CASA OLIMPIA.

Wednesday/Thursday/Friday 24th/25th/26th. June.

Wednesday 24th.

This morning I had a little running around to do; Chris had phoned and asked me to sort out a new bank card for Joan, which meant a trip over to her bank in Puerto Banus,he also asked me if a could arrange to have the VW checked and repaired. Joan signed a letter of authorization, so I could collect it as there is no post at the villa! On the way, after finding a VW garage on the internet, I called in on my way across and arranged to have the car picked up and taken to the garage on Thursday morning, which is on the large industrial park outside Algeciras,to check the ABS system. On the way back I called into the English butchers and picked up a piece of Pork for Sunday lunch as well as some other shopping on my list ! The weather just got hotter as the morning went on and by the time I was in Puerto Banus it was over 33degs.so I have now got a sun burnt left arm ! As usual the weather at the villa is a little cooler with a nice breeze so we sat out on the balcony for a snack lunch; in the evening we had Beef Stew for dinner which I made in the afternoon, with Brenda’s help. Brenda then rang Jenny, as the funeral is tomorrow, to have a chat and pass on our feelings.

Thursday 25th .

As we got up Brenda rang Jenny one more time to say that we would be thinking about her all day and that our thoughts were with her as she buried her beloved husband John. The rest of the day was rather hard on us both, especially Brenda as she thought about what her dear sister was going through. In the early evening I had phone call from Chris’s PA,Susanna,to arrange the details to take Joan over to England next week as her Grandaughter,Gemma,Chris’s oldest daughter is getting married,again,on Saturday 4th July.I am taking her over on Thursday from Gibraltar in the morning,to Gatwick and Chris is meeting us there,Mano is going to act as the taxi and takes us to the airport entrance as we will have to go across the border to get to it,we have arranged for wheelchair help and access to make things easier for Joan, she is also not a good flyer so I am acting as her carer for the flight,at the same time Brenda is arranging her clothes and outfit for the wedding,including her hat and doing all the packing! The plan was for me to fly back on the same day to Gibraltar but there is not enough time for me to hand over Joan and check on to the return flight to Gibraltar so I am having to take a later flight to Malaga and then get a taxi back to villa above Tarifa ! The following week I am going to do the journey in reverse and bring her home !! In the evening we rang Jenny and she told us that things had gone as well as could be expected ,Norah her other sister in England, was staying with her for the night and said that she had been very brave in the circumstances;lots of love to dear Jenny.For supper we Lamb cutlets on Boulangere Potatoes,comfort food for the gods!

Friday 26th.

The sun is out and it is very hot as we sat on the balcony for our tea and toast;we then went down to Tarifa to do the shopping for the weekend and pick up Joan’s tablets from the chemists ready for next week. The car is not ready so I am leaving it over the weekend and will call again on Monday morning to see if it is ready as I am going over in that direction to the bank and then up to our house in Manilva to collect a few things and print out the flight and ticket details,as the printer here is not working! Tonight we are having Salmon Fillets for dinner with new potatoes and Peas.While we were eating our dinner the phone went and it was Chris with a little surprise;he has asked Brenda to come over with Joan as well and stay in England with them at the hotel and also to join them at the wedding reception on Saturday evening as his guests!This means that we can then fly back with Joan on Monday/Tuesday on a flight to Gibraltar and Mano will be able to pick us all up from the airport.We are arranging for the gardener and housekeeper to come back and look after the animals and villa,as they will be back after their holiday in the Philippines with their family.Watch this space for a futher update on plan B " The Wedding in Reading " !!