Chickens on our walk, butchery and genocide in Ukraine, happy times in Asturias, meet Margarita the lamb that thinks it's a dog - visting Mirador de Fitu, Gijón, Bufones de Santiuste - and other stories of the week.

 Sunday, 10th April, 2022. El Cuetu, Asturias.

Meet Margarita. In my element with this baby lamb in my arms. Pippa was a bit worried.

With our lives finally back, we were able to enjoy our first weekend at home without our unwanted squatter. The house felt as though a cloud had lifted and the sun was shining again; in that the good vibes were back. Now we could finally get on with our lives which until he left felt on hold. Now too we can leave the house without fear that "he" might do something. Thus this week we came here to our new house in the mountains of beautiful Asturias on what is known as Spain's "Green Coast". 

On Sunday last Oli and the children came to spend the day and then Eladio's brother "Toño" and wife Dolores came for lunch. I was up at the unearthly hour of 5 o'clock in the morning having been awake since 4 am. In my mind were thoughts of all I had to do before anyone came: wash my hair, do my nails, update and publish my blog, update all new reservations (I got 4 on Saturday last alone- 2 for Santa Pola, 1 for Asturias and 1 for this house) and then of course make lunch for everyone with all the finery for laying the table. I had some red lentil chunky soup which would do for starters but I had to be creative with the second course. It was a bit like the bread and fish miracle in the Bible. I had 8 chicken legs for 6 adults and little Elliot. I made a casserole with a huge layer of all sorts of vegetables and the chicken legs on top. When they were roasted, I took them out and boned them. Thus I had lots of bone free tender roasted chicken. To that I added the veg and then made a sauce from the juice and crème fraîche to which I added some herbs, cashew nuts and sultanas. We had it with rice and it was delicious and there was loads for everyone. 

It was a sunny but cold day and in the afternoon we all went for a walk including Elliot and Juliet in their push chair and pram.

Starting our walk last Sunday with the babies and the dogs

Instead of going through the woods we walked on the road as navigating the pram and push chair would have been difficult. We did though cross the main road at the bottom of the hill near our house to a parkland area. The children behaved perfectly all the way. When we were nearly home I spied 2 small white hens loose on the pavement. It was so funny to see them. We soon realised that the gate of the home where they obviously live, was open. Toño and Eladio, being "village boys" know how to deal with hens and Toño tried his best to get them to go into the house again. It was a hilarious moment which had us all in hysterics. 

The hilarious chicken episode

Oli took a video which I hope you will enjoy. You can watch it here. 

We were home by around 7.30 when Eladio took our guests back to the metro station. Oli and I remained with the children. I was absolutely shattered by then, having been awake since 4 in the morning and had no energy whatsoever to prepare dinner for us all. Besides, I wasn't hungry. Thus Oli and the kids left and soon Eladio was back and we had a frugal dinner together before going to bed.

I slept better that night although I was awake at 2 am, 4 am and 6 am. I finally got up at 7 on Monday morning. Someone far away in Miami, may have partied the night away. On Sunday last, Carlos Alcaraz, the 18 year old Spanish tennis player created history. He won his first ATP Masters in Miami becoming the first Spaniard and the youngest player ever to do so. He is being compared to Nadal of course as is natural but this young man from Murcia is a force of his own making. I was proud for Spain and happy for the teenager. I wish him a successful and lengthy career. 

The world woke up though to terrible news from Ukraine. Russian soldiers, not only raping women but massacring civilians in their hundreds mainly in the town of Bucha. Not far from Kiyv, this name will go down in history like Aleppo or Srebrenica. It beggared belief to see the horrific images of dead people who had been tortured by the Russians, many of them with their hands tied together and even with bombs attached. Putin had already crossed many lines but this was the straw that broke the camel's back in my opinion. I do not want to insert images here; they are too gruesome and no doubt you will have already seen them. Biden and leaders from around the world coincide in wanting Putin to face a war crimes trial after this. Could that happen any time soon? No, but maybe in a few years time. It did happen to Milosovec and members of the Khmer Rouge. But all the world could do was to increase sanctions on Russia and send more arms. The only sanction that would really hurt would be to stop importing fuel and gas. Can that happen soon? I don't know. So Russia will continue its war crimes in Ukraine. I don't see peace coming soon. You can't negotiate with a butcher can you? 

With all this on my mind I got on with the day. At around 8 am, the "swimming pool man", Javier, was here to get it ready for Easter. 

