Mas Juegas

I do think my parents like coming on holiday with us. Even when they are forced to play pass the rooster in a public place. So far it seems the thing that we forgot to bring with us was any toys for Albi so today mom and I found a rather splendid pet shop and rectified the situation. In my defence I was channelling Jackson when I chose the smartly dressed rooster who makes the odd noise. I clearly didn't think it through and failed to foresee the lunchtime game of passing the rooster without making said sound. Still the waitress managed to not mind and served us a very splendid lunch.

Previous to which there had been an early morning outing for me, the mutt and the boy up the aqueduct. Slight drama there as Albi demonstrated her reckless bravado and scaled a pretty sheer rock face in a bound. Jackson valiantly followed as near as he could and I found a gentler way down for her around the corner of the terrace she had climbed.

A dip in the pool and then fridge shopping for me and mom. There is no truer sign of my middle-ageness than how happy this has made me.

Then a long lunch in the main square in the old town. Home for lounging around siesta style. A tad more drama for Albi as she fell off a small wall into some rose bushes which concerned us all but apparently her not a jot. A cooling off session in the pool which arguably ought to be my blip as I'm not sure there will be other days when I indulge the Princess Pup with a ride around the pool on a lilo.

And finally dinner (cerdo provencales and arroz tomate surely sounds better than pork stew and tomato rice) and sitting on the terrace with a drink and a book and various family members milling around. Albi has adapted to Spanish life better than we ever could have hoped - she even has her own step in the swimming pool. And it has been great to be here with my folks. And even better still to remember how much the kids love being here and seeing Jackson outside and active so much and some colour in his cheeks. I reckon if nothing else we have already sorted any remaining Vitamin D issue.

And only one more sleep and Carlos returns to the fold.

Lesley x