USA joins Israel and Iran war, Alcaraz wins Queens, Mounjaro doing the trick, Amanda and Andy arrived, our holiday begins, family lunch, dinner with Gerardo and family, off to Montrondo and other stories of the week.

Montrondo, Sunday 29th June, 2025

With our friends on "God's rock" (la peña de Dios) in Montrondo on Friday evening

Dear all,

Well here we are again at our house in Eladio's village in Montrondo in the north west of Spain where it is far cooler than sweltering Madrid. We are here with my oldest friends, Andy and Amanda but more about that later. First left me rewind to last Sunday. 

Last Sunday we woke up to the news that Trump had joined the war between Israel and Iran to destroy all the latter's nuclear bomb advances. That had the world on tenterhooks. What would happen now? One thing is Gaza - awful - but now another war and with Iran. It didn't bode well. Iran retaliated by bombing a US military installation in Qatar after which Trump called for a ceasefire which the other sides violated. None of this looks good and the world is watching with bated breath. What will Trump do next? Hadn't he promised no more wars in his electoral campaign? You can't trust him of course. 

Much more benign and entertaining was watching Carlos Alcaraz play in the final at Queen's - the runner up grass court championship before Wimbledon. He played against 23 year old Jiri Lehecka who if he hadn't been plagued by so many injuries would be a higher ranked player. He is in fact an excellent player and gave the Spaniard some trouble but he came through winning 7-5, 6-7, 6-2. We watched the whole match which was nerve wracking and, as always, I only really enjoyed the trophy ceremony. Next comes Wimbledon and I am wondering if Alcaraz can perform a hat trick and win again for the 3rd consecutive year. I hope so.

Later Amanda and I had our last Facetime call before their arrival on Wednesday. We were both so looking forward to their visit. They will be here till 6th July and the idea was to spend most of the time in Montrondo and El Cuetu to get away from the heat and for them to see Eladio's village and enjoy Asturias. 

A cheeky group of guests arrived at midnight when the latest time of arrival is 9 or 10 pm. They had booked for 3 but 4 came and I had to sort that out. They were not my favourite guests. Normally I love them all but there always a few bad eggs.

Monday came and it was time to weigh myself. I had dreaded putting on weight after a bit of indulgence during with Sandra and Adele in Santa Pola but I was in for a pleasant surprise. I had lost another 900 grammes and a total of 9.1 kilos. My weight is no longer a state secret my friends (hahha). I know weigh 62.4 kilos and don't have much to lose;perhaps a couple of kilos.  I have 6 more weeks of Mounjaro to go which is certainly doing the trick and I recommend it to everyone. That perked me up for the day for sure.

That morning we met Suzy's therapist, with her permission, for the first time and it did us a lot of good. She is progressing very well although she has her days. We are in a far better place than we were a year ago. I came out feeling hopeful for my daughter who wants to take up  her career in nutrition again and rekindle relationships with her cousins and some friends - but bit by bit. She is doing well for the moment which makes me hopeful.

It was boiling hot that day as it had been for weeks. I had a hairdresser appointment in Villaviciosa at 3pm the wrong time to be in the street. It was 36ºc and it felt like walking in a sauna. I went to Suzy's hairdresser as Conchi couldn't fit me in. I was astounded to pay 61 euros for dying my roots and cutting my hair vs 15 euros for both with Conchi. I shall not be going back to Suzy's hairdresser but at least I no longer looked like a witch with so much white hair.

On Tuesday I was up at 5.30 am, the day the ceasefire was announced but which was promptly violated by both sides which made Trump cross of course.  

I went food shopping with Suzy and of course we also had coffee together. Later Eladio and I met up with Roberto and Mari Carmen who was bringing me my last Mounjaro pen (they all come with 4 injection doses). It was so hot we had to go inside. We were home for a late and light lunch and then had a short siesta. Later we were in touch with our accountant who sent us our income tax returns results and OMG we had a lot to pay which made a big dent in our savings. Airbnb and Booking take their share and then what we are given is taxed quite heavily by the Government damn them. 

After a light dinner soon it was time to drive to the airport to pick up Andy and Amanda who were travelling from Bristol and arriving at 9.25 pm. We were there by about 9.45 but they didn't appear until an hour later as their plane was diverted by a storm and they  got a bit lost. I went in at one stage to check the announcement boards to make sure their plane had landed which it had. While in the Arrivals Lounge I was shocked to see so many homeless people sleeping there. This has been a huge social issue in Spain and big news. The news is now old but these people continue to make their home there. Many of them apparently work during the day but don't earn enough to pay for lodging. You would think our socialist and communist government could do a better job helping them out. We left home in the storm which immediately cooled the atmosphere which was a relief. Finally our friends were with us and we could drive home.  At around 11 pm our time we were showing them their room and feeding them on soup, bread and cheese as they were starving.

