What will you do when you retire they said. You will be bored within a month they said. Well here we are heading into year 8 and I can honestly say ~ bored. There’s no time to be bored. We have one life and if things have taught me anything it’s that you have to make the most of it. None of us knows what’s around the corner.

But sometimes you do have to slow down. The last few weeks have been hectic. I’ve finally managed to plant the tulip pots in Somerset. Well most. But the remaining three and the London pots will be done in the first week of January. We have zoomed up the A303 when I would have rather taken the train. I wish.

We haven’t been in Spain for Christmas since 2019. Lockdown in 2020 and Fred the cat having a fit just before we were due to leave in 2021 meant we missed those two years. But we are back. The flight was on time. A really busy flight. Unlike Spanish airlines masks are not mandatory. People may say it doesn’t make a difference. But it comforts me. Call me mad. I don’t care. But it was like the coughing express. A late evening arrival and a dark drive up the wiggly road. I still get that feeling of joy as I arrive at the village.

Back after a deluge of rain last week to drier weather. I’m not complaining. The rain was needed and we need more. But even with last weeks rain things are greening up ~ small shoots of what’s to come in Spring.

The roundabout that’s not a roundabout was burnt to a crisp when I left two weeks ago. It had been cut back in late summer as I was worried about fires. Wild fires are a thing here in Spain and I have a great app that lets you know where they are. I’d here you know when there is a local fire as the helicopters fly in carryin water and water home the fires.

But with last weeks rain it’s already showing what’s to come in spring. Already there are shoots of the yellow oxalis ( Oxalis pes-caprae ) coming through. Last year was a poor showing but I’m hopeful we will have a sea of acid yellow come spring.

The light up on the mountain is great ~ great sunsets and sunrises. Not that I often see the sunrise and they are the other side to us. But the morning light and colours are often great. I’ve been out to check a neighbour’s house and have a wander outside ans across to the roundabout that’s not a roundabout so caught it.

I did some planting before I left just over two weeks ago and the rain has certainly been welcome to help get them established. I planted a climber on the fence after we had things cut back ~ an edible passion flower ~ which is still alive. The grasses I planted on the curved path are happy. As am I as I think they are fab and will order and plant some more.

The summer was harsh. Drought is bad enough but add in extremes heat and everything struggles. But it’s surprising. Torrential rain for a week and things are already springing into life. There are alliums romping away. In December. Yes they flower earlier here. But it seems very early to see them now.

I hacked this curry plant back hard earlier this year. Shaped if a bit like topiary. It was straggly and pretty unsightly. Like my hair if I don’t get a regular cut. Think Leo Saysr or GIkbert O’Sullivan. There were few flowers in the summer but they are pretty insignificant anyway. But. It’s has a major growth spurt. I did think of planting the edge of the path with them but in reality yes they would look nice but they do give off a whiff of curry in the heat. I’ll stick to rosemary. Don’t suggest lavender. Lavender and I aren’t the best of friends. Unless it’s sprayed on a pillow. From my friend Saskia ~ That’s another story. But I’ve given up replanting the path with rosemary. For now.

I love strelitzia. This strelitzia Reginas has opened in the last three weeks and is in the border. I have one that’s stuffed in a pot with an agapanthus which has three flower spikes at different stages of growth. I suspect I won’t see any of them open before I head back to the UK. Strikes. Border control staff and transport permitting. If I can’t get back I have some free days. Back into the garden it would be.

There are two Clivia flowering. A bit early but then the weather has been bonkers. I first had one of these in a pot indoors about 25 years ago never thinking that one day I’d have them planted outside in my garden. I did have a yellow one decades ago and I’m on the look out for another. They have huge swathes of them at Malaga Botanical Gardens where I’m hoping to go next week to see the lights they have installed for Christmas.

The temperature is like a summers day but the grape vine knows it autumn. Look at the fabulous colours as the leaves die and drop off the vine. It will soon be time for the cutting back of the vine and once again we will save the cuttings and dry them. They make great starters for the wood burner. We didn’t even have enough black grapes this year for one pot of jelly. It often seems with a lot of things l. One good year. One bad year. I’ve kind of lost synch as we weren’t here for a year in lockdown.

No. That’s not our garden. Too much paving and it’s open to the public. It’s the Balcón de Europa in Nerja. A little jaunt down the windey road to the bank and the solicitor. I knew there was a reason to bank on the coast. I love it at this time of year. The coast. Not the bank obviously. Not as busy as the hotter months and the added bonus that at the moment the car park is free.

No time for the wicked and it’s back up the wiggly road. The ground is wet and ideal for planting. And guess what. I have tulips to plant. Not as many as in Somerset. The ku three outs and the white wall as they don’t do as well as in the uk. Not cold enough. I have a trip to the garden centre in my sights. Don’t tell Ian. He thinks I’m going just for compost. As if.

But that’s for another day. First there is a sunset to watch. This time of year they are special and I never tire of standing and staring. On a good day like today you can see the coastline of Morocco. Most days as long as the most isn’t down you can see the Costa del Sol coast. Today was a great day. All was very clear.

Tomorrow is another day. And a day that we will drive down the wiggly road again. Back to Malaga for an overnight stay and the Christmas lights.

Guess what. There will be photo’s. And reels. And walking.

In the meantime.