Our travels on Thursday turned out to be a bit of an adventure. Found out that our Garmin does not like the curvey roads or round a bouts.  Got lost several times, did not help that the roads signs have been changed and the numbers are now different than on most maps. Jill (the voice on our Garmin) had quite a time, recalculating!!!  she sent us down some pretty narrow streets, had to even pull in the mirrors.  SO thankful we did not met another car!   We forgot to take our phone :)  Lucky did not need it. But still a fun day, the landscape changes so much from desert to olive, orange groves.... tons of rock terraces.  We went over one hill and saw an "ocean" of  greenhouses.  Locals call it the sea of plastics.  Where vegetables are grown for the rest of Europe.   There are several granite quarries in this area and some Windmill farms.

We had Hadyn and Kristy over for supper Friday night, yep made it till 9 to eat.  Cooking was quite an adventure.  The Lasagna noodles are like the size of postcards and I separated them to cook, well they all stuck together.  Ter asked the lady at the  grocery store for sausage by saying oink or moo.  The sausage was very bland so added some Chorizo.  Had to us my dictionary for spices.  Looked one up and the translation said - " I don't give a damn. I did not use that one.  Did find Albahaca (basil) Perejil (parsley) , garlic and oregano.   The stove turns off when timer not set, the readings on the stove say. Carne/pescado, pizza, gratin Eco or gratin.  We found out pizza setting not enough and crane too much.  Had a house full of smoke when guest arrived.  Small oven and only one rack a challenge when cooking lasagna, garlic bread and apple crisp.  But dinner a success and had a great time.  Taught Hadyn and Kristy how to play Mexican train dominoes.  Wow Hadyn is a ringer, and competitive.  (Dee, he really is but in a a real fun way as he blocks you).  They brought us some paprika peppers, told us how to cook them in Olive oil and they turn into chips.   Kristy told us they grew so many she uses them as drapes in her house. They invited us to watch their daughter do flamenco dancing next week.

Walking about the villages on Saturday morning ran into Betsy and Warren and they invited us in for coffee.   They just bought a house here in January and Hadyn has just finished remodeling it. Nice three story home with a terrace on top overlooking the city.  They are a really interesting couple, really living their dream.  Their next book comes out on the 23rd, hoping to get a copy. Warren said they are now writing one about Lubrin and are scheduled for a book tour,12 cities across Europe.  Going to talk about romantic cities, and couples in those cities. They are making a living, loving what they are doing and it shows in the joy you feel when around them..

Our newest guest arrived last evening. We we'll have only 5 days with no guest till we leave.  Pretty will booked!  

Just tried to order wood, he did not speak English.  Do not know if got it ordered or not?  

Sending a hug, especially to Vail,Stella ,Ruby,Wyatt,Mamie  and Winnie!!!  Love you!  Mima and Pipa

Off for another adventure today, been a busy week around here.  Guys came on Monday to take out the bottom of the pool, redo the cement and tile to fix a leak.   Water is scarce and expensive here.  We had a pump failure for the water booster pump and  had John call the plumber twice.  When it goes off no water.  Happened 5 times the other day when we had guest here.  Terry has since put in a bypass valve so you can still get water just not as much pressure.    We walked a round town the other day, I am always amazed how quiet and sleepy this town appears.  Probably 80% of the window shade/coverings are always closed.  I asked a real estate agent about this, and she said half the houses are empty, families do not want to sell.  They have moved to other areas for jobs, but come back for holidays and fiestas.  Even during weekdays you see less than 20 people in town.   Yesterday I took a break sat down soaking in the warm sun, on a secluded terrace, since it was a very windy day, and very crisp wind.  I am reading a book recommended by Hyden, called Driving on Lemons.  It is about a couple who bought an old cortijo(farm) here 15 years ago and wrote about their experience.  really applies to today and the young couples we have met here.   The other day we went in search of some steel wool, luckily we are able to type it in google translate and they can read it in Spanish, the talking aspect of google translate not so accurate.  Okay may be our pronunciation.  On our last outing I forgot to mention our stop at a second hand store run by gypsies. Hugh place but not so cheap.   Bought a picture frame and Ter bargained successfully.   Still enjoying my weekly knitting circle, there were 22 ladies this week.  It is amazing the quality of things they are knitting, I look pretty pathetic but they are all so supportive. :). We are having Hyden, Kristy and their daughter Isabelle over for supper tomorrow night   At 9 Pm, hope Ter and I can last that long, we find ourselves pretty sleepy by then, guess a siesta is in store.  Saturday will be getting our next guest and then two more couple Wednesday.  We got a great review from our first guest and John was really pleased.  They posted it on responsible travel.com where they had booked this place.   Terry has been busy on small jobs, and I have been "grooming" the garden.  Ter also made me a walking stick which really helps up and down the hills, silly knee is still having some swelling.   Meg the sheep dog is adorable, Ter walks her every day. Sammy is another matter, love attention and buts you in the face to get it.  She determines wether she wants in or not a night, either way she wakes you up about 3 am with her meow sounds like Hell-woah... Till you get up and let her in or out.  Will get some more pictures post soon.   Adios for now. Sending hugs!

