New horizons

Well here it is!  The view from my soon to be built studio...

The plot is ready to be cleared and foundations should be going in, in the next few weeks, then the build can start!  I'm excited and also rushed off my feet, getting ready for the move!

Los Gringos (a date with a rainstorm)

After a wonderful meal at the fish restaurant on Los Gringos beach we decided to take a few shots of driftwood.  That morning there had been a particularly vicious rainstorm and the rain had gathered momentum down through the hills surrounding the beach, and was gushing into the sea, making the walk a little perilous!

Walking along the seaweed strewn beach.

Large pieces of driftwood litter the beach.

Along with more workable pieces.

One of my finds.

Outing with the sharks

After the trials of hurricane Sandy, we eventually found ourselves once again in the Dominican Republic - 30 degrees and welcoming winds.  It was great to be back in the country we are going to be moving to.  After only a few hours back, we had made the decision to move out at the end of January. 

Playa Caleton

Only a few days into our holiday and I was able to try out my birthday present from Glenn - an underwater camera.  I am amazed at the capabilities of this little camera, as although the water was not completely crystal clear, I still managed to get a few shots of the fish swimming in the sea at  Playa Caleton along with a very odd looking creature!

First underwater shots, catching the fish before they swim away.

Point and shoot!

Odd fish.

Action shot ;)

Looking out to sea from Playa Caleton.

Gibraltar rocks!

Finding yourself in the middle of England at the end of Spain is a little disconcerting, but that's Gibraltar for you.  The weather was a welcome change from the grotty English weather we'd been having; the food lacking that Spanish feel we were expecting!

Above Catalan beach.

We had a few action packed days, walking the length and breadth of the peninsula, meeting the famous Barbary apes, and visiting the various tourist hotspots and not-so-hotspots in the form of a massive walk  down the Mediterranean steps! We spent our last day on Catalan beach, where we spent a good half an hour beachcombing, before braving the extremely (in my opinion) cold  late October sea.

Catalan beach, looking towards the Caleta Hotel.

Our most memorable trip was over to Morocco, where we had a guided tour of Tangier, traveling through all the different quarters,  and stopping for a traditional lunch and stroll around the colourful Medina.

Berber market day.

Weaving a different history in the magic carper bazaar.

Beautiful fresh fruit and vegetables for sale at the market.

The market is bustling with people.