This is the first weekly blog of 2026, so unsurprisingly the celebration of New Year’s Eve is the main event. We are a group of about 15 friends who get together every year, and this year we were the hosts. Since my last working day before the holidays was 23rd December, I also had plenty of time for cycling and for walking around with Mochi–he and my daughter are spending the holidays with us.
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The various small towns where I cycle are decorated for the holidays, albeit on a much more modest scale than the city of Alicante, and also reflecting some local traditions. In Agost, the well at the centre of the main square is decorated with oranges:
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Many of the balconies are also decorated with oranges, as well as knitted banners:
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The town hall is similarly decorated:
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The town of San Vicente is closer to Alicante than Agost (it is actually the site of the main campus of the University of Alicante). I pass through San Vicente on my way home from Agost, and one day I stopped to look at a nativity display in a roundabout near the centre:
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One of balconies near the nativity display is decorated with this banner of baby Jesus:
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We have had some rainy days during the last week of December, especially inland:
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Mochi received this bone as one of his Christmas presents. Given the relative size of dog and bone, it will take him a long time to chew his way through it:
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Early morning walk with Mochi, a fishing boat in the distance:
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A morning jog:
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A very cold selfie; the temparature that morning was no more than 7-8C:
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An orange cat looks down at Mochi and me:
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Then New Year’s Eve arrived. Our friends arrived around 9:30-10 p.m., everyone bringing some food, while the drinks had been jointly purchased in advance. Iñaki and Dalal set up the music:
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Assumpta and Nereyda in the kitchen:
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The table begins to take shape:
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Mochi also participated in the festivities:
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My wife poses with Iñaki:
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Iñaki analyses one of the appetisers:
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Chimping together:
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Midnight is approaching, and the “uvas de suerte” (“grapes of luck”) are ready. In Spain, we eat one grape at each of the 12 strokes of midnight:
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Ready for midnight:
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Wishing each other a Happy New Year:
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Cheers:
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I started 2026 with a bike ride, of course, visiting the kitties in Verdegás:
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Later in the day, I went for a beer at 100 Montaditos:
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Still later, I went for a walk with Mochi. He is obsessed with the cats we see along the way. I am sure he does not want to hurt them, he is just curious:
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The cats just stay cool, in full knowledge of their superiority:
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When we return from the walk, Mochi is eager to get inside right away since he usually gets fed right after a walk:
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Another cat photo to finish the week:
