A day to reflect, Sally's note, Belarus hijacks Ryanair flight to arrest journalist, "The Last Days", my eDreams nightmare is over, precious time with Elliot and other stories.

 Sunday, 30th May, 2021

So happy to be with Elliot yesterday

Dear all, 

How have you been? Like most people this week has had its ups and downs. .  

So has the virus. Numbers were down in my home country, the UK, but now they are on the rise because of the very infectious Indian variant. That may skew plans for the final lifting of restrictions planned for 21st June. Worldwide, the numbers are still increasing, especially in India and countries in Latin America. Last Sunday the numbers for infections and deaths were 167.058.099 and 3.338.966.  Today they have gone up to 170.638.059 and 3.548.839 respectively.  This week we have seen news on the increased suspicion that the source of the virus really came from the Lab in Wuhan after it was discovered that 3 employees there fell ill in late 2019. Vaccine programmes are ramping up but only really in so-called rich countries. In the UK more than 50% of the population has received a jab but worldwide only 5% of the population has been inoculated. That's not good. In Spain numbers are down and the number of infected per 100.000 people - the way the virus is measured here - is down to 126. In Madrid it is just under 190 or so. So, we are still a sort of hot spot. The "islands" are faring better and we are now seeing the arrival of international tourists, mostly from Germany but also the UK. Spain welcomes British citizens. But what happens if some of them bring the Indian variant here? 

Definitely last Sunday was a down day. It was a day to reflect and to remember my father's family who perished in an air crash 50 years ago. You may have read the tribute to them which I published last Sunday. When my father read it he remarked "so many tragedies". He is right. He has lost everyone except me and yet sill there is a twinkle in his eye and he wants to go on. I was uplifted a little bit when I listened to the online service at St. Giles Church in Ickenham where they are buried. The Rector, Felicity, had organised it and you can see it here. It was lovely but I was bit disappointed when she said that my father was the brother of Derek and not Gloria, my Aunt. It's the thought that counts though of course. One of the Ickenham neighbours, Jenny,  who I am often in touch with, sent me photos of the grave during the day  where more flowers were appearing.

Flowers and notes on my family's grave

They were from us, from the children's school, from  a close friend of Michael and  from these lovely nieghbours. It was Jenny who arranged for the school to send flowers. She also arranged for a mention in the school newsletter. Thank you Jenny.

From the school newsletter

Jenny also sent me photos of the stained glass window which was built after the family's death and paid for by donations from friends, villagers and family. It's a lovely memorial to them.

The stained glass memorial window at St. Giles Church in Ickenham

Never to be forgotten

Later in the day another bunch of flowers appeared. They were from Sally, my cousin Jacqueline's friend from school. They were both 12 when Jacqueline lost her life in that dreadful air crash and Sally has never forgotten. It was the note from her that brought a lump to my throat. I hope she doesn't mind my reproducing it here.

Sally's note

Sally has never forgotten her budding friendship with Jacqueline when they first met at school. The tragedy for her has never gone away either but I am comforted that my Aunt, Uncle and cousins are still remembered by so many people who have never forgotten them either. 

Sunday was a sad day to reflect. I didn't have much energy for anything else. I just went through the motions. I went on my walk with Eladio and the dogs, I made our lunch and then had a long siesta. Meanwhile, Oli and family were holding a lunch party at our house for the girls' friends and sisters, Chati and Elena. It was good to see them again. Suzy, by the way, seemed better last Sunday after being discharged from the local hospital in Muelle de los Bueyes in remote Nicaragua. I think though she should have rested rather than be up on her feet. 

In the afternoon I had a long Skype call with my friends Kathy and Phil in Yorkshire. I can always pour out my heart to them and they will always listen. It's amazing how close we are. I can't wait to see them again.

The house was empty by the evening. Our last guest, Mo, had left and so had Oli and family. Then it was dinner time and I rustled something up and by 9.30 we were in bed. I was shocked at the news of a Ryan Air flight from Athens to Vilna that night. It was carrying the Belarus journalist, blogger and activist, Protasevich and was  deceitfully rerouted to land in Minsk where he was arrested. 26 year old Roman Protasevich works or worked for a Polish based online news service which broadcast images of protests against the  hard line leader Alexander Lukashenko. He was wanted for  extremism charges such as organising mass riots against last years protests. Now in Minsk he could face 15 years in prison or even a death sentence. Belarus is the only country in Europe to maintain this barbaric method of punishment. As the plane landed, Protasevich had his head in his hands and was shaking as he realised the flight had landed in Minsk. As he was led away he was heard saying "I will get the death penalty here". Europe was up in arms at this act of hijacking a European plane and the deceit the Belarus government had used to force it to land in Minsk. This cannot be happening in Europe. It is unprecedented and could have terrible repercussions for freedom of press. Worst of all I fear for this young man's life and that of his Russian girlfriend who was also arrested in a country headed by  Lukashenko,  Europe's last dictator. 

Roman Protasevich the journalist wanted by Belarus and the objective of the hijacking of the Ryan Air flight last Sunday night.

I think I was so exhausted emotionally that I slept relatively well on Sunday night.

Monday dawned, Kathy's birthday by the way. A very happy birthday to you my friend. They would be celebrating with a two night trip to Durham, a beautiful cathedral city in the North East of England. 

