The Royal Highland ('Heeeeland') Show

Twas a balmy 20 degree day (my standards are much lower than they used to be when it comes to heat), the pollen count was oh so high (I was a sneezing, snivelling, partially blind mess for most of the day) and the stench of barnyard animals was overpowering, despite my nasal congestion.  This was the Highland Show and Stu was keen to go for two important reasons:

1. He wanted to 'familiarise' himself with various breeds of sheep and cows (cooooows) for work.

2. More importantly, he got free tickets. 

It should be noted that there is no way I would have paid £22 for the pleasure of attending (extortion!), luckily, he got 2 free tickets.

I was designated official photographer for the day (as always) because Stu forgot his camera (as always).  I neglected to take many photos of animals, instead I found food to photograph (as always).

Every kind of fudge and sweetie (I've been trained out of using the word lolly - it just creates unnecessary confusion) under the sun.  I don't really like fudge all that much, but it sure looked pretty.

Almost to cute to bear - wee ducklings!

Ok, onto the business at hand - a Blue Leicester I think?

I can't remember which breed.  Am I fired?

A Heeeland Coooooow.  Just take a look at those testes.  Insanely, obscenely huge.

And, that's a wrap folks.  Yes, I fear my camera then ran out of juice due to a heavy weekend of memory-making fun.  Stu and I decided we'd had enough of our attempt to advance his career in the farm business and made a beeline for the food hall where the free samples of chutney, cheese and various other delectables made us a fine lunch.  That's Stu and I - we try different activities, but it always comes back to food.

Sun, Sand and Sangria

'It's just like home, only you got the wevva, innit?'  Ok, so my first foray into Spain wasn't exactly what I was imagining.  Of course there was sun, there was sand, swimming, patatas bravas, olives and paelle and yes, there was sangria.  But more than this, the trip was a chance to see Brits abroad in that most obnoxious of senses.  Pruned up old orange ladies, blokes with guts a-quiver, and the sublime sounds of a high-pitched scouser screech all blended together to create a truly unforgettable experience.  If only I could forget. 

Still, La Marina (the urbanisation outpost where Stu's parents currently spend a good 6 months out of every year) had its charms - mostly in the form of Doug and Norm's hospitality and their lovely villa.  To explain: La Marina is a residential scheme, much like thousands of others around Spain, that caters most specifically for ex-pats.  A very slim percentage of the residents of La Marina are actually Spanish, and it shows.  The bars are all British, German and Dutch themed and the food is of the bangers and mash variety.

Alicante was nearby, and we did manage to see some pretty extraordinary sights, including the stunning castle on the hill above the city, the mediterranean in all its sparkly, azure glory, and the dusty purple mountains that surround the city (everything was so very dry - it really did feel like home in so many ways).  Besides, nothing can match the pleasure of wandering around without shoes, scarves and jumpers.  The smell of sunscreen always makes me happy, and sleeping without the covers wrapped tightly for fear of losing an arm to frost bite during the night is an unparalleled joy.

Quitessentially Dutch child.  Pretty damn cute really.

Doug's barbeque - home made of course.

One of the Spanish beaches in the area, Sunday is family day and there were bathers and picnic-ers everywhere - all Spanish - amazing!

Doug relaxing at one of the many British restaurants in La Marina.

La Marina - Doug and Norms street 'Calle Dublin' in the urbanisation (residential complex)

On our way to Alicante.

Mmmmm, the makings of a mouth-watering seafood paella!

Muscle beach - for seniors only (seriously, there was a sign).

On our way to the top of the castle.

We made it!  A tad hot and sweaty, but so was everyone.

A thirst-quenching beer.

Mmmmm, my first paella.  Actually turned out to be a little salty, but still a vast improvement on bangers and mash.

The old town (barrios) where we lunched in the shade.

Spanish-style beauty pageant.  Very Queen Victoria-y.

Alicante's marina, with the castle perched on the hill in the background.

Mar menor - bathers enjoying the barely knee-deep water (so warm you'd think a vast army of small children had peed in it minutes before you splashed in (no diving - too shallow)).  It does get deeper further out - Stu and I took his highly prized inflatable kayak on its maiden voyage.  I expected the thing to capsize immediately, but it went really well and we made it back in one piece, although one of the paddles wasn't so lucky.