Been a couple of days, we went to Bedar on Thursday, loved the drive.  I kept saying WOW and Ter said he was going to start charging $5 everytime I said it.  The view from the mountains to the Mediterranean is amazing.  Wish I had Keith's camera and skills.  The pictures I try to take do not do justice.  Mojacar is a village of whitewashed houses on the hillside, very stunning.  Driving on to Bedar you are in the mountains and there are many scattered beautiful homes each appears to be sitting on their own hilltop.  We had a fun day exploring.  Our first guest are delightful to visit with, they are from New Yorkshire, England and own a bed and breakfast.  David runs marathons and had just completed one in Barcelona.  Their web site is jelleylegs.co.uk.   Damaris is a nurse and also first cousin to John Kerry.   They left this morning, hope to keep in touch.  They asked us if we would like to housesit for them, would be fun!( sorry hit underline key on this small keyboard and can not figure out how to get rid of it)    Looks like we have 6 more bookings , next couple coming on Saturday.  Ter met a young family that moved here 6 months ago.His wife took a two year sabbatical from her job, he is hoping to make a living here gardening, been doing a lot of trimming on olive trees.  Their 6 year old son  (Marshal)hiked with Ter up to the moors outpost.  Which as been restored and is now a clock tower.  Twice a day ti shows the correct time:)   We found out Warren and Betsy have a web site . Married with Luggage, it tells all about them and the books they have published.  Went to town yesterday to take trash and do a few errands.  Parking is so limited Ter parked illegal and left me in car with flashers on.  Luckily there is only one policeman in town and he just walked by.  Gasoline here costs not quite $8 a gallon.  Marhal is on a soccer team, guess it has been several years since they have had enough children to have one here in Lubrin, so a bit behind the curve. Their record is 0 wins, 20 loses, 1 tie.   We walked to town tonight for supper and found out they do not even start serving till 7, it was only 6.   Francis an Irish neighbor invited Ter to a bar tonight to watch football (soccer) suppose to be the Super Bowl of soccer Starts at 9 pm, need to adjust to these hours, we still get up early and have not really gotten into the siesta lifestyle.  Town does pretty much close down from 2-5 everyday.  Off to church at 12:30 then Paella with friends on the plaza.   Adios  for now

Sunday went to church, an absolutely beautiful old church that is in the middle of town and stands tall above everything else.  Will try and get some pictures of the inside. Very few young people in church, mostly older generations, though a good attendance.  They say the size of the church indicates the wealth of the community or use to.  This beautiful church is in need of repair.  Went with three friends from UK.  Ter met us at the plaza afterwards for Paella.   Very tasty but shrimp a bit stringy not like we get in Puerto Vallarta! Sat around most of the afternoon visiting.  Monday working around the place, tidying up things... Tuesday it was off to meet the girls at a different restaurant for knitting.  So okay I have casted on and now know one stitch , several roles made for my scarf but hey they are a few holes.  Even our expert knitter Pam could not figure out.  Looks like I may start again. Early evening our guest arrived from New Yorkshire, England.  They came to do a bit of hiking, so we gave them a tour and got them settled.  Then I was off to Bunco.  Went at 8 and home at 11:30  pm, what fun!  These  Brits are quite spunky and  have quite the quirky sense of humor.  Today we went to town, met several friends and stayed for tapas and beer. Thought I was getting a fish tapa but turned out to be a very rubbery squid, Ter tried black pudding (sausage) not a fan. Easy to waste a day away here.  Weather is getting warmer and a siesta in the sun feels heavenly.  Tomorrow may venture out to explore some surrounding towns.  Will keep you posted

Been getting things ship shape here.  Cleaned two apartments ,some rearranging and a bit of decorating :)  Getting ready for guest (with a t) on Tuesday.  Ter refers to John affectionately as Mr. Magoo,  you love him but how he does things is amazing.  The chain on the chain saw was backwards...   We saw a whole herd of goats on the hill about a 1/2 mile a way, Ter yelled  Hola!  and the shepherd waved.   We went for wine  and tapas tonight ran into Hayden so he joined us.  Hayden is 37, he was born in England, moved to the US at 10, he is married to a nurse from Louisiana, they have lived here for  6 years.  the nicest young man, been helping Ter out with tools and how things work here,  he does odd jobs.  Even was a shepherd for 9 months, amazing young man.   Christy his wife does home health nursing for a lady from the UK.  They have a daughter Isabella that it 4.    Employment is always a concern here,the unemployment rate is over 26% Went to town earlier today for groceries and did great, the lady that owns the store gave us an English/Spanish dictionary, very helpful.  Everyone  is really friendlly. A bit colder  here than expected and no central heat, lots of fires, shutters closed as soon as it starts cooling down and we are talking BIG water bottles to bed!  Eating too much but sure enjoying it,off to church tomorrow and then to plaza for Paella.   Will post again in a few days, time is going fast

Monday was busy getting all the information we needed to take care of this place and the guess.  For those of you who do not know we are housesitting  at a farmhouse over 150 years old. The bottom has two apartments and there is a cottage that are rented out.  Our first guess will be coming next Tuesday so gives us a bit of time to get our feet on the ground.  After "orientation". John and Mair took us to town and introduced us to several people and then we went for beer and tapas. Tapas can be almost anything from pork,chicken, chips vegetables ....  Seems like there are always scrumptious. We all went out to dinner over on the coast on the Mediterranean.  A fabulous restaurant, family owned and operated.   We had a three course meal, wine included all for 10 euros each ($15). The drive was mostly olive groves.     Went to my first knitting lesson yesterday morning, met 7 more woman from the UK.  Some towns around have almost 50% population from UK.  Lubrin has less that 10%. The population of Lubrin is 500.  John and Mair left for their holiday yesterday afternoon.

We had our first incident, Ter working on the lawn mower, plugged in an extension cord and half the power in all units was gone.  He has learned some nuances about the electrical workings in Spain.  Ter says the  tool situation is minimal so getting things done is a challenge.  Went to town today to "market" streets loaded with vendors, fruits, veggies, bread, meats , clothes.  Went to  a hardware store to get a rasp, actually were able to get our request understood but no rasps.  Luckily or (as the Brits say we were Jammy)  we ran in to Hayden one of the Young Americans we met and he had the tools Ter needed.  A bit cold and rainy today so the fire is going.

Time to catch up, been a very busy few days and not much sleep :)  Plane ride was good except Ter did not have TV.   I watched 3 movies.   In Madrid at 7 a.m. then bus to train station, and finding hostel by using the Garmin.
We were able to check in early at 11 so got a few hours sleep before a bit of  site seeing  and tapas. Were going to play it safe at Burger King but tapas and wine was the right call.  Meet three girls from states.  Ter  is enjoying people watching (short skirts) 

Early train ride, beautiful country, olive groves,wheat fields, mountains and desert.  6 hour train ride, very relaxing.  John met us and we made a short stop at the market then an hour drive to Lubrin.   Mair had a delicious supper prepared and we enjoyed an evening of getting to know each other.

Slept in till 8:30 which is late for us.  Took a walk to check out the village. Very pictureques!  Very quiet, it does not come to life till around noon when people get out to go to church  for 12:30 service.  It is a big beautiful catholic church sits in the center of town  Was told later that most people gather at the plaza after church for Paella.  

Mair and John had about 20 friends over to meet us, mostly from the UK though two young couples from the USA. Really enjoyed visiting with them.  Was invited to a knitting circle, bunco party and a few homes.  Mair and John are fantastic host.   Tomorrow we will be shown "the ropes" around here to be able to take care of things while they are gone. 
 Will  be taking care  their adorable sheep dog - Megan and cat  - Sammy

Ready to blow!

Made it!  Had to stand on suitcase but all packed for carry on no checking.  So 6 pair of pants,14 tops, 4 pairs of shoes PJ's , two jackets, a vest, make up, curling iron. and standing mirror ...  YA!
Supper at Granny's, couple of errands this afternoon  Anxious to get on the plane and on our way. Ter says he is thinking of checking my suitcase in case it blows it will be in cargo :)

One more day, getting excited:)  learning my Spanish !  Checklist complete

Countdown

Countdown is on... Just got a call from John and Mair  in Spain.   First time actually talked with them and they are very friendly and so thoughtful.  Planning supper the night we get there and a lunch to meet friends the next day.  Sounds like there are a few Americans that live in the area, which will make things a lot easier.  Looking forward to meeting them in person.  More later...

As we start a new adventure we thought we would create this blog to share our experience with family and friends.  Most of you know we love to travel and experience new places, meet new people.  Our latest adventure is a house sit in Spain in a small village in the south of Spain. We will be there for 9 weeks so will really get to experience the culture.   We only speak minimal Spanish and the village people only speak minimal English so should be interesting.   As our blog name implies  we have a lot to learn.  Though as most know Terry has never met a stranger.  We just have a few days left before our journey starts so the fun of packing, as we have decided to just do carry on. Will be flying into Madrid, stay at a hostel there, then on a 6 hour train ride the next day. Will keep you posted and send pictures as able.  Adios T&G