My father meets his great grandson, Eladio's birthday, lunch with Sophie, Democracy restored in the UK, The end of Thomas Cook, an angry Greta Thunberg, Norah is ill, more about Elliot and other stories.

Sunday 29th September 2019

The picture of the week and maybe the photo of the year - My father and Elliot meet for the first time. 4 generations in one photo. 

Dear all

We are now into Elliot's second week in this world and again this blog and many future posts will be "all about Elliot" as he is now the centre of our universe. Oli and Miguel are living in Elliot land at the moment, so concentrated are they on him they aren't following much of the news around them. I remember such times when Suzy was first born and the first month is like living in a cocoon or a bubble. We are part of that bubble I am happy to say and last Sunday Oli and Miguel  brought their newborn baby to our house for his first visit here. Hopefully it will be the first of very many as we cannot get enough of him.

After our walk, Suzy and I went to do some shopping for the family lunch and then I spent the next hour or so cooking. For the record I made meat loaf with home made tomato sauce and accompanied with pumpkin and potato pure. While we were cooking my friend Juana came to see us to drop off the perhaps the most beautiful present Elliot and Oli were to receive, a home made baby hamper made by my friend. A lot of the products were from Zara Home and Olivia loved them. This is it.

Home made baby hamper from Juana

It was lovely to see Juana and such a beautiful gesture. We are ex Nokia friends and our friendship goes back quite a few years, since 2000 when I first joined the Finnish company, It was a pity Oli wasn't home when Juana came but no doubt there will be other occasions. 

Meanwhile Oli, Miguel and little Elliot left their house for the first time since his birth as they had an appointment with the gynecologist at the hospital where he was born. Oli was pretty ravaged from the birth which was a very long and difficult one and needed examining. No doubt it will take some time for her to recover completely. On paper maternity is a rather glamorous state but in reality it can be very different.  

Elliot's first outing last Siunday

It was Elliot's first outing and he behaved beautifully all day. Basically he was peaceful and slept throughout. He had fed at 10.30 and was not fed again until well after lunch allowing his mother to eat. My father was to meet his great grandson for the first time in the flesh. I had showed him all the photos and I knew he was dying to see him. He said he was a beautiful baby and wished him a healthy, happy and constructive life. I liked his wish for a constructive life. We then had the photo taken which illustrates this post and what a photo it is. 4 generations together: the great grandfather, the grandmother, the aunt, the mother and her baby. To think my father is 100 years old and his great grandson is just days old.  Obviously this is the photo of the week or possibly the photo of the year and that's why I have chosen it as the feature photo of this post. And what a year we have had; my father turning 100, Suzy coming to stay from May to October and Elliot being born as well as the year of my book which has been one of the most important projects of my life. My most important project now is to be the best grandmother possible for little Elliot.

I was a little apprehensive about the dogs' reactions to my grandson, especially Pippa's as she doesn't like children and usually barks her head off. However, I think she must have realised instinctively that he is family and she was not worried at all, nor did she bark or try to jump up at the baby. Even so I kept a close eye on her. Poor Pips has now taken second place after Elliot but I am making up for that by treating her extra specially.

After lunch it was time for Elliot's feed so we all followed Oli up to her room to watch the spectacle because that is what it is for us. I caught Oli, the baby and Suzy and Eladio looking on and got this lovely photo.

Enjoying Elliot's feeding time

After his long feeding time, Elliiot went to sleep again. Suzy put him into his cot in Oli's room, a second cot they inherited and he went straight to sleep. Look how his Aunt prepared him for his nap:

Elliot in his cot at our house on Sunday

Once asleep that meant both Oli and Miguel could catch up on theirs and we left them to it. They were in dire need of a few hours of slumber and that's what they got.

In the early evening I sent them off for a walk as Oli has been prescribed lots of walks by her doctor which she does very slowly because of the stitches. Thus I was left in charge to baby sit my grandson. I did this with enormous joy and Suzy and I took turns to hold him. He loves being held in arms.

I later made our dinner while Suzy who can't keep her eyes off her darling nephew held him. We could have put him in his luxury pram but preferred to hold him. It was lovely to have Oli and Miguel with us for dinner and I had hoped they would stay the night so as to celebrate Eladio's birthday the next morning for breakfast but they had to go home for various logistical reasons. We would however see them on Eladio's birthday as we would celebrate it with them at dinner the next night. I didn't want to see Elliot leave but was comforted that I would see him again the next day.

We went to bed late. Eladio and I started watching Patriot on Netflix but it's not our thing.

I was awake at 7 am on Monday, Eladio's 75th birthday. How could he possibly be turning 75 I thought? I have known him now for 40 years as we met when he was 35 (I was 23). No way does he look it I can tell you but I'm sure he doesn't like the clock ticking so fast in his latter years. Neither do I. On the other hand, if we didn't celebrate birthdays we wouldn't be here and here we are. For once we didn't have a birthday breakfast as that would have been too much food. Of course, though, we made up for it at lunch and at dinner.

The day started with a walk. That day would be Elliot's first walk too, in his pram that is. It was a sunny day and Olivia and Miguel look as pleased as punch in a selfie he sent me. I was pleased for them. Oli says he is a little saint by day and a little devil at night. At night he keeps them awake and the "fiesta" starts and all he wants to do is feed and if he isn't at her breast he cries. They have had lots of sleepless nights this week poor things. He is at his most calm when he has skin contact. Thus he now sleeps with his parents in bed. It's not the ideal situation but if that's the only way he will sleep then it has to be. Here is a photo of the three of them in bed. It looks like a poster for a funny family film. hahaha.

This is how little Elliot likes to sleep at night

But in his pram in the morning he was fast asleep and behaving like a cherub.

Elliot's first walk

I spent the morning cooking for the birthday celebrations. For lunch I made roast lamb with all the trimmings including mint sauce made from mint from the garden. My father said it was a wonderful birthday lunch.

Roast lamb for Eladio's birthday lunch on Monday

The best moment was when we brought in the cake, or rather when we ate it as it was delicious. Covered in white chocolate it is made of sponge, lots of whipped cream and fruit. It is our favourite and we buy it from a cake shop in Boadilla called Alverán. Here is Eladio just after he blew out the candles.

The cake moment

As you can see Eladio was wearing special birthday glasses and a sash which I bought last year and now come out for all our birthdays. For his main present he got a box of tools which he himself had chosen on Amazon. I am so lucky my philosopher husband is such a good handy man.

Eladio with his new tool set. 

We all ate too much of course and a siesta was in order but not for too long for me. I had to finish preparing the dinner - oh gosh our stomachs would suffer that day and our figures. I had a doctor's appointment too so was pretty busy.

At 8 or so off we went, the three of us, to Miguel and Oli's flat with all the food and another cake - yes another cake - so that Oli could be part of her father's birthday. We were dying to see Elliot. I cannot get enough of him and neither can any of us. On arrival and as expected, little Elliot as we call him, was at Oli's breast. Suzy immediately sat down next to her and I got both girls and the little cherub's head on camera.

Suzy with Oli and Elliot

Suzy is completely in love with her little nephew I don't know what she is going to do when she returns to Indonesia as she is going to miss him so much. Afterwards we all took turns in holding him. I had to get a photo of Eladio with his darling grandson on his birthday and here they are.

Grandfather and grandson on Eladio's  birthday

As I looked at them, I just hoped, that like my father, Eladio would reach 100 and would spend as much time of his life with his grandson as is physically possible. I love the contented smile on my dear husband's face.

I, meanwhile, had to get on with preparing the dinner. I had made one of my signature dishes; potato salad with prawns and had also taken along ingredients for a big tuna salad. This is the potato salad. It was delicious and the recipe comes from my own grandfather who in turn got it from a Swiss recipe book no doubt about 100 years ago.

 Our potato salad with prawns from a family recipe.

Elliot let us eat on and off. He didn't stay still for long in his cot, far preferring skin contact so we took it turns to hold him so that Oli and Miguel could eat their meal in peace. It was Suzy who held him for longest after dinner and they practically fell asleep together. They looked like sleeping beauties in this photo Miguel took of the two of them. I love it.

Sleeping beauties

I can only hope that Suzy has a baby herself one day soon as she looks cut out for motherhood since she has met and fallen in love with Elliot.

We left reluctantly at about 11.30. Oli and Miguel were no doubt in for another sleepless night. I didn't sleep too well myself either as I forgot to take my trusted sleeping tablets.

Tuesday came and it was another sunny day. Tuesday brought with it important news. In Spain the Supreme Court ruled that Franco's body should be exhumed from the fascist site of The Valley of the Fallen. This comes 40 years after his death.  There had been a tug of war between the government and Franco's family since the socialist leader, Pedro Sánchez announced the measure when he came into power. Spain, as ever, is divided on this question but for me I think justice has been done.

My faith in British justice was restored that day too when the Supreme Court ruled that Boris Johnson's suspending of parliament was illegal. Good for Brenda Hale (Baroness Hale of Richmond), the president of the supreme, who by the way is from Yorkshire, for coming to that decision along with all the members of the court. Johnson had some very good lawyers but she wasn't buying his reasons for snatching the power from the people. For me, it's not just good news that parliament will go back to Westminster, the real news is that justice has been made and democracy restored in the UK, a democracy that frightful figure and laughing stock of Europe, the old Etonian called "Bojo", had played with. You can't play with democracy in the country that invented it although he thought he could. I have been reading more about Lady Hale who became famous overnight. She is well known, apparently for her animal brooches, and that day when she read the sentence she was wearing a large spider brooch which was an immediate hit on twitter. Some people referred to her as the black widow. I think she is very brave and love her grit which no doubt "hails" from her Yorkshire roots. 

Lady Hale reading the historic ruling yesterday wearing a spider brooch

After the ruling, people were calling for Boris Johnson's head, as he cut short his visit to the UN and returned to the UK. Meanwhile, John Bercow, the speaker I am so fond of, called for MPs to return to Parliament the next day. I personally think Johnson should resign. British politics is in chaos.

The other big news from the UK was about the second biggest tour operator in the world and the inventor of the package tour, Thomas Cook,  which went into administration. British tourists were stranded all over the world and more than a million who had bought flights or holiday packages will have seen them cancelled. This is such a big thing for tourism in both the UK and the countries Thomas Cook tourists travel to. For me Thomas Cook is a household name, the name of the travel agency my father taught me was reputable and where he would go to buy our train tickets in Bradford and of course our travelers' checks.  A visit with my father to Thomas Cook on Broadway was always exciting because it meant we were going somewhere. My father always bought me lots of travelers' checks to cash in foreign banks for local currency as that was how people did it in those days. For me too Thomas Cook is a brand that conjures up nostalgia of my childhood.  No doubt my father will feel the same as I think it was this company where, as a young man, he too bought his tickets to travel to Scandinavia and other places in Europe. So I find it very sad that the company thanks to which we went on holiday across Europe summer after summer when I was a teenager, has just disappeared from the map. I fell sorry for both the staff who will have lost their jobs and for anyone stranded or with a flight cancelled. Tuesday was very bad news for the tourism industry.

The end of Thomas Cook

Tuesday was certainly a day of big news. On the home front, Oli and Miguel had taken little Elliot for his first doctor's appointment after his birth just one week before. They go to the clinic near us so paid us a surprise visit afterwards. I was delighted to see them again. They came just as we were about to leave for Madrid for lunch with my cousin Sophie and her partner Olivier, so I left feeling a bit divided really wanting to stay. But we had to go.

Sophie is one of my cousin Masha's four daughters who all live in France. Masha is the daughter of my mother's first cousin on my maternal grandmother's side, confusingly also called Masha hahaha. I see Sophie every year at the cousinade and I also know her from before when as a teenager she came here in an exchange visit with one of my Spanish nieces. Sophie, aged 28, works in communication in the French administration in Paris and Olivier must be an electrical engineer as he works in the electricity industry. They had been on holiday in Spain where they visited the mountainous area in between Leon and Asturias known as the peaks of Europe (Picos de Europa). From Asturias they traveled to Madrid and from Madrid would go to Valencia before heading back to France today. I had booked a table at the rather chic and in restaurant called Ten con Ten in the posh street of Ayala in the more upmarket part of El Barrio de Salamanca near where we used to live when we got married, although our house was in the poorer part. There was valet parking thank goodness as otherwise we would have had to go by public transport. We had a very civilised lunch in a very civilised place and it was nice to go out into town and also to be accompanied by my husband who is usually reluctant to leave our gorgeous home hahaha. The food at Ten con Ten is delicious and beautifully served too. We had artichokes to start with - my favourite veg - and both Sophie and I had the oxtail burger. Being on a "diet" I should have skipped "pudding " but when I saw they had pistachio ice cream on their dessert menu I just couldn't resist it. And here we are sitting at our table after lunch together on Tuesday.

Lunch with Sophie and Olivier on Tuesday in Madrid

It was great to see my cousin and her partner. We parted with a big hug at around 4 something and headed home. I was very happy to see that Oli and Miguel and of course little Elliot were still there and rushed up to my daughter's room to see them. It was time for Elliot's umpteenth feed that day and I was happy to sit on the bed and watch. Pippa wanted to watch too. As I said, I had been wary of how our miniature dachshund who generally hates children, would react to Elliot but I was in for a pleasant surprise. She was mostly curious and just wanted to be part of what the group was doing. So I lifted her up on the bed with me and held her while Elliot fed. Suzy was with us and took one look and said "Mummy and her baby and Oli and her baby" and took a snapshot. We did laugh as I hope you will too when you see the photo below.

Me and my baby and Olivia and her baby - at home on Tuesday

It was  a very funny moment. The doctor had pronounced Elliot very healthy but had said he needed a bit of sun and fresh air as he hadn't been out much since his birth. Thus at around 7 and before sunset, the new family left in their car with all the baby paraphernalia and headed for the park in Boadilla near the palace. Miguel later sent this lovely photo of Oli and baby in the pram against the sunset with the palace in the background. It's quite a stunning picture.

A stunning photo of Oli and her baby in the pram against the palace and just as the sun set on Tuesday afternoon

When they left, Eladio and I were alone with the dogs as Suzy had gone out too, to one of her private English lessons. I took the time to watch the 16 year old Greta Thunberg's tearful and angry speech at the UN this week which if you haven't seen I urge you to do so. With tears in her eyes and clear but halting English this new icon for climate change told her audience that what she was doing was not right. She said she should be back at school and that they should be doing their job. Her words were very strong. Here is just one quote from her amazing speech: "People are suffering, people are dying, entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of mass extinction and all you talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth". At many points in her speech she said "how dare you?" She also said: "You have stolen my childhood and my dreams with your empty words" and hopefully shamed her audience and the world. This girl is a new wonder as it it thanks to her that the world is waking up to the dangers of climate change and that time is running out. One person who she has not shamed is Donald Trump who stupidly doesn't believe in climate change despite the scientific evidence. He was at her speech too, ignored her and later posted a mocking tweet about this young girl, who if he listened, could teach him a real lesson. This was it:  "She seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. So nice to see! Later Greta changed her twitter profile bio to reflect these mocking words. That was the best response she could have given him. It's amazing how many detractors she has who troll her on internet. It's quite amazing too how a 16 year old with plaits trying to save the planet can inspire such rage. The truth behind this is that she scares them and all that she stands for, youth, determination and change. I can only thank her for what she is doing.

An angry Greta Thunberg during her speech on Monday at the UN in New York

Both Eladio and I are very impressed with her and think she deserves a Nobel prize for her work.  However, there is a side to her that unsettles me a bit. Some people say that the people driving her are her parents but it seems, if what I read is true, that it is the other way around. She has forced her parents to go vegan and her mother to give up her job. That sounds a bit like bullying to me. Her mother was an opera singer and used to fly a lot. Greta is against flying because of the carbon emissions. But how else I ask can we get around the world. Are we supposed to stop traveling?  My daughter is vegan and vegetarian, depending on the moment and she hasn't bullied me into anything although she does often make comments about our eating meat, etc. As parents we should not accept mandates from our children in general.  We discussed the new climate star and the day's news over a quick and quiet dinner on the terrace that night. Suzy joined us after her lessons and then I spent at least an hour catching up with her before going to bed. She only has one month to go before leaving again for Bali which she now considers her home and I am going to miss her.

Wednesday came and brought with it more wonderful sunshine. We are in for a lovely sunny and warm spell after all the rain. Norah our beagle was a bit off and wasn't eating but amazingly wanted to come on our walk. We observed her all day - she wouldn't eat - and decided that if she wasn't better by the end of the day we would take her to the vet. 

Wednesday was a very quiet day and one of the only days we hadn't seen Elliot since his birth. I get updates each morning from Oli on how the nights have been. Her conclusion, once again is that little Elliot is a little saint during the day and a little devil at night. Thus Oli and Miguel get very little sleep. Well, we've all been there haven't we? I always ask for a morning photo and this was Wednesday's.

Little Elliot on Wednesday morning

Parliament was back in session in the UK after the supreme court's historic ruling and Boris Johnson was on his way home from New York. There was total chaos at Westminster and no one knows really what the outcome will be. There were calls for the PM to resign which he has refused to do. He called for General Elections which Labour refuse to back and others. This is because they want an extension with the EU to happen before elections are called so as to avoid leaving the EU without a deal. It really is one big shambles and each day there are new twists and turns.  That day had me thinking again that when Britain leaves the EU, with our without a deal, I shall most probably have to apply for Spanish nationality, something I will be forced to do rather than  voluntarily. That makes me angry. I wonder too what will happen to my father's health care which is now in the reliable hands of the Spanish health system. Will he lose that right here? If he does we will have to fork out for a private health policy which for a 100 year old will be prohibitive. I can only hope and pray that the British government comes to its senses and agrees to reciprocal rights for Spaniards in the UK which is what the Spanish government has asked for in return for offering full residency rights to Brits in Spain of whom there are many many more than Spaniards in the UK. What a mess. 

There is not much more to tell about Wednesday. Suzy was the lucky one to see Elliot that day when she went to visit Oli and her new family after her lessons. Suzy is the happiest aunt in the world. I have never had a sister and wish I did have one as sisterly love is something I have always thought was something very special. Here she is with her little nephew again. I love photos of Suzy with Elliot and the love between them which is oh so pure.

Suzy and Elliot

Thursday came. We had a guest called Sergio who was leaving that day. He had come for three nights and not once did we see him. He had been before and I don't think I saw him last time either. Two more guests were coming that day, Lorna, Andy's daughter from France and another girl, also from France (Perpignan) called Elisabeth.

Thursday was going to be a day like any other day except that it ended up being the highlight of the week as Oli, Miguel and Elliot came unexpectedly for lunch and stayed until after dinner. That meant I could feast my eyes on my darling grandson. The only downside was that in the morning I had to take Norah, our 10 year old beagle, to the vet. She hadn't been well since Tuesday and had something wrong with her "tummy" and she hadn't eaten for two days. So off I went with her alone in the car as Suzy was busy and Eladio had gone to a routine doctor's appointment. Usually she hates the car but on Thursday she sat very quietly, a sure sign she was not well.  I was lucky that I didn't have to wait too long at the vet before someone saw her. Here she is on the vet's table looking a sorry sight.

Norah at the vet on Thursday morning

After an initial exploration, an X-ray and a scan it was obvious she had some foreign object in her stomach. We had no idea what it was. But it was causing her pain and inflammation. The vet recommended that she stay in hospital and be given treatment for whatever it was to be expelled naturally. If it didn't come out, the next day she would have to be operated on. So I left the poor dog at the hospital and wouldn't know anything until the next day. Oh dear, Norah is always on the lookout for any sort of food and this was bound to happen one day. I wondered if it was a conker as the size was right, about 2cm wide.

I came home to prepare the fruit and flowers for our new guests' rooms and then took a late walk with Pippa. It was so hot I didn't make it to the end. As I was coming back, Oli wrote to say they were coming for lunch. Lunch would have been a minor affair that day as I had run out of provisions. Thus I had to do a sort of fish and loaves miracle and came up with a dish of baked salmon, mushroom sauce, rice, roast red peppers and blue cabbage with garlic. The plates looked very colourful. We had lunch late and even Suzy who finished her lessons that day at 3.10 was able to join us. We ate outside in the sun and I know my father was delighted to see little Elliot.

That morning, even more cards and parcels arrived for Oli, Miguel and Elliot from girlfriends of mine. The postman was busy that day at our house delivering all sorts of enticing looking post. That day there was a parcel from Anne, my Finnish friend who had knitted a beautiful blanket. There was also a parcel from Joanne with lots of lovely baby wear as well as lovely cards, the type you can only get in the UK. There was even one for us, as grandparents, congratulating us on the birth of our grandson. I was very touched. So was Oli who remarked that my friends must really love me. They do and I am very grateful. So thanks once again to Zuka, the girls from QE (Cris, Bea and Gloria), Sandra, Jacky, Joanne and Anne.

Oli and Miguel opened their new parcels after lunch and immediately put the new clothes to use. Here is little Elliot covered in Anne's home made colourful blanket.  He is also wearing one of Joanne's little baby caps to keep his head warm. Oli told me she had learned from the baby classes that babies always need one more layer of clothes than adults.

Elliot and his new blanket and cap

As you can see in the photo he is about to cry. He doesn't like being in his cot, far preferring the comfort of arms and especially his mother's where he can suckle to his heart's content. And that's what he did for most of the afternoon. Later I helped Oli bathe him. He doesn't like water yet either and later when he was warm and dry and clean I held him in my arms for quite a long time enjoying the bonding moments and speaking to him in English. Here he is in my arms a place I love him to be.

My babe in arms

Eladio soon joined us and took little Elliot from me to hold in his arms. I love seeing little Elliot being held by his grandfather. Oli took a photo of us together with her baby, the two doting grandparents. I love it.

The two doting grandparents with their darling grandson Elliot

This time I had nothing with which to rustle up dinner so Eladio and I went out to Carrefour to bring back delicious ingredients for dinner. Oli was delighted to see the table laid and groaning with lovely food: left over tortilla, ibérico ham and lomo, cheese, a salad, gazpacho and her favourite; croquettes. It was so warm at 9 pm (24ºc) we ate outside again. At around 10 pm, the newly formed family left with our grandson for what I hoped would be a reasonable night for the parents.

Left alone with Suzy out and the guests out too, apart from a new arrival, we went up to our quarters. We watched a documentary on stories of escape from Alcatraz and an interesting one on Japan after WW2. I had to stay awake until Elisabeth arrived at 12.15. After showing her to her room, I was able to go back to sleep.

I woke up at 6.40 on Friday morning and it was to be a quiet and sunny day. I was worried about Norah and rang the vet. I was happy to hear our naughty beagle had expelled what looked like a peach stone that very morning. Of course they had to check by doing another scan whether it was the stone that was causing the problem.

We went and did the food shopping at my least favourite supermarket, Mercadona, before heading for the vet to pick up Norah. Thankfully the clinic was not too full and we didn't have to wait very long. The scan had been completed and our beagle was given the all clear. Soon she was with us. As soon as she saw us she began to cry in her beagle voice way. Poor thing she must have missed us while being in a cage which is a horrible way for animals to be left in hospital. But thank goodness the stone had come out on its own and that she didn't need surgery. It turned out to be a nectarine stone which the vet showed us. This is what was in her stomach.

The "foreign object" in Norah's stomach

We were told that it is very unusual for something so big to come out naturally and that Norah had been very lucky. Yes, she had, but she's a very silly dog who will eat anything she finds and the whole episode cost us just under 400 euros. I wondered how on earth the stone had got into her body and could only think she may have picked up an eaten nectarine from the dustbin under the sink. It is usually kept shut tight, just because of Norah, but maybe someone had left it a little open.

So all is well that ends well and we brought Norah home. She was delighted to be back and her appetite had returned too. I gave her a bowl of rice with some meat loaf in it which she wolfed down while the other dogs looked on jealously hahaha.

That was the good news of the day. There is little else to tell on the home front. On the international and domestic front was news of a big climate strike being led by young people all over the world. As I said, people are waking up to the dangers and are goading politicians and governments to do something about it soon. The other story this week apart from depressing British politics is the process to impeach Donald Trump after news of a phone call with the Ukrainian President was leaked through a CIA whistle blower. In the call Trump is asking his Ukrainian counterpart to investigate his rival Jo Biden and his son for their involvement in some corruption case in that country. Will he be impeached? I hope so but somehow I don't think it will come to that and God forbid he will be re-elected for a second term.

On the bright side, there is always Elliot to cheer me up and keep me going. I can't get enough of him and although I didn't see him on Friday, Oli sent me photos. Here is one of him at her breast or nodding by it which is where he seems to prefer to lie down. Oh how I love this little boy.

Elliot on Friday at 10 days old

In the afternoon we had the place almost to ourselves. Our guests were out and Eladio and I, accompanied by the dogs, sat by the pool reading. The temperature reached 30ºc that day. We now have our dinners outside which we love.

Saturday came and our French student, Elisabeth, left. Oliver from the US would be coming to occupy her room that day but wouldn't arrive until past 10 pm when I would be asleep. I do hate having to leave my bed late at night to meet guests. My latest check in time is at 9 pm but often guests ignore this unfortunately.

Saturday was a lovely busy day with a visit to Elliot to make it extra special. The morning was spent on errands after our walk. We had to buy yet another new hoover  as the old one had broken down. Eladio tried to mend it but the engine was burnt. Thus we went out missing a morning at home in the sunshine. I would have loved to join Suzy in the garden. We were home for lunch though and what did I make? Ah yes, broccoli and mushroom soup followed by bean stew (fabada). I didn't have the latter owing to my careful eating these days and ate fillet steak instead.

At about 4.30, Suzy and I set off for Oli and Miguel's flat eager to visit. Eladio stayed behind wanting a quiet time and arguing he would see them today for lunch. When we got there, the girls' friend Elenita was visiting and Miguel's parents had just left. They had lots of visitors that day and little Elliot behaved perfectly. He was in Elena's arms when we arrived and she soon passed on my grandson to me. He slept throughout our visit and peacefully so against my chest which seems to be his favourite position. Here we are together enjoying grandmother and grandson time. I have to say I am the happiest grandmother in the world. Who would have believed that of me, someone who generally is not interested in babies, far preferring puppies? Ah, but he is my own flesh and blood and that is so strong there is no ignoring it.

Me again with little Elliot in my arms, the happiest grandmother in the world.

It was such wonderful weather outside, we went for a walk with Elliot for him to get a bit of vitamin D. It was my first walk with my grandson and he behaved beautifully. He might not like his cot at home but he is quite content usually in his pram or car seat. He must like the movement.

Soon we had to leave if we were to be home again on time for dinner with Eladio who likes his meal at 8.15 or approximately that time. So we left reluctantly but happy that we would see the new family the next day for lunch at home.

Again we had dinner outside because of the wonderful weather - the so-called "veranillo de San Miguel" (San Miguel summer) which comes at the end of September in Spain. It's a sort of "Indian summer". Suzy joined us but later went to stay the night with a friend.

We settled down in bed to watch more of a not too interesting series based on true facts called "Manhunt - Unabomber" until I was woken up by my latest guest, Oliver a young man from New York. He had arrived late and left early this morning so I only saw him for a few minutes. Today another young man, Noel, who is Spanish, will be coming to occupy his room. September has been very busy with Airbnb and October looks to be busy too.

I found it difficult to sleep afterwards and continued watching the series until I fell asleep at about 1 am. I was up today slightly later at 7.30 and was first in the kitchen to feed the dogs.

Today will be another lovely sunny day and you will hear all about it in next week's post.

Sorry again if I have bored you with my tales of little Elliot but I think you can forgive me can't you?

Now my friends, it's time to sign off now and get on with the day.

Cheers till next Sunday,
Masha

c
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A new member of the family. All about Elliot. Nearly everything else pales in comparison.

Sunday 22nd September 2019

Welcoming Elliot into the family

Hello everyone.

This blog post is perhaps the most important I have ever written. In this post I am welcoming a new member into our family and that doesn't happen every day. Little Elliot finally arrived and made his appearance just after midnight on Monday night at 12.41. Thus his birthday will be on 17th September.

Last Sunday we were still waiting for him and it was a very very quiet day for us at home. It rained all morning, robbing us of our walk. There were huge floods south of the city but thankfully none in our area. The country was still reeling from the dreadful floods on the south east coast.

For Spanish sport is was a glorious day, a day for celebrating. If in my previous post I had written about Nadal's 4th win at the US Open, this week I have another sporting feat to report on. Spain's basketball team won the gold medal  against Argentina at the World Cup played in China. It was their second world cup and this team, a sort of modern dream team, has a host of other medals tucked up its sleeve. I didn't watch the match, basketball not being my sort of sport but I was hugely pleased for Spain. Well done champions.

Sunday was Oli and Miguel's last day of parent freedom before Elliot arrived. They spent a lot of the day out walking. Oli was told walking could help to start labour but it didn't. Even so, they enjoyed themselves and even found blackberries to pick at a nearby field. Later Miguel made jam which they had for breakfast on Monday morning. It would be Oli's last meal until she gave birth so many hours later. She complained throughout of hunger pangs.

Miguel and Oli out picking blackberries last Sunday

Monday was Oli's big day. That morning at 8 am she was admitted into hospital to give birth. She was 10 days overdue and would have to have the birth induced. She gave birth at the public hospital in Majadahonda, Puerta de Hierro. She could have done so at a private hospital as she has the insurance for it but opted for the former. I was a bit taken aback that we couldn't visit her. For me that was unheard of. At this hospital they only let one person accompany her and it has to be the same person always. Thus we could only communicate by mobile phone. It would also mean we wouldn't be there for when he was born and not  until they were moved from their private delivery room to a normal hospital room the next day at 6 pm.

It was a difficult day for Oli and it was a difficult day for me in a different sense. I wanted to be with her and couldn't. Thankfully Miguel kept us updated all day long. At about 11.30 she was given oxycodone and that's when the contractions began and they hurt. She said she couldn't stand them poor thing. Thankfully though she was given an epidural and even though it may have slowed down labour  it was less painful. All I could do that day was think of her. I couldn't watch the TV, couldn't read, couldn't do anything. Well, actually I could do something and that was to take them food for after the birth as Oli was starving and at that time the only thing on offer at the hospital would be sandwiches from a machine. So Suzy and I prepared a picnic of Ibérico ham  which she longed for as during pregnancy no uncooked meat is allowed, together with a salad, some bread and fruit. We also stopped to buy her sushi which she was not allowed either because of the uncooked fish. We gave it all to Miguel at around 10 pm and he told us Oli still had a couple of hours to go until delivery. He told us that Oli was ready but that Elliot wasn't. 

We came home. I tried to watch something on Netflix on our newly installed smart TV but couldn't concentrate. And then, by magic, at 12.49 Miguel sent us a photo of Oli all ready for delivery. We couldn't believe it. Finally Elliot was going to arrive. The next we knew, he was there and we got our first picture. He arrived at 12.41 after a slight complication - his head was just too big to come through so the gynecologist had to resort to using some sort of spatulas to widen the exit point - and he was placed on Olivia immediately. Apparently protocol these days is to place the baby immediately on the mother's skin so there is skin contact. Only later - about 2 hours after birth - would he be washed, weighed, measured, etc.

This is his first photo which we got from Miguel 8 minutes after Elliot was born. 

Elliot with his mother just after his birth

Oli was exhausted but elated as was Miguel. There is no moment in life that can be more emotional and significant than the moment your baby is born. Oh how I wished to be there to see him. But I had to bite my nails and suffice myself with the photos. I went to wake Suzy up to tell her and I cried with joy. If I have to admit it that morning I cried with fear, worrying about the birth being induced. I had read some terrible things on google which I shouldn't have done. I prayed throughout the day for Oli and Elliot. My father did too as did my dear friend Jacky. I prayed to my mother too who I somehow felt looking down on us. Our prayers were answered. We had a bonny big boy of perfect health. Later I heard he weighed just under 4kilos and measured 53cm which is above the average. He is a very long baby with long fingers and legs. No doubt he will be tall.

Elliot being weighed 2 hours after birth

Tuesday came and it was a waiting day until Miguel, Oli and Elliot were assigned a room in the maternity ward. That meant we wouldn't see him until 6 pm. I was so frustrated. But what could I do? Not much. Oli told me that Elliot had been quite quiet and had hardly cried during the night. Both of them needed their precious sleep after the work of labour. Poor Oli was exhausted but very very happy.

All I remember about Tuesday is our visit to see Elliot and the moment we would first set our eyes on him.  I first saw him as I entered the room. He was in Miguel's arms on the sofa. But duty bound, I kissed and congratulated my daughter first. Then I gently reached out for him and picked him up myself with great care trying to remember how I did it with my own girls when they were babies. I hadn't lost my touch. I was just a little cautious. I then sat down and held him against me talking to him in English which is my mission and he was calm and did not protest. He seems to like being held a lot and by any of us. Here is my first photo with him, one I shall treasure for a long time. I had to stand up though so that his face could be captured on camera.

My first photo with Elliot

So what did I feel you might ask? Immediate intense love and emotion. It was love at first sight and I will love him always. It's a different sort of love to that with your own babies as there is not that heavy feeling of responsibility. It's a wonderful feeling.

Then it was Eladio's turn. He was a bit hesitant but I urged him on and soon he was in his grandfather's arms. Eladio didn't tell me what he thought but you can see from his eyes. He will adore this little boy always as we all will.

Eladio holiding Elliot and me holding Eladio - such bliss and such emotion it is difficult to describe

From then on it was like a photo shoot. We couldn't get enough of the darling baby who behaved perfectly throughout and when he did cry it was only for a moment. Here you can see just how big he was the day after his birth.

Elliot as he came into the world this week

It was funny to see how alert he was as if he was taking everything in. He had problems adjusting to breast feeding but by Tuesday night had learned the trick and from then on it was nearly plain sailing. He likes to be fed quite often and Olivia happily obliges.

Soon Miguel's parents arrived; Merche and Paco. We hardly know them. I had only met them once briefly. They were as happy as us but perhaps for us it was a bit more special as Elliot is our first grandchild and they already have two. Here they are with their son and new grandson.

Miguel with Elliot and his parents

Miguel doesn't get into many of the photos as he is the official photographer hahaha. Thus I took one of him specially for the occasion. Here they are, father and son. If you ask me, I think little Elliot bears a bit more of a resemblance to him than to his mother but of course it is early days. Eladio, laughingly said that the baby's ears take after his mother's hahah and that's where the resemblance ends. Funnily enough Oli thinks he resembles our side of the family - especially his little turned up nose which is so sweet.

Father and son the day after he was born

I also took the first photos of Oli, Miguel and Elliot together as no one had been able to do so before. Here they are, the happy couple and their much awaited for darling baby.

Oli. Miguel and Elliot a family now

The only person missing was Suzy who came a bit later after a class of hers. She was overjoyed, as we were to see her sister and her new nephew. She is pleased as punch to be his Auntie Suzy. She held him too and here is a lovely photo of them together.

Elliot with his Aunty Suzy

At some stage Elliot needed his nappy changing. Miguel wasn't in the room and Oli couldn't get up so I obliged. I don't think I have changed a nappy since my girls were babies but one doesn't forget. It was a pleasure to do so and no doubt I shall be doing it quite often in the future.

Oli and Miguel have everything they need for the baby so it was difficult to think of what present or presents to give them. In the end I chose a Peter Rabbit china dinner set - mug, bowl and plate, a baby's edition of the Tale of Peter Rabbit and a soft toy, Peter Rabbit and his mother. I put it all in a wicker basket and wrapped it up to take to the hospital. The girls were brought up on The Tales of Peter Rabbit and have their own china sets, so I thought Elliot should too. 

Elliot's arrival present - a Peter Rabbit set

Then between the three of us we also got her a baby and gourmet hamper from a firm called Naranjas de la China which had all sorts of enticing things including two bottles of Rioja wine. Wine was important as I knew Oli was looking forward to a bit of alcohol after the ban during pregnancy.  I was  a bit cross though to see they had forgotten to include the fruit. I rang them the next day to complain and thankfully they sent another hamper this time with the fruit only.

The hamper (without the fruit:-() from Naranjas de la China for Miguel, Oli and Elliot

Before we left at around 8.15 p.m.  we had to have a photo taken of us with little Elliot. That is the one I have chosen to illustrate this most important post, a photo of the 4 of us with the new member of our family. We left as we didn't want to exhaust poor Oli and I was sure they needed their space as they begin their life as a new family.

We were so elated when we left, I proposed we go out to dinner to celebrate. That is just what we did and ended up having a lovely meal at El Tinglado near our house.

We were home quite early at around 10.30. Finally my nerves, anxiety and frustration had left me and I was feeling happy and satisfied all round. Thus I was able to concentrate on what we were watching on Netflix and woke up the next day at just after 6.

I was rewarded with a video in the morning of little Elliot breastfeeding. He hadn't got the hang of it  when we visited but that night he learned and since then demands feeding sometimes every two hours. 

At about 8 am, my Honduran guests left and told me they were very happy with their stay. I was happy with theirs too. Unbelievably, for this time of year, we would have no new guests until Saturday, apart from Andy our semi permanent lodger of course.

There would be no walk that morning as the technician from Yoigo, my old company, was coming to change our internet provider from Movistar. Funnily enough the coverage or signal would still be from Movistar (Telefónica) as Yoigo or Másmovil doesn't have much fibre coverage itself but rents it from the main providers and then leases it to its customers. I only changed providers because it will be quite a lot cheaper than before. However the home service was not very good and trying to get someone on the phone at Yoigo customer care was a nightmare. How things have changed since I left. Today you can only speak to a machine. I needed to talk to someone as the technician was not able to fulfill my wishes of calling the wifi networks with the same names as before and with the same password. Thankfully I still have some friends at Yoigo and if it hadn't been for one of them, I would have been left high and dry and without the wifi extender working upstairs. So thank you my friend, Pepe, once again for your help. The whole process took over 3 hours so there was no walk that morning.

I showed my father all of Elliot's photos and we even had a video call with Oli so that he could see his great grandson. Hopefully he will see him for real today.  We couldn't wait to go and see him again that day and at 5.45, off we went to the hospital.  

When we arrived Miguel's brother, his wife and their two lovely boys, Ruben aged 10 and little Hugo aged 8 were there too and soon his parents arrived.  They are lovely boys by the way. We were far too many in the room and I think it was a bit too much for Oli. I now understand why the hospital rules are rather strict for visiting mothers and babies who have just been born. All the attention is on the baby and not much on the mother. However, she seems perfectly calm and contented with her darling baby. She was breastfeeding when we got there and it was such a lovely scene. Little or not so little Elliot loves his feed and can be at her breast for more than an hour each time. He slept for a while afterwards and looked a lovely little cherub in the hospital crib with his soft toy and star cushion and light starry muslin cloth that had come with the baby hamper. I took photos and photos of him. He has the perfect nose don't you think?

Little Elliot in his crib

Little Elliot sleeping after his feed

Later he woke up and I was able to pick him up and hold him to me. All I could do was hold him gently, feeling the love. I just couldn't stop looking at this little miracle of life who is my grandson and my darling daughter's baby. Oh what joy.

Me holding and adoring my grandson

Later it was Eladio's turn. I love seeing Elliot with his grandfather who is now "Grandpa" the same way we address my father who of course is now great grandpa hahaha. I was wondering this week what he should be called. There don't seem to be any usual nicknames for great grandfathers so I have come up with Grand papa. 

Eladio holding Elliot in his arms

We stayed for about 2 hours not wanting to wear out poor Oli and Miguel who were exhausted. I also think they must have felt a bit confined at the hospital even though they had a big private room but I'm sure they were dying to go home. Who wouldn't be?

Just as we were leaving, Suzy arrived from her lessons looking gorgeous by the way. She too was delighted to see little Elliot breastfeeding with no difficulty which was a relief for us all as it had taken him a while to get the hang of it. Now he knows, there is no stopping him hahaha.

Suzy stayed on and had dinner with Oli and Miguel but not from the hospital food which is boring and stodgy. We had all taken along ham, fruit, tortilla, etc and that's what they had. Once home we made  a simple dinner of omelet, ham and salad and then it was time for bed and a bit more of our latest series on Netflix called Unbelievable. I went to bed feeling happy and content. Right now I realise that Elliot is the centre of my universe and always will be, together with my family. Right now  it's all about Elliot and nearly everything else pales into comparison. He has stepped right in and taken his place deservedly and oh how we love him already.

Thursday came. We were rewarded with a lovely photo of father and son and given an update on Elliot's night. 

Father and son on Thursday morning, both refreshed from their shower and bath. 

Amazingly he had only woken them twice and slept a whole 4 hours from 4 till 8. I hoped this would continue. I do not wish them sleepless nights with a non stop crying baby. So far there have been good nights and bad.

Our routine has  changed since Elliot was born which is natural. We still went for our walk in the morning and were joined by Suzy. Oli needed me at the hospital for the awe inspiring job of my first babysitting session with my grandson as at midday she and Miguel had to register the new baby with the authorities. They had 72 hours to do it after his birth and Thursday at 14h was the deadline. Before setting off I did some quick food shopping with Eladio just to get things for lunch and in the afternoon we would do the proper weekly shopping. 

I was at the hospital by 12 but it took 10 minutes to find somewhere to park. It's such a huge place. Finally I was in their room and Oli got dressed for the first time since she was admitted to hospital on Monday. I felt so sorry for her having been confined all that time. She was longing to go home. I was left alone with my grandson for 1.5h and it was bliss. I held him in my arms the whole time. He doesn't like being laid down on his back to be dressed or have his nappy changed. All he wants is the comfort of our arms and that's what he got with me. For half the time he was awake and that morning he got his first English lesson. I spoke to him about the family, the world, his parents, what his life could be like and my words were like magic to his ears. I then sang English children's songs such as Twinkle Twinkle little star, Four and twenty black birds and recited the few nursery rhymes I remember such as Humpty Dumpty and This little pig went to market. While I sang he listened and then fell asleep. I nearly fell asleep too. It was a wonderful bonding moment with Elliot and I loved every minute of it. When Oli and Miguel came back to announce Elliot was an official new member of society, my daughter, delighted with my babysitting, took this photo of me with her baby. I look all wrinkly but I love it.

During my first baby sitting session with Elliot on Thursday

I said above it's difficult to describe my feelings. Suzy put it in a nutshell when she posted this photo on Instagram with these words: "I couldn't imagine the feeling until you arrived". Neither could I. 

Aunty Suzy with Elliot in her arms summed up her feelings about his arrival. 

In the afternoon, Oli announced they were being discharged and going home at about 5 in the afternoon. We thought they would want their peace and time alone but my daughter  insisted the three of us come that night for moral support. We were more than happy to oblige and would take dinner with us as no doubt they would be without provisions.

Elliot's first time in a car was duly reported with a photo of him strapped into his car seat. His legs are so long as you can see. Here he is not quite sure what is happening.

Elliot going home

He didn't like it at the beginning and started crying. He stopped when Miguel found a classical baby song playlist on Spotify. He does like music like most babies I suppose. Later I looked for English baby songs and sent a list to Oli. He must be brought up to speak English. It will bring him a greater advantage in life I know. 

Once home for the first time and after a feed he was put into his new cot and adjusted well by going to sleep for a few hours allowing his parents time to unpack and wind down. Oli was feeling hurt from the damned stitches, etc and a little tired. Here he is in his own cot asleep. Isn't he an angel?

Elliot in his own cot and sleeping in it for the first time

When we got there he was awake and feeding. His feeds last a whole hour and they are a sight to watch. That is maternity at its most beautiful. Soon afterwards he fell straight asleep and was put back into his cot with his musical dim light device or contraption which plays gentle music and projects stars on the ceiling above his head.  Here is the little mite already dozing off.

Our little angel

Thus we were able to have a quiet dinner together which Suzy and I made. Oli and Miguel were dying for nice healthy food after the hospital stodge and we obliged. We served fresh fish, salad and gazpacho followed by pineapple and berries.

I think Elliot wanted his "pudding" too as just at that moment he woke up suddenly and started crying and just wouldn't stop. And there we were saying he hardly cried and was a quiet little boy. We thought he had a colic but it turned out he wanted more feeding hahaha. Oli fed him for a further half an hour and then he went straight to sleep again.

We left reluctantly at around 10.30 to come home and go to bed ourselves. We were greeted by the dogs. I think poor Pippa is feeling a little neglected since Elliot's arrival. I must make up for that poor thing. 

While Elliot was going home from the hospital on Thursday, my dear friend Fátima was being operated. That afternoon she was applied a drastic treatment of chemoembolization on her kidneys, the first of three operations. It was a two hour operation but ended successfully. I would go and see her the next day. It would be very different visiting a cancer ward vs a maternity ward. What a fighter my friend is. 

Friday came and after our walk, Eladio and I drove to the Rey Juan Carlos gleaming new hospital in nearby Móstoles to visit my friend. She was in bed and looking much better than I expected. The operation had gone well but she has had a lot of pain, so much so they have to give her "Tromadol" which is an opioid and similar to morphine. It was good to see her and soon her brother came and more friends. Thus after an hour or so we made our exit. As soon as the pain has receded, she will be going home and I wish her a speedy recovery.

We then drove to Oli's GP in Villaviciosa to pick up her maternity leave document which she had to send to her employer, RTVE. Afterwards we had a nice cup of coffee in a café and sat outside. The weather was good in the morning although a huge storm was forecast for the afternoon. It wouldn't come until much later that night.

Luckily for me that day, Lucy made the lunch with my instructions, thus when we got home everything was ready. She really is a treasure and my father thinks so too.

The afternoon was spent quietly. I was reading while Eladio mowed the lawn and Suzy was out teaching. We all went to Oli's place again for dinner armed with food from home, including Lucy's tortilla.  At my demand, my daughter had sent me a little picture of dear Elliot in his cot. He is looking more beautiful every day and no longer looks red and wrinkled as all new born babies do. 

Little Elliot in his cot on Friday, just 4 days old.

As we arrived, Miguel's parents were leaving. Of course they are just as anxious to see their new grandchild which is totally understandable. Like us, they had brought food for the new family who have little time to cook.

Soon Suzy was there and just as she arrived the baby woke up and she went straight to his cot to pick him up and cuddle him. Here they are together.

Elliot with his Auntie Suzy

That morning Oli had received another Naranjas de la China hamper, this one from Cristina, Gloria and Bea from my events agency, QuintaEsencia. It was beautiful and luckily only had one repeat element from the hamper we had sent, the starry patterned muslin cloth which Oli loves and needs anyway. This was the hamper which contained a teddy bear, a little cushion, the muslin cloth, some chocolate and a vase of fresh flowers, all in a lovely basked which she uses for Elliot's nappies. 

The hamper "the girls", Cris, Bea and Gloria sent to Oli

Being the good boy he is, Elliot let us have our dinner sleeping peacefully and only woke up after we had finished when he wanted another feed. With Suzy's help, Oli settled down on the sofa with him and I had to have this lovely scene of my daughters with Elliot on camera. I can hardly believe they are now a mother and and aunt. How time has flown. 

The two sisters, our daughters, with Elliot. I can hardly believe they are now a mother and an aunt

I had an interesting conversation with Oli in the morning. She was thanking me for all our help to which I replied she didn't have to thank me as that's what mothers are for. I said that now she is a mother she can finally understand what a mother's love means and that I love her and Suzy just as much as she loves Elliot. She totally agreed that this was only possible for her to understand now that she is a mother herself. Thus when I hear women say they don't want to have a baby, they do not know what they are saying as only when you have one do you understand. 

Just as I had taken the photo above, a thunderstorm began. When we had set off from home, Eladio commented he had read the Civil Guard had warned people to think twice before they used their car on Friday because of the storm. But nothing was stopping me from going to see Elliot so we went. But due to the storm we had to leave early at around 9 pm when it began to look threatening. We had to run to our cars as by then it was raining hard. It would rain even harder on our journey home and was a little scary. Thankfully it was over by the time we got back. It was a bit like a storm in a tea cup but of course could have been worse. But it was no storm in a tea cup in other areas of Spain such as Gerona or Albacete which were completely flooded.

Saturday came and we were able to go on our walk before the rain reappeared. The morning was busy. We had to get ready for our new guests, 3 young Indians and a Dutch girl -  delightful couples who came hoping to use the pool and barbecue despite the weather. Well it did rain all afternoon and even so they were in and out of the water believe it or not.

We heard from Oli that they had had their worst night since Elliot was born. He seems to think night is day and day is night and poor Oli and Miguel get very little sleep. Sometimes they fall asleep with him. Oli sent me a photo of her partner and their baby sleeping together. He prefers body contact to his cot unfortunately. No doubt the first month is always the most difficult when a new baby comes into one's life.

Elliot and Miguel sleeping during the day

Elliot likes his food too. At 4 kilos he seems to want to eat all the time and for long periods. Here he is with his mother suckling away. Poor Oli says she loves it but feels like a cow hahaha. Well, that is nature. Perhaps Elliot has taken after his father. He told us that when he was little all he wanted to do was eat and would cry in between spoonfuls not liking the gap in between eating hahaha.

Elliot feeding

She looks beautiful although of course she is still ravaged from the long and difficult birth she experienced on Monday.

Yesterday the end of the umbilical cord fell which is quite quick after only 4 or 5 days of life. Here is Oli showing the evidence.

Oli and Elliot 

On Saturday we only saw Elliot through photos. We had been going every day to their flat and the young couple and their baby need their space. However I think they are coming today for lunch and finally my father will set eyes on his great grandson.

Saturday was an important day for Elliot's future although he didn't know it. Led by the 16 year old Swedish girl, Greta Thunberg who was in the HQ of the UN in New York to talk at the first global young people's summit on climate change, a series of mass demonstrations took place around the globe. They are campaigning for the worlds' leaders to reverse the dangers and take action now. This young girl who started her campaign a few years ago by skipping school on Fridays and demonstrating outside her country''s parliament week in, week out, has amazingly made her voice heard and globally too. Good for her. If it takes school children to give governments a lesson, then they need to do their homework.

Greta Thunberg in a photo from a past climate change demonstration. She is doing so much good for the world

So, no we didn't see Elliot and we had a very quiet day. It rained all afternoon and I spent the time reading with the dogs while our guests were on the rather cool terrace by the pool.

We had dinner with Suzy - my favourite; prawn and mango salad - then it was time for bed. We didn't find anything enthralling to watch on Netflix or Amazon Prime and so we we switched off our light quite early last night.

This morning I was up at 5.45 and tried to sleep on but my mind was too awake to stay in bed so I got up. Today we will have a big family lunch and Elliot will be coming to our house for the first time. I can't wait to see my father's face when he sees him. No doubt there will be lots of photos to share. So I shall be boring you with more stories about my dearest little grandson from now until I am no longer here as he has become, as I wrote above, the centre of my universe.

Today is the first day of autumn and it will be an autumnal day too I think. It is raining now and I just hope it clears later so that we can go on our walk.

Now my friends I have come to the end of this week's blog where I have reported on the most exciting news in many years - the birth of our first grandson Elliot. I can only wish him a happy life and many moments with his family.

Cheers my friends till next Sunday
Masha