Jack was finishing the Lego he had received for his early birthday present and Millie was playing with her gifts. I had a couple of cups of tea and then went out to hang out the second load of laundry. It was still cloudy, but wasn't raining.
We had a cooked breakfast just before 11 am and then headed to the horse reserve where abused and unwanted horses were housed. The kids had a pony ride and then we had a snack in the tea room. Jack and Millie were able to pet horses and donkeys as well
We got home just after 2 pm and the kids watched the rest of Paddington. Then they went to play out in the tent. They moved their 'family' play up to their bedroom where Jack proceeded to get on the antique hobby horse and break its stirrup. As he put it 'I wanted to get on it like a real man'. He forgets he weighs 75 pounds and is a bit too large for the tiny horse. I made him go tell Grandma and apologize. She said it was inevitable that it would happen. However, why couldn't it have been someone other than my kid?
All the while Stuart is on the phone with Expedia trying to sort out why we haven't been issued tickets for the last flight of our summer. It seems that the tickets for the flight from London to Dubai on the 19th of August hadn't yet been issued. He went back and forth for nearly 4 hours. Because we had flown different airlines, each tried to pass the buck. Air Canada said the tickets had been issued in March, but when Stuart had gone online there was no record of a ticket. What an absolute pain in the butt that was.
In the end, Expedia miraculously found the tickets and when Stuart refreshed his page there were tickets issued for us. Now, did it have to take that long to issue the tickets? Or could it be that no one wanted to deal with the mistake, and finally decided after Stuart wouldn't hang up that it was just easier to do the work? I tend to think it was the latter.
We relaxed in the conservatory while the kids watched some Netflix. They went to bed just before 8 pm, after their bath and dinner, and we had dinner once they were settled. Our intention was for them to get a good night's sleep before having to wake up at 4 am and head to the airport, but 7 pm would have been more reasonable than 8 on. Oh well, they can sleep in the plane and as well as the car ride to Oria from Madrid.
4 am came much earlier than I liked, but traveling has its sacrifices. Grandad got up and fixed us coffee and then we were off to the airport. We couldn't figure out what to do with our rental car keys, but eventually found a drop box and placed them in it.
The airport was manic and getting a full English breakfast was not possible. Jack was randomly selected for additional security, so there was a bit of excitement. He stood there and waited for the pat down as if he'd been frisked before.
We got on the plane with no drama. The flight was only 2 hours, but we were a bit delayed taking off. When we landed, we went through customs, collected our bags, and went to pick up our rental car. We were headed to Oria from Madrid by 12:15 pm. We would arrive just before dinner time. Perfect!
We stopped a couple of times for some food and a wee wee. The kids slept off and on throughout the 4 and a half hour journey. About the last 15 minutes of the trip they got a bit punchie and on my nerves, to be honest. We arrived before Grandma and Grandpa returned from Espiranza's bar just up the road.
When they got home we unpacked and settled in. The kids were dying for a swim, so of course, before dinner, a swim was had. Grandpa decided to join them, while Grandma, Stuart and I watched.
Once the kids were out of the pool they bathed and we're ready for dinner and then bed. We ate out on the patio and then the kids were off to bed, but not without a little fussing. They were excited to be in Spain and with Grandma and Grandpa.
We all retired around 10 pm and had a great night's sleep. My intention was to get up and go for a walk, but when I awoke at 7 am, I quickly rolled over and went back to sleep. I have decided that maybe a true holiday is okay and I can wait to start my walking again once I return to Al Ain and a routine.
The kids were up and itching to go into the pool after breakfast. Grandma filled the small paddling pool and even out a kettle of warm water in it for them.
We had a pool break and had some nibbles for lunch. We all kind of did our own thing after lunch until about 3 pm, then it was back in the pool for all of us, this time. And, boy was that water cold! Wow! I dipped in long enough to say I got in.
Around 4 pm we went down to the bar, Esperanza's, for some cold beverages. After our time there, some gummies and a Fanta, we decided that our kids lose their wad after a fizzy drink or sugary sweetie. So on our walk home I told Jack that once holiday was over we were limiting the sodas and sweet treats. He said, 'Forever?' After I said nothing, Jack piped in again and said, 'Maybe we can have that stuff when we go to a place and it doesn't matter how crazy we get, like the rugby club.' I'll have to admit that he does have some good logical thinking skills.
We made the kids' dinner and they ended up eating before us. It was around 7:30 pm before they ate, so bed followed shortly there after. Because the sun sets so much later in Spain, we forget what time it is when really it's their bedtime. Millie has been much more difficult to get to bed the last few nights, which may be our indicator that we have been out of a routine for too long. Just a few more nights and then they will be back to their regular schedule.
Dinner of ribs, chicken and sausages awaited me once the kids were settled. All of us seemed especially tired on Tuesday evening, so it was an early night for all of us.
I woke up in the night to Jack's shouts of my name, which in turn woke Millie up and that is ever so difficult when she's awake. But about 45 minutes later everyone was in the beds they started in and a few more hours of sleep happened for all of us.
Millie was the last one out of bed on Wednesday morning. The skies were dark and rain was inevitable. So what do you do after breakfast when it's going to shower?
We had a wonderful lunch and Millie received many gifts, which was totally unnecessary, but she loved them all. The presents were themed around Frozen as well, which thrilled her even more. Naturally, after eating, the kids needed their pool fix. Since the weather was not ideal pool weather, the adults decided not to get it. However, the weather did not deter the kids one bit.
