Saturday 16th December

    

My Angel up on high

My darling sweet boy

Missing you today

And all those dreams of joy

    

My Angel up on high

My precious sweetheart

Thinking of you today

Even though we’re apart

    

My Angel up on high

My beloved son

Loving you always

Your earthly life is done

   

My Angel up on high

My treasured little man

In my heart forever

I’ll love you all I can

  

Xxxxxx

Friday 15th December

    

Look forward, not back

But when I think of you

I’m thrown off track

Those memories to pursue

Good times to unpack

Before we said “Adieu”

The past holds a pack

Of joy and love so true

    

Missing you my darling

Precious Angel son

xxxxxx

Thursday 14th December

   

As the tinsel, bells and holly

Start to decorate the stores

I remember the excitement

The simple fun that was yours

  

As the Christmas music plays

Bringing back memories of you

I try and remember good times

All the fun things you would do 

   

As the Christmas cards are posted

I can no longer sign your name

Finding it just so difficult to write

Since a sweet Angel you became

  

Missing you so much poppet

Darling Angel son

xxxxxx

  

Wednesday 13th December

   

Making memories for you

When we’re​ on holiday

Although you’re not here

You’ll not fade away

Sharing all that we do

In my heart you’ll stay

Dearest Angel son

See you again someday

   

xxxxxx

 

Tuesday 12th December

  

Our last morning of our holiday, and as we had a few hours spare, we took a taxi to the Centro Vasco da Gama: a large shopping mall, festively decorated, with access to the walk along the River Tagus.

We stopped first for morning coffee and eats, sitting outside on the terrace warmed by the sun. Such a wonderful view, looking out over a large, metal sculpture of a Sun Man, by Jorge Vieira, then on to an avenue of fluttering flags. A perfect vista.

As it was so warm and pleasant, we took a stroll outside to the river walk, past all the flags, on to a view of the Vasco da Gama Bridge: with a total length of 12.3 km, it is the longest bridge in Europe.

We had a final wander around all three levels of the mall, noting that it was now becoming  much busier, stopping for another coffee, then finding a taxi back to the hotel, then a shuttle on to the airport.

And there we are, with a 130 mile an hour head wind, the flight took two and a half hours, (a little longer than planned), landing in the rain, with a welcome home temperature of 4°C. Brrrrrrrrr……..

Thought about you all the time.

Precious Angel son.

Miss you so much.

xxxxxx

Monday 11th December

  

It had been exceptionally windy last night, with the first rain of our holiday lashing against the windows of our hotel at three in the morning. When we went for our early walk, leaves were strewn all across the roads and on top of cars.
This was our last day in Badajoz, and we began with a pleasant breakfast of café con leche y tostadas con jamón, queso y tomate. (My Spanish is slowly improving…)
Our son picked us up at midday and drove us a few miles over the border into Portugal where we said our goodbyes, and shared lots of hugs and kisses. We caught the coach to Lisbon, and arrived three hours later.

It has been a lovely vacation, sharing time with our younger son and his girlfriend. We had spectacular weather, and went to fabulous places. Tomorrow it will be back to England and the cold, grey, dismal conditions…… that is, if the plane can take off. The storm that has gone through has caused travel chaos, I believe. We met some fellow travelers in the reception, and they were supposed to fly back to Holland today, but their flights had been cancelled. Oh well, we shall see.

Thinking of you sweetie pie

Beloved Angel son

Always and forever

xxxxxx

Sunday 10th December

    

As we slowly awoke this morning, we could hear intermittent clapping and cheering, and on looking out over the balcony, we saw many runners along the promenade. Using social media, I found out that the Málaga Marathon was taking place, right in front of our building, with over three thousand four hundred entrants. Such a beautiful morning to pound the pavements…. young, old, on bicycles, and in wheelchairs.

We checked out of the apartment at midday and went for a walk along the beach at El Palo, to the east of where we had been staying. The marathon runners were long gone, to be replaced by dog walkers, families and Sunday strollers. Stopping at an outdoor café, we had coffees, then the local speciality ~ espetos ~ or barbecued sardines, and calamari: so very good.

Then began our long drive north west, back to Badajoz. Our son took control of the driving, a long journey of over five hours…….And so, our little Spanish sojourn is soon to come to an end. We have had a fabulous time, with amazingly warm weather for December, visiting some terrific destinations, eating local delicacies, and spending quality time with our son and his girlfriend.

