Colonel Irrelevant

When faced with a snake in the swimming pool (alive and well) I failed to utter a Samuel L Jackson parody.

Shame …

I went to the End of Spain today. Incredible view of The Rock – it looms over the bay like an extension of Africa. Really doesn’t look like Spain at all.

Jerez airport has loads of Sherry advertising and next to none in the shop.

Where’s the Harvey’s I want to know!

The drive down was great – beautiful scenic landscapes.

Next time I’m here I’ll look for he apes!

Sitting in a fake Irish bar in Zaragoza drinking cerveza and listening to lily Allen must be one of the strangest evenings.

We’ve been here a few weeks now and it’s starting to feel more like home. The frustrations continue – I can’t get a car until I’m registered or something and the weak pound makes things costly.

But the weather is good, the pool is great and the food enjoyable.

The beggers make me smile, the man with a water pistol was wired (dressed for work on the tube with it stuck in his waistband).

Strange to see bull fights on the tv with old men in tight suits and silly hats.

I got one. It’s brill. I think. Now if I can just work out how to get my iStore or whatever account set up for Spanish iTunes then I can download stuff.

Why do people put stuff on Facebook that they wouldn’t say in public? I mean, honestly, what can you do when someone slags off their work/ boss/ colleagues, etc. without realising that the World can see their comments?

It’s madness, I tell you.

And now there are MORE of these social network things. I am on 2. Do I need more? Does it make me more sociable?

Sunday morning, sun shining.

Should be off to El Rastro but it hasn’t happened yet.

But it may …

We are now, finally, IN.

After weeks of trying, we moved in to the house 9 days ago and although there are teething problems with stuff on the whole it has been good.

We had a strange week – the dog ran off, we had a Nigerian scam in the house, we have some furniture (new), we have mobile phones, internet and TV.

The weather continues fair. Most of the time.

People in Madrid wear coats and jumpers in 25 degrees.

It is cheaper by far to buy cars in the UK.

Identity cars and the paraphinalia that goes with it makes life more difficult than necessary.

Life without a NIE is mad …

Hair clippers always have pictures on of hairstyles that are unachievable with clippers. They never have semi-slapheads with a #1.

OK, we are in Madrid. We have a house contract signed, but we can’t move in until later in the week. We need to buy things – fridge, TV, washing machine, etc.

The weather continues warm and sunny. Clouds have been seen. The mountains have snow on them.

Big Kid has started school. Little one hasn’t.

Hotel is getting dull.

Prices are expensive …

… is wet. Very wet. And grey. Like a really bad November in England. And full of people selling rip off souvenirs.

It’s beautiful in parts and well worth the visit.

But it makes you wince everytime you buy anything.

Mind you, the Louvre is spectacular.