Argentina wins the World Cup, Jorge Blass' magic show, my new British passport, Elliot's Christmas function, Zelensky meets Biden in US historic meeting, discovering Chat GPT, our "Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) and other stories.

Christmas Day, Madrid, Sunday 25th December, 2022

All the family gathered together last night on Christmas Eve

Good morning and Merry Christmas to you all. 

I love Christmas and today is my 65th; quite a lot. My father had over a 100 and I think he loved it as much as me. All the British traditions I respect I got from his mother when we used to spend Christmas at my English grandparents' house at 17 Hoylake Crescent in Ickenham, Middlesex, near London. They were wonderful Christmases. It is thanks to my grandmother that our Christmas pans out like this: first the stockings except that I stopped doing that when the girls reached 35 and 36. Then a family breakfast after which comes the most important part of the day; opening the presents around the tree - I have incorporated eating chocolate during the process. Then my grandmother, and now me, would start making the elaborate English Christmas day meal; always turkey with all the trimmings. Thankfully I have Lucy to help. Lunch has to have crackers too and the dessert is always Christmas pudding with white sauce which as Oli doesn't like it I also make another dessert. In England we would listen to the Queen's speech at 3 pm. This year for the first time in my life it will be a King's speech which I will listen to after the event. The afternoon at Hoylake  Crescent was usually playing with new toys or if we were lucky sliding on the pavement outside on the ice the snow had brought. I have incorporated the Spanish siesta which I think is essential after the heaviest meal of the year. Then comes some TV time. In the old days we would re watch a film we loved such as The Sound of Music. These days that is not possible with Juliet and Elliot. They of course are the stars of Christmas for us, even if they are a little disruptive. Maybe, one day, when they reach my age they will be able to tell people that their Christmas traditions are based on those of their English grandmother and great great grandmother  I hope so. 

But, hey, let me rewind to last Sunday, a week before Christmas Day when all was still to be enjoyed in anticipation. Often the waiting part is the sweetest I find. We spent that morning with our grandchildren again as their father was at Mass - no, not to participate, but to broadcast it for TVE for their Sunday morning programme. My youngest daughter arrived with Juliet and Elliot really early and we had to decide how to fill the morning. Well, the easiest thing was to drive to nearby Boadilla, have a coffee, buy some bread at Oli's favourite bakery  -"Masa Madre" and then go for a walk. That is what we did.

Elliot loved his mini croissant at Alverán bakery. He wanted to go for a wee wee so as he is only 3 years old I accompanied him. Downstairs we encountered the pastry chef who let us visit his kitchen full of enticing cakes and pastries. Elliot was impressed and so was I. 

From Alverán we walked to Masa Madre (means sourdough in English), one of Oli's favourite bread shops. Eladio, Suzy and Oli are great fans of bread but Oli is obsessed with it. I like bread but as I am English I can only eat it with butter so I hardly ever have it but when I do it is a treat. Honestly I don't know how Olivia keeps her figure eating all that bread, even if it is the healthy type but she does. So I had to have a photo of her with her father there. Here they are. 

Oli and Eladio at Masa Madre in Boadilla last Sunday

Very soon both babies were asleep and it was our job, as their grandparents, to push the wheel chairs. Oli had to have a photo - here it is.

Pushing our grandchildren's prams in Boadilla last Sunday like two good grandparents hahaha

We found ourselves very near the bar where Suzy works at the weekends and decided to go and surprise her with our visit. She was delighted to see us and again we had to have a photo, a selfie this time. 

A funny family moment in the street last Sunday in Boadilla 

It was past 1 pm by then. Oli and I walked back pushing the grandchildren as we wanted a walk and Eladio drove home. The walk did me the world of good. I was happy to come home to find Lucy had followed my instructions on how to do a chicken leg pot roast. Miguel joined us while the children slept and for once we had a peaceful lunch.

Eladio and I were doing something very special that evening. I had bought tickets to see Jorge Blass' magic show called "Flipar" at the Reina Victoria theatre in the city centre. I didn't realise when I bought the tickets that it would coincide with the World Cup final. However as the latter was starting at 4 pm I thought we could watch it and then go into Madrid. But, as you all know, it went on for a long time.