Monday was a quiet day after the calm. I was still sorting out Suzy's new return ticket from Nicaragua - no easy task. There are no direct flights from Managua. We went on our walk and I came back to make lunch; veg soup and meat balls for 6 as Oli and Miguel were coming for lunch. Monday was a very important day for them. At 13h that day they signed the deeds of their new and first flat which is very near us. They will be moving in tomorrow. They arrived just in time for a late lunch, radiant with the flat keys in their hands. They left soon afterwards as they have so much to do before moving in. We continued our day as usual. The highlight was my weekly Skype call with Amanda. We also pour out each other's hearts together. What would I do without my close friends?  If only they lived closer to me. I do miss them so.

Tuesday was a busy day. Eladio and I drove to the shopping centre where we had bought the 4G router and Yoigo sim card to use for Wifi at our house in El Cuetu. As you may have read in a recent blog, it didn't work so we had to cancel the contract for the Yoigo line and return the router to Fnac. We learned Fnac doesn't refund products bought unless they are faulty (good lesson never to shop there again). We also learned it is damned hard to cancel a Yoigo contract. It took at least 30 minutes on the phone while they offered me all sorts of services I was not interested in. From there we went to a garage (boring) to fix something minor in Eladio's old Volvo. It was actually my Nokia company car (an S60) which I got in about 2004. Wondering how much longer it will last I checked the mileage and it has clocked up about 170.000 kms, which is not very much for 17 years. While there we had a coffee in the street; always a joy. We were home by about 12.30 and I had the lunch to see to. I was making bean stew (fabada) with ingredients I had bought in Asturias. Oli would be joining us for lunch but she preferred my leftover curry. 

She didn't bring Elliot but we did get a good morning photo from her of our little grandson. He is seated in the front of the car where he loves to be as he is car and motorbike crazy but of course he has to ride in the back. 

A good morning photo of Elliot from Oli on Tuesday

With time on my hands I decided first to bathe Pippa (much in need) and then to prune both the roses and the geraniums which had bloomed so much in our absence  thanks to all the rain and sunshine. This week has been very warm and pleasant compared to the wet weather we had in Asturias. Pippa, as usual, joined me. When I am at home, she goes where I go.

Pippa on our drive

I also had to ring eDreams (online travel agency) for the umpteenth time to see what flights were available for Suzy's return from San José. She is actually in the middle of nowhere in Nicaragua so will have to make her way to Costa Rica to return as there are no decent flights from Managua. Then I had to confirm with Suzy what her wishes were but had to wait a few hours for her to wake up. I only got a reply from her in the middle of my siesta. She wanted a flight on 4th June. I immediately rang eDreams again and it took nearly 50 minutes on the phone to secure her new ticket which included a penalty of 150 euros (again) for the flight change. I needed an invoice to present to the health insurance company. Then I noticed the ticket said 0 pieces of luggage when it should have said 1 piece. Again, I had to wait for a rectification. Thus my business with them didn't end that day. It would continue. It ended well though, with them apologising and refunding the cost of one of the penalties for changing flights and for the luggage. Edreams turned out to be a nightmare but by Friday the nightmare ended. My worries though will only end when Suzy takes that flight and arrives here safely.

That nearly made me late for my emergency dental appointment at 18.10 in Majadahonda with my trusted dentist, Dr. Garralda. The two partial crowns his colleague had put in in March had both fallen out. Thankfully I had kept them and he was able to stick them back on. However, he says if they fall out again and I'm sure they will, I will need full crowns. I have a feeling I should have had full crowns in the first place and no doubt if my dentist had not been in hospital at the time, he would have recommended them too. Now, I have to be extremely careful not to eat anything too chewy or hard. Damn.

I was home on time for dinner which we had pleasantly outside on the kitchen patio. I made sure I ate something soft - scrambled eggs.

That night we watched the end of an amazing documentary about the end of WW2 in Hungary and how even though Hitler was losing the war, his main aim was to exterminate as many Jews as possible. This documentary, The Last Days,  by Steven Spielberg and others, was made in 1998 and includes interviews with 5 Hungarian Jews who survived the Holocaust. 

An absolute must to watch

They tell their story and some of the scenes are the most shocking I have ever seen. They are also filmed returning to the camps or to their home towns for the first time since liberation. They do so accompanied by their families. These people are now no longer alive and I am grateful to the film makers for documenting their testimony. Very few people who survived the Holocaust are alive today and soon past interviews will be all we have. As I watched this harrowing but must see documentary, I thought of my friend Sandra's mother, Magda now aged 95 or so. She survived the Nazi invasion in Budapest together with her mother when friends hid them. I keep urging Sandra to tape her mother too before it is too late. If you are interested it's on Netflix.

Wednesday was to be an agreeable day. I had a 10 am appointment with my new hairdresser, Caty, and walked there - takes about 20 mins - I was much in need of a cut and dying of the roots (so much white in my hair) and had to postpone my previous appointment when my father was ill a few weeks ago. I came out feeling younger. I wish I had taken a photo. I don't like going to the hairdresser. I consider it a necessary evil but I do love having coffee with friends. Thus I loved the next item on my agenda, coffee with Elena M, my neighbour, friend and ex telecoms Communications Director, like me. She always keeps up with me. I wish I could say the same. But I always enjoy a natter with her. I wish we had taken a photo then too but we were too engrossed in our conversation. 

