Lotto Logic

Generally, Ed buys our Euromillions lottery ticket on a Wednesday or Thursday.

However, last week, he was in town on Tuesday, so called in to the lottery shop. Unfortunately, the machine wan't working, so no ticket, but, never mind. On Wednesday, he returned. Ticket machine still not working. On Thursday, he returned yet again - machine still not working! This time, however, the man at the counter took Ed's voucer off him, and asked for his name. He didn't want any money, but asked Ed to return the following day. Sure enogh, the next day, the man had a huge pile of tickets, which he had evidently processed elsewhere. He found Ed's ticket, and Ed handed over his cash.

This week, on Wednesday, Ed popped down to the lottery shop... machine not working again! This time, without any problems, they took his ticket again and asked him to return the next day. However, the shop was shut, so Ed couldn't pay for his ticket before the draw!

Saturday morning (today) Ed went to pay for the ticket, but there was some confusion. The man didn't want any money from Ed, but gave him some instead! We had won a (very) small amount on two rows, even thought we hadn't paid for the ticket! I guess, if we hadn't gone back, he would have kept all of the winnings, but it doesn't seem like a very profitable way to run a business to me! I wonder how many people know their numbers, and simply don't go back, if they haven't won.

Could you imagine doing that in the UK? I don't think so!

Carrasqueta

There is a well known piece of road on the way to Alicante, where all of the bikers hang out - a bit like Matlock and the A6!

Ed and I went for a ride out recently and paid it a visit. I was quite wary, but, in reality, the bends were not as bad as I feared - although, as Ed pointed out, had I taken them faster, they would have been scarier! Very true. The roads themselves are generally very well maintained, it is just the nasty drops at the sides that frighten me to death.

We stopped at the cafe on the route, and met up with another English chap, who lived much nearer to Benidorm. While we were there, another group of brits popped in too. Obviously this was an international meeting place!

On the journey back, we saw the new roadway being dug out of the mountainside, which will link our valley to Alicante. When it is all done, it will be just 1 hour to the airport.

Max Fun

This week, Ed decided to put a couple of feet of water in the pool, so the dogs could have a paddle in this heat.

As normal, Paddy just stood at the top in fear, as Max bounded up and down the steps, swimming, splashing and generally having fun. Every time mMax got to the top of the steps, he jumped on Paddy and ran around like a 4 month old puppy. Wonderful fun.

The next day, he didn't seem very well at all. It took little while to figure out what was wrong with him - he couldn't wag his tail.

Further investigation has revealed that he has strained the muscles around his lower back (playing so much) and now he needs to rest for a few days! I guess it's like doing a step class and a spinning class on the same day!

Poor thing - he couldn't even lay down without wimpering to start with, but that didn't stop him going back in again, later in the day.

Cycling Proficiency

On the way home from town last week, I encountered an interesting scenario in the back lanes. As I approached a nasty corner, I saw a car in front of me, going very slowly. Just ahead, were 2 small children on bicycles.

Aha, I thought, Dad has gone on ahead, to make sure that it is safe for the children, how sensible. We all crawled around the corner, and then, as I looked ahead, I could see 2 more small children, but no adults. They rode down the hill, and then cycled along a small level, before turning left, uphill, the way I wanted to go.

Then I realised what what going on! Two mum's were taking their children for a bicycle ride! One was in a car at the front, and then another was in a car at the back. The youngest children could barely ride. A little girl wobbled all over the road, before getting off, as she didn't have the strength or co-ordination to ride uphill. This triggered the mum at the back to beep her horn, so the first mum stopped.

I have never seen anything so dangerous in my life. Although this is a back lane, that section leads to a huge number of other lanes, and there is always a lot of traffic - even more so at the moment, as people are using their 'country houses' during the summer. Loco!

Sad Day

Yesterday, we went to the funeral of an ex-pat. I had only met the lady on a few occasions, but her husband went to night classes with me, so I knew him quite well. His wife had had cancer in England many years ago, but had recovered, but, sadly, it returned again in recent years.

She died on Saturday night, in her sleep. In Spain, funerals are usually held very quickly, so they expected to bury her on Monday. The family were able to delay things until Tuesday, to enable her children in the UK to come out too.

The funeral service was held in a beautiful new building, all white marble and glass, in nearby Ontinyent. Here, one of the ex-pats is actually a serving vicar, and so the service was held not only in English, but also by a friend to all of us. How wonderful and extra special. So often, the vicar has never even met the deceased, but here, the service was very personal.

Sadly, after the service, close family then had to travel to Valencia for the cremation. There are only 2 crematoriums with an hour of here. (Valencia and Denia) Thankfully, everything there was very well organised, and they were able to return by 7pm, in time for everyone to celebrate her life. God bless Mavis, rest in peace.

Bramley Re-union

We all managed to get together for a night out.

We booked a meal at the Rose and Crown, Zouch, but as it was a Friday night, it was late before everyone got there! The staff came and took our orders before everyone had arrived, but even so, we all managed to get fed.

David and Wendy travelled up from Stratford, and Mick and Jolene from Grantham. We picked Stacey and Laura up from Kirkby, so Jamie and Stacey had the shortest trip. (At least they weren't the last to arrive!)

We had a lovely evening, and it was great to catch with everyone properly. Hopefully those without passports will get them over the next few months, and then they can come and see us over here! x

Don't Do It

I went shopping with Jessica, and we decided to treat ourselves to a 'Chocolate Temptation' in Thorntons cafe.

The lady poured chocolate syrup into the glasses, then scooped in Thorntons own ice cream. Next, came marshmallows, then hot, frothy milk, the whole thing covered in whipped cream and chocolate flakes. (2,000 calories?)

Don't bother. They looked wonderful, but tasted awful. There were too sweet (sickly) and the combination of cold ice cream and hot milk, just made for a tepid drink. Neither cold nor hot. Horrible. We both left them. (And we took the cakes home.) Stick to the continental chocolates!