Birthday Boy!

Monday was my darling husband's birthday so he decided he'd like a BBQ/party on Saturday. We were incredibly unlucky with the weather as it had been lovely just prior and just after Saturday but party day was grey and drizzling constantly. The party went on regardless, in the house and outside on the terrace, under the awning. We had plenty of food, champagne and other bevs, and brilliant music supplied by our friend Frank from London who had lengthened his trip specifically to play DJ. So the rain soon became an issue no longer..... I had worked like a dog, shopping and cooking, making all the food from scratch so when it actually came time to socialise, I was shattered. I only managed 2 hours before I snuck off to bed for the rest of the night. By all accounts it was a very successful party and birthday boy certainly enjoyed himself. There were a few bodies lying around the next morning and I found a few questionnable items which lead me to believe that a wild night was held by all. I'm glad I was safe in bed! Item no. 1, a pair of ladies knickers on the stairs, item no. 2 a pony tail in the rubbish bin. Strange! Our friend Mark from New York texted next day asking who cut his hair but no-one has owned up to the knickers. I'm not surprised!

Enjoying the BBQ

Look at the size of me!!!

Tanc thanking Sophia for his birthday badge

Theo providing the entertainment

The blonde contingent, Clover, Charles and Sandra

The Wags getting down to Frank's toons

(A big thankyou to Diana and other mystery photographers for making sure the night was recorded)

On Monday, T's actual birthday, we attended our first ante-natal class held by Anne a lovely Irish midwife, highly experienced in Spain, along with 8 other couples. They all seem very nice so hopefully we will make some friends as well as get prepared for 'the main event'!!! Tanc even managed to watch the graphic DVD although he admitted later that he couldn't look at one bit and I assured him i was quite happy for him to stay up the top end during the birth!

Semana Santa

Friday morning we drove down to Tarifa, past Gibraltar and Algeciras. We were booked onto the 1pm ferry to Tangier. It is just under 1 hour from home to Tarifa and then 35 mins across the Strait to Tangier. The time-consuming component of the trip is the queuing - first for boarding passes, then through security. So from home to the hotel in Tangier was 4 hours. When we pulled into the port of Tanger I was filled with both excitement and trepidation. I had heard so much about the city's glamorous bohemian past (it used to be known as sin city) but had also listened to so many first-hand tales of drama, frustration and displeasure.

We were advised by Clover to only take a yellow cab, not a blue one. We soon saw why! The blue ones were tiny old Fiats and the drivers were freakishly kamikaze! The yellow cabs were old Mercedes saloons and the drivers more controlled. It was a 5 min drive to our hotel at the entrance to the Medina. We stayed at El Minzah which is one of the oldest and most famous 5 star hotels in Tanger, built in the 30's and frequented by many an artist and movie star.

We decided not to hire a guide to take us around the Medina but had difficulty convincing a gentleman that we hadn't booked him, we had only enquired how much and he proceeded to walk with us for a good while. It is such a unique atmosphere in the old part of town, almost ancient. It was sometimes reminiscent of a scene from Star Wars with Obi One Kanobi lookalikes walking around everywhere and strange creatures in robes.

The first day was spent gathering our bearings and deciding what to purchase and our purchasing strategy. I was nervous and felt quite self-conscious. Everyone was staring at my belly as though they had never seen a pregnant woman before. During the day there were mostly men around. They just seem to sit around all doing not much, except the ones trying to lure tourists into their shops. There were groups of men of all ages just sitting around, for example looking out to sea. We decided that with all the praying they had to do there was not much time for anything else. At the call to prayer there is a mass exodus, then afterwards a return to the buzzing streets. In the evening the streets really come alive with more stalls and men accompanied by women, although not showing any overt signs of affection we noticed.

We must have drunk several litres of mint tea throughout the day, resting in between our walking back and forward through the maze of the kasbah, trying to look like we knew where we were headed! When we got back to the hotel we were exhausted. We ate in one of the hotel restaurants serving traditional Moroccan fare which was delicious however the service was very Faulty Towers! We went to bed early but were kept awake by the horrendously loud thumping music of a Moroccan wedding taking place downstairs!

