Life goes on

So we're nearly 5 weeks into life in Ronda and we've been rather lazy lately.  In all honesty, we did have a spell of pretty rubbish weather and it actually SNOWED here last week!  Carmen informed Pete that it doesn't snow in Ronda, but this year it did, just for us.

You can't really see it very well, but I assure you, it was there!

Thankfully, it didn't last too long and soon turned back to rain.  The rain persisted for a few days, during which time, between walking Powell and general day to day upkeep, Pete climbed walls (figuratively speaking!), I read books and we both listened to lots of BBC Radio 2!  We particularly like Liza Tarbuck on a Saturday night - eclectic music and bizarre musings galore!

A break in the weather later last week offered us the opportunity to go out without getting soaked and freezing, so we made the most of the good weather and went for our first meal out since arriving here.  We happened to end up in just about the only place in Ronda that doesn't offer a menu del dia.  What we should have done on hearing this, was up sticks and go to somewhere else, but being so very British and far too polite, we stayed put!  I decided, after looking at the hefty price tags on the menu, that we wouldn't have a starter and went straight for a main course.  Despite looking a little disappointed by my revelation (I think he'd already chosen one), Pete followed suit and also went straight for the main, much to the visible irritation of the waiter, who was obviously hoping that as I'd asked for the menu del dia, we'd be after the full 3 courses.

Two mains (lamb for me and fish for Pete), accompanied by french fries and a baked tomato each, two beers and two wines, came to a grand total of 65 euros.  The food was tasty enough, if it had been part of a 10 euro menu del dia, I'd have been more than happy, but I must admit we felt a teensy bit ripped off.  Powell was happy enough with the food though; as we were sitting outside, he joined us and lay under the table, waiting patiently for the treats that did ensue once we'd finished!  We later found out from Carmen, that it's pretty much one of the most expensive places in town because of it's location and is very much over priced.  You'd think we'd have learned by now to ask a local for recommendations BEFORE going out to eat, but it was very much an impromptu decision.  At least if we go out again round here, we now have the names of a couple of cheaper places to eat!

As we were on a spending roll, we bought two dinner plates to add to our Spanish crockery collection.  Pete, despite my successful scissor cutting of his hair in early January, decided that we needed to buy some clippers for efficiency.  Then on our way back to the campsite, a handbag caught my eye and it would have been criminal (in my mind!) not to buy it.

Needless to say, next week we will be taking serious austerity measures...

Well after a few days of sunshine, the rain came back with a vengeance yesterday.  I was woken at stupid o'clock this morning to howling wind, rain and 'berries' from the tree above us dropping onto our roof as the wind blew them off the tree! I say 'berries' as I'm not entirely sure what type of tree it is, but they're berry looking, but hard enough to make a considerable noise when they drop onto an aluminium roof!

Pete's wrist movement is getting better every day.  Although it'll be a while before he has full 'pre break' motion, he's managing to do a lot more from day to day.  He even managed to ride his bike a couple of days ago!  Before anyone starts panicking, we went together, he was on the road, rode half a mile to the shop and was going VERY slowly!  He would have done it anyway even if I'd said he shouldn't, being the stubborn sod that he is!  He's unable to lift or pull things but is getting to grips with most day to day tasks now; so much so that he has decided that we're moving on before his hospital appointment.  He's in danger of sending me loopy if we don't move on soon so I'm inclined to agree.  We're going to go down to the coast and the warmer weather as soon as the last couple of parcels arrive, then we'll pop back to Ronda for his appointment before we head to Seville and onward to Portugal.

For now, it's on with daily life and hoping that we get better weather again soon!  We said farewell to Carmen today as she is now on a well deserved two month holiday from work.  We bought her a bottle of wine to enjoy at home, the least we could do as she's been fantastic.  We hope it's not the last we hear from her; we have given her our blog details and hope that she keeps in touch.

Now I'm off to listen to Liza Tarbuck (when the internet stops messing about!) and make something tasty for supper...maybe a glass of wine too...