Last days in Asturias, discovering new beaches, thousands of migrants cross from Morocco into Spain, "Indiano houses", home again, The BBC in trouble over Diana interview, Suzy gave us a scare, Oli's birthday, the 50th anniversary of the death of Aunty Gloria and her family and other stories.

 Sunday 23rd May 2021

In Colombres visiting the Indiano houses. A happy moment this week

Good morning all. 

As you can see I am now writing from our home outside Madrid after returning from our other home in Asturias.

As I write today, many people, like us, are traveling back from some area of Spain after the end of the State of Alarm on 9th May. I was worried numbers would go up but so far they haven't. The rate in Spain per 100.000 is going down slowly and the vaccination roll out is moving at a much faster speed with an average of 600.000 people being given a jab daily. Worldwide the figures stand today at 3.468.924 deaths and 167.058.099 infections compared to the figures of last Sunday which were 3.338.966 and 163.191.707. In Spain, at least, I think we can begin to envisage life after Covid. 

Today my friends is the 50th anniversary of the air crash in Rijeka on the island of Kirk in former Yugoslavia. In that air crash my father's whole family died, his sister Gloria, her husband Derek and their children, my little cousins, Jacqueline, Michael and Antony. They were aged just 12, 9 and 7. They deserve much more than a mention as their death has marked our lives as a family ever since that dreadful call on 23rd May 1971. I sent flowers of course from my father and I to be placed on their grave.  I have written a tribute which I have included in a special blog post also posted today and dedicated to them which you can read here. 

Today there will be a closed service at the church in Ickenham performed by the Rector, Felicity Davies. I have contributed to it by sending a spoken tribute to be included in the St. Giles' YouTube broadcast. Felicity has been a darling all the way through organising events around this 50th anniversary mark. I want to thank her for that and also the church secretary Stephanie.

I sincerely hope when Covid is over, that next year I can organise a proper commemoration in the village at St. Giles Church.  I was very heartened on Friday when I was sent photos of the grave with flowers from my father and I but also from Breakspear school where my cousins went and from Michael's closest friend Helen G. I was heartened but also very much affected by the photo. I burst into tears when I saw it, remembering 50 years ago and the shock and horror of being given the news. Today I will be thinking of them more than ever. 

Flowers on their grave

Last Sunday it rained again but on and off so we were able to go for a short walk in the morning. We only walked down to the main part of the village, Meré but it was a beautiful walk. Our village, El Cueto, is further up the hill but belongs to Meré. We remarked that we really had chosen a house in a very remote area but that's how we like it. We are not fans of the "tourist track". It was green, so green that it reminded me of Tom Jones' song, "The green green grass of home". You can see how green it is in the photo below.

The road from El Cueto leading to Meré

I may have told you many times - forgive me - that this tiny village is nestled in the mountains of "Ardisana" that are just below the famous "Peaks of Europe" (Los Picos de Europa). The sea is near too - about 5 miles, so our house is in between the sea and the mountains. That's remote but a lovely location and we don't regret our choice.

Eladio on our walk last Sunday. This is the view of the Ardisana mountains just as you leave our village

We walked down to Meré and admired nature at its best. Unfortunately the only bar there was closed. I suspect it opens at about 1 or 1.30 when Spaniards go and have their "aperitivo". Thus we walked back and had our own frothy Nespresso coffee at home. I think the coffee I made is as good as the very best to be found in bars and cafes in Spain. There was time for household tasks, such as doing the laundry and making lunch. That day day we had fish and chips. It wasn't quite the real thing as I fried the fish in breadcrumbs.

The rest of the day was quiet. It wasn't quiet in Rome where Nadal was playing the world's number 1, Djokovic in the final. He won!!   Yes, he did. He won his 10th title there to prove he really is the world's number one on clay and not just clay. He and Djokovic are very equal rivals as in 56 matches they have won 28 (Nadal) and 29 (Djokovic). The next time they meet will no doubt be at Roland Garros where the Spaniard will be hoping to lift his 14th Coupe des Mousquetaires. I will be cheering him on for that. He does make Spain a proud country.

Nadal biting into his 10th Rome cup last Sunday. It's a trait of his to pose biting the trophies he wins.

