First Whatsapp photo from Elliot, picaresque behaviour in Spain, The Hague Apostille, vaccine delivery row in the EU, Olivia in blue, our weekly treat, Sutton Hoo burial site in Surrey and other stories.

Sunday 31st January, 2021

My treat of the week - coffee out with Eladio

Good morning all. 

How has your week been in this Covid battered world we live in? It's still getting me down. A surprise Whatsapp  brought a smile to my face though  early last Sunday. I got what I thought was a photo from my daughter Olivia of Elliot at his nursery. I thanked her for it. A while later she told me she hadn't sent the photo but that her 16 month old son had! Do you hear that? My toddler grandson had mastered the art of sending a photo on whatsapp to his grandmother. If he can do that at this age what will he be able to do when he is 5 years old I wondered to myself? I had already seen him accessing Netflix and You Tube or pressing the play button, sending audios and making random video calls so I shouldn't have been surprised but I was. He has mastered the mobile phone before talking or feeding himself with a spoon although he soon will.  Babies today and children are true digital natives. This 16 month old is able to navigate the internet the way some people in their 70's and 80's cannot. This is the photo he sent by the way. 

Elliot's first Whatsapp photo sent to me (here at his nursery)

I was amazed but amused. His photo did a good job improving my mood after scouring the papers last Sunday. The only news in Spain is Covid (the rise of and lack of vaccines), the upcoming Catalan elections and also the way some authorities are skipping the vaccine queue. This includes the head of the Spanish Armed Forces who was forced to resign. 

It's such a Spanish thing to cheat the authorities and society and get away with it.    It's called "picaresque" (picaresco) and has its origins in the figure of a "pícaro"from 16th century Spanish literature. The behaviour of a picaresque, using his wits in a corrupt society, stops just short of criminality, thus its popularity. A "pícaro" is a rogue or rascal and trickster but also an appealing sort of hero who lives by his wits.   The two most famous novels of this genre are Lazarillo de Tormes and El Buscón, both of which I read when I studied Spanish at Nottingham University. Rogues of the type described in these books were referred to as "pícaros" and the word entered the Spanish language to describe their anti social behaviour, their distrust for institutions and desire to beat the system. The picaresque genre is not exclusive to Spain although it was born here. I didn't know it but Charles Dickens' first novel, The Pickwick Papers is considered a picaresque novel too as is Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn.  The issues  picaresque novel's heroes have to face are still those we face today; the power of politicians, the church and the power of the economic elite on the masses. 

Definition of the Picaresque novel - image is of Huckleberry Finn

Basically a "pícaro" is someone who lives by his wits  and tries to climb the social ladder sometimes through the old boy system (just as ingrained in Spain) and illicitly too but without being caught.  There are plenty of them in Spain, such as Spain's now former head of the Armed Forces. Spaniards, in general - not all of course -  love flouting rules and not getting caught. It's the national sport and possibly a trait that although sometimes endearing it is what has brought so much corruption to this otherwise wonderful country. If you live in Spain for a long time, like me, it's difficult not to get infected by picaresque behaviour as very often it is not even frowned upon, quite the opposite it can be applauded.  Few people are free of it. It's part of the fabric of this society and probably not exclusive to Spain.  Things are changing though and picaresque behaviour from those in powerful positions is now highly criticised even from people who at their level of society are also "pícaros" which is rather hypocritical. 

My day was not picaresque, it was very quiet and boring. We so miss our travels to the four corners of Spain and abroad. It was frustrating that day to see the temperature rising to 24ºc in Alicante near where we have our apartment by the sea and which we can't go to. It would get higher as the week progressed. But we did have some sun that we enjoyed on our morning walk with Pippa and Norah. I made a lovely lunch "from scratch" as it is called these days -. all my meals are made from scratch - cream of asparagus and mushroom soup followed by meat balls with more veg. 

The house felt quiet without Oli and her family and I hardly saw our guests. I did see Felipe, our Russian born guest, though when he met Zena, our Ukrainian born weekend carer. I remarked to him just how international our house is when I caught the two of them chatting away in Russian. It is an international house just as my childhood home in Bradford was.

On Monday I had a reason to leave the house. Hurray. No, not really,  as I was going to a doctor's appointment. It was at 12.20 in Pozuelo at the big private hospital, Quirón. So there was time for our walk beforehand and for getting lunch ready. It was nice to get out but I am wary of going to hospitals for obvious reasons. I had an appointment with a dermatologist who I should have seen a long time ago but had either put it off or couldn't go because of Covid. I wanted her to see a mouth ulcer which I have now had since the summer of 2019, a year and a half ago. Another dermatologist saw it about 6 months ago but wasn't concerned. He gave me some mouth gel which didn't work and asked me to do a blood test. I took the blood test results with me to the appointment on Monday. The skin doctor took one look and said she didn't think it was a mouth ulcer but a sort of lesion. She ordered me to get an appointment with the maxillofacial department to have a biopsy performed.  I duly got one for 5th February.   While there I mentioned my brother George had died of melanoma and she assured me the lesion was not that. She did, though, take a look at my whole body for any possible marks and thankfully didn't find any. I did my very best not to linger over negative thoughts for the rest of the day and until my next appointment. 

Every Monday afternoon I have a skype call with my dear school friend Amanda. The topics of our conversation are nearly always the same; Brexit, Covid and the change in President in the US. We are on the same page on all these topics so we are often a comfort to each other. The rest of the time I spent continuing to watch (for the second time), When Calls the Heart, that soppy romantic TV series set in Canada in the early part of the 20th century. It's so comforting to watch and keeps my mind off any negative thoughts.

Both Eladio and I agreed as we watched the evening news just how depressing the news is. We refer to Covid of course. We were all so thrilled a vaccine was coming but now our hopes have been somewhat dashed as we are being told that a vaccine won't stop us passing on the virus. Does this really mean we shall have to continue social distancing and all the other anti measures and for how long? When will we get our lives back as they were before? I shouldn't harp on about Covid and our lives right now but we are living through a once in a lifetime historic pandemic which affects us all and it's difficult to ignore it. 

Tuesday came and another guest, Adrian (a tatooist!) was coming. That day we would have 3 guests under our roof. Felipe, our Russian born guest, has prolonged his stay for another 10 days and we are happy to have him. He is a pleasure to host. Very surprisingly on Wednesday he kindly gave me a Russian icon and two plates. They must have come from his family home and I was very touched. 

Facebook reminded met that 3 years ago that day we were in Manchester. Oli had been sent by her TV programme and we decided to join her and Suzy too who, at the time, was living in London. What a wonderful reunion that was. 

In Manchester with the girls 3 years ago this week. Oh how I long to be able to travel again.

