Standing in the road

Days 2 and 3.
The second day, first day in the resort, ended with us sitting on our balcony listening to the chirruping of a flock of starlings that nestle in the adjacent climbing plants. During the day they,and various other avian critters hover about the pool area, stopping occasionally to drink from it.
By night though, as the sun descends, the starlings flit about from palm tree to palm tree, occasionally setting off in what only these birds do, flying about seemingly in a random, but insane manner being joined as they traverse the sky, by other starlings. Then stopping as quickly as they started.
So on our balcony we sat, in our pyjamas, with a glass of wine each and a glass of water each, relaxing, looking up at a half moon, hearing the waves breaking at the end of the gardens, at enjoying the cacophony of the birds.
Starlings are incredible birds, they can imitate the noise of many other birds, but here, just when you think they are quieting down, something hits their trigger and they start again. Occasionally a stray feather drifts down to the floor of the balcony, lightly cascading as if riding the thermals.
Our housekeeper does a spiffing job in cleaning them up in the morning.
The temperature here is perfect, no humidity, and so far the day shows around 27-30 c, whilst the evening is a perfect 21, all made even more satisfactory by the absence of insects that bite, hover towards the lights and generally be a nuisance. I surmise that our feathered friends may have something to do with that.

Breakfasted by 0930, and already all the pool-side beds have been claimed, pesky Germans no doubt. I wakened at 0730 and on looking out saw that, even at that stupid hour, and despite notices to the contrary, some people had already placed their belongings onto the beds, this reserving them against all the rules. Some people have no idea of the rules of etiquette.
So we had to endure the hardship of walking all of 50 meters to the beach where here we found plenty of beds facing onto the glorious blue, albeit slightly choppy, Med, where locals were riding their horses and camels along the shore, hoping to entice some tourist to avail themselves of their service for a short ride along the water's edge.
How cool the breeze that wafts the sea air, gently blowing the palm, leaves, detracting, deceptively the heat of the sun.

Refusing to pay the silly prices the hotel charges for lunch, we ventured out for the short walk along a litter strewn road, towards the main road, where we found, on a small block across the dual carriageway, some small locally owned and locally run shops and cafes.
Seating ourselves on a table on the road yes you read that correctly, on the roadside, not on the pavement, we treated ourselves to some local fare.
Salad with flaked tuna, spicy macaroni and fresh off the spit, chicken. Topped off with a bottle of water, the whole feast cost 20TDR, a minuscule amount comparped to the 61DNR we were persuaded to part with yesterday in one of the hotel eateries.
The establishment was clean and friendly, and obviously frequented by local workmen, judging by the JCB parked on the opposite kerb. As we sat and ate this feast, other vehicles parked right beside and around us, their bumpers almost touching our seats. at one point we were surrounded by vehicles when the bread delivery van arrived. This was a novel experience to say the least.
After eating we purchased two further large bottles of water from the adjacent store for the princely sum of 1DNR 50, aas opposed to 3DNR 500 they rob us of in our hotel.
If you want to do,the math, £1 is worth around 2DNR 465.
We then headed back to,our spot on the beach, where our belongings were still in the exact spot where we left them, we'll satisfied with our little excursion.I then proceeded to go for a quick cooling swim in the ocean, forgetting to remove my hearing aids. They appear to be none the worse for their impromptu wash, and are now drying out in my sun glasses' case.
Adjourning to our room to enjoy a small glass of vino, the last of our complimentary bottle, on the starling free balcony, and then a siesta, before dinner in several hours time.
It's a hard life indeed.