The rest of Sunday was quiet. I had a video call with Suzy, far away in Nicaragua. If all goes to plan she will soon be home. I was up late watching the end of season 11 of Grey's Anatomy and was devastated when one of the main characters was killed off by the script writers. Boohoo

Monday came and brought sun and again we were determined to make the most of it. Since we bought this house last September this is our third visit and each time we have explored the area to get to know it. We now have some favourite places but there is still a lot to get to know. Once again we headed to Llanes where we had a coffee in our favourite square. Here is Eladio with Pippa in his arms enjoying the moment and the sun.

Coffee in Llanes on Monday in our favourite square. 

Once fortified with coffee we set off on a walk along the famous San Pedro coastal walks, one of our favourite haunts. It is a walk above Llanes on a beautiful path just above the town beach called Sablón.

The Sablón beach in Llanes as seen on Monday

This walk never disappoints and anyone who comes to stay with us will enjoy it too. 

Part of the San Pedro coastal walk

We stopped many time to admire the view and take photos like these below

Eladio and I (with Pippa of course) stopping for photos and to admire the view on the San Pedro coastal walk in Llanes this week.

The walk took over an hour and by then we were hungry. We had decided on another "menú del día" by the port. Before going home we decided to drive past the small villages of Cué and Andrín I had been told were local beauty spots which we were to discover that day. Near Cué we visited the beautiful and empty beach of Ballota. Wow, it was quite a climb up but well worth it.

The Playa de Ballota near Cué (Llanes) which we discovered on Monday

Our next stop was the pretty village of Andrín. We admired it, especially the houses and I even looked up houses for sale there but there were hardly any. No doubt anyone who has a house there will be reluctant to sell.

We got to the Andrín beach pretty quickly and what a beautiful spot. There was a cafe come restaurant at the top and it looked like we were in California. But, no, we were in Asturias. What a magical place.

The Playa de Andrin as seen from the cafe above

We ordered some mint tea just to be able to sit at one of the benches overlooking the beach. What a moment! It was one of those moments you discover a place you fall in love with immediately and never forget. 

Tea by the beach. Eladio at the table overlooking the Andrin beach 

We stayed quite a while just to enjoy the place and sight. No doubt it is somewhere we shall be going to again and again. In fact, as you will read, we went back on Wednesday for lunch. 

We were home late, by about 5.30  and very satisfied with our day. We had made the most of the sunshine and had discovered new places. 

We weren't hungry at dinner time but something about the mountain air here gives you a bigger appetite than in the city. Thus we made a meal of soup, salad, more "cecina" (smoked beef) and some local cider. Later we watched a bit of David Attenborough's Life in colour documentary. He reveals the importance of colour in the animal world. It was right up our street. However, I fell asleep on the sofa, tired from a long day. 

I woke up at about 8 am on Tuesday morning. My thoughts turned to the new guests who had arrived at our apartment in Santa Pola for a week. They are from South Africa and I have no idea what they are doing here or how they got to Spain. But I do know they love the apartment as that's what Lucy, our neighbour there, told us. Great! I had another guest coming this week to our house in Madrid for 3 nights, a chap called Mohcene from Boston MA. I wondered too why he is here. We would meet him on our return. Thankfully bookings are up although nothing compared to pre Covid times but they are up and I am grateful for that.

Unfortunately Tuesday was to be another rainy day. It was not a rainy day though for the more than 8000 migrants who crossed the border from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa. There is diplomatic dispute with our North African neighbours and the border police just let them through in retaliation. It has to do with the fact that Spain allowed the head of the Polisario Front - a group that wants independence from Morocco of the Western Sahara which once belonged to Spain - to see medical aid in this country. It also has to do with the fact that Morocco feels emboldened after Donald Trump recognised the Western Sahara as part of Morocco. 

Many swam the short length of water using rubber rings. It was mostly young Moroccan men but also families and minors on their own. Many images came out of dramatic scenes this week. One was of Luna, a young Red Cross volunteer who was seen being clung onto by a young Senagalese man. He was crying and desperate and she helped him. When the photo was posted on twitter she was hurled racist abuse by fanatical right wingers but also praised by anyone who respects humanitarian gestures. 

Luna from the Red Cross and the young migrant from Senegal

Another dramatic photo was of a young policeman from Spain's Guardia Civil, Juan Francisco Valle rescuing a tiny baby. The baby thought to be new born as it still could not hold its neck, was riding on the back of its mother while she swam. How desperate she must have been to do that. When the policeman found the baby it was cold and pale and he feared the worst. The good news is that it survived and is now thriving.