Argentina started off well and towards the end were beating "les bleues" 2-0. I thought that was it but it wasn't. France managed 2 goals, both from Mbappe  and the football became crazy  and it was 2-2 and went to extra time. Messi scored again and it looked like they would win until Mbappe scored his 3rd goal to draw at 3-3. We had to leave just as extra time began but followed the match on the radio as it came to an end. Oh my goodness the World Cup final would be decided by a penalty shoot out. And my friends, you all know how that went. 4-2 to Argentina. Thus the King of football, Messi, lifted the most coveted cup in the world, the only one he was missing and he equaled his country man, Maradona - big debate on that - and the French could only drown their sorrows. My friend Adele who lives in France and is married to a Frenchman could only say "Fuck Messi". I wouldn't put it like that. So was I pleased? Actually I didn't really mind who won but hate penalty shoot outs. Madrid was full of Argentians celebrating when we left the theatre.

An Argentinian fiesta in Madrid on Sunday night

I didn't know at the time that 26 year old Iranian footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani has allegedly been sentenced to death for joining protests in favour of women's rights. The world should be shocked, especially as the news comes during the fever of the World Cup. Why I wonder haven't its governing body, FIFA, or Messi spoken out? 

The theatre was packed and started just after Argentina lifted their 3rd World Cup. I felt sorry for Eladio who I think would have preferred to stay at home and watch the whole match in peace. It was me who wanted to see Jorge Blass performing his magic in a show called "Flipar"

The poster for Jorge Blass' magic show

I have known this magician since he was at the beginning of his career after having won the best young magician of the year prize in a world wide competition. I hired him the first time for a big event to launch a new Nokia game phone - the horrible Ngage - and for that we rented a whole village, Pedraza. The first time I saw him perform I literally cried. It was after seeing his number where he creates a snow storm out of paper. I loved him so much I hired him again at Yoigo on a number of occasions. So when I heard about his new show Flipar which translates into "freak out" in English, I had to get tickets. Eladio had never seen him and maybe because I told him how wonderful Blass is, his expectations were high and he was slightly disappointed. He was great, no doubt about it but he didn't make me cry this time. My husband, the philosopher, who questions everything in life, seemed to have a solution for every one of his tricks. I just sat back and admired his magic even though I know he used tricks. But oh how clever he is and oh how good he is on stage. The 1.5 hours went past in a flash, far too fast. I did not freak out as he promised but I enjoyed every moment. 

A moment during Jorge Blass' magnificent show "Flipar" last Sunday in Madrid

We were hungry when we left at around 8.45 but Madrid was just too crowded to contemplate having dinner in town. So we took a Cabify taxi - Spain's answer to Uber - to Pozuelo where we had left our car. The round trip cost just 27 euros when a single trip by a normal taxi can cost over 40 euros. No wonder people prefer to use Uber or Cabify here in Spain. It was Eladio's first experience with Cabify and he was pleased. I commented new technology brings good things and my husband had to answer it brings bad things too. Maybe he is right except that I always want to focus on the positive side of life.

I woke up at 5.45 on Monday morning. By then my Chinese guests who had been here for over 2 weeks, had left for Shanghai. But they will be back. Only Ximena, my Colombian guest, was here but she left at 10 am destination London. I hope she didn't encounter problems with the trains. In England right now there is a record period for strikes that are causing havoc all around the country and affecting people's Christmas. No doubt my grandparents who lived at Hoylake Crescent and my father, would be shocked as I am shocked at the state of affairs in my home country.  That day I learned first hand how the nurses strike affected a friend, Phil. He needs a shoulder replacement and has had the operation cancelled now 5 times this year! My heart goes out to him.

When our guests left, Eladio and I went on a walk but this time not through the woods but to our nearest shopping area. I wanted to get "magic lips" lipstick for the girls as more stocking fillers. There is an ulterior motive as they always use mine hahaha. Once there we had a coffee at La Flaca, that new and very chic bar/restaurant we have been to occasionally. We enjoyed our coffee watching Messi and Mbapppé score in extra time in the thrilling World Cup final which was being broadcast again at La Flaca.

I came home to find two DHL envelopes. Unbelievably they contained my new British passport and the old one. It was of course blue as I had expected but not nearly as nice as the cardboard one issued in "the old days". It gutted me to see the words "European Union" no longer there. Oh how I hate Brexit. I also noticed that inside it stated I also have a Spanish passport with the details set out. This is what the new one looks like vs my old one from when I was a student "Miss Maria Lloyd". Miss! hahahhaa. Today there is no Miss, Mrs or Mr which I sort of think is a bit sad but that is due to modern times, especially "wokeism" or cancel culture. 

