First stop was Nagoya, Japan, to visit the family of Brian's ex secretary (Sonomi). They met us at the airport with fun welcome sign, which can be seen hanging at the back of the meal photo. We stayed two nights and were treated to the very best of Japanese hospitality. The visit reminded us of all the great things about Japan, most of which are no longer practised by people of other countries.
We met Shiori, candidate for most beautiful baby in the world, seen below being held by Nachan, 92 years and still in control of the family. Also, you'll notice that Brian took the opportunity to get some baby holding practice for when he becomes a granddaddy in November.
After Dawn, who had visited before and was kind of adopted by the whole family during our year in Japan, Brian was the second foreigner Nachan had met in her 92 years. She charmed him with her vitality, powerful humility, love of life and wit. The whole family couldn't have been more welcoming and we were fed a banquet at each meal.
Next stop was UK where most of the 2 weeks were spent cleaning the mess that Brian's daughter's flat had been left in by the tenant who didn't pay the rent and needed Bailiffs to prise him out. If you're a scoundrel I can understand not paying rent, but to allow pipes to leak causing condensation to occur, leading to black mould covering a lot of the walls and ceilings... who does that!!!!?? Unfortunately he was obviously so thick skinned the black mould didn't seem to make him ill.
Next stop was Marbella, Spain. Dawn's nephew Brandon had been staying in the flat for 6 weeks before we arrived and was well settled (thought I might need the Bailiff to get him out.......). Soon after we arrived in Spain it was our Seattle wedding anniversary, so after a Cava bubbly breakfast we went up to Ronda, where Brian, about 20 months earlier, had made one of the better decisions in his life. Romance is alive and well.
For our London anniversary we went to Seville and had a romantic dinner, drank Sangria in the old town and acted like tourists.
Shortly after celebrating the 8 days of our first wedding anniversary, it was time to celebrate Brandon's birthday. We took him out to one of our favorite restaurants...which was delicious...and then later (as we were getting ready for bed) his Spanish friends took him out to really celebrate! He dragged in about 7am the next day....
As our lodger Brandon was still with us (Brian couldn't work out the Spanish Bailiff system), and we'd already made him go to Ronda, Istan & Seville, we were running out of interesting places to go. So we took him to Gibraltar where the highlight, besides going across the border to the UK, is to walk across a working airport runway on the way into town. After watching an Easy Jet plane land here, the crossing opened and people and cars streamed across.
After Brandon finally had no more excuses to stay, he left with a tear in his eye and a few days later Brian's brother David arrived with his wife Bridget. A fine time was had; the photos say it all.
Next visitor was Bart, one of Dawn's best friends, currently living in Cairo. Unfortunately Brian chose the time of Bart's visit to go down with a 4 day vicious man flu. As he lay suffering in bed, Dawn and Bart went out enjoying themselves (bet you can't guess who's writing this blog!!!). Once Brian had recovered, Bart was taken on the obligatory trip to Ronda, which was great until Bart started to feel ill, leading to an uncomfortable trip for him back down the mountain, even though Brian drove at a snail's strolling pace.
Next was Sonomi, who had spent 3 weeks walking for 500kms along the pilgrimage “Camino de Santiago” with a back pack as large as herself. As you can imagine she looked fit, healthy, slim and very tired. The easiest of visitors because, besides being charmingly Japanese, she not surprisingly rested and slept for a lot of the time. A trip to Marbella old town for gifts and some fun dinners was activity enough.
Brian's daughter Katrina arrived with boyfriend Dave, a couple of days after Sonomi, so we had a full flat for a few days. After Sonomi left our attention turned to the World Cup and in view of both USA and England failing to progress very far, we quite rightly put our full support behind Spain, with stunning results. Victor's, the local restaurant/bar on the beach overlooking the Mediterranean, seemed an appropriate place to drink, eat and watch the games. Great nights were had and after the final Brian had been hugged by more Spanish women than you can “shake a stick at”!
After 14 months married, Brian feels he is in the process of getting a new wife! After all our visitors had left, Dawn embarked on a “fast” to rejuvenate her insides. For our last 20 days in Spain she has lived on broth, lemon drinks and herb teas. Pounds have fallen away and this 'skinny bird' has appeared with baggy shorts and comments of “my clothes don't fit”. Lucky for Brian she has remained beautiful and he will be accompanying her to the shops (to buy some belts....). Finally, as you can see wherever we are is becoming a popular holiday destination, and it's not only because of Brian's great smoothies. So all you family and friends who've said you'd like to visit us in Spain (or NZ) better get your bookings in, emails accepted.......
Next blog will cover the month of August when we will be having a holiday in Munich, with frequent visits to the Alps. What fortunate people we are.
No comments:
Post a Comment