The Spanish policeman rescuing a baby during the Ceuta crisis this week

It was the biggest news in Spain this week and a difficult problem to solve. 8000 people in a couple of days has been likened to an invasion. I suppose it is but my sympathies lie with these people who try to come here desperate for a better life. I suppose though a country can't just let in so many people with nowhere to live and no jobs to go to, especially in Spain where we have the highest unemployment rate in the EU. 

A scene from the migrant crossings this week into Ceuta 

The government had to send in the army and the Prime Minister cut short his agenda to fly to Ceuta and the other enclave, Melilla. By Wednesday, more than half the immigrants had been sent back. Immigrants crossing illegally into a country is no easy issue to deal with. By Thursday nearly 6000 had been sent back and the Moroccan government closed the border. That leaves, though, the problem of about 800 unaccompanied minors who have the right to stay. 

Tuesday saw us in our nearest town, Posada de Llanes, again, on various errands, the highlight of which was our coffee in the street. Lunch was fabada for the third time but we didn't mind.

Fabada again on Tuesday for lunch

The highlight of the afternoon was the resumption of my weekly Skype calls with my dear friend Amanda. She had lots to tell as my friend and her husband had been away on holiday, to Scotland. We nattered on until 7.30 pm, nearly dinner time.

That night I couldn't sleep, thinking about the logistics of my daughter getting out of Nicaragua and returning home with all the obstacles she has to surpass to get here. We were expecting her next week but as I write, she is still in Muelle de Bueyes in Nicaragua. She sent me a photo of her riding a horse this week which I must share with you. All my life I have loved horses and wish as a child I had learned to ride. However it was an expensive hobby in the England I knew as a child and when I asked my mother for lessons she told me the nearest I would get to a horse was  my pony tail! I shall never forget that.

Suzy riding a horse this week in Nicaragua. Her boyfriend's family have a farm and lots of horses.

Wednesday came and it was another sunny day but nothing near as warm as here in Madrid. That day we went on errands to Llanes - to print 100 guest registration forms which  have to filled out by guests and a copy sent to the police for each person and each stay (what a bore!). Once again we had coffee at our usual place, La Galerna, located in our favourite square in Llanes which if you ever visit you will love too. The name of the square is Plaza Parres Sobrino. Countless scenes from Spanish films have been filmed here.  There is a photo of me to record the moment and oh my God my hair is in dire need of a visit to the hairdresser. I have an appointment next Wednesday. 

Coffee in Llanes on Wednesday at La Galerna 

Across the way from the bar there is the most tempting gourmet shop, "Aramburu". I nearly always buy something there when in Llanes and that day I got more "cecina". I bought it with Friday night's dinner in mind when we would have Oli and family round.

We have explored much of the area since we bought the house but there are still places on our bucket list. One place is called Colombres and is famous for its amazing "Indiano" houses. These are amazing neo classical or modernist style houses built by "Indianos" (Spaniards who went to America - they called it The Indias which is where Christopher Colombus thought he was going). They were built by those immigrants who made a fortune in places like Cuba or Puerto Rico and returned to Spain, building houses to show off their wealth. This happened at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th. These houses are often called "casonas" and they are dotted all around Asturias. They are absolutely stunning. We started at the most spectacular house there, "Quinta de Gaudalupe" which also houses a museum on the history of the "indianos" and Asturian emigration. 

The magnificent Indiano house, Quinta de Guadalupe in Colombres

The house was gigantic and the land felt more like a park than a garden it was so big too. Here Eladio took the photo of me I have chosen for this week's post. 

From the Guadalupe house we walked to the town hall (another Indiano house). There we found a town map with a route to see some more. I was amazed when we came across the Red House (La Casa Roja). This house features in one of my favourite Spanish TV period series, "La Señora". I have dreamed of that house. Believe it or not it had a for sale sign at the gate. Later I looked it up and saw it was going for 1.800.000 euros which actually is very cheap for a property like that, one of the finest in Asturias. I saw too that the house had been beautifully restored. It has been on the market for a few years probably because it is just too big for a family. Maybe it will become a hotel. If it does, I have to go and stay. If you are interested this is the link to the property. 