Not forgetting you, my darling.

Beloved Angel son.

xxxxxx

Saturday 9th December

    

This morning was spent at the Christmas market in Fuengirola ~ so much for sale, so many people…. we wandered around and around, but did not make any purchases. Son and girlfriend bought Christmas decorations and a few other bits and bobs, and Ana’s cousin Belén also found some treasures. You would have loved this ~ you always did like a good car boot sale, rummaging for books, videos or CD’s.

Lunch was at a fabulous, laid back beach bar in Marbella ~ Andy’s Bar…. beers, sardines, and local liquor were consumed under the warmth of the sun, with feet in the sand, eyes to the sky watching the many aeroplanes flying westwards.

Puerto Banús was next on the intinerary, where we watched the sun set, imbibing yet more beers and rum. The many splendid watercraft on show was enough to make one turn green with envy.

The final stop of the day was at an establishment named Buti Bamba with the biggest lomo bocadillos, (meat sandwiches). Too much to eat all in one go, so we ended up taking some home for breakfast.

A busy day, with lots to see; taking in the sights, sounds and smells of Andalucía, with the Sierra Blanca mountains on one side and the Mediterranean on the other. 

Blowing kisses to heaven, to you, my darling Angel son.

xxxxxx

Friday 8th December

   

Having made a picnic lunch for everyone, our son then drove us all eastwards towards Nerja, a journey of about fifty miles. Our first stop took us to Almuñécar, where we turned off the main highway, and travelled down a steep, windy road to a cove that had a great little beach bar.

Morning coffee, sitting in the warmth of the December sun, looking out over the sparkling sea, was just perfect. We ate our picnic lunch further down the beach, then lay out to soak up some vitamin D. Following a short nap, we explored the length of the beach, finding at one end a narrow route to a second cove, but we did not continue any further ~ a sign painted on the side of the rock face proclaimed “Playa Nudista”…… we were not ready to strip off, expose our bodies and go ‘au naturel’!

In fact, on the beach where we were sitting there were a number of naked people sunbathing or swimming.  It was a perfect spot to spend the warmest part of the day; not too crowded, great sandstone cliffs, clear sea and fabulous blue skies.

Later on we drove back into Nerja and explored the old town, stopping for a beer, and then to watch another spectacular sunset. 

Not sure what you would have made of the nudist beach, although I wouldn’t put it past you to throw off all your clothes and ‘make like a native’! When in Rome, and all that.

We do miss you sweetie, and talk about you all the time.

Love you so much.

Precious Angel son

xxxxxx

Thursday 7th December

  

Waking up to beautiful sunshine across the bay, we decided to spend the day in Málaga exploring the hilltop castle ruins and the Arabic style gardens.

Our first stop was the amazing Castillo de Gibralfaro, situated high on the hill, overlooking the city. We walked along the walls, up and down steps, in and out of courtyards and viewing areas. Looking inland were many white-walled, terracotta-roofed houses with the mountains in the distance. Towards the coast was the bull ring, municipal offices, cathedral, the marina, and the busy port. We stopped at the top for coffee and cake, then drove down back into the old town.

Again, parking seems to be problematic, so we ended up in an underground parking lot, not too far from a busy square filled with cafés, bars and street entertainers.

We made our way to the Alcazaba which is a medieval, Moorish castle set amidst spectacular gardens, with patios, pools and paths meandering up the hillside. Inside are splendid multifoil arches, columns, decorated ceilings and walls tiles.

Suitably amazed by the breathtaking views and architecture, it was time for a bite to eat. The old part of the city is a maze of roads, alleyways and walkways, many overlooked by wrought iron balconies and ochre coloured walls.

We had been recommended an eatery by the name of Los Gatos, and ordered a variety of different tapas and beers, perching on stools, sitting outside on the pavement. Our waiter kindly ended our meal with free glasses of Prosecco.

From here we continued our meanderings, taking in the relaxed, easy atmosphere. As the sun was beginning to go down, we decided to end the day watching the sunset at a beach bar, or chiringuito. More beers, coffee, a fabulous langoustine risotto, and buckets of hot coals set beneath the table, kept us warm as the temperature dropped.

Thinking of you.

Sweetheart Angel son.

With me always.

xxxxxx