Starting on getting the pool ready for Easter

This year it's going to be painted but Javier reassured me it would be ready on time for the Easter weekend.  We had a busy day getting the rooms ready for guests arriving on Tuesday - we will have non stop guests now until the end of May.  I also corresponded with upcoming guests at all 3 of our rental properties which will be fully booked for Easter. Lucy was a great help and Eladio did the tricky parts like hanging up the washed curtains. He even mowed the lawn later. I was also busy on the preparations for my father's memorial service in Bradford, his burial and related events. This is going to keep me busy until we fly out. I also booked our car which cost a pretty penny but we need one there. What cost a pretty penny too was the fuel  Eladio ordered that day. Normally a full tank of over 1000 litres costs around 900 euros. On Monday the price was  1600. That is nearly double. We couldn't believe it. The war is hurting the world isn't it? 

Tuesday came, the day of our departure to Asturias. We couldn't wait to go away without having the worry of our nasty squatter who finally left. We feel liberated now and can go away when we want. We have our lives back thank goodness. I am smiling as I write that. 

I felt extremely happy as we left in our old Volvo with Pippa at the back. She needs a special harness after new traffic laws and we hoped we wouldn't be in trouble. We were so happily talking that we took a wrong turn which probably added 1.5 hours to our journey. Instead of heading from Valladolid to Palencia, we headed to Burgos. We could have had lunch there hahaha but had to go for yet another god forsaken road side cafe. It wasn't too bad. Thus we didn't get to our house in El Cuetu until at least 6.30 pm hahaha. We had an incident with the police about half an hour before arriving. We had driven off the main road to find a toilet for me and there were the uniformed officers checking on cars. They stopped us and I had to have one hand on Pippa in the back so they didn't see her. They wanted to see our latest MOT sticker which we couldn't find. Where was it??? Thankfully they let us go with no fine and I immediately looked up dog harnesses on Amazon where I do most of my shopping hahahha.

We arrived to sunshine and the house was in good order. As soon as we had settled in I went out to see the neighbours who were gathered in the street. They all wanted to know about our nasty tenant as they had seen us on TV like most people. I was more interested to meet Margarita. Margarita is a month old lamb whose mother had rejected her and my neighbour's granddaughter, Soraya, has adopted her. I would have too. She is gorgeous. She even let me scoop her up in my arms and stroke her. I fell in love immediately.

My new friend, the lamb called Margarita

We had a simple dinner while watching the terrible news coming out of Ukraine - ghastly. I later fell asleep in front of the TV. That night I slept well and got up the next day at 7 am.

It was wonderful to wake up in our house in Asturias on Wednesday morning. The day was ours for the taking and we enjoyed every minute. I was busy though before I went out and in the afternoon with so many preparations for my father's send off in Yorkshire next month. I am on a mission to make it perfect, emotional and fitting and won't stop until I have achieved my goal.

We left the house in brilliant sunshine and I had to have a photo of my dear husband outside our lovely old house. 

Eladio locking the door of our house on Wed morning

We headed to our nearest town, Posada de Llanes, to get provisions for our stay and then to the beautiful sea side town of Llanes for coffee and a walk. We had our coffee, as always, at Galerna in the picturesque square called Sobrino Parres. Here I am enjoying life and wearing a shocking pink jumper I love which I bought at a little boutique in Posada last time we were here.

In Llanes on Wed morning

In that same square there is a gourmet store called Aramburu which I always make a beeline for. There I buy wonderful local fare both to eat here and to take home.

Aramburu gourmet store in Llanes

We put our purchases in the car and then set off for our favourite walk in the area, the Paseo San Pedro on the cliffs above Llanes. It was a beautiful sunny day with good visibility although there was a distinct chill in the air. It seemed to be mostly retired people, like us, walking there. I suppose everyone else was at work. I am still getting used to saying I am retired. How did life pass by so fast I always ask myself?

On our walk on Wednesday

We came home to have a splendid lunch including steak sourced from local cows which was delicious. I was busy after that preparing for a video call with the events manager of my father's old school to discuss their involvement and a buffet dinner to be held there the night before the memorial service on 6th May. I didn't stop "working" until dinner time. We enjoyed some of the produce we had bought at Aramburu while we watched the news - some terrible stories coming out of Ukraine again.

Thursday came. For my younger daughter, Olivia, it was the day she went back to work after her maternity leave. I wondered how she would get on and also wondered whether Juliet would miss her.

That day we decided to go further afield to the seaside town of Gijón, the largest in Asturias with a population of about 280.000. I had only been once, about 11 years ago. It was a warm but cloudy day with the temperature reaching 23ºc. We have been lucky with the weather despite rain threatening during our stay.

On our way we stopped at the Mirador del Fitu - a mountain peak which commands views of 360º. I wondered what "fitu" meant. In Asturias which has a unique dialect very close to Spanish the o at the end of the world is written and pronounced "u". Fitu comes from hito or jito meaning a passing geographical place that coincides with various territories. Once this area had an old Roman road. 

The steps leading to the mirador. 

It is often included in the Tour of Spain as it is quite a climb. From there you can see the snow topped mountains of the Picos de Europa and the coast of that part of Asturias - La Sierra del Sueve. There are many view points in Asturias but this is one of the best.

Eladio posing at the Mirador del Fitu on Thursday. 

It was very windy up there but well worth the visit.

From this splendid peak we continued our journey to Gijón. Gijón is one of those big coastal cities with a town beach like you find in Santander, San Sebastián and La Coruña. Called San Lorenzo it is one of the most popular town beaches in Spain. I can understand why as it is long, clean and also wind protected by the houses in front of it. Some are beautiful but some are ugly. Spain's modern architecture when it comes to blocks of flats is one of the worst in the world. I never understand why architects design such horrible living quarters when the country has so many beautiful houses built in the 19th and 20th centuries, especially in the north of the country. For me these ghastly high rise blocks of flats somewhat spoiled the sight of the magnificent San Lorenzo beach. 

By the San Lorenzo beach in Gijón on Thursday

We visited some Roman baths - Gijón has lots of Roman remains - which were closing and they wouldn't let Pippa in so I didn't see much. Not that I am into Roman ruins really. We then ambled towards the main square, always called "Plaza Mayor" in Spain. 

Part of the Plaza Mayor in Gijón as seen from our restaurant table

Nearly every town in the country has one. It was 2 pm by then and we decided on lunch and took a table at a restaurant in the square on the terrace so that Pippa could be with us. It was nothing special but their "fabada" - the Asturian flagship bean stew - was as good as most. In any case, Eladio, I and Pippa enjoyed it.

Once we had finished we walked to the port to see the famous statue of King Pelagius (Pelayo in Spanish) of Asturias. He is famous for initiating the Christian reconquest of the Iberian peninsula from the Moors in 718. But it was so windy we were nearly blown off our feet so returned to the Plaza Mayor and onto the San Lorenzo beach where we walked about half of it. I had my first outdoor ice cream of the season which I loved. I am such a fan of ice cream. 

We couldn't stay much more as I had a video call to take at 5 pm that afternoon with the events and PR manager of Bradford Cathedral to discuss all the arrangements for my father's memorial service. I made it on time and was very happy to meet Phil virtually. That morning I had written my homily which I sent to my dear friend and editor Amanda. She said she loved it and that there wouldn't be a dry eye in the cathedral. I am worried it is a bit long - 1200 words which take 4 minutes to read. After the call I cracked on with the press release to be jointly sent out by me and the Cathedral PR department. I wonder what my grandfather, Revd. Canon John Collins Lloyd would think of a church or cathedral with a PR department. There was no such thing in his day hahaha. I wondered too what he and my father would think of the service being live streamed on Youtube. When my father was born in 1919 electricity, cars and the telephone were very new and not yet mainstream. My father has seen technology develop so fast to what it is today and found it miraculous but I doubt he could imagine a church service being live streamed. Dear Daddy. He is so much in my thoughts these days as I prepare to take him back to Yorkshire where he wants to be buried with my mother. 

When I had finished I went outside for a rest and there was Margarita, the baby lamb again and I was delighted to see her. I have fallen in love with her. Margarita ran to me and let me scoop her up in my arms. As she is being reared with a family with dogs, I think she thinks she is one. Pippa was a little jealous which I suppose is normal. Here she is, meet her again. 

Meet Margarita the baby lamb who thinks she is a dog. 

What a gorgeous animal. 

 

At that very instant a man (Egidio) from the village brought us some wood for the kitchen Aga. We had bumped into him on Wednesday and ordered a half tractor full of wood. He promised to bring it on Wednesday evening but didn't turn up until the following day. Then he only brought a quarter of a tractor. This is the wood that is now dwindling in the garage and which helps keep the house warmer. I was astonished at the price of wood which costs more than potatoes. Just that little pile came to 70 euros. But wow we needed it. 

Egidio's fire logs which would keep our kitchen warm

My husband soon had the stove going. Being a "village boy" he is a master with fire and had no trouble getting it going.  I wouldn't have known how. Thus we had our din,er in a much warmer kitchen. This house is 100 years old and the heating system is old fashioned, expensive and not very efficient. One day we will change it but for now, we shall rely on the logs for extra warmth. 

That night I slept better and the house felt warmer. I was up at 6.30 on Friday morning and had the day to look forward to.

