Greengages from our garden, family time by the pool, off to Montrondo, a stop at Rueda, a quiet time in our village, the Olympic Games begin, TV cameras at home again, a walk with friends and other stories.

 Montrondo, Sunday, 25th July, 2021

The glorious moment in our journey to Montrondo on Monday - a stop at the Palacio de Bornos in Rueda for our lunch and a glass of the best white wine in the world. 

Good morning again. How has your week been? Good I hope. We have had a very quiet and pleasant time in our village. So let me tell you all about it. 

The weeks seem to fly by in the summer. We are now at the end of July, perhaps the hottest period of the summer in Spain. That is why we escaped to Montrondo, to get away from the extreme heat of Madrid.

We escaped Covid to an extent as very few people live here which makes social distancing easy. However it continues to dominate the news. In Spain we are seeing a fifth wave with numbers nearing those of the infections in the UK. The only bright light is that few people are dying and few people are in Intensive Care. But we still have to be careful. 

Last Sunday I wasn't thinking, for once, about Covid as it was a wonderful day for me, one of the days that will stick in my memory. That's because I had all my family with me. Again we couldn't go on our walk because of the heat. Thus it was the perfect time for picking more greengages from our bountiful fruit tree in front of the kitchen. Eladio got up on the ladder and handed me down the delicious green fruit. Of course greengages are actually just green plums and as with all fruit there is a variety. These are not what are known as "Reine Claude" (after a Queen in France) but a bigger version. When I was a child living in Ruskington in Lincolnsire (UK) we had a greengage tree and I first learned the word from my dear father who knows a lot about nature. Everything I know comes from him. When I gave him one of the "plums" for lunch, he said "you know they are called greengage". Of course I did. What I didn't know is why they are called that. There is a simple reason. A certain Sir William Gage of Suffolk imported the tree into England in the 18th century but lost the label. Thus the fruit was named after him. I didn't know either that they are considered the finest dessert plum and that the health benefits they reap are multiple. They help purify the colon and improve the processing of food. They are rich in vitamins C, A and K, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and other names I can't pronounce but also protein. Apparently they help with anxiety too, keep heart disease at bay, are rich in antioxidants, reduce blood sugar and are also good for the bones (the calcium of course). Well, we have been eating them for a week now so I hope we have reaped some of these benefits. We have given a lot away and Miguel has made some jam. Of course the birds and our dogs have enjoyed them too. I only wish we had more fruit trees. 

Eladio picked masses and there would be more in the afternoon when the girls were with us. 

Picking greengages last Sunday

Instead of our walk we  went food shopping to leave supplies for my father, Suzy and Lucy. Our group of guests, 4 young men from Vitoria were sleeping off a night on the tiles in Madrid. Lucy told me they had returned at 7 in the morning! Well, that's youth for you but it's also what is contributing to the spread of the virus. 

Sorry to interrupt my tales of last Sunday again with talk of Covid but that day it had affected the family of a dear friend of mine. . Until now I hardly knew anyone who  got it so I was shocked to learn from  Kathy from Keighley in Yorkshire, that her footballer son, Tom, got it on a trip to Scotland. He had had one dose of the vaccine but not two and was actually quite ill. I really hope he recovers soon. Many others are in the same fate or worse. If this time last Sunday the global number of infections and deaths was 190.797.676 and 4.099.170, today's figures have risen again and stand now at 194.425.481 and 4.168.714. In Spain and the UK and to a lesser extent France, the numbers rise every day alarmingly. Thankfully the mortality rate remains low.

In any case I didn't see the "boys" from last weekend's Airbnb group until they got up at about 1.30 (hahahaa). They had some coffee and by lunchtime had left. We had our lunch in peace. I made a beautiful Portuguese dish: "bacalhau á brás" - a fancy name for cod, onions, potatoes and eggs - which everyone loved.

The afternoon was ours for the taking. We slept a restoring siesta and at about 5.30 I went down to the pool with a cuppa (decaf), my kindle, towels and of course Pippa joined me. I had the pool entirely to myself. Soon Eladio came by and I went up to get his bathing suit. He hardly ever goes in the pool and needs coaxing. Once in, he loves it. Here is one of this summer's historic pictures; Eladio in the water.

Eladio in the pool last Sunday - an unusual occurrence 

By about 6 pm, Oli and her family joined us. They had been to lunch at Miguel's parents' house. Miguel goes very often now as his father, sadly, is ill. We were delighted to see Elliot. What a funny little boy he is. At first he didn't want to go in the water, preferring to be with his father and grandfather. Then he took them by the hand and led them to where we "girls" were on the other side of the pool. I had to have a photo.

Three generations: Grandfather, grandson and father - son in law

It was such a lovely relaxing family afternoon together at the best place to be in the heat; our pool. We don't use it much and of course we leave it to all our guests, so maybe I appreciated it a bit more last Sunday when we were all together.

Oli and family stayed for dinner. It was even hot at 8 pm and we had to move the kitchen patio table further into the garden in the shade. We had a make shift dinner of cold dishes: gazpacho, cold vegetable soup, salad, ham, humus and some of the pie leftover from Asturias. To wash it all down we drank some Asturian cider. Dessert should have been greengages and it was but I also brought out the Magnum and mint chocolate ice cream tubs I had bought that morning. The Magnum was gobbled up by all. 

Wanting to give Oli and family more plums, Miguel picked some. Then Eladio had the grand idea of shaking the tree and oh my the result was hilarious. We were all, wrongly, underneath and greengages literally rained on us. I took a video or thought I did but nothing came out. What a pity.

All in all it was a great day. We were in bed by 10 and I slept quite well that night. I was happy to wake up to read an article in which I featured and which  the Swimmy Communications Director, Estafania, sent  me. It was about the sharing economy and different platforms, like Airbnb, that allow people to rent out all sorts of places, such as their swimming pools. Swimmy is an app to rent private pools. The article was the result of an interview with Sputnik News, of all media - the Russian news agency. The journalist, Esther, had interviewed me on the phone the previous week, just as we were leaving El Cuetu. I was very flattered that she had used the photo of my pool as the feature photo. You can read the article here. Hopefully it will be good for business.

