Friday At Juan's

I usually go somewhere for a beer on a Friday evening. I tend only to have one a week, so I like to make the most of it.

For the past couple of weeks, I have favoured my local, the Aldea Bistro, just on the corner by my urbanisation.

But today I met Jacqui at Juan's, her local at PP and subject of far too many blips.

It has been pretty hot theses last weeks and the beach was busy, having filled up with locals after many had returned from their places of work for the weekend.

Juan's is a favourite place for lunch and dinner, the food being plain and simple Spanish fare, but of good quality and very reasonable price.

The infrastructure, for want of a better word, leaves a little to be desired, as you can see some of the roof blew away in the last storm and has not been replaced.

But we love it, as do many many people, and it ill be a terrible shame when the namesake owner pops his clogs, as the future of this traditional Spanish chiringuito will be far from certain.

Juan himself was spotted yesterday, propped in his chair inside. He has been very ill for many months, but he still seems to be hanging on.

Unless, that's a stuffed effigy designed to fool the officials.

In other news, I met with the spinal surgeon at C del S Hospital today. He has advised some pretty major-sounding surgery on my back, involving scaffolding and 6-inch bolts, which he assures me will enable me to walk properly again, without sciatica or sleeping feet.

I shall try to arrange it for next June, as there is a fairly extended recuperation period afterwards.