Guests.....friend or enemy

...We all have guests coming to stay through the year. Usually its family but also many friends. At the moment David and Linda are here. David is my wife's brother and Linda his wife. last weekend Jonathan's sister Joanne was here with her friend. Pete and Dave have had Pete's sister Linda and her husband here only a couple of weeks ago and we all know each other and look forward to their next visits.

Joanne was unfortunate, because San Juan happens on the 23rd June every year. As Joanne works during term time she couldn't be here on the Monday when the festival is in full flow.

Unlike last year! ,also with the same friend , was clearly up for a party. She joined in the spirit of things and the wine and beer and anything else alcoholic. she partied expertly, and into the small hours, but she was 'very tired and emotional' at the end....about as tired as a newt!!! Did I mention slightly ill too....no I don't think I did...

I have a friend who was telling me he was coming over when we moved here 3 going on 4 years ago, and he only just made it this year. That is Joe and his wife Julie. Joe was the one who inspired me to blog about daily life here.

But Joe is also a bit of a raconteur, he can tell a joke well and has excellent observational skills, like some of the best comedians, like Peter Kay, Jasper Carrot, Billy Connolly etc. And strange things happen to Joe. He is a regular helper at Lourdes for the Handicapped Children's Pilgrimmage Trust. He takes care of a handicapped child on a pilgrimage to Lourdes each year. The carer and child have meeting before hand to ensure compatibility and gain trust. Joe was on such a visit back in the UK when an incident happened that was ultimately amusing but at the time surreal.

He was in the lounge, it was winter, warm fire burning and cup of tea in hand. The family and Joe were chatting when Joe saw in the corner of his eye, the family cat strolling across the hearth and as the tail wagged, it caught fire. Joe pounced from his chair and batted the flames out which made the cat screech and dart out of the room. His hosts were sat open mouthed at Joe...as far as they were concerned this maniac leaped from his char slapped the cat, which flew out of the room, and he was looking after their child abroad for a week. He had to persuade them to examine the cat to see the singed hair to prove it was an act of altruism...

Joe liked our location and abode...hopefully he will come again.

Next month my friends Julie and Michelle are coming. They like the freedom of staying in a holiday apartment and I usually try to find a nice place at sensible prices. They are bringing a friend Sean with them who is a great lad. Whilst they are here they will be sunbathing for sure, and I don't doubt having the odd Vodka, 1,3,5,7,9 etc... And me and Ange will be joining them no doubt.

Some people here have unwelcome guests who were welcome before they came. The type who see your home as a hotel..they get up and ask what is for breakfast, never wash a plate, or move a cup, don't contribute to the shopping or the socialising. We consider ourselves lucky, but there are some stories that make you wonder if you should buy a one bedroom apartment and no excuses are ever needed then to say they can't stay...