My friend has returned.

All summer I have been looking for the praying mantis, I knew he was around as some of my plants had been chewed to bits. Today I found him, our gardners had taken away two large yucca plants from my garden as they had grown too big.I was hosing down the patio and I sprayed some water onto the lavender plant and out he popped, very wet, he made his way onto the conifer hedge, dried out in the sun, then slowly walked to his little hidey hole.

Busy day today, gym, meeting with my administrator, argument with my german vice president, drive to Benidorm to book a couple of nights in a 4* hotel and a visit to the Benidorm Palace, fantastic Las vegas style show and a meal all for 44 euros. My Mum is coming over on the 11th and we try to go away for a couple of days whilst she is here, takes some of the strain away. Left Benidorm went to Alicante, had some lunch, did some shopping then drove to Torreveija to a British owned shop (looking for curtains and new bed linen) only to find them shut, they keep English hours!!! Home and a nice cup of tea. Will treat Roy to a meal out tonight as he has done all the driving.