Campeche

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(if you click on satelite, I think you can see the crater in the sea north of Progresso where the dinosaur extinct-er hit)

This post is entirely self-indulgent.

Drove from Merida to Campeche via some magnificent Mayan ruins (kids call them wreckings, and wonder why they get in trouble when they chuck the stones around, considering everything's already wrecked). I'll put some photos up of that trip later. It was fun to drive and have music up loud and to be out in the bush (except they call it jungle here). Saw a Yucatan woodpecker which was VERY exciting (but which I failed to photograph). They are gorgeous birds. I was alerted to its presence by the sound of wood being pecked.

But Campeche - what a beautiful city. This is what it's like to be a millionaire. The house we are staying in is completely beautiful - all the walls, beams, tiles are original and 200 years old. I have a newly discovered and passionate fetish for French tiles. These were brought over to Campeche as ballast on French ships, which took back chillis or sombreros or something. Every morning I run along the waterfront with the beautiful people, come home and jump in the pool, then frolic in the warm winter sun with my two perfect children while Andy makes me breakfast and coffee. The house is within the UNESCO heritage listed centro historico of Campeche - about 6x9 (?) blocks of beautiful old buildings, wrought iron, cobbled streets and pastel colours. It's beautiful and quiet (no buses in the centro, which is very welcome as you can imagine if you read my last post). The town has a history of fighting off pirates so there are cannons and gates and walls and all sorts, the kids love it. But to tell the truth mostly we are happy just sitting around in our beautiful 2-week home. I hate to be indulgent but most of the photos are just of the house. It is a bit naff I know. I think I would be very good at being rich, and this holiday is good practice.

So much more to tell you all - would like to sit everyone down and talk for hours on end.

Know you are loved,  xxx