Not that Manchester is a very luring tourist location but it was a great few days together. As a child we lived not too far and my father would take us to that dark industrial and rather grim city to the family dentist,  Mr. Carr. It was on one of those journeys I learned one of the greatest lessons in my life. Seeing a row of  run down Victorian terrace houses I pointed out how ugly they were. My father replied that he always looked for the beautiful things and not the ugly ones and that very often there was something beautiful to be found in ugly things. He is so right and his positive attitude is something I have always tried to emulate. But is there anything beautiful in this ugly Pandemic? Well, maybe the fact that we have gone back to basics, spending time at home with our loved ones. Another good thing to come out of lockdown, for me, at least, is my frequent communication with friends on skype, facetime, whatsapp, etc. On Tuesday I was looking forward to another call with our dear friends Kathy and Phil who live in Keighley. I remember spending a lovely few days with them before meeting up with the girls in Manchester. Those were the days. It's Phil's birthday today by the way so I am happy to send him greetings for today from here. Happy Birthday Phil. Hope you have a great day. Enjoy Kathy's Victorian sponge cake I know she is making for you. 

But there was no good news about Covid that day. The total number of infections reported worldwide had reached over 100 million, 25% of them coming from the US. 19 countries were reported  to have reached over 1 million infections, including both Spain and the UK.  Tuesday was the day that the UK passed the 100.000 death toll.  In Spain I read in The Local that "Spain's infection rate at 884.7 cases per 100,000 has now overtaken the United Kingdom (862.9) and is only behind Portugal (1,484), Czech Republic (1,010.4) and Ireland (926.9). Oh God I thought we are doing so badly. As if that wasn't bad enough, vaccines are not being delivered as promised by the three main pharma companies, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna.  This caused a commotion in the EU and the UK. The companies hit back by saying the UK had secured their contracts weeks before the EU. Who knows? The reality is that there are not enough to go round. I had proof of this when I wrote to my father's GP asking for the second time when he would be getting his vaccine. She replied the roll out was on hold which confirmed to me that there are not enough supplies to go around. She assured me he would be one of the first on the list. The above figures came midweek. Today, on this last day of January, the world wide figures now stand at: 103.167.644 infections  and 2.230.217   deaths, up from 99.338.987 infections and 2.230.217  deaths last Sunday.

It's not going away is it? We were so full of hope when they announced the vaccines but a) there are not enough to go round, b) we are now hearing that people who are vaccinated may still pass on the infection and c) the current vaccines may not work on the new variants from the UK, South Africa and Brazil. So, we shall be socially distancing and living in virtual house arrest (aka lockdown) for the foreseeable future. In the UK there was a new measure introduced for people travelling to the UK to be put into forced lockdown at hotels paid for by them, for 10 days. Imagine!!!! 

Tuesday was not a good day on a personal level either. I was just sitting down to a delicious lunch of my home made bean stew ("fabada") when I received a call from my lawyer who was due to submit my papers for Spanish nationality the next day. She rang to tell me she thought my last and most important document  -the Criminal Record Check issued through the UK Ministry of Justice - was most probably not valid as the paper had been issued in December and the UK left the EU on 31st of the month. Core blimey was my reaction and thank you once again Brexit.  The only way out was  to get the DBS Criminal Record declaration I had received from the UK legalised in the UK, as if it wasn't legal. To do so I would have to move fast as the document is only valid for 3 months. To be legalised it would need the Hague Apostille (fyi this is what it means: "An Apostille is a French word meaning certification. The Apostille is attached to your original document to verify it is legitimate and authentic so it will be accepted in other countries who are members of the Hague Apostille Convention."). I had already gone through this process to get the Apostille on my birth certificate so quickly found a service based in the UK online. 

The Apostille on my birth certificate

I paid 104 pounds in quite a complicated process and the next day I would send off the document for it to be legalised with the Apostille in Coventry of all places and returned to me. Once it is legalised it will have to be translated here by a "traductor jurado" ( a sworn translator) for a further 70 euros.  Will there ever be an end to this mind boggling paperwork needed to get Spanish nationality? It must be similar to the mind boggling paperwork now needed for the UK to trade with the EU post Brexit. 

I did not expect this paperwork obstacle  on Tuesday and it frustrated me, not to mention that it interrupted lunch with my father and Eladio. My appetite went as soon as I received the phone call from my lawyer. 

The afternoon was better and was cheered up by a Facetime call with my friends Kathy and Phil, in lockdown in my beloved Yorkshire. The three of us are in our 60's and we spent a good part of our 1.5h call talking about our ails, aches and pains. I remarked that our conversation was centred on old people like conversation and we should try to change the topic. It's difficult not to talk about Covid and Brexit when talking to my English friends, although we tried. 

The day ended watching a very interesting film called Septembers of Shiraz. Starring Adrien Brody of The Pianist fame  it is  about a rich Jewish family living in Iran during the revolution of 1979 after the toppling of the Shah. I well remember those times but it must have been awful for those living there seeing their "normal lives" being turned upside down and turning into a society dominated by  Islamic fundamentalism. 

Wednesday dawned and that morning I received an envelope from my friend Anne in Finland. Guess what it was and when it was sent? A Christmas card posted on 11th December which arrived on 27th January. What sort of postal service is that I wonder? My friend Anne told me the postal service in Finland was a joke. Well it's a joke too in Spain so the too combined resulted in a Christmas card taking a month and a half to cross Europe.

That's why I sent off my Criminal Records Check by Courier that morning and not by post. I needed it to get to Coventry as soon as possible. That was one of our errands that morning after Eladio took Elsa to the vet for the umpteenth time. The mouth infection is lingering on so she needs to continue with antibiotics. However the trauma vet advised operating her knee next Wednesday. Poor Elsa, our lovely and noble 9 year old lab, has suffered so much. Her muscle mass had decreased and that has to be because she hasn't had any exercise. After delivering the document to the Courier (MRW) at a cost of 56 euros to add to the other costs - God knows how much I have paid so far to get documents for Spanish nationality (and there is more to come) -  we went to BM, an upmarket supermarket to get some good steak for lunch. Oli was coming and I hadn't prepared anything. Then it was time to visit the chemist to get my father's medicines and to make sure his Doctor had updated the doses to be included in his electronic prescriptions. Thankfully she had. Before heading home we had a coffee outside (and a "porra" .- thick churro). We had it in the sun as on Wednesday mercury reached 20c in Madrid. We mused how lucky we were to be sitting outside having a coffee in the sun and not having been touched yet by Covid, except for restrictions. We mused too about the restrictions which in our case are much more bearable because we live in a big house in a leafy neighbourhood. I feel so sorry for people cramped in small flats in urban areas.

If I was busy, Oli was even busier. My TV reporter daughter has to be exhausted getting up at 5 in the morning and never getting enough sleep,  looking after a 16 month old baby and then having to prepare news and report on it live. To do so she has to be as alert as possible and that can't be easy. I watch her every morning, mostly from my iPad while reading the news or writing this blog and I still get a thrill. That morning she reported on the government cabinet reshuffle as well as the earthquake and hundreds of tremors in the Granada region. It's most unusual for Spain to suffer earthquakes - this one reached 4.4 on the Richter scale - so  was big news. The poor villagers of Santa Fé, the epicentre, who have suffered more than 700 tremors, have been sleeping outside for days now. 