She drove me home as it was late by then and I had another phone call to make to eDreams. I have clocked up several hours of conversations. I was on the phone until lunchtime, leftovers  and then the afternoon was mine for the taking. While I was watching more of Grey's Anatomy and Eladio was mowing the lawn, in the UK, something important was happening. It's no news now that Boris Johnson's former most important aide, the unlikeable  Dominic Cummings, was on stage that day to attack his former boss over the government's management of the Covid crisis. I hate the man but I am no fan of Boris Johson and actually agree with Cummings that he was not fit to be PM when Covid started. The only thing he has got right is the vaccination plan. Time will tell if Cumming's revenge makes any difference to Number 10. I sort of doubt it.

That night we watched an interview with Spain's former Socialist PM, Felipe González who was in power for over 12 years shortly after democracy was restored in this country. He is by far the most charismatic PM Spain has had since I came to live here in 1981 and he is always fascinating to listen to. 

Spain's most famous politician of modern times, Felipe González  - young and old (as he appeared this week in a TV interview). Ageing is so cruel. 

He was in power when the likes of  Thatcher, George Bush, Mitterand and Willy Brandt were. The current big news in Spain is the pardoning of the the leaders of the illegal referendum in Catalonia who are in prison. The socialist PM, Pedro Sánchez wants to pardon them or is forced to pardon them if he is to continue to rely on the support of the Catalan secessionists for his fragile coalition government to rule. It was interesting to hear from Felipe González that under the current circumstances he wouldn't pardon them. The Supreme Court in Spain agrees with the latter saying it is an unacceptable solution given that the convicted do no show the slightest sign of repentance which is an essential part of any pardoning. No doubt Sánchez will go ahead despite the court's opinion but it may lead to his political downfall. He should take a leaf out of Gonzalez's book. Boris Johnson has his troubles but so does Spain's premiere, Pedro Sánchez. 

Thursday came and brought more sunshine. The lawn was looking great after my husband had mowed it the day before. I always appreciate his looking after the garden. 

The lawn looking great after Eladio mowed it on Wednesday

Guests in the summer enjoy both the garden and pool - the main attractions. That day I got two 5 star reviews from my recent guests, "Mo" who was here and from the South African family who stayed a week at our apartment in Santa Pola. Mo's review was wonderful. Reviews like that really lift me and make it all worth while.

Mo's wonderful review

Our walk was glorious and we hardly saw a soul and didn't have to wear masks - oh how I hate them. That morning saw us doing part of the weekly shopping at 3 of our 4 usual supermarkets. I do wish I could get everything we want at just one but that's not possible. I am not a fan of buying online either as I prefer to choose what I buy or maybe add things that aren't on my initial list.

I made lasagna for lunch, a popular dish in this house and soft for my father and me because of the newly stuck-on-again partial crowns. 

My quiet afternoon was interrupted with more calls to and from eDreams.  I had another incident to deal with which also spoiled my afternoon. My ex company, the mobile phone operator, Yoigo, now owned my Masmovil, the company that bought Yoigo and fired me along with all the management team, rang me with a whole range of offers I wasn't very interested in. However I took the bait for a phone for only 2 euros. Stupidly I went ahead and gave all my visa card details only to be charged 9 euros twice. It was then that I was told the supposedly free phone would cost 9 euros and then 2 euros per month for 24 months. I immediately said I didn't want the phone and would they please reimburse the money. I was flabbergasted when the commercial rep who had rung me, put the phone down. Then began my odyssey to cancel the order for the damned phone, a stupid Chinese one I have no use for, and that was where my kafkian journey began. I was disappointed in my previous employer and didn't recognise the Yoigo that I knew when I worked there. Unfortunately most of my former colleagues suffered the same treatment as me and no longer work there. It was a lesson not to take the bait when something is offered for free and a lesson never to give my visa card details on the phone. 

I cheered up at dinner time where Eladio and I enjoyed a meal of carrot and coriander soup followed by spring rolls and black cherries. The black cherry season is just beginning - my favourite fruit of all. 

Who had a good day was little Elliot. That afternoon he joined his parents at the RTVE studios in Prado del Rey where his father was working at the set where the programme "Saber Vivir" is filmed. Elliot was enthralled with the camera his father uses. He seems to love machines of all types, especially if there are lots of buttons hahaha. 

Miguel showing Elliot his camera. My grandson was engrossed. 

That night I slept really badly and only got a few hours slumber. I was up at 7.30 on Friday morning. It was raining. Where had the sun gone? At 8 am I was watching Oli on TV who was the second presenter that day for the programme she works for, La Hora de la 1 on RTVE, the state broadcaster. I love the fact that she is pregnant and appears on TV naturally. In my day women's bumps were frowned upon on TV. Thank God times have changed.

Oli and her bump on TV

We had to do more shopping that day, our weekly shop at Mercadona, Spain's omnipresent low cost supermarket where we get all our basics. I was surprised to hear from my friend Jacqueline, that Mercadona has opened up a buying centre in Harrogate (wonderful city in Yorkshire) to procure fish from the North Sea for its range of supermarkets in Spain. I wonder if they are thinking of opening up stores there and if they do I wonder if they will enjoy the success they do here. Again the highlight was a cup of coffee together at Alverán, our favourite cafe and bakery. Oli joined us unexpectedly for lunch and was delighted I had prepared fish and chips. But she was off again to their new flat where Zena, our weekend carer and her cleaner, was arriving to clean it after the painters had done their job. Oli could have told us she had taken the broom and dustpan. Thankfully she returned them the next day. 

