The Sky at Night from our Villa in Spain

This was the weekend the clocks went back an hour in Europe, so we took these pictures from our living room shortly after 7.00PM.

When we saw this sky, we were even more grateful to have the opportunity to live here in Southern Spain.
How inspiring are sights like this?

The Closing Gala

The theme for this event was adventure. The invitation was to come either in black tie or dressed as your favourite adventurer. here is Don testing out a wig for his outfit. Doesn't he look like Yasser Arafat?

The "famous" four dressed to kill. Karla and Don as Zorro and "Mrs" Zorro. Suzanne as Solitaire and me as 0067 licensed to kill, eat and drink!

With Shannon, she looks fabulous

Lots of people went all out. Here is a contingent from Europe. Howard (unrecognizable) as Zorro, Alistair as a musketeer, and Olly also as Zorro. When Howard sat down to eat, nobody knew who he was! I must say, my costume looks a bit tame, but I was comfortable.

The Resort

A group of us in the infinity pool in the exclusive area of the resort we were staying in.
The view from our suite.

Puero Rico - The First Day

The conference begins "in earnest" Here we are greeting everyone as they come in. As you can see, it's all very serious!!!

Suzanne getting everyone going first thing in the morning.

Who would have thought we would be dancing on chairs at eight 0'clock in the morning? Is this fun or what?

We break for lunch and enjoy a chinese feast with our friends Jessica, Tony and Eastern, with Amy and David. The friendships and relationships created in our business are so close. Like minded people on the same path.

Onwards and Upwards to Puerto Rico

It was along flight from Madrid to Miami and then on to San Juan, but we had plenty of time to rest up before all the fun started.

The first evening we were invited to a private dinner for about 40 people, hosted by Michelle and Shane, seen here with us. It was just great to be together again with friends from all over the world.

Everyone was so excited to be together again and also to meet lots of new friends. The dance floor was packed as it always is when we get together.

Off to Toledo and Madrid

Suzanne and I having a "tea break" in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid

We remembered that we had forgotten to pack anything warmer for the evenings so were "forced " to go shopping in Madrid.Suzanne likes this picture of me in one of my favourite places, a men's clothes shop!!

Can you believe this magnificent view of Toledo from our hotel?

The four intrepid travellers together again.

Our best friends, Karla and Don, came to stay with us and we decided to drive up into the mountains to Ronda, a very old town. Here you can see the incredible view from the balcony of the Parador Hotel.

The guys fooling around

Les Girls looking fabulous as always

What would any trip be without an amazing meal. We had lunch at Tragabuche, a very well known restaurant, one of the best in Spain, where we enjoyed a seven course "menu de degustacion" with wine pairing with each course! It was probably the best meal we have ever had - anywhere. I am happy to say the Don generously elected to drive and deny himself the wine, so the rest of us were able to indulge.

Here we are in the town square. As you can see it was a beautiful day, which made it all the more enjoyable.

We leave California for Spain

September 1st. we left our house in Los Angeles, and flew to London and on to Barcelona for a company training day. Then, back to London to visit family for a few days. We started the drive down to Southern Spain by taking the Channel Tunnel over to Calais. It is really quick, only 35 minutes, but feels rather claustrophobic. The first day we drove to Tours and then on through Bordeaux and Cognac into Spain and stayed the second night in a bustling city in Northern Spain, Logrono. Onwards through Spain , we stayed the third night at a magificent Palacio in a tiny place named Mengibar. The room was spacious and comfortable and the whole hotel was gorgeous.We were having a minor challenge with our camera, hence no pictures! Finally on day four we arrived back at our beautiful villa on the Costa del Sol. We are so happy and grateful to be back, and are now once again able to gaze out over the Mediterraneon every day - it is breathtaking.