Ramblings in Retirement
January 2010

Well what an unpleasant month for weather, Across Europe there have been storms, snow and rain. Here on the Costa Blanca we were perhaps fortunate not to have snow (only a dusting on the mountains behind us) but high winds and rain.

The Agents we employed to let our house in Gildersome, have found suitable tenants who wanted to rent the property for 6 months so, as of January 7th they have taken occupancy. At last we have ceased paying Council Tax, Utility standing orders, Phone and TV and have a little cash coming in to supplement our pension. I hope they enjoy their stay (indeed I hope they want to stay longer than 6 months).

We have taken a gamble on our proposed holiday to India in March. When I contacted the Visa people they told me that they would not post back our passports to Spain so we have had to go about it in a somewhat roundabout way. We completed the visa application forms, put them (and the passports) in an envelope to the appropriate address, Then attached a cheque for our son Stephen so he could purchase a Postal Order and Special Delivery Envelope (addressed to me at his address) before dispatching the package. We then had to make final payment on our holiday, so we have sweaty palms while awaiting the return of the Passports, visa stamped.

I have at last managed to use my new golf trolley, it doesn't unfortunately improve my ability in playing but at least I don't have to drag it around when instead I can “pose” allowing the trolley to go on ahead of me. We had only one game with the society this month (the first was rained off) and we played at a course on the outskirts of Alicante. I came third in my division despite a bit of a blip in the middle of my game so, not too worried.

Bonalba Winners January

This year we decided to have another Burns Supper evening and I invited my regular gold buddies and their wives to join us. I had requested that each must wear something tartan however the result was not as good a show as we have seen before so I made some adjustments using a bit of digital imagery which I think is an improvement.

Penny

Rob

Ann (wife of Eric)

Eric

Gill (wife of Mike)

Mike

Angel (partner of Brian)

Brian

During the meal we had organised that each couple told a joke (which I had prepared for them) in their best Scottish accent, it did not work too well as they could not understand some of the words, henceforth the punch-line in many cases fell flat. I probably will not invite six Sassernachs at one time ever again! (Penny of course is an honorary Scot) Nevertheless, the food went down well and the haggis in particular was excellent (imported from Scotland) with yours truly giving the address and stabbing the beast before serving.

Great news arrived on Friday 29th, Stephen has received our passports and visas for our holiday to India and has sent the on to us. Now all that remains is the vaccinations and organizing flight to the UK and back.

We’ve ended the month with blue skies and sunshine albeit cold (10-16 degrees) and the forecast for the 1st week of Feb is for more of the same, let’s hope it continues.

Here are some beautiful photos of our area on the Costa Blanca


That's all for this month.

Ramblings in Retirement
December 2009

Having been bragging as to how we were enjoying a very warm November, I must have incurred the wrath of the gods, on Sunday 13th the heavens opened and it rained hard and persistently for 2 days. We frequently had our electricity cut off and the garage once again was flooded to a depth of 6”. The temperature has dropped considerably and the prospect for the next few days is “more to come”! My neighbour must be a bit of a geek, he told me that he has a device for measuring rainfall and he said we had 10”!!

Penny bought me an electric golf trolley which was dispatched from the UK, the trolley arrived quite promptly however the battery got lost en-transit! It took some chasing up and the battery arrived exactly 1 month from the date dispatched. On returning from a round of golf on the 10th of December where we had really good weather, the battery had arrived. Unfortunately every booking we have had since then has been called off due to the rain and, as a result, I have not had the opportunity to use the new trolley apart from buzzing round the garage with it!!


Amongst other things I bought Penny and exercise bike (which she did not take as an insult but rather in the spirit in which it was intended). As Penny has angina, I thought it would be useful for her to get exercise during the winter months without going out in inclement weather. To help alleviate the tedium of just peddling, I got her an Ipod Shuffle but getting tunes downloaded is not as simple. Although we have has some success, it is a bit of a drag.


Our lift has been out of action for a few months due to the rain we had in September, it appears that a piece on the micro-switch had burned out. I'm pleased to say that after a couple of trips and a good repair job we now have the lift back in working order. I have asked the technician for a solution to ensure the cabin does not descend when we have a power cut and also to raise the finish level a few inches. Whilst this will give a very slight step it ensures that the cabin will never go to the base where it can be submerged in water and thereby ruin the cut-off sensors. He also advised that when heavy rain falls we should disconnect the battery and open the door to the lift in the garage.

On Christmas Day we awoke late to a beautiful blue sky and 18 degrees of sunshine. We had a lovely breakfast (eggs Benedict) then set off to Denia for a walk along the promenade then as the sky clouded over, we returned home.

View of Golf Course from Naya Xmas Day 09

View out to sea from Naya Xmas Day 09



In the evening, we went to our favourite restaurant where we had booked for a special Christmas Menu.
Marinated Salmon with Salmon Caviar
Quail Consommé
Lobster Thermidor
Sorbet Eau de Vie
Venison Medallions
Dessert Selection
Although somewhat extravagant, and pricey, it was delicious and only the long delay between courses spoiled the occasion.

Our annual showing of video clips by my group of enthusiasts to the general audience of the computer club went very well and thoroughly enjoyed. Alas, my own submission was corrupted and did not play. At least it was mine and not one of the others. It would seem that the memory stick has been corrupted and I have lost all the video clips now. This is a good lesson not to pull the stick out of the computer without using the safety feature!!

On New Years Eve we did our usual, a nice meal together at home followed by a bottle of champagne on the naya watching the firework display along the coastline.

We wish you all a prosperous and happy new year.