The world woke up again to more butchery and genocide in Ukraine. Once again the Russians had cruelly and deliberately fired at civilians. They had bombed the train station of Kramatorsk where civilians were fleeing. It is in the Eastern region where Russia is concentrating its attacks after its defeat in Kyiv. Zelensky had urged citizens to leave the area and that was just what people were doing at the train station when it was bombed. It killed more than 50 people. One of the missiles had the words "for  children" on it so the Russians were aiming at innocent children. The world was up in arms. This was another atrocity and we cannot just stand by and watch. Ok that day Ursula Von der Leyen, the President of the EU Commission and Josep Borrel the High Representative of the EU for foreign affairs, visited Ukraine and saw with their own eyes the destruction and massacre at Bucha. Ok too that they offered millions of euros more for weapons. But I say, that is not enough. Leaders scrambled again to come up with more hurtful sanctions; trying their best to think of ways to stop buying Russia's gas and oil. But I say that is not enough. I say it is time to go in and fight the Russians. I really do. We cannot watch any more of this or allow it to happen. 

We woke up to our quiet and privileged life here in the village. Eladio lit the Aga again and soon the kitchen was warm and cosy. Here he is at the job. I am so glad I married a man who is good with his hands. My father was a wonderful man and academic but he was no good with his hands. Neither am I unfortunately.

Eladio lighting the aga to keep us warm, not to cook

Of course I could have cooked on it but I have been a bit lazy about cooking while here and have only made simple things. In any case we had ordered a home made bean stew from the local butcher. The owner cooks well and we often buy her ready made food with locally sourced ingredients. 

That morning we visited one of our favourite places, the beach with the unfortunate name of Póo. Yes,  I know what that sounds like in English. It's even a funny name in Spanish but as it has an acute accent on the first "o" it is pronounced "poh". That day we had it to ourselves at least at the beginning and enjoyed a walk on the beach and then up on the cliffs.

The beautiful Playa de Póo which we had to ourselves on Friday morning

We couldn't walk too far as the tide was coming in, so went back to the road to continue our walk, this time up the hill above the beach where the views of the sea surrounded by cliffs is to die for. We just love the views. Again we had the place more or less to ourselves. Most Spaniards will have begun their Easter holiday from Friday afternoon onward and places will have been crowded this weekend as they will all of next week, but not on Friday and we enjoyed the peace and beauty in which we felt immersed. The sun came out and we felt blessed.

Eladio on the cliffs above the Playa de Póo

I would have loved to have our morning coffee there but the two bars by the beach - the only buildings there- were not open yet.  So we decided to drive back to our local town, Posada de Llanes, and have our coffee there. Friday in Posada is market day which I always love. We actually had our coffee in the market square. Later I inspected the stalls and they were nothing special.

Coffee in the market square of Posada on Friday

Above the square is the gourmet butcher shop where we went to pick up the home made food for our lunch. The lady there is wonderful but my goodness I have never come across such a slow shopkeeper. While Eladio paid, etc, I wandered around the square looking at the not particularly interesting stalls. There was plenty of local cheese to offer but I hate cheese. There were plenty of local pastries but they are all too sweet and as to the clothes, at 5 euros a piece,they were pretty rubbishy. But even so I enjoyed the market atmosphere.

We were home on time for lunch at 2 pm and enjoyed the bean stew. We realised we had bought far too much and I wondered whether we would get through it all. 

By then the sun had gone and the rain had come. So we stayed inside all afternoon and I got Eladio to watch a new detective series with me on Netflix. Called "Mentiras" it is based on the British series "Liar". It kept us entertained until dinner. That night we had some of the delicious fresh range eggs I had bought at Aramburu in Llanes, accompanied by small green peppers. We later watched more of the series until I fell asleep on the sofa and woke up with a crick in my neck. 

Saturday dawned and we decided to go somewhere we had never been before; to Los Bufones de Santuiste. A bit like geysers, bufones   are jets of water that come from the waves of the sea and appear in holes in the rocks.  Often too they are called false geysers. We had already visited the Bufones de Pría where we saw this spectacle of nature. We were not so lucky on Saturday as the sea has to be rough for the jets of water to appear. It was tricky to find the place, some 30km from our house. Google Maps led us there but there was no sign leading  to the "bufones". We had to ask and were told we must cross a railway line and find entries into the field without the barbed wire that enclosed them. We did eventually but it felt like an orienteering expedition. Here is Eladio crossing into the field.

One of the tricky accesses to the "bufones" yesterday

Soon we spied beautiful lush fields with the sea in the distance and cows and their young grazing peacefully. What a beautiful spot and how wonderful that it is difficult to find as that means it must never get too crowded. I love beauty spots but hate it when they are crowded.

Cows grazing

We walked across the fields until we got to the cliffs with their rock formations where the jets of water spring from on a rough day. Even without them we were impressed with the area. 

At the Bufones de Santiuste yesterday

I just love the rugged coast of Asturias where the views of the sea are to die for. I never tire of them. We were lucky that day that a passerby offered to take a photo of the two of us - the three of us actually if we count dear Pippa. I was pleased with her efforts. We look so happy and carefree. 

At the Bufones de Santiuste yesterday. Finally a photo together. 

