Springtime Spain

Now in Spain on our second visit of the year. Despite the ghastly early departure time, there was hardly a spare seat on our 5.55 am flight down to Alicante. There are always so many last minute tasks to do before a trip, so I was lucky to manage even a 45-minute nap before we crept out of the house at  3am.  I dozed on the plane, waking up when we were over the snow-capped Pyrenees.

The weather here in Javea is hot and sunny – just as it is back in the UK at the moment – though the wind still has a slight chill factor and last week’s torrential rain has left puddles at some of the road junctions.

Our garden is a depressing sight! The apple and pomegranate trees are still bare, the bougainvilleas have frost damage (for the second year) and the garden walls have seen better days. Weeds have taken over the flowerbeds and shingle paths and I won’t mention the state of the citrus trees. Only a tub of cheerful pink daisies brightens the gloom – it’s as though  all our previous efforts, pruning, tidying up, weeding and watering have been for nothing – most disheartening.

But little by little, Spain works its magic on my psyche. A few hours of much needed sleep – a reviving coffee and we’re both out tackling the weeds – Alec does the paths and I make a start on the flower beds. Thanks to my iPod shuffle, I can weed while listening to my favourite LBC Radio podcasts. Alec hears me laughing at Steve Allen and smiles. The garden’s looking better already – it’s going to be a good week!