I was up at just after 6 am on Wednesday morning while my friends slept. The day was ours for the taking and we had something to look forward to, dinner in Madrid with our friends Gerardo and family at Quënco, the place Eladio and I celebrated our wedding all those years ago. I consider them my Spanish family since I lived with them during my year in Spain as a young student of Spanish from Nottingham University. Gerardo and his sister Irene to whom I taught English in exchange for board and lodgings, were 13 and 11 and I was 21 when we first met. To think they are now 58 and 60 and I am 68 shows how our friendship has lasted nearly a lifetime. Their family were an essential part of our wedding with Irene and her sister Julieta being my bridesmaids and Gerardo driving me to church. They met Amanda who came to visit me in Madrid in 1978 and of course at the wedding so she is also  their friend. They have been back to the restaurant many times but we hadn't been very often. Would you believe the owner still remembered me when I made the booking? We were in for a very nostalgic and beautiful reunion where our marriage began in the company of people who meant and mean so much to us. 

Amanda and Andy's arrival marked the beginning of a holiday for us both and we were going to have a great time. 

Tuesday's storm freshened up  the air and it was a lot cooler. Thus we took our friends and Pippa on our hour long walk in the woods which we all loved. It was time for coffee at Alverán when we got back and Suzy joined us which was a pleasure. We came home to find Oli and family already at home and waiting for us for lunch. We had the most delicious and wonderful reunion lunch all together made for us by Tana who is such a blessing in our lives. Here we are around the table on the kitchen patio just enjoying being together as well as the food. I love it when my dearest English friends come to visit - it makes me go all British again hahahaha.

Family lunch with both girls, Miguel, Elliot and Juliet. 

We all convened to the pool later but we oldies did not join Oli and family in the pool. That must be a sign of our age. We were all rather impressed with how well 5 year old Elliot swims under his father's keen supervision. Miguel is a first class swimmer so he couldn't have a better teacher.

At around 7 pm we set off for Madrid leaving the car at the local Metro station and taking the train to Cuzco, one stop away from the Real Madrid stadium. We were soon at Quenco and arrived before our friends. We were led to our table on the small but lovely terrace I remember so well. It was like stepping back into the past. We spoke about the vicar from England who married us, Brandon Jackson who was an important figure in our family. We Googled him to see his age as I couldn't remember and were devastated to read he had died in 2023 aged 88. He was an essential part of our wedding and it was sad to learn of his death that night when we revisited the venue where we had our wedding party. Andy took some lovely photos of Eladio and I and Amanda before Gerardo and company arrived and I particularly like the two I am reproducing below.

 

Quenco revisited  ´- what a happy night.

Soon Gerardo and his wife Vicky and Irene and her husband Tomás were with us and it was all hugs and chatter and a while before we ordered. I honestly think ours was the happiest table at the restaurant that night. Here are some pics to remember it. 

Quenco revisited with my best friends and my Spanish family. Oh how I love them all

A great night was had by all and we were sad to say goodbye but it was getting late.

We were home by midnight and all slept amazingly well, given three of us are dreadful sleepers. Only Eladio always sleeps like a log; lucky him.

I was up at 6.30 on Thursday, the day of our departure to our beloved village, Montrondo, where Eladio was born and where we rebuilt the family house. Amanda had been there before it was restored over 30 years ago but it would be Andy's first time. We told them we were going to the end of the earth in a way as Montrondo is so rural and remote, lying at the end of a road before the mountain range we love so much. Only 10 or 11 people live there all year round although many come back for the holidays, like us. We would be getting away from the heat of Madrid as being so high up and in North West Spain Montrondo always enjoys cooler temperatures. 

Before we set off I got a photo of Andy and Amanda having breakfast on the kitchen patio.  

Andy and Amanda having breakfast on our kitchen patio before we set off for Montrondo

As we set off we were all looking forward to our traditional pit stop at Palacio de Bornos in Rueda, a village in the province of Valladolid and famous for its delicious white wine. We would drink the wine accompanied by local ham, cheese and bread as well as chocolate which would serve as our lunch that day. We got there on the stroke of 12 midday which was very early for a Spanish lunch but we didn't care. Being Andy's first time there, I arranged some wine tasting for him which must have been one of the highlights of his day. 

