La Madame et sa valise: A lot going on in the Village

I had a bit of a change of routine yesterday, after breakfast I decided to sort out my case and be a step ahead with packing, and then the sun was blazing though my bedroom window, so I donned my pool wear and headed off to soak up and some rays and top up vitamin D, which according to the weather reports from home, seems like the right thing to do.

I had a good 3 hours soaking up the sun, bathing in peace and quiet, and being lulled in and out of sleep by the birds who were in fine voice. I was getting tad hungry so decided to head into the village and get some lunch.

I took my usual 'upper' route in to the village and passed the Art gallery where to my surprise I found out that the exhibition that Tracey and I went to see last year, is now a permanent feature. I went in and was talking to the gallery owner,saying I had visited last year and loved it, he let me go round again, free of charge. And so I once again delighted being in nearness to Picasso and Dali. The selection of pieces, paintings, sketches and ceramics was as great as last year.

Leaving the gallery, I wandered along the street and was stuck by the Christmas decor in the shops, luckily the lights in the streets haven't gone up, but the Christmas market huts are ready.

I wandered into a shop selling Spanish porcelain, Lladro and Lalique, I was in my own little heaven, but as soon as I moved from one display to another, I was pounced on by a shop assistant, the first time it was ok, but by the time 5 assistants had homed in on me I was trying to get out the door.

I did some some stunning Lalique wine glasses, they had'nt a price on them so I took that to mean I couldn't afford them.

I would have bought this Lladro Christmas tree, but I was being pushed in to a corner literally by a shop assistant and decided that their bully boy tactics had just lost them a sale and I would track it down online.

I walked down into the main square where the flamenco show was taking place, it is always a delight to see.

I had lunch in the cafe Bella Vista which does have a 'bella vista'

I decided to walk back up to the town hall where there was an artisan market, before going to the Virgen de la Pena and saying a prayer. This is a beautiful, shrine, carved out of rock.

Heading back to the hotel I gave the donkeys a scratch and they responded favourably. I am terrified of horses and avoid them whenever possible, but donkeys are a very different thing.

Back at the hotel I spent a couple of hours on my balcony relaxing in the afternoon sun and reading, I have totally switched off and am loving it.

An early evening sundowner and some dinner completed my evening.