Briefly, I get to Alicante airport and there I bump into my long lost shipmate Dave Winchester who moved, lock, stock and barrel to Spain 4 years ago. I hadn't seen him since, but prior to this he had been a member of several ships companies that I had the pleasure to serve with during the 70's, to the 90's.
Moi, Joshua, Linda, Dave and Mummy Katie.
Linda & Dave, remember the Argyle Arms man?
Black Wheatear
The view from the Hacienda
John & Marion Wood on the street where they live.
The village church
No time for a whole lot of narrative tonight as uploading these few photographs has taken more than 2 hours. Most of the day has been taken up with sight seeing and birding, with the list of the latter amounting to (numbers approximate in some cases).Blackbird (few), Song Thrush (probably 3 figures), Wren (2), Great Tit (6), House Sparrow (several small flocks), Feral Pigeon (ditto), Spotless Starling (7), White Wagtail (20), Serin (30), Black Redstart (12), Black Wheatear (3), Cormorant (3), Cetti's Warbler (thought to be 2), Green Woodpecker (2), Water Rail (single), Stonechat (single), Sardinian Warbler (3 / 4), Blackcap (20+), Chaffinch (many), Magpie (10), Meadow Pipit (2), Long-tailed Tit (2), Redwing (single), Green Sandpiper (single), Robin (single), Crag Martin (15+), Grey Heron (single), Golden Eagle (single) and Golfdfinch (8).
John & Marion's house from across the valley
Sardinian Warbler an extremely poor shot.
Almond trees in blossom
adult male Black Redstart
Another small village close by.
Sweet Violets
Serin
White Wagtail
Time for a spot of lunch with new friend John
Jarafuel is the neibouring village to Teresa de Cofrentes
A castle in Spain 
Thought to be a Golden Eagle
May need a little help in confirmation here please!
Another of many castles
The new Hydro-electric plant at Cortes de Pallas
Pallas is a name that will be familiar to most birders - no relation.