Next morning we woke to a gorgeous sunny day and enjoyed a delicious buffet breakfast including pancakes, eggs, fruit and more mint tea for me! We set off early on the purchasing expedition to get some shopping in before checkout at midday. I was much more confident and relaxed and even wore my camera around my neck. We had a fantastic day and got to experience another side to the people. We experienced the humble, generous, trusting and trustworthy side of Tangerinos which was far from what I was expecting. And we bought some amazing items for the house - 2 carpets, a teapot, 4 cushion covers, a tray and a shirt. Tanc is amazing at bargaining. He plays them at their own game. I have no doubt we bought our items lower than any other tourist that day. He always said it was in his blood! He even managed to get 50% off the hotel bill after complaining about the noise overnight!

Week 29 Body:

Went shopping yesterday and bought about 10 outfits for Tiger from H & M. Uh oh! Not bad though, got a lot for 82 euros!

We had our 28 week scan last Monday. Tiger is in good shape, putting on fat and moving around a lot. Looks like i've got around 10-12 weeks left to go. I can't imagine getting too much bigger but apparently I will. I have now put on 12kg and it is pretty much all tummy! Tanc is worried I am going to explode. I think Tiger looks like Tanc already.

I can't believe how fast time is flying by. A sure sign of old age... We have our 28 week scan on Monday to see how Tiger is doing, which is exciting. I've definitely got a lot bigger in the last couple of weeks. And Tiger is moving around constantly which I hope is a good sign!

We had a great weekend last. Went to Tarifa on Saturday, stopping to look at a villa on the way. What an experience! We didn't like the house at all; too dark and the rooms to small which is how the Spanish seem to design their houses. It's obviously to keep cool but I think I would commit suicide if I had to live in a house like this one! The owner showed us round his summer home for all the family and we ducked and weaved between the antlers and the bull heads and between the clutter and overstuffed furniture. Interesting but we couldn't wait to get out of there!

In Tarifa we lunched at El Arte de Vida, a cool cafe/hotel on the beach (where we took you, Lois and Amanda). Always windy in Tarifa but still great. Walked on the beach after lunch, trying not to get decapitated by the kite surf ropes and trying not to step in dog shit (an extremely distasteful habit of the Spanish!).

View to Atlas Mountains in Africa

We got back home in the evening in time to get dolled up as we went to a dinner and show of Cabaret at the Puente Romano. Fabulous night. Met new Spanish people who took us out clubbing afterwards to Suite. I felt extremely conspicuous squeezed into my cocktail dress with the ankle straps on my Gucci stilettos getting tighter by the hour! Nevertheless had a great time and fell into bed at 3am. Tanc managed to hand out and receive several very useful business cards so the event was a huge success all round.

Have started painting in my art class which is very exciting. Is fun playing with techniques for applying the paint. He is teaching me oils which is his medium and is the medium I have least experience with.

Is Semana Santa next week (Easter) and I am trying to book us a trip to Tangiers on the ferry (to do some serious shopping!) Fantastico!

Wow it's been ages since I've been on the blog. We've had a great week in Meribel, France, a night in Geneva and I have really grown outwards!

Tanc had a wonderful time skiing and really improved his 'style'. He went off early each morning (with a hangover) and came back in the evening. We stayed in a chalet in a little village called Les Allues which was 15 minutes by telecabine into Meribel village and the 'pistes'. We were joined by our friend Bob, his kids and their partners and Tanc's old friend Henry. There were also 4 other couples in the chalet who we just met. Co-incidentally there were 2 other pregnant girls which gave me some company and plenty to chat about. One girl was even due on the same day as me! And we are both starting ante-natal classes on our husbands birthday's and we both honeymooned in Port Douglas last year! How weird is that! But no we are not destined to be life long friends. I think the wife thought Tanc was a bad influence on her hubby! I enjoyed myself indulging in a massage, facial, seaweed wrap, french manicure and plenty of walking and exploring (oh and i bought some expensive French baby clothes for Tiger!)

Meribel Pistes

Meribel Village

Les Allues

Bob and family

The Alpine area in between France and Switzerland is very beautiful. Lake Annecy looks like a gorgeous place to have a holiday house, very relaxing and great fun summer or winter. We adored Geneva; the lake is fantastic, and the city itself quite glamourous.

