Although any time of year is a good time to be in Spain, I do think September has its own special attractions. For a start, the baking heat of August is starting to dissipate. It's still warm enough to swim in the outdoor pool and sit on the terrace until the early hours, but it's cool enough to sleep soundly - as long as the usual precautions against mosquitoes are taken of course.
Another great thing about September - at least for me - is that it's the time when our friends and neighbours who don't live out here come out for extended stays, so nearly every day we catch up with someone we haven't seen for a while. It makes for more interesting and convivial days, and we tend to eat out more, because when people come out on holiday that's what they tend to do, and we get invited along.
By September, I'm usually feeling like cooking again, after surviving most of August on sandwiches and salads and fruit, because it's just too hot to cook. I may be a few pounds lighter going into September, but it's nice to get back to cooking the Spanish food we love.
As it's cooler, we start to walk a bit more as well, rather than heading for the air conditioned sanctuary of the car. Now we can walk the two miles into Algorfa, and enjoy wine and tapas in the square, safe in the knowledge that if we want a second - or even a third - glass, we won't get stopped on the way home and charged with being drunk in charge of a pair of feet!
Another benefit of September is that, as the visitor numbers subside, it's easier to park, and easier to pick up a copy of one of the free papers. Everywhere takes on a slightly more leisurely feel, because the shop and restaurant staff and service providers are not rushed off their feet with all the extra business the tourists bring in.
It's nice to see new faces, and to see holidaymakers come to know and love our corner of the Costa Blanca, but it's great when it goes a bit quieter. Oh, and last but not least - it's the month when I can finally get Tony to accompany me for my daily dip in the pool. He finds it too cold for him before June, and too crowded in July and August. Do you have a favourite month to be in Spain?