We could have walked and walked as the path looked as though it went on for miles but it was late and time to go home for our lunch. We were back by 2 pm and I naughtily made some chips to go with the beef stew I had bought from the shop owner of the gourmet butcher in Posada.

The rest of the day was spent lazily. Well, not too lazily as yesterday I cracked on with preparations for my father's send off in England. That afternoon I worked on the order of service for the Memorial Service at Bradford Cathedral on 6th May at 10 am. The tricky part was finding appropriate organ music for the beginning and the end of the service. In the end I went for two British composers, Elgar and Vaughan Williams. 

It was so sunny yesterday afternoon that I spent most of my time on our little terrace enjoying the warm sun. Today will be the warmest day of our stay here so far with the temperature possibly reaching 25ºc. We haven't yet decided what to do but no doubt we shall either return to a favourite spot or explore somewhere new. Today is Palm Sunday and all that that means. Today also marks the first anniversary of the passing away of HRH Prince Philip. No doubt the Queen will be feeling sadder today than ever. I understand completely.

For us it will be another care free day in Asturias, often called "paraíso natural" - a natural paradise. I can relate to that.

So my friends, I have reached the end of the stories of our week. All that remains is to wish you all well.  Cheers till next Sunday, Easter Day.

Masha

The week our "KGB" squatter Felipe Turover finally left. Goodbye Covid, the war in Ukraine continues, exciting preparations for a special trip to England, visit to a jumble sale, coffee and cakes at Balbisiana Patisserie and other stories.

 Sunday 3rd April, 2022.

With some of the press the day he left - notice him in the far right corner with all his luggage. Notice too the smiles on our faces. We have our lives back again. 

Good morning all.

Well, what can I say? Goodbye Felipe Turover. I have great news this week. Our unwanted squatter finally left. He did so on Wednesday 30th but it was touch and go until we were finally rid of him. Our lives felt as if they were on hold when he stopped paying and we filed a court case against him on 19th November - nearly 6 months ago Now we can turn the page and start a new chapter in our lives. Now we have many reasons to smile. One of them this week was when I said goodbye to Covid. 

Just after publishing my blog last Sunday I took a lateral flow test. I expected to still test positive but was delighted to see just one line on the C meaning I was negative. Wow! That was quick as I had first tested positive the Wednesday before. It gave me an immediate high.

I tested negative last Sunday

I was so relieved and pleased at the same time. Sunday was the day the clocks went forward which always pleases me too so I had two reasons to be happy that day. Thus I suggested to Eladio that instead of going on our usual walk through the woods, that we walk to the local shopping centre and have a cup of coffee and a "porra" (literally police like truncheon - because of its shape). A porra is like a thick churro (the Spanish fritter usually eaten with thick chocolate). It was to do something different and also celebrate that the virus had finally left my body. I still had cold like symptoms but I was rid of it and it had been very mild. Here I am making the victory sign like dear old Churchill. I had to make a conscious effort not to do it the other way round which you all know, if you are from the UK, means something very rude.

Celebrating with a cup of coffee after beating Covid

Just having beaten Covid gave me renewed and positive energy and I immediately felt better. Psychology has so much to do with ones mood. In order to be free of it completely though I would have to take another test the next day. I did and it was negative again. Two recurrent negative tests are required to demonstrate you are Covid free. I was happy to be able to say "goodbye Covid". Let's see how long the immunity lasts. 

Monday came, just 2 days before Felipe Turover was supposed to leave if he was to respect the court settlement. We still had our doubts. We expressed them on our walk that morning in the sun, for once. Here are Eladio and Pippa on our walk that day. There are more and more signs of spring these days; more wild flowers and green leaves appearing on some of the trees.

Eladio and Pippa on our walk on Monday morning

It was a pleasant morning for us; not so for the people of Ukraine. The war continued we are now into the 6th week since the invasion on 24th February. The Ukranians are resisting but at great cost. 4 million have left the country. Previously Moscow had stated the first part of the "operation" was over and they would concentrate on the Donbas region. I was horrified to read of stories of Russian soldiers raping Ukrainian women. There again I should not be surprised as that is just what they did in Germany in WW2. Disgusting! The Russians were not happy that day after Biden said off script Putin should not be running the country. He said what we all feel but no else dares to say.  His words may have fueled the war more though as Russia intensified its attacks and did not let refugees escape through humanitarian corridors. There are 160.000 people trapped in the port town of Mariupol with no water, electricity, power of any sort and not to mention food. Meanwhile we heard that the oligarch Abramovich had been a victim of poisoning when taking part in peace talks in Kyiv. That does not surprise me; not that I am a great fan of the oligarch who is now obviously out of favour with Putin. As to peace talks well I wonder whether they will do any good as Ukraine has too much to lose in order for the Russian troops to disengage. Some people are predicting a divided Ukraine, a bit like North and South Korea. I sincerely hope not. The only way out that I  can see is the fulfilled wishes of Biden for Russia to be rid of Putin. That, though, can only happen at the hands of his own people like it did with Tsar Nicholas II and at the moment they are gagged. 