My pool, front page news on Sputnik News on Monday

It was on Monday morning that we decided to hit the road to Montrondo, more than anything, to escape  the heat of Madrid. We left at around 11.30 and by lunchtime were in Rueda, the town of the famous white wine growing area. In Rueda we always stop at Palacio de Bornos. It is part of the journey to Montrondo and I wouldn't have it any other way.

We always have a plate of ham, a plate of lomo, a basket of bread and wash it all down with the best white wine in the world from this Bodega (Palacio de Bornos). I prefer the local grape called "verdejo" and Eladio prefers the lighter grape "sauvignan". I had to choose the picture of me that Eladio took for this week's feature photo as at that moment I was happy and cheering  life; living life to the full to quote my friend Kathy.

We got more supplies from this amazing bodega which sells lots of local produce. We bought wine, oil, bread and some of their amazing white chocolate with almonds. We always eat a bit of the chocolate as we resume our journey.

By 5 or so we were in Montrondo where the temperature was  26c,  10 degrees less than Madrid. I only wish it was that temperature all year round everywhere and that it only rained at night. In the UK, my friends were sweltering in the mid 20's which for Spaniards is pleasant weather. But, of course, my countrymen don't have air con or swimming pools. As a child I remember we would get out the hose pipe in the garden on warm summer days of which there weren't very many. In the UK, that day, 19th July, all Covid restrictions were lifted and it was known as "Freedom Day". That is crazy as the number of infected does nothing but rise. In Spain that day the number went above 60.000. However the death rate was very very low as was the number of people in ICUs. Those are the numbers to watch.

While we were travelling to Montrondo, Lucy let me know the technician had fixed internet - there was some problem with the fixed line - but she also told me "we" had left our luggage behind. That's the second time it's happened recently. But it wasn't me, although I should have checked. I do the packing and Eladio puts everything in the car. Well, once again, he forgot. Oh dear, this meant I only had the clothes I was wearing. I do have clothes in Montrondo but they are all winter clothes. I wondered what we would do. My husband didn't feel at all bothered. I did and I felt cross too.

Thus unpacking took a very short time and soon we were outside in the garden behind the house and lying on the sunbeds, reading.  I wasn't at all hungry for dinner but rustled up a simple meal which we had on the front terrace, just outside the kitchen. By then it was cooler as the minimum temperatures are far lower in Montrondo than in Madrid. Eladio put on the heating believe it or not and I put on some long sleeved pyjamas! What a difference from home.

We later slumped in front of the TV and fell asleep very shortly. Unbelievably for me I was in bed by just after 10 pm. I woke up at 5, then at  6 and finally got up just before 7 am. 

It was great to be back in our village and especially to have escaped the heat of Madrid. Pippa was especially pleased. She loves being here just as we do. 

Pippa, happy to be back in Montrondo

That morning we went shopping to the nearest town, Villablino, and came home loaded with provisions for the rest of our stay. Just look at the fruit on the kitchen table. Oh I love summer fruit don't you?

Summer fruit - oh how I love it

I had bought ingredients to make shepherds' pie and we ate it outside on the back terrace where there is shade at lunch time. We sat down to a scrumptious meal and, as usual, I had to have a photo. 

Tuesday's lunch on the cool back terrace

We had a lazy afternoon and I had the added enjoyment of my weekly Skype call with my friend Amanda. She told me the UK was sweltering and I told her we thought 28ºc which was the highest temperature in Montrondo that day, was quite tolerable for us hahahaha. We hung up at about 6.30 as we were both going on walks. Eladio and I hadn't had a walk since we came back from Asturias and we were in need of the exercise. And what a beautiful and peaceful walk it was too.

Eladio and Pippa on our walk on Tuesday

We walked along the old path to Murias and I was amazed at the amount and variety butterflies. More annoying were the ordinary flies. What I also enjoyed was the sound and smell of hay in the making. Add that to zero pollution and our walk was the best moment of our day.

We were all thirsty when we got back to the village. So we stopped at a well where Pippa got her fill of water.

Pippa was thirsty after her walk on Tuesday

Dinner that night was to be my newly found recipe, "almejas a la marinera" - clams in seafood sauce. It is an easy recipe to make but needs at least 40 minutes. Contrary to lunch, we had our evening meal on the front terrace which is much warmer than the back terrace and at that time of night in Montrondo the temperature was lower - about 23ºc. It was another amazing meal in Montrondo. Have I ever told you food tastes better here? It has to be because of the mountain air.

My clams in seafood sauce

Dinner on the terrace on Tuesday evening

By the time we finished our meal the evening news was over but we didn't care. I have sort of lost interest in the news these days. It's only depressing stuff about more and more Covid infections. I should have got excited about the second private and commercial flight into space but I wasn't. If a week or so ago Virgin's owner and CEO, Richard Branson had flown to the edge of space, that day it was the turn of his rival entrepreneur, Amazon's Jeff Bezos. You know why I wasn't impressed? Well I think it is because I do not admire the greed of super rich people. They have done it all and can afford anything in the world yet they need and want to do more. So flying into space is their thing. They remind me of a boss I once had at Yoigo. His secretary told me he wasn't satisfied with 5 star hotels and asked her to find 7 star hotels. That's sheer greed. Don't get me wrong; I like the good life but I detest greed and the fact that people are never satisfied. They always want more. I want more too but with limits and I know how to appreciate what I have. So yes he went into space but I didn't care. Maybe he should have spent some of the money on the people who do the really hard work for Amazon, the packers and the deliverers. I wonder if you agree. 

Instead of the news we watched a film and what a film. Titanic was on, one of our all time favourites. I hadn't seen it for yonks. We enjoyed every minute of it and stayed up till nearly 2 in the morning until the end. In my opinion there are very few great films out there and this is one of the good ones. 

I was awake at 7.30 am on Wednesday morning. I was upset to get a message from our lodger, Felipe. He told me the group that had arrived very late that night, had turned the swimming pool terrace into a loud discotheque. Damn the guys. I wrote to them to say the neighbours had complained and had threatened to call the police (they hadn't) and asked them to refrain from putting on loud music again. I even looked up the rules for music and noise in the Madrid area and sent them to the person who had made the reservation. In all my 4 years or more of experience with hosting guests, I have had very few rowdy groups so I've been lucky but I was not lucky with this group. Damn them again! Luckily after telling them off they didn't do it again.

Wednesday was another quiet and pleasant day. We stayed at home all day until the evening. Lunch was my famed Portuguese cod dish "bacalhau á brás" made with cod, onions, potatoes and eggs. The highlight of the day was my Facetime call with Kathy and family. They were all in their English garden. English gardens in the summer when the weather is warm are unbeatable. It was just as warm here but of course I am used to it. We spent the afternoon on the sunbeds in the back garden until about 8 pm when it just started to get cooler. 

We had booked a table at the only restaurant and bar in Murias, the next village. The main idea was to walk to dinner and walk back afterwards. As to the restaurant, well it was a bit of a disappointment. The menu is very small and there wasn't much on it that we wanted. The bar attendants were not very customer friendly so I doubt we shall be going back. 

The bar in Murias,"El Holandés Errante,  with a limited menu and unfriendly staff

What was divine was the walk back at 10 o'clock at night when it was still light. Here are photos to prove it.

 

Light at past 10 o'clock at night. Our walk home on Tuesday evening. 

Again we went to bed late but happy with our day. 

Thursday came and I had work to do in the morning. I was working on a document for my main client. I also had to organise things back home as TV cameras were coming the next day to our house to do a report on the Swimmy platform. As I wouldn't be there, Suzy would take my place bless her. She even found some fake bathers - her friends, bless her. I also had to get in touch with the pool maintenance guy, Javier, to make sure he was there early on Friday morning and with Lucy to make sure all was clean and tidy. I congratulated Lucy that day when I got a wonderful review from the Mexican group of guests - yes those who made a lot of noise on their first night. In it he praised both me and Lucy. This was his review.

My super Airbnb review this week

In English that roughly reads like: "this house is incredible, everything written in the listing and shown in the photos is real. Masha is an excellent host and Lucy is very attentive. I cannot recommend this house more highly". Reviews like his make spur me on. 

Feeling happy and free, by 11.30 am, we went off to Villablino again. We had some essential errands to do after which we had our mid morning coffee in this town again. In the region of León and some other parts of Spain when you order a drink you often get given a free small tapa and in the case of coffee, a biscuit or piece of home made cake at no extra cost.  That is just so civilised

Coffee in Villablino. So civlised

Just before we drove back we went to a hole in the wall to get some cash. That was when I spied a little boutique where I saw clothes I liked. As we had left our luggage at home I was wearing the same clothes and needed some more. At the little boutique I bought a pair of striped shorts, a summer dress, a white top and some blue and white striped espadrilles. I later felt so much better wearing new clothes.

We  were home by 2 but had lunch later (leftovers - there was no time for more) as I had to work more on the document I had sent to my client that morning. We then spent another pleasant afternoon reading outside. We went for a late walk and were joined by José Manuel and his wife Pepi. José Manuel went to school with Eladio and was also sent to a seminary to become a priest (he didn't in the end). He went on to become a school teacher like his wife and they live near Seville. We hadn't seen them for 2 years owing to the pandemic and it was great to catch up. After our walk they invited us to their home, a house at the top of the village with great views.

View from the village from our friends' house 

Pippa enjoyed her new surroundings, feeling quite at home and it seems she also enjoyed the view of the village. I caught her on camera as you can see below. 

We had so much to talk about and it was pleasant to be with friends but at about 10 pm it was getting cold and so we left agreeing to meet the next day. Very unusually for us we had a very late dinner that night and we had it inside as it was a much cooler night on Thursday. 

I think I went to bed at nearly 2 in the morning but was awake at 8 am on Friday. Friday would be the opening ceremony of the most unusual Olympic Games ever. Held in Tokyo, I think it's the first time in the world there will be no spectators. They were cancelled last year because of Covid and I think there are a lot of people worried they should not have gone ahead. I feel divided. I also feel sorry for the athletes who have been training for years and even sorrier for those who have been infected with Covid at the Olympic village. It must be a catastrophe for them.

We were looking forward to the Opening Ceremony which started at 13. A pleasant moment in the morning was when we drove to Senra to have a coffee at the Cumbres de Omaña bar (with the grumpy owner). It was another wonderful moment and the coffee was served with a biscuit as is the custom in this area.

Coffee at Senra on Friday morning

We were home just on time to watch the start of the Olympic Games opening ceremony.

Eladio watching the Olympic Games opening ceremony

But we had to switch channels as at about 1.45 Suzy was live on TV being interviewed for the report on our pool which we rent out on the Swimmy Platform. I recorded it and you can watch it here on my YouTube channel. The Swimmy Communications Director, Estefania, was there too and sent me some photos. It was an exciting moment. For the record the cameras were from Telecinco and for a programme called Ya es mediodía. 

TV cameras at our house once again

Suzy and her Swimmy bather friends

We then switched channels to watch more of the Opening Ceremony. It was a somber and simple ceremony. For the me the most exciting part is watching the country teams appear, especially the teams from the UK and Spain. There were no paying spectators but about 1000 authorities, including the FLOTUS, Biden's wife. Good for her. 

Meanwhile Eladio was preparing our lunch. He was the chef that day as we were to have a barbecue made with lamb chops and chorizo which we had with a salad. Here he is outside grilling our lunch.

Barbecue in the making on Friday

It was after lunch that I received an email that has been a long time coming. It was from my UK publisher, LR Price Publications to tell me my father's book (the biography I wrote for his 100th birthday two years ago) was now on Amazon UK. This is the link by the way. It only costs 1.99 pounds so please buy a copy and if you do please leave a comment. The more comments I get the more people will see it. There is also a marketing plan in place which looks very humble and shortly the book in printed format will be available in the book shops or at least I hope it will. 

That afternoon I didn't have a siesta. I was busy with some client work and my book keeping. At 6 on the dot, our friends, José Manuel and Pepe came for coffee. We had invited them to come and have coffee and then go on another walk together.

We had the coffee on the front terrace. I had to have a photo of the two men who went to school together. Of their class in Montrondo back in the 60's there were only a handful who went on to study and they were two of them. That they went on to study was thanks to the Catholic Church. Both of them were sent to a Seminary at an early age. The other alternative was to continue life in the village and become either a farmer or a miner. That was life in Spanish villages in the 50's and 60's. So different to life in England where I grew up.

Eladio with his old school friend, José Manuel

At about 7.30 we set off on our walk. We were keen to show our friends a new walk for them, via "El Camino Valle" and along "La Chana" a path above the river overlooking Murias de Paredes. It is a walk we discovered only a few years ago and we love it. I call it the secret or enchanted walk. You go through a birch tree forest with lichen on the tree trunks. Lichen is a sign there is zero pollution. Wonderful.

The walk on the enchanted path with our friends on Friday

The path ends in a field above Murias. From there we walked down  over the bridge where the river runs fast and deep and into the village. In a field I was delighted to come across an extremely friendly white horse that let me stroke it to my heart's content. Oh how I wished I had a lump of sugar to give to it. Pepi took this delightful photo of me with the white horse.

Me with the friendly white horse on Friday

Just after the field with the horse there was  a stable with goats. Oh what joy. I so love farm animals. They are owned by "Emilio" from Montrondo who José Manuel and Eladio know. I dashed inside the stable to see the goats, one of which was a 7 month old kid called Luna. 

7 month old Luna who I fell in love with.

Emilio looks after his goats well. They were so clean and the stable very tidy. While I was stroking Luna and admiring the other goats, in walked a little girl, Emilio's 7 year old granddaughter. She looked just like Heidi to me. She knew and stroked every goat and told me all their names. Lucky girl. 

It was getting cold and late and we soon headed home on the main road to Montrondo. I think we parted ways at nearly 10 pm. Thus dinner was late again but we didn't mind. It's nice to do different things and to change our daily time table sometimes.

But by about half an hour after midnight both of us were bushed and in bed. I woke up at 8 am on Saturday morning. 

That morning saw us up in the mountains. It was a sunny day but much cooler so perfect for hiking. On the way up every nook and cranny has a local name. Eladio pointed out one of the springs (fuente de los paidores) and where he took a drink. There is no need to take a flask of water up this path as there are plenty of natural springs.

Eladio next to a spring called "fuente de los paidores"

We weren't going far that day, just up the edge of the big birch tree forest - "el abedular" - which my father loved so much. When he used to come here he would walk there every day. His love of birch trees comes from his times in Scandinavia and I suppose Russia. In Spain they only grow in high land. From the "abedular" you can just spy the top of the highest mountain, "El Tambarón" which measures 2.100 metres and which I have been up twice. It is a very long trek and we didn't feel like it yesterday.

Up in the mountains yesterday with Pippa, of course

The walk to the birch tree forest and back is just over an hour. I had no cooking to do that day as we were going  out to lunch. But there was time for some ironing, a task I detest and  I thank my lucky stars I don't have to do it at home.

We had booked a table at the grumpy man's bar, Cumbres de Omaña. He may be grumpy but his wife cooks very good local fare. Here is Eladio already munching when I took the photo.

Lunch in Senra yesterday

We came home feeling not too full and had a siesta. The rest of the day was pretty quiet just how we like it. 

Today is Sunday, our last day here as we are going home tomorrow. We shall miss our house in "our village" but not for long as we shall be back in August. We still have today to enjoy which I shall tell you all about in next Sunday's blog post.

Meanwhile, keep well my friends. Till next time, all the best Masha. 

From the heat of Madrid to the rain and cool of Asturias, a picnic in Alar del Rey, Richard Branson flies to space, England didn't bring it home, enjoying Llanes, sprucing up the terrace, beach hopping and mountain animals, home again and other stories.

 Sunday, 18th July, 2021

A happy moment on a bench on St. Peter's walkway above Llanes. 

Good morning everyone. How are you all doing? I hope no one reading this has Covid. There is a good chance some do as the figures are on the rise. If last week the total number of fatalities and infections was 4.043.020 and 187.279.338, this week they stand at 4.099.170 and 190.797.676.

I am taking the liberty to share a photo of a graph from The Times with the main figures up till Friday evening. I think it says a lot. 

Figures for Friday evening

It says a lot but doesn't say it all. If so many people are being vaccinated then why are the numbers on the rise? That's because the Delta and Beta variants are on the rampage and infecting young, non vaccinated people and even some doubly vaccinated.  That includes the new UK Minister of Health, Javid and he has been doubly vaccinated! Thankfully within the last group the mortality rate is very low. What we need to see is more people vaccinated in the poorer countries. Our World in Data records that only 25% of the world's population has been given at least one dose. In the UK over 60% are vaccinated. In Spain the number is now just over 50%. There is a long way to go to fight this virus and in my opinion the waiving away all Covid restrictions in the UK tomorrow is not the right step. In my home country they are recording over 50.000 new cases every day. It's damned stupid. Don't you agree?

Today I am writing from Madrid where it is as hot as last week with the temperature nearing 40ºc. It's unbearable. In my home country, yesterday was the hottest day of the year but nothing compared to 40ºc here.  Last Sunday  when we stepped outside to go to Oli's house to help with Elliot it felt like walking into an outdoor sauna.