My new passport left - my first passport right

It had taken just under 3 weeks to process which isn't bad. I had sent my old one by registered post. Unfortunately, Suzy who sent hers by normal post has been told by HM Passport Office that it hasn't arrived. Oh dear. I suppose that is because of the Postal strikes. Where on earth is it I wonder and what will happen if it gets lost?

I didn't have much time to think about that as by then it was lunch time which we had peacefully together - Suzy, Eladio and I, in our big cozy dining room.

My quiet afternoon was interrupted by a visit to my physiotherapist (about my prolapse - lovely). Unfortunately I could not stand the electrode treatment - I cried out in pain  - and it had to be suspended. I came back feeling a little down. 

The day ended watching Dr. Zhivago, for the umpteenth time when we saw it was on TVE2. Neither of us could resist it. Every time I watch it I think of my mother who wasn't so keen as she said there were lots of mistakes. She also told me once when she was in Russia with the head of the Union of Writers - can't remember his name -. he confessed to her it was his signature that led to Boris Pasternak not being able to receive the Nobel Prize for literature for his book. From what I understood, he felt guilty and ashamed. So he should but those were difficult times. 

Tuesday dawned, the day of the nurses' strike in the UK. The Times headline could not have been more ominous: "Heart attack patients to be denied ambulances". What has the country come to? Apparently the Army stepped  in but there was some red tape about them using the blue emergency lights. For heaven's sake. This made me feel nauseous. It really did. So, to quote AA Milne in his poem "King John was not a good man", Tuesday was not a good day. That was also because it rained all day and deprived us of our walk. There is honestly very little to report about Tuesday so let me move on to Wednesday.

I was horrified to read that morning that the Taliban have now banned women from studying at University in Afghanistan.  In later news we learned they are now also banned from working for NGO's! Not just that, many cannot even go to school or parks and gyms and public baths are banned. Practically everywhere is banned for women apart  food stores and even then they have to be accompanied by a man - a blood relative. That means that half the population of a country is basically under house arrest. I hate the Taliban, just as I hate the Ayatollahs in Iran and any other government repressing women. I feel so lucky being a woman born in the west of Europe, I really do.

That morning we were going to Elliot's Christmas function. The Taliban would hate to know that his class is mixed, girls and boys as nearly all schools are in the world. But I wasn't thinking about the hated militia but about my dear grandson. Eladio, Suzy and I went to together and were so happy to see Elliot's class all dressed as angels for their function. 

Elliot's class dressed as angels who sang carols for their function and performed a sort of dance (hahaha). 

Thankfully we can still say Happy Christmas in Spain and children can dress up as characters from the scenes of the birth of Christ which is what Christmas is supposed to be about. So, no, I don't say Happy Holidays instead as it shouldn't offend anyone who is not Christian. Can you imagine other religions, Jewish, Muslim, whatever, changing the names of their religious holidays or celebrations to appease non believers of their faith? But we are so stupid in the west, we go all out not to offend anyone and end up shooting ourselves in the foot. Here is our little angel who is no angel by the way, on Wednesday morning; oblivious of my arguments or opinions. 

Little Elliot dressed as an angel in his class Christmas function

And here is a video of the class which I uploaded to my YouTube channel.

We left afterwards feeling elated. Suzy I think even cried with emotion. To celebrate we went to have coffee at Manolo Bakes with Miguel, Elliot's father and then we parted.

Wednesday was of course 21st December, the Winter Solstice and the shortest day of the year. Oh how I hate dark and short days. Roll on 21st June for the Summer Solstice I always say. To brighten up our lives I took Eladio to the Corte Inglés department store for some retail therapy - last minute Christmas presents as I had decided we didn't have enough. As we walked in the front door you go straight through the perfume section and Eladio looked at me and remarked how happy I looked. He's right. I have always loved that store, ever since I was a language assistant in Madrid back in 1978 as part of my University degree. When I got paid for teaching - a paltry 20.000 pesetas a month - just 120 euros at today's exchange rate - I always bought myself something there. That day I indulged in some Joe Malone fragrance for me from me. I also got my husband a present which I think I can safely reveal now as he wont' read this till later. It is a Barbour scarf. I love this quintessential English brand and I hope he likes the scarf. It is my favourite man's present recently as I have also got one for Julio who definitely does not read my blog bless him.

