It’s been just over two weeks since I wrote this post telling you all about my friend Manolo offering me the use of his beachfront apartment in Málaga in August. It’s been like waiting for Christmas but finally today is the day! Nog and I are going to leave just after lunch, catch the train at 3pm and should be at the apartment by 6 o’clock. In time to unpack and get settled in and then hit the streets early evening in search of tapas…

When I had my last class of the summer with my friend/GP and one-and-only student Agustín on Wednesday he surprised me with a “vacation donation”, which was very sweet of him. So that’ll take care of 3-4 meals out, which should cover most of the restaurant recommendations he gave me. And luckily Nog has had regular part-time classes this summer, so he’ll have a little holiday money to spend. But we’ll also be bringing some basic groceries with us as we’re planning to eat at least one meal a day “at home”, which will not only be cheaper but also nice and relaxing. Agustín gave me directions to the market and told me that when I go there on Monday morning for fruit & veg I should also get a big bunch of freesias to have in the apartment for the week. And I think that’s a wonderful idea, especially as I can’t have cut flowers at home (because you-know-who will eat them).

I’m awfully nervous about leaving the boys for so long, but my next door neighbour Chiara is going to come over once a day to feed and water them. As she’s never had cats I’ve asked Bizzy from L’Oca Giuliva to be my back-up cat sitter in case of emergency because she has two cats and would know what to do. I’m also going ot miss Sunny’s 16th birthday (on Wednesday) which I feel absurdly bad about, but we’ll celebrate it when we come home.

So that’s it, really. Just have to finish packing and head south.  😎