A New Year treat

Sunny Spain

This was the first day of arriving in Spain. Paco picked us up from Barcelona and we stopped off at Peñiscola for a brief visit. This was such a beautiful sight and a huge contrast to the boltic North East of England.

New Year in Spain is slightly different to England. For one, you do not listen to the chimmes of Big Ben but a clock in Madrid. Second of all, you have to consume twleve grapes in twelve seconds without choking. It's all very fun all the same and we all had a jolly good night.

At home for Christmas

Irene and I had the privilage to spend a while in the North of England once again. I don´t know if I am getting soft living in the south of England, but it does seem to get colder every time I return. It was a good oppotunity to spend time with friends and family as we both, Irene and I are away from our families a lot. That is us shopping in Newcastle, enjoying Fenicks window. Irene thought it wa cruel to lock Santa behind a window like that, until I told her that he was not real. She has not forgive me for that yet.

Christmas day was brilliant. This was the first year without my mam, but it was still as good as ever since we were with all the people we love dearly. This was Irene´s second English style Christmas lunch. She has only experianced crackers one other time and the experiance of wearing a stupid hat at lunch. However, Christmas diner would not be the same without it.

All in all, we had a good time at home and were able to work hard and enjoy a small break.

We are finished for Christmas....yippy!!

We have both just finished the winter term at Moorlands College. It was Irene´s first term and having passed all her essay's in a second language, I think she has done very well. However, I can't believe how laid back she is considering this fact. You would have thought that you would have to work hard instead of doing everything the night before, but what do I know?

At any rate, to finish off a good term at college, we ending the year with the Christmas party. This was the first Christmas party Irene has had in England and it was very different to what she is used to.

At home with my Walter

Irene and I were able to spend a little time at home with my father and sister. That is us at St.Mary´s lighthouse in the North East of England. You can tell Irene is Spanish, even though it is summer she still needs to wear a hat.

Capernwray September 2007

Irene and I spent the summer working in two Bible schools. We spent two months in Moorlands College, which we currently study at, and we were able to make a little money in the process. We also spent one month working at Capernwray bible school which we love with all our hearts. It is a brilliant place and it looks so beautiful. Capernwray is based in Lancaster, which is a stone´s throw away from the lake district. I think our dream job would be to work at Capernwray, in any capacity whether one day being a resident teacher or doing the maintenance. At any rate, we had a good time and it continues to remain close to our hearts. Capernwray is also the place that Irene and I met and the rest is history.

The proposal

Irene and I spent one week in 'aSpain' which was a good oppotunity to learn the language and culture (which is way different). This was the night when I proposed to Irene. I can´t express how hard it is to organise something like this in a foreign country. We had a nice meal in a posh resturante, followed by a lovely walk under a star lit sky. I then did the deed on the playa(beach), all very romantic.

Simon and Irene

This is the start of Simon and Irene´s blog.