Before we left for Asturias we were busy as guests were going and guests were coming. David and his 4 companions who behaved perfectly left at around 10.30 which gave us time to prepare for a group of 8 coming to use the pool from 13h to 21h. I was also in touch with guests leaving Santa Pola and our new house in Asturias. Everyone seemed happy with their stays thank goodness. 

We were going to Asturias that day for 4 nights and would have left in the morning except that Oli needed a helping hand. Thankfully their new flat has air con installed in all the rooms. Even so, Elliot was running about in his little vest, slightly undone so you could see his nappy. He didn't seem to mind. He was playing with his cars and we joined in by creating a car race which he loved.

Elliot loves his cars

We spent a pleasant couple of hours with Oli and Elliot and were joined at about 13h by Suzy. She stayed for lunch when we went home to have ours with my father before leaving for Asturias. Stepping out of her apartment was another scorching moment. Thank God we have air conditioning in the dining room. By then our 8 bathers had arrived and even with the swimming pool they were in for some serious heat, especially when they set about preparing the barbecue. Norah, our beagle, behaved badly when she stole a loaf of bread from them. Thus she had to be shut in the kitchen during their stay. She might be old (nearly 13) and ailing but her appetite is still there, especially for human food. 

We had a quick siesta before piling everything into the car and were off by 4.30 or so. We left Madrid in boiling heat and as we drove north the temperature gradually decreased. At 7.30 or so we stopped at our favourite picnic place, Alar del Rey in the province of Palencia, to have our picnic dinner. We had discovered this beautiful spot by the river Pisuerga a few journeys back and Suzy, like us, loved it immediately. By then the temperature was a bearable 33ºc. 

Our marvelous picnic at Alar del Rey on our way to Asturias last Sunday

Soon after our delicious dinner of Spanish potato omelet, salad, gazpacho and thick black cherries we were on our way to our new home. It must have been around 8 when we left and the remaining journey took 1.5h. As we entered the Cantabrian region, clouds appeared and the temperature dropped to 18ºc which was unbelievable. 

During our journey the most incredible thing was happening. The first commercial flight into space, or the edge of space, went off for a short ride with Richard Branson, the charismatic CEO of Virgin, on board.  He had been planning it since 2004 and last Sunday he finally made it to the edge of space. In a press conference later he said he had dreamed as a child of flying into space and that it was his most incredible experience ever. That is saying a lot as this man, known for his daring antics, has done more than many people in their lifetime. His main impression was the incredible view of earth from space. 

Richard Branson flying to the edge of space last Sunday

He is now planning the first commercial flight for next year for which people are paying up to 250.000 pounds or euros. Well, I will not be queuing up I'm afraid but I'm sure lots of rich people are.

I don't know if he was back on time to be at Wembley for the all important final of the Euro Cup  between England and Italy, or if he is even a football fan.

I am not a great football fan but I did want England "to bring it home"; i.e. bring football excellency back to the country where it was born. Obviously we couldn't watch the match in the car but I did follow the score and was confident and happy when I read that England had scored a goal just after kick off. I was sure they would win. I shouldn't have been so sure.

We were "home" by about 9.30 or so and it was raining - typical there and typical bad luck for us. I mean I don't like 40ºc in the sun but I'm not keen on 17ºc and rain. We soon settled in and it was then that Eladio switched on the TV. Just as he did, Italy scored an equaliser towards the end of the game. Oh dear I thought, this match is going to go the same way it did with Spain and Italy who went into extra time at 1-1 and then my adopted country lost in the penalty shoot out. Oh how unfair penalty shoot outs are and how I hate to watch them. It's no news if I tell you that Italy beat England in the shoot out, dashing all dreams of "bringing it home" or ending the dearth of major football wins since the World Cup in 1966. They will have to try harder and other opportunities will come along, just as they have for Spain on many occasion. In fact, I think, last Sunday was the 10th anniversary of Spain's world cup win against Holland. That was amazing and something Spaniards will not forget for a long time. I heaved a sigh of despair when England lost but as fair play dictates, had to hand it to Italy and I am congratulating them with words from this blog. Viva Italia. You did remarkably. I should also congratulate Djokovic who won Wimbledon last Sunday too becoming the third player, together with Federer and Spain's best player ever, Nadal, to reach 20 grand slam wins. I am not a fan of Novak, but you have to hand it to him too.

By then it was nearly midnight and I felt sorry for all the fans at Wembley and all the hopes of a nation dashed too. I thought, wrongly, that that was the end of the story. It wasn't. The news now coming out of last week's match is about British hooliganism and how violent fans got in without tickets and beat people up. God that is so sick. Football was invented in England as was football hooliganism, one of the worst in the world. I also read that when big matches are coming up there is more domestic violence and even femicide. That is even more sickening. 

We were in bed late and I slept relatively well, waking up on Monday morning at 6.45

It was dry that morning although the forecast was rain. Our phones, wrongly, told that rain would come at 11 am and it would then continue throughout the day. However, weather apps never get it right in this area of Spain, very similar to Brittany, where it can rain and then two minutes later be sunny and vice versa. Thus we decided to make the most of the dry weather and then come home when it rained. We wanted to show Suzy some of our favourite places so took her to Playa de Póo (not pooh,  promise) but it was windy and neither Suzy nor Eladio had brought a coat of any kind. It's sort of difficult to pack for Asturias when it's 40'c while you are doing so. Thus we drove on to Llanes, a very pretty seaside town not far from El Cuetu. We took photos by the empty town beach, Playa del Sablón and then walked into the centre. I was on a mission to buy a fleece for Suzy and a rain coat for my husband and daughter. We managed this at a typical and very old fashioned clothes store where there was lots of choice. I had to laugh when I saw both my daughter and husband dressed in similar raincoats and in the same colour. Now they would be ok and ready for any weather hahaha.

Father and daughter in blue rain coats

By then it was time for coffee and we walked around the corner to La Galerna where we always have it. La Galerna bar is in a beautiful square called Plaza Parres Sobrino where I know that many scenes from Spanish films have been shot. It's very oldie worldie.