Oli reporting live on Wednesday. I always love to watch her

It was a pleasure to have her for lunch that day. It's not often we have her on her own. She couldn't stay long though as at 2.30 she had to leave to join Miguel and little Elliot for two house viewing appointments not so far from here. It's so exciting that they are house hunting and I do hope they end up living near us. 

The house was very quiet after that. I never saw Sam, our Swedish Turkish guest, who left early the next morning. But I am very grateful to him for leaving me a 5 star glowing review, bless him. I didn't see Adrian our tatooist either who always keeps himself to himself and only briefly caught up with Felipe. Our house is so big I don't even think our guests ever met. 

It was a very relaxing afternoon and evening until I got a call from my lawyer (again) vs a vs getting an appointment to pick up our new post Brexit residency cards which should be available from 1st March - remember when I had to take my father to apply for them a few months ago?  That took up a good two hours and spoiled my dinner. On the bright side I got an appointment for next week. Thankfully this time I don't have to take my father as he was excused from the finger printing for the card because of his age. I doubt there is much impression on his fingers at this late stage in his life. Cross your fingers though that the cards are there and I don't have to go back and get another appointment. 

Our evening finished watching a rather silly film on Netflix which I do not recommend called "What we wanted" about a couple who couldn't have a baby. 

Thursday came. The main news that day and most of the week was the lack of vaccines in Europe, partly due to problems with production lines.  This has caused a big disparity in the roll out of vaccines in the EU vs the UK.  In the EU the roll out is slow because of lack of supplies which the companies, apparently committed to in their contracts. 

Both pharma companies Pfizer and AstroZeneca can't fulfill their contract requirements and this caused a huge hooha for all concerned. However the UK seems to have enough or more for all its population. The EU made a global order for all members but three months or so later than the UK. It should be added that the former is  complaining but didn't actually approve the Oxford made vaccine until Friday when the row emerging came to its climax. The week ended with the EU confirming new vaccine export controls from the block. It initially included Northern Ireland but then the EU backtracked. So the delivery supply of vaccines turned into a full blown diplomatic and political row; something we do not need.  There are so many ins and outs and details in this confrontation between the EU and the Pharma companies, it is impossible to sum them up here. For me it boils down to two factors; teething problems with production and roll out and the difference in the contracts signed between parties. We should not be fighting against each other, we should be rowing in the same direction as we are all in this together and are equally affected.  I have hope though that the teething problems will sort themselves out and that soon there will be more vaccines on the market, such as the promising UK made Novavax and Johnson and Johnson's which may be with us by spring or summer. 

It's the "rich countries" fighting about not having enough vaccines, while the third world countries aren't even in the discussion and should be as it's the whole world that needs to be vaccinated if we are to eradicate Covid 19. I am  disgusted at some people's selfish behaviour when it comes to jumping the queue to get a vaccine but  I was outraged to read this week about "luxury Covid-19 vaccine vacations" for the super rich. There are companies out there offering ultra luxury holidays to places like Dubai or India to receive the vaccine in packages costing around 55.000 euros. Flights are on private planes  to avoid travel restrictions and families enjoy a month's pampered accommodation while they wait for their second dose. These unethical and selfish rich people should spend their money, not on getting their vaccine while sunning themselves in some exotic location, but on helping others who are really suffering. I read somewhere that the top 5 or 10 richest people in the world could pay for all the vaccines and it would hardly make a hole in their pockets. 

Our topic of conversation at lunch, when we had the pleasure of Oli's company again, centred on the vaccine issue. Being a news journalist Oli has the latest news of course. We missed Elliot and couldn't wait to see him again. We also talked about the weather. Would you believe that mercury reached 30ºc in Alicante that day? Oh how we would love to go our apartment there to enjoy the beach and sun but we can't. What a difference in temperatures from just a few weeks ago during Storm Filomena when in some parts of Spain mercury went as low as -30ºc. That's a difference of 60º in just 2 weeks and is scary if it is because of climate change.

On the subject of  high temperatures, Suzy enjoys the high 20ºs every day and spends a lot of time on the beach in Jaco, Costa Rica which she refers to as "her office". She hangs out at a beach bar which has wifi and we spoke to her on skype that day and admired her office. She also sings there and plays her ukelele some nights. Good for her. She was in good spirits and seemed at peace with herself. She wants us to visit and we want to go too but that cannot be for a long time. Apart from kick boxing and yoga she is now taking up "skate". Wow. While on the call she introduced us to a "friend", a horse owner who offers rides on the beach. You may remember I showed you a photo of her on a horse a week or so ago. I told her to take the opportunity to learn how to ride a horse; something I have wanted to do all my life as horses are probably my favourite animal. She is not so keen. She is though keen to show Eladio, if we ever go out there, the crocodiles in the rivers. Apparently it is impossible to swim in rivers because of them. She also told us she had seen a family of whales on her beach and that there are sharks in the water not far from the beach she goes to. If I ever go I shall not venture into water of any kind apart from a shower, hahahaha. It was good to talk to Suzy, something we should do more often. It seems she is now pining less for Bali and is enjoying life in Costa Rica. I'm glad she is settling down. 

Finally it was Friday, the last day of the week, a week more or less the same as all the other weeks since the restrictions began at the end of October. As usual I watched Oli on the TV. That day as on many other days she was doing a presenter's job and her topics were varied. I watch her and often take screen shots like this one of her where she is wearing blue against the blue EU flag. I think she was reporting on the damned vaccine mess. I share these photos with my family on whatsapp. This is the one I took.

Oli in blue on Friday

Eladio was amused when he saw it and wrote "tengo una muñeca vestida de xxxx". He was referring to a children's Spanish song which starts "tengo una muñeca vestida de azul". It means "I have a doll wearing blue". His "muñeca" (doll) was his daughter. I loved his funny comment. Later I told Oli she looked good in blue. She wasn't sure but had to trust her stylist. One of the perks of her job is having a stylist, a makeup artist and a  hair dresser, something I would die for. Wouldn't you? 

That morning, believe it or not, I received the latest manuscript of the biography of my father from my publisher in London. 

Some news from my publisher on my father's book this week. It is going at slower than snail pace.

I hadn't heard from then since October 16th when I sent in 4 minor changes. Why has it taken so long to include them? Thankfully this manuscript looks like it is the last. But it's anyone's bet now on when it will hit the shops or rather online bookstores. It is still on Amazon though if you are interested. This is the UK link but you can find it on any Amazon site. 

