Saturday 27th November 2010…..an easy day!!

One of the blogs that I follow regularly is this one…

www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

It is very informative and interesting but I have never been in touch or met them.  When I read their blog this morning I saw that they were at the other RV park here in SMA…so I decided after breakfast I would go up and introduce myself….well not 10 minutes later there is a knock on my door and there are Ruth and Kevin, un be known to me they follow my blog also and came for a visit, small world.

They are only here for a couple of days but it was nice to meet them and hear their stories and now when I read their blog it is more personal.

Went for my run and was happy that I increased my laps from 3 to 4 so I walk 1 and run 4…I felt pretty good.

I really don’t know where the time goes before long it was 1pm so I decided I could have one hour sunning and reading and then got changed and went to

to see the girls.

Chris this is the photo you want of the new sign at CH….notice anything sitting on the top of the wall in the centre?????

I learned from one of the Madres that a lot of the girls including Paola and Daniela were out for the afternoon but this little beauty was home and we played a few games.

Then it was time for my second Spanish lesson again I really enjoyed this and my Tutor had me talking mainly in Spanish of course it was very broken but I found I was able to read and then translate quite a bit, she told me she was very impressed with my abilities…..wow!!!!

Back to Linda and Guys, they let me bring over my laundry and then fed me what a deal is that??

Here it is 9pm….so after this tea, perhaps a little cake and a movie…PURA VIDA!!

Friday 26th November 2010…..a busy day!!!

Today was

and I had offered my time to help out and I arrived at the beautiful golf course at 9am..

 

I spent most of the morning being a gopher boy, good job I had Bonita to get around on….the ladies had set up the tables and with the beautiful centre pieces the area looked wonderful.

The girls and boys from the two Casa Hogar’s were the very grateful recipients of the cash from the tournament…a few of the kids were in attendance to help out…

The afternoon was spent getting everything ready for the fabulous meal that local restaurants donated their time and product and yours truly was in charge of dishing out the burgers!!!!!

Some of the Madres were also here…

Some of the children thanked everyone..

I praise all the workers it is hard to put on an event so huge but it was wonderful and I was happy to be there.

When I got home Ramona was just coming out of the steam room, she was so shiny too dark to take photos…but take my word for it she looks like brand new, washed and waxed, tires everything..a great bargain for me $42 dollars and a good days pay for my worker….

Well I am toast…. time for a cuppa and I think if I rummaged in my fridge I may be able to find a piece of pumpkin pie left over from yesterday and I think I may even have some ice cream!!!!!

This retired life is not all it is cracked up to be…..time for a movie..blessings to all!!!!

Thursday 25th November 2010….Happy American Thanksgiving!!!

I would like to wish my many great American friends a Happy and loving day today and thank you for letting me share your day and of course your food!!!

Linda and Guy invited me to go with them to a private house party being put on by their church and I gladly accepted.

The house is so beautiful and about 60 people were treated to a wonderful afternoon.

We started by going outside and across the street where we formed a circle and just gave thanks for such a day…

The patio setting was gorgeous!!

The food….mmmmm…

Yes we are full and happy!!!

It was such a lovely afternoon and I took these two photos on the street as Guy and I decided we needed to walk home!!!!

I came home and spent the evening moving everything from outside Ramona as tomorrow she is getting treated to the full spa treatment, wax, shampoo and conditioner…after 4050  of hard miles she deserves a treat!!!

Tomorrow also is another big day the Rotary club is sponsoring a huge golf tournament with the proceeds going to Casa Hogar so I am volunteering there all day and hopefully will see the girls t after their school.

I have so much to be thankful for and I count all my family far away but never far away from my thoughts, those special and lovely close friends that I have known for so many years…some I see often some not so….all the good wishes I receive thank you to everyone…Blessings Les

Wednesday 24th November 2010…Hot today!!!!

Did my morning run before 9am this morning and managed to run an extra half a lap!!!

Then had some great poached eggs and read a newspaper and at noon went to Casa Hogar to see the girls, here is Lupita just getting back from school.