The kids were blue and freezing by the time they came in, but they had fun. Once they were in and dressed, they headed to our room (Grandma and Grandpa's room) and watched Jack's iPad. They bathed a bit later, had fish fingers and chips for supper and then were off to bed. Thank goodness Millie actually didn't kick off on this particular night.
Grandma was not feeling well so had gone to bed before the kids. Grandpa, Stuart and I ate around 8:15 pm and spent the rest of the evening watching the Olympics. We watched men's synchronized diving, women's jujitsu, and men's individual gymnastics. We hadn't seen television since leaving Arizona, and even there we didn't watch much. I hadn't missed it at all. I finally went to bed around 11 pm and Stuart followed shortly after that.
We were up and out of the house after breakfast. Grandpa had to take his car to be serviced so Stuart followed him and brought him back to the house. Then everyone had breakfast. Since Grandma was not feeling well, Grandpa, Stuart, Jack and I walked up to the castle, which turned out to be 4 miles round trip. Millie stayed with Grandma and painted.
Once we were back at the house, with a fresh loaf of pan (bread), we had a bit of lunch. We did our best to clear out the leftovers. Around 3 pm, after bringing in some wash, the kids and Stuart got in the pool. Because the temperatures were not much warmer than Wednesday, the water was just as cold as the previous day which made it impossible for me to get in. I simply sat on the lounger and soaked up the sun.
After about an hour of swimming, everyone was like an ice cube. I finished hanging the laundry and put the kettle on. When the kids had dry clothes on, I decided I needed a shower. The wind was blowing and the weather was nice and cool, so after my shower I sat outside for a while, drinking my cup of tea that Stuart finished making for me. I had started it, then my ADD took over, I forgot about it and ended up in the shower. Fortunately, I have a husband who follows up after me to make sure my commitments are fulfilled.
The kids watched a movie while dinner was being prepared. Millie tried chicken pie and all was right with the world. Another episode of Alvin and the Chipmunks for Jack and Millie, and then it was bedtime for them. Was there a fit on Thursday night? Not much of one, but she didn't go to bed like she normally does. Hmmmm.
We introduced Barry and Karen to the game of Pitch on Thursday evening. Barry and I got slammed by Stuart and Karen. I'm sure we will get our revenge at some stage. After cards, Karen went to bed while Barry, Stuart and myself watched some of the Olympics. I finally headed to bed around 11:30 pm. Life is not easy going to bed just before midnight and getting up after 8 every morning.
Friday we were up and just chilling for a bit. Then the roaring game of Snakes and Ladders ensued.
After the game we headed down the hill for some tapas and a grocery store run. I always love to go to the grocery store in other countries. It's so intriguing to me to see the different products and what they house he most. I have discovered that the Spanish house pork products more than anything else. Yummy!
Once we were back and unpacked we went to Esperanza's for drinks and nibbles with Sheila and Chris. Teddy, their dog, joined us, which thrilled the kids.
We left the bar around 8 pm, fed and bathed the kids, then they were off to bed while we snacked on leftovers and crisps. We stayed up for a bit and played trivia on Stuart's phone. Around 10:30 pm we decided to watch a bit of the Olympics and then we were off to bed.
Saturday morning we got up and headed to the cathedral up on the hill, called Virgen del Saliente. We had visited here two years ago but the cathedral nor the restaurant was open. This was not the case this day. We not only saw the inside of the hitch, but also had a coffee at the restaurant.
The front of the cathedral was gorgeous.
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The required selfie at each stop was a success again. Once we had our drink and our look around we headed back down the hill for a meal at this garage.
After the kids were finished eating, I took them out to the little playground by the petrol station to let them run around for a bit. Once everyone else was finished eating they came out and we headed back to Oria. Sheila and Chris were due to bring their three dogs over for a playtime with Jack and Millie.
Once we got home, the kids put their suits on and headed out to the pool. I hung out laundry and didn't even pretend I was going to get in the pool. It was still too cold for my blood. The kids lasted a little longer on Saturday because the outside temperature was warmer than it had been the previous days.
The dogs arrived just before 6 pm and Jack and Millie wore them out. Those poor dogs couldn't catch their breath. For well over an hour the kids played, actively with Teddy, Izzy, and Missy, the dogs. It was so cute.
On the wall back, Jack and Millie walked in front of me and by the time I got home they were in the shower. Jack wanted to make it a point to show me he could be responsible and do as he was told. He had a few rough days in the past week and I had felt I was always jumping onto him about something. After their showers he pulled Millie into their bedroom to turn down the beds, close the shutters, line their shoes up, and put their towels on the back of the door. He then led me into the room, so pleased with himself. I was so proud of his efforts. He is such a good boy!
The kids ate dinner and then went back into our room to watch an episode of Alvin and the Chipmunks. They came out and told me when the show was over, which doesn't happen very often. Again, I complimented them for being honest and coming to me once the show was over. They told everyone 'Good night' and were off to bed.
The adults had a bite to eat and then sat down for some other Olympic events. Cycling seems to never be over. We also watched some tennis. Because we were watching BBC, only the British participants were highlighted. It was okay because I had been reading about the US athletes.
Another fun week of summer is over. Just one more week before we head back to Al Ain and work. We will make the most of it with Grandma and Grandpa.
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