Wine tasting in Rueda

And here we all are around the table enjoying the food and wine. Palacio de Bornos is one of many happy places as those of you who read this blog or know me will appreciate. 

Lunch in Rueda at Palacio de Bornos

It was a 2 hour drive from there to our village and we arrived at around 3 pm to find it bathed in sunshine and everything green and lush. I love Montrondo at this time of the year.

Soon we were showing our friends  the house and  their quarters. It always takes a while to settle but when we were finished and after Eladio had got out the outdoor furniture, Amanda and I were playing Ludo (parchis) which I introduced her to when she came to stay in 2022. 

I had eaten too much at lunch but everyone was hungry at around 6.30 pm so I served them an early dinner. It doesn't get dark here till 10.45 pm so when they had finished, we suggested a walk around the village for them to see it and get their bearings.  The most important building is the church which was built in the 1770's. It was where people dressed up to go on Sunday's, mass being the only event of the week. Eladio was baptised there, took his First Holy Communion there and more importantly it was where he was ordained as a priest aged just 24. Here too we attended his parents' 50th wedding anniversary and latterly their funerals. We went to get the key from Manolita, one of the few people living here all year round and after greeting her walked across the lush fields to the old church. On our way we took some photos which I am happy to share here.

Walking round the village and showing our friends the church on our first day here.

The church is small but beautiful, with its centre piece being the amazing altarpiece Just look.

Inside the church

We also admired the very old pews and confessional boxes from where Eladio often took confession. Andy asked him if he had ever heard anything that shocked him but he said he never did. I wonder. 

From the church we went to visit the very Spanish like cemetery where his grandparents and parents are buried in a family niche. If you have ever watched Almodovar's "Volver" where the women are sprucing up the graves in one of the first scenes, you will see just how similar this cemetery is. Spaniards seem to love putting plastic flowers on graves; something which horrifies both Amanda and I but who are we to judge? 

In the cemetery in Montrondo

I then invited my friends to climb up to the belfry but only Amanda came up with me. It's quite a place with its huge bells and wonderful views of the village. Here is a photo Amanda took of me which I particularly like.

In the Belfry in Montrondo

I was under strict instruction from Eladio not to even attempt to ring the bells. I wouldn't know how but was tempted. My husband does know how to ring them and often did it in his youth. I explained to Amanda that the tolling of the bells in Spanish village is a true form of communication. Depending on  the number of tolls and pace of the ringing, it could mean a death, a birth, marriage, etc, even war. And all the villagers know what each type of ringing means. 

From the church and belfry we walked back to return the key to Manolita and then took our friends to the village common, El Campo, and then to the end of the road where the mountains begin. Andy and Amanda are keen bird watchers and were pointing out lots of them, some of the names I had never heard of but then I am not a great fan of birds thanks to Mr. Hitchcock.

It was still early by the time we got back so Andy, Amanda and I played sevens (a card game) until it was time for bed. I could not have been happier in their company and in our lovely village and country house.

I slept quite well although I woke up far too early on Friday morning. Friday was market day in Villablino, the nearest town to here and I always love going. Villablino is a former mining town which was once very rich until the coal mines closed some years ago.  My father-in-law, like many people from villages in the area, used to work in the mines and would cycle  every day there and back on a torturous mountain road. It must have exhausted him. Thankfully he gave up mining when he married Eladio's mother and took over the family farm.

The 30 minute drive is over a spectacular mountain pass which never fails to impress. Before shopping we had to pick up the family lawn mower that we took last time to be mended. Here is Eladio picking it up. 

Eladio picking up the lawn mower in Villablino

By then it was coffee time which we had at Bar Amigas across the road. We sat in the shade as it was so hot. I have never experienced such heat in this area and it was only 27ºc but it felt like 40ºc, And here is a photo to remember the moment.

Coffee in Villablino on Friday

All the bars in the town serve free food with coffee, as you can see on the table. My friends were amazed that the bill for 4 came to only 5 euros!

We duly did our shopping at Gadis, a supermarket where you are spoiled for choice. We then walked to the market but it was so hot, we just wanted to leave. We had lunch that day at Cumbres de Omaña in Senra, some 4km from Montrondo at what I call "the grumpy man's bar", The owner is very unwelcoming but the food they serve is good country fare and the portions are enormous. Being on Mounjaro I found it far too much. 

We came home to chill outside in the coolest place here, on the terrace behind our house. Amanda and I played Ludo - or rather the more complicated Spanish version called "parchis". I have always loved this game and passed on my addiction to Amanda. I couldn't have felt happier playing my favourite game in our lovely village in the mountains with my oldest friend.

