Jan. 8 Update

I have a bunch of photos I'd like to put up, but my 'puter, hence, my photo management system is still defunct. I ordered a power supply through a local merchant (or so I thought)a week before the Madrid trip. Last week he apologized and told me that the order had never been placed, but that he had just done it and the item is "...in the mail". You know the story.

The 3 Kings parade in Orihuela was fun. Not as large and crowded as last year's in Torrevieja, but more family-oriented and you could tell that everybody knew everybody. I took a lot of photos of "elephants" for the granddaughters and will send them as soon as I can use Photoshop again.

Cycling has been great, weather-wise. Been warm and dry up till today when it was cold (by our standards). Took off in blazing sunshine and a temperature of about 42 F. and it stayed clear but cool all day. Friday I did the trail along the Segura River all the way out to the tip of the breakwater. There, I sat in the sun eating a sandwich, drinking a beer, spitting olive pits at feral cats and watching a fisherman catch what looked like anchovies. Don't mean to crow, just report. I hear you're all having a mild winter, anyway.

Off to Orihuela to buy our train tickets for Madrid on the 23rd. Machine was down the last three times we tried, and we may have to take a train to Murcia to buy them. Might be a stroke of luck, though. There is a lottery agent there whose sign features a black cat. We were told that a notable number of big winners have bought their tickets there and it might be time to invest...

First coffee break of the year

Here is the hard-core element of the Amigos del Cyclismo on 01 January braving the weather and ignoring hangovers while seeking nourishment at a local refuge in San Isidro. Please note the absence of snow, the intense sunshine and the big smiles. Happy New Year!!!