First mass mobile warning alert activated in Madrid, torrential rain in Spain, sweet Juliet turns two, one year since the Queen died and other stories of the week.

Sunday 10th September, 2023

Juliet's birthday cake moment

Good morning friends and readers.

Here I am at my desk on a quiet Sunday morning in September. This week has been very challenging. I can't go into it because it is very private but suffice it to say it has been emotionally challenging. It may seem the life I portray here is perfect, but of course it is not and sometimes I have to censor myself.  This is what keeps me up at night.  Anything else we did or saw this week seemed insignificant, except of course for darling Juliet's 2nd birthday. I was determined that despite everything she would have a lovely birthday.

Last Sunday was the day we left Montrondo, the day torrential rain was forecast for Madrid. Olivia, with inside knowledge, had sent us a warning the night before to say that on Monday there would be more rain in Madrid in one day than in a whole year! The storm, called "Dana" here was being likened in the damage it would cause to Filomena, that freak snowfall a couple of years ago which had us stranded at home for a week. We read that the worst part of the rain would be from 2 to 8 pm, so left the village as early as possible to be here on time to be prepared.  I also warned my guests coming from Norway and France as the advice from the local authorities was not to travel. But we had no choice.

We arrived at around 1 pm at the same time as  Maria and her daughter Thea did from Norway. There was just time to settle them in. And, once we were in our bedroom unpacking, a little bit before 2.30, both our mobiles began to make a strident sound which we had never heard before. It was a mass warning alert that the Community of Madrid had sent for the first time to the population warning them of the "Dana". You can see it here. 

Mass warning alert on all our phones

This is a rough translation of what it said: "Due to extreme storms in Madrid today, we have activated Level 1 of flood plans. Don't use your vehicle unless strictly necessary. Stay at home and be on the lookout for new warnings". Thankfully there was no new warning. 

I later read that this is an EU initiative called an Es-Alert (mobile) emergency warning system. The 

technology used is cell broadcasting - basically a message to all phones within the range of cell/mobile phone towers with no need to know any of the numbers. Thus even our French guests who were on their way, received the warning.  This was a red alert warning  - the highest in its category and I suppose the Community of Madrid wanted people to be prepared. Some of course, thought this was an invasion of their privacy but they are the minority. It was a well taken decision as later there was much destruction and even lives lost. 

We weren't going anywhere of course as we had just got home. It was wonderful to be reunited with Pippa after 2 weeks away. We had a very late lunch and Ikea came to the rescue as I had some of their frozen meat balls, their packet sauce and cranberry jam which we had with  rice Tana had made the day before. 

Pippa joined us for our siesta. I couldn't sleep so watched a delightful Spanish film on Netflix called Ismael.

Lovely to be reunited with Pippa

Before he slept, my husband checked all the guttering and outside drains,. some of which were already blocked. We shut all windows and put away all outdoor furniture. 

It rained all afternoon but to me it didn't seem much rain and I called it a "storm in a tea cup". But my French guests who arrived at around 8 pm told me otherwise. They had had to stop on the way near Guadalajara because it was impossible to drive. It was a mother and father bringing their son to study at the local University, the same as Maria who had brought her daughter Thea, earlier in the day. The mother, Isabelle, is "hija de españoles" - daughter of Spaniards - no doubt descendants of Spanish Civil War refugees who went to France in their droves. They seemed really nice people - also Airbnb hosts. The father wanted to have a paella and once again I had to explain that paella is from the Valencia and Alicante region. I don't know if they had one as I never saw them again until the day they left. They were very unintrusive guests. 

The day ended badly with a crisis we had to deal with which left us exhausted. It's funny it happened just as the heavens opened. That is when the real storm began and the worst damage was caused. Pippa was scared stiff and spent most of the night trembling in my arms. By Monday morning the rain had gone until it came again. The Dana wasn't over. 

Monday was Juliet's 2nd birthday and Oli and family were coming for lunch. I had enough ingredients to make pumpkin soup and spaghetti bolognese - the kid's favourite food - but no cake. So we braved the weather and drove to Alverán. That's when the rain started to fall as I have never seen in Madrid in all my years here - since 1981. I had to record it to show you and this is the video I took. No doubt it was as strong or stronger the night before but I slept through it. So, you see, it was not a storm in a tea cup. 

Later as we drove to Mercadona to get a bit more tomato sauce for the spag bol, I saw a huge flood on the road with emergency workers dealing with it. I think it was the same story all over the area.

Floods near us

Olivia meanwhile was at the scene of the worst damage in a small town called Aldea del Fresno. There a family had tried to drive to Madrid in the night as their house was flooding. The car skidded off the road into a river. One of the daughters was able to get out and walk to the fire station while the other members of her family were struggling to get out and survive. Her mother and sister were rescued but her father and her 10 year old brother, Ethan, were missing. Ethan was found the next day hanging on to a tree where he had been for more than 12 hours. Sadly, the father was found dead nearly a week later. 

Just after I took the video in Boadilla, the sun came out and it looked like the storm which brought torrential rain was over. The only really damage at home was to the swimming pool. The rain had brought mud and it was brown and grey. The maintenance people came that morning and the next and worked hard until it was blue again. So, we escaped the worst of the storm. Hopefully, we shall now enjoy good weather again even though there are showers every now and again. How wonderful though not to have to sleep with the air con on or feel stifled outside. This year has the been the hottest on record as you all know. 

The highlight of our week was the birthday lunch. We hadn't seen our grandchildren for 2 weeks and it was wonderful to be reunited again. They ate their spagbol ravenously. They enjoyed the cake moment where we sang Happy Birthday to Juliet and Elliot blew out the candle but they didn't eat any of the cake. It's always like that hahaha. I left most of it for our guests. 

Family birthday lunch

We spent the whole afternoon with the kids and, after they left, our library lounge looked like a bomb had hit it, hahahha. Juliet had spread all our old DVDs which we no longer watch, all over the room. 

There was another positive moment that day when I got a new 9 out of 10 review on Booking for our house in Asturias. It included 10 out of 10 for cleanliness which has always been a bit of a problem there. But, Loli, my neighbour, has done her best since the last bad review. So I rewarded her with a small bonus which made her very happy. Her part in running the rental of the house is crucial. I always say satisfied employees make for satisfied customers and successful business. I was happy with the review and happy with Loli who is doing a good job now.

The day ended with dinner on the terrace by the kitchen. Most of the summer it has been too hot to use, then impossible because of the rain and now we are enjoying it again. 

Tuesday came and it didn't rain which was wonderful. Eladio and I went out to do the shopping and of course had coffee at Alverán, as usual. I somehow got through the day, enjoying chatting occasionally to my Norwegian guests. They brought ingredients to make paella but I hated to point out they should have used olive and not sunflower seed oil.  

