the best laid plans of mice and men...

... are all in a filing cabinet somewhere.

I went to Spain to see my nephew & his girlfriend, and hopefully meet their new baby (due 8 July). I got to see Elvis Costello instead.

BARGAIN!!!!!

Angela was being a stroppy hormonal nightmare, James just opted for stroppy nightmare. Now I had travelled over with my mum, to do the family thing of greeting the baby, and expected to be on hand to help sort things out ; but although they asked us to stay, it soon became clear we were asked solely to clean up, and walk the dogs. They didn't even have the grace to ask nicely! The dogs were lovely, which is why I lasted 3 days. Mum was furious with them, and their lack of preparation and it ended in a massive argument, so in the end we did the sensible thing and found somewhere better.

Thus the big family event became a 4-day city break in Malaga. Had a very happy time wandering round, lots of stuff to see but we just enjoying the scenery and the sunshine. Average temperature around 33-34 degrees C. In the hotel foyer, I found a flyer for the Malaga Music Festival Terral 2007. Elvis Costello and Mink DeVille were playing on the 14th July at Playa del Peñon del Cuervo.

I don't speak Spanish, and have never visited Spain. The concert started 10pm Saturday and I had to fly back Sunday. So with absolutely no idea of how to find my way round or ask for help, I set off.

It was ace! Special bus service to venue cost 1 euro, it was just up the road on the coast*. I will post a few piccies, if the camera phone pictures are good enough. It was the perfect warm-up to the Cambridge Folk festival ** .

Mink DeVille played at least 90 mins, typically Spanish no one checked to see if they started on time. Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint, Steve Nieve and some excellent New Orleans brass players, were just superb. It was a terrific mix of Costello and Toussaint songs but missed out Oliver's Army. This caused great anguish to the lady next to me, who clearly regretted this decision. Though how could she whinge? There wasn't a duff song in there, no cheap fillers or dodgy timewasting solos.

Finally got in at 3am, no news of the baby. The little blighter is showing no signs of moving. He's giving the occasional kick and wriggle so we know he's ok, and the heartbeat is good and strong. But he's determined to stay put for a while.

But I still think Elvis Costello was a better deal than the child. At least EC turned up...

* Sophie, think Castlefield with seaside
** 23 degrees C at 2.30am, in fact, how's that for warm?

i feel so organised...

The big trip to Spain is now finally planned. Cat-sitter booked, big sister doing security (and she is FIERCE; set my burglar alarm off at your peril!), Gromit off for a nice week at a canine holiday camp. I decided against Alcatraz for him, he didn't mean to bite the postman, it just looked like postie was hiding behind the wheelie-bin and Gromit is an easy dog to confuse...

I have flights, accommodation and know what I'm packing. Keep looking at the Lilypie ticker and counting off the days. In Spain, Jay and Angie are trying to be calm but the thought of never having a decent night's sleep EVER has got to them; and they live near a very noisy Irish bar, so they are used to noise. I'm planning to head for that bar whenever there's a nappy to be changed. Very churlish to go all that way and not toast the child!

i've learnt to avoid hens...

I like to think I can multi-task. But maybe choosing to check the bank account online, while eating and trying to watch Dr Who was a step too far. I heard some line that sounded like " can boil an egg at 30 paces...whether you want to or not... i've learned to avoid hens..." and nearly fell off the chair laughing! By the time I stopped giggling and calmed the dog down (he joins in mad moments by barking like a lunatic and wouldn't shut up) I remembered to check the bank details. It appears that my bank has lost the flight and accommodation money I deposited this morning :( Hopefully it will show up soon, or I'm travelling to Spain hidden in the boot of a friend's car. Nice to have a Plan B.

At least the accommodation is sorted. I'm staying with the ratbag nephew, his girlfriend and their baby son, he's due 8th July and is the subject of the Lilypie ticker on the front page. I'm only going f0r his birth; then I'll try to avoid him until he can take me to the pub! I'm not good with children.

Horrifying thought - he'll only be 17 at my 6oth do. Hopefully he'll look a lot older than his years. I expect I will.

And the mogs are sorted too. My mum has a friend called Angela, who runs a petminding service. She lives too far out for the Reservoir Mogs (Southern Chapter) but has agreed to look after my lot as she's 10 minutes away. Last year I was lucky enough to be in Cornwall when the basking sharks were off the south coast, and she looked after the cats then. On the first few days back, the cats would all troop off and wait at the gate at the time she usually arrived. The message was clear; we were back but they liked her. If they waited long enough she would come back. That is the best sort of reference, total customer satisfaction! The mad woman has signed up for a second go, and I'm delighted.

Gromit is going to a local kennel, recommended by a friend. So we just need to organise the 2-legged family members and we are ready to go.