The Red House in Colombres - my favourite

There were more houses to be seen but none as spectacular as the Quinta de Guadalupe or La Casa Roja.   I first fell in love with the "Indiano" houses when we stayed at one years ago called La Casona de la Paca near Cudillero. It is somewhere we have stayed at 3 or 4 times. We would have loved to have bought an Indiano house here but they are too expensive or need huge restoration and of course their upkeep is prohibitive. This, by the way, is La Casona de la Paca. I think we first fell in love with Asturias when we stayed there for the first time more than 10 years ago. 

Casona de la Paca hotel - one of the first Indiano houses I ever saw

By the time we had had our fill of Indiano houses, it was time for lunch. Colombres seemed a bit lacking in places to eat so we decided to go back to the Playa de Andrín where there was a "chiringuito" (beach bar) above the beach. I told you we would be going back. It was a short drive from Colombres and by 2.30 or so we were sitting at our favourite table overlooking an almost empty beach.

There was no menu of the day but plenty of "raciones" which are basically tapas but in larger portions. We went for the "rabas" (calamares), octopus and monk fish. We couldn't finish the latter. Of course we had cider to go with our lunch.

Wednesday's lunch at the bar (Chiringuito El Castru) above the beach of Andrin, a wonderful spot.

Very full and happy with our lunch at such a wonderful spot, we left to drive home for a much needed siesta. That night I slept well for once although I was awake at 5.45, far too early. We had planned to return on Friday, the evening before Oli's birthday but early that morning we decided it was better to journey back on Thursday to be on time for all the preparations. And that we did. Over breakfast I learned that I had got the money back from eDreams who, by mistake, had issued and charged me for three tickets for Suzy from San José on the same day and flight. On the phone I had been told it would take anything up to 180 days so it was a huge relief to see the refund just a few days later. On the topic of money I had some excellent news this week. I am due to retire on my next birthday (8th February) which is not long to go. This week I stumbled upon an application on the "Social security" website and was able to simulate what pension I will get. As they calculate your pension from the average income over the last 24 years rather than on your last salary I didn't expect to get the maximum pension. But I was wrong as it turns out I am entitled to the maximum pension which, in Spain, for 2022, is 3308 euros per month gross. Tax is 15%. I don't know how that compares to other countries but it seems very reasonable to me. That was possibly the best news of the week. Sorry for talking about money. It's not the done thing I know but this is my blog diary and is an important story to include as it will affect my life when I become a pensioner. I can hardly believe I am going to be a pensioner next year. Where has all the time gone?

It took us a couple of hours to pack and be ready to leave. We said goodbye to Loli our neighbour who looks after the house and receives our guests and by 11.30 we were in the car and off again. But before we left I took one last photo of the house. Eladio posed by the geraniums he had been tending to during our stay.

One last photo before leaving Casa del Cuetu on Thursday morning

This time I had prepared a picnic for our lunch as the weather was good. We aimed to enjoy our picnic by the River Pisuerga in the pretty village of Alar del Rey which we had discovered on our journey to Asturias 9 days before. We got there late as Eladio took a wrong turn on the motorway which had us heading for Bilbao instead of Valladolid (aarrggh). We had the place to ourselves and were soon set up for our delicious picnic of Wiener Schnitzel with fresh tomatoes followed by strawberries and some Lindt chocolate. 

Our picnic lunch in Alar del Rey on our return journey on Thursday

We were home by about 18.30, a couple of hours after our latest guest, Mohcene (Mo), had arrived. He is a young Frenchman of Algerian, Jewish and Muslim origin (interesting) and seems very very pleasant. He is in Spain working remotely and was attracted to our place because of the pool and garden as so many people are.

The garden was nearly overgrown in our absence and the roses and geraniums were in full bloom. The rain and sun had done their work. The geraniums in Asturias seemed paltry in comparison.

Geraniums in our garden - in full bloom upon our return.

As soon as I got out of the car I went straight to see my father. He had missed me and was overjoyed to see me. He is not usually as expressive so I was happy too. He told me he had been well looked after. Thank you Lucy.

It took a while to unpack and feel at home again. It was far warmer here than in Asturias with the temperature in the high 20's. Thus we could have dinner outside which we enjoyed thoroughly. We may have 4 houses, but this is our main house the place which is our home. It was lovely to be home and to sleep in our gigantic and ultra comfortable bed. That night I slept really well.