I couldn't sleep my siesta so got up to try and read with a cup of tea on the kitchen terrace. I ended up playing the New York Time's Spelling Bee. I am addicted to it but annoyed at some of the very obscure "Yankee" words they come up with.  This week too, Spain's 20 year old Carlos (Carlitos) Alcaraz, the world's number one tennis player was on my mind as he made his way to the semi finals of the US Open which he won last year. Unfortunately Medvedev beat him yesterday. The Russian meets Djokovic in the final today and no doubt the Serb will win yet another Grand Slam. But unlike him, Carlitos has many years to go to catch up and no doubt he will. 

Wednesday came and we had to get on with life which is what we have to do.  So off we went to the Centro Oeste, a nearby shopping centre, to return the old router from Movistar. That was also an excuse to go into the hypermarket there, Carrefour, to get just one thing; their excellent and locally cut Norwegian smoked salmon which we had for dinner with lettuce, creme fraiche and avocado this week. We also had coffee at Rodillo - a well known sandwich bar which also serves excellent coffee and croissants. Oli rang me about Elliot's upcoming 4th birthday when he and his friends will invade our garden on 17th September. It will also be his friends' younger sibling, their parents and Miguel's family; so quite a big party. I had supposedly blocked that day on Airbnb but later realised I hadn't for two of the rooms and there will be 3 guests that day. I hope they come late and that the children are not too loud. 

Lunch was lentils made by Tana - not bad, but a bit thick. I could not sleep a siesta and am surviving on not  many hours a night this week.  I then got two nasty messages from the tax people. The first was a fine for the 2021 tax returns which I had already paid. They had changed the law and then they fine me! Kafkian to say the least. The other was more ominous. They want to go over my tax returns for 2019. Damn them. Pilar, my accountant who did my taxes then, assured me she would deal with this but last time she did she took months. I am in her hands now and furious with the tax people. They bleed you of money but if you have overpaid which was my case for 5 years - a mistake - there is no reimbursement. I could have done without that bad news on Wednesday.

There was no news on Thursday, good or bad, so let me move onto Friday. 

Friday  was the first anniversary of the death of our dear Queen. I remember well when I heard. It was in Asturias with my best friend from school, Amanda. I wish she was coming again this year. But I mustn't complain as my cousin Zuka will be coming to Asturias to see us later this month and then in October I will have the joy of the visit of my dear friends Sandra and Adele who are coming to Santa Pola. That will be a wonderful opportunity to reunite with Suzy, bless her. 

The King, who will always be Prince Charles for me, sent a message which you can see here. He included this magnificent, never seen before, photo of her in 1968, by Cecil Beaton. This is it.

Queen Elizabeth II is photographed by Cecil Beaton on October 16, 1968. 

Cecil Beaton, issued by the Royal Collection Trust/His Majesty King Charles III 2023 via Reuters

When that photo was taken, I was 11 years old and that is how I remember our Queen, the only one I have ever known. There were no official events as the Royal family marked the anniversary in private. Oh how I loved our Queen. 

That day I had a nice appointment at 12 at a nail salon. I went to have the semi permanent (gel) polish removed after which I had a manicure. This time I asked for normal nail polish as I worry that the gel is bad for my nails. I also had my eye brows and lashes died as they are just so blonde or white. Now the eyebrows seem too dark but I was assured by the young Colombian beautician that the colour would ware off. 

I might hate the hair dresser but I love having my nails done. Angelica, who did my nails, etc, took some photos I promised to upload on Instagram and tag the beauty parlour, called D.Uñas. Here are some.

New nails, old hands. 

After my pampering session

Everyone in the salon said I looked beautiful which was lovely to hear as I'm 66 and getting on and there is nothing you can do about wrinkles hahahahah. 

I spent the afternoon quietly in the garden by the pool with Pippa by my side. I was wearing my new cherry patterned espadrilles bought at St. Jean de Luz. It was the first time I was wearing them and I love them. And Pippa, was wearing her new red collar. So we were both wearing something new - mostly red of course. That's my trademark colour, mostly for my lips and nails. I don't bother with any other make up unless it's for a special occasion such as a wedding. 

New footwear  for me and a new collar for Pippa

Saturday came and finally I got off my backside and we went for a morning walk. It did me a lot of good. 

Some guests left and some were arriving and Tana was busy getting the rooms ready. I made the lunch - a favourite recipe. It was stuffed shoulder of lamb. In the afternoon we had a crisis where we had to go far from Madrid to a village somewhere in deep and dark Guadalajara; an area I do no know. The day ended well but we didn't get home until about 1 in the morning. Thankfully, I slept well last night. Let's see what today, Sunday brings. 

And that my friends is it all for the moment. More next Sunday. Cheers till then,

Masha

Last days in La Teillée, to île de Ré, exploring the island: Phare des Baleines, Ars-en-Ré, Portes-en-Ré and Saint-Martin de Ré, the end of our holiday in France, back to Spain and once again in Montrondo.

Montrondo, Sunday 3rd September

Good morning everyone.

Gosh, our wonderful holiday in France has come to an end and, suddenly, we are back in Montrondo. But we are leaving today for Madrid as tomorrow is dear Juliet's 2nd birthday. So much has happened since last Sunday so let me rewind.

It was our last full day in La Teillée with my cousin Zuka and she proposed we go out and visit Venise Verte in the Loire region. We drove to Damvix, a charming little town with lots of canals. There were lots of scarecrows too; something to do with an upcoming festival. 

Eladio in Damvix next to one of the multiple scarecrows

Once we had parked we walked down to the canal and sat and had a drink. We could have taken a boat on the canal but weren't that keen. Besides, it was time for lunch for which we were keen, hahahaha. So we walked back to the main square where we had booked a table at a little restaurant called La Terrase. There we had the most delicious meal. Would you believe Eladio and I had fish and chips? Zuka told me they are becoming very popular in France. She is right as they were on the menu in Île de Ré the next day too. But what I liked most were all the ice cream sundaes on offer. I had to have a photo to show you mine. It was delicious. 

Lunch in Damvix

I inherited my father's sweet tooth. We both loved the same sweets and chocolates and he adored "knickerbocker glories" and would have chosen the same sundae a me in Damvix. When my father went to restaurants he always looked at the dessert menu first (like me) and would order what Eladio c calls "the biggest and the best" which is a standing joke in our family. So, yes, I had the biggest and the best that day while Zuka and Eladio had strawberries with raspberries; the healthier option. 

While we were enjoying being tourists in France, Oli and family had arrived at our apartment in Santa Pola where they would be with Suzy who was living next door with Lucy but is now staying with a friend - she worries me so and is the only thing that keeps me awake at night.  My daughter sent me this lovely photo of little Juliet who will be 2 tomorrow, 4th September. Isn't she gorgeous?

Little Juliet in Santa Pola

Later we had a video call and it was great to see Suzy reunited with Elliot and Juliet.  As I said she is the only thing keeping us awake at night. We have offered her the apartment when the last guests of the season leave on 10th September and I hope she accepts. Any way, back to France. 