It is so calming and distracting and I always tell my friends that Rafa Nadal played it before matches. I needed calming down as a crisis was unfolding at home which, thankfully, Olivia dealt with. There is always something.

We went for our walk in the evening when the sun was not so strong. But even so it was very, very warm but not as hot as in Madrid where the temperatures reached 40ºc this weekend. We took our friends on the old path to the next village, Murias. That was the path or track the villagers used before the road was built. There are great views of the village from there so I had to have a photo of my companions to show you. 

On our evening walk on Friday along the old path to Murias

The halfway point between Montrondo and Murias is a rock which the locals call "la peña de Dios" and means God's Rock and I would love to know who named it. Every nook and cranny in this area has a name,  many of which I have learned over the years since coming for the first time in 1984. We spent a while there trying to get a good photo of the four of us; one of which I have chosen for this week's feature photo. It was a lovely moment and I so enjoyed showing our friends the rock and the path and beautiful surroundings. Here is another one.

At God's Rock on the old path to Murias

The light was excellent for photos so I asked Andy to take a photo of Eladio and I and he took a good one. This is it. 

Eladio and I on the old path to Murias on our walk on Friday evening

On our way back we had to take more photos, this time by the Montrondo sign at the entrance to the village. I wonder how many photos I have taken there over the years; the same as at God's Rock, hahaha.

A photo here is a must for everyone we bring to Montrondo.

We came home to have dinner and we were all hungry although my appetite was nowhere near as big as usual thanks to Mounjaro. 

The day ended with the three of us; Andy, Amanda and I, playing Sevens again. I felt a bit bad at winning all three games. I don't know how I do it hahahaha.

I had not too bad a night and got up at 6.30 am on Saturday morning. It was to be even hotter that day meaning we could not go for a walk until the late evening. We had lunch booked at the old prison in Murias, now turned into a restaurant and hotel called Hotel Rural la Carcel. There was nothing to it but to stay at home and make use of the back garden where there is shade. Amanda and I played Ludo again of course while Andy and Eladio read or turned to their phones. Eladio lay under the shade of the apple trees on one of the very comfortable summer beds. It was such a relaxing scene, I had to have a photo. This is it.

Relaxation mode - Eladio under the shade of the apple trees yesterday morning.

We relaxed until it was time to drive to Murias. Normally we would have walked but it was far too hot. Our friends loved the hotel, both the building and especially the gardens and here we took more photos like the one below of Amanda and myself.

Hotel Rural La Cárcel

Thankfully inside was cool. The dining room was once the prisoners' refectory and Eladio told us stories from his past. Especially interesting was the story of his father being arrested by the Guardia Civil in Franco's times for possessing his father-in-law's revolver and some dynamite for which he nearly got sernt to the prison where we ate yesterday. Thankfully it never happened. 

 

Lunch was good but for my taste the menu was pretty heavy. Eladio and I went for lamb casserole which was disappointingly tough. Below is a rather nice photo of me with my husband.  

Having lunch in the prison yesterday

It's quite a good place to eat out but as expensive as Madrid in our opinion. We all concluded that the grumpy man's bar was a  better option.

 As we left, Andy who is nuts on birds, wanted to see the stork family that lives in its nest above the church in Murias, up close. It was hot but we were interessted too. And here is my husband admiring the storks.

The stork family in Murias

I am not keen on birds myself but love storks. They are such homely and romantic birds apart from being elegant. Besides, they bring babies don't they? Andy used his binoculars and spied a whole family, the couple with its fledglings.

We spent a while there admiring the storks until it was just too hot and we had to go back. Eladio and I went straight to our bedroom for a much needed siesta after the heat and a big lunch. I slept for an hour at least, sleep I really needed. So did Amanda who doesn't get enough either, after which we played ludo. We waited for the heat to recede before we went on our evening walk  This time we took our friends along the main road to Murias. Here Amanda took a photo of me by a signpost indicating distances to local places and not such local places - quite a funny signpost really. This is it. 

 

 

On the road to Murias from Montrondo there is an intriguing sign post. 

Even more intriguing were the shadows of our bodies while we walked in the evening sun. Amanda took a video as it was rather a funny moment. 
 

 Before we reached Murias we took a turn through a birch tree lined path up the hill and past the river which takes you to the top of the villages. It's the most beautiful walk I know in the area. The only thing was we were plagued by flies the  whole time. Andy said the walk should be called "The Lord of the flies" and he was not wrong. I just love the tree lined path and insisted on yet another photo.