On the other side of the pond that day an historic encounter was happening. Man of the year, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, in his first trip abroad since the Russian invasion in February, traveled to Washington to meet President Biden. He arrived in Army fatigue and was greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Biden. His visit is to thank the US for all their help and to ask for more.

Zelensky with Biden in Washington on Wednesday

He spoke in Congress and reminded the world of the last time a President from another nation did - none other than Winston Churchill. Dressed as a leader in war time, his words resonated strong and I sincerely hoped they wouldn't fall on deaf ears. You will be happy to know they didn't.  These were his parting words

“The battle is not only for life, freedom, and security of Ukrainians or any other nation which Russia attempts to conquer,” he said. “The struggle will define in what world our children and grandchildren will live in.”

He added, “Your money is not charity. It’s an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way.”

Meanwhile, the evil Vladimir Putin continues his attacks - mostly aimed at energy plants that have plunged most of Zelensky's compatriots into darkness and lack of water, electricity and internet. He has promised a further 1.5 million troops! I do hope Biden is able to continue to support Ukraine as we all know this is not just a war between Russia and one country. I fear the war will continue for years and that we will all lose interest, like we did with the Vietnam War. That is just what Zelensky wants to avoid and he is right.  He needs the US support to speed up victory. We need to beat the monster Putin and give back Ukrainian people their lives and their country.

Thursday was 22nd December and the day the "El Gordo" lottery is celebrated - perhaps the single most important Christmas tradition in Spain which has nothing to do with the birth of Christ. Our younger daughter Olivia was sent all the way to Benavente to cover stories of possible wins in the area as were other reporters - all sent to strategic locations. A car came for her at 6 am. I had been up since 5.30. Every year since I have lived in Spain we have bought El Gordo tickets but we have hardly ever won anything. Would this year be different? Most probably not. So why do we do it? Tradition says my husband who is no great traditionalist funnily enough. I followed Oli's day on Whatsapp. When "El Gordo" was announced she was sent to a small village outside Ponferrada, 1.5h further north of Benavente. Here she found the establishment lacking in people celebrating but found some and was able to do her report. For me the best win was a company of 10.000 employees who all won the lottery and they heard of it when they were having the annual Christmas party. We, as usual, did not win a penny.

For us it was a normal day. We would do the almost last food shopping before Chrstmas Day.  Suzy came with us and we made a morning of it with a stop at Manolo Bakes again for coffee where we joined by Miguel.

Friday 23rd loomed, the day before what is known in Spain as "Nochebuena" (literally "Good Night" and what Christmas Eve is called in Spain.   In Spain, like in most of Europe, this is the most important day of Christmas together with 6th January, Kings' Day. Families gather around groaning tables at night and eat enormous quantities of the best quality food. This year with the cost of living rising so much, I imagine there will be fewer people indulging in small eels at a cost of 800 euros a kilo, lobster or barnacles at 100 euros a kilo. It is very traditional to eat sea food followed by fish or meat - generally suckling lamb. As to desserts, there is no Christmas pudding but a huge variety of turrón (a sort of Spanish nougat). Our table is always different.  We only do first courses as they are heavy enough. We have devised our own meal which hasn't varied much over the years. It has to include the family flagship potato salad, "perushki" (meat pies) and bacon rolls. Dessert is often trifle but this year I also made my new strawberry and cream mille-feuille.

But I didn't cook on Friday. I woke up at 5.30 am - far too early. The day before I was not hungry for whatever reason - strange for me but soon on Friday I developed the runs. Oh dear, not good just before Christmas. I was in the middle of the runs when our Chilean guests, Sergio and Cristina were leaving. Lovely couple. They and their grandsons left for a Christmas and New Year cruise on the Mediterranean. So from Friday until the New Year the house will be empty of guests as I have blocked the calendar.

It was a dark and gloomy day and I didn't have much to do. You see I had finished all my Christmas preparation tasks. My stomach was off so I spent most of the day in bed. I really hoped I would be better on Christmas Eve. I have been on a semi strict diet since the end of September and was really looking forward to breaking it and worried my stomach would think otherwise. Oh dear.

With plenty of time on my hands I started exploring a new Artificial Intelligence Chat box which seems to have hit the internet by storm. Called Chat GPT ?I had briefly looked at it and then a friend, Juana - always at the forefront when it comes to new technology, posted her holiday greeting on LinkedIn and announced she had done so using Chat GPT. I always look to Juana as my role model for new technology so I tried it too. It looks complicated at first but the chat box question box is not so I tried it. I asked it all sorts of questions and like Google it gave me the answers but not with links, rather whole explanatory texts. It can also do your homework, write CVs, letters, whatever you need. I posed all sorts of questions and then asked Chat GPT to come up with a note to my husband explaining why I love him. I gave it these words to go on.