Friday came and I was up early at around 6.30. As usual I read the headlines. If in Spain the main news was the Ceuta crisis, in the UK the headlines were full of the story of the BBC and the Lady Diana interview in 1995 on Panorama by Martin Bashir. The story has been cooking and boiling for quite some time but this week the Dyson report was released accusing the BBC of deceit in getting her to agree to it by using fake documents that showed people close to her were spying on her. We all remember the famous interview where Princess Diana said her marriage was rather crowded don't we?

A scene from the famous Panorama interview

It was a huge scoop for the BBC but very wrong that they made her accept to do it using deceit. The BBC has apologised of course and also sent letters to the main members of her family including her sons. This week Prince William, the future King of England accused the BBC ultimately of her death. This is because the interview caused his mother to be robbed of the security she needed and which she didn't get when she suffered the fatal car crash in Paris. He also said it worsened his parents relationship. He and Harry are furious with the BBC This may have happened a long time ago but it had negative repercussions then and now. 

On the TV that day in Spain Olivia was presenting again. We hadn't watched her much in Asturias and it was a pleasure to see her again live. She posted a lovely photo of herself and co presenter Igor, getting ready to go live. We are so proud of her.

Oli and her colleague, Igor, about to go live on TV on Friday morning

I would have loved to see more of her but I had to get on with the day and there was lots to do, especially related to her birthday the next day. 

I came home to make the birthday cake, my Victoria sponge cake, made to my grandmother's recipe and decorated it my way with cream, jam, icing and fruit. This is what it looked like. It's Oli's favourite and is actually quite easy to make.

My birthday cake for Oli which I made on Friday

Oli and family were with us by late afternoon and we spent time by the pool. It was a warm day and they went in. Actually Elliot fell in and had to be rescued by his father. Our pool is dangerous for kids as the water is deep apart from the steps to go in. Thankfully he was ok but gave us a shock.

Family time by the pool on Friday afternoon

I had prepared a stupendous dinner which Eladio and I enjoyed immensely. Unfortunately neither Oli nor Miguel were very hungry as they had been to lunch to a Michelin star restaurant in Villaviciosa where they were served 10 dishes each! If I had known I wouldn't have made such an effort. Here is a photo of our dinner table with Elliot and Oli. Much of the food was produce I had brought from Asturias which we had with Asturian natural cider (the best), poured by "Isidrin".

Friday's pre birthday dinner

If Elliot had given us a shock by falling into the pool, Suzy, far away in Nicaragua gave us a much bigger shock which I only recovered from the next morning. She texted me on Friday afternoon to say she had 6 out of 9 typical appendicitis symptoms. The problem was that she was in a small town called Muelle de los Bueyes, 5 hours from the capital, Managua. I got her travel health insurance company to call her and they did but said she had to go to the capital or to a local public hospital. After lots of calls and texting she went to have an ultrasound which cost a paltry 8.5 US dollars. We heard at 2.30 am in the morning that the diagnosis was confirmed and that she would have to be operated at the local hospital. That's all we knew until Saturday morning. The radiologist told her the appendix was enlarged and could rupture any time and we all know what that means. We were so worried we hardly slept.

I was up at 7.30 on Saturday morning with no more news so I rang her boyfriend Erick. He was at the local hospital and told me Suzy had been operated on (traditional cut) at 20.30pm local time. It was 23.30 local time when I spoke to Erick and he told me the operation had been successful and that Suzy was still in the recovery room. I think I cried with relief. He sent me a photo of her as she was coming out of anesthesia. Poor sweetie. 

Suzy just after her operation on Friday night/Sat morning

Later we spoke to her and to Erick who we saw for the first time. I am grateful to him for looking after her.

Suzy with Erick after the operation

My daughter told me the hospital was a third world nightmare (lots of flies, no masks, etc) but that the doctors were good. They were Nicaraguan who had studied medicine in Cuba. She wanted to get out of there asap. She was also the only "foreigner" there and said she felt like a monkey in a zoo as everyone looked at her and talked about her for being Spanish. Funny I imagine. Of course she cannot now fly home next Friday as the doctors said she needs at least 2 weeks to recover before flying. So on Monday I shall try to change her ticket. I am dreaming of the moment when she is home and safe. What an experience. 

I was very relieved at the news  and thus I could now concentrate on Oli's birthday. It's hard to believe she turned 36 yesterday. She is still my little girl though. Eladio went to get churros, porras (thicker version) and hot chocolate for our breakfast. We laid the table with all our finery and I added some of my beautiful roses to grace the table.

