Friday Smiles 2024 # Week 51

So close to Christmas and the end of another year, but on Sunday we had a sunny, mild day that would be welcome in any British summer. On the spur of the moment we decided a walk along the coast would do us good, so off we drove with no real destination in mind. I remembered that Villaricos, a short drive beyond Vera, has a market on Sundays so we headed that way.

We had to park a short way outside the village as the market is very popular and draws folk from all around and village parking is very limited. But we took our time wandering down to the coast and walked along a quiet harbour side. It was quiet because just above us, atop the grey wall to our right, was a thriving, very busy market. 

After a quiet stroll along the water edge we went up into the market and joined the throng looking at clothing, handbags, phone accessories etc. At the far end there were several fruit and vegetable stalls and it was lovely to see the array of fresh produce in all shapes, sizes and colours.

And I couldn't resist a photo of this little chappie made from old tyres.

The only thing we bought was a beautiful bright red poinsettia to go in our front porch.

I read an interesting article in Facebook that said that Almeria is the main producer of poinsettias in Spain, this year growing 3.5 million of them. I borrowed this photo from the article, showing just one of the nurseries getting their plants ready for sale.

As we left Villaricos I looked back and took this photo of the bay, with the sun shining off the water.

We were a bit 'peckish' by then so we decided to drive on to a little village called Esparto del pozo, where we used to go to a lovely restaurant right on the sea wall. When we first came to Spain we lived in a tiny hamlet on the coast called El Calon, and the restaurant was just a short drive beyond that, so it was interesting to revist old haunts, and see the new developments along the coastal road. As we turned one bend the little village of El Calon came into view. The big hotel at the start of the road down to our flat, was still unfinished, but there was some new housing there too. 

A bit further on and we could see the lovely resort of San Juan de los Torrores, with the blue sea flanked by hills on either side. 

But we weren't going as far as San Juan, because we soon came to the turning down to the beach labelled Esparto del Pozo. We didn't know whether the restaurant would still be there but it was and fortunately it was open too. They had tidied it up a bit. There were still several tables squeezed onto the sea wall but they had also opened up a big plaza at the side for more seating, and we chose a table up there as it was a bit more sheltered. The service was good, and as we were quite early, we did not have to wait long. By the time we had finished our meal this plaza was almost full. 

We had an excellent meal - we have never been disappointed there, and how lucky were we to sit in sunshine, watching the sun on the water, and eating our Sunday lunch in such lovely surroundings.

On Tuesday I quickly got the sheets out on the line, did a quick whizz round the market to get fruit and veg, and then we went to the big supermarket to do a bit of last minute food shopping. That evening I managed to finish off this little blanket. Originally an unfinished shawl which I didn't need another one of, I decided to work some more motifs and turn it into a small lap or pushchair blanket, and on Wednesday I took it to my sewing group to donate to one of the 'about to be a mum's who use the food bank we support. Apparently they have "three ladies with bumps" attending at the minute so I am sure one of them will love having it.

The yarn I used is 4ply cotton and I have a lot of it left over so now I am making some fairly simple squares which will eventually make a further blanket. I can't just sit in the evenings. I need something to keep my hands busy, and these squares are relatively unchallenging, so I can work them while watching some of my favourite programmes coming up over the Christmas season.

And while I am on my crafty makes, I have made a collage of the laser engravings and cuttings that I have made recently. Most of these have been gifted in with Christmas cards, and now they have reached their destinations I can show them on here.

My son sent me a little video of my grand-daughter Aisling, hanging her dancing fairy on their tree.

Today I have had a lovely time visiting  a friend who lives in Huercal-Overa. She has a mutual friend who now lives in France, staying with her, and we spent a great couple of hours all catching up with one another, sharing photos and enjoying some festive nibbles. Needless to say we were so busy chatting I forgot to take a photo!

Anf finally it wouldn't be like me to publish a post without a couple of sky photos. So here is one I liked because of all the layers of colours in it.

And this one I spotted from my craftroom window and ran out just in time to catch it with an interesting skyline of trees silhouetted against the orange sunset.

I shifted my position and took this one at the same time without realising that I had caught the top of the Christmas tree light on the plaza. I can actually see that through my window, as I sit here writing this tonight.

And that is it for this week. And it is, of course, our last blog meet-up before Christmas day, so I will close by wishing you all a very Happy Christmas with lots of fun, joy and hopefully friends or family to enjoy it with.

I may manage a brief post on Boxing Day, but in case I don't, here's also wishing you a very good New Year and may at least some of your hopes and dreams come true.

And with that I will link up with Annie's Friday Smiles ready to publish this tomorrow.