That at least was some good news and nothing to do with Covid. That morning we went on our weekly trip to the supermarket. It has become our main entertainment. The impact of the pandemic on daily life has turned normal routine activities into something special. What is special about doing the weekly shopping, something I used to hate?  It is now the one thing I look forward to in the week. We turn it into something even more special when we have a coffee together afterwards. Luckily the bars and restaurants are still open albeit with restrictions. They are closed from 9 pm which means of course we can no longer enjoy our Friday evening dinners out. So our weekly treat has now become our weekly coffee out. We always go to a "churros" café and there we enjoy a cup of coffee, a churro for Eladio and the thicker porra type for me. I love that moment. It really is the treat of our week. Actually we did it twice this week (naughty). It's the only time we feel that life is still a little bit normal. Having no particular feature photo for this week's post as we haven't done anything special, apart from this, I got Eladio to take a photo of me to illustrate this post. I hesitated whether to keep my mask on or not for the photo and decided to wear it as it is a symbol of our times. 

On the subject of masks there has been much debate this week about which are the most effective. We have always worn the surgical ones but apparently they only protect other people and not yourself. The recommended ones are the FFP2 type. I was persuaded by the argument and decided to make an order on Amazon before they run out as no doubt they will. Many people have turned the mask into a fashion item but they don't protect as well. I hate the mask so much I don't ever want to wear it for fashion or to match my clothes. I don't care too much about my clothes these days. I generally wear jeans or joggers with a jumper, don't bother with makeup or even jewelry. The only jewelry I wear is my watch and my wedding ring. I do though put on a splash of perfume most days. One sign of the effects of the pandemic is my foundation bottle. Oli bought me one for Christmas 2019 which is almost new. Why bother with makeup when there is nowhere to go apart from the supermarket? I do sometimes put on lipstick but then wonder why if no one is going to see it under the mask? Oh boy!!!

Not much else happened on Friday that is worth reporting, except perhaps to tell you we watched the latest Netflix film, The Dig. Sandra, my friend in Brussels, recommended it. The film is based on the true story of the excavation of an Anglo Saxen  burial site in Sutton Hoo in Surrey (UK), believed to be that of a 7th century warrior King along with his fabulous treasures.  I had never heard of the find nor of Sutton Hoo  but read that it had changed historians' view of early medieval Britain. The site is often referred to as England's valley of the Kings. I must visit one day. The dig happened in 1939 on the cusp of WW2. Here is a scene from the excavation.

The real dig - 1938, Sutton Hoo, Surrey, UK

Wanting to know more about it, I "dug" into the internet and read the following:

At its centre was a ruined burial chamber packed with treasures: Byzantine silverware, sumptuous gold jewellery, a lavish feasting set, and, most famously, an ornate iron helmet. Dating to the early AD 600s, this outstanding burial clearly commemorated a leading figure of East Anglia, the local Anglo-Saxon kingdom

The most famous artefact to be found, all of which are at the British Museum (I think) was what is known as the Sutton Hoo helmet. This is it. It must have been used in warfare. Imagine. What a find. 

The Sutton Hoo helmet

The film was interesting enough but a bit slow. I am grateful to it though for making me aware of  one of the 10 greatest archaeological finds ever in my home country. You can see the list here. 

Yesterday I woke up late for me at 7.45. By then my tatooist guest, Adrian had left. We had only briefly seen him when he arrived on Tuesday morning. He is the best of guests and a delight to host. Oli announced they would be coming for lunch so it was a good job I already had my "cocido madrileño" (dish made with chickpeas, veg and a variety of meat) on the boil. They were here just after we came back from our walk and it was soooo good to hold Elliot in my arms again. He is very keen on me at the moment (bless him) and wouldn't let go of me for much of his time with us yesterday. I had the privilege of feeding him - he now rejects his high chair - and I am amazed at just how much he eats. Yesterday he ate the whole baby puree jar followed by some of my soup and chickpeas. He then devoured a whole dish of fruit salad and even managed some chocolate. Just a couple of hours later he was eating a whole pear. No wonder he is growing so fast. He loved the new "touchy feely" books I had bought him but his favourite, at our house, is The Very Hungry Caterpillar" which my friends Kathy and Phil sent him when he was born. I have to read it to him over and over again and I groan each time he brings it to me. He is mad keen on mobile phones too which is not a good thing but it's impossible to keep him away from then if we are all using them all the time. Here he is with his grandfather who is showing him something on his screen. Love this photo don't you? 

Grandfather and grandson yesterday

He is learning words fast and knows who everyone is, including his great grandfather! I was sad when they left at about 6 to go to Elenita's for afternoon tea or similar. The house seemed very quiet so I just resumed watching more of When Calls the Heart. We had a small dinner, watched the news and then an interesting interview with Barack Obama by the TVE correspondent in Washington. Oh boy how frustrated he is with Trump's disastrous administration. 

We then began a new film on Netflix we had been recommended, "White Tiger". It's an Indian film about an ambitious Indian driver who, in a very picaresque way, uses his own wit to escape poverty. As we visited India on our 25th wedding anniversary - our greatest trip ever - we found the film interesting in a very Indian film like way and long to go back. If I'm not describing it well enough, this is how Netflix describes it: 

"The movie, newly released on Netflix, is an adaptation of the Booker Prize- winning debut novel of the same name by Indian author Aravind Adiga. Produced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas and directed by Ramin Bahrani, the film offers a grim tale of corruption and betrayal, examining the complex dynamics of the employer-servant relationships in India while delving into the country's stark rich-poor divide and its class and caste issues". 

No doubt we shall finish watching it tonight. Today is now Sunday and here I am finishing this post and just about to publish it and give a copy to my father who awaits it eagerly every week, bless him.

I bless you all too and wish you a good week ahead. Stay safe my friends,

Masha

A walk in the snow, looking after Elliot, Covid on the rise in Spain, Storm Hortensia brought the rain, the power nap, an explosion in Madrid, Biden sworn in as President in an emotional inauguration ceremony, meet Amanda Gorman, Bernie Sanders' mittens and other tales of the week.

 Sunday 24th January, 2021

Having fun looking after Elliot this week. He was ok with it but kept asking for his mother and father.

Good morning all. 

Well, this has been an eventful week in many ways. Sunday, though, was quiet. While Oli and her little family went out house seeking - yes they are looking for a house - Eladio and I went on our walk. It was impossible to do the forest walk because of the snow and debris so we took the old route, up the road and across  the fields. The snow was still there and quite a lot of it. I spotted a snowman and had to have a photo didn't I? When I posted it people asked if I had made it. Unfortunately no. The child in me would have loved to though. 

On our snowy walk on Sunday next to a snow man

I am holding little Pippa who came with us, as did Norah  our beagle who seems to be a snow enthusiast. Here she is with Eladio.

Eladio and Norah on our walk in the snow on Sunday

It's not easy to walk in the snow and we had to be careful of the ice on the path so actually didn't make it to the end. That day we had an enjoyable family lunch and my father was delighted to see Elliot. Elliot and family had come to stay until Tuesday as all schools, including nurseries, were not open until Wednesday. Imagine, 10 days without school all because of the Filomena snowstorm. I imagine most parents were in a similar predicament to Olivia but thankfully she had us to look after Elliot.

Both Miguel and Oli returned to work on Monday and our work as carers for Elliot began. He was awake at 6.30 and thus interrupted my morning quiet time. I entertained him with Peppa Pig and other children's cartoons on my iPad until he fell asleep. That meant I could leave him to Eladio and get ready to go to my hairdresser appointment. Yes, hairdressers are still open here. Maybe they shouldn't be but I was grateful they are as my hair was in a dreadful state. I decided to walk there and back rather than risk driving on the slippery roads and streets but it was a freezing cold morning. I was home by 12 feeling guilty I had left Eladio so long with Elliot but was pleased to hear he had slept for quite a while.

When he was awake it was my turn to play with him and oh how he loves playing with his toys with me. I like it too until he starts throwing them around in the lounge hahahahaha. This week's feature photo is of me when at one point when he had quietened down a bit (haha). In that photo you can see how my hair looked after the visit to the hairdresser, much better than before. What Elliot loves best is playing on my iPad. I'm not so keen on him doing that.  He is only 16 months old but knows how to find Netflix and You Tube! Eladio remarked that in not too long a time he will probably be helping him with his mobile when he has an issue. For sure he will.

Elliot and Eladio and my iPad which he adores

The attraction to mobiles and tablets and anything with buttons by babies is astonishing. It's a bit frightening too. Compared to what I had as a child, he is in digital heaven. Frankly I would prefer him to spend more time playing with cars and his other toys. The problem is, he sees us on our mobiles all the time and either wants us to stop because he wants our attention or he wants to play with them. There is no getting around this. I wonder when he will get his first mobile. Children with mobiles get younger and younger these days. 

Both Oli and Miguel were back quite soon at about 1.30 and that was good as he kept asking for "Mama" and "Papa" wondering where they were. As he is getting older he is getting more aware and now knows when his parents aren't there. He was delighted to see them as were we. I had to make our lunch and later was allowed a siesta or "power nap" as it is called elsewhere, although it's the same thing (see below).  The highlight on Monday was my weekly Skype call with my best friend Amanda who lives in Devon (UK). We didn't have much to tell each other as in these Covid times neither of us get out very much. My friend has taken to water painting and showed me some of her paintings. I was impressed. I never knew she had this talent. I told her I could hardly even draw a stick figure. She also told me she and Andy did a lot of jigsaws. Now that is something I would like to do but no one else would be interested in this house. Interestingly in these times, to fill the long days spent at home, many people are taking up bygone pastimes similar to those we read about in Jane Austen Books, such as water painting in Amanda's case. Some are shunning screen time in favour of needlework, cross-stitching, "pianoforte", singing and reading or learning languages, all included in what would be the definition of the accomplished woman in Austen's books. This week I watched Sense and Sensibility and next week I will watch Pride and Prejudice but I won't be doing needlework or playing the piano as I was not brought up to be the perfect Georgian lady I'm afraid. 

The news in Spain was dire that day and all this week, vs  a vs the rise of infections and deaths from Covid. Since the pandemic began we have over 2.6 million cases and more than 55.000 deaths. I remember being shocked when that number was 1000! We don't talk about the "R" number here but measure Covid   by how many infections there are per 100.000 people and that figure is  over 800. If 250 is considered high risk, imagine 800. Many of the new cases are coming from the new British strain which is far more infectious and apparently now 30% more lethal. The numbers have tripled and admissions to hospitals has doubled in the past three weeks. One in five hospital beds and a third of ICU's are occupied by Covid patients. There was a record rise over the weekend at over 80.000 the highest number since the pandemic began. Many areas are calling for a total lockdown but the government is resisting. The problem is that the government's hands are a little tied as the power lays with the local administrations. It seems that instead of 1 country we have 17, divided into "autonomous communities". So, it's a constant battle to align restrictions on a nationwide level.  It is time for bars and restaurants and hairdressers to close in the areas where they are still open. Curfew hours are getting stricter with some areas starting evening curfew at 8 pm. Madrid, one of the worst affected areas took measures on Friday and from tomorrow some of these include bars and restaurants closing at 9 pm, curfew at 10 pm, no mixing of households indoors and only 4 people allowed to meet outdoors. Thankfully, though, the number of those being vaccinated is on the rise and those who got their first jab 3 weeks ago got their second jab this week. In the UK there will be no second jab or it will come much later.  I'm not sure I agree with that. I do wish the vaccine roll out would go faster though. However, we should be cautious about the freedom we are expecting from vaccinations as it not all proved that once vaccinated we can't pass the virus on I'm afraid. 

Worldwide the figures are forever on the up. This week we went from just under 80  million  to 99.338.987 of those infected and from a death toll of 2.031.137 to 2.130.654. I say the week has been eventful but I am not referring to our little lives in semi lockdown here on the outskirts of Madrid. I think we are all affected in some way or other. This week I read an interview with the actress and British national treasure, Judi Dench. The 86 year old who is a hyperactive person like I used to be, is now frustrated sitting out the pandemic in her home in Surrey, UK. What I took away from the interview was her feeling about lockdown and the pandemic. We are all basically killing time and waiting for the world to start up again. Don't you feel that way? I do. Perhaps that is why I spend every afternoon killing time by binge watching TV series. This week I finished all 6 seasons of When Calls the Heart. I am missing it now but what I really am missing is the world we knew before Covid 19. Somehow I don't see Judi Dench doing needlework to pass the time. 

Tuesday came, our last morning of looking after Elliot. He was awake early again, at 7 am and it was the same routine except that I didn't have the excuse of going to the hairdresser or anywhere else hahahha. I was expecting a new guest that day, a guy called Sam who lives in Sweden. He wouldn't be arriving until the evening. I was not too worried re Covid as to come to Spain he will have had to have a PCR test. In any case he is occupying the downstairs room so social distancing is easy. Of course I have to be careful but I also don't have much choice here as Airbnb is a major part of my livelihood. 

We looked after our darling grandson until his parents arrived after midday. He did sleep for a little while which allowed us some free time. Here is the little mite taking a morning nap in the lounge.

Elliot's morning nap on Tuesday

On the subject of naps, I read that day in The Times that Boris Johnson, a bit like Churchill did, believes in an afternoon "power nap" to be able to keep going. A power nap is really the equivalent to the Spanish siesta, a much maligned practice and word that conjures up a lazy Spain, but sounds more positive and modern when called a power nap.  Not  that many people take a siesta here these days but when they do and I count myself among them, the benefits are just those that Britain's Prime Ministers extols. So stop thinking a siesta is for lazy people and think of the benefits which include improved learning, memory and the prevention of  stress. The siesta or power nap  also boosts mood, creativity and productivity. I can vouch for that. No doubt Elliot, if he could talk, would agree. I love it when he wakes up from his little nap or in the morning. He clings to me and smells like a baby and all I can feel is immense love. 

After his little nap, he needed our undivided attention and that's what he got. We played with  his toys until he was tired of them all. 

Eladio and Elliot with his toys on Tuesday morning

That's when he turns to my ornaments, including my grandfather's cigarette case. Remember I told you last week I was trying to find out whether it was a Fabergé?  Thanks to links on the BBC programme, Antiques Roadshow (tip came from Amanda) I got in touch with a jeweler dealer who after seeing photographs dashed my hopes by saying it was definitely not a Fabergé. That upset me a bit but I put it behind me as soon as possible. 

Just as Elliot was beginning to miss his mother and continually saying "Mama", she arrived.  Our grandson desperately needs to spend his mornings at the nursery and not with his grandparents but with other children his age and engage in activities that help his development. My fear is that if restrictions get harder, nurseries may close down again as they did in the first phase of the pandemic. What will we do then I wonder? Oli was tired of course and happy to be home after a long morning at work. Her job at the morning programme, La Hora de la 1 (TVE) has changed from being the presenter of Covid data. Now she is at the news desk reporting on different topics in breaking news stories which she herself has to prepare. It's more stressful but it means she can now get up at 5.30 am instead of 4.30 am. It also means she has to follow the news in general much more closely which is also stressful as she just doesn't have the time. We watched her several times and showed Elliot his mother on TV which made him pine for her even more. This is a clip from one of her reports. We will still see her as commentator from time to time in the studio which always brings me a thrill. I'm so proud of her. 

Oli in her new role reporting on breaking news topics from the newsroom of her programme

In that particular clip she was reporting on immigrants entering Spain illegally through Melilla, an earthquake in Argentina and the level of pollution in Madrid - the highest in Europe! It's very stressful but it's also a great job for a seasoned journalist like Olivia. Good luck darling. It's funny to think that when she was a child she hated the news, many times asking us to turn the radio off in the car. I could never have imagined her  going on to becoming a TV journalist and presenter. I suppose though the love of news runs in her blood. It comes from my parents, especially my father. At home as a child we had to watch nearly all the news programmes and then there were news quizzes at "tea" (our evening meal). That turned me into a news junkie and I later worked in corporate journalism. I wish though I had been a media journalist, such as a BBC correspondent. That would have been my dream job except that I had no idea of my vocation for journalism until it was far too late in life. So it's nice to see my younger daughter fulfilling my dream. 

In the afternoon they left while we were having our siesta/power nap (hahaha). I spent the afternoon quite lazily until it was time for dinner. Then I inspected our new guest's room and prepared a plate of fruit for his arrival - my Airbnb trademark. He arrived at around 9.30 pm - a bit late for me - it was dark outside and I was wary of slipping on the icy path. Thankfully I didn't. Sam is from Sweden and spoke such perfect English I wondered if he was American. He told me he was Swedish but of Turkish Kurdish origin. I told him he would feel very welcome in our most international home. It took a while to show him the ropes as our home is so large and there are so many things to show guests for them to settle in happily. He was happy he was with his room but was soon went out again. I didn't see him until the next day.

It was funny not to have Elliot interrupting our going to bed process. He usually goes from our room to his parent's and back many times and loves rummaging in my bedside table drawer. But we had peace that night and watched a film on Netflix after the depressing news programme. Even I am becoming a bit sick of Covid news. It's getting me down. We loved our choice of film that night; Suite Française. It's a love story set in occupied France during the 2nd World War so right up our street. 

Wednesday dawned, the day of Biden's inauguration. It was also the day the rain came. Torrential rain and blustery winds were forecast but in the end it didn't rain much and neither did it melt the snow until later in the week. We went food shopping that morning but skipped on the coffee outside as it was freezing - well +5º, but cold enough. I could have done with Bernie Sanders' mittens - more about that below.

The news that day was all about Trump leaving the White House and the Presidential inauguration. All eyes were on America, ours too. Trump was the 1st President in over a century not to attend his successor's swearing in, a mark of rebuff. Instead he left with the First Lady on board the Presidential helicopter. On their way to Florida they stopped at Joint Base Andrews. There, the still POTUS, addressed a handful of aides and promised he would be back in some form or other.  He then boarded Air Force One for the last time. We have not heard the last of him.  I am looking forward to him being impeached and hope it really happens. 

A few hours later, his successor would be sworn in in a toned down ceremony, due to Covid, one of Biden's first concerns as the new President. We were watching the events as a terrible one emerged near home in Madrid. At around 15h Spanish time, a building in the centre of Madrid suffered two gas explosions that killed four people and injured many more. The building in the heart of the city belonged to the Church so thankfully was not a block of flats which would surely have killed many more. The after blast affected other buildings too, including a nearby care home for the elderly. The occupants, as if they hadn't already suffered enough with Covid, had to be evacuated in what looked like a battle scene. 

Explosion from gas in Madrid - totally destroyed this building. 

There was a school nearby too. Luckily the children were inside during their break time - the time the explosion happened - because of the snow outside. Had they been in the playground, their fate would have been terrible. It was the main news in Spain after the US presidential inauguration.

Eladio and I watched the whole ceremony, perhaps the nearest the US gets to a Coronation. There were very few people and those missing were replaced with hundreds of star-spangled flags. The security was unlike anything ever seen before, owing to threats of violence just two weeks after the terrible attack on the Capitol. One thing Trump and the former First Lady would not have missed was the weather. It was pretty cold that day in Washington with temperatures at about 5ºc (much colder than in Florida) and those attending must have felt it. I loved the way many of the women, similarly to The Queen, wore matching coats and dresses. 

It was a very moving and touching ceremony and done with style. First Kamala Harris was sworn in to become the first woman, black and south Asian Vice President. What a moment for women, what a moment for her.  Many see her as the next President, owing to Biden's age, 78 - the oldest man to become President in the history of the USA. 

Kamala Harris taking the oath to become VP

Trump was not present but his VP, Mike Pence, was and I wonder what he thought of his successor. He was all diplomacy and smiles so we shall never know. 

I was also moved when Lady Gaga, overdressed, in her usual style, sang the National Anthem. Some say she sang flat at times but I didn't notice. It was good to see the ex Presidents, Clinton, Bush and Obama. Only Carter, aged 96 and too frail to attend, was missing. 

Soon it was time for America's 46th President, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. to be sworn in and even though he has been called "sleepy Joe", he didn't appear at all sleepy to me. He was accompanied by his wife, Jill, a teacher aged 69 who has promised to keep her job. I wonder if she will be able to. She was holding a huge 5 inch bible owned by the family for his oath.

Joe Biden taking the Presidential Oath

Who did look pretty sleepy during the ceremony was 79 year old Bernie Sanders, the democrat candidate and Vermont Senator who lost to Biden. While Biden was beautifully attired in a Ralph Lauren suit, the former wore a casual winter outfit including an old parka jacket and now famous sustainably and hand made mittens. No doubt he was more concerned about the weather than he was about looking smart. 

Bernie Sanders cut a different figure to most of those who attended the ceremony with his casual winter grandfather look

When it comes to clothing at the ceremony, Sanders stole the show. There have been literally thousands of memes after his appearance, in stark contrast to everyone else attending. It was good to see him sitting socially distanced and wearing his mask but what people liked best were the mittens. Everyone wanted some but their hopes were dashed when we found out they were home made and only for him. Sanders who was born in Brooklyn to a family that struggled financially, was unfazed about the reaction on internet to his outfit and mittens. He told CBS News after the ceremony; "In Vermont we dress warn - we know something about the cold. We are not so concerned about good fashion. We want to keep warm. And that's what I did today". I thought he looked pretty bored. Maybe he was musing that it could have been him up there taking the Presidential oath. 

It was amazing how God's presence was made throughout the ceremony, something unthinkable in Europe. Biden is the second Catholic President after JFK and takes his faith very seriously. His speech was long, too long, but moving and his main theme was unity and democracy, putting the past behind us and uniting and healing America. I hope he can do that as the country is deeply divided. 

I don't remember the order of the ceremony but do remember how an unknown singer, to me, Garth Brooks, sang Amazing Grace. It's one of my favourite songs but I found it disappointing he sang a capella. It would have been a lot more moving if there had been a choir or orchestra accompanying him. 

Much more moving though was the appearance of 22 year old Amanda Gorman, the National Youth Poet Laureate who really stole the show when she recited her poem, "The Hill we climb" written after the 6th January attack on the Capitol. I read that she had "screamed and danced her head off " when she had been chosen to read the poem at the Inauguration. She was perfect in every way and no one would believe that she had to overcome a speech defect, a tendency to stutter, just as Joe Biden had. This is the lovely young lady. 

Amanda Gorman reciting her poem at the ceremony.

Amanda Gorman became an instant worldwide hit for her poem, how she recited it and why not, for her style. And what style. The young girl who studies at Harvard favours Prada for her wardrobe. I would too if I could afford it. There have been articles and articles about this poised young poet but one struck a cord from Spain's leading newspaper, El País. I read this week that she had spent the academic year of 2019 in Spain learning the language. She also got acquainted with Spanish poetry and learned to love Federico García Lorca. He too was my favourite when I did my degree in Hispanic Studies at Nottingham University many moons ago. I like the fact that we have that in common. This young lady now a worldwide star, has constantly said she will run for President in 2036. No doubt she could be elected and wouldn't it be great to have the first woman and black President for the USA? It was Jill Biden who singled her out for her recital at the inauguration. Perhaps the teacher in her saw Amanda's amazing potential. And I'm sure Biden who has built the most diverse cabinet ever can also see her as his future successor. His cabinet of 15 people only includes 5 white Americans. The rest come from the minorities that really represent America, just like Amanda Gorman does. I wish them all success as I do her. One day she will be a driving force, akin to Michelle Obama. 

If you missed it, here is a link to watch her. The full text of her wonderful poem can be found here. In her poem she also asked for unity. It is a poem of hope for America but I think it can apply to any of us who are hurting and want to go forward. She ends the poem with these powerful words, "for there is always light, if only we are brave enough to see it, if only we are brave enough to be it". She was certainly brave when she stood up to speak to the world. Marvelous!

No doubt these words resonated with the new President who has had to go forward on many occasion, leaving hurt behind. He lost his first wife and small child in a car accident just as he became the youngest Senator in the USA. He also lost his firstborn son, Joseph "Beau" with his second wife, when he died of brain cancer in 2015. He had apparently made a promise to "Beau" that he would continue his work and life in politics. He later wrote a book called "Promise me Dad". No doubt Beau would have been very proud of him on Wednesday. How terrible for any parent to lose one child. Two must be unbearable. Biden has all my respect for being brave enough to go on. 

As we finished watching this very sober but uplifting and emotional inauguration ceremony I wondered whether Trump was watching too. I wondered too what was in the letter he left on the desk in the Oval Office for Biden, a tradition he did not break with this time. 

After placing flowers on the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington Heights together with the ex Presidents, it was time for a short walk for Biden and his family to the White House. Biden will know it well from his time as Vice President under Obama. The Bidens had a nasty surprise in wait when they arrived at the main door to the White House. Not only had the former First Lady broken with tradition and not shown her successor around, but pettily, Trump had fired the butler and they found the door locked. Once it had been opened Biden took no time to make his way to his new desk to do some important work, work to reverse some of Trump's more controversial policies, especially on climate change, immigration and Covid.  He signed 15 executive orders including making it obligatory to wear masks and practice social distancing on federal property, a return to being a member of the WHO, rejoining the 2015 Paris climate agreement, the ending of the wall being built along the Mexican border as well as the travel ban on some Muslim countries. I call that steps in the right direction. I wish him and the rest of his countrymen good wishes in making America great again and not in the way Trump promised and failed 4 years ago. 

As the ceremony was going on there were staff moving in the Bidenw' belongings. There was time too to redecorate The Oval Office and set up his desk the way he would like it. He changed a few busts - yes Churchill was removed - curtains too were changed but what I found most interesting was that they did away with what has been called the "Diet Coke button", a case with a red button. Many people thought it was the Nuclear button and Trump would play tricks with guests by pressing it and instead of sending a bomb, he was delivered a silver tray with a diet coke on it. 

The famous diet coke box with its red button which Biden had removed this week

I was interested to read that it was Lyndon Johnson who installed it there so he could be warned when the First Lady was on her way to see him! That's a nice bit of trivia to come out of the stories of Biden's inauguration this week. 

When the ceremony came to an end, I took a break and while checking my phone over a cup of British tea, I was delighted to read an email from my lawyer. It was to tell me she had secured an appointment  to request Spanish nationality for me and to submit the necessary paperwork. The appointment is on 27th January but she will go alone. My presence is only required, I think, once the request has been granted. I would have to go into the city to take her my original documents on Friday of this week. Wow, finally, something was happening. However, our meeting didn't go quite as planned as you will read below. 

It was a quiet dinner that night when we were accompanied by Felipe, our Russian born guest who loves our dogs so.  Then it was time for bed and a refresh of the news. It was at about that time that we got messages from Suzy in Costa Rica who had been having trouble with her 4 year old Samsung phone. She even sent us some photos which cheered me up - oh I do miss her. I also sent her Amanda Gorman's poem which I thought would be very relevant to her. The photos are on the beach where she goes every morning to do her daily yoga session. Here she is looking happy on a tree and another one, surprisingly, on a horse. 

Suzy on the beach in Jaco. Love this pic. 

Suzy on a horse that belongs to a friend, on the beach in Jaco, Costa Rica, this week.

Lucky Suzy is wearing summer clothes and bikinis while we are wrapped up in winter clothes at home. What a difference. We later had a short video call and caught her at the beach again. She seemed fine. I hope she is. Our older daughter told us she had taken up kick boxing. That does seem quite popular these days. Not sure I like it but it may come in handy for self defence. She seems to be finding her way in her new life in Latin America.  No doubt she was not at all aware of events in North America nor would she have watched the ceremony. Suzy has not inherited our love of news and is quite happy to live without knowing what is going on in the rest of the world. 

As if we hadn't had enough of American Presidents that night, we stumbled across a documentary on the Kennedy family. They are still news today. I mean, who does not remember the assassination of JFK if they were alive in 1963 or old enough to understand?  I was just 6 years old and have never ever forgotten. What a story. No doubt John Kennedy and his brothers would have been happy to see a Catholic Democrat sworn in as the 46th President of the USA. 

Thursday came and it continued to rain and brought strong gusts and would do for the rest of the week taking away the rest of the snow with it. Storm Hortensia had replaced Storm Filomena. So we go from storm to storm. In my home country my countrymen are suffering the consequences of Storm Christopher which has brought floods and forced thousands to be evacuated. Is this due to climate change? Probably.

That meant our walk had to be on the streets that morning rather than in the fields or in the forest. Walking the streets we saw all the damage that the snowfall had caused, especially to the trees. We hoped that Storm Hortensia would not inflict more damage.  

Thursday was the quietest day of the week and there is not much to report so let me move on to Friday. That morning we would do something different. We went to Madrid to give the original documents to my lawyer, Azucena, to start the request for Spanish nationality procedure. 

It was our only time out of the area this week and took us a while to get there as my lawyer, who works at home like most people these days, lives in an area of the city we are not familiar with. It was the first time I was to see her after so much emailing and whatsapping. I handed her the documents she had asked me to give her and was taken aback when she asked for my previous passport. She had not asked for it before and I don't have it as it was stolen. The reason apparently it that I have to prove 10 years of residence here and my current passport was issued in 2013. I was gobsmacked and cross with her for not having told me before. End of story is that she will now go down the married to a Spaniard route as well as the over 10 years residency but for that she needed more papers which I didn't have on me of course, nor at home. These were my husband's birth certificate, our marriage certificate and a paper documenting all my years of tax contribution in Spain!!!!! We do have what is called "el libro de familia" (family book) given to all people when they get married. But no, that wouldn't do as it doesn't prove we are still married. Oh God this was so Kafkian and frustrating especially as I thought I had everything for her first appointment to submit my request for Spanish nationality which is on 27th January. She will gather the papers herself and I hope they will suffice to start the process and that she will get them on time. Azucena told me it would take one year after that to get the approval of nationality. I was curious as to what happens then. It appears I will have to take an oath in front of a Spanish judge promising to obey Spanish laws and to (ouch) renounce my British nationality. In reality I won't as the UK will continue to consider me a British citizen under UK law and I get to keep my passport.  Apparently then I will be issued with a Spanish birth certificate (crazy) with the correct facts of my birth - Cambridge 8th February 1957.With this I will be able to apply for a Spanish passport and the ubiquitous DNI (national identity document).  I was intrigued to know I would be given my mother's surname, Lieven, as my second surname after Lloyd. All Spaniards have two surnames, the first from their father and the second from their mother. That was the only positive news regarding this nightmare process started because of Brexit and because I want to get back my EU citizenship. Damn you Brexit. 

No doubt others are thinking and saying "Damn Brexit" too, especially small business owners in the UK who are finding difficulties exporting their product to EU countries. We all thought the last minute Christmas Eve deal with the EU assured us free trade. Well, it's nothing of the sort what with new VAT issues, new changes on moving goods and more and more bureaucracy all adding up to an administrative nightmare no one foresaw. Lorries are stuck with rotting food and people who ordered parcels before Christmas still haven't received them. British business owners who export to the EU have all experienced a lot of this pain in the first few weeks after the deal. People in the EU ordering goods online from the UK have found themselves having to pay up to 20% VAT extra which must be paid before goods are received from the UK. The option is to open their businesses in the EU meaning they will have to fire employees in the UK and hire new ones in the EU. What an irony when the government lied once again saying everything would be the same after Brexit. Well, it isn't. It's one fine mess. 

While I was having a frustrating morning, Oli was having an extremely busy and stressful one. That day she stepped into the shoes of one of the main presenters who was away. She did so with such poise and professionalism I was extremely proud of her. Miguel, her cameraman partner was one of those filming the show and he caught her unawares preparing for one of her next appearances. I love this photo he took of her.

Oli caught unawares, working hard at her news desk on Friday by her partner Miguel who was one of the cameramen filming the show.

My afternoon was the opposite of stressful and just before dinner I finished watching When Calls the Heart. Oh how I will miss it. We had dinner alone in the kitchen with no sign of our guests Sam or Felipe. It was a Friday evening and in life before the pandemic we would have been out to dinner. No more dinners out now in our lives and I miss them. 

We would be cheered up on Saturday by the visit of Oli, Miguel and Elliot who came for lunch. Saturday was certainly the highlight of the week. Oli and family arrived early and left Elliot with us while they went to see a flat. We took him on our walk and he promptly fell asleep in his push chair. When he was awake upon our return, it was time for his lunch which I gave to him. He eats so well it amazes me. Yesterday, while watching Peppa Pig, I fed him a whole jar of baby food followed by half a banana and then a packet of fruit juice. Here I am feeding him and feeling immense love for my grandson.

Feeding Elliot yesterday

His parents came back with food for lunch from the lovely Moroccan restaurant, El Tuareg, in Villaviciosa. Thus we enjoyed a feast of falafel, humous, couscous, pastela and baklava. We were all so full afterwards that we would need a power nap and wouldn't want much for dinner. The rest of the afternoon was spent playing with Elliot and generally enjoying quality family time. We even had a video call with Suzy (Aunty Bony to Elliot) where Elliot blew her kisses. Oli and family left early and we wont' see them again until next weekend but they certainly brightened up this one. 

Today is Sunday and will be a very quiet day. The rain has gone but it is blustery and our day will be another one of killing time and sitting out the pandemic. I do have a video call to look forward to though this afternoon with Kathy and Phil which always cheers me up.

So friends, that's it from me for this week. I hope you have enjoyed my tales and I haven't bored you too much with my stories. But they are for posterity and have to be written for anyone to understand our lives today who reads this in the future. Maybe Elliot will one day enjoy reading my stories. I sincerely hope so as often I write them with him in mind. 

Cheers then till next Sunday. All the best till then, Masha.