On our walk yesterday to the top of the villages above the main road

The walk would take us all the way to the end of Murias. It is beautiful but the flies were a total nuisance. Only when we reached the village did we get rid of them. Once in the village we took the road back to Montrondo and were glad to see we had done over 12,000 steps that day. 

 We had a makeshift dinner after which we more or less went straight to bed as we were so tired from our exertions. I slept really well last night totalling 6.5h hours and once again was the first to wake up. And here I am in the silence of the house finishing this week's post. And what a wonderful week it has been. Next week promises to be great too as tomorrow we shall be leaving for Asturias on the coast to stay at our new but house in El Cuetu. It will be far less comfortable than this one but there is a lot more to do in the area. You will hear all about it next Sunday when all good things will have come to an end as they always do.

Meanwhile, let me wish you a happy Sunday,

Cheers all till next week,

Masha 

Girly time in Santa Pola, Villajoyosa revisited, a glorious morning on the beach, picnic by the pool, home again, swimming time with Elliot and Juliet, José Antonio and Dolores for lunch, Trump bombs Iranian nuclear sites and other stories of the week.

 Madrid, Sunday 21st June 2025.

On our last day in Santa Pola

Dear friends and readers. I can't believe it's Sunday and my lovely girly time in Santa Pola with Adele and Sandra is over. What a wonderful time we had. Girlfriends are so good for me and I already miss my friends. 

Last Sunday we still had 4 days left together and made the most of it. It was like being back at University when the world was ours for the taking, except that now we are more mature and a bit better off, haha. I have very few close girlfriends, Amanda, Kathy, Sandra and Adele and I still miss my dearest Spanish friend Fátima. So this last week meant the world to. It was wonderful not to have to worry about putting food on the table at home at strict meal times and having very few responsibilities. We could do what we wanted and when we wanted. It was freedom to feel like a young girl again and oh how we laughed and had such a good time. It was a time for healing one's soul and spirit. Every day we decided together what to do and last Sunday we went to Villajoyosa, one of the prettiest towns on the Costa Blanca. I knew it well in the 70's when my parents had a house in the mountains in Callosa as the bus stopped there always. It was nothing special in those days, just a fishing village with rocky beaches. Today it has changed and the once rocky beach in the centre is now made of sand. I had visited it once with Eladio a few years ago and noticed the change for the better. Its biggest attraction are the coloured houses facing the beach. They were painted different colours so that fishermen returning home could spot theirs. Villajoysa which means "joyous town" lies in between Alicante and Benidorm and is now quite upmarket since it was spruced up and is a desired place to have a house by the sea. Let me show you a few photos of our visit there last week.

Pretty Villajoyosa

It was a hotter day than usual with a lot of haze which never went away during our stay and which apparently came all the way from Canada because of the wild fires there. It was a shame really as I have never experienced such cloudy and hazy weather in this region. Being hot, we chose somewhere in the main square for our morning coffee. I changed my choice for once and ordered an "horchata"- a delicious local cold drink made from tiger nuts which has  a very acquired taste. We first tasted it in Callosa all those years ago and I have loved it ever since. Here I took a beautiful photo of beautiful Adele who seems to have grown even more beautiful over the years with her thick curly red hair.

My beautiful Adele

We then wandered the streets to see the coloured houses up close and loved them. Here we took more photos like these:

Revisiting Villajoyosa last Sunday

We then walked along the coastal path towards another little beach; a pebbled one this time and it was so hot I nearly had a heat stroke. I needed water desperately and a rest from walking round in such heat. In any case it was time to go home as we were having lunch at the apartment. We stopped at good old Lidl to get some provisions and were sitting down to lunch by about 2.15.

We rested in the afternoon until about 6 when we drove down the beach, determined to get a good walk in. It was hazy and quite full but we still enjoyed it. As usual we walked to "my rock" and back. Once home and after our much needed showers, we ate just fruit and yoghurt for dinner. Then came more games of "sevens" and for once, I won three times in a row hahahah. We went to bed late and I tossed and turned and woke up with the same headache I went to bed with.

Monday came and we agreed to visit Alicante, the beautiful capital town of the area which claims to be the sunniest city in Europe.  We didn't go to see the beach or the beautiful Explanade. No, we were on a shopping mission and headed for the main commercial area. We parked at the Corte Inglés, Spain's flagship department store which is always bliss in the heat because it is air conditioned. Frankly we shopped till we dropped. I had to get a new toaster as ours went bust, then it was clothes shopping. I desperately needed a decent bathing costume which had to cover parts it should cover on a lady my age. My dear friends chose them for me and I am so glad  I have new ones. These are them.

