Nicky & Sophie & Martha headed off back to the UK, leaving Jules with us for a few extra bonus days, as George & Mark Sydenham arrived to join us.
Which gave rise to the 'Birdgate' incident – as we were sitting by the pool this little yellow bird (which turned out to be an escaped Yellow Mosaic Canary) first sat in the bush next to us as we were on the villa sunbed. Then made its way onto George's shoulder..
And then onto me – making its little scratchy way up my legs (charmingly nibbling at the hairs as it sauntered up), then up my tummy
and then right into MY FACE!!! EEEEEKKKKKKK. Hitchcock's The Birds moment, waaaay too close….
To get over it, we headed off for – surprise surprise – a sherry tasting, accompanied by 'chocos', the local cuttlefish snack. Nice to go back to Sanlucar de Barrameda where we stayed 5 years ago for a month.
And different to see the town in May rather than Jan/Feb as per our last visit – still fond memories of our stay there too.
Then an unexpected text landed, from chums Mark & Charlie. Who for some reason were coming to Marbella for a long weekend, and invited us to come and join them for lunch. George & Syds kindly offered to look after Maddie for the day so we drove 2 hours east to the rather noncy Marbella Club to find the boys. Me feeling particularly stylish in my one pair of not-flipflops or trainers shoes – having visited the Chinese supermarket in Chiclana the previous morning to buy glue to stick the soles back together!
Joined them for the mega Sunday 'buffet' – O M G, that word certainly doesn't do justice to the humungous amount of delicious, fresh prawns, fabulous salads and meat cooked before you – cue a large amount of ''cigales' (BBQ langoustines) and tiny mouthwatering lamb chops, among the mountain of other fab bits of nosh.
Think we went up about 10 times to make absolutely sure we'd had the lot…
Got back home to find an unusual visitor on our doorstep – not seen a hedgehog since I had one in the Stroud Road garden about 25 years ago!!
Another lovely week here in Spain – just one more to go… x