You know how I like to end my year with a goodbye / round-up post … Tracey’s Oscar speech of sorts. Well here is this years offering …
[you can read last years post // HERE]
It’s slightly earlier than usual because there’s a rumour we may be going away. I say maybe because it’s the 20th December and nothing has been booked as yet ! Even by Michael’s standards that’s leaving it late.
As your aware , or maybe your not – I shouldn’t make such assumptions – I’ve just returned from a fabulous long weekend in Malaga with 4 of my best friends. We try and have a few days away every year .. and apart from the ‘wedding and baby years’ we’ve managed to achieve this!
We have experienced an amazing few days which flew by far too quickly. I’m missing those ladies already. I don’t think I’ve laughed so much in ages and it’s just what I needed ! Roll on next year.
There’s so much to tell you I thought I’d split the blog into a few posts starting with accommodation . Lots of you messaged me for details after seeing my posts over on Instagram stories … so here goes.
What better way to spend a balmy evening in Sheffield other than eating and drinking in the sunshine with one of your best mates. You have to agree there is nothing finer.
Well …. maybe if I substituted Rach for Bradley Cooper … no offence intended Rach but a girl can dream!
First off however I have to admit I did think we would be sitting outside. When the invite read ‘come and visit the new Mediterranean terrace and help us celebrate our second birthday ‘ I just envisaged it would be external. It isn’t.
The new terrace is actually inside, situated on the top level of the food court in Meadowhall where it has been for the past 2 years but it’s changed slightly. Same space, different place. The terrace is made from rustic timber, there are potted plants scattered around along with hand-painted signage. It’s all very Spanish. There are also big ceiling windows that let in lots of light, so you kinda get the feel of being outside.
Its a little taste of Spain on our doorstep.
So as with most good things they come and go far too quickly for my liking.
I had been looking forward to my weekend in Marbella with the ladies for what seemed like forever and it was over in a flash … just like that !
So how did we spend our last day?
Having not really left the villa during the day to explore , we decided today was the day we would venture out to Orange Square in Marbella’s Old Town.
I had heard reports it was amazing and very beautiful.
Having only had a few hours sleep, hung over but feeling surprisingly chirpy , 6 of the 10 booked taxis for 11.00am.
We had strict instructions from Leigh ( who decided to have a lazy day around the pool) that we had to be back at 5.00pm.
We had no idea why but promised we would be.
Old Town Marbella was approximately a 20 minute taxi drive from the villa and cost €24 (about £20.00) which between a few of you doesn’t break the bank.
By golly was it worth it … when we eventually found her.
Head upwards towards the mountains , not towards the sea like we did initially !
One by one we started re-surfacing from our beds. We made our way down to the terrace in various states of ‘bed-head’ to enjoy our breakfast alfresco.
Isn’t that one of the best things you can do …eat and drink in the sunshine, without fear of sudden rain?
I love England but the weather … crikey it’s enough to make you want to pack your bags and never come back. Could do better!
Oh and I officially make THE best coffee ( if I say so myself)
coffee and THAT view
Hola,
Somebody once said that “the best therapy is time spent laughing with great friends” I’ve just had 4 days ‘therapy’ and it’s done me the world of good.
By golly have we laughed…
and then some.
We’ve partied (a lot) and for want of a better word I’m back home and I’m bloody knackered. Rolling in at 6 in the morning was bad enough in my twenties, at 45 it’s a killer but worth the tired, fuzzy head.
As my mum often says …”your a long time dead. Why sleep when you can dance?”
Why not indeed mum….
So what was the occasion?
We flew out to Spain to join Leigh in celebrating her 50th . This was actually back in May (little details – long story)
We booked a plush villa in the hills above Marbella for the weekend so we could all be together.
Let me introduce you to our home for 4 luxurious days … Continue reading
So despite getting in at daft o clock, spending far too long giggling and not sleeping regarding the lift sagar, I was up too early again the next morning. I think I was running on fresh air and excitement! I actually blame the bloody church bells. They started at 7am and rang every half an hour until about 10. At 9 I think the bell ringers decided to have a laugh at our expense; I swear they rang the dam things non-stop for a full half an hour.
Not for the first time this weekend we thought the King had died. He hadn’t. How the rest of the ‘house’ slept through them I’ll never know.
I decided I’d make breakfast. Hey don’t get giddy; by make I mean fetch.
I like pastry first thing in the morning. Well basically I just like cakes and pastry at any time of the day. When people started to emerge I ran down the full 5 flights of stairs (I wasn’t getting in that lift) and raided the coffee house which was ideally situated bang opposite our apartments.
After buying all the Croissants, Pan au Chocolate’s and other fancies available, we were sorted. I ran back up to the apartment ,almost collapsing at the top (note to self – get fit) lit some candles – what can I say I was feeling romantic!
Washed down with a strong coffee.
Jobs a good un… Or rather oh la la !
Last week I spent a greatly anticipated long weekend in Valencia.
I joined 8 of my best friends – who all travelled from Sheffield to met up with Leigh and Nicola, who are also from England but now reside in Spain.
I’ve been to Valencia once before, its a bloody fabulous place. It’s the third largest city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona and it’s situated on the banks of the Turia. It’s also the place were the traditonal dish paella was concocted. You may thank me when that comes up in the local pub quiz!
Old meets new with beautiful architecture on every corner. It has a romantic feel to it. Little alleyways leading to hidden squares and more churches than you could throw your stick at.
It’s where I would choose to live if fate hadn’t plonked me in my beloved Sheffield. Valencia or St Tropez, I’m not fussy.
It’s the only holiday I was getting this year, so I intended to make the most of it. After-all 3 days is better than nothing.
