Life in 2016

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In January we spent 2 days with John plus Meryl in Moraira and Denia, where they were staying

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The welcoming hosts pose for the refugees from the English winter . Then down to Moraira and the obligatory photo, then a walk towards Portet
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before lunching in DGust. The next day a return visit by us to them in Denia. And Es Tapa Ti was a really good spot for lunch there - excellent food

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The following week we tried Le Dauphin at Portet for the first time in a couple of years- still underimpressed by the service: food fine but nothing special: views still fantastic!

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At the end of the month we had lunch with Anne & Michael at DGust

& the Yucca was eventually cut down on the urbanisation - my how David would like to resign from being president !

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Then off to Cambodia & Laos on February 8th

At the start of April we were on the first RyanAir flight of the year to Malta, staying overnight at Mas Duc again. We had major problems with the water in the flat there, and I had a fall to remember! walking back from Bridge one day. Hazel and Ed joined us there for the last five days.

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We showed them the view from our roof and had a very pleasant time in Medina, visiting the Faisan museum

We returned to Moraira and I immersed myself in Testament of Youth and Testament of Experience, 2 books written by Vera Brittain, an ex Somervillian - presents from Hazel

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A few scenes from the urbanization- , palm & cactus cutting & stupid statues arrived outside next door!. Jane and Ed came for a
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barbecue with us, and then we went down to Carol's & Paul's for another barbecue

 

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A match up the Vallees between the Vallees and JSBSC
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Maria came for a barbecue after we had been to a barbecue cooking demonstration/lunch along the Calpe road

At the end of May we flew to Amsterdam and joined the M S Treasures for a wondrous cruise across Europe, North Sea to Black Sea

We were only just back when the Brits shot themself in the foot and voted to withdraw from the EU- Brexit

Joanna came out to stay for 5 days in July: she did not have much energy but we managed a trip to Vespa's and to Ca Pepe, plus lots of Scrabble games

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Then a barbecue at Mike's & Jackie's- Anne & Michael also there.

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Start of August saw us driving north to Rioja, and then to the Bordeaux region on our way to Gaynor's & Vic's, then back via Arantzazu.

And a week later we had 6 days in Ireland, driven by the necessity of obtaining an Iranian Visa.

September 3rd saw us going to Valencia to meet genealogy contact Laura Stanley, plus husband Colin. Once home we saw their ship cruising by on its way to Malaga!

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, & then September 5th brought devastating fires to Javea, alongside a Girls' Lunch in Lunge Mare .

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Maria, Anne & Trish enjoying a pizza as the seaplanes were scooping up water to drop on the fires. Views from our balcony during the Monday afternoon.

Then on September 12th we set off on our longest holiday ever: The Silk Road: China to Turkey with a Wild Frontiers group

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and received mugs to prove it

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Margaret came to stay soon after our return . Lunch at D'Gust and at Vespa's. And a generally relaxing time- post Brexit! Even a swim in the pool!

Then Christmas festivities at both JBC and up at the Vallees Bridge Club

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At JBC singles Tournament . Petra. . . . . . . Rosa, Mary & John . Pat with the raffle . . . . . Reika, Greta, Percy & Ruth. . . .Bill Fearon, Mieke & Peter

 

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El Cids for the Vallees Christmas lunch. Chris & partner Bill . Bill, sister Liz, Brenda & Barry
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Sylvia, Brenda & Marion. . .Barry with his addiction- mince pies. . . .Friendly waitress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brenda

And finally, on December 16th we spent the night in Valencia, having dinner with Manuela and others from the Oxford & Cambridge Society there,

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Rain thwarted our afternoon stroll, but lots of Christmas trees in the hotel and in the market
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where seven of us had a Japanese meal

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An award winning card from Joanna

The following morning, after finding a lovely cafe for breakfast, we flew from Valencia- three cheers for Mr O'Leary - to Malta, where we spent a very pleasant Christmas up to December 27th, when disaster struck!

Photos received from Friends.

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Joanna & Daryl celebrating Joanna's birthday. . . Old schoolfriend Jenny. . . . . Photos of Jo's sponsored San Salvadorian girl, Rossio
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Manuelita in Iran . . . .Hannah and baby Lewis, born ~ Dec 13th . . . . . . Jo in her flat and with Daryl over Christmas

Life in 2017

Chris Grant