My lovely new bathing costumes chosen by my dear friends

I will chuck away all my old ones now. Then we hit Zara (of course) where I got a whole load of mainly white t-shirts. We also got lovely lovely clothes from Zara Kids for our grandchildren. Lunch that day was at Bar Guillermo, recommended to us by a local on the beach. We got there by taxi which was not easy and on the way couldn't find a taxi and had to walk back, thus  and totting up more than 10000 steps that day. Bar Guillermo's potato salad was to die for but not much else. I nearly died from the noise it was so loud. We had made a wrong choice and I just wanted to get out. Once back in our car and exhausted we drove home to the quiet and cool of our apartment where we chilled out for the rest of the day and night. We played cards - sevens again and this time I won hands down.  We also went down memory lane with Sandra getting out photos of our time at Nottingham University. In the end we all agreed that we looked much better now we are older. Strange right? But true. 

While we were having a girly day shopping, playing cards, reminiscing, etc. on the world scene, Israel was bombarding Teheran' nuclear sites  and Iran was bombing Israel.  Israel who started the war wants to thwart Iranian military power - especially their possible nuclear bomb - but wow, the war with Gaza has now escalated and who knows what will happen. Many think this is a way to topple the Iranian government. Is that what is going to happen. Meanwhile at the G7, Trump walked out to,  supposedly, to monitor what is happening in the Middle East. It's a fine and dangerous mess. He has now told the people of Teheran to evacuate and it was touch and go this week as to whether the  US could  join the war which may not be popular at home after all his MAGA propaganda.

On a nicer note, Monday 16th was Olivia's 2nd wedding anniversary. What a quiet, small and wonderful wedding that was. When I congratulated her, I enclosed a lovely photo of the two of us; a Mother and daughter moment on her big day. This is it.

On Olivia's wedding day two years ago this week

Congratulations darling. That day and on Thursday I think Oli had her final exams for her B1 course in French at the local School of languages. She has worked hard on it and of course passed. That meant both Suzy and Eladio had to babysit while she was taking her exams. I got to see some lovely pictures of them with Juliet and Elliot which I want to reproduce here for memory's sake. One day Juliet and Elliot will read this blog and we shall only be memories by then I suppose.

Suzy and Eladio picking the kids up from school and Eladio in the watet with them this week. 

Eladio hardly ever goes in the pool so this week was something of an occasion hahaha.

Tuesday came, our last full day but one together and we decided not to make any plans. We could either go on a trip somewhere, spend the morning on the beach or laze by the pool. The choice was ours. We decided what to do while having breakfast. Here are my dear friends breaking their fast in our lovely, sunny apartment. I had to have that photo.

Sandra and Adele having breakfast at the flat on Tuesday morning

 Beach it was to be followed by the pool and oh what a glorious morning we had. By then, the sun was out fully and all the horrible haze had gone. Sandra and I were wearing the same blue and white beach dress we bought at the local market when we were last here and we just had to have a photo entitled twins!

Sandra and I in the same outfits (even our sandals) ready to to the beach

There were very few people on the beach so it was easy to find a spot for the car by the walkway we always go down (number 4) and here are my friends posing for me on the walkway by the dunes; a lovely place.

Walking down to the beach

As soon as we had chosen our spot, in we went into the calm water where we enjoyed a swim in the sunshine. Don't worry we lathered ourselves with factor 50. Here are Adele and Sandra coming out.

Sandra and Adele on the beach on Tuesday

We met the young man from Senegal selling more beach cloths like the one I bought as a bed spreader. I wanted 2 more for the other rooms and he had just the colours I wanted. My girls also got one each. He sells them as beach cloths to lie down on but they are great for covering beds or sofas. Here is my man with his wares; a very nice chap. I dread to think how he arrived in Spain; probably on a makeshift boat. I admire people like him.

Our Senegalese man with his wares

I was wearing my new red bathing costume. I finally had a decent costume and felt good in it. We walked to the end of the beach, to my rock and dear Sandra took some  photos which she liked. I'm not too sure. I do look old:-(

In my new red bathing costume on "my rock" at the beach on Tuesday morning

The treat after the walk was another bathe and then coffee at the"chirringuito" (beach bar) next to us; a splendid place to have mid morning coffee.

We stayed until about 1pm and then made our way to the swimming pool which belongs to our apartments. It's a beautiful spot and we had it mostly to our own. Here are a couple of photos to remember the moment.