I had a long video call with Suzy that afternoon. She is feeling a lot better. We talked about her travel plans to get here - complicated and about what she is going to do when she is home. She is my priority at the moment. I was happy to give her the news of the positive outcome with eDreams. I think I never want to speak to them again hahaha. 

The day ended with a lovely dinner al fresco. I made a dish called "almejas a la marinera" (clams in a seafood sauce) which I have only learned to make recently.

Friday's dinner - "almejas a la marinera"

Yesterday was the hottest day of the year so far in Madrid. That morning saw us prep the house for the arrival of our latest guest, a young girl called Caro who is from Antwerp, Belgium. Eladio mowed the front lawn as you can see in the picture below and I arranged the flowers and welcome pack for Caro.

Eladio mowing the front lawn yesterday morning

The swimming pool maintenance man, Javier, was here early to make sure the pool was in pristine condition. I am so happy Eladio no longer has to do that job. I had to make lunch and then improvise as Oli and family were coming. They were at their new flat taking things there and at about noon they left Elliot with us. We took care of him after our walk and until they were back for lunch. That was precious time with our grandson. It was wonderful to see him again and we enjoyed his company. We took him on his "motorbike" which he calls a "toto" and I even put him in my car, my little Mini, as he loves cars so. He was very funny when he said "no va" (it doesn't go or doesn't work), some of the few words he utters. Of course it didn't as the keys were safely somewhere else. 

Elliot in my car yesterday

We had time in our study too where he "played" on my PC. I was dreading him pressing keys that may change the configuration. He loves computers and phones too, in fact anything with keys or buttons. It was while we were in the study that Suzy made a video call. Elliot, who hasn't seen her since last October, except for some calls, seemed delighted to see her. He was all smiles and so was she. She can't wait to see him again.

Elliot and Eladio "talking" to Suzy yesterday

Lunch was chicken curry again  - always popular - then it was siesta time. Mine was interrupted by the arrival of Caro. I felt sorry for her when she arrived by taxi instead of in a hired car which was her idea. She had problems getting one at the airport as it had been booked with her father's credit card which she wasn't carrying with her. She is here for 4 nights and without a car it is going to be challenging. She seemed happy enough though and loved her room, the house, the garden and the pool. She spent the whole afternoon by the pool in the sun which I thought was a bit risky as it was so hot. Not good for the skin. We didn't see her again but later I heard she had walked to nearby Boadilla where she probably had her dinner.

Today is Sunday and will be another scorcher. Eladio asked me what I preferred, the rain in Asturias or the heat in Madrid. My answer was immediate; the latter of course. The day will no doubt be quiet but of course you will hear all about it next week.

Meanwhile, friends and readers, all the best until next Sunday.

Masha.

Last days in Asturias, discovering new beaches, thousands of migrants cross from Morocco into Spain, "Indiano houses", home again, The BBC in trouble over Diana interview, Suzy gave us a scare, Oli's birthday, the 50th anniversary of the death of Aunty Gloria and her family and other stories.

 Sunday 23rd May 2021

In Colombres visiting the Indiano houses. A happy moment this week

Good morning all. 

As you can see I am now writing from our home outside Madrid after returning from our other home in Asturias.

As I write today, many people, like us, are traveling back from some area of Spain after the end of the State of Alarm on 9th May. I was worried numbers would go up but so far they haven't. The rate in Spain per 100.000 is going down slowly and the vaccination roll out is moving at a much faster speed with an average of 600.000 people being given a jab daily. Worldwide the figures stand today at 3.468.924 deaths and 167.058.099 infections compared to the figures of last Sunday which were 3.338.966 and 163.191.707. In Spain, at least, I think we can begin to envisage life after Covid. 

Today my friends is the 50th anniversary of the air crash in Rijeka on the island of Kirk in former Yugoslavia. In that air crash my father's whole family died, his sister Gloria, her husband Derek and their children, my little cousins, Jacqueline, Michael and Antony. They were aged just 12, 9 and 7. They deserve much more than a mention as their death has marked our lives as a family ever since that dreadful call on 23rd May 1971. I sent flowers of course from my father and I to be placed on their grave.  I have written a tribute which I have included in a special blog post also posted today and dedicated to them which you can read here. 

Today there will be a closed service at the church in Ickenham performed by the Rector, Felicity Davies. I have contributed to it by sending a spoken tribute to be included in the St. Giles' YouTube broadcast. Felicity has been a darling all the way through organising events around this 50th anniversary mark. I want to thank her for that and also the church secretary Stephanie.

I sincerely hope when Covid is over, that next year I can organise a proper commemoration in the village at St. Giles Church.  I was very heartened on Friday when I was sent photos of the grave with flowers from my father and I but also from Breakspear school where my cousins went and from Michael's closest friend Helen G. I was heartened but also very much affected by the photo. I burst into tears when I saw it, remembering 50 years ago and the shock and horror of being given the news. Today I will be thinking of them more than ever. 

Flowers on their grave

Last Sunday it rained again but on and off so we were able to go for a short walk in the morning. We only walked down to the main part of the village, Meré but it was a beautiful walk. Our village, El Cueto, is further up the hill but belongs to Meré. We remarked that we really had chosen a house in a very remote area but that's how we like it. We are not fans of the "tourist track". It was green, so green that it reminded me of Tom Jones' song, "The green green grass of home". You can see how green it is in the photo below.

The road from El Cueto leading to Meré

I may have told you many times - forgive me - that this tiny village is nestled in the mountains of "Ardisana" that are just below the famous "Peaks of Europe" (Los Picos de Europa). The sea is near too - about 5 miles, so our house is in between the sea and the mountains. That's remote but a lovely location and we don't regret our choice.

Eladio on our walk last Sunday. This is the view of the Ardisana mountains just as you leave our village

We walked down to Meré and admired nature at its best. Unfortunately the only bar there was closed. I suspect it opens at about 1 or 1.30 when Spaniards go and have their "aperitivo". Thus we walked back and had our own frothy Nespresso coffee at home. I think the coffee I made is as good as the very best to be found in bars and cafes in Spain. There was time for household tasks, such as doing the laundry and making lunch. That day day we had fish and chips. It wasn't quite the real thing as I fried the fish in breadcrumbs.

The rest of the day was quiet. It wasn't quiet in Rome where Nadal was playing the world's number 1, Djokovic in the final. He won!!   Yes, he did. He won his 10th title there to prove he really is the world's number one on clay and not just clay. He and Djokovic are very equal rivals as in 56 matches they have won 28 (Nadal) and 29 (Djokovic). The next time they meet will no doubt be at Roland Garros where the Spaniard will be hoping to lift his 14th Coupe des Mousquetaires. I will be cheering him on for that. He does make Spain a proud country.

Nadal biting into his 10th Rome cup last Sunday. It's a trait of his to pose biting the trophies he wins.

The rest of Sunday was quiet. I had a video call with Suzy, far away in Nicaragua. If all goes to plan she will soon be home. I was up late watching the end of season 11 of Grey's Anatomy and was devastated when one of the main characters was killed off by the script writers. Boohoo

Monday came and brought sun and again we were determined to make the most of it. Since we bought this house last September this is our third visit and each time we have explored the area to get to know it. We now have some favourite places but there is still a lot to get to know. Once again we headed to Llanes where we had a coffee in our favourite square. Here is Eladio with Pippa in his arms enjoying the moment and the sun.

Coffee in Llanes on Monday in our favourite square. 

Once fortified with coffee we set off on a walk along the famous San Pedro coastal walks, one of our favourite haunts. It is a walk above Llanes on a beautiful path just above the town beach called Sablón.

The Sablón beach in Llanes as seen on Monday

This walk never disappoints and anyone who comes to stay with us will enjoy it too. 

Part of the San Pedro coastal walk

We stopped many time to admire the view and take photos like these below

Eladio and I (with Pippa of course) stopping for photos and to admire the view on the San Pedro coastal walk in Llanes this week.

The walk took over an hour and by then we were hungry. We had decided on another "menú del día" by the port. Before going home we decided to drive past the small villages of Cué and Andrín I had been told were local beauty spots which we were to discover that day. Near Cué we visited the beautiful and empty beach of Ballota. Wow, it was quite a climb up but well worth it.

The Playa de Ballota near Cué (Llanes) which we discovered on Monday

Our next stop was the pretty village of Andrín. We admired it, especially the houses and I even looked up houses for sale there but there were hardly any. No doubt anyone who has a house there will be reluctant to sell.

We got to the Andrín beach pretty quickly and what a beautiful spot. There was a cafe come restaurant at the top and it looked like we were in California. But, no, we were in Asturias. What a magical place.

The Playa de Andrin as seen from the cafe above

We ordered some mint tea just to be able to sit at one of the benches overlooking the beach. What a moment! It was one of those moments you discover a place you fall in love with immediately and never forget. 

Tea by the beach. Eladio at the table overlooking the Andrin beach 

We stayed quite a while just to enjoy the place and sight. No doubt it is somewhere we shall be going to again and again. In fact, as you will read, we went back on Wednesday for lunch. 

We were home late, by about 5.30  and very satisfied with our day. We had made the most of the sunshine and had discovered new places. 

We weren't hungry at dinner time but something about the mountain air here gives you a bigger appetite than in the city. Thus we made a meal of soup, salad, more "cecina" (smoked beef) and some local cider. Later we watched a bit of David Attenborough's Life in colour documentary. He reveals the importance of colour in the animal world. It was right up our street. However, I fell asleep on the sofa, tired from a long day. 

I woke up at about 8 am on Tuesday morning. My thoughts turned to the new guests who had arrived at our apartment in Santa Pola for a week. They are from South Africa and I have no idea what they are doing here or how they got to Spain. But I do know they love the apartment as that's what Lucy, our neighbour there, told us. Great! I had another guest coming this week to our house in Madrid for 3 nights, a chap called Mohcene from Boston MA. I wondered too why he is here. We would meet him on our return. Thankfully bookings are up although nothing compared to pre Covid times but they are up and I am grateful for that.