Lake Annecy

Lake Geneva

We are now back in the swing of things. My 24 week scan showed that all is well with Tiger. And you'll be glad to hear that i have put on 10kg since becoming pregnant! Apparently you are meant to put the most wait on in the last trimester. Great! Tiger is extremely active, preferring 6am for her main aerobic session of the day! Tanc is pleased because we think she looks like him already! Oh god!

My 25 week body, enjoying the morning sunshine on our terrace

I'm straight back in to my art class and Spanish classes (which i'm finding difficult after being away 2 weeks. I had just got used to speaking French!)

Re the villa that I love, the owners have dropped 200K off their price towards our offer. Nearly there! Stay tuned....

I am very excited because it looks like my wonderful parents, Ros and Tim, are going to come to visit us and help out with the first few weeks after Tiger is born. Yippeee!

Had a very social day Saturday, a birthday party in the afternoon and a birthday party in the night. Extremely tiring for me but fun. Hard keeping the champagne quota down to a glass and the fruit punch down to a couple! Caught up with friends we hadn't seen for ages, Michelle and Mike. I used to work with Michelle and she says that the place is like a morgue now I've left!

Me and Michelle at Roberto's Birthday Party

Clover at Ollie's B'day Party

Theo as Spiderman at Ollie's B'day Party

There has been a major fuckup with our health insurance. It seems that our policy hasn't been upgraded yet as we had thought so all tests we have had to date will not be able to be reimbursed. The Spanish can be so thick! And imagine Spanish insurance companies! Hopefully we can sort it out this week but if not I don't know what we are going to do!

Our internet has been down for over a week so I am behind with my postings. There hasn't been a lot happening; we had a gorgeous, romantic Valentine's Day dinner at home cooked by me. 4 courses of all Tanc's favourites. And there were roses and divine pink champagne galore. I think Tiger is definitely going to be born with a penchant for pink champagne! She is really active now. Tanc has felt many a good kick. She responds to light and sound (as well as adrenalin, caffeine and alcohol funnily enough).

My 21 week body:

My 22 week body:

On Saturday we went to look at a villa in Casares. I fell head over in love with it. Unfortunately it's not looking good as anything in the campo (country area) doesn't value well with the banks so we won't be able to offer them anything like what they want for it. Tanc is going to put a deal to them, as he is Mr Dealmaker and if anyone can, he can, however I'm not hopeful. I am trying to forget about it.

Mr DealMaker

I've had drawing class, Spanish classes (lots of homework) and I'm trying to master my camera still so my brain is really being pushed at the moment. We are off to Meribel to ski (not me I can assure you) on Saturday so in 2 weeks I will have some interesting photos to post!

I would like to raise a toast to my latest nephew, entering the world at 4.03am on 12th February. He is a very bonny baby boy called James Timothy. Congratulations Lindy and Andrew! And great job Lindy!!!

So now I have 3 nephews and a niece! Fantastic!

Here is Baxter, Richard and Claerwen's adorable baby, born on December 19th:

And here is his handsome brother Winter:

Here is their bright little bubble cousin Madeleine, Lindy and Andrew's firstborn. Grandma Ros is giving her some coaching:

Week 20 Body:

I was sick of just wearing leggings but couldn't find any jeans to fit. Finally I found some that are 3 sizes bigger than my normal size and lowrise to fit under the belly!

Looking down to the bottom of our street. We are the last 2 garages on the right, closest to the bottom:

The top of our street. Quite a contrast!




Our neighbours. Apparently this villa used to be owned by Sting and Trudy:

A local:

Monday was supposed to be our 20 wk scan, to measure all Tiger's organs and check for anomalies. Well Tiger was not being co-operative at all so the doctor could only check the spine and the brain. Thankfully these were normal. He suggested coming back the following day after having drunk some juice or something to wake Tiger up. We went back Tuesday after I had half a cup of coffee and a dark chocolate Lindt ball. This did the trick! We went from the sublime to the ridiculous and Tiger wouldn't stop dancing around. We were able to get a good look at all the organs though and all is normal. Yay! And Tiger is actually Princess Tiger!!! We're having a girl!!! We are both very excited and Tanc is secretly delighted. Now I can get on with the nursery and start to purchase a few little girly items, definitely the fun bit of pregnancy.

Here is an eery picture of Tiger's face...

On the weekend we went to dinner at Roberto's new flat in Estepona. I don't think the oven had been used before...