Mike & Liz In Andalucia

Another week, another blog.

What’s interesting though is while looking at my previous post I noticed that this time last week it was really warm – well you will all be glad to know that this whole weekend just gone (Friday night onwards) all that we’ve had is rain around here. Because of that we’ve spent most of the time indoors and when we did eventualy go out with the car we noticed a couple of overturned vehicles who no doubt were going a bit too fast on the motorway. So even us here in Spain have been suffering a little bit of low pressure.

After a very busy week last week – (Mon: AGM, Tue: Squash, Wed: Music Practice, Thurs: Squash, Fri: Cell Group) things seem to have returned a little bit back to normal. Dave & Sarah are coming over this wednesday for few days and I’ve even decided to treat myself to one day off on friday. Haven’t really got much planed but I’m sure we will take them around somewhere or even recommend good places to get to while they are here.

Now I would go on, but Liz is waiting for me outside, so it’s good night from me for another post and see you all soon.

Well another Monday comes round the corner. Yesterday as you know was church – it went really well. People seemed to have been really keen to be there and worship God. It was also a very hot day yesterday (25C) and after church Liz & I headed to the gym to start getting ourselves fit for the summer.

Other than that tonight is the AGM at the Ark and I’m hoping it’s gonna be fun.

Watch this space,

Mike

Well it’s a lovely saturday morning. The sun is piercing though the clouds, the view of the beach as always is a stone-throw’s away and while only catching a gilpse of the ondulating waves I feel that this writing is sounding too much like a poet and not like me – so let’s get back to reality.

On wednesday, Michael (Liz’s brother) was over from artic Solihull to enjoy a little break over here. We’ve managed to keep him entertained with the wonders of Estepona & Ronda and the culinary challenges of our local bars & restaurants. In fact I heard that on his first day here he experienced octopus for lunch and rumours are he’s gonna be talking some back to the good old Midlands today. His flight leaves around 6.30pm from Malaga this evening and I think we’re probably just going to do some shopping between now and then and get him stocked with Spanish ingredients.

Tomorrow, it’s church with the AGM taking place on Monday – that should keep things busy and challenging at the same time. Well time to go and get a shower and get ready for some shopping……

Mike

GOOD NEWS. It is official last friday we completed on Powell Road. That flat is now sold. I would like to take this opportunity and quote from an episode of “Friends” – It’s the end of an era. All joking aside, we are both very very relieved that it is all over and that we now concetrate on other things.

What’s going down this week?

Tomorrow night, I’m once again entering the Squash court to see if I can play without injuring myself after a month in recess. Wednesday, my brother-in-law is over for a few days so we’re going to be hanging out with me – rumours are that he is bringing with him Season 3 of Scrubs and also some sliced Malt loaf from the UK. Thursday, Friday – not sure what we will do but Saturday we will definately take Michael somewhere exotic. Sunday – back to church.

Most amazing feet I have performed this week?

Well last Saturday I went out for dinner with a group of Spanish friends and managed to eat 700 grammes worth of meat for my main (after having partaken in starters). Needless to say I got the meat sweats (a Joey moment for those “friends” aficionados) not only straight after but also the day after. Not recommended to be done – but the restaurant definate YES.

Well enough of my blurb keep reading and we will keep writing.

Good night and God Bless,

Mike C.

Wow I do apologize, I didn’t realise it had been so long since one of us last posted anything! It seems a bit strange to talk about Christmas now because it was so long ago. Least to say we had a great time being back in the UK.
Meanwhile I have been back to the UK for a weekend in January because sadly my much loved grandma had a stroke and she is still in hospital. Things have been pretty tough for my mum but we pray for comfort and for the peace of God in this situation.
However we do have some good news! For those of you who have been bored to tears..I mean aware of our property situation, we exchanged on my flat last wednesday. It has been such an uphill struggle which I could explain in further detail but I am sensing the yawning from here! But we are due to complete a week today (3rd March). If you do think of us just please pray for a smooth completion as we all know what happened last time!
As I am updating this Mike has rung to say he is going to be late home because he is “building something”. This sounds a little onimous but a couple of weeks ago he did move into his new office so I’m guessing it’s flat- pack furniture….. I was even involved with carrying a few boxes for the big move and got to see the new surroundings. The office is quite impressive but what is better is now I can use the car because he can walk to work : )

