Well that came around quick didn't it?! The weeks are definitely moving along with great speed which is more than can be said for us as temperatures have moved on up into the 30s, currently at 36 degrees C 😅 But this is positively balmy by comparison to the 38 degrees C expected on Sunday - scorchio! Our pool is heating up all the time and is currently 31 degrees C which given it's 8x4m, very deep and therefore a not inconsiderable amount of water, goes some way to indicating just how hot it is getting out here. So we've moved into 'pool twice a day' mode and it really is wonderful especially when, as today, there is absolutely no breeze whatsoever. Living in a valley at right angles to the coast we often get a lovely afternoon breeze from the sea but lately that's happening less and less. In any event, this is what our Tally thinks of the current heat:
I must admit, that's exactly how I feel 😂
One thing we have noticed about having a pool in the heat is that they are a magnet for wasps who like to sit on the water, have a drink and then fly off. They don't seem aggressive in any way but if their wings become waterlogged and they can't fly off it certainly does become possible that you might get stung. I believe that changing the pool to salt water does the trick but this is a very expensive option and so we're learning to live with them, and have also placed a dish of sugar water with some corks floating in it near their favourite part of the pool in an effort to encourage them elsewhere - mixed results but worth persevering. Nevertheless, our pool filter has been completely clogged with drowned wasps:
And speaking of wildlife, we had our first BBQ using our new gas BBQ the other night. It has a flat metal griddle and Ian was careful to clean it thoroughly afterwards. Yesterday he noticed that something has walked across it and left telltale prints; we do have fruit rats here which are sandy coloured and really rather sweet, nothing like the dark and rather sinister sewer rats but the footprints are definitely not a rat. We think a feral cat (there is a local cared for colony) as no neighbours have a cat:
What do you think? All suggestions welcomed!
The sorchio weather means that it's ideal for the beach, and the other day we drove only 15 minutes to the coast and slightly north of Denia to a wonderful beach that is also dog-friendly - not, of course, that we would take our four-leggeds anywhere near a beach in this heat. If Carlsberg did beaches.......
We excitedly took off our shoes to walk barefoot in the sand but after about a minute squeals of excitement turned to those of pain as I started to hop, then jog and then stop to desperately put my flip flops back on because it was way too hot to walk on, especially the really dry, soft sand by the dunes. And yes, we did see a family with a couple of dogs - quite what they were thinking we have no idea but it really does beggar belief that anyone would be quite so stupid 😡 Mind you, I guess it's a lot better than leaving them in a car. Ours were relaxing at home in the cool where they belong. At night they each sleep on a large flat ice block wrapped in a tea towel and my goodness don't they love it! They won't get into their beds until the block is in place so they have us well trained.
Despite the heat our garden is currently growing clementines, grapefruit, olives, various herbs, chillis and tiny tomatoes. And our vine has this all hidden away under its leafy canopy:
Not sure we'll make much wine with them but hey, they're grapes and they're ours 💪 Although lemons are easily grown here we have none this year, maybe next year as the tree is very tiny. And we had a huge crop of nisperos (loquats) in the spring. Next year we hope to grow big tomatoes and maybe some sweet peppers but it wasn't possible to get it sorted in time this year. We have however allocated the space where some veg can be grown so.....
And I'm back on air! From this Thursday at 7pm (6pm UK time) I will be presenting a one hour show of upbeat music hits for the young at heart on Valley FM and you can tune in via valleyfm.es website. Once a radio presenter, always a radio presenter I guess! 🎧
I've noticed that where we used to live in Puerto Pollensa, Mallorca there are now quite a few new Covid cases which is disappointing but I guess that as everyone can go online to book their jab there, the population are well protected insofar as it goes. Here in Orba there are no cases and I believe this has been the case for some time. Mind you this is useful for me because although they're now vaccinating those in their 30s here, I am....yes, you've guessed it....still waiting! My health app (the health service here is very efficient in every possible way, except for my jab 😂) now tells me sternly that not only should anyone of my year of birth report to their health centre if they haven't had a jab (done that, got nowhere) but that anyone with a year of birth up to 10 years younger now should do so too. You really couldn't make it up! A friend who had her second jab yesterday raised the issue with the staff there and a phone call was made. I've been told someone will message me 🤔 think I've heard that before though. Vamos a ver!
Anyone for tennis? It really is good to see Wimbledon back after its absence last year although slightly weird to see so many spectators - almost as many as you would have PC (pre-Covid). And yesterday Boris announced most Covid rules are set to end in England on 19 July. Nothing like that happening here as we're a way behind the UK in terms of vaccinations but already it feels like we're on the path to an end to restrictions just by not having to wear a mask outside any more. And of course the football is the big news and I think we're all still in a state of shock at watching a big England football match without our nerves in tattered shreds - I mean, it was such a great and confident watch wasn't it? Not used to that and long may it continue. Mind you, we're also supporting Spain and if they both win the semis.....well that'd be awkward wouldn't it? 😳 Is football coming home? We shall see! 😜
Stay safe and hasta pronto!
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