Life continued peacefully here with our own Russian spy, Felipe Turover, still here. He went out that day and we took the opportunity to go into "his" room, mostly to measure the bathroom curtains which were disgusting, so as to order some new ones for when we are rid of him. All his stuff was there; one man and all his possessions. I wondered how on earth he would remove them all and where he would take them. 

I didn't have much time to ponder that afternoon as at 4.30 I had to pick up little Elliot from the nursery. It's our turn this week to lend a hand as Miguel was working from 11 am to 11 pm. I love picking up my little grandson. He is so happy to see me and I just love scooping him up in my arms. In that moment there are no thoughts of Covid, the war or our unwanted KGB spy, just sheer love. I took him home after figuring out how to fasten him into his new car seat - baby paraphernalia is so complicated these days - actually I had to ask a young mother to show me (hahaha). We went straight to his home where Oli and Juliet were waiting. So I had some quality time with my daughter and grandchildren. Next week Oli will be back at work and will be taking Juliet to the nursery at the RTVE premises. She needed a photo for the nursery files and I had to hold Juliet for her to take it. I tickled her a bit to make her smile and  it worked. That was not hard as she is a very smiley sort of baby. Here she is chuckling for her portrait photo.

Juliet's nursery photo - smiling with my hands round her

Both children behaved quite well. I love to see Elliot playing happily by himself with all his cars, animals and lots of little people from his favourite cartoons; especially Lady Bug, Fireman Sam and Paw Patrol. I left at around 7.30 on time for dinner at home with Eladio and took a photo of the peaceful scene before I left.

The children at their home on Monday evening. 

I loved the fact that it was still light when I got home, after the clocks went forward last Sunday. We had a frugal dinner - soup and fruit and some bread and were in bed by 8.30. That is early but we like to watch the TV from our great big bed.

The big news that day did not only come from Ukraine, it also came from Los Angeles where this year's Oscars were held last Sunday night. Any winners' news was totally eclipsed by a violent slap from Will Smith who would later win best actor award. He slapped the presenter Chris Rock (who I had never heard of) when the latter made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett's baldness (alopecia). As soon as he heard the quip, the actor stormed onto the stage slapping the MC. He then went back to his seat and shouted out loud twice for Chris to "take his wife's name out of his f****** mouth). Wow what a moment. 

The moment Will Smith slaps presenter Chris Rock at last Sunday's Oscars

This was before he was handed the award for best actor. Physical violence is just unacceptable. I would have accepted his words from the stalls to defend his wife but not his violence. He later apologised but for me it's too late and he will go down in history for this one violent act. The Academy Awards people are looking at sanctions of some sort but frankly I think they should not stop short of withdrawing the award.  

Tuesday dawned. In the UK the main news was the attendance of the Queen at the memorial service to celebrate the life of the late Duke of Edinburgh, her beloved husband who died last year when Covid restrictions only allowed 30 people to be present. It took place at Westminster Abbey where the Queen and Duke married 70 odd years ago. There was talk the Queen was too frail to attend but she looked ok to me when she walked in. She is 95 and soon to be 96 and stunned the world when she walked in accompanied by her son  the disgraced Prince Andrews. 

That for me was not good PR but I suppose he is her son and she is her mother and of course she still loves him. This gesture sort of overshadowed news of the ceremony which was otherwise short, beautiful and just how the Duke wanted it.

But most of the world  had eyes for the peace talks in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine. I don't really like the fact that Erdogan, not a nice of piece of work, the Turkish President, is taking centre stage between the two sides. Abromovich appeared again after he had recovered from the supposed poisoning at one of the last talks. The Ukrainian delegation members were under strict instructions to drink nothing, eat nothing and touch nothing, less they too be poisoned; Russia's way of intimidating them.  There was timid good news from Turkey when it was announced that Russia would deescalate in Kiyv and concentrate on the Donbas. No one believes it though. Ukraine agreed again not to join Nato and it seems Russia has ceded on its enemy joining the EU. But this is all talk and peace is far away. 

On the home front Tuesday was a day of nerves, the day before Felipe Turover, our unwanted ex KGB operative who has been squatting in our house since October, was supposed to leave. I had my doubts but that morning our lawyer sent a document for us all to sign in which he had to  relinquish all rights to living in our house. He wrote to send me the same document telling me he agreed to it. But it was only  in the afternoon when he asked Lucy to open the gate, that I had  proof he was leaving when he took 3 big suitcases away. That was the sign. 

