Animalcouriers stayed the night in Alcacer do Sal in Portugal, where we were lucky enough to get a bargain rate at the local pousada. Portuguese pousadas are similar to Spain’s paradors and, like the paradors, many are ancient buildings which have been sympathetically restored.
Our accommodation in Alcacer do Sal — a 15th century former monastery
Two characters wondering if there was room in our van!
A very seasonal image on the side of the chapel
Santa on his rounds
We collected lovely black cat Babi from Ana’s mum, who’s been looking after Babi since Ana relocated to the UK. Now that Ana has found a home and settled in, it’s time for Babi to join her.
Ana’s sweet black cat Babi
In the Algarve we met up with Sam, his neighbour Charlie, and Sam’s bearded dragon Jon Jon. Sam and Jon Jon are heading home to Essex for Christmas, and will then travel back to Portugal in March, in time for the start of the surfing season.
Sam (L) and his neighbour Charlie
Handsome Jon Jon is very low maintenance — his favourite foods are worms and rocket
We stopped for elevenses and couldn’t resist a traditional Portuguese custard tart
Next stop was to reunite gorgeous cat Mia with Angela and her husband in the Cadiz area.
Mia started meowing with pleasure as soon as she heard familiar voices
Such a happy reunion
We have double luck on this trip as we now have two black cats on board! In Malaga we met up with Allen who’s travelling with us to Brentwood.
Slinky Allen, getting nicely settled in
Gorgeous hound Rubia is travelling to the UK with feline chum Floyd, who is devoted to Rubia.
Floyd would like to have shared a bedroom with Rubia
Rubia enjoying an early walk in the morning sunshine
Even Jon Jon got to enjoy the sun — we left the van door open while dog walking, so that he could feel the warmth on his face
We couldn’t drive past Nerja without popping in to see Oscar (and John and Margaret). Oscar was so excited, bouncing and running around. We were glad to see him in such good form, as he’s just got over a nasty time with a tumour in his paw.
We met New Zealanders Mike and Joy with their lovely young dog Lolita in La Herradura. With family and grandchildren beckoning, they’re heading back to their homeland. Lolita is going to board at partner kennels near us until early February, so that we can oversee the preliminary tests and treatments required for dogs to enter New Zealand. Mike and Joy are taking advantage of a dog-free time to visit places in Europe they want to see, before they fly off.
Joy, Lolita and Mike on a wonderfully sunny beach near their Spanish home
Rubia also enjoyed that sunny beach
Quite a menagerie! Jon Jon is a beauty of a beardy. We used to have Bearded Dragons. They are very smart and interactive for lizards.
They are indeed and quite splendid creatures.
strangely I have a thing for black cats but I don’t think he’s brought me any luck
🙁 Perhaps you’ll just have to make do with his love?
I’m glad Oscar can celebrate a happy christmas now too without a sore paw…
it’s great to see some sunny pictures when everything here is only dark&grey :o)
We’ve been very lucky so far with gorgeous sun most of this trip!
Ana is like “where did that Santa come from?”
Mustard tart – you just introduced me to a new food.
As always , such a great tour.
You had us wondering if we’d made a typo! Couriers J&M are very fond of custard tarts 😉
Oh wow! You slept in that monastery??
Yup! Aren’t we the lucky ones.
Babi’s expression would suggest a sighting of that huge Santa? Very cute…and isn’t Rubia a beauty! The amazing blue in the background is stunning!
Babi certainly has seen something of interest! The cats have been such stars on this trip – all chilled and demanding love. The blue skies have kept us company most of the time 😀
Beautiful passengers, all of them! I have never seen a bearded dragon before. Jon Jon is a handsome fellow. I bet the sun felt good on his face.
Grey and rainy here now, and gopher holes are spouting water. At least the drought has officially ended in this part of Oregon. It’s already time to prune the vineyard here and make cuttings for rooting. Spring is not far off now.
Jon Jon is jolly handsome and he did soak up those rays.
Ah, with any luck the ground will manage to hold on to as much water as possible for next year. Yes, vineyard pruning time is certainly upon us. Hope the cuttings take.
Never a dull moment, with the bearded dragon thrown in to spice things up a bit! Happy travels for couriers and passengers!
Yes, Jon Jon certainly spiced things up!
Feliz Natal to Animal Couriers and all the traveling critters and their families…LOVE black kitties and these two are delightful 🙂
Merry Christmas to you too! The black kitties have been great company on the trip.
🙂
Jon Jon was a handsome addition to your usual line of customers. The custard tart looks tempting.
He certainly added a bit of the exotic to the trip. Custard tarts don’t last long round here.
Babi and Allen are doppelgängers for my Diesel! And que guapisima is Rubia! You guys have the best job. Working with animals and travel 🙂
It’s not a bad combination!
Wow!! Hats off 🙂 How good to be with such cute and kind animals!!!
We’re lucky with our passengers!
exactly 🙂 thank you for sharing wonderful post 🙂
Great reunions.Sometimes it must b so hard to part with them.
Nadolig Llawen
Hugs
Happy Christmas and hugs to you too David. We’d turn into serious hoarders 😉
I’m not sure I would call anything that eats worms ‘low maintenance’!
You’re right – keeping his habit going is quite interesting 😉
Darling set of images. Have a wonderful day.
Thanks! You too.
Aaaaand Jon Jon steals the show!
He does indeed! The cats however have been doing their best to win cat passengers of the year.
Some happy smiling faces. Great job.