It’s hard to imagine it’s the countdown down to Christmas already. It’s been a real difference here, not only because of the weather but because all the shops aren’t full of annoying tunes and covered in decorations. I think it was last week I stumbled on some christmas decorations down a supermarket aisle that I thought I’d better start thinking about presents….
Also it became more of a reality last week when we were both asked to take part in the church’s christmas play!! Seems like we are now fully accepted!! Mikes a sheperd and I’m a TV news journalist called “Corrie Spondant”. It seems like all churches share a similar sense of humour wherever you are.
Church has been really good. We had our evening of worship which was really blessed with people wanting it more often and it’s been nice starting homegroups again and getting to know people better.
And if anyone is struggling to know what to buy Mike for christmas, the new playstation and X box are coming out and he also likes the PSP!!! You can only imagine the excitement……..

About two weeks ago I had my second experience of a spanish “Feria”. Nearly every town has one and they last for a week. Each town has a saint representing them and it is a celebration in their honour. We went to the one in San Pedro (in honour of Saint Peter). Mike had arranged to meet his friend charlie and some of his friends. Really, it´s a time when people can get dressed up in traditional dress, have a few parades and eat and drink alot.

The first one I went to was last year in Fuengirola when were here on holiday. We went to the night one which is more of a funfair and went with people from church. It was good but a totally different atmosphere to San Pedro.

In Fuengirola we were a group of tourists, a bit unsure of what was going on and a bit shy in really taking part. In San Pedro we had gone with local people and saw a different side to the celebrations. What made it more special was Mike meeting some friends from when he lived here before and hadn´t seen them for over 6 years. This really captured the ferria for me because it is about a town getting together and just bumping into each other in the street and celebrating. It showed me that is more about communtiy then spectatorship.

Well it’s been quite a month! We have had the pleasure of both sets of parents visiting and now I am pleased to say they can now picture where we live when we talk on the phone : )
We certainly have a rounded repertoire of places to visit and things to do – sherry tours, trips to Gibralter, visits to the “white villages”, walks in the mountains, walks along the beach, so for those of you who are only thinking about coming…..
We have also had celebrations of my birthday and our wedding anniversary (2 years already!). Mike took me out for a very romantic meal of which the highlight was the dessert – profiteroles with a mascarpone cheese filling instead of cream mmmmm…..
Now the next occasion is christmas! Thankfully, things aren’t dominating the shops here- yet.

Well it’s been nearly 2 weeks since I updated the blog, so I think it would be only right to do so today and get back into the habit of keeping this online diary full of news and happenings. For those of you that don’t know in the last 2 weeks both Liz & I have been back to the UK for 2 different ocasions.

The first one (Friday 23rd Sept) was Gerard & Helen’s wedding. What a lovely day it was! Both the bride & groom looked spectacular and as a guest it was a very special day to be shared with them. It was a small wedding with a max of 30 people there creating a lovely intimate atmosphere for everyone present. Liz and I had been asked to play at the wedding for 2 different sections – one was a little instrumental while both mothers light a candle and the second time was on the signing of the register (we sang “In Christ Alone”). After the ceremony we all got into taxis and headed off to Little Venice where we all boarded a long boat and we were served champagne and canapes. This was our mode of transport to the restaurant where the reception took place. I must say that was just so unique and so Gerard! I could go on, but I guess you guys are getting the picture that it was a very good day.

Day after, we were involved with “On The Move”, where we did some open air singing with different churches and invited people to a free b-b-q at the end of it. What a great way of showing God’s love to people, then by filling their stomachs with a free lunch.

Sunday we were back at New Wine leading worship and enjoying church lunch after the service. It was good to just be able to see people say hello and then head off to catch our flight back to Jerez.

Now this weekend just gone we were also in London and this time it was for “New Wine’s” Weekend Away. Now it was not just any weekend away but they managed to get Roger & Faith Foster to speak at the event so we thought it would be good to go and receive. Needless to say the whole weekend was amazing (great food – both spiritualy and phisicaly) and we were reluctant to leave but unfortunately we all had to get back home and do some work. On the bright side we did come back with my parents who are now gonna be with us for a week here so it should prove to be a good weekend.

Anyway, apologies for the delay and we’ll keep in touch.

Mike