El Pajaro

El Pajaro
Originally uploaded by Sonriendo

Orihuela was in Fiestas at the begining of July, no children meant that I could go out rather a lot. Met up at 10:30am with the usual AFOTO crew for Dia del Pajaro. I was rather expecting to see the real thing - oh foolish me - but this appeared on a stick with ribbons rather like a maypole and was paraded through the town, by the mayoress - Monica Lorente - and local dignitaries, and then back to the Town Hall. They were accompanied by many of the Comparsas of the Moors and Christians, who were all in fine festive spirits.

06.07.09

06.07.09
Originally uploaded by Sonriendo

Well, as I've not blogged at all for the whole summer holidays, I guess I'd better catch up. This is Lucia, daughter of a friend, simply gorgeous, and I need to photo her again some time.

Girlies spent first 3 weeks of the holidays with their Daddy, so I managed to get a good start on part 2 of operation house paint. All that can be seen from the road is now done and Part 3 will follow next time they are away. It also gave me some fine adult only socializing time - hehe!! Went out with AFOTO a couple of times, once an allnighter - completely unexpected, but great fun.

Time flies by

I can't believe that so much time has passed by since the last time I updated :-O

We have been really busy of late, half days at school all through June, end of term dancing show, friends round for swimming and lunch hot, hot, hot, painting outside walls of house, painting garden furniture, girls at campamiento, exhibitions with AFOTO, photography course and loads of other stuff, will try and flick through my pics and update a few things over the next couple of days.

23.05.09 Party Planner

23.05.09 Party Planner
Originally uploaded by Sonriendo

Well, the morning of Nattie's birthday dawned bright and sunny. House freshly painted, garden looking good, all paths, terraces and pool decks freshly washed down, it was more like the preperations for a wedding than a kids party. We had close to 30 kids, in the pool and for tea. Cake was a great success lots had 2nds and all the plates were cleaned! We also had rain, thunder and lightening. Everyone had loads of fun. The birthday girl was well pleased and the last guests left at about 23:00

Pajarito

Pajarito
Originally uploaded by Sonriendo

Found this tiny little thing in the honeysuckle, not too sure if it was catching it's breath or what. Obviously has only just left the nest, but it let me get really close to take some photos. But, would you let your child out with it's lunch still around it's face like that? Ha ha ha ;o)

Romeria de San Isidro

Last Saturday (16th) was the Romeria for the Patron of our Village San Isidro. This basically involves most of the village following the Saint through the lanes surrounding the village to the local Hermita, which is a tiny little church used only for this occasion. San Isidro is mounted on a decorated trailer and pulled by tractor with a band and villagers following. San Isidro is the Saint of farmers and farming, so quite popular around here as agriculture is the largest source of work by far. Many of the villagers turn out on their equalyy well decorated tractors and trailers and so begin the procession to the hermita. Once there, there is a special mass and afterwards, the fires are lit and so begins the best part an outside "almuerzo", the aroma of sizzling sausages, chorizo and other barbequed meats fill the air. Beer and wine is quaffed and the water fights break out. Then the band strikes up once more and San Isidro is accompanied back to the village church once more. It is the custom that the residents of the houses on the route back, break out the hose pipes, to give all the participants a good drenching. A few pics to follow

Sin

This is Jorge who is a bit down on his luck at the moment. By some chance, his brother saw this picture here on flick and has contacted me to ask me if I would allow them to print this on a t-shirt for his brother to sell. How cool is that :-D

The title Sin in Spanish means without and in English, well it is that some people unfortunately have to live like this
Sin
Originally uploaded by Sonriendo