Well, what a weekend.

Saturday night, himself and I went to a little Spanish restaurant with 4 of our neighbours, principally on an outing to use up the profit we made from the Summer BBQ. Had hoped to get two outings out of the profit pot, but ended up drinking so much we used it all in one go.

Wine is only 1 Euro a glass, and it's not too bad, but doesn't half give you a thick head in the morning, although I can't believe that had anything to do with the amount I drank.

Himself had to go to airport, so was a bit late, and the Spanish lady was getting a little restless, as it was very busy. The service was chaotic to say the least. Starters were lovely, scrambled egg with asparagus, field mushrooms and lots of prawns, all fried with garlic. The assorted fish in batter a couple of the guys ordered turned out to be off the menus, so one had asparagus soup, which took a further 20 minutes to find it's way to the bowl on the table. Neighbour 2 at this point got the hump and refused any sort of starter.

Himself ordered prawns in oil and garlic, but got mussels in marinara sauce instead. However, said it was best starter he had ever had, so that can't be bad!

Second course time now. They all had steak, varying from rare to medium rare, with an assortment of pepper or roquefort sauces. I had merluza en salsa verde - hake in garlic sauce basically, which came out quickly, piping hot, and was lovely. Steaks took a bit longer, particularly as there was some confusion as to who had what, and Mrs Neighbour 2 sent her's back twice, once because the steak was overcooked, and the second time because although the steak was OK, the vegetables (4 bits of carrot and some peas) were cold. The third time it had come back it had obviously been in the microwave, so now the veg was hot, but the steak overcooked!!! We managed to talk her out of sending it back for a third time!

General concensus is that steak was good, but service was crap, so I doubt we'll get to go again.

Anyhow, during dinner, long conversation ensued on the rules for the swimming pool, in anticipation of next week's Community Meeting. Main bone of contention is the no smoking rule. Rule is "no smoking round the pool". Pretty clear, you'd think, but they all seem to think that this means "smoking is OK if you take an ashtray". Not quite the interpretation I would give, but I'm not really bothered either way. Mrs Neighbour 2 says that if people are going to break all the other rules, ie, no ball games, no lilos, then she is going to smoke. Long discussion ensues. I say that if we want to change the rule, then we just have to box a bit clever at the meeting and we can have it voted in before anyone else realises what's happening. However, Mr & Mrs Neighbour 2 seem to think that a good argument at the meeting is what is required, and will sort it all out that way. Luckily, I think Mr Neighbour 2 will have to work, so won't be able to come. Get bored with discussion, and suggest going elsewhere.

Mrs Neighbour 1, at this point, had had several large brandy and diet cokes, and has started rambling. I can't understand why, when we go out, all the girls have to sit at one end, and the blokes at the other. I then spend all night talking about face cream (yawn), hair extensions (yawn, yawn), and who featured most prominently in last week's OK magazine (yawn in triplicate!) No wonder I drink so much. Several large buckets of wine later, and at approx 3.00 am after watching the worst singing duo I have seen for a long time - how can so many different songs sound the same - retire home to bed!

Sunday, today, Himself and I have had a row. Mate's birthday, so supposed to be going on another outing for dinner to the most expensive restaurant within a 200 mile radious. Himself hates it, and says he's not going, despite having agreed to it earlier in the week. Therefore, it is left to me to do the dirty work, again!! Therefore, we argue, shout a bit, and he's now gone off to the airport again in a strop to meet Mabel. Will placate him with vast quantity of Chinese food for tea, with extra spring rolls and a crispy shredded beef(his favourite) for when he gets home.