Still enjoying this new version of the photo editing…

Daniela and Paola showing off their new hats!!!

I enjoyed a short visit with the girls I was hoping to do some driving for them again this year but they have hired a driver so I will do relief driving or if they need extra drivers… but the Madres have booked me on Monday to start my annual window washing campaign!!

I had heard from Linda of a lady in town who does private teaching of Spanish but with quite different methods so I had e mailed this lady and today I went for my first lesson, we sat out in the garden

and I enjoyed the instruction she bases it on 40,000 words that are similar in both languages and I was quite amazed at the end of the lesson I was pumped that I was able to  communicate a little …for the first lesson I felt that I had learned quite a bit without going into the usual methods of conjugating verbs…..I have another lesson on Saturday.

Can you believe it I am off to Linda and Guy’s yet again for supper and then I am going to watch the Vancouver Canucks play hockey… still hard to believe they have a Canadian cable supplier and I can watch all Canadian shows and news!!!!

Forgot to mention it was HOT here today

Tuesday 23rd November 2010…..a slow day in Paradise

After breakfast this morning I met Guy and he took me to the local Tercel store so I could purchase a cell phone….

The lady behind the counter was very helpful and spoke English and the whole process took about 30 minutes and I came away with the phone plus 400 minutes of air time for just over 40 dollars.

The next stop was the huge Mega grocery store and out in the parking lot was this

so now Ramona has a welcoming plant!!

I had some rice pudding for lunch and my friend also….

Bonita needed gas

about $3.50 to fill the tank…back home and some more of the usual ….you know…sun, sleep, read..hit some more tennis balls and then got cleaned up.

WARNING!!!!

This photo contains partial nudity and is only suitable for female viewers with a strong heart!!!!

CHECK OUT THE TAN LINES!!!!!

Next it was off to see the girls….I want to make a point of not always taking them things when I go to see them but I did want to give them the cameras I had got for them…..they were thrilled but they are not really what I wanted for them…. I shall have to invest in two cameras for them for next year….but they were sure thrilled with these little inexpensive ones…..they always are smiling and they bring so much joy to me….

I am sure Linda and Guy must be tired of me by now but I got invited again for supper and the finale of Dancing with the Stars…great supper thanks…

So goes another day!!!!!

Monday 22nd November 2010..a day in the life here in San Miguel!!!!

I am so sorry I just cannot seem to help it!!!!!!

This is taken this morning from my friend’s front window in Nanaimo!!!

Ok a perfect day here starts with these bells

ringing around 6am I have never been able to understand the timing or the number of rings it really is sort of neat to hear them and I just go back to sleep anyway….

So 8.30am I am up and having a bowl of cereal and checking my e mails and newspapers catching up on the news and then around 9.30am I decide to go for my run.

I go to this lovely park about a 5 minute walk away!!

There is a nice pathway around the park

I walked one lap and ran three I have to be careful with the altitude being 6500 feet I have to gradually work up my distance…

On the way home saw these cute sights…

Then it was time to walk about 5 blocks to the local bakery

These rolls are the very best!!!

I can never walk past the gate where I drive Ramona into this park without thinking how on earth I do it!!!

You would never imagine that behind this gate

are four lovely apartments

three tennis courts

with a lovely RV park

with three spotless bathrooms…

I became very well acquainted with this chair this afternoon!!!!

You know the usual stuff reading, drinking, sleeping and sun bathing….

Then time for more exercise so I got out my tennis racquet and went to the wall and hit some balls…

Told you I was parked close to the courts…

Then it was time to ride into town and the market and get some flowers

Found a new graphic border!!!

Then again never know what is behind the doors!!!

This one I did buy a couple of goodies….never mind it is OK I already did my run!!!

Took these sunsets shots on my way to Linda and Guy’s house, YES they invited me again for supper!!!

Linda made another lovely meal and then they got me hooked on Dancing with the Stars!!!

It is now 9.30pm and ready for tea and a piece of fresh baked cake and finish a movie I started last night…..Boy what a tough day!!!