Write a note from me to my husband telling him I love him because he is my rock, my life companion, he is gorgeous looking, loves me from the bottom of his heart, is very cultured and open minded

This was the gushing reply which I thought wasn't bad at all. 

Here is a sample note that you could use to express your love and appreciation for your husband:

Dear [Husband],

I just wanted to take a moment to tell you how much I love and appreciate you. You are my rock, my life companion, and the person I can always count on. Your love for me is unconditional and it fills my heart with joy.

Not only are you gorgeous looking, but you are also very cultured and open minded. These qualities make you a truly special and unique person. I am so lucky to have you by my side and to share my life with you.

I love you now and always.

I can see people writing books using Chat GPT and essays for school. I think it is a game changer and a bit scary really.

I always like trying new things out on the internet. I started this blog in 2005 when blogs were just beginning. I joined Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn too at their beginnings and just look how they have grown. I have the feeling that Chat GPT and similar tools will be the norm of the future. 

Christmas Eve dawned. I had lots to cook and started with the desserts - trifle (very English) and my new mille-feuille creation. Unfortunately the puff pastry didn't rise the first time so I had to throw it out and it wasn't much better the next time. I have a new convection oven and am not sure which is the best oven mode for puff pastry to rise. So there would only be three layers. I also started on the potato salad with Lucy's help. My mayonnaise curdled the first time round but worked out fine at the second attempt. I think if I cook in a rush, things go wrong don't you?

These are the results. Yummy I have to say.

Christmas desserts - strawberry and cream tart and strawberry and cream trifle. 

I cooked most of the day but we did go out for our walk which we both needed. We also went to pick up our Christmas breakfast order from Alverán. I was a bit miffed they had forgotten it and that the queue was so big we had to go to Manolo Bakes for our coffee. That was when I broke my diet for the first time since the end of September and ate 2 of their delicious mini croissants. I also bought a box for our Christmas day breakfast which this year, for the first time  - a break in tradition - we will be having at Oli's house. Understandably, Miguel wanted Elliot to open his presents from Father Christmas at his own house. 

I came home to more cooking; finishing off my flagship potato salad from a recipe passed down to me by my mother from her father. It's our variation of potato salad which we always make on grand occasions.

My flagship potato salad for dinner last night

We had a very light lunch and I had a short siesta. I could have done with more sleep as I'm very short of it at the moment but there was more cooking to do.

I came down to make the bacon rolls; another staple dish for Christmas Eve. Later I would prepare the foie with biscuits, the salmon roll wreath, croquettes and perushki - both meat and veg for Suzy, .our in house vegetarian. She tries to be vegan but doesn't totally manage thank goodness. Thus she could also eat the potato salad and salmon wreath (salmon rolled in creme fraiche and chives).

When Eladio was up his job - his only job on Christmas Eve - was to light the fire in the library lounge or cat lounge as we call it as that's where Phoebe spends her mornings. I was in charge of all the Christmas lights and candles which takes a while and between us Lucy and I laid our beautiful table. It looked so festive and inviting.

This is it with most of the food on it, courtesy of Miguel, our in house photographer.

Our Christmas Eve table groaning with delicious food

For last night's dinner I used a beautiful old table cloth my mother had bought me for Christmas years ago and which I treasure. I could have used any of our wonderful dining services but chose the Villaroy and Bosch set which is the most recent. 

I then got dressed up. I have many festive dresses to choose from and was happy I did thanks to my recent diet. I wore a size S black dress from H&M which I bought years ago. 

Soon we were joined by Oli, Miguel, Elliot and Juliet and our family was complete. We had to have some pre dinner photos to mark the occasion. They would have been better with stronger lighting but they will have to do.

Some pre dinner photos last night

I have chosen the one of all of us as this week's feature photo. It is courtesy of Lucy who has stayed with us for Christmas this year. What a treasure she is.

Most Spaniards probably start their Nochebuena dinner much later than we do, at around 10 pm but we are early eaters and started ours at around 8.20 or so. I had to insist on more photos and a toast before letting people dig in but it fell on deaf ears as Miguel, Oli and Elliot already had food on their plate hahahaha.