Oli's birthday breakfast

Both Eladio and I needed a walk afterwards, our first since we got back. It did us a lot of good. Once home I had to prepare the birthday lunch which, as always, was to be fish and chips - the fish being fried in beer batter- 

Fish and chips for Ol's birthday yesterday

We had a peaceful lunch as Elliot slept through it only waking up when we got to the cake moment. I'm not sure he understood what was happening when we put the candles on, Oli blowed them and we sang Happy Birthday to her. Here is a photo of the birthday girl.

The birthday cake moment 

Miguel took a video which you can see here. 

As Eladio and I had hardly slept the night before because of Suzy's appendicitis in Nicaragua and all the worrying, we were in dire need of catching up on our sleep with a long siesta. I couldn't believe it when I woke up after having slept for 2 whole hours. I felt so much better.

We then joined Oli and family and I read Elliot his favourite book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which he demands me to read over and over again. Oli took a video to remember the moment which you can see here. I sent it to Suzy who hasn't seen Elliot since October when she left for Central America and who is she is dying to see again.

Dinner was Friday night's leftovers as none of us were hungry. How could we be?  We were in bed late and missed the news. We also missed The Eurovision Song Contest. I used to watch it as a child but it has got more and more bizarre it's no longer my thing. I heard later that Italy had won. Ok, well done, no doubt I won't like the song. England got nil points and Spain very few. 

Today of course is Sunday, 23rd May and as I said at the beginning of this post, the 50th anniversary of the death of my father's dear family, a family I loved so much and who I have always missed. I will be thinking of them more than ever today as no doubt my father will too. God bless them. God bless you too for following my blog and my life. It's comforting.

All the best then my friends, until next Sunday,

Cheers / Masha

My tribute to Aunty Gloria, Uncle Derek and my cousins Jacqueline, Michael and Antony who died tragically in an air crash 50 years ago today.

Sunday 23rd May, 2021

Remembering the Orchard family from Ickenham on the 50th anniversary of their death. The loss that never went away.

Gloria Elizabeth Orchard née Lloyd 1926-1971. My beloved Aunty Gloria, my father's sister.

Fifty years ago today, on 23^rd May 1971, a whole family from Ickenham died tragically in an air crash at Rijeka airport in former Yugoslavia. My Aunt Gloria, née Lloyd, my uncle, Derek Orchard and their children, Jacqueline (12), Michael (9) and Antony (7) are still remembered today not just by my family but by many people from the village. Revd. V.B. Wynburne, vicar at the time of St. Giles Church, wrote in the Ickenham Church News in July 1971 “They were so much an integral part of the community in general and the church in particular that we all feel a tremendous sense of loss”. That loss has never gone away.

Gloria was born in Sledmere, North Yorkshire, in 1926. She was the daughter of a clergyman, my grandfather, Revd. Canon John Lloyd, and Dorothy Gertrude née Scull, an accomplished pianist. Her siblings were my father, Charles Courtenay Lloyd and Raymond who sadly died of polio in 1938 aged just 16.

After Sledmere, the family moved to Henbury near Bristol. Gloria attended the Clergy Daughters’ School in Bristol, later named St. Brandon’s School. During the war she was evacuated to Wells. She came of age just before the war ended and, wanting to do her bit, served in the WRACS as a private and corporal. She was a skilled driver and mechanic. My father’s sister was a practical, loving,  no- nonsense, get-on-with it sort of person, but at the same time, very jolly, independent and family orientated.  

Gloria met and fell in love with Derek Orchard on the Island of Krk in Croatia. It was to what they called “Mummy and Daddy’s island” that they were to take the children on holiday that fateful day in May. Derek, an only child, was born in Middlesex in 1930 and the couple were married by my grandfather at his church, St. Mary’s in Henbury, Bristol, on the day of my birth, 8^th February 1957. Derek was a chartered engineer with Vickers. I remember him riding to work on his Vespa. I should also add he was as fan of Tottenham Hotspurs. My memory is a bit fuzzy after 50 years but I do remember that.

As many young married couples, they worked hard to make a living and form a family. After their wedding they went to live in Ickenham at 18 Ivy House Road. Gloria had time to run her home, look after her children, contribute to the community and also look care of her parents. After her father’s retirement my grandparents moved to Ickenham, to 17 Hoylake Crescent, to be near them.

