Not long to go now.........

....until we go on holiday again.  I am so excited, I could burst.

We are off to one of my favourite places, Isla Canela in Southern Spain and this is real Spain, 

no Englishman in sight. So for our holiday we only hear the native tongue.

This is my idea of heaven.

School returns

Yes school runs have returned.  The daily grind of getting up a little earlier, watching the clock constantly and rushing out the door before 7.45am to get Natasha to school on time.  It is unfortunate in a way to that we live a distance from her school although it is quite near to my work.  I'm not a fan of the daily commute but needs must.  It all starts again in the evening with homework, packed lunches and homework.  Yes the dreaded homework, actually I quite enjoy it, just wish I wasn't so tired from working all day that when I come to sit down with her my brain just isn't in gear.

Monaco

We recently visited the south of France for our summer holiday with my parents.  Basing ourselves in Nice we aimed on visiting as many of the places we could down there.  Top of my list for Monaco.  We had visited about five years ago and I fell in love with it and always promised I would go back.  Unfortunately the weather wasn't so great, about 35 degrees which is ok but 93% humidity which is not!  In fact it was like it all week so not ideal for sightseeing.  Weather aside it was fantastic.

Monaco is an amazing place to visit and sightsee.  I can't being to describe the allure it has for me.  Old architecture steeped in history combined with new.  I think I will let the photos below do the talking.

Casino

Hotel de Paris

The back of the Casino is just as impressive

Hotel de Paris

Saint Devote Church

Casino

Casino Square with Hotel de Paris in the rear

Near to the Palace

Monaco Cathedrale where Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier married

This week's going ons

We've had quite a busy week. Last weekend we started off with going to the Gardeners World and the Good Food Show Live. This was part of Jonno's birthday present which is this weekend coming. 

We purchased quite a lot of border plants and this is what our garden looks like now 

We came home from work last night and found this in our garden. Courtesy of Steve. I love it. 

Beauty in the backyard

Just look at my garden. I don't really have to say a lot because I think the photos tell the story. 

I have a very talented partner who takes pride in his garden and it really shows. 

Down by the beach

Basking in the sun at coffee time at Puerto Cabopino

Beauty in the garden

I've captured over the last week some of the beautiful flowers in my garden. Simply stunning some of them are

I love how a garden makes me feel so happy all the new flowers bursting into life. If it wasn't for the bad weather that we seem to have I would spend hours in the garden and I take every opportunity to get out there when I can. Luckily Jonathan is a very keen gardener so he makes it look superb all year round. I think I'm very spoilt. 

Turning 40

Its on its way oh my goodness. In under four weeks I shall be kissing goodbye to my thirties and saying hello to my forties. I am determined to celebrate in style and let people spoil me. I'm at Goodwood for the day of my birthday which will be great but unfortunately I won't be with Natasha so we will have to celebrate with her when we get home on the Sunday. The week after I will be in Nice and Monaco wow how to celebrate that. 

Aargh I'm addicted

I don't normally play games on my iPhone but someone recommended I try this one. Now I'm addicted and it seriously bugs me!!

Kindle

What are you reading?  I've just downloaded the Happiness Project and a booked recommended to me call Ten Years On. I'd love to hear about any you would recommended. 

Puerto Cabopino

AS I have already posted, back in March we visited southern Spain, Puerto Cabopino to be exact.  It is a small fishing port just to the east to Marbella.  I have to say it is one of the most divine places.  Our apartment complex was small and our apartment itself overlooked the golf course.  Perfect for Jonathan!

View from apartment bedroom 

One of two swimming pools - not warm enough to try though

View from our apartment terrace, overlooking the golf course

Frigliana

This was a beautiful hillside town. White wash building entwined together.  Well worth the visit.

Nasty looking clouds although it never rained!

Looking down towards the coastline

Rather large and very juice strawberries for sale. Incredibly cheap too 

Basking in the sun