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While his wife, Rita, is in Germany recuperating from a bad dose of Covid-19 and awaiting an operation, our contributor Paul Whitelock thinks back to happier and more relaxed times. He originally wrote this piece in September 2009…
Last Sunday of the month
WOKE at 4 in need of a wee and a refreshing cuppa.
Tiptoed to the study and wrote up a news story for the Olive Press, a local English-language newspaper for which I freelance.
Slipped back into bed, but too hot to sleep properly, so got up again at 6, had another wee, another cuppa and sent some emails.
Mixed my vitamin ‘shake’ and downed it in one before sliding back into bed at 7 for a doze and some gentle loving as the sun rose from behind the mountains and welcomed us to this new day by casting a soft and warm light into our room.
Both up for good at 8.30. More tea for me, with milk (well, I am English!) Up again and fed Cleo, our new kitten.
A leisurely breakfast on the terrace, but it was already getting too hot.
Time to go out to the newsagents in the next village to get the latest 1€ DVD sold with SUR, the Sunday paper.
Then it’s on to the monthly craft market at a nearby hotel, Hotel Molino del Puente, to meet with friends and do a bit of networking. Also bought a superb Afro-Cuban CD, before heading back home for a late lunchtime beer in my favourite Spanish bar, owned and run by the football-mad Armando. A couple of beers plus a super chat about the latest controversial football match. Also had a tapa de caballa – mackerel – for just 20 cents!
Back to the house where the missus was trying on clothes trying to decide what to wear to our lunch date. Gave the right advice (phew!) and then we were off. Her car, roof down, and a beautiful drive past fields of sunflowers to visit Eva and Manfred, our German friends, at their delightful finca on the hill up towards Acinipo, the site of the Roman ruins of Old Ronda.
We ate straightaway (were we late? Well, they are German!). We dined inside, in the cool of their huge open plan lounge, dining room and kitchen. Very delicious and very welcome (we’d not eaten since breakfast eight hours earlier – except for my mackerel tapa, of course!
Then it was time for coffee and cakes on the shaded terrace and a swim in the pool.
Finally, it was back home through the rocky scenery of the Puerto de Montejaque as twilight began to draw a busy, tiring, but wonderful day to a close. Just like most days, really. Cleo was pleased to see us – she was hungry – before we settled for an early-ish night and dreams of Monday and what new delights might be in store in the coming week …
30 September 2009