I was witness to all this because as a family, my parents, brother and I spent every Christmas in Ickenham when we were children. They were the closest family we had and my father and I are their only surviving direct relatives.  We also spent many Easter and summer holidays with them. Gloria loved to drive and would take us on trips in her old Humber to special places such as Burnham Beeches, Pinewood Studios, Windsor, the Model Village in Beaconsfield and The Natural History Museum in London.  I remember once Uncle Derek taking us all to see the Christmas lights in London. Those were happy times. I have fond memories of Ickenham, of going to church, to the library and to do the shopping with my Aunt at Budgens supermarket on Swakeleys Road or of playing on the swings with my cousins at the end of Ivy House Road. My Aunty Gloria made us tea every day in her dining room using real china which always included jam sandwiches. I worshipped her and always regret never telling her I loved her but that would have been too emotional in those days. In the evenings, we would play monopoly or other games. Both she and Jacqueline played my grandmother’s beautiful old piano which is now at my house in Madrid, sadly collecting dust.

They were very much part of the community in Ickenham. Gloria and Derek played badminton and attended events popular at the time such as “cheese and wine parties” at the church hall. Gloria was on the Mothers’ Union Committee, the family went regularly to St. Giles Church, Michael sang in the choir, the boys went to the Cubs and all three children attended Breakspear School. Jacqueline left Breakspear in the summer of 1970 and attended Hillingdon Court Covent School. There she met Sally Ackroyd who became her best friend. Neighbours have described to me how Gloria  went out of her way to help them. One of Michael’s school frinds, Boo Smith , recalls how Gloria gave her mother Jacqueline’s school dresses with her name stitched on the night before they left on that fatal journey. Boo explained that “all the Mums in the area were very friendly and supportive of one another”.

The family never went away on a real holiday until that fateful trip. Besides, life was busy and Gloria had to take care of her mother in her latter years. Only when my grandmother died in December 1970 were they able to take a family holiday abroad. Of course, they chose “Mummy and Daddy’s island”. It was an exciting time for them, preparing to go and there was lots to do. Initially Jacqueline was to travel out later when her school broke up but her mother didn’t want her to travel alone. Michael joked with fellow choirboys at St. Giles, about missing evening service. Sally Ackroyd called Jacqueline a “kind and gentle soul” and described how she went to her house the day they were leaving to get a stamp for a letter. That stamp may well have been for my aunt’s last letter to my father which I still have.  In it she writes: “Frantically preparing to go tomorrow. Due to take off from Gatwick 5.30 pm. Tomorrow, arriving Krk airport 9.45 pm. Perhaps we could pop up and see you in between Norwich and any other plans you have. Love from all to all. Gloria”. It’s chilling, but we would never see them again.

That tragic night my family and I were watching the news when the accident was announced. I was 14 at the time, just 2 years older than Jacqueline. My father mentioned Gloria and family were going to Yugoslavia but he didn’t know on what flight. He rang their house in Ickenham and there was no reply. The next day, I went to school as usual and only when I came back in the afternoon, did I find out the terrible news.  It was my mother who told me. She described how the authorities had rung my father in the morning to give him the news. When he put the receiver down, he said to my mother: “I only have you left now”. He had now lost his last remaining sibling. He is still alive today, having just celebrated his 102^nd birthday and every day of his life since that dreadful call he has missed and mourned the death of his sister and her family. As for me, something died inside me when I heard the news. I was handed a cross I would bear all my life but at the same time I carry them all in my heart.  It is something that never goes away.

As a family we took a last journey to Ickenham for the memorial service. It was hard walking out of Ickenham Tube station and knowing they would not be at home. Even so, that day we visited 18 Ivy House Road. I remember going into Jacqueline’s bedroom, feeling devastated and empty. I found her hairbrush and took some of the hair which I wore in a locket for many years. We stayed at 23 Hoylake Crescent with the Andrews’ family, neighbours of my grandparents. Eleanor Andrews  was a dear friend of both my aunt and grandmother. My father though spent that night by himself in the lounge at his sister’s house. He was heartbroken but never showed his feelings and rarely talked about the tragedy ever again.

Tributes and memories of those from Ickenham who remember the Orchard family.

Their death was a huge shock to us but also to the community I learned. I have missed them every day of my life as has my father so I was amazed to find that many people still remember them today, especially the friends and class mates of Jacqueline, Michael and Antony. Recently Michael’s friend called Helen Gill who I didn’t know at all wrote to me out of the blue: “I went to school with Michael and walked home with him. I have always remembered the sadness of losing him and the loss of his family – it was devastating for the whole community and must have been so sad for your family”. She also told me the school was so upset and that the tragedy never left her. I think it never left anyone who knew them.