After our most delicious lunch in Damvix we headed home and all had a very long siesta. I woke up to find Zuka had a visitor. Her friend, Suzanne, from New Zealand, had come for the evening apertif. I joined them after a cup of tea to wake me up. They are planning a trip to Bilbao this month and will be coming to stay with us in El Cuetu in Asturias. That will be something to look forward to.

We went to bed earliesh on our last night in La Teillée and I woke up at about 7.30 on Tuesday, the morning we were leaving.

We had a leisurely breakfast and then packed. Before leaving we had a photo session by a special tree in Zuka's garden. It's one where I always have a photo taken with her adorable grand daughter Ruby who I missed this year as I did Katty, her mother. Zuka took photos of us, one of which I have chosen for this week's feature photo. Eladio also took photos of me with my cousin. Here is one to show you. 

What a great time we had had. But it was time to leave, for the next part of our holiday in France.

We left at around 10.30 and only had a 2 hour drive to our next destination, Ars-en-Ré on the island of Île de Ré. It is in south west France, very near La Rochelle and is very popular with Parisians and is famous for being a bit posh.  I had been there for our last cousinade in 2019 , with Suzy, when we stayed at Marie Helene's mother's house and Nastushka's house in the village of Les Portes-en-Ré. I fell in love with Île de Ré and wanted to show Eladio the island. I should have booked a hotel in Les Portes. Instead I booked one near Ars which was actually really nice. Called Le Parasol, it's about 1km outside Ars and very near Les Portes, so we would see both villages. Here are some photos of the hotel which is a complex with two story cottages in a great big garden full of flowers. It also had  a pool which we didn't use as it was not warm enough. 

Our hotel in Ars-en-Ré

Our little cottage is behind the foliage. 

We reached the hotel too early to check in. The receptionist suggested we go and visit the main attraction of the island. The main attraction is the Phare des Baleines - whale lighthouse in English. We decided to have lunch there before visiting the lighthouse which is visible from every corner of St. Clement as the place is called.

Phare des Baleines.

Lunch was at Chez Marie where I had fish and chips again and Eladio had sardines again. Neither of us could resist a crepe for dessert; so typical in France. We later walked up to the sea front but it was very blustery.

The sea front at Phare des Baleines

From there we walked to the lighthouse but did not visit the museum.

Phare des Baleines

I was much more interested in the shops and bought a pink jumper and long royal blue cardigan as I had nothing warm to wear. To think that at the start of our holiday in France the temperature reached 40ºc and we bathed in St. Jean de Luz. Unfortunately it would be too cold to bathe in Île de Ré.

We were back at the hotel by about 3.30 or so and checked in. We were given a lovely studio room with an outdoor terrace in a quiet part of the garden. We didn't venture out again until about 7.30. We went to get some provisions at the only supermarket in Ars where we didn't find bread. Fortunately, for my husband, who cannot eat a meal without bread, we found a boulangerie in the village which had a few baguettes left. Here he is with the precious food.

Buying bread in Ars-en-Reé

We parked by the harbour which I remembered well from my visit in 2019. You see that summer, I met up with Xavier Des Horts, my ex Nokia colleague. We had a wonderful reunion which I shall never forget as not long after that he died; suddenly for me. I was very shocked and will always associate Ars-en-Ré with him. RIP Xavier. I'm so glad we met when we did. 

I remember the harbour too as there was a wonderful market there last time. Here is a picture for you to see.

The harbour in Ars-en-Ré

From there we walked to the main square, just as I had when I went to meet Xavier. That's where we found the bread! There is a marvelous church there  where we took some more photos. You can spot the village of Ars from afar because of  the tall spire of the church 

The church in Ars

The whole of the island is flat and you see people on bicycles everywhere. It's also very pretty and well kept. I love all the white houses with different coloured shutters and of course the flowers everywhere. I later read it's about 30km long and 5km wide; so quite big and there is lots to see. Everywhere you look something beautiful meets your eyes, like this narrow street with flowers and of course bicycles. I had to have a photo of my handsome husband. For once he posed and looks quite dashing. 

Eladio posing in a pretty little street in Ars-en-Ré

At that time of day it was very quiet. I suppose most people were having their dinner. We had brought provisions for ours but were actually not hungry. All we had in the end was one of the many Charentais melons we got at the supermarket in Ars and oh, it was delicious. We brought lots home and the car smelled of the lovely melons throughout the rest of our journey. I still have two left to take home and hope they have lasted the journey.

On Tuesday I was keen to show Eladio the island, mostly Portes-en-Ré where I had stayed with Suzy in 2019. It's the last village on the island and as beautiful as they all are. So, after breakfast made on our terrace with the provisions we had, off we went. We were in luck as it was market day which I had expected. I remembered just what a marvelous market it was. 

The market in Les Portes-en-Ré

I also remembered a wonder boutique called Bazar where I had bought my famous red linen dress. That day I purchased some lovely blue pants and a white linen dress. 

Clothes shopping in Les Portes-en-Ré

We ambled along the streets full of stalls until we came to the house we had stayed at in 2019, the one belonging to "Nastushka". She was my mother's first cousin and sister of Masha (yes, another Masha) and Olga (also called Gusinka). They were the daughters of my mother's Uncle Sasha, brother to her mother and my great uncle. My mother adored her French cousins. Unfortunately we could only see the outside of the house which is much bigger inside than it looks from the outside.

Nastushka's house where I stayed in 2019

It is on Rue de Paradis which is very fitting. The other house the rest of my cousins stayed, at belonged to Aunt Olga and was massive. Sadly, after her death, it was sold. We couldn't seen much as the wall is very high but I think it has been restored.

From my Aunts' houses we made our way back to the main square, probably called either Liberté, Republique or Charles de Gaulle, hahahahha:  I don't remember. But I did remember the cafe Suzy and  I went to with cousins Katty and Ruby and  so I took Eladio there and that's where we had our mid morning coffee that day. Not a bad place at all. I love Île-de-Ré, was happy to be back and happy to share it with Eladio.

 Coffee in Les Portes-en-Ré

Across the road from our table at the cafe was a trinkets and toy shop so that's where we went next We wanted to buy our grandchildren presents for their upcoming birthdays. At the same time I indulged in a pair of blue and white striped espadrilles for both of us. Of course, I had to take a picture. I will love wearing them. These are now our second pair of identical footwear as we also both have a pair of white Birkenstock  sandals, hahaha. 

The copycat espadrilles I bought for us both in Les Portes-en-Ré

We later went "home" to our hotel to make a picnic type lunch on our private little terrace. This is it by the way; very much in keeping with the local architectural style and colours - mostly whitewashed houses with light green shutters. 

Our little terrace at the hotel in Île de Ré

We had a short siesta after which we ventured out again, this time to another village called Saint-Martin de Ré. It is a medieval walled village fortified by Richelieu by the way, and is the unofficial capital of the island. I'm so glad we went as we both loved it. I especially loved the main street, the old houses with timber adornments and of course the port. Ah, and I found another branch of the boutique called Bazar and, yes, bought another pair of pants, this time in shocking pink and a matching t-shirt that says "J'adore".  Here are some pics for you to get the idea of what a lovely place it is and what a pleasant time we had.

Buying more pants in Saint Martin de Ré

In the port in Saint Martin de Ré

One of the busy shopping streets in Saint Martin de Ré

Eladio posing for me in the harbour at Saint Martin de Ré

Our time there ended with a drink at the port. I went for a strawberry mojito and my rather staid husband had an orange juice. 

A strawberry mojito for me in Saint Martin de Ré - by the port

On our way back to the car we stopped at a small but well stocked Carrefour where we bought some food for our dinner and wine and cheese to take back to Spain.

Dinner was on our terrace and once again we had one of the delicious French melons we had bought to take back to Spain which were already getting a little too ripe. Oh how I wish they tasted the same in Spain but they are tasteless back home for some unknown reason.

And all too soon it was Wednesday, our last full day in France. To break the journey to Montrondo which would have been over 1000km, I had booked an Airbnb, using my 100 dollar Super Host voucher, outside the town of Hossegor in the Landes region about 60km from the Spanish border. Hossegor is France's equivalent to Tarifa in Spain or Nazaré in Portugal - the surf capital. It was a home share like ours in Madrid with the owners living on site. We loved it as soon as we saw it. This is the house with our little Mini parked outside. 

Our Airbnb near Hossegor (Landes)

It also had a pool but was raining when we arrived; not great weather for exploring the area. 

The pool at our Airbnb which we did not use

We were greeted by the hostess, Christine who spoke Spanish. Her husband, Thierry, had popped over to Spain to get his airplane mended! Would you believe this couple offer their guests flights over the area for 100 euros! Not our thing really hahahaha.

The place had a semi private kitchen in a porch where we sat down and ate some of our Spanish ham with the day before bread and some left over wine - not the greatest of meals but we were hungry.

Instead of exploring the beautiful area in the rain, we opted for a long siesta and only went out again to buy more food at the local Carrefour. We had to get something to eat for dinner and breakfast in Montrondo until our next shop.

We slept quite well in our attic bedroom which you have to reach via a garage - that is not advertised in the listing but it should be. But it was nice and comfortable and we slept quite well.

I was awake at 6.40 on Thursday morning, the day of our return to Spain. We had had a great time in France but were looking forward to going home to Montrondo and of course to our main house outside Madrid where we are heading today. 

The listing advertised breakfast which the hostess served to us on the terrace but it was very frugal and didn't even include milk! Thankfully we had lots of breakfast provisions ourselves to make up for any lacking. I had hoped for croissants but all we got was sliced bread to make our own toast. But no worries I had my last French croissant at a roadside cafe when we stopped to get some petrol at 2.4 euros a litre - unbelievable. The café was Paul which is a great bakery chain so I also indulged in two small French gateaux which as Zuka remarked, I hadn't had while at her place.

It's only 60km to the border of Spain and these days you hardly notice you are changing countries when driving on motorways in the EU.    But I saw the Spain sign and asked Eladio to slow down so that I could get a pic. This is it.

Thursday morning crossing from France into Spain

It was good to be back in Spain, my adopted country. But I commented to Eladio that I only really feel I am in Spain when we get to Burgos (Castilla y León) and not the Spanish Basque Country for all the political and territorial reasons which are such a problem in Spain.

Our grandchildren were home in Madrid by then and Oli sent us photos of them both in Super Man garb. They look so sweet but looks can be deceiving, hahahhaa. They are lovely but can be little terrors, hahahaha. I can't wait to see them tomorrow. 

Our journey that day from Hossegor to Montrondo was just over 550km but the road from Burgos to León  which is now a motorway was quiet. We stopped in a town called Carrión de los Condes, made famous by El Cid (medieval Spanish military figure portrayed in an epic poem I had to try and read in 11th century Spanish at Nottingham University - not easy). Eladio told me it's where El Cid's daughters were raped!!! 

It was market day but also lunch time so we headed to the restaurant with the best Google and Trip Advisor reviews called La Corte. We had a lovely lunch but I didn't like the noise. Of course I had been eating out in France for two weeks where restaurants are much quieter. 

We arrived in our village at around 4.30 and the weather was lovely - 26ºc so we were able to sit outside on the sunbeds and read. But first we had to unload all our luggage and inspect the house after Oli and Miguel's recent stay. They had left it relatively clean but many things were not in their place - I suppose out of the way of the children. 

I only saw my neighbour Salo and her older daughter Romina. They told me the village was empty; so different when it is full in the middle of August.  

I slept well that night and woke up on Friday morning at around 7 am. We spent the morning in the nearby town of Villablino where it was market day. We did some shopping, mostly to take home where the cupboards will be bare, and then went to a bar called Selene on the main street for our mid morning coffee. There I remembered they serve free "frixuelos" (a sort of crepe) which Eladio's mother used to make. As I can't describe them, nor did I take a picture, I found one on Internet so you know what I mean.

Frixuelos like the ones we had at the Selene bar in Villablino on Friday

3 coffees and 4 frixuelos cost just 3.90 euros, a far cry from what the equivalent would have cost in France, I can assure you.

Of course that meant we wouldn't be hungry for lunch which was to be a barbecue. Thus we had  an hour later than normal. Here is Eladio grilling the sausages and lamb chops (always lamb chops - my favourite).

Barbecue in Montrondo on Friday

The weather was nice enough to eat outside which we did; our last meal outside this season, I suppose.

Lunch outside on Friday

Sadly, later, Eladio put away all the outdoor furniture and everything looked forlorn. It was still warm enough to lie down outside on the sunbeds but with my dressing gown on! A huge storm was forecast for Saturday and Sunday, not just in Montrondo, but all over Spain. At last some rain I suppose but it did rather spoil the end of our holiday. Later that night Olivia sent us a warning she had got from someone in the weather department at work (TVE). It shocked us to read that Madrid would have torrential rain today, half of what Madrid would normally get in just one year. We immediately rang 

Tana to tell her to put all outdoor furniture away. There was also advice not to travel today but we have no choice. This is another symptom of climate change and it is frightening. 

For obvious reasons we were not hungry for dinner so watched the "telly" instead. I have a new router - a radio router I brought from Asturias - which gives a better internet connection. We began a good Spanish series called "Sequia" (drought) - fitting; I suppose. 

Saturday came and I was awake at 8.30 am - a sort of record. The rain came too so we spent most of the day indoors. We did some odd jobs, read, had an easy to make lunch - grilled steak - had a siesta and read or watched YouTube (Eladio) but inside because of the rain. The temperature plummeted to 14ºc so different to when we set off from Madrid on 20th August. That seems such a long ago now. For now the heatwave is over but it has been the hottest summer on record and we all know why. Now we are in for torrential rain. Oh dear.

I didn't sleep too well that night and got up at 6 am today, Sunday. We shall leave as early as possible as the worst of the rain in Madrid is due this afternoon. I'll let you know how we got on in next week's blog post

For now, all the best, until next Sunday,

Cheers Masha

Spanish Women’s football World Cup win tarnished by unconsented kiss from football chief, celebrating our Ruby wedding anniversary in Saint Jean de Luz, to La Teillée to stay with my cousin Zuka and to Mareuil and Talmont-sur-Gironde for a Russian Orthodox wedding.

 La Teillée, France, Sunday, 27th August, 2023

Lunch on Monday, celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary in St. Jean de Luz

Good morning everyone from la belle France. Oh what a wonderful country this is for so many reasons. The more I come, the more I love it. I feel so at home here. We came to celebrate our Ruby wedding anniversary and to attend the wedding of Helene, my cousin, and Josh who is from South Africa. But more about that later.

Sunday started with a bang  for women's football when Spain beat England at the world cup final in Australia. I was happy for Spain but sorry for the runner's up. I later read, very sadly, that the father of the Spanish captain who scored the winning goal, Olga Carmona, died shortly before she played the match. She only learned of his death afterwards. What a bitter sweet day. But he would have been proud of her.

Spain can now sing "we are the champions"

This team has been marred because of behind the doors stories of sexism and abuse. I remember my daughter did a story on it for TVE and the communications director for the Spanish football federation came down on her like a ton of bricks. Well, no doubt he is now trying to play down what his boss, Luis Rubiales the Spanish FA President did after the match. He unbelievably planted a kiss on the mouth of player Jenni Hermoso after Spain's win. He also  clutched his groin when the team won from where he was sitting near the Queen of Spain. Really? In this day and age this behaviour is not acceptable. The story has gone viral and Rubiales had to apologise. Frankly I think he should leave his position as he is not fit for purpose.  After a week of extreme pressure, it was said he was going to resign but he didn't, blaming the Spanish player of all things.  Thanks to this disgusting macho man, the Spanish women's football World Cup win was overshadowed by him. It should have been all about the women who won, not about this man's disgraceful behaviour. Thankfully yesterday the FIFA suspended him (only for 90 days). I hope the coach, Jorge Vidal goes down the same route as there are some serious allegations of sexist behaviour, coercion and other unacceptable behaviour within the women's team, perpetrated by him. It's amazing to think this sordid story has made the headlines all over the world. It is a "me too" moment for Women's football which I hope ends with him out with his tail between his legs. Damn the man. 

Football is not my favourite sport but of course I was pleased for Spain and for women's sport in general. But I was much more interested in the Cincinnati Masters final to be played that night between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. The Spaniard may have won against the seemingly unbeatable Serb at Wimbledon but last week the Serb had his revenge in, probably, the most difficult match of his life.

No doubt Oli and Miguel were aware of the win for Spanish football while in Montrondo but they were far too immersed in taking care of my sweet grandchildren, Elliot (nearly 4) and Juliet (nearly 2). They became very close with their little cousins and in the photos we kept getting I could see budding love between them which filled my heart. Then when Oli sent me this photo below. I named it "love, pure love". It is so beautiful. Dolores later told me that after so much time together they had become very close. Isn't that beautiful? Love has many ways of manifesting itself and this photo is one I shall treasure. 

Love, pure love, in Montrondo

Love in the air too on our journey to St. Jean de Luz from Madrid last Sunday. This pretty coastal town just 20km from the Spanish border (near San Sebastián) and close to Biarritz, was the first place we visited on our holiday in France. I know Biarritz from childhood holidays at my Uncle's house and actually looked for a hotel or Airbnb there but couldn't find one. At the same time we wanted to stay at St. Jean de Luz, a former French Basque fishing village, a place we have stopped at on a few occasions but never actually stayed at  and a few months ago I was lucky enough to find the last available room at Le Grand Hotel de la Poste in the middle of the town. This is it from the back with its lovely garden terrace where breakfast is served in a very French way - French breakfasts are my favourite - oh the croissants, oh the pains au chocolat, oh the baguettess; not to mention the perfect cafe au lait. 

Our hotel in Saint Jean de Luz

The hotel is quaint in a Basque way and has its own history. I copied this from the blurb on their website which summarises its interesting history: "The Grand Hôtel de la Poste is a former coaching inn from the 18th century on the road to Spain. The hotel is made famous by the visit of the Marquis de la Favette when he left for Amercia to help the insurgents gain their independence. Today it is a beautiful hotel with a unique Neo-Basque decoration."It is lovely outside but also inside, especially the marvelous staircase which I tried to capture on my camera.

The magnificent staircase at the hotel in St. Jean de Luz

St. Jean de Luz is on the Atlantic coast by the Bay of Biscay so we escaped the heat of Madrid. It is a very elegant town, like most French towns and is beautiful. I love the local Basque architecture with the red and white houses. The most famous street is La Rue Gambetta right outside our hotel. It is full of enticing shops and lots of atmosphere. Everything is as the French say, very "chic". 

Ambling along St. Jean's most famous thoroughfare, La Rue Gambetta

Dinner was at Bistro Luzien recommended to us by the hotel receptionist and it was good. You hear nearly as much Spanish as you do French in St. Jean de Luz so there are no issues with the language. I always want to try out my French but it does help if the waiters speak Spanish, most of whom did. I do notice though that the French are very appreciative if you try to speak their language. Merci. As to  the food, well, Eladio went for the sardines he can never resist and I had mini squid (chipirons in French and chipirones in Spanish - dead easy). This was all washed down with local cider - délicieux! Here are some pics to remember our first dinner in France this holiday. 

Dinner at Bistro Luzien in St. Jean de Luz

As we walked out we noticed some beautiful flowers and I remarked to my husband just how well kept French towns and villages are, in comparison to Spain.  Here is Eladio by the flowers, to prove my point. 

Flowers in St Jean de Luz

We then went on our consitutional and headed, of course, to the beach, to the "Grand Plage" - Biarritz has one too. I had been there before and am in awe of the beautiful Basque architecture. Just look. 

The Grand Plage in St. Jean de Luz at night - love the Basque houses

We walked to the end to where the port is and then back to our sweet and charming hotel feeling content. The bed was not very big but extremely comfortable.

I woke up at around 7 am on Monday 21st August which marked our 40th wedding anniversary. While my husband slept I went down to make a super nespresso which I had on the garden terrace of the hotel. I reflected how young and beautiful we were the day we married 40 years ago and how long we have been together and that now we are getting old. For want of better words, I wrote this on my social media pages accompanied by a recent photo of the two of us taken in Capadoccia on the "trip of our life" from April to June this year: "40 years ago today, I married this marvelous, handsome and cultured Spanish man. I could not have made a better choice. I think I am as happy today as on our wedding day. Now we are growing old together but still want to get the best out of life. Thank you Eladio for being with me every moment of the way. I will always love you". I later read out my tribute to him when he joined me on the  terrace for a splendid French breakfast.

We spoke for long and we both contemplated our being in St. Jean de Luz where we had passed by last year and swore to come and stay this year.  I told him of some of my memories of holidays as a child and teenager in nearby Biarritz. I remember my mother taking me to tea with a niece of Tsar Nicholas II - Irina Paley (1903-1990) and  telling me she was a Grand Duchess. She had a maid who, amazingly, was my own mother's nanny - Nashinka - who was the only servant to leave with the family when they fled Russia. She was tiny next to my very tall mother. On train journeys from England to Spain I would often get off at Biarritz and visit her and she would take me to see the Princess. She had many stories to tell. My mother knew the Princess or Grand Duchess well, as it was her second husband, Count Hubert de Monbrison who set up a special school my mother attended. She called it the school at Quincy near Paris but I knew little about it. This week I researched it and came up with this description:

The castle at Quincy-sous-Sénart, located 30 km. southeast of Paris, belonged to the Count Hubert de Monbrison before World War II. He and the Princess Irena Paley (a niece of the last Russian czar who later became his wife), used the castle to house refugee girls from the Russian and Spanish civil wars. In 1939 de Monbrison was approached by his children's Jewish physician, who was a member of the board of the OSE, and asked whether he would take in a group of forty German Jewish refugee children. The count agreed and the Kindertransport of boys arrived on July 4, 1939. Quincy served as a Jewish children's home until September 1940 when, following the German occupation of France, the château was requisitioned by the German army. The boys were then relocated to other OSE homes.

I had no idea of the Princess' background really until this week. My father used to mention the Count of Monbrison very fondly. No doubt he also had tea with the Princess  as he and my mother often went to Biarritz on holiday after they married. They stayed with my Uncle Kolya, and my mother's youngest brother and many a tale they would tell of taking Zuka to the beach as  a very pretty and sweet child. I'm sure my mother and father would be happy to know we have been together this week in France. I wish I remembered more about tea with the Princess which were very formal affairs at a very large mansion near the Côte Basque beach in Biarritz where many Russians went to live  after they fled the revolution. If only we had had time to visit Biarritz. Next time, for sure. 

Another very significant memory of holidays with my parents and brother George in Biarritz was when one year my father decided we would all go and spend the day in San Sebastián. That was the first time I ever visited Spain and I was probably about 12 or 13 years old so we are talking 1969 or 1970. I told Eladio how poor Spain seemed in comparison to France and how cheap everything was. I remember buying lots of tacky Spanish souvenirs including a Flamenco doll! We had a menu of the day lunch somewhere and I was amazed to see my father ordering our meal in Spanish. He later told us it was very cheap. He kept the bill in some guidebook for many years and pointed out a typical spelling mistake. Instead of "vino", the waiter had written "bino". That was my first lesson in Spanish hahahaha. 

Breakfast at Hotel de la Poste was leisurely and pleasant and as we walked up the steps back to our little room, my dear husband who is still in love with me, took photos of me on the balcony, like this one. 

At Hotel de la Poste on the balcony on the morning of our Ruby wedding anniversary

We decided to spend the morning on the beach  - at the Grand Plage, of course which was a short walk from our hotel. Here is the sight that greeted my eyes. 

Le Grand Plage where we spent part of the morning on our wedding anniversary

It's a beautiful beach and the weather was perfect. Even though it is near the Bay of Biscay and is on the Atlantic the sea was not rough nor cold. We had a lovely bathe and then a walk to the end admiring all the beautiful houses.

We had booked a table at Chez Margot in nearby Ciboure at 2 pm but were out of luck. It was a bit far to walk but when we tried to call a taxi it was mission impossible so sadly I had to cancel the booking. You may wonder why we didn't go by car. The simple answer is that we would have lost our space when we came back as all the car parks were full.  In the end we just walked into a little restaurant in the old town and took pot luck. Well, La Diva came up trumps. I loved their "moules" and Eladio loved the sardines (again). The dear waitress brought out my chocolate mousse with a sparkler in it to mark the day. I have chosen that photo as the photo of the week.

We then ambled back but I couldn't resist the shops, especially those selling espadrilles, even though they are much cheaper in Spain. I got some lovely white ones with a cherry motif. 

While we were out and about celebrating our anniversary, Oli and Miguel had taken the children to Asturias for the day. They hired bicycles and Miguel's had a contraption in which he could carry the children. I thought that was great fun. This is one of the pics they sent. 

Miguel with the kids on a bicycle in Asturias this week - what fun

We, meanwhile,  had a long and leisurely siesta before venturing out again, in search of food, of course, hahaha. France is a great place for good food as you all know, "on mange bien en France".  Except that it wasn't that easy to find somewhere as all the good places were fully booked. Of course I should have booked somewhere special for dinner but I didn't as I had expected our main meal would be at Chez Margot which wasn't to be. But don't worry, we did not go without food hahaha. 

We walked to the harbour which we hadn't seen but didn't spy any restaurants. It was looking lovely at sunset. 

The harbour in St. Jean de Luz

So we headed to the Grand Plage again with its beautiful red and white houses. Eladio took photos of me sitting on the wall. It was nearly sunset and it was a beautiful moment. 

At the Grand Plage on our last night in St. Jean de Luz

When our quest for a decent restaurant was not successful we decided to head back to Bistro Luzien where we had had dinner on our first night. Thankfully "there was a place at the inn" there and we enjoyed a relatively nice meal on the terrace but nearly in the dark hahaha. I have learned my lesson and am now looking for places to book a table when we get to Île de Ré.

We went to bed quite early and we did not need the air conditioning. In Madrid the temperature had reached 39ºc that day compared to St. Jean where it was an agreeable 26ºc. We didn't watch the news but of course we always follow events. The worst story of the week was about a heinous 33 year old British nurse, Lucy Letby, who was sentenced to life in prison - a very rare sentence - for killing seven babies and attempting to murder six more on the neonatal ward of a hospital in Cheshire (Manchester). She joins the ranks of 3 other notorious women child killers, including the hideous Myra Hindley of the Moors' murders I remember vividly as a child. It goes beyond belief that a nurse who is the embodiment of a people and child carer, could be an evil sadist. We shall never know why she did it but no doubt she will reflect on what she did, all her life while in jail. I hope she rots there, I honestly do.

All good things come to an end and it was Tuesday, the day we were leaving beautiful Saint Jean de Luz for La Teillée to stay with my dear cousin Zuka  whose real name is Sophie after our maternal grandmother. La Teillée is a tiny village near Sant Sauvant in the Nouvelle Aquitaine region - formerly Poitu-Charentes. It's about 400km from Saint Jean de Luz and 2 hours north of Bordeaux and not too far from Poitiers. It is here that Zuka and her adored husband Bruce who so sadly died young, bought their holiday home and retirement nest. It's a place I have been coming to every summer since 2016 for what we call our "cousinades" - a large group meeting of many of our cousins in France. Just to remind you, Zuka is the daughter of my mother's youngest brother Nicholai (Kolya) and Aunty Valya who sadly died here last year aged 97. 

The drive was an easy one on French motorways where we hardly stopped except for the endless peages - my God they are expensive. In Spain most motorways are free but there is talk the European Union wants to change that. That would be awful.

We arrived to much hotter weather than in the Basque Country but thankfully Zuka has a pool or else I do not know how we would have survived.

It was wonderful to see her again. She had lunch prepared and had given us her huge old room on the top floor which is very comfortable but we needed the two fans to be able to sleep.

I opted to spend time by the pool where Zuka and I caught up on our lives since we were last together and it was  wonderful quiet reunion. Eladio who is a reluctant swimming pool enthusiast, came down finally in his trunks and joined me in the water. 

Cooling off in Zuka's pool on Tuesday

Later we convened on Zuka's porch for what she calls a "buvette" which consists of  drink or two with aperitifs and the moment I always look forward to in the day when I am in La Teillée. I feel completely at home there. Here is Eladio posing for me while we enjoyed our wine.

Tuesday's "buvette" in La Teillé

We sat outside and chatted until surprisingly it was nearly 10 pm. Zuka had made dinner so in we went to the cooler kitchen to eat an enjoyable meal together. We both had calls from our daughters, .Katty and Olivia and I would have loved them to be with us. This is the first year Katty who lives in New Zealand, was not here for the cousinade and we all sorely missed her. She is like a sister to me. 

In order to be able to get some shut eye I had a cold shower before I hit the sack. So with wet hair and a fan blowing into my face, I was able to sleep and actually got a good night's rest.

I was up at 7 am on Wednesday, our only whole day together in La Teillée before going to the wedding. I am so at home here I know where everything is so shortly I was outside having my first coffee of the day. I wanted to show you the place, well the main house, so took some pictures. This is one of them at sunrise. 

La Teillé at sunrise on Wednesday morning.

I also took a video to share with you which you can see here. 

We had a wonderful quiet day with a bit of socialising too as Zuka has a large group of amazing friends, some of whom she invited for a buvette round the pool in the later afternoon. We had a blast.

The morning was slow, just how I like it. We had breakfast together and darling Zuka had bought me lots of croissants and pain au chocolat; brilliant. Once showered and ready, off we went to her nearby town, Couhe, to do some food shopping at Intermarché. On our way home we stopped in nearby Sant Sauvant to see the new house she had bought. I thought it was lovely and it's actually a listed building. This is it from the outside.

The house Zuka has bought in Sant Sauvant

We came home to have a lovely light lunch together if you don't count the sausages my dear cousin made on the barbecue in the blaring sunshine while I naughtily dipped in the pool. It was so damn hot that day it was stifling. There was no other place to be and Zuka joined me for a while. I have known her since I was a child and she the only close relative I have left. 

Later she went off to prepare lots of delicious apertifs for her friends and I was then joined by Eladio. He is not a swimming pool person but as it was so hot he went in the water again that day too.

Soon  Suzanne, a New Zealander and widow like Zuka, joined us as did Babs and Paul, an English couple who are both ex Navy and are great fun. They have lived in the area for more than 10 years and have fully integrated. I soon realised what a hoot they are, especially Paul, as he is a great mimic. You should have heard him imitating King Charles. Eladio was astonished so I got Paul to talk to Eladio as if he were the King. He offered him a knighthood and duly used a fly swat as a sword! Paul told us all sorts of stories about Bab's experiences in the Navy. At one point she worked at Chequers during the times of Ted Heath and Harold Wilson, as well as Lord Carrington when he was the Minister of Foreign Affairs. We heard that Heath was a very decent man. She used to serve him breakfast in bed - boiled egg and "soldiers". Once she served him a false egg which he couldn't break. Her prank had him in stitches. He also once asked for her opinion on some reforms he had made at the "house" and she got into trouble from her superior for "fraternising with the PM". She was popular with the politicians as she served them liberal amounts of spirits and was once invited to Lord Carrington's house as she drove past it on her bicycle. He invited her in and they both got drunk on gin! What stories.

Paul and Babs with Zuka as he was imitating the King of England. He had us in hoots of laughter. 

Paul carried on mimicking so many famous people he has us in stitches and then I did my Yorkshire accent and Zuka and her friends were astounded as I can do it perfectly. I used to be able to do an Irish or Scottish and even a Geordie accent but no longer. In any case we had a grand time; a great spontaneous party. 

That night I told Eladio I was going to be a proper Brit so no controlling how much I drank hahah while he drank orange juice!!! I just got merry hahahaha. What a wonderful day we had in La Teillée.

We went to bed past midnight and once again I had a cold shower and lay down on my bed with the fan on. So I got a good night's sleep.

I was up again at 7 am on Thursday morning the day we were going to Mareuil in the Cognac district to join other cousins and people for the pre wedding dinner, etc. We woke up to the news that  Wagner boss, Prigozhin was on a plane that crashed. What a convenient death for the Kremlin. Thursday was also the day that Donald Trump was arrested in Atlanta on charges of plotting to overturn the election results in 2020. Unfortunately he did not go to jail although his mugshot was taken. He got out on bail, of course. Can't stand the man. 

But we weren't thinking about him or the news from Moscow. We were getting ready to drive to Mareuil. Meanwhile in Montrondo, Oli and family were also getting ready to leave. Bless my daughter who told me they had cleaned the house and got rid of all the cobwebs!!! They took one last photo to remember their lovely holiday there which I wanted to show to you.

Oli and family - a lasto photo in Montrondo before heading back to Madrid on Thursday

We hit the hot French roads at just after 3 pm following my cousin Zuka. It's about 1.15h to get to my other cousin's village nestled in vineyards that are destined to make the famous French brandy called Cognac. There is even a town called Cognac and it's very pretty countryside we drove through. I took a not particularly good photo from the car so you can see what I mean.

Driving along Cognac vinyards on our way to Mareuil

We arrived to a very full house of people; people from all over the world- We tried to count the countries and nationalities. Off the top of my head I think there were guests from the following, France, Russia, Germany, Iraq, Italy, England, South Africa, Spain, Japan and others. It was a truly international gathering. I wished we had been given badges with our names and countries which would have helped me, at least. Later I was told there were people from 10 countries speaking 22 languages! This is the main house.

The main house in Mareuil

We were given a room in a new wing and here is Eladio sitting outside it in the sunshine which was relentless and stifling. So thank goodness our hosts have a pool.

Our room on the first night of our stay in Mareuil

Next to him were more and more vineyards destined to produce cognac, a drink that might smell nice but burns my throat.

The vinyards surrounding our hosts' house

As soon as I had settled in, I made a beeline for the pool as did many others. People were arriving in droves and it was difficult to keep up with who was who. I was happy to meet an Englishman with whom I was able to have an interesting conversation. I was also happy to meet the groom, Josh from South Africa, They met in Africa where they both work as Safari guides in The Congo now. Africa is Helene's passion which I can totally understand.

 

Dinner was described as a "falafel party". The chef is originally from Iraq so we were served excellent Middle Eastern food. It was a vegan meal but very tasty. We sat next to some Germans, cousins of our hosts, who surprisingly for us, spoke Spanish. Wow, a truly international wedding. But we were not served wine, just water which is unusual in France. I jokingly asked the Russian priest  Yasha who would be performing the wedding ceremony if he could do us a favour and turn the wine into water hahahaha. Later we were offered cognac and other strong spirits but I kept to water hahahha. We were promised wine the next day.

It was early to bed for most people and thanks to the fan we had brought with us from La Teillée, we were able to sleep. I was woken up at about 4 am by a huge thunderstorm and just hoped it wouldn't rain during the wedding.I eventually woke up on Friday at 6.30. It was dark and I was the first person up. I had brought all my coffee making equipment and enjoyed my first cup of the day in harmony with the beautiful countryside of Cognac in France.

The wedding ceremony was to take place at a beautiful catholic church, Sainte Radegonde on a promontory by the sea at the pretty town of Talmont-sur-Gironde. The priest there lets the Russian Orthodox church use it for special occasions. Talmont is quite far away - at least an 1.5h drive so Eladio and I left early, keen to explore the pretty village before the wedding. I got one of the guests at the house to take this photo of us before we left. 

All dressed up for the wedding

We arrived at least 2 hours before the wedding and decided to check out the church first and then have lunch.  We loved it from the outside, even before going in and, as to the setting, well it was simply beautiful. Here are two pics we took there - the one of the two of us was taken by a kind passerby. 

Outside the church in Talmont

By the sea just outside the church in Talmont. What a setting for a wedding!

We then explored the village and found it charming. I loved the shops. At the one in the photo below I got some white trousers which will always be my Talmont trousers!

Shopping in Talmont

We ambled around the lovely streets where we saw more interesting shops and beautiful flowers like those in the picture I took of Eladio looking so smart in his suit and red bow tie. 

Eladio looking smart in Talmont

We had a quick lunch and were just on time for the wedding. Zuka was already there as she was the driver of the bride. Also there was my other cousin Masha and her daughters Elizabeth,. Sophie and Anna who were all to sing in the choir. I got Eladio to take a photo with my cousin Zuka to whom I confessed that this was my first Russian Orthodox wedding since hers when I was 10 years old! I have never forgotten it. 

With my cousin Zuka on a very special day

A Russian Orthodox wedding is something very different from normal church weddings. The most important moment is the crowning moment, after the actual betrothal. They are very long as well. What made everything even more special was the wonderful choir. Making it even more special was just how international it was. "Yasha", the priest from Paris, in his sermon in French and in English pointed out that a Protestant boy from South Africa was marrying an Orthodox girl in a Catholic church and that they had united representatives from so many countries. He couldn't have described it better. 

Let me share with you two videos I took of the most important parts - the entry of the bride and groom which you can see  and part of the crowning moment. That brought tears to my eyes as I have a photo of my parents at their Russian Orthodox marriage in London with crowns on their heads and I kept thinking of them. 

And here is a photo of the end of the crowning. God bless Helene and Josh. I hope their marriage will be as happy as ours and as long or longer. 

The crowning moment

I think the service lasted at least 2 hours after which we all drove back to Mareuil. That night we changed accommodation for a wonderful bed and breakfast place near my cousin's house. We spent some time winding down before it was time to attend the reception at 7 pm.

This was where we stayed. 

Our accommodation in Mareuil on the night of the reception

The reception was held in a marquee in a field behind the house and there were about 90 people. Half of the time we were fed canapes and drinks - so much champagne! There we met some lovely people including Beatrice, a French woman, married to a German South African who speaks perfect Spanish and is a teacher of English in Paris. 

We were all assigned different tables which doesn't always work but I was pleased that Beatrice joined us. As I was arriving at the marquee I caught the bride and groom coming towards it so had to snap a picture. This is the happy couple. 

The bride and groom

But before we sat down to eat we spent at least half the time mingling. The atmosphere was beautiful. It felt like an Arabian night hahaha - see what I mean

Pre dinner cocktail party

And here are photos of two special moments - one where the bride and her German father, dear Christophe, are confiding and then the cake moment. 

Bride and father confiding during the reception

The cake moment

No Russian party or celebration is complete without a raucous song where the bride and groom or person being paid homage to has to gulp down their drink in one go. It is accompanied by a traditional song. I had to take a video to show you. You can see it here. 

After that we made a quiet exit . as they say in Spanish, "a la francesa" (in a French manner). I'm sure there was more music and of course dancing, but we were too tired to stay on so left quietly for our little guest house. 

We slept like babies and were in no hurry to leave on Saturday morning.  Breakfast was divine - the best baguette and croissants so far - so we were not at all hungry when we arrived again at the house to find brunch was being served in the marquee.

While people ate, Eladio and I went for a short walk surrounded by vineyards, like this one.

Surrounded by vineyards in Mareuil

Feeling a little bit at a loose end and tired from the wedding on Friday, we made a quiet exit and drove back to La Teillée. Zuka stayed on but returned in the evening. We stopped at a huge Lidl to get some fruit and bread and came "home" to unpack once again and to unwind. I did some washing as we were running out of clothes, sat and relaxed and then made a simple meal which was lunch and dinner rolled into one and eaten at 6pm - not a usual meal time for us. Since the rain on Thursday the temperature has dropped by at least 10 degrees so it was getting a little cold. I have only brought one cardigan which may not be enough for the next stage of our journey to Île de Ré. 

The day ended with drinks on the terrace with Zuka before retiring to bed. Today is Sunday and she has promised to take us to "Green Venice" and to have lunch out. I am looking forward to that. 

Meanwhile, yesterday, Oli and family arrived at our flat on the coast in Santa Pola where they will have the company of our other daughter Suzy. I am looking forward to pictures of my grandchildren on their first visit there. Oli kindly told me the apartment is looking lovely. Oli  also adores France and has asked me to take some French produce back. Thus we will get some lovely Charentais melons, wine, cheese and foie gras to take home

I have come to the end of our stories of the week and now it is time to publish this post and get on with what promises to be a great day with Eladio and Zuka.

Cheers then till next week friends and readers,

All the best from La Teillée, Masha

c