Here is a photo of us all before the rest of us began eating the delicious food on the table which had taken a full day to make. It's funny how food takes ages to make and then is wolfed down in no time. Thankfully there is still lots left over.

Last night's dinner before tucking in.

Elliot was more interested in his food than being in the photo hahahaha. He was also more interested in the crackers which I always insist should be opened after a meal but he got his way. Not only that, he got to pull 3 crackers, his and his parents. He doesn't know how difficult it is for me to source them, not to mention the cost - probably double the UK street market price. That's because Spaniards do not include crackers for their Nochebuena or other Christmas dinners.

At 9 pm just before we were all deciding whether we wanted trifle or mille feuille for dessert or a bit of both in some cases, it was time for the King's speech, that is the Spanish King Felipe's speech. Eladio is always keen to watch it but with the kids and sitting at the table we skipped. I told my husband he could watch it on YouTube later but he was too keen to take any notice of me. Apparently he said something vague about strengthening our institutions and being united. I wonder if he he was thinking about his own family - completely estranged - since his father the Emeritus King Juan Carlos is exiled in Dubai, his mother lives in London, he is estranged from his sister Cristina and her disgraced husband who was in jail for embezzlement. He is no example of a united family. We, thankfully, are and were in peace and harmony last night.

The girls and I enjoyed the cracker jokes. That always make me think who on earth writes them? They are corny but fun to read out. The rest of the cracker contents, even if they call them luxury, are absolute rubbish. I always wish the presents could be a bit better or have more variety. But I still love them as Elliot does. He likes his because of the "bang" hahahahaha.

We later all gathered around the fire while the children played with their toys which are on permanent display on the bay window of the "cat lounge". 

Our night finished at around 10.30 pm, which is probably when most Spaniards were just starting their Nochebuena dinner. But, I, for one, was exhausted after having spent most of the day on my feet cooking.

Today I have to make the Christmas turkey roast lunch but that is easier although the turkey and roast potatoes need constant watching. 

Unlike most years, breakfast will be at Oli's this morning. I cant' wait to see little Elliot's face as he opens his presents thinking they are from Father Christmas, bless him. I shall give him ours later this afternoon as he will have far too many to open this morning.

And now I must leave you as it is Christmas Day and I want to enjoy every moment of it.

Happy Christmas everyone,

Bless you all, Masha.

Christmas shopping with Eladio, a morning in Madrid with the girls, home made strawberry and cream mille feuille, out and about with Elliot and Juliet, Julio came to dinner and other stories of the week.

Sunday, 18th December, 2022

Last night's dinner with Julio kicked off the first of this year's celebration meals

Good morning this Sunday 18th December. It's just one week to Christmas. Are you excited, are you prepared? I am; well nearly, but more about that when the time comes. 

Last Sunday I wasn't and spent some time on a very important task; the menus for our various festive dinners. Julio was coming yesterday which I had to plan for as well as Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day and of course, "Reyes" - Kings' Day in Spain. Our Christmas includes both English and Spanish traditions so we get to have 5 family festive meals.

I didn't have much else to do last Sunday which was a quiet and rainy day; thus no walk again. It would rain non stop until Friday. I do hate the rain and as you know in Spain, supposedly, it mostly does so "on the plain" according to My Fair Lady. That's not quite true but I like the saying.

I did cook though and made a winter stew; my flagship "cocido madrileño". The main ingredients are chickpeas, various meats which must include all sorts of bones and then of course vegetables. It is my husband's favourite meal. It's Julio's too but is far too heavy for a dinner so he would get something else.

We didn't see the grandchildren as, unusually for her, Oli had to work on Sunday to make up for days taken off because of personal issues, like taking the kids to the doctor for various coughs and colds. I have a cold actually which is rather persistent and which I suppose I got from them. But it isn't too bad.

The best remedy is bed and I spent my afternoon there watching more of Call the Midwife. It's so uplifting. It's also a look back on Britain in the 60's when I grew up and I can relate to so many of the stories. One of them was of England winning the World Cup in 1966. Well, that wasn't to be this year but one day it will be. 

Our Chinese guests were not back from Barcelona which made for a quiet house. Tomorrow they are leaving as is Jimena our Colombian guest. Jimena, though will be back, with her son this time, in early January. A Chilean couple are coming the next day until 23rd which is when we close for Christmas until around 6th January. I am blessed  as the house has been full most of the year. You may