Pool time on Tuesday after the beach

By 2 we were hungry and went up to make lunch. My friends made tuna salad while I showered and washed my hair and oh my how I had caught the sun, despite the factor 50 sun screen I put on.

We spent the rest of the day lazing in the apartment. I had some work to do but mostly read on the terrace until it was time for our favourite card game; Sevens. I love it because it is so relaxing. I think on Tuesday I was the most relaxed I have been in a very long time. This break has done me so much good.

We were in bed early and I was up even earlier on Wednesday morning - at 05.30 damn! We had a long and pleasurable day ahead of us. At 10 am we had an appointment at a local salon to have our nails done. That's such a girly thing isn't it? It was run by a Chinese man who did Adele's nails. Mine were done by a young South American boy and Sandra's by a buxom black lady. I have to say they were very good as were the prices. Mine cost only 8 euros!

We then wandered round the main street looking at more clothes shops. I took the opportunity to call in on our electrician who had done the rewiring here. I needed a certificate from them to give to our electricity supplier to increase the voltage here.Well he wasn't there and I was told they would send it to me during the day. I didn't hear anything more until very late in the day.Bottom line was I had to get out cash to pay him before I got the certificate. Blimey I thought.He came the next day for his money. They did a good job but were very slow.

With the electrician out of my mind, I joined my girlies and bought myself a pretty white dress and some pink and white striped shorts for Oli, We had coffee by the port and for lack of a photo of the three of us for this blog, I got the waitress to take photos. Waiters never take good photos do they? I chose one for this week's feature photo and here is one I took of my dearest friends on their last day with me.

Coffee at the port on our last day together

From there we drove to Mercadona to get some last provisions, mainly Spanish ibérico ham for my friends to take back and stuff for sandwiches as we had decided to have a picnic lunch by the pool. What a very good idea that was too. We loved it.Here is a photo to remember the moment.

Sandwiches for lunch on our last day - picnic by the pool

We were there for a good three hours in complete peace and I wondered why I had never had a picnic there before. At around 5.30 we came up to shower, pack and play our last games of 

Sevens with a new pack of cards I got that morning. I am throwing away the sticky, old ones. By about 7 we were out, all dressed up for a walk and dinner. I took my friends to my happy place walk at the end of the old coastal road from our place to Santa Pola. I parked the car at the end and we walked on the Promenade called Vice Admiral Blanco García. We took more photos there and thoroughly enjoyed the views of the sea and the Island of Tabarca. 

On our walk along the promenade on our last night together

We also loved looking at all the beach front houses. Unfortunately  Pacorro, the bar at the end of the promenade was closed. Thus we walked back and I booked a table at Atipico, the place we loved and went to last week.They were waiting for us with open arms.

Last dinner together - again at Atipico

It was a great end to our stay together.Later we convened on the terrace and chatted about rather existential things until it was time for bed.

Thursday came, the day of our departure and I was up again at 5.30. We were all packed and first I had to take Sandra to the airport as her flight was at 08.30. Adele's wasn't till 1 pm. On my way back I had to get the tires pumped at the garage and get out another 1000 euros for Sandro, the electrician who was coming to get his money before he left. Only then would he give us the coveted electricity certificate enabling us to increase the capacity in the flat. He was a blessing in a way as he and his nephew mended the mosquito net on one of the windows and helped us bring down all our luggage. I left dear Adele at the airport and was off by 10. I wasn't looking forward to the long drive home with so many lorries to overtake on the various motorways. I stopped a few times and was finally home by just after 3pm. There waiting for me were Suzy, Eladio, Pips and Tana. There were 3 Colombian guests but I only met Daniela. It was great to be home but oh so hot at over 34ºc so thank God for air con. I gave out my presents to Suzy and Eladio. She got some short pyjamas from Women's Secret and a note book from Ale Hope (love that shop). Eladio got some new summer espadrilles. It took me over an hour to unpack and settle in but I couldn't sleep.

Oli and the kids joined us at around 5.15 and I gave them their pressies. Elliot got swimming trunks from Zara and a drawing pad from Ale Hop - he is so good at drawing. Juliet got a pretty matching top and shorts and there were pink and cream striped shorts for Oli. I must add the talking parrot from Ale Hop hahahaha; how I love those things.

Soon we were in the pool, the only place to be in that weather. I went in for once and wore my new red bathing costume. My darling husband kept taking photos of me in it and said it was very sexy. It isn't or maybe it is but I'm not hahaha. But bless him. Oli had brought back a giant floating Unicorn for the pool from Copi's hen party which added to the fun. Here are some pics to remember Thursday afternoon with our grandchildren, Elliot and Juliet soon to be 4 and 6.