Unfortunately Tuesday was to be another rainy day. It was not a rainy day though for the more than 8000 migrants who crossed the border from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa. There is diplomatic dispute with our North African neighbours and the border police just let them through in retaliation. It has to do with the fact that Spain allowed the head of the Polisario Front - a group that wants independence from Morocco of the Western Sahara which once belonged to Spain - to see medical aid in this country. It also has to do with the fact that Morocco feels emboldened after Donald Trump recognised the Western Sahara as part of Morocco. 

Many swam the short length of water using rubber rings. It was mostly young Moroccan men but also families and minors on their own. Many images came out of dramatic scenes this week. One was of Luna, a young Red Cross volunteer who was seen being clung onto by a young Senagalese man. He was crying and desperate and she helped him. When the photo was posted on twitter she was hurled racist abuse by fanatical right wingers but also praised by anyone who respects humanitarian gestures. 

Luna from the Red Cross and the young migrant from Senegal

Another dramatic photo was of a young policeman from Spain's Guardia Civil, Juan Francisco Valle rescuing a tiny baby. The baby thought to be new born as it still could not hold its neck, was riding on the back of its mother while she swam. How desperate she must have been to do that. When the policeman found the baby it was cold and pale and he feared the worst. The good news is that it survived and is now thriving.

The Spanish policeman rescuing a baby during the Ceuta crisis this week

It was the biggest news in Spain this week and a difficult problem to solve. 8000 people in a couple of days has been likened to an invasion. I suppose it is but my sympathies lie with these people who try to come here desperate for a better life. I suppose though a country can't just let in so many people with nowhere to live and no jobs to go to, especially in Spain where we have the highest unemployment rate in the EU. 

A scene from the migrant crossings this week into Ceuta 

The government had to send in the army and the Prime Minister cut short his agenda to fly to Ceuta and the other enclave, Melilla. By Wednesday, more than half the immigrants had been sent back. Immigrants crossing illegally into a country is no easy issue to deal with. By Thursday nearly 6000 had been sent back and the Moroccan government closed the border. That leaves, though, the problem of about 800 unaccompanied minors who have the right to stay. 

Tuesday saw us in our nearest town, Posada de Llanes, again, on various errands, the highlight of which was our coffee in the street. Lunch was fabada for the third time but we didn't mind.

Fabada again on Tuesday for lunch

The highlight of the afternoon was the resumption of my weekly Skype calls with my dear friend Amanda. She had lots to tell as my friend and her husband had been away on holiday, to Scotland. We nattered on until 7.30 pm, nearly dinner time.

That night I couldn't sleep, thinking about the logistics of my daughter getting out of Nicaragua and returning home with all the obstacles she has to surpass to get here. We were expecting her next week but as I write, she is still in Muelle de Bueyes in Nicaragua. She sent me a photo of her riding a horse this week which I must share with you. All my life I have loved horses and wish as a child I had learned to ride. However it was an expensive hobby in the England I knew as a child and when I asked my mother for lessons she told me the nearest I would get to a horse was  my pony tail! I shall never forget that.

Suzy riding a horse this week in Nicaragua. Her boyfriend's family have a farm and lots of horses.

Wednesday came and it was another sunny day but nothing near as warm as here in Madrid. That day we went on errands to Llanes - to print 100 guest registration forms which  have to filled out by guests and a copy sent to the police for each person and each stay (what a bore!). Once again we had coffee at our usual place, La Galerna, located in our favourite square in Llanes which if you ever visit you will love too. The name of the square is Plaza Parres Sobrino. Countless scenes from Spanish films have been filmed here.  There is a photo of me to record the moment and oh my God my hair is in dire need of a visit to the hairdresser. I have an appointment next Wednesday. 

Coffee in Llanes on Wednesday at La Galerna 

Across the way from the bar there is the most tempting gourmet shop, "Aramburu". I nearly always buy something there when in Llanes and that day I got more "cecina". I bought it with Friday night's dinner in mind when we would have Oli and family round.

We have explored much of the area since we bought the house but there are still places on our bucket list. One place is called Colombres and is famous for its amazing "Indiano" houses. These are amazing neo classical or modernist style houses built by "Indianos" (Spaniards who went to America - they called it The Indias which is where Christopher Colombus thought he was going). They were built by those immigrants who made a fortune in places like Cuba or Puerto Rico and returned to Spain, building houses to show off their wealth. This happened at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th. These houses are often called "casonas" and they are dotted all around Asturias. They are absolutely stunning. We started at the most spectacular house there, "Quinta de Gaudalupe" which also houses a museum on the history of the "indianos" and Asturian emigration. 

The magnificent Indiano house, Quinta de Guadalupe in Colombres

The house was gigantic and the land felt more like a park than a garden it was so big too. Here Eladio took the photo of me I have chosen for this week's post. 

From the Guadalupe house we walked to the town hall (another Indiano house). There we found a town map with a route to see some more. I was amazed when we came across the Red House (La Casa Roja). This house features in one of my favourite Spanish TV period series, "La Señora". I have dreamed of that house. Believe it or not it had a for sale sign at the gate. Later I looked it up and saw it was going for 1.800.000 euros which actually is very cheap for a property like that, one of the finest in Asturias. I saw too that the house had been beautifully restored. It has been on the market for a few years probably because it is just too big for a family. Maybe it will become a hotel. If it does, I have to go and stay. If you are interested this is the link to the property. 

