandparents.

A little walk:

Beach fun:

With Jemima: 

After she'd changed her mind:

Kevin had a little drive:

Campsite fun (with Jemima in her pre-Halloween outfit):

Still in Javea:

Visitors!

"I want to see Granny and Grandpa" said Jemima this morning. So do we, Jemima - Mummy and Daddy are looking forward to a break. Living in very close quarters with a toddler, full-time - even one as generally delightful as Jemima - is definitely full-on. Still, we had a good morning: Kevin went for a bike ride to scope the lay of the land, while Jemima and I danced to a Tumble Tots CD, with lummy sticks and beanbags - something I've wanted to do all trip, but have needed the right weather (and the time and patience) to get round to.

Then it was as lovely to see Granny and Grandpa as we had all thought: wonderful to see these loved ones; and fun to see such familiar faces in our new context - Jemima was disbelieving, then joyful. And Kevin and I thoroughly enjoyed a peaceful afternoon (it's amazing how much you can love your child after you haven't seen them for 2 hours). 

Then off to Arenal beach, and the promenade lined with restaurants. We were lucky, and dinner was good - and right opposite the play park, to where Granny and Jemima periodically disappeared. After all the excitement (and an earlier refusal to nap), Jemima was asleep before I'd finished brushing her teeth. With the prospect of a few days on part-time duty, I feel equally shattered and will follow her very shortly. Hurrah for grandparents.

Playing outside after lunch:

The visitors:

Tea, book, peace:

"Oh, what a beautiful morning!"

"Oh, what a beautiful day!" This is why we came south. Light blue sky, dark blue sea. Fields of orange trees, some scruffy, others in rigid ranks with their heavy boughs propped up. Bright pink and purple bougainvillea. Tall grasses waving fluffy golden tops. Jagged mountains with little white houses clustered on the side. And best of all, warm sun. Blissful.

We made a swift departure this morning, hoping to get to our next stop while the sun was still shining. The usual crowd appeared to assist with getting off the pitch - I'm not sure how helpful this is, especially in numbers; but such was the ease of our exit that our one English neighbour commented Kevin could drive for a living. (He was very chuffed.) He managed a similarly fuss-free arrival on our new pitch: a smaller campsite on the edge of Javea Old Town, surrounded by orange groves and the enormous bulge of Mount Montgo - very pretty. We are here for five nights, our longest stay yet, as my parents arrive tomorrow for a long weekend (they've rented a wooden bungalow on site so we're all camping together, for the first time since I was five). So we've moved in properly: chosen a pitch with the sun in mind; unloaded the carpet and camping equipment; and even put together Jemima's mini-trampoline. I'll be buying a gnome next. Fingers crossed the sunshine lasts.

A quick morning trip to the play parque:

Settling into our new home:

Trampoline joy:

Said garden gnome (on the table - it lit up at night and everything):

We only went past Sam, but we thought of you!:

Torre de la Sal to Javea:

Two accordions and a harmonica

A domestic day. I did the washing; Jemima played; Kevin got his hair cut. We had the €10 lunch - then just as I was putting Jemima down for her nap, we heard some rather beautiful, but very loud, music. After giving up on the nap (it was pretty late anyway), we went outside to investigate. And it turned out to be our neighbours playing German folk music on an accordion and harmonica (with an amplifier, hence the volume). Jemima was fascinated, so we pulled up our chairs. The audience swelled; the accordions doubled; and Jemima danced and clapped. When we eventually left for a sunset bike ride, she was sent on her way by a phalanx of waves and calls of "auf weidersehn!"

We rode into the main town, past the empty tower blocks, a surprisingly pretty route on a boardwalk along the beach. Kevin and I agreed it was one of the weirdest places we've been - vibrant ceramic-tiled benches and well-tended flower displays on deserted streets; lots of Christmas-like street lights, only half of them lit; fake grottoes with fake classical statues under archways; and strangest of all, a shopping centre entirely clad in world monuments - the Kremlin, the Taj Mahal, and Big Ben and Tower Bridge among them. Back at home, the party was still continuing next door - although given Jemima's bedtime, thankfully now minus the music.

Playing:

Dancing:

The town:

If you look closely, you can see the Taj Mahal on the left...:

Still in Torre de la Sal: