Goodbye to our French Airbnb family, off to Santa Pola, our 35th wedding anniversary, Kathy and Phil came to stay, celebration dinner at La Finca restaurant in Elche, stories of our holiday and other tales of the week.

Santa Pola, Sunday 26th August 2018.

Arriving at La Finca restaurant in Elche on Wednesday evening

Hi everyone,

Here I am writing from our apartment in Gran Alacant, near Santa Pola. We have been here since Monday and so far have had a great time. 

Last Sunday was the last day with our French guests who left our house in Madrid yesterday in our absence. They have been the very best of guests, in my top 10 and their little girl, 8 year old Marianne, together with 7 year old Brody from the UK, my favourite guests of all time. 

As we were leaving for Santa Pola the next day, Eladio spent the whole morning mowing the lawn. Meanwhile I went on our walk alone with Pippa. I also made the lunch; my sort of coq au vin. My French family went off to the Rastro, the famous Madrid flea market where we haven't been for years. We must go again one day. I spent part of the afternoon reading until I was interrupted by Marianne who came to be with me. We played games on my phone together, took photos and she created a lot of fun videos; at least 50 haha. She is quite the little actress. Here are we are together that afternoon.

With little Marianne on Sunday. The effects were made by her

She only speaks French and wow does she speak it fast so I have had to respond the best I could and my goodness my French improved a lot while she was with us. So much so I am thinking of taking French lessons this year. Will I do it? I'd love to. 

Marianne was very excited to know that Olivia was coming for dinner that night, together with Miguel. She adores Olivia. Well she seems to adore a lot of things in life, especially our dogs and I just love her overall enthusiasm. As that evening would be our last together I wanted to give her a special present; a photo of her with Elsa and Norah which I would frame and wrap up; a photo for her room for her to remember her stay here always. Miguel was on hand to oblige as he is such a good photographer. This is the photo he took.

Marianne with Elsa and Norah,  a photo for her to remember her stay here.

She was delighted with the gift. Then we had another photo, this time with her 17 year old brother, Clement who she also adores,  Oli and I with her holding the treasured photo. That one I shall frame to remember them. 

With Marianne and Clement on our last night with the French family

For dinner that night I made "tortilla", Spanish omelet to which I added spinach. We had it with a leafy salad. The best thing was being together. We would be seeing Oli in Santa Pola where she would join us at the end of her stay.  And here are Eladio, Oli and Miguel around the table that night. It was another wonderful summer dinner al fresco with Oli and Miguel. 

Oli and Miguel at dinner last Sunday night

Later we invited our French family to join us for a glass of wine around the table  as it was our last night with them. And there we were talking a mixture of French, Spanish and English and getting along wonderfully together. When I said goodbye on Monday I told them they couldn't just disappear out of our lives that they must come back again. I hope they do.  So it was late to bed on Sunday night for us but it had been a very enjoyable evening.

I was up before it dawned on Monday as is customary.  I had to pack and take food and lots of wine for our friends. I would do the proper food shopping on Tuesday morning in Santa Pola. We left at around 11.15 after saying goodbye to our French family, my Father and Lucy. Hopefully everything would be alright in our absence. We stopped for lunch at the Parador in Albacete on our way; on the cafeteria terrace rather than the restaurant so as to be able to have Pippa with us. The menu was a bit lacking in choice and the meal rather expensive but a great location, right by the Parador pool. 

We got to Gran Alacant, the "urbanización" meaning a private residential area which is actually very sprawling. It is located between Alicante and the town of Santa Pola and on cliffs above the beach and from where you can see the bay of Alicante. We have had this small and modest apartment since 1999 and bought it with my Motorola severance pay. It's not worth much these days but we love coming here. It's like a small home away from home.

The view of the bay of Alicante from our apartment

We soon settled in and, as always, when we arrive we spent time cleaning and putting things away, making the beds, etc. Eladio cleaned all the windows which is a mighty job but he wanted everything to be spick and span for our friends, Kathy and Phil who were coming the next day.

Finally our jobs were finished by about 7 pm after which we spent time on the terrace reading. Later we had a light supper of leftover "tortilla" with salad while watching the news. I was not happy to hear there had been 2 more earthquakes in Lombok near Bali where Suzy lives. She messaged us to say she had felt them and that people had panicked but that she was ok. Uff. 

Thanks to our Amazon Fire Stick we are able to watch TV streaming from the flat and our choice of film was on Netflix that night, "Safe House" a CIA thriller. It was good but by about 11 pm both of us were falling asleep and had to go to bed. 

Tuesday came and it wasn't just any Tuesday It was 21st August which was the day we married and thus it was our anniversary. It was a special one too as this week we have been celebrating 35 years of marriage. Imagine, 35 years, that's a very long time.  I was just 26 the day I married and now I am 61! Where did time go?

On our wedding day 21st August 1983, 35 years ago

All I can say is that it's been 35 years of a very good marriage. I feel a little bit like a dinosaur as there is so much divorce and separation around me. Not many marriages these days last so long. I also feel lucky I met the man of my life when I did and went ahead and married him. I have never regretted it. I'm not saying life is perfect. It never is but in the balance of things I think our marriage is as good as it gets. Thank you Eladio for putting up with me all these years and for loving and taking care of me. I hope you can say the same of me. The secret to our successful marriage I always think is down to mutual admiration, mutual respect, giving each other space, no jealousy, similar values and of course enjoying the small things of life together. Here's to many more years together. What would my life be without Eladio? I cannot envisage it. Happy anniversary my beloved.

We didn't do anything special to celebrate on Tuesday as our friends were arriving a bit too late for dinner out. But don't worry we would celebrate in style with dinner out to somewhere really special on Wednesday night.

We didn't go to the beach or the pool and missed a walk that day. Instead we went to Mercadona to stock up for our friends stay. This would include lots of wine and beer which they love. The only thing I did really was to take Pippa down to the garden occasionally. We had it to ourselves. We could have gone to the pool but dogs are not allowed (Spain is such an unfriendly dog country!) but Eladio isn't keen and I suppose I am not really either as we are both spoiled having our own private pool at home. However I do like the gardens and the position of the pool looking out right over the sea and beyond to the bay of Alicante. We would go to the beach on Wednesday with our friends, but early to avoid the hottest part of the day.

The gardens leading down to the pool

The pool which belongs exclusively to the complex our apartment belongs to

We came home from Mercadona and unloaded all the shopping. Lunch would be leftovers I had brought from Madrid which meant I didn't have to cook. 

Eladio slept a long siesta. I, meanwhile, spent the time on our lovely little terrace reading. Our terrace is the apartment's salient point. It's wonderful because it's sunny in the morning but shady in the afternoon. Also, as we are on a cliff, the Levante wind protects us from the heat. Here we had our "afternoon tea", well, rather a plate of fruit with some nutritious and natural nuts which I'm sure my daughters would approve of.

Meanwhile, Oli and Miguel had gone away to his parents' flat in the small town of Madrigal de la Vera, a pretty place in the province of Cáceres. From the photo it looks like they visited a natural pool, something we would do too later in the week. 

Oli and Miguel in Madrigal de la Vera on Tuesday

Our friends who were flying from Leeds  Bradford airport were arriving at just past 8.30 pm so we left with what we thought was plenty of time. However we hadn't been to Alicante airport for years and my has it changed and grown since then. You can no longer drop people off or pick them up and have to park the car in the public car park which is quite a walk to the terminal. Thus we missed them arriving. We found each other in the end. Getting out of the airport was a bit like a scene from a Mr.  Bean episode. Everything is automated these days and it took a while to find where to pay and how to get out of the now rather gigantic airport. 

We were home soon though as the airport is only about 8 km from our apartment. Our friends were hot and probably tired but soon they were in cooler clothes, had unpacked and settled in to their modest little room and by about 10 pm we were cooling off on the terrace. We had drinks before dinner, during dinner and after dinner too hahaha. Amazingly I did not get a headache that night. Dinner was my special prawn cocktail with mango which we all wolfed down. I showed them later the lovely views from the flat of the bay of Alicante and then outlined our programme for the week. It was going to be full of activity. My plan was approved so a good time was to be had by all. That night we went to bed well past midnight and I didn't get much sleep as I was awake on Wednesday morning just before 6 am! 

The next morning I was up at 5.56 and while everyone slept I had my first coffee of the day and wrote a little bit of this post. We had an early breakfast so as to get down to the beach before the crowds arrived. 

Our friends at breakfast on Wednesday morning

It is August and this is the busiest month here. If you come in June or September it's relatively quiet and of course not so hot. We wanted to go the beach early so as to avoid the midday heat. Thus we were able to park quite easily and also find a spot on the front row. And here are our English friends with Eladio sitting on our 19 year old beach chairs which have lasted extraordinarily well hahaha. 

On the beach on Wednesday morning

Kathy and I were the first ones in the water and it was calm and lovely. Later the men went in too. Our idea was to sit for a while, take a few dips, then walk to the end of the natural beach - the one with no buildings - and back, swim again and at around 12 leave while most people were arriving. 

That is what we did. Once home, the gasman had come to do the annual check up of the gas boiler while Phil, Kathy and I went to the pool. I was the only one to take the plunge there. 

Having only bathroom in the apartment is a bit of a challenge when 4 people need a shower but it wasn't a problem as I went last while preparing everyone's lunch. We had Lucy's Paraguayan bean stew followed by fresh grilled hake with basil and garlic and asparagus. We didn't really want to eat too much as that night we would be having a big dinner at La Finca restaurant in Elche.

The afternoon was spent at leisure and we didn't leave the apartment. I tried to sleep a siesta but didn't get a wink's sleep.  We wanted to leave at 8 pm for La Finca so as to get there before dusk and appreciate the surroundings. Kathy and I dressed up for the occasion. I hadn't really brought any smart clothes for Eladio but at least Phil was wearing long summer trousers. Before we left we had a little photo shoot in the Mediterranean gardens of our apartment block. These would be our pre-dinner photos and here they are. 

Pre dinner photos just before we left for Elche

Kathy and Phil ready to go.

We were all excited about our dinner at La Finca that night. La Finca, run and owned by a famous Spanish woman chef, Susi Diez who is a self taught chef, is a one Michelin star restaurant tucked away on an unknown road about 2 km from Elche and if you don't know it you'd never find it. I discovered it before it became famous many years ago when we got lost on our way to Elche. We went there with the girls in about the year 2001, loved it but never went back mostly because it's rather expensive. Since then its fame has risen and it's well on the Spanish culinary map for foodies. We didn't get lost this time and arrived just before sunset and were able to appreciate the gardens which are the highlight of the location. There we took some more photos and I chose the one of us arriving for this week's post. Thanks Kathy for being our photographer.

La Finca restaurant

After more photos, we were led to our table in the grounds of the restaurant onto a candlelit table and immediately had a swarm of waiters around us catering to our every need.

Our candlelit dinner table - a bit dark for photos I'm afraid

I have to say though that they were not the clicking heel type you get at stuffy and starchy top restaurants. La Finca is well run and is a top class restaurant but everything is both smooth and relaxed. The food has evolved since we came and in true Michelin star style it comes with lots of tiny little snack like dishes which in themselves are a work of art. We were to experience a creative culinary experience I think we will all remember. 

The complimentary pre starter snacks were just a piece of art. 

We each created our own menu, choosing 2 half portions from the starters which were not small, one main course and a dessert. It was not easy to make a choice. We all went for some amazing prawn concoction and then I had an artichoke dish. Eladio and I went for the local lobster for our main course and it was superb.  

Lobster La Finca style

The presentation was true La Finca style which included edible flowers Susi Diaz grows! If the lobster was superb I can't begin to tell you what the chocolate experience was like so here is the photo for you at least to begin to understand hahaha.

The chocolate dessert was out of this world

When I booked the table I mentioned it would be an anniversary dinner and at the end of the meal, they brought us a divine piece of chocolate cake with a candle. That was just as divine as the other chocolate dessert. 

The anniversary chocolate cake moment

We were well and truly full by then but even more was to come, a dish of peti fours or something similar which came in a very creative platter which looked a bit like a big light bulb. 

All in all it was a magnificent menu and dinner. I should mention too the drinks. I was well and truly tipsy by the end of the evening after a glass of sherry and quite a lot of a lovely French white wine. But I am pleased to say I did not get a headache afterwards for once. 

Our amazing culinary experience came to an end at about 11.30 as all good things do tend to come to an end and we all got into the car saying how much we had enjoyed the evening and that it was well worth the money - about 100 euros each. That is inexpensive really for a 1 Michelin star restaurant. I suggested to Eladio we go back at least once a year as the place is just amazing.

We came home via the country roads - fruit orchards - and it was a pity it was dark as we didn't get to see any of the fruit trees; probably mostly orange trees. 

I went to bed very late, at about 1. 30 in the morning and God damn it I was up on Thursday morning at 6.20. 

Thursday was going to be another lovely day but very hot and thus tiring. We had good news that day from Suzy. Thanks to my friend Jackie who, by the way, also lives in Spain and reads my blog, my older daughter who went to live in Bali in June, has now got a new job teaching English online for a Chinese company. On the Tuesday she had a test lesson where a recruiter simulated being a 7 year old boy who spoke no English. She got dressed up for the role and trial skyped me first. I had no idea what she was up to but it sounded like an interesting prospect as it means she can work from anywhere. Here she is ready for the simulated lesson with the recruiter. Note the fake glasses, the flower in her hair and the backdrop. 

Suzy the teacher

She later told us the simulated test lesson was great fun and that she actually loved every minute of it. So, maybe, like her grandparents and father she could have the makings of a teacher. I would find that a great coincidence; Suzy the teacher. Well, it was on Thursday morning she got the call to say they had accepted her. She was ecstatic because it means a regular income and also that she can work from anywhere in the world. Thus she could come "home" to Spain for longer periods. Whoopee Suzy, so happy for you and Jackie I thank you from the bottom of the heart. That news was the best piece of news of the week or month. It was a great start too to a lovely day with our friends from England. 

The first agenda on Thursday's programme was a visit to the local market here at Gran Alacant. It's just across the way from our apartment and we went early at about 9.30 before it got hot or was full of people. I knew Kathy and Phil would love it and they did. Phil bought clothes as did Kathy and even I did - that doesn't surprise you. I bought some fake Nike pink trainers and a blouse and amazingly Eladio bought a hat. When I saw it, he looked like he was about to go on a safari so I marched him back to the stall to change it for a normal looking Panama hat hahahah.

The market sells excellent fruit and veg which is mostly locally produced and I love buying it there. I love it so much I go behind the stalls and pick and choose myself; as do lots of other people. Here I am holding an in season nectarine and enjoying the moment.

At the market in Gran Alacant on Thursday

We bought mostly in season fruit: greengages, black figs, melons and water melon. The latter was, to quote Eladio at dinner on Thursday evening, "sublime" and it was

Happy with our purchase, we took them home, picked up Pippa and went off again. The next item on the agenda or programme was a trip to the small island of Tabarca which would be our third visit this year. August is not the best month to go as hordes of tourists do the same, plus it would be very hot. But beggars can't be choosers and we wanted to share our newly discovered little island with our friends. 

The boat trip is an integral part of it which we all enjoyed, except Pippa I think who doesn't feel at home on a boat. The trip is just half an hour and by about 12.30 we landed.

Approaching the island of Tabarca on Thursday

We took our friends and Pippa on a very hot walk around the island which took well over an hour. I have no longer got a fitbit but Kathy told us we did five miles that day; 8 km which is not bad.

On the island of Tabarca with our friends on Thursday

However, we all suffered from the heat and the dust and looked like something the proverbial cat had brought in when we got home later in the afternoon. After our hot but thankfully breezy walk, we ambled back into the old village looking for shade to walk in. Pippa looked for Phil's shadow to follow! We had to keep giving her water and even pouring it over her. I mean, if we were hot, she must have been boiling as she has a coat of hair. I can't imagine walking around Tabarca in 35c with a fur coat on can you?

By 1.30 or so we arrived at Casa Gloria where I had booked a table on the terrace by the sea. Thankfully the breeze was quite strong and were given a corner table which was probably the coolest table there. Eladio, Phil and I had a "fideua" (like paella but instead of rice the main ingredient is thin pasta like vermicelli). Sorry no photo but we dug into it immediately as we were so hungry. We had an ice cream or beer and wine for Kathy and Phil at a bar in the main square run by Patricia the "philosophy student" I wrote about some time ago. It was nice to greet her and my was she busy. I have never seen the island so full. It's much better to go out of season. We caught the 15.45 catamaran back to Santa Pola and semi slept on the way. I think Pippa was the most shattered of us all poor thing.

Once home we were all in need of a shower and change of clothes - I would wash everything we had worn as it was so dusty - and  a rest of course. Pippa had a bath too as I didn't want her dusty paws on the sofas, plus she needed to cool off. It actually cooled off outside too when there was the lurking of a thunder storm and we even had a few drops of rain but only for a few minutes. By 7 pm I was nodding off and just had to have a nap before dinner. I also had a headache, probably from the sun, which wouldn't leave me so off I went to bed. I slept for 2 hours and woke up with a blinding headache which I thought might turn into a migraine but thankfully it didn't.

That evening we had a light dinner; gazpacho, tuna salad and water melon after which my headache magically went away. I slept like a baby that night only waking up once in the night and was awake on Friday morning, late for me, at 7 am.

Friday was to be a trip down memory lane and the highlight of our stay. I wanted to share with our friends my old haunts from our "Callosa Days". They were our long summer holidays in Spain in the Alicante area when my parents bought an hold house for a song in Callosa de Ensarria and my Aunt bought another one in the small village of Bolulla in 1973.  We set off early to make a day of it and by about 11 we were in Callosa, that sleepy Spanish mountain town a bit off the tourist track. Here I took my friends to the old ice cream parlour , La Jijonenca, with the surly owners who are still surly. And here we had their delicious "horchata" (drink made from tiger nuts popular in these parts) as well as some of their home made "turrón" ice cream. With a bit of difficulty we were allowed to take Pippa in.

At La Jijonenca in Callosa

From here we walked along the familiar streets towards Calle de las Flores, the name of the street where our modest town house was. As always when I walk the streets in Callosa I get goose pimples from nostalgia for my wonderful teenage years here with my family and friends. Calle de las Flores is a modest street and our house was what my Father used to call "holiday accommodation". It was a very simple house but we loved it and spent many happy summers there. I had to have a photo outside sitting on the street as I used to do in my teens. This is it, 45 years later!

Outside our old house in Callosa on Friday

A particularly lovely old haunt I wanted to show my friends was the old wash house where, before the days of washing machines, the local women used to do their laundry. It was built in the early 19th century and no doubt was modern for its times. I remember going there singing with my friends, Russian songs my Aunt had taught us to sing in harmony and it was marvelous because of the great acoustics. 

The next stop on Friday's itinerary was further up the mountains to the picturesque village of "Castell de Guadalest", literally a castle and village perched high up on a mountain. Unbelievably, while walking past a bar in the village, a man sitting there spoke to me in the local dialect, "valenciano". I replied in Spanish that I didn't speak the dialect well and he answered that oh yes I did and that he knew me from Bolulla. I was bowled over that someone from Bolulla who I didn't recall remembered me from 45 years ago. His name was Joaquín Andrés and he is my age so would have been a teenager like me at the time. Wow I was astonished; bowled over really. I got Eladio to take a photo to remember the moment.

With Joaquín Andrés from Bolulla in Guadalest on Friday

It was at Guadalest that Eladio and I had our first photo taken when we fell in love in the summer of 1980 but we couldn't remember the spot and when I did, my husband had moved on up the steps with Pippa.  

Eladio and Pippa in Guadalest on Friday

There are lots of shops on the way up and he always has eyes for panama hats and walking sticks, both of which he seems to have a huge collection of hahaha. 

Kathy, Phil and I walked behind so when we got to the rock for the ideal photo, he was far ahead.  A nice chap from Orihuela took the photo of the 3 of us at that spot. And here we are.

At Guadalest with our friends

The walk up is steep but well worth it for the view at the top of a large blue reservoir which did not look very full that day.

The view from Guadalest

On our way down we bought some local honey, another of Eladio's loves of life. Here are Eladio and Phil taking a taste of the different varieties.

Buying honey in Guadalest. Eladio is wearing the shirt Oli bought for him in Cambodia and which he loves.

We left the picturesque village to drive to our next destination, the waterfalls of Algar near Callosa and called Fonts D'Algar in the local lingo. This is a popular place for swimming in the natural pools formed by the river Algar. It is also full of restaurants, stalls, etc and was a place we went a lot to in our Callosa years. It has grown a lot since but still retains its essence which are its majestic surroundings. 

We had booked a table for lunch at Casa Marcos which also has a swimming pool. This was one of courting haunts when Eladio first came to Callosa in 1980, the year we fell in love. We told the owner's daughter our story and were immediately given VIP treatment. They even brought out cava at the end "on the house" which was so nice of them. 

Lunch at Casa Marcos on Friday

It's very typical in this area to be served toasted bread with garlic mayonnaise (alioli) and natural tomato sauce. I find it divine.

Typical appetiser in this area, bread with alioli and tomato

Eladio and I ordered a rice dish with lobster and that was divine too. 

Lunch at Casa Marcos in Algar on Friday

We rested after lunch by the pool which brought back many memories. Eladio had a long siesta on a sunbed and the 3 of us sat on chairs enjoying the rest and time together. Only Kathy and I went in. The water was quite cold but nothing like the river water we would experience later.

At about 6, when we thought there would be fewer people, we made our way up the  path to the waterfalls. Someone told us dogs were not allowed in high season. I couldn't believe it as we have been here with Pippa before. Besides, where we would leave her? So we smuggled her in covered in a towel which was quite hilarious. Only one person later told us dogs weren't allowed and we pleaded ignorance. Spain is such a non dog friendly country. Soon they wont' be allowed out of their houses for xxx sake. 

Here we bathed in the main waterfall or rather by it as it is far to strong to go under although we always used to when we were younger. It's such fun climbing over the rocks and trying to swim towards it when the current is against you.

The main waterfall at Algar

From there we walked up the steep wooden steps to more waterfalls and natural pools. We all swam at the big natural pool up there with a smaller waterfall which was pure pleasure. Here are Kathy and I also enjoying the moment. You can spy Phil just by the waterfall in the background.

Swimming in Algar. I always love it

Soon it was late, around 8 pm and we left all saying what a wonderful day we had had and what a wonderful swim in the river and natural pools. The last destination of our very full and long day tour was to my beloved Bolulla, the little village some 2km up the mountains from Algar. People still remember me there and it's just so nostalgic to be there. I saw my Aunt's old house which I was told had been sold for just 20.000 euros. That's not much but then you see she bought it for about 500 pounds at the time. I showed my friends the main streets, including the lovely flowered one where old women usually sit out at night and chat in the local dialect.

Pretty street in Bolulla

We got a table for dinner at the only bar in the vilalge, "L'Era" which is a modest little setup with the most divine food, simple but beautifully cooked and with friendly owners. There were lots of other "foreign" diners there which surprised me. I knew there were English owners in the village after my Aunt started to spread the word in Norwich where she taught a the University of East Anglia. But that night there were Belgians on the table next to us who told us they were staying at an Airbnb! I could hardly believe there would be Airbnb in the village but times have moved on. 

Dinner in Bolulla

We loved every morsel we ate under the moonlit sky in "my village" and our friends did too. We had what they called a round of tapas, just stuff they had prepared in the kitchen and which was served very promptly. We washed it all down with 2 jugs of sangria. The bill was just 48 euros for the 4 of us!!!

It was dark and late when we finished and we had to make a move as our apartment is at least 1.5 h away. Our hero, Eladio the driver, drove us safely back and we were home by just after midnight. We all agreed a good day was had by all. 

Saturday came and the plan for the day was to go to the beach in the morning, early again, to avoid the crowds as the beach here in July and August gets very full, especially at the weekends. We were down on the "Playa de Arenales" by about 9.45 and it was still early enough to secure a front row position by the sea. The water was clean and pleasant as always as this beach is a well kept one. We took our books and read in the shade and later walked to the end towards the cliffs above which are apartment block is situated. I love that part of the beach as it is a natural one with no buildings, just  dunes.

Yesterday on the beach

We stayed until about 13 h when it was already getting far too hot and as other people were coming down, we left. Eladio and Phil went to get more water from the British shop, Quicksave- we go through gallons of it here - and Kathy and I made our way to the swimming pool to shower and swim and get rid of the sand from our bodies. Lunch was simple, fillet steak and salad followed by the most delicious water melon. August and September used to be the season for melons, water melons, grapes and greengages here in Spain so in theory it's the best time to buy them, although there no longer seem to be seasons for fruit as everything is grown all year round these days. But I like to think they taste better now .I well remember in our Callosa years discovering in August the sweetest melons I had ever eaten. 

While Eladio and I slept a well needed siesta after so much sun, our friends went out to explore the shops in the 4 pm sun! We would never dare out at that time of day in this heat. They did come home a bit bothered and looking very hot and in need of a siesta too. 

Yesterday I had programmed in a walk to the light house cliffs - the Cape of Santa Pola - for our friends to see the view at sunset. It never disappoints and despite the crowds of people (I have never seen so many there), the walk was lovely. We went at 8 pm to avoid the heat. And here is my usual photo with Pips at the end of the cape.

On the cliffs yesterday with Pippa

The sun sets on the other side of the cliffs so there was not much to see of it but we were rewarded on our way back with the moon rise and the amazing shimmer it makes on sea water. Eladio told us the word for it in Spanish was "riela", a new word for both Phil and me. This is the best I could get out of my camera because the moon was much bigger than it appears in the photo.

Moon rise last night over the Cape of Santa Pola

We came back to make a late dinner but oh what a dinner. It was tapas I prepared yesterday: chorizo, "pimientos de padrón" and "lacón con patatas" (the latter are small shallow fried green peppers and Spanish style gammon with potatoes sprinkled with paprika and olive oil) the Galician style. 

Dinner last night

We were all pretty tired last night after lots of sun and 2 hour long walks in the day so it was early to bed for us all. We retired at about 11.30. 

The week has passed so quickly I can't believe today is already Sunday and we only have a few days left. Our friends will be leaving on Monday and we shall go on Tuesday. On the bright side Oli is coming today from Valencia and I can't wait to see her. We shall be going to the beach again today and showing Alicante to our friends tonight. It's very near and they have to see the Explanada at least before they go. The Explanada is a similar walkway to the Ramblas in Barcelona and I have always loved it. No doubt we shall have dinner at the port. But you will hear all about it in next week's post.

You will have noticed there is no mention of any news this week apart from the earthquakes in Lombok. That is because I have been on a sort of news free holiday, simply because we have been so active.Or maybe I am detoxing from it. But not to worry, next week we will be home and I shall be following the news closely as usual.

Cheers now to you all until next week,

Masha.

The end of our stay in Montrondo, home again, tragedy in Genoa, summer dinners, our French Airbnb guests and other stories.

Sunday 19th August 2018

In Murias de Paredes last Monday

Good morning everyone.

Here we are again in Madrid where we have spent a quiet week since we returned from Montrondo. A week ago today was our last full day there.

I had a productive morning that day; published my blog, made breakfast, put the washing machine on, ironed some clothes and made a "cocido" stew for lunch. I was finished by 1 pm and had an hour to myself to read outside in the garden before Miguel and Olivia were back from Gijon to join us for lunch. My book that day? "Fariña" the book that inspired the TV series  we watched recently on Netflix about drug trafficking in Galicia. 

Oli and Miguel were home by about 2.15 after a day and a night away with friends. We all had the obligatory siesta after which we lounged around.  I had a little glass of wine at lunch; something I never do and thanks to it my siesta was unusually long; 2.5 hours hahaha. That's the trick, wine generally brings on sleep. There was no walk for us that day after the huge mountain trek the day before. Literally we were too tired for one.  Oli, Miguel and I played ludo which I won by the way - I am the Queen of ludo hahaha - after which they played badminton again. I would have too except that I didn't have a partner. Eladio was not interested. He is not a man for games of any kind unfortunately. 

That night Miguel made dinner again. I have to say he is quite a chef. He made tomatoes stuffed with homemade pesto, avocados and I don't know what else; just that they tasted delicious. Here is the table ready for dinner that night.

Dinner made by Miguel on Sunday night

Later Pippa would "help" with the washing up as you can see in the photo below. There is nothing the dogs like better than having a go at the dishes in the washing up machine hahaha and Pippa is no different. 

Pippa helping with the washing up on Sunday night

Later the 4 of us watched a film on Netflix. The "Invisible Guest" ("Contratiempo" in Spanish) is a Spanish crime thriller and I highly recommend it. I also love the one of the main actors; José Coronado.

The film we watched on Sunday night in Montrondo

Monday came, the day of our return and we were to leave in the afternoon after our siesta. That morning Oli and I went on our walk alone. Miguel preferred to stay at home reading and Eladio went to see some friends. It was to be our last walk in Montrondo and we enjoyed it. Our idea was to go to Murias via the "camino valle" reached by climbing up into the hills but when we got to the makeshift gate leading us into the secret path we came across a herd of cows so had to turn back. We walked back down and onto  Murias and decided to buy bread there; 3 loaves, 2 of which Oli would take home to slice and freeze. She loves the local bread. I do too although they only make white bread and these days we generally prefer wholegrain. We stopped near the main square to drink some water from the well there. It's a pretty square and that's where Oli took the photo of me which is illustrating this week's post. We took a few selfies too, like this one.

Oli and I in Murias on Sunday 

We came home to make lunch; lentil soup I had prepared before leaving for our walk. However after popular demand I also made fried eggs and chips for everyone. Making the perfect fried egg is something of a challenge as I'm sure you all know but only one of them broke, the one I kept for myself hahaha. After a short siesta we got ready to go, clearing up, packing, throwing away the rubbish, closing all the shutters; all the things I hate to do. We left at around 5.15 and were home by 9.15, just 4 hours with one quick stop for a call of nature. It was great to be back and to see that everything was in order. Oli and Miguel, meanwhile, drove to their flat in Mirasierra where they live. Our French family greeted us and it seemed they were really enjoying their stay. The best thing about coming home is sleeping in your own bed and I slept well on Sunday night. 

On Tuesday I was up at 7.15. It was after our walk that we heard about the tragedy in Genoa, Italy, the collapse of the Morandi bridge on the A10 motorway. Built in the 60's it was undergoing repairs and at 11.30 that morning, during a torrential rain storm, a big section of it collapsed. During thunder and lightening some 30 to 35 trucks and cars fell from the bridge when it broke into two. It killed 43 people and injured many. It also affected people living near the bridge; some 630 residents have lost their homes which will now have to be destroyed. So what happened? It's not completely sure yet, although experts say there was a flaw in the design. Probably it was just old and not well maintained. It was a huge tragedy in Genoa, Italy and a big warning to similar bridges across the world. What a shock, what a tragedy. 

The collapsed Morandi bridge in Genoa 

Around the same time in Westminster, London, a lone terrorist attacked pedestrians and cyclists as he deliberately drove a van into the the Houses of Parliament. Thankfully no one died and the culprit is now in custody. We are not safe from this new type of terrorism and the Mayor of London is calling for turning Westminster into a pedestrian precinct. I think that is a good idea. 

Tuesday was all about settling in again and one of the main tasks was to replenish the food cupboards. Oli and Miguel would be joining us for lunch. We had time together by the pool in the afternoon while our French Airbnb family were visiting Avila, that lovely medieval walled city about 1.5h north of Madrid. I did more food shopping in the afternoon with Oli and Miguel or rather I accompanied them to do theirs. We later had a super dinner on the kitchen patio table talking until late into the night. Miguel was the chef again and this time made fresh pasta from Lidl with homemade pesto sauce; the basil coming from our garden. As Eladio is not very keen on pasta, we made him a plate of "pulpo" (octopus), Galician style with sliced boiled potatoes, olive oil and paprika.  My French guests were very interested to see how we made it and Marianne, their little girl, was thrilled to see the tentacles. You see she adores animals and has told us several times she will be a vet when she grows up.  I do not doubt it. 

Our French family were making their dinner too and we interacted with them in the kitchen  with lots of banter. They are from Caen in Normandy and have even invited us there. Well you know I wouldn't mind taking them up on that as we really like them too. We use Spanish, English and French to communicate.  Jerome says his English has improved since he got here although he wanted to practice his Spanish, something he does with Lucy who is from Paraguay. The little girl, Marianne, aged just 8 has stolen our hearts and as she is a non stop chatterer, I must say my French has improved in leaps and bounds. There is no stopping her talking to me all the time in French and mostly about the dogs, Norah and Elsa who she adores. Pippa, unfortunately has to be hidden from her. She loves our company and even helped Miguel make the pesto. She also likes feeding the dogs their evening treats and asks me to let her do it every night. That night we went to bed well past midnight, after seeing Olivia and Miguel off, although we would see them again often this week. 

Wednesday 15th August was a holiday in Spain, "La Asunción" (The Assumption). I remember finding this out the hard way during our holiday years in Callosa de Ensarria. We had no idea it was a holiday until we found all the shops were closed. Our French family stayed at home that day as did we. It was a lazy day spent by the pool, reading. I was happy to get a new reservation on Airbnb for September which is slowly filling up. The reservation was for a woman from Belgium but with an Arab name, and her son who will be going to the local University (Universidad Europea de Madrid). 

That night Real Madrid played Atlético de Madrid in the European Super Cup, a trophy played between the winners of the Champions League and Europa Cup. It took place in Tallinn of all places and we could not watch it as it was only available on pay per view TV. Atlético beat RM 4-2 and the absence of both Ronaldo and Zidane was sorely missed. In a way I was pleased for them; after all they are another Madrid team and usually the underdogs, but certainly not that night. 

On Thursday after our walk I went to the hairdresser for a long needed cut and dying of my roots. Once there and after advice from one of our Airbnb guests, a young girl called Claudia, I decided to get my eyelashes tinted. They were going completely blonde and you could hardly see them. I was a bit worried the process might irritate my eyes but thankfully it didn't. The beautician offered to do my eyebrows too and after some hesitation I agreed; not sure of the outcome. She did both eyebrows and eyelashes in brown, rather than black and when I saw the result I think the eyebrows should have been tinted with a lighter brown. But that's for next time. This, by the way, is the result in a not very good selfie I'm afraid.  I'm not sure about the eyebrows but I'm happy with the lashes. Would you believe the total cost was just 3 euros!!

New tinted eyebrows and lashes, a first for me. 

Meanwhile our French Airbnb family went off to visit the Valle de los Caídos (Valley of the Fallen), Franco's monument to the Civil War and where he is buried. They later visited the palace of Philip II in nearby El Escorial where most of the Spanish Kings and Queens are buried. The family were surprised to see flowers on Franco's grave and people going up to pay their respects. I am not and guess they were probably older people. The new Spanish government wants to remove Franco's remains from the Valley but the task is not easy as the family is against it as is the Prior of the Valley. I am no Franco fan but whether you like it or not he is part of Spanish history and if every vestige of his existence is removed it's like removing history. Let's see what happens.

Meanwhile at home, we had the place to ourselves. Prompted by an article I read somewhere, I came across a book called "The greatest escape" although it also goes under the name of "A good place to hide", by Peter Grose. It tells the tale of an isolated French community in the mountains of the Loire Valley near Chambon-sur-Lignon, a hidden away area in south central France well known for being the refuge of the Protestant Huguenots. The area was to play an important role in hiding and rescuing Jews, Spaniards and other people fleeing the  Nazis in WW2 (mostly young French men who had been called up to work in German factories). 

This week's riveting book

It is the relatively unknown story of how the French community in that area got together and offered refuge and shelter to 3.500 Jews and other people fleeing the Nazis and also how they helped many of them escape to Switzerland. It is also the story of the Vichy Government and De Gaulle's secret army and the French resistance. So many unsung heroes who no doubt deserve their title of "righteous among nations". 

In between reading, I prepared dinner. It was to be a special summer dinner for Oli and Miguel, another one we would enjoy together this week on our kitchen patio these balmy nights. I made potato salad, the way it has always been made on my Mother's side of the family from a Swiss recipe that belonged to her Father. It is made with potatoes, hard boiled eggs, spring onion, carrots, peas, prawns and homemade mayonnaise and I love it. I only make it for special occasions. This is the result, decorated with red peppers and fresh parsley from the garden. 

Potato salad made for dinner on Thursday

I also made a green salad with green leaves of different origin, slices of duck, avocado, cashew nuts and melon. It's a recipe that comes from a dish we used to enjoy at the Alpargateria restaurant which shut down years ago. We have made it off and on ever since. 

Marianne was excited to see Olivia whose French is also improving thanks to her. When my daughter and her boyfriend arrived, she went running up the path to greet them. Who could resist her? Here she is with Oli chatting in French probably about our dogs which she adores. I asked her which was her favourite, Norah or Elsa and she replied "J'adore les deux pareil". 

Marianne, the little French girl who has captivated our hearts. 

She chatters nonstop telling me all about her family. The other night she told me she had been rude to her brother Clement in the morning. Instead of asking him politely for a piece of toast, she had said I want a piece of toast and had been told off. The little sweetie told me she wanted to make up for her "bad behaviour" by creating a surprise for him and laying the table for dinner before he came down and please would I not tell him. I hardly think she had behaved badly but then again French parents are known for being very strict with their children. Her parents, Peggy and Jerome worry she is a bother to us but I keep reassuring them she is not; quite the opposite as she brings light into our lives and joy into the house.  I gave her an ice lolly one day this week and said: let's go to the pool (we were in the kitchen) and she asked if it was ok to go through the house to the pool with an ice lolly! I told her that of course it was.  She particularly loves the many magnets I have on our fridge and that night with Oli, her Mother and Miguel we had to tell her where each one came from! She said she was now going to collect fridge magnets too! When she goes to bed she gives long goodnight kisses to both Elsa and Norah, practically getting into their beds with them hahaha. She is a bundle of fun and we love her. Together with 7 year old Brody, she is my favourite guest so far.  

After we saw Olivia and Miguel off, we retired to our room with Pippa. That night we watched a documentary on North Korea and for once it was on terrestrial TV. North Korea fascinates us both. 

Friday 17th August was the first anniversary of the Barcelona terror attacks in the famous Ramblas and in Cambrils where 16 people from many nations were killed. The victims had asked society not to make a political occasion of their suffering and this was largely met. It was touch and go though as the King of Spain would preside the ceremony side by side with the President of the Autonomous Community, La Generalitat, Quim Torra, as well as the new Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez and other leaders. 

The 1st anniversary of the Barcelona terror attacks was marked with a special ceremony on Friday

That morning I had my much awaited eye specialist appointment after the corrective laser operation on 23rd July. I had relatively good news. The astigmatism in my left eye had gone down from 1.50 to 0.75 after the operation and could still improve. My right eye has 0.25 presbyopia despite the cataract surgery but that's as good as it will get. The conclusion is I have good long distance eye sight but need glasses for reading small print. I was advised to buy chemist glasses (2 strength) for reading. My next appointment is in October.  The news did not surprise me as I had suspected I'd need glasses for reading but all in all I am happy because my sight is now much better than before. I went straight from the hospital to the chemist shop and bought some over the counter glasses which I am now wearing as I write this post. They will help when trying to read restaurant menus or magazines at the hairdresser, not to mention the newspaper, El País which I haven't been able to read for years, even with my prescription glasses. But I won't need them for my phone, tablet or kindle as of course I enlarge the text size on all of them. 

That day our French family went to visit the mountain area outside Madrid called "La Sierra de Guadarrama". You might not know that Madrid is the highest capital in Europe with a skiing resort on its doorstep in the winter and mountains just under 2.500 m high.  They also visited La Granja de Segovia, the winter palace used and restored by Philip V of Spain (aka Duke of Anjou) the grandson of Luis XIV and the first Bourbon to rule as King. It is known as the Spanish Versailles and is well worth visiting as are its magnificent gardens. 

They took a picnic which is what we suggested. I had lunch with my men; Eladio and my Father. It was just after lunch that I got a new Airbnb reservation; that's 2 in 2 days! I then spent nearly an hour getting our internet restored 45 minutes of which were waiting on the phone to talk to someone from Movistar, our provider. It was actually really easy to fix; the router had got blocked and all I had to do was to pull out a plug and put it back in again. If only I had tried that myself rather than waiting so long on the phone. Well, I shall know for next time. We just can't be without internet here, especially because of my Airbnb guests. 

That curtailed my siesta and I didn't get to see the news either. Later Eladio and I spent time by the pool together  alone and guess what? Yep, we actually swam in our pool to cool off as Friday was quite hot. I think that was perhaps Eladio's 2nd or 3rd bathe of the summer.  Normally we would have gone out for dinner that night, it being Friday but opted to stay at home and have some of the potato salad. We will be going out a lot to dinner next week when we go to Santa Pola and celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary on 21st August. Fancy! 35 years! Our friends, Kathy and Phil will be coming to spend the week and I have booked a table at La Finca, a 1 Michelin star restaurant in Elche to celebrate.  It is much famed and we went there once with the girls many years ago. We loved it and I've always wanted to go back and there is no better place  in the area than there to celebrate our 35th anniversary in my mind.  Of course, you will hear all about it next week.  

Saturday came and will be remembered for the day Kofi Annan, the former and first black head of the United Nations and Nobel peace prize winner died aged 80. RIP. 

Kofi Annan aged 80 died yesterday

Reading the news of his death after a sudden illness, his diplomatic life was not free of scandal but on the whole I think he meant good although it must not have been easy to be the head of the United Nations. He once said that the initials of his post: "SG" (secretary general) stood for scapegoat. I can believe that. 

Yesterday morning was cool and for the first time in more than a month and a half I needed a cardigan although I took it off half way through our walk. Later I did more shopping to make sure my Father and Lucy have enough provisions while we are away. My French Airnbn family had gone to the flea market in Majadahonda. I would have liked to go to but had things to do. I do, however, look forward to going to the Gran Alacant market next Thursday with our friends to buy fruit and veg. 

My homemade and healthy version of spaghetti bolognese was on the menu for lunch yesterday which my Father loves. After our siesta we spent time in our study, hiding Pippa from Marianne, reading and writing this blog post so as to have it ready to publish this morning.  Later I would finish my book on my kindle sitting under the trees in the shadiest area by the pool while my French family bathed and enjoyed the sun 

Dinner was a simple affair; good "ibérico" ham, the remains of my potato salad and sliced tomato, one I had bought in Oviedo bathed in olive oil. Dessert for a change was fresh green figs and greengages. It's the season for them. 

Our film on Netflix last night was one about spies during the Second World War a genre we are always fascinated with. Called "Allied" it stars Brad Pitt as a Canadian spy and Marion Cotillard as a French Resistance fighter. They fall in love while posing as a married couple on a mission in Casablanca. I highly recommend it. Brad Pitt is not my favourite actor but the script was excellent and had us glued to the TV until it finished. 

The film we watched last night

Today is Sunday and I have come to the end of the tales of this week; nothing exciting, just a nice quiet week at home in August. Tomorrow we shall be off to our modest apartment in Gran Alacant near both Santa Pola and Alicante and we look forward to quality time there with our friends Phil and Kathy from Yorkshire who will be arriving on Tuesday night. You will hear all about our time there next Sunday.

So that's it for the moment folks. Hope you enjoyed reading this week's post.

Cheers till next Sunday when I shall be writing from our apartment up on the cliffs overlooking the bay of Alicante and the Arenales beach.

Masha