The last few days have been about actually getting into the swing of living here. Life is hard on the Mariola. There is no water where we are staying and every few days we fill up a load of water containers and head off to the well down the road. It really does remind you how precious this resource is that we take for granted so much. I have been on a flushing toilet for three weeks now and feel like it will feel really weird when we do come across one. We got taken to "the rock pools" on Saturday and to my astonishment they were the most amazing place I have seen in some time. A place that is so beautiful that it takes your breath away. The children played on the rock and swam all afternoon. It was stunning.

We have been exploring Bocairent too. The children are starting to get used to the fact that the town is built up the side of a mountain and when I say the streets are steep, I really mean it! 

The rest of the time is taken up with bike riding practice and digging a swimming pool! (the children have decided on this and started digging a large hole in the middle of the field!) I have realised that starting up a educational project needs to happen either in a really open community or on the edge of a city. The towns here can be very conservative, Bocarient being one of them. There would be a strong chance of upsetting someone I think. So I am going to explore Valencia and Granada as possibilities? With regard to costs of being here. The rent is much, much cheaper. The food can vary massively. Local stalls and small independent people tend to be cheaper then the big shops for fruit and veg. On the whole you can live here much more cheaply though. I haven't been any where for clothes yet. Will let you know when I do. Random pics below of what we have been up too. The car is supposedly going into the garage tomorrow! We will see. If so we will be stuck up on the Mariola for the next few days until it is fixed. I will report back later in the week as to if we are still driving around with no boot window. Its a definite possibility. dealing with insurance companies in England is a pain. Here...Well, four weeks and counting! 

This is Merlin. He is staying up on the field camping in the woods. He comes down and speeds time with the children. He's really sweet and a gentle soul, who is good to have around. Above is George the rescue kitten. He is tiny and Amy has taken to carrying him around as one of the only things she feels like she can look after.