All these years I had no idea how many lives the Orchard family had also touched and I recently found some of these people on the village Facebook group page. The response was incredible and warmed my heart.  Peter Moxon writes “I remember Michael and the Orchard family. We were at Breakspear School together and in the same class. I still remember the day the terrible news was announced in school assembly.” He also said “the Orchards were a lovely family and I would say that Michael was my best friend at Breakspear. I often visited their house after school”.  Peter’s father recalls Derek taking Michael and him up to London to see HMS Belfast.  Barbara Head writes: “There was a sadness in the village following the tragedy” and Sally Ackroyd admits “I still look up at Jacqueline’s window each time I walk down Ivy House Road”. She added “it was hard when she died, such a shock. I put a rose in their grave last Christmas and gave it a brush. Jacqueline would be 62 now.  Shirley Masson writes “I remember them. I was in the same year as Antony at Breakspear. I think of them from time to time. I remember the shock of the news”. Many of those who remember them leave flowers at their grave from time to time and even clean the headstone. Hazel Elliot wrote: “I lived in Ickenham and went to Breakspear. I think I was the year above Michael. I remember Mr. Ettling, our headmaster, telling us though as young children I don’t think we realised the tragedy and enormity of it. I always thought of the family whenever I walked along Ivy House Road and past their house. Tim Price who was friends with Antony told me that his parents were friends of Antony’s and that it was “very sad and will never be forgotten”. Wendy Frany writes  “the whole of my family was devastated when the accident happened …. It was  a tremendous shock, losing them all like that, but we were always somehow grateful that they died together”. Boo Smith recalls “I remember walking home from school the day after the accident and another little girl I often walked home with  said to me, “I am glad they are all in heaven together”. … as children we took great comfort from those thoughts”. Boo also told me her memories of the night they died: “The lady who lived next door to Gloria was called Audrey Jinks who was often popping in to see our Mum. I still have a clear memory of that fateful night when Audrey came down to Mum realising that the family was on that flight”. Cathy Bryant writes: “yes I remember your lovely relatives as my parents were their friends and my brother, sister and myself were the same ages as Jacqueline, Michael and Antony. We remember many happy times at both our house and Ivy House playing and going to Breakspear and church. I was only 7 when the air crash happened and remember Mr. Ettling telling us in assembly. So devastating, will never forget,”

The community was so stunned and shocked it decided to raise funds for a special memorial stained glass window at St. Giles. It is a fitting way to remember this much loved family who so unfairly met their death too soon in life and in such a tragic way. It was a way of never forgetting.

No, we cannot forget and this is why special prayers were said for the Orchard family at St. Giles Church today. I would like to thank Revd. Felicity Davies and the Church Administrator, Stephanie White, for making this possible. I would have liked to be there but because of Covid that was not possible. I hope we can hold a belated 50^th anniversary memorial service and get together next year. I remember the turnout at their memorial service on May 27^th 1971. The church was so packed not all could enter. I hope we can fill it again in memory of Gloria, Derek, Jacqueline, Michael and Antony when we meet next year to pay tribute to them and share together the loss that never went away.

Masha (Maria) Lloyd

Some photos of the family

Antony, the youngest, aged 7

The article in St. Giles Church magazine upon the death of the family

Summer 1970. Jacqueline's class at Breakspear school 

My grandfather, Revd. Canon John Lloyd with his three children, my father right, Gloria in the middle and little Raymond on the left. Probably taken in about 1931 at their home at the New Vicarage in Henbury (Bristol)

One of the awful clippings my father kept and passed on to me

A close up of Jacqueline in the centre

Uncle Derek with baby Jacqueline

Gloria (right)  an army corporal (driver) about 1945

Gloria and Derek's wedding, Henbury 8th Feb 1957 (the day of my birth)

Gloria Elizabeth Lloyd in 1939 aged 13.

Henbury Vicarage c1931 with Courtenay, Raymond, Gloria, Grandpa, Grandma.

Jacqueline and Michael in their garden at 18 Ivy House Road Ickenham Probably Summer 1970

Jacqueline Michael and Antony playing in the snow, probably the winter before they died