September 23rd - 30th 2007
Written by Geoff Forster
More great weather. Temperatures are perfect.
A quiet day is planned around the house.
We sat in the sun watching the kittens playing.
Here's little Charlie.
Later in the evening we watched two movies.First we watched 'Evening' starring Claire Danes, Toni Collette, Vanessa Redgrave, Patrick Wilson, Hugh Dancy, Natasha Richardson, Meryl Streep and Glenn Close.
A dying woman remembers a defining moment in her past ... not my sort of film but the acting was excellent.
Next we watched '1408' starring John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson.
A writer of a haunted hotel rooms guides, books into room 1408 of the Dolphin Hotel NY ... quite a creepy, scary film, we both enjoyed it.
Another perfect day. Blue skies, sunshine, temperature in the mid 80'sF.
We were working on the computers when Lyngard and Jean called around.
They live in Stoke and have a holiday home in Montejaque.
We went to Dami's Bar for coffee.
We had a good chat and then walked up to the plaza before saying goodbye.Good to see them both again.
Later Jane cooked a roast chicken dinner.
Which was really good, roasts and thick gravy . Mmmmmmmm.
I watched 'The Invisible' starring Justin Chatwin, Margarita Levieva, Marcia Gay Harden and Chris Marquette.
A strange film, hard to describe really without spoiling the movie. Not brilliant but I enjoyed it.
A really hot day for the end of September.
We went to see Rosie and Domingo.
We took a bale of straw for them as well as seeds and carobs.
All the animals are well.
The kittens continue to grow and give us plenty of laughs watching them playing.
They are very adventurous and quite daring, climbing some quite high trees opposite the apartment.
It's almond picking time. The almond trees are losing their leaves as well as their nuts.
Sebastian gave us a few kilos from a huge sack (one of many) that we saw him staggering down the street with. What he's going to do with them all we don't know.
We worked all afternoon and into the evening.
Then we watched 'Tigers Tail starring Brendan Gleeson, Kim Cattrall, Ciarán Hinds, Sinéad Cusack and Briain Gleeson. Set in Ireland, a wealthy successful man finds himself face to face with his double.
Good story, well acted, made for TV style movie.
Another really hot day, blue skies, a perfect day.
We worked in the morning. Then decided to have a walk. We called into Pub Bar Dami for tapas.
We worked all afternoon and into the evening.
Then we watched 'Transformers'. Robots in disguise. ;-) I didn't think that Jane would go for this one ... but she quite enjoyed it. Good kids/family movie, great effects, it's two and a half hours long. Great for keeping the kids quiet ... fantastic Christmas gift.
The start of Benarrabá Feria ...but Jane's doing her Cinderella impression and is cleaning .. hoping some prince will come and take her to the ball.
Well about zero chance of that happening so she'll have to go with me :-)
I've been toiling away on websites but we took time out to see Rosie and Domingo.
They love seeing us and Domingo gave us a welcoming Eehaw. Cute.
We watched them eat their food and then wasted our time giving them a brush as they always roll in the dust afterwards.
Back home we ate and then Jane spent hours deciding which dress was most suitable for the feria. Does my bum look big in this ...?
So the big event is here!!! Time to head to the feria. We got there late. So we timed it perfectly!
Only if food is involved does anything in Spain start early or remotely close to advertised start times.
The band was playing. 'La Cala', from Estepona, feria regulars.
The feria Queens and Mister Feria 2007 were getting ready.
We're not sure who picks the winners, and what criteria they use ...
Here's the feria queen for 2007 . Followed by the maids of honour. (Should have done it in reverse order ...?)
Okay and here's Mister Benarrabá 2007 
Irene our neighbour Carmen's niece, was a maid of honour in the Junior section.
We had a good night. Quite a good turn out for a Thursday night.
Jane has been working hard (I helped too!) with finishing touches to the apartment.
We have guests arriving later today.
We went to see Rosie and Domingo and walked the dogs.
Our guests arrived.
Later we watched a film.
'Surfs Up'. A computer animation of penguins and a chicken (They animate so well!). Great film, really funny, with some laughs for the adults as well. A perfect Christmas gift.
The big day has arrived 'La Fiesta de San Miguel'. There's a church service and procession. Followed by food and dancing in the plaza. Followed by drinking and dancing in the plaza!
The weather looks okay. A shower or two is forecast but nothing to spoil the party.
We're up early and out to see the donkeys.
Both are well.
Back in the village we charge up our cameras and set off for the church.
The procession wound its way around the pueblo. Lots of the ladies were in traditional dress and there was a good turn out.
Lots of serious air bombs were being fired. They have aerodynamic casings and get to a few hundred feet in under a second before exploding with a massive bang. I was surprised and pleased by this fluke photo of one beginning it's launch into the heavens.
The statues were returned to the church until January 20th when they do another circuit of the village on the fiesta de San Sebastián.Next everyone went to the plaza. If it had been a weekday food and drink is provided by the diputación de Málaga. This year a couple of huge containers of chick pea, chorizo and pork stew had been cooked. Antonio Ramos (El Venenciador) served wine in the traditional manner.
Steve and Linda Wilsdon from Manilva came to enjoy the fiesta with their friend Jane who was staying with them. It was good to meet them and we spent a couple of hours in the plaza together.
Juan Jesús and Iván played all afternoon. Juan Jesús is a neighbour, they often play at fiestas, weddings and private functions. They are really good. They call themselves 'Malacai'.
Everyone had a great time. At six in the morning we went to Guayácan were Yolanda cooked us beef burgers for breakfast. I watched the start of the Grand Prix but I was tired and the safety car was out, so we came home at around 7:30am.I like this photo that Jane took. An 'Arty Farty' angled shot of the marquee beams and bunting. The plaza fountain is in the bottom right hand corner.
A few trip to the donkeys. We found a couple of huge field mushrooms and we had a delicious 'fry up'.
The dogs and cats are all well.
So are we.
We decorated the kitchen. Jane cleaned out all the cupboards. It looks a lot brighter.