Needless to say I could not sleep that night, thinking about life after his departure and all that he had done to us.

D Day, 30th March, arrived and I awoke at 5.30 am. Writing now the whole day seems like one big blur. Our nightmare was about to be over but we couldn't believe it or take it in. I didn't know until he emerged from his room at around 10.30 am that he was really leaving. By then Oli had gathered quite a few camera crews from various TV stations (Telemadrid, Telecinco and Cuatro) who were waiting to witness his leaving. They had covered the story ever since it erupted thanks to the article published by Spain's top newspaper El País. If you have been following my blog you will know about our unwanted guest who turned into a squatter - not paying us since last September -  Felipe Turover, a supposed ex KGB spy, involved in the demise of Boris Yeltsin and rise of Vladimir Putin with a strong background of corruption and fame for being a serial liar and a swindler - not my words but they they turned out to be true during his stay with us. He emerged with all his luggage and wanted to sign the document our lawyers had prepared where he relinquishes all rights on the room he has occupied. I retorted, not until he was out in the street with all his luggage. 

Olivia ready to film him leaving - some of his luggage on the landing outside "his" room.

I went into the room to make sure he had taken his belongings. What a stink there was, not to mention the dirt and filth after the room not having been cleaned since last November. I can't begin to describe the bathroom. You don't want to know the details. I made him remove all his rubbish and we accompanied him outside.

There waiting for him were the TV cameras he hates so much. He had never reckoned upon our PR weaponry when he stopped paying and we took him to court. The campaign did not make him leave but it helped highlight the case - the outdated laws in Spain that protect delinquents like him. It also exposed him for who he was and helped accelerate the judicial process. Without the press no doubt our case would still be lying on the floor in a file at the local courts in that horrible suburban town of Móstoles. 

Felipe outside hounded by the presss

The press asked him why he hadn't paid, was he really a KGB officer and where he was going. One of the things he said was that he would take us to court for slander and for "our lies".  That made us laugh. When I later saw some of the TV coverage one piece of news stuck out like a sore thumb. In one of the programmes a woman on the panel commenting on the case told viewers that coincidentally she knew his former girlfriend. She described how this woman had told her she was going out with a Russian spy and that he had told her that the house he lived in (ours) belonged to his parents (us)!! She went on to say that the girlfriend had told her that at Christmas he, Felipe, had given her one of my luxury branded scarves as a present. Really? I was tongue tied when I listened to that. If he stole one of my scarves, what else did he steal?

Anyway, back to his departure.  He stood next to his luggage at the end of our street waiting presumably for a car. Meanwhile we all chatted animatedly, feeling happy. That's when we took the photo with the press that I have chosen to illustrated this week's blog.His photo made for a stark figure, someone at the end of the road literally.

One man, at the end of the road, with his luggage. A stark, lonely figure

The press wanted to follow him  - we did too- in case he went to another house like ours with intentions of squatting, so as to forewarn the owners. Unfortunately the press following him lost him shortly after he left. He actually left in a Mercedes - he always did love luxury. It was a Cabify car - Spain's equivalent of Uber. He left saying to the press he had done no wrong!!!" . And that was it, he was finally gone. Here is the photo of the day. 

The moment he left at around 11.45 on Wednesday 30th March, D. Day. 

Stupidly I was upstairs with some of the TV teams being filmed showing them the disgusting state of his bedroom and bathroom. If only we could have followed him.

When the press left, it was all over. He had gone. Goodbye Felipe Turover. I hoped never to see him again but that would not be so as you will read later. 

We all set about beginning on cleaning his room and later took tons of bedding and bathroom linen to the dry cleaners which will cost a pretty penny. We also washed the curtains and ordered new shower curtains to replace the disgusting ones which were black and full of mold. We have left the windows open ever since he left to get rid of the stench, a mixture of tobacco, strong incense and body smell. Ghastly.  Now it's nearly ready. 

We decided we deserved a meal out as a celebration of his leaving. Thus I booked a table at De María a swanky meat joint in Majadahonda. There, finally we were able to relax, The food was divine and we felt good.

Celebration lunch on Wednesday after "he" left

We came back to have a siesta and later enjoy some quality time with Oli and our grandchildren. At 7.30 my time I had an important phone call. It was with the Dean of Bradford Cathedral to arrange for a memorial service in England and to take my father's ashes to be buried next to my mother at the Charlestown Cemetery near Baildon. The Dean was a darling and fulfilled my wish. He had been in touch with my father's old school, Bradford Grammar School, and between them they proposed the date and day of 6th May at 10 am. Wow, that is now something to get my teeth into. I have a month to plan but lots of local support. Anyone reading this is absolutely welcome to join us that day to honour my father on his return to the country where he was born, the country he fought for in WW2. I could hardly sleep that night but not because of our nightmare squatter but because all sorts of ideas bubbling in my head for my father's sendoff in his home country. 

