Work began with the Spanish workmen removing the old llano (adobe style) roof from the remainder of the old house

And in a month they had transformed this

To this - with our 16 inch telescope ready for action.  We love to sit on this terrace in the dark and look at the sky

........and this

To this.  The lower terrace will be a lovely place to sit in autumn and spring (too hot in summer)

The reinforced concrete pillar which runs up through the house and into the observatory

holds our 14 inch Celestron telescope rock steady for visual observing and imaging

Fitting the dome was the highlight of the entire building programme

and the finished house is lovely

Our August holiday started with Fredi trying on hats

We explored our grape vines and discovered lots of baby grapes on the them

And on our 11th wedding anniversary (12th August) we celebrated with a mini-fiesta on the patio, surrounded by friends

Jose (our builder) and Tony (our local astronomer friend) took the opportunity to discuss a little business

Speaking of friends, we visited many of them, here seen with Val and Bill about 10Km down the road

We found them battling with two litters of kittens, so guess who got to cuddle them?

We managed a lot of walking locally, and here we are passing our neighbours as they load one of their mules

More mules at another point in the walk.  We are getting pretty hot and grumpy by this time (some of us)..............

But the grumbles are soon replaced by shrieks as we douse our hot bodies in the cold pool

But it's fun to cool off after a hot day

The local food is excellent, and mealtimes are always welcome, especially when there is local wine to go with it

And melons are a special favourite

Fredi slept on our bed settee in the corner of the lounge and was really rather comfortable

And after another glorious Spanish sunset

We prepared for some more astronomy.  The house has passed its first test with flying colours