The Red House in Colombres - my favourite

There were more houses to be seen but none as spectacular as the Quinta de Guadalupe or La Casa Roja.   I first fell in love with the "Indiano" houses when we stayed at one years ago called La Casona de la Paca near Cudillero. It is somewhere we have stayed at 3 or 4 times. We would have loved to have bought an Indiano house here but they are too expensive or need huge restoration and of course their upkeep is prohibitive. This, by the way, is La Casona de la Paca. I think we first fell in love with Asturias when we stayed there for the first time more than 10 years ago. 

Casona de la Paca hotel - one of the first Indiano houses I ever saw

By the time we had had our fill of Indiano houses, it was time for lunch. Colombres seemed a bit lacking in places to eat so we decided to go back to the Playa de Andrín where there was a "chiringuito" (beach bar) above the beach. I told you we would be going back. It was a short drive from Colombres and by 2.30 or so we were sitting at our favourite table overlooking an almost empty beach.

There was no menu of the day but plenty of "raciones" which are basically tapas but in larger portions. We went for the "rabas" (calamares), octopus and monk fish. We couldn't finish the latter. Of course we had cider to go with our lunch.

Wednesday's lunch at the bar (Chiringuito El Castru) above the beach of Andrin, a wonderful spot.

Very full and happy with our lunch at such a wonderful spot, we left to drive home for a much needed siesta. That night I slept well for once although I was awake at 5.45, far too early. We had planned to return on Friday, the evening before Oli's birthday but early that morning we decided it was better to journey back on Thursday to be on time for all the preparations. And that we did. Over breakfast I learned that I had got the money back from eDreams who, by mistake, had issued and charged me for three tickets for Suzy from San José on the same day and flight. On the phone I had been told it would take anything up to 180 days so it was a huge relief to see the refund just a few days later. On the topic of money I had some excellent news this week. I am due to retire on my next birthday (8th February) which is not long to go. This week I stumbled upon an application on the "Social security" website and was able to simulate what pension I will get. As they calculate your pension from the average income over the last 24 years rather than on your last salary I didn't expect to get the maximum pension. But I was wrong as it turns out I am entitled to the maximum pension which, in Spain, for 2022, is 3308 euros per month gross. Tax is 15%. I don't know how that compares to other countries but it seems very reasonable to me. That was possibly the best news of the week. Sorry for talking about money. It's not the done thing I know but this is my blog diary and is an important story to include as it will affect my life when I become a pensioner. I can hardly believe I am going to be a pensioner next year. Where has all the time gone?

It took us a couple of hours to pack and be ready to leave. We said goodbye to Loli our neighbour who looks after the house and receives our guests and by 11.30 we were in the car and off again. But before we left I took one last photo of the house. Eladio posed by the geraniums he had been tending to during our stay.

One last photo before leaving Casa del Cuetu on Thursday morning

This time I had prepared a picnic for our lunch as the weather was good. We aimed to enjoy our picnic by the River Pisuerga in the pretty village of Alar del Rey which we had discovered on our journey to Asturias 9 days before. We got there late as Eladio took a wrong turn on the motorway which had us heading for Bilbao instead of Valladolid (aarrggh). We had the place to ourselves and were soon set up for our delicious picnic of Wiener Schnitzel with fresh tomatoes followed by strawberries and some Lindt chocolate. 

Our picnic lunch in Alar del Rey on our return journey on Thursday

We were home by about 18.30, a couple of hours after our latest guest, Mohcene (Mo), had arrived. He is a young Frenchman of Algerian, Jewish and Muslim origin (interesting) and seems very very pleasant. He is in Spain working remotely and was attracted to our place because of the pool and garden as so many people are.

The garden was nearly overgrown in our absence and the roses and geraniums were in full bloom. The rain and sun had done their work. The geraniums in Asturias seemed paltry in comparison.

Geraniums in our garden - in full bloom upon our return.

As soon as I got out of the car I went straight to see my father. He had missed me and was overjoyed to see me. He is not usually as expressive so I was happy too. He told me he had been well looked after. Thank you Lucy.

It took a while to unpack and feel at home again. It was far warmer here than in Asturias with the temperature in the high 20's. Thus we could have dinner outside which we enjoyed thoroughly. We may have 4 houses, but this is our main house the place which is our home. It was lovely to be home and to sleep in our gigantic and ultra comfortable bed. That night I slept really well.

Friday came and I was up early at around 6.30. As usual I read the headlines. If in Spain the main news was the Ceuta crisis, in the UK the headlines were full of the story of the BBC and the Lady Diana interview in 1995 on Panorama by Martin Bashir. The story has been cooking and boiling for quite some time but this week the Dyson report was released accusing the BBC of deceit in getting her to agree to it by using fake documents that showed people close to her were spying on her. We all remember the famous interview where Princess Diana said her marriage was rather crowded don't we?

A scene from the famous Panorama interview

It was a huge scoop for the BBC but very wrong that they made her accept to do it using deceit. The BBC has apologised of course and also sent letters to the main members of her family including her sons. This week Prince William, the future King of England accused the BBC ultimately of her death. This is because the interview caused his mother to be robbed of the security she needed and which she didn't get when she suffered the fatal car crash in Paris. He also said it worsened his parents relationship. He and Harry are furious with the BBC This may have happened a long time ago but it had negative repercussions then and now. 

