Selwo

Selwo is a kind of Safari park in Estepona. We went there today with Bianca's sister, Gaby, and her kids, Victoria and Ewan.

We walked and safari trucked it all the way round the park (and in a few circles) and probably saw everything there.

There are some really hair-raising bits for the Safari trucks to negotiate!

Here are a couple of photos of the park as a whole.....

From near the bottom.


From near the top.


Before going into the Aviary at the entrance to the park we saw Flamingos, Cayman, Monkeys and Apes and various other creatures.






And this parrot took a shine to Oliver.










We walked up the hill through the "Biggest Aviary in Europe" according to the Safari man. There were some really nice things to see there, but hard to photograph.

Toucans.


These?






And this guy.










I don't think he liked me very much..

Strawberry Lace time.



"Where??!"


We came out at the end of the Aviary and walked for a while before picking up the Safari Truck to show us some of the Animals up-close.

Wehaaaaaay!





Later, waiting for a bus.....


to Camel Land!







































And after that, it was one handed no less!



"Mums and Tots", with slipper loss anxiety.




Then we went home.

Nick

Day at the "Charco"

On Sunday we finally made use of the new car and took a trip up towards the mountains. The countryside up there is really spectacular. Something I think the photos in this entry completely fail to capture.

We stopped for some sandwiches and cake and then took a walk to the "Charco" (puddle) which I think they call these things on account of the fact that they dry up in the summer months. I expect it will completely disappear by August. We'll see.

This is the approach to the lake. As you can see, not another person in sight. Apparently, we're benefiting from the fact that the Spanish don't seem to go out anywhere unless the sun is actually shining. That is the edge of the Sierra de Grazalema in the background by the way.



We surprised a Stork by the waters edge.



Here's Ollie, sitting on a "Pirate Ship".



And Tom contemplating the end of his digging stick.



I've included one with me in, just so you know I moved here too!



This is just another shot of the mountains.



OK. Thats all for now. Hope that has given you all a taste of what is available to us here. This place is a 20 minute drive from Arcos, and the mountains proper are only 30-35 minutes away. We'll save that for another day.

I also hope to do some walking without the kids so that I can go further. Having done a little research it seems there are some really fantastic walks in this area.

I plan to go to the Garganta Verde soon, which is a really impressive gorge about 40 minutes away, and home to Europe's largest colony of Griffon Vultures. Anyone want to come?

More Soon

Nick

Family Visit

On Saturday Bianca's brother and sister came for a visit. We had a meal at "El Patio", and then came home through the rain and the kids ran riot for a few hours in the flat. Here are a couple of photos.

Ollie and Ewan. I think these two are gonna give us some trouble. Hehe.


Tom and Victoria.




Gaby and Ewan.

Have car, can travel

Finally, we have a car. Thank God for that!

Nothing to crow about but it's a real relief. We bought a little Renault Clio from the local Renault dealership here in Arcos. Paco, the Mechanic/Salesman was a really friendly (not to mention patient) guy and after making him really work for a sale, we eventually parted with some cash.

Full service history blah, blah, blah.......

Bianca's sister, Gabriella, is visiting tomorrow, but before she does, we're off on a little drive around. Maybe we'll take a drive down to the lake.

It's going to be nice to have a car to pull us up these hills at least some of the time. Though Bianca says she's noticing the hills toning her butt!

Here's a little piccy.....

Misty morning

It was misty this morning, and while we waited for the mist to burn off, and the glorious sunshine to start, I took a couple of photos.



There has been a special request for photo's of the boys with their new haircuts.

Typical one of Tom...


Early morning Ollie.


I thought it was about time that we show a little more of Arcos. Today we went into town to roam around. Actually, we were doing a bit of property research.

Unusually, I remembered to take the camera, so I've uploaded a few photo's of interesting (I'll let you be the judge of that) things we have here.

The entrance to Tom's school...


One of the numerous Church towers...(Iglesia de Santa Maria)


This is the side entrance...

And this is the back....


This a little place where the boys probably shouldn't be running amok during siesta hours.....


That's it for now, I'll take a few more carefully considered photos of the town, with the other churches and maybe the views from various Miradores (viewpoints) another day.

Toms first day at school.

Today was Toms first day at his new school. We walked across town to the school entrance as a family. When we got there, some parents had already gathered in the alley way, in front of the school entrance. I have to say it felt a little like I was starting school myself. Bianca spoke to a couple of the mothers, and then the school bell rang and the kids went in.......including Tom. I was very proud of how he took it. Not a whimper! It was really admirable. Bianca accompanied him to his class and had a quick chat with his teacher (she's looking after all of us here).

I was left outside with Ollie for a while, and he REALLY wanted to join Tom in school. Never mind. In September he will.

Since finding Arcos and deciding to move here, Bianca and I have been reading a web site authored by an English couple who moved here two years ago (Emma and Jim) The details can be found at casacampana.com. A couple of days ago I emailed them to ask if they would like to meet up. Happily, they replied and pointed out that as Tom and their son Joe will be attending the same school, we would meet at the school gates.

Jim turned up at the school as expected, with Joe. After he had seen his son into school, he came to have a chat. Luckily for us, he seems to be a nice, personable guy, and he immediately invited us to come and meet his wife Emma and daughter Maggie, who is 2, at their home.

They have a fantastic place, with a lovely patio and stunning views from the roof terrace.

Emma had other commitments so after a brief chat, we left with Jim and Maggie and went to her Nursery, where Jim suggested we might like to put Ollie.

After visiting the Nursery, we went for a coffee and had quite an extensive natter. We then meandered through town, with Jim pointing out houses he knew were for sale.

Before long, it was time to collect Tom from School. It was a huge relief for both of us to find out from Tom that he had enjoyed himself and that he was looking forward to going back the next day. Another milestone reached, as this was one of our main concerns with moving here.

OK. That's enough for now. We all need an early night.

Nick


Edit: We've got to know Jim and Emma a bit better now.....and Jim's a right Git! ;-)

Step 1

We moved into our rental property, a flat on Calle Camino de Bornos on March 26th 2007.

The is the view from our Terraza. Lots of sky I know.


The view looking down the hill.......


The kids loved the Terraza from the start.....


They loved the patio too, probably because their room opens onto it, and their toys are in it.



Bianca has been under the pale English sun for so long, she's in shock.


Thats it for now.