Fun swimming time with the family on Thursday after I got back from Santa Pola

Would you believe that Adele also arrived home to 34ºc in Brittany in Northern France? 

Oli and family stayed for dinner and it was a makeshift meal, part of it being my sandwiches for the journey which I never ate and which went down well.

Damn it by the way as I left my Kindle in SP. Thank you Olivia for lending me yours. Without it I cannot fall asleep at night. It's the best way for me.

I slept so so with the air con nearly all the night and was up around 6.30 I think. Friday was busy. I went shopping with Eladio to fill our cupboards which had emptied in my absence. While out we also had our usual coffee at Manacor. Suzy did not join us for lunch that day as she had to go to her weekly group therapy session. She was very down when I got back from SP but since then has perked up just a little bit. Once again we were joined by Oli and the kids for a swim in the afternoon after which they joined us for a scrumptious dinner.  Oh boy I slept really badly that night and got just under 4.5h sleep which had me feeling like a zombie on Saturday. 

Saturday was the highlight of the week; José Antonio and Dolores were coming for lunch and Suzy and I went out bikini shopping in the morning. Before I left I made sure lunch was in order with Tana's help. I prepared home made salmorejo for our first course. The second course was roast chicken thighs with roast red peppers and Tana's wonderful rice. Dessert was figs with thick black cherries.

Suzy and I went to Centro Oeste to buy her two bikinis. She found one at Etam and a beautiful red one at Calzadonia. She looked stunning in both. From there we went to my health centre to get a prescription and then to have a coffee at Alverán, like old times. We had a bit of a tête a tête and Suzy told me she wants to take up her career in Nutrition and Dietetics again - thankfully she will not be doing the course to become a massage therapist. Her idea is to do a Masters in Nutritional Coaching. That would be just great. Later she thanked me for a wonderful day. It was wonderful also thanks to Oli who took her for lunch to a veggie restaurant while Miguel took the kids to his mother's place for lunch.

While Tana and I were finishing preparing lunch, Eladio went to fetch his brother and sister-in-law at the local metro station. They arrived by 1, an hour before lunch, which we spent by the pool. Of note I was the only one to go in the water. It was so hot yesterday I could have spent the whole day in the pool. Lunch was magnificent; a bit too much for me. I think that the Mounjaro drug I am taking is not really reducing my appetite as much as at the beginning. I ate and felt rather full.Later I had hardly any dinner to compensate.

We spent the whole afternoon by the pool and were joined later by Suzy dressed in her new red bikini. She spent quite a lot of time with us which is a good sign she is retreating from her hermit like existence.  We all had one of the many ice creams I had bought for Juliet and Elliot which I think everyone appreciated. Here are the two brothers enjoying theirs haha.

Ice cream time in the heat. Two brothers enjoying theirs while Pippa looks on.

Yesterday, of course, was the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year and the beginning of summer. That meant it got dark at around 10.30 pm - wow. Toño and Dolores left around 8.30 after which we had a very scanty dinner before retiring to our quarters to watch the news and fall asleep.

Today Sunday, I woke up the terrifying news that Trump had bombarded three or 4 Iranian nuclear plants. This came as a terrible and very worrying surprise. He had said he would take a decision whether to intervene on the side of Israel who was the first to attack Iranian nuclear plants.  But he went and did it in secret and surprised the world. Iran will be furious. I hate to think of the repercussions. I wonder too what Trump's voters will think as he promised peace and MAGA. He hasn't kept his promise. Of course, Netanyahu is delighted to have him as an ally to destroy the Iranian capability to build nuclear weapons. 

On a brighter note, Carlos Alcaraz, the amazing Spanish tennis player from Murcia, is through to the finals at Queens, the precursor to Wimbledon. He won the latter in both 2023 and 2024. Can he do it again and make a hat trick? With the permission of Djokovic and Sinner and if he is on good form, no doubt he can. We will see.

I shall leave you now to get on with the day, most of which I shall spend in the pool to cool off as today promises to be yet another scorcher with the temperature rising to 35ºc, just one degree  less than yesterday. 

Next week our dear friends Amanda and Andy will be coming to stay and we shall be taking them north to both Montrondo and our other house in Asturias, to get away from the heat and for them to see the real Spain. We are going to have so much fun which you will read about in next Sunday's blog post.

Meanwhile I wish you all the best for this week. Happy Sunday everyone, cheers

Masha