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On the train home noting that they ram at least twice as many people in the carriages as the Spanish, and I assure you it is not because we are half the size.   

Feeling conflicted as I am tired of travelling but I do love everything about the cities of Cadiz and Malaga  

Could I really stay away?  

Back to Málaga

Two more journeys to do then home!   Travelling to Malaga today and to Gatwick tomorrow.  A train journey of about four hours today.  Stations here are like ghost towns compared with Paddington, utterly manageable and the trains are more reliable.  However I do have to change at Dos Hermanas which was a pain last time as no one explained what train is what, no staff, no display boards and no way to leave the platform and found out.  No one knew what was happening. Not just me.   But hopefully I will work it out.  So that is the weakest link.  We shall see.  Alternative was to leave a day early and overnight in Sevilla but it was good to have longer in Cadiz and Sevilla freaked me out last time..... too big.  I do need to see the cathedral next time. Maybe in the spring or maybe I am not going anywhere again.  This has been good and J has been great company but I have felt homesick too.  The idea of going to new places and being a tourist leaves me cold these days.  I like coming here though but the long term plan feels very shaky. Getting an address and residency to escape Brexit does not seem to be happening, perhaps it is all less important at my sort of age, the younger are the ones to be really concerned.   

Meawhile T of N has phone and tooth problems.  

I feel unable to support him except with email reassurance. It is sunny and J walks with me to the station, I am getting on the 11.40 to Jaén.  This proves easy and at Dos Hermanas the train has Málaga on the front and the guard jumps out of my coach and confirms same.  More to the point they have an overhead announcement thing on the plaform now.  

Furtherome, the lady guard on the first train was totally with it and knows what is going on.  She tells me to swop platforms via the subterráneo.  

The bad news is I am in a coach with a Scottish family who are listening to Pepa Pig or something loudly. Increíble, thinking of putting Womans Hour on equally loudly.  

Eating soft bread I discover a very hard piece in my mouth.  It is half my back molar.  Wisdom tooth.  A nice clean break and no pain.  Soon feel calm.  But it puts the mockers on the rest of the day! 

There is always something.  The charming young man in India working for Three helps me get a dental  appointment for Thursday.  

After a very warm reception at my usual hotel I rationalise my bag and tune into the Radio 4 news.  

Soon I am in Central Beers Malaga, draining my sorrows listening to Oasis, from Manchester! 

 I leave an Ullage for the friendly hombre who will tour British breweries next year.   Then I find the little gem that is La Madriguera 

https://www.facebook.com/lamadrigueracraftbeer/

I drop in T of N's name and soon I am trying all their beers which are brewed locally and really good.  An IPA and a dark beer taste great but I settle on In Your Face Hoppy Lager.  Brilliant!  Should be able to stagger home with all my remianing teeth and belongings. 

I email T of N to say that Madriguera is a big hit!  

Lovely guy running it with great beer.  It is Now full so I had better leave.  Good and cheap food. So there are three great beer venues in a 10 minute ale trail in Malaga.  We need to visit!  Seriously! Seem to have got over the tooth!  

I email J to say that Málaga has got its act together.  

 

nice and warm walk home. 

Last day at school

I have finished at school and been for a last swim as the sun has come back.  Tired but happy.  Spanish has improved but for some reason I am back in no more travelling mode.  Better pack!    

Made mushroom risotto which worked, had a walk by sea then a postre J produced.  It will be 16 at Gatwick on Wednesday so will cope.  Looking forward to getting home.  J has been really great.  Que hombre!  Funny and chatty!  Pity we cant drag our media naranjas out here!  

Hasta pro!  

The last walk to school. 

T send me a photo of my lovely bunnie chilling. 

J is 75

J is 75 today.  Rain.  Usual nice, fig and yogurt and croissant breakfast.  We take a walk in the old town, getting lost all the time,  then have nice tortilla on the patio 

Looking forward to getting home on Wednesday.  We had a wander today in the old town, it's impossible not to get lost.  Tonight is an hour long performance at Teatro Falla.  Then I will buy J dinner, on the condition he buys me dinner here when I am 75!   

Excited to be inside the old theatre named after check Falla, whose house I visited in Sevilla.   

We see NS / NC by the Varuma Teatro from Sevilla.  Clever set and costumes.   

It is a modern version of flamenco, very clever use of props and lighting.  By these people 

http://www.labienal.com/es/ns-nc/

It was called Ns/nc 

Which I have just found out is used like our n/a

It means no sabe/no contesta 

Afterwards we go to a restaurant J likes and I treat him on the basis explained above.  It is a called La Candela, a bit nouveau cuisine and trip advisory but the old man likes it! Which is what it was about tonight.  

Tired now.   

Rain and Theatre

Grey this morning and rain due so I forgo my swim.   I do take a walk by the sea though. 

I go to the shops and market after breakfast.  Seems we won't hire bikes because of the horrible forecast.  

Here is the herb stall 

I have  a good wander round and only get wet over the  last ten minutes.  Carrefour is a total nightmare. Hot. Crowded

I buy a new purse and birthday card for J, it is Spanish but says 'printed in England ' 

We really enjoy the Mexican theatre.  

http://conunsaborhumano.blogspot.com.es/2016/07/teatro-del-manantial-del-corazon-de.html

It is held at La Lechera which is small and 

fringe like.  The only problem is that we are made to stand outside in the rain till it opens.  Of course,  the Spanish have no idea how to queue and everyone gets cross

It is theatre in the round with audience participation.  A lovely little girl is part of the team.  

Humour and pathos

Frustrating to only get 75% of it.  I cook 

pasta and asparagus afterwards

Iberoamerican Theatre Festival starts

Usual routine.  The class is shortened for reasons beyond my understanding.  I buy my train ticket back to Málaga.   The theatre festival starts.  We miss the parade of people dressed as Frida Kahlo, fortunately they had gone inside once we got going after J's fishy meal (delicious)  but we caught this duo as we had a post dinner stroll.  J had cooked delicious fish, green beans, salad and mash.  Impressed.  We also get tickets for the weekend.    

Torn between UK and Spain

I am back from the sea.  It did not look very inviting due to cloudiness but I joined the other swimmer and it was estupendo!  Having a pastry!  After school J and I enjoy a beer on the roof terrace and go for an Argentinian meal woth J . I endure a kiss on hand at Bar Manteca.  The men here take liberties and can be macho 

Gross

I have decided what is left of my life will be in Newbury