John's visit, also known as wow we can relax!

He's landed!

John was due to arrive on Saturday June 2nd at Almeria Airport and was staying until the 5th as he had to take the time off for the Queen's Jubilee so he'd booked a flight to come out and deliver personally the things we had ordered plus some housewarming presents. 

Stuart checking the board!

We took the opportunity to go to Carrefour before his plane landed to buy some more things that we needed like an iron, an ironing board and some Blu ray discs as we wanted to see something in true HD and we also got a 3D one as well to test that side out too!


We got the airport in good time and were waiting to meet him when his plane landed. He had flown in from East Midlands Airport and the flight was on time.


I have known John since about 1982 and he is my best friend. He has a lovely personality and wouldn't do anyone any harm. I am so glad all these years later we are still as close friends as back then! 


We drove him back to Bedar via Mojácar Playa and a tapas lunch at our favourite cafe down on the seafront. Once we'd had our fill we came up to the house and it got the same reaction from John as when we first arrived here. He was in awe of the views, loved the house and said he couldn't wait to get out in the pool and into the sun!


I had elected to make Chili that night for us to eat so set about doing some preparation for that while John set about unpacking the stuff he had brought us and his small amount of clothes he'd need while here! John fully intended to take advantage of the sun and came packed accordingly - i.e. next to nothing!


Sunday we had breakfast then set off for Villaricos for John to see the  - now expanded for summer  - street market. Stuart and John bought various items there and we as usual stocked up on fruit and vegetables. After Villaricos we drove to Garrucha for lunch at El Almejero a well respected Fish restaurant there. Garrucha has a good fishing industry and these places serve the fresh catch of the day to eager diners! Even though the fish doesn't have far to travel it isn't a cheap meal and the service there is excellent also to go with it! We had Anchovies cooked like whitebait and some excellent locally caught red gambas (shrimp) to start. This was accompanied by bread with alioli - a beautiful locally made whipped mayonnaise with garlic that you smear on the crusty bread - beautiful! For main course Stuart and I went for John Dory and John had (I think!) Hake, it looked very nice anyway!


We headed back to the house for sun and the pool and to play with some pool flotation toys that John bought. For the first time this weekend since we got in the house we actually stopped and enjoyed the place for what it is, a lovely home and we all ended up in the pool at one time or another too! The temperature in the pool was at about 22.5C so it was initially a bit of shock going in but lovely once you did! 


Monday we had more time in the sun and the pool plus we took John up into Bedar for lunch and to see the amazing views and it's charming architecture. We ate in the Miramar where we'd been before and it was beautiful looking out over the valley towards the Playa beyond. We came back again for more time at the house so John could relax and Stuart prepared one of his specialties Garlic Shrimp pasta for dinner.

His arrival, he peeked through!

Bag collected he came out into the arrivals hall.

Myself and John in our favourite tapas place down on the playa

Bottom left of the bed is John's stuff, the rest was ours!

John got in the pool first!

closely followed by me, I "fell" in mind you!

I misjudged the step and it was a Candid Camera moment!

Saturday evening, enjoying the chili I made!

Stuart & John at Villaricos open air market

In El Almejero enjoying lunch

Stuart toasting in El Almejero

John, mid course break in El Almejero

I was designated driver and was only on water!

The pool lit up at night before John got in!

Stuart's first pool outing!

Fun with pool toys!

More fun with pool toys!

At the deepest end of the pool, about 6 foot deep.

The boys next to the miners memorial in Bedar.

Myself & John in Bedar.

A panorama showing the view from Bedar, the boys moved!

Fun in the pool!

Tuesday we did very little so John could get some more sun in before he flew back in the evening. He was flying at 9pm back to the UK so we set off after an early meal about 6 to get him there on time. We again took the opportunity to visit Carrefour to get yet more stuff we realised we needed! John loved being here and while he was here he checked and found some cheap flights for next month. So he is here again July 7th to 10th and will again bring out some things we'd like bringing from the UK!