Coffee on Monday at La Galerna in Llanes

By then the sun was out and we took off our rain coats. At this same square there is an amazing gourmet store, Aramburu, which sells the best of local produce. I always have to buy "cecina" (cured beef a bit like braseola but so much tastier) and also "pastel de cabracho" which is famous in the north of Spain. It is a sort of fish pate, difficult to describe, and was first created by the famous Spanish chef, José Mari Arzac.

As the sun was out we decided to go up to the top of the cliffs above Llanes to what is called "El paseo de San Pedro" - St. Peter's walkway. It is one of our favourite walks here. Nothing beats it as the views are amazing and you walk on fresh green grass. Having Suzy with us meant we had someone to take photos of the two of us which is a nice change. This week's feature photo is of us on one of the view point benches on that walk on Monday. When I posted some of the photos of our morning in and around Llanes on social media, some friends commented that my husband was very good looking. A new friend I have, Magda, told me "you have a gorgeous man". I suppose I do. When I told Eladio he laughed his head off as he is not at all aware of his good looks. I am. 

Suzy loved the walk and I took pictures of her too. I particularly like this one of her on another bench by the sea.

Suzy on the St. Peter's walkway on Monday

The weather held for the full walk which was about an hour or probably more because we kept stopping to take photos, like this one of me with my beloved Pippa who enjoyed the walk as much as we did.

Me and Pippa. Pippa and me - always together. On our walk on Monday

Our morning hadn't finished though as before going home we had to buy some fruit and veg. We would do the rest of the food shopping in the afternoon when it wouldn't matter if it rained. We went to a great little green grocer in Posada de Llanes. Just look at that great big box of all we bought which came to a paltry 35 euros. Suzy was astonished. Me too.

Suzy coming out of the green grocer in Posada on Monday

Some of that would we would have for our lunch that day and it was delicious. Just as we got home at around 1.30 it began to rain. But we had beaten the weather that morning and enjoyed Llanes and the surrounding area. Oh how I love Asturias. If only it was just a bit warmer (hahaha).

We all did our own thing after lunch. I did actually get a few winks in while watching the boring news of the Spanish government's reshuffle. Suzy had to work in the afternoon so it was just Eladio and I who went into Posada de Llanes to do the food shopping and also restock the house with cleaning and bathroom products to last our guests this summer. 

By the time we were home, Suzy was ravenous and started making dinner. We had the "cabracho", the "cecina" and a salad all washed down with local cider (the best). That night I slept like a baby. 

I woke up at 6.30 on Tuesday morning, refreshed and ready to go. Rain was forecast and the day looked very dark and cloudy but as often happens here, the sun made its appearance at mid morning and we had  a beautiful day. Eladio and I had been keen for a while to spruce up the rather forlorn looking terrace attached to the house, perfect for sitting out in the sun. The only way to make it look more attractive was to fill it with plants and flowers. People there decorate their houses putting flower pots everywhere so we decided to go to a garden centre we had been recommended, "Mijares" in a coastal village next to Llanes called Cué. We already have flowers in the windows and all along the front of the house but our terrace desperately needed some colour. One day, too, we shall see to the ground and pave it properly but for the moment the flowers will have to do. 

The garden centre was up to expectations and we found everything we needed there.

The garden centre in Cué

We chose flowers that thrive well in this area: geraniums of course but also hydrangea and calla or arum lily. The latter is native to South Africa but grows here too. There are lots of exotic plants, fruit trees and flowers which you would never expect to grow in then north of Spain but because of the climate in this area they do. I have seen lemon trees everywhere as well as kiwi trees, peach trees, orange trees and palm trees. In the summer there is an explosion of hydrangea and bougainvillea so typical here. 

Suzy by some beautiful hydrangeas growing wild behind our house (she is showing off the giant courgette). 

Our calla lillies. Love them. 

We  needed 6 huge bags of soil too and our car seemed very heavy as we drove away, pleased with our purchasse at the garden centre. As soon as we were home, even though it was time for lunch, Eladio who is a good gardener, wanted to get started. 

Eladio about to plant the new flowers for our little terrace

Meanwhile, I got on with our lunch; home made fish and chips. Suzy had an exotic looking vegan dish. We sat down to lunch too late to watch the news. In fact we hardly watched the news during our stay at El Cuetu. In any case, the news was depressing. That day Spain recorded nearly 44 thousand new infections and passed 4 million deaths. What is happening I ask myself again? Well, many young people who are not vaccinated yet, are getting the virus as they are not maintaining social distancing or wearing masks. I also read that 77% of new hospitalised cases are of people who have refused the vaccine. How stupid is that? Can't they get it into their head that deadly viruses like polio or small pox could only be eradicated by vaccines? 

More worryingly, there are cases of people who have caught the virus even though they are fully vaccinated, like Javid. Of interest in the news is the story of thousands of people demonstrating in Cuba - something unheard of - in protest at the lack of food, medicines and the situation of the pandemic there. Since we visited the island a few years ago and witnessed first hand the shortages Cubans suffer, I am following this story to see where it leads. Right now the government has blacked out internet and in the US they are considering providing internet coverage free to all islanders. I can only hope the protests lead to improvements in this ridiculously led communist country.

So, no we didn't watch the news really. Instead we spent a pleasant afternoon sprucing up the terrace, cleaning the outdoor furniture and pruning some of the flowers. The result was very pleasant especially as the sun was out and everything looked so much better. Thank God the rain had gone.

The terrace and house with all the flowers and plants we got at the garden centre 

At this time of year in that area it is light until 22h so we sat outside until late, only going into the house to make our dinner. I also spent part of the afternoon skyping with my friend Amanda. Oh how I wish she and other friends could come to stay at our new house in Asturias one day. 

While we were sitting outside, our dear neighbour, Loli, who looks after the house and waters the flowers, takes care of our guests and looks out for us in our absence, came over to offer us a huge courgette from her vegetable patch. She had already left us half a dozen of eggs from her own hens when we arrived and another half a dozen that morning. I love the way she looks out for us and we are very fond ofhers. The courgette was as big as Pippa so Suzy had the grand idea of taking a photo of the vegetable and our little sausage dog together hahahha. 

Suzy with the giant courgette and Pippa 

Suzy, being a vegetarian, was delighted with the courgette. I could have made it for dinner but had already bought clams that day. 

I made "almejas a la marinera", a dish I make quite often now that I have mastered it. That doesn't translate well. Really it is a onion and garlic based sauce to which you add white wine, vegetable stock and paprika and then cook the clams in it. Delicious.

We sat outside afterwards until it was dark. What a change from the rain. We went to bed relatively early for me and I was awake at 6 am on Wednesday morning, our last day in Asturias. It was supposed to be sunny all day but it wasn't really but at least it didn't rain nor was it cold with the temperature reaching 21c. That day we decided to go beach hopping. First we visited the nearest beach to our house, Playa de Barro. It's about 8km from El Cuetu. Here we parked, enjoyed the view and walked up to a hill above the beach but realised the path didn't lead anywhere. But we shall be back as it's a pretty little beach and would be wonderful with good weather. 

Eladio in the field above the beach Playa de Barro. It's the nearest beach to our house

We then drove along the coastal road past other enticing beaches. But our destination was the Poó beach (not pooh hahaha), my favourite so far. There we had a coffee at a pretty little restaurant and bar, La Farola del Mar, overlooking this beach. It wasn't bathing weather but strolling along the beach weather which is what we did. The tide was out so we were able to walk for a long stretch and we enjoyed every minute of it. So did Pippa. Dogs are not allowed on most beaches in Spain so we carried "Pipps" until there were no people in sight and then let her loose. Silly dog, she tried to drink the sea water.

Walking on the Playa de Poó on Wednesday morning.

When we could go no further we turned on our heels and walked back. We couldn't leave the beach though without going up the hill and showing Suzy the cliffs there with amazing views of the mountains and the sea. I never tire of the views up there.

On the cliffs above the Playa de Poó on Wendesday

We spent a while up there contemplating the views and taking in the beauty. By then it was nearly 13.30h and we had a table booked for lunch in Llanes at a restaurant that had been recommended to us by a local last time we were there. We were at El Campanu by 2 pm and happy to sit down to a served lunch accompanied by local cider. Only Eladio chose the flagship dish of Asturias, "fabada", a bean stew cooked for hours with chorizo and a sausage a bit like black pudding that I don't like, called "morcilla". This was it.

When in Asturias you have to try the local dish "fabada"

We had our dessert at a very good local ice cream parlour. Did I ever tell you my favourite "pudding" is ice cream or that my favourite flavours are pistachio and coconut? Well they had both flavours and I had a scoop of each. Thankfully Eladio helped me. I reminded him that when we were courting, the first thing he ever treated me to was an ice cream. He still does that today, bless him, "my gorgeous man".

We arrived home feeling full and sleepy, mostly thanks to the cider so had a longish siesta. After my afternoon "cuppa" of decaf tea, Eladio and I decided to go on another little trip. After all there was loads of time as it wouldn't get dark now till 10 pm. We had been told about a village called El Mazuco up in the mountains so we took the road which eventually leads to Llanes. We later read a famous battle took place there during the Spanish Civil War. The road couldn't have been steeper or more windy and at times I felt a little bit whoozy as I hate heights. At times too I couldn't look down but I certainly looked at the scenery in front of me and all the animals we encountered. At one point I saw a huge Spanish goat with amazing horns on the road in front of us. I made Eladio stop to take a photo. This is the photo I got. Isn't this creature, this buck, just incredible? My husband who knows about farm animals as he was brought up on a farm said this he goat could be dangerous. To me he didn't look at all dangerous; just magnificent. Die I ever tell you too that I love all four legged animals from rabbit size (that's to exclude rats) upwards? Yes I do. 

The magnificent Spanish billy goat we met on our drive up the mountains on Wednesday afternoon

Eladio also pointed out a very large bull with a herd of cows high up on the slopes of the mountains and I had to have another photo.

The bull and the herd of cows

It seemed there were more animals than people or cars on this road. We were driving slowly when in the distance I saw what looked like two lion cubs. But that couldn't be possible. As we drove nearer I realised they were bullocks lying peacefully on the side of the road. I had to have another photo of course. 

Bullocks on the mountain road

No doubt there was more fauna and we did see horses. What we didn't see, because they hide away, were brown bears of which there is a growing population in the north of Spain. I know, because one was spotted on the road outside Montrondo not long ago and because we have often seen their paw marks in the snow. I was happy to see the lovely 4 legged animals I did on that rather somber drive on Wednesday evening.

We were back quite late but were actually hungry - it must have been the mountain air - and we tried our neighbour Loli's eggs for dinner that night. What a difference there is between them and supermarket bought eggs. If only we could get eggs like that at home. But we took back a dozen she had given us. That night her husband Pepe brought us round a bag of lemons too from their orchard. We were very touched.

There was time for an evening stroll around the village of El Cuetu which we actually haven't explored  much. Eladio was keen to show me a couple of the typical graneries which are called "hórreos". I love them and dream of having one one day. Of the two, this one was the best.

Eladio showing me one of the "hórreos" in the village

I was envious of the property next to the granery which commanded a fine view of the village below, Meré. Actually, our village, El Cuetu de Meré, is a hamlet that is part of Meré. 

The view of Meré from our village El Cuetu de Meré

It was still light when we ended our stroll so we sat outside on our newly spruced up terrace. We were admiring it but thinking too that it could do with even more flowers. That will have to be next time. Wednesday  night was our last night in El Cuetu and we were sorry to leave the next day. We would have stayed, especially because the warm weather was coming, but we couldn't as our third set of guests were arriving on Thursday evening. July and August are now fully booked with not a spare day so we won't be able to go again until the autumn. I look forward to going again.

