A short-lived retirement Rodney's birthday was quite momentous apart from the 4.30 am irrigation adventures. A call from the US summoned him from retirement to advise on maths education in Qatar. Ten days later he was on the plane headed to Qatar. He has the camera, so watch this space for photos of life in Doha! Meantime, back in Salobrena, reformas are progressing - slowly. Today was a red letter day. The new dining table and chairs arrived. Perfecto! The longed for granite worktop for the kitchen is still pending - longed for because its arrival will mean that we will have a kitchen sink and hob once again. It will be great to abandon the camping gaz stove on the terrace and doing the washing up in the downstairs bathroom. Also promised soon is the new solar electric system for the cortijo. The batteries have been delivered. We're now waiting for the rest of the system and the installation. On Sunday Sandra's Dad arrives for three weeks. If there's no kitchen worktop by then we'll be checking out all Menus del dia in Salobrena's restaurants!