Got the word from Manolo last night – the apartment in Málaga will be available next week! Yay!

So this morning Peter and I went out and bought our train tickets. The plan is to leave early Monday morning and come back on Wednesday afternoon. Which means leaving the cats on their own for two nights (!!!). But after checking with two vets about Azar’s “condition” (which is basically old age) I’ve decided to not worry over much, because this trip feels much-needed. And also much-wanted as I really do want to celebrate my 55th birthday in style. Plus Peter has been working very hard the past couple months and this will be a bit of a reward for him as I think he loves Málaga as much as I do.

While there I want to see two art exhibits, both retrospectives. One of Alberto Giacometti at the Picasso Museum, and the other of Eugenio Chicano at the Museo del Patrimonio Municipal. The first one was actually on when I was in Málaga last October but I didn’t have time to see it, so I’m glad I have this chance as I’ve heard it’s wonderful.

Otherwise I guess we’ll be doing the usual. Well, other than dipping my toes in the Mediterranean – bit chilly for that, I think. But we’ll do a lot of walking and seeing what’s new. I’ve been told the shops and restaurants in the newly redeveloped port are now open. I also want to go up to the Parador Gibralfaro and have a drink on their terraza with spectacular views of the port and city, which is something I’ve not yet done there. And of course just being there at Christmas time is wonderful in itself.

By total coincidence a woman from Israel who took one of my Sevilla Tapas Tours last April, Sarah Melamed (she writes the Foodbridge blog), is also going to be in Málaga while I’m there, so I’m sure we’ll get together for a meal one day. And I may also meet up with some other Twitter friends who live nearby. After all, it’ll be Birthday Week! So stay tuned…