We didn't have to leave until 12 so there was plenty of time to get ready to go. We left shortly after midday but before we could really get on the road we made a stop to get petrol and we also had a coffee there to keep us going. Then in Posada de Llanes we went to the local bakery as Oli had asked us to buy some tuna fish pie. While there we got lots of other things too (naughty cakes for example). Our last errand was to pump up the tires at the local garage. Thus we only really hit the road at about 13.30. We stopped for a wonderful picnic lunch this time at a little village called Rioseco in the Santander region. We actually had our picnic on the grass next to the beautiful church, San Andrés. Here is a photo of Eladio and Suzy. It's one more memory of our little holiday in the north of Spain and one to treasure.

Our picnic lunch on the way home on Thursday

We were home by about 7.30 and arrived to a very full house. A group of 5 very young boys aged from 18 to 14 had been staying since Monday. What a nightmare group they were and quite picky and demanding too. I knew they would be trouble before I left and I was right. Felipe, our lodger, told me they had been a nightmare from hell. Poor Lucy. I won't go into the details but just imagine what a group of young boys (they are actually Romanians) of their age can get up to. They virtually turned night into day and left a mess and lights on everywhere. They were not particularly pleasant either and I thought they would leave me a bad review but they didn't. Thankfully bad guests are few and far between.

During the car journey I was on my phone constantly, working, of course. The Communications Director, Esterfanía,  from the Swimmy Platform where people can hire private pools, like us, had asked me to do an interview with a news agency about my experience as a Swimmy host. Unbelievably the interview was with the Russian news agency, Sputnik! Estafania also asked me to appear in a live TV report the next day.  This would have been easy if we didn't have guests leaving and more guests coming which was the case on Friday. 

We finally hit the sack at around 9.30 but I couldn't sleep nor could Eladio with all the bother from the group of boys. We eventually did though. I was awake at 6.15 on Friday morning knowing I had lots to do. 

But first things first in the  morning which means my breakfast and the headlines. I was aghast to read about the freak floods in Germany, Belgium and Holland with so many fatalities and missing people not to mention destroyed homes and the evacuation of residents. Last night the death toll came to 153. People are asking how the flood warning authorities hadn't reacted on time. How could this be happening in a country like Germany? How awful. This is due they say, to global warming. There was no sign of rain in Madrid thankfully. We had come back to hot weather; from around 21c maximum in El Cuetu to 33c when we arrived on Thursday evening. Yesterday it reached 38ºc and we are seriously considering escaping the heat by going to our house in my husband's village, Montrondo. We may go tomorrow. 

I woke up also to another email from one of what I call my father's "old boys" from Bradford Grammar School. John M. who was his pupil of Russian in 1980, reached out as others have done over the years. It's amazing the impact my father had on his pupils. Their testimony shows just what an inspirational teacher he was. Of course I printed the emails out for him. I knew they would make him happy as they made me happy. 

I also watched Oli on TV which I try to do every day. What I didn't know was that Friday would be her last day until after her maternity leave. So we probably won't be seeing her again on TV until next spring.  I hope she gets some well deserved rest before Juliet comes. 

It was all hands on deck that morning and then just when everything was ready for the TV cameras, I was told they would not be coming as they had too much content for that day's programme. They may well come next week. I was busy too contacting new guests in Santa Pola and preparing for our new guests who came to our house here that night. It was to be another group of young men and I hoped they would be a well behaved group. I commented to Eladio that this year because of the pandemic, the quality of the guests we receive here is below what we have experienced in the past. 

The day was hot and I escaped to our air conditioned bedroom until the group arrived. They came from the Basque Country and seemed a nicer group than the previous one. That night we went out to dinner as we have now resumed our Friday night dinners out. Again we went to El Tinglado. We booked a table for 8pm on the terrace and then wished we had booked one inside as it was far too hot outside.

We came home to have our very own dessert, thick green plums or giant greengages from our very own tree. This year it is very plentiful, more so than last year. There and then at 9.30 pm, Eladio got out the ladder and picked about 2 kilos for immediate consumption. There are enough for us for days and days and for the birds too unless they beat us to it. 

Giant greengages from our garden

Entertainment that night was watching a film about the Spanish Civil War, another favourite genre of ours.

I slept relatively well that night and was up at 6.45 yesterday morning. It was just too hot for a walk that morning and it will be too today. Instead we went to visit Oli and family. We were dying to see Elliot again and he seemed pleased to see us. What a lovely little boy he is. We left around midday but would be back for dinner; having the pleasure of Elliot's company twice in a day.

Our guests were out for lunch presumably so the house was quiet. We had our siesta and I didn't leave our air conditioned room again until it was time to go to Oli's house. We took with us some cider from Asturias and little "Isidrín", a cider pump, some of Loli's courgette, "cecina" from Arambura in Llanes and of course plums from the tree. Miguel served us home made gazpacho and Oli made a wonderful salad. Again we played with Elliot and for much of the dinner he sat on my knees - the joys of being a grandmother. Nowadays he plays more and more by himself and gives his parents some free time. I caught him on camera playing with his sippy mug, pouring water into a jar. Oh, he loves water.

Little Elliot playing with water and caught on camera yesterday evening.

When we left to say goodbye he wasn't happy and kept saying "no, no". He babbled words only his father understood which translated into "grandma and grandpa, don't go, stay with me". That was heart wrenching and so sweet to witness. We left in the heat but happy to know we would see him again, probably today.

The guests were out when we got back. In fact I didn't see them yesterday. I can't remember what we watched on TV last night - oh yes, some silly Mexican series - but I fell asleep quite soon. This morning I was up later, at 7.15 and had the kitchen to myself with the dogs.

Today will be another scorcher. Our guests will be leaving at midday and my plans are for us all to spend time by the pool this afternoon. Maybe tomorrow we will go to Montrondo. You will hear whether we did or not this time next week in next Sunday's blog post.

Meanwhile, I wish you all well. Cheers for now,

Masha