Spain, week five, day one

Saturday May 24th 2008

Hacienda, Villamartin, Spain

So our first week at the hacienda ends with Kate managing to get away for her earlier-than-expected flight first thing. I have really enjoyed sharing the last week with Kate. She is really beginning to blossom as a mum-to-be, even if, at times, it still feels such a big change to her. Her yoga practice was really excellent. She has done a lot of fitness related stuff in the past and it really showed through her strong and straight back. We are definitely hoping to stay in touch and find out how it all works out over the year.

Elle and I went to Jerez this morning in two missions. Firstly to see if there was a hypermarket there and then to try and track down the small bar where the prospective mother-in-law to Ellie's brother works. The hypermarket was pretty easy to find in the end - a Carrefour just as we entered the city. Ellie and I had a short trip round picking up most the the things that we are missing more locally. Ellie also bought herself a few items to take home.

Our plan for finding the bar consisted only of the name (Estella) and rough location (near the Hotel Jerez). We found the hotel easily enough and after one or two other stops for directions, we finally managed to find the bar and, as luck would have it, Ellie's friend was there. Moreover the barmaid spoke English so they were able to communicate to some degree. For Ellie, this was one of those memorable experiences that are so important in life. To make the effort to visit, even though we don't know the location - the delight for each other of the meeting. All very good. And I managed a beer and a plate of potatoes, chorizo and pepper!

A nice drive back as well as we talked about how the week had gone

Back to the hacienda and enough sun to make it worth while sitting by the pool. Quite a lot of cloud still though and a bit breezy. But Ellie was determined to sit out some more. I had a chat with Linda. She and Emma have had a good few days together (including seeing Indiana Jones which I would really like to see) and Emma is returning to college tomorrow.

Then a couple of calls from our guest, Fiona, who has been delayed and is having problems with her hire car. We had hoped to maybe have one more yoga class today - Ellie has become a huge fan of yoga and has really made some great leaps in form over the 10 classes we have had. But in the end we don't quite manage it. Elle has to pack for her journey home tomorrow. I am really hoping she might be able to come out for a few days next week as well.

Fiona arrives just after 7:00. She is an Australian girl though lives prety much permanently in London now and she seems full of life. She has just quit her job and is really excited about what she might do next. She has been in Seville for the last few days and will be going to Cordoba after her visit with us. And she hopes to do quite a bit of sight seeing as well. We have a nice first meal together - Ellie's last for this visit due to her early start tomorrow.

She has also arrived with a huge pile of books and is clearly an avid reader. She has a root through the boxes of books we have with us and selects nine books from our collection to have a look at while she is here. We stay up quite late talking about books and various other things. I already think Fiona will be really fun to be with this week.