It's a long time since this thread was posted on. Is everybody still happy? Must admit, I was getting a bit depressed reading the thread on "justice" which has reached hundreds of posts. The protagonists on there will not accept any of the replies given and all the advice and sympathetic (which I was really was, at the beginning, or at least, for the first 2 or 3 hundred posts) responses, but, no, it drags on and on and on.
Anyway, back to the happy bit. Had a great couple of weeks in Quesada at the beginning of the month. Took 3 grandkids, 14, 11 and 8. We haven't taken any of them for a couple of years so we took them all this time. They had a fantastic time even though we thought the 2 weeks was far too short. It was really, really difficult to leave this time. Sitting on my veranda, supping a cool beverage or two, chatting to the neighbours. The kids thought it was great they could go over to the pools at 8:30 at night. They loved the restaurants we took them to, the walks on the seafront in Torrevieja, the chiliing out and boy, were they happy when they found the Disney channel was on in English! I really think we are very lucky to have found such a lovely place. It is amazing, though, that kids can still find things to argue about even when they are enjoying themselves, My grand daughter, the 11 year old, has turned into a right drama queen. Some of the sulks and comments would get her a scholarship at RADA anytime.
Still, we had a great time. Very sorry to leave and, as normal, looking at the flight sites to book my next visit. Have been checking my finances to see when I can move over permanently but it looks like we'll have to wait until October next year when insurances mature. In fact, we have now made the decision that, come hell, highwater or tax demands, we have set a deadline for October next year which is, unfortunately, a couple of years after our last deadline (ho, hum).
Also decided to buy a car in Spain and leave it there due to the high prices of car hire now, which I won't labour on as this is the happy thread. Oh, and the fact that it is pouring with rain here in UK, high winds and gas fire on last night, I won't lower this happy thread by mentioning that.
The night before we left (seems years ago now but was only 10 days or so ago) there was an absolutely spectacular lightning storm. We sat on the veranda (kids and all) watching this fabulous light show that went on for hours. Sheet lightning, forked lightning and even blanket lightning (is there such a thing?) . Grandkids were absolutely fascinated. Started about 8 pm and was still going when we went to bed at around midnight.
Also had an excellent evening the weekend before attending the Quesada fiesta. Lovely parades and marvellous firework displays which the kids thought was fabulous. Saw the parades at about 7, the fireworks were on about 8.30 (bit early and didn't do them justice) then a lovely meal at a Chinese followed by a drink in the next door pub (on the terrace). Absolutely brilliant when the 8 year old said "This is the best day of my life, ever". Makes it all worthwhile.