I spent a wonderful day last Saturday at Castellon de Bedar up in the foothills of the Cabrera Mountains. Mike had spotted an advert for a beginners' jewellery making course in the Almeria Focus magazine and I booked a place online, thinking it might at least take my mind of my mosquito bites for the day. I was so glad I did.
We were met by Shane, one of our hosts, in the car park at the top of the village and he walked us round the meandering streets (a short walk) to the Castellon where we met Clare, our tutor and mentor. My left arm was dotted with elastoplasts covering my bites (I know you shouldn't scratch them) but I don't think anyone noticed? There were seven of us altogether - five other ladies and a gent. None of us were sure what to expect but we were all blown away by the beautiful setting and the friendliness of Clare and Shane. Clare is an excellent, and very patient, teacher who was keen to share her own values and skills in making the twisted silver rings that was our goal for the day.
Morning coffee and homemade lemon shortbread biscuits were served by Shane who also provided us with a superb lunch on the terrace overlooking the rooftops of the pueblo and down to the coast - with Andrea Bocelli playing in the background what's not to love?
We finished off the day, all of us having made individual style rings to be proud of, with a glass of Cava on the terrace.(that's me on the left lurking behind the easel). Shane showed us round the b&b suite they offer which was beautifully furnished in Spanish boutique style with the same stunning views from the terrace. Dogs are not permitted, being in close proximity to the kitchen, so that rules us and our two little yappers out (shame) but it would be a perfect place place for visiting friends and family to stay to enjoy the ambience, superb food, great hosts, the view ........ I'm envious already.
Mike picked me up back at the car park and listened patiently to my chatter about my day and the interesting people I had met. Unfortunately, for him, I still had Andrea singing 'Melodrama' in my head and kept joining in with the chorus. It's only a thirty minute drive to where we are on the coast but I think he would have preferred it shorter.
Back at home I was greeted enthusiastically by the dogs and Mike showed me his new weapon in our warfare against the mosquito and flying insect population generally. He'd bought a 'zapper' from the Chinese supermarket which looks a bit like a tennis raquet with batteries. We've found the only way to get rid of those annoying flies which continually nose dive parts of your anatomy is to hit them over the head with the tin of fly spray - just spraying it gets you nowhere.
I'm now going to bed with all the old favourites ... blue light plugged into the wall, the mozzie repellent spray, lavender oil on my person and the new weapon in the arsenal - the tennis raquet hidden under the sheet. On the first night, I sat bolt upright at the first high pitched wine and frantically waved the raquet around - my finger on the red button on the handle as directed. I'm not sure if it did anything as I still got one bite on my finger. I think it's more likely that the little buzzer slipped off the lavender oil than was swatted by my backhand, but only one bite has to be an improvement.
I'm now also looking for a cure for ear worms as I've still got Andrea and 'Melodrama' on a continuous loop in my head!