On the TV that day in Spain Olivia was presenting again. We hadn't watched her much in Asturias and it was a pleasure to see her again live. She posted a lovely photo of herself and co presenter Igor, getting ready to go live. We are so proud of her.

Oli and her colleague, Igor, about to go live on TV on Friday morning

I would have loved to see more of her but I had to get on with the day and there was lots to do, especially related to her birthday the next day. 

I came home to make the birthday cake, my Victoria sponge cake, made to my grandmother's recipe and decorated it my way with cream, jam, icing and fruit. This is what it looked like. It's Oli's favourite and is actually quite easy to make.

My birthday cake for Oli which I made on Friday

Oli and family were with us by late afternoon and we spent time by the pool. It was a warm day and they went in. Actually Elliot fell in and had to be rescued by his father. Our pool is dangerous for kids as the water is deep apart from the steps to go in. Thankfully he was ok but gave us a shock.

Family time by the pool on Friday afternoon

I had prepared a stupendous dinner which Eladio and I enjoyed immensely. Unfortunately neither Oli nor Miguel were very hungry as they had been to lunch to a Michelin star restaurant in Villaviciosa where they were served 10 dishes each! If I had known I wouldn't have made such an effort. Here is a photo of our dinner table with Elliot and Oli. Much of the food was produce I had brought from Asturias which we had with Asturian natural cider (the best), poured by "Isidrin".

Friday's pre birthday dinner

If Elliot had given us a shock by falling into the pool, Suzy, far away in Nicaragua gave us a much bigger shock which I only recovered from the next morning. She texted me on Friday afternoon to say she had 6 out of 9 typical appendicitis symptoms. The problem was that she was in a small town called Muelle de los Bueyes, 5 hours from the capital, Managua. I got her travel health insurance company to call her and they did but said she had to go to the capital or to a local public hospital. After lots of calls and texting she went to have an ultrasound which cost a paltry 8.5 US dollars. We heard at 2.30 am in the morning that the diagnosis was confirmed and that she would have to be operated at the local hospital. That's all we knew until Saturday morning. The radiologist told her the appendix was enlarged and could rupture any time and we all know what that means. We were so worried we hardly slept.

I was up at 7.30 on Saturday morning with no more news so I rang her boyfriend Erick. He was at the local hospital and told me Suzy had been operated on (traditional cut) at 20.30pm local time. It was 23.30 local time when I spoke to Erick and he told me the operation had been successful and that Suzy was still in the recovery room. I think I cried with relief. He sent me a photo of her as she was coming out of anesthesia. Poor sweetie. 

Suzy just after her operation on Friday night/Sat morning

Later we spoke to her and to Erick who we saw for the first time. I am grateful to him for looking after her.

Suzy with Erick after the operation

My daughter told me the hospital was a third world nightmare (lots of flies, no masks, etc) but that the doctors were good. They were Nicaraguan who had studied medicine in Cuba. She wanted to get out of there asap. She was also the only "foreigner" there and said she felt like a monkey in a zoo as everyone looked at her and talked about her for being Spanish. Funny I imagine. Of course she cannot now fly home next Friday as the doctors said she needs at least 2 weeks to recover before flying. So on Monday I shall try to change her ticket. I am dreaming of the moment when she is home and safe. What an experience. 

I was very relieved at the news  and thus I could now concentrate on Oli's birthday. It's hard to believe she turned 36 yesterday. She is still my little girl though. Eladio went to get churros, porras (thicker version) and hot chocolate for our breakfast. We laid the table with all our finery and I added some of my beautiful roses to grace the table.

Oli's birthday breakfast

Both Eladio and I needed a walk afterwards, our first since we got back. It did us a lot of good. Once home I had to prepare the birthday lunch which, as always, was to be fish and chips - the fish being fried in beer batter- 

Fish and chips for Ol's birthday yesterday

We had a peaceful lunch as Elliot slept through it only waking up when we got to the cake moment. I'm not sure he understood what was happening when we put the candles on, Oli blowed them and we sang Happy Birthday to her. Here is a photo of the birthday girl.

The birthday cake moment 

Miguel took a video which you can see here. 

As Eladio and I had hardly slept the night before because of Suzy's appendicitis in Nicaragua and all the worrying, we were in dire need of catching up on our sleep with a long siesta. I couldn't believe it when I woke up after having slept for 2 whole hours. I felt so much better.

We then joined Oli and family and I read Elliot his favourite book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which he demands me to read over and over again. Oli took a video to remember the moment which you can see here. I sent it to Suzy who hasn't seen Elliot since October when she left for Central America and who is she is dying to see again.

Dinner was Friday night's leftovers as none of us were hungry. How could we be?  We were in bed late and missed the news. We also missed The Eurovision Song Contest. I used to watch it as a child but it has got more and more bizarre it's no longer my thing. I heard later that Italy had won. Ok, well done, no doubt I won't like the song. England got nil points and Spain very few. 

Today of course is Sunday, 23rd May and as I said at the beginning of this post, the 50th anniversary of the death of my father's dear family, a family I loved so much and who I have always missed. I will be thinking of them more than ever today as no doubt my father will too. God bless them. God bless you too for following my blog and my life. It's comforting.

All the best then my friends, until next Sunday,

Cheers / Masha