My recent inactivity in this Bloggers Paradise is explained by the fact that Mrs Grumpus and I have been on a cheap excursion to Spain.

We spent a few days with my sister at her villa in Villa Village, half way up Villa Mountain, which is about the 137th identical and unscaleable mountain north of Alicante.

Our days were largely spent skinny-dipping in her pool or floating lazily around in a blow-up chaise longue with a cool glass of entente cordial wedged in the arm.

At night we ate out at local restaurants surrounded by ex-pat Brits. Since Spanish cuisine seems to stretch no further than Paella, which I detest, we always chose from the faded life-size illustrated menus nailed to the walls. It's amazing how many different ways you can present egg and chips!

However, one can't complain about a 3-course meal, with a free bottle of wine for every person, for 7.95 euros (about a fiver!) There has to be something wrong with the British economy!

No wonder so many of our white, English-speaking brothers and sisters are scuttling off to the Costas!!!

:wave: :wave: