Uncategorized » Vernon and Celia in Spain

My life story

Jun 192011

I first formed the idea of writing my memoirs when I retired and moved to Spain, having taken stock of my varied career and the extent of my travels. As a meticulous person, I wanted to establish when I had worked for various companies, which countries I had visited and when, and to record for posterity some of the interesting and often amusing anecdotes about my life whilst I could still remember them.

The experience gained in researching my own and Celia’s family trees highlighted the lack of information about our ancestors’ pasts and their lifestyles and so I have written a potted history of my life which I hope will be of interest to my descendants. It is called “It’s a great life if you don’t weaken!” and by clicking on the title you can review the book online and purchase a copy should you be remotely interested!

My Ancestry

No Responses »

Feb 222011

I have spent many years tracing my family tree but was frustrated at being unable to present the data, certificates and photos I had collected in an interesting way. I have now published a book which I hope will fulfil that purpose. You can review the book online and purchase a copy if you are interested.

The sales blurb maintains -

“My Ancestry” is an interesting story of simple country folk, ranging from squatters in the New Forest to bricklayers and brickmakers, with a couple of seafaring folk and some military men thrown in as well. As with most family trees, there are skeletons in the closet and so I have included a few scandals to brighten up the history, which is illustrated with photographs, certificates and stories passed down through the family.”

Gardening

No Responses »

Feb 212011

Winter is a busy time in our garden, when everything has to be pruned. We start in November or December, cutting back the flowering shrubs – bouganvilla, lantana, oleander, hibiscus and plumbago. Then, in January, we prune the evergreens and olive trees and generally tidy up.

The foliage growth during the long spring and summer growing season is prodigious and we have learned to cut back most of the shrubs very hard. As a result, we have a large amount of green waste to remove from the garden and this is transported in the back of our very versatile car in large canvas builders’ merchants bags to the nearby quemador, where it is burned.

This year, we carried out two additional projects. The first was to extend the small patio at the rear of the villa where we often have lunch, especially during the winter because it is sheltered and catches the sun. We also wanted to build some extra steps up to the higher part of our garden at the rear of the villa. Celia quickly learned how to mix cement and the result was a great team effort that has improved our access to and enjoyment of the garden.

In February, the white blossom of the almond tree was a wonderful backdrop to the red aloes. Meanwhile, on our terrace, we were pleased to finally have the first strelitiza or ‘bird of paradise’ bloom – after a three-year wait. We look forward to enjoying more flowers this year as the plant finally becomes ‘pot bound’.

Panto time again

No Responses »

Jan 192011

We took part once again in the Careline Theatre group’s pantomime, which this year was Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves and was performed at the Alcalali Theatre from 12th-16th January for 5 evening performances and 2 matinees. It was a little different from the normal pantomime, being based on a fairy story adapted from one of the most exciting tales of the Arabian Nights. The press releases said it “adds to the fun of the traditional panto by mixing up a cocktail of excitement, glamour, laughter and some wonderful musical numbers.”

It had great costumes and a refreshing mix of musical numbers as the programme shows. Celia and I were once again members of the chorus with Celia showing off her rapidly improving tap-dancing skills.

Meanwhile, as well as his appearances as a thief and a merchant, Vernon showed a new and rather different talent for raising a laugh from the audience with his Sand dance routine – you can see a video of the dance here.

Music Showcase

No Responses »

Sep 232010

We organised an evening of musical entertainment called “Music Showcase” at the Careline Theatre in Alcalali on Wednesday 22nd September with all the proceeds going to the cancer support charity MABS – we raised €2250.

It showcased acts that normally play in the bars and restaurants in the north of the Costa Blanca in a professional, theatre environment where the public would not normally see them perform.

The acts that played a selection of their best numbers were Chill Factor, Suzy Q, Malcolm Adams and Pauline McGough, The Nomad and Rob Sweeney with a special guest spot by CountryRose (aka Brenda Smethurst.)

The capacity of the Alacali Theatre is 240 and not only did we sell out of tickets several days before the performance but we also added an extra row of 10 seats!

The event received widespread publicity prior to the event in the English-speaking press, including The Post, Jalon Valley News, Euro Weekly News and Round Town News. It is also featured on a number of event websites for ex-pats, including Female Focus, AngloInfo (Costa Blanca) where it was the featured event at the beginning of September.

We also received lots of mentions on local radio, thanks to Noelle & Bob on Bay Radio, Pauline McGough on OCR and Tony Dean on FabFM.

After the show, we received some excellent write-ups, including one headed “Beyond Wildest Dreams” in Round Town News and the most flattering praise of all in Euro Weekly News, p6-7.

Click here listen to one of The Nomad’s songs – “Stairway to Heaven” and see the full gallery of photos here, courtesy of Benny Davis and Kathy Thomas.

Quotes -

The Nomad – “Ace gig!”

Rob Sweeney - “It’s certainly helped give me a boost and I won’t forget that. If you’re planning another for next year, pen me in now because no matter how busy I may be, I’ll find the time to help such a fine bunch of people promoting such a worthy cause.