On Thursday morning the first thing I did was to book a cottage for us while in Yorkshire and get flights for us and the girls who will join us for a few days.  I did  all in that in the space of less than an hour. We shall be staying in the lovely village of Haworth, 10 miles from Bradford and the home of the famous Bronte sisters. It is going to be so special and I am very excited. I'm also loving the preparations. Juliet will also be coming as she cannot be separated from her mother who is still breastfeeding. I realised my granddaughter would need a passport so warned Oli. This is her new passport photo. Isn't she sweet?

Juliet's passport photo

It's wonderful to think she will be present at her great grandfather's memorial service. That reminded me that my own grandfather, Revd. John Collins Lloyd, had been at his grandfather's funeral - my great grandfather, John Collins (1829-1904) who had fought in the Light Brigade and the Indian Mutiny. Wow. Here is a clipping about his death.

Obituary of my great grandfather

Thursday morning was spent with Oli and on errands  -mostly to do with cleaning up "his" room. Eladio went to take her bicycle to be mended for a guest coming soon. Oli, Juliet and I waited at our favourite cafe, Alverán. It was just as we took our first sip of coffee that Oli looked out of the window and told me Felipe was coming. I honestly thought she was joking. But she wasn't. There he was large as life and coming to the same cafeteria. I thought I would never see him again but now I have. 

The damned man coming our way to the Alveran cafe on Thursday morning. 

It is obvious he has moved very nearby and no doubt he is already cheating some new home owners like us. Poor devils. They don't know what is coming.

I spent more time in the afternoon on the memorial service plans but there was time for a skype call with my oldest friend Amanda. She and her darling husband Andy, ex pupil of my father too - will be at the service which we will be great. I am also planning a buffet dinner the night before, hopefully at the school itself. For once I didn't have to moan to my friend about Felipe.

Friday dawned and it was shopping day. Eladio and I went on our walk first  and in the sun for a change. We were home on time for lunch. In the afternoon I was supposed to pick up Elliot but fell asleep - I was shattered. Eladio went instead and then they all came for dinner which was wonderful. For the first time we were on our own in the house without FT. A cloud had lifted and the good vibes had returned to our house. 

They left at around 9.30 and we were in bed shortly afterwards. We fell asleep watching a film called Secrets of the Heart, set in Spain in 1960 - just our type of film.

Saturday came and I had an exciting and very different morning. I had a date with my sister in law and friend Dolores to go to the St. George's Anglican church spring jumble sale. We both love jumble sales and and agreed immediately to go when I saw it advertised. My mother loved them too and we both thought of her while there yesterday morning. We aimed to get there when it opened at 11 am so as to avoid the crowds. St .George's is where we had the funeral for my father and it was a pleasure to meet up again with Father Medhat who had officiated. What a kind man he is. 

St, George's church in Madrid yesterday

It wasn't a very big jumble sale. What I liked most was the location, the lovely church patio. Both Dolores and I made a beeline for the children's toy stall and bought lots - mostly little animal figures. I also got lots of clothes for baby Juliet at 2 euros a piece. Oli was delighted.

And here I am in my element at the jumble sale yesterday, my first in maybe 50 years. We shall be back next time the church holds one, that is for sure. 

Feeling in my element at the jumble sale yesterday in Madrid

It was lovely to be in the heart of the city of Madrid in the sun, although there was a distinct nip in the air. I wanted to take Dolores to a patisserie called Balbisiana on the very swanky street called Velázquez. It is run and owned by a woman who is a friend of a friend and for one of our birthdays I had ordered one of their cakes online. Until then they only sold online. Now they have a marvelous cafe which could rival the very best to be found in either Paris or Brussels. Everything is delicious. We were lucky we could get a table for two but we did and sat down to enjoy the sheer luxury of the moment.

Our coffee and raspberry tarts

Enjoying the moment

Everything about the place is amazing and I could not resist taking some cakes and truffles home. Even their packaging is spectacular. We shall be going back and meanwhile I can always order online. 

The cakes and truffles I bought at Balbisiana to take home for lunch

I was home in under an hour. I took the metro to a station not far from home where I had left my car and I was home by 1.45 or so. Oli was in the throes of cooking a vegan dish - courgette lasagne made without pasta but with layers of courgette and textured soy protein as part of the stuffing. Not my favourite meal but I wasn't complaining as I didn't have to cook. I loved the cakes though.

I spent the rest of the day and evening with Oli and the kids. They stayed for dinner and Miguel joined us. We made a splendid dinner (with real protein this time haha) but I was shattered at the end of the day.

Today Sunday will be another family day but let me tell you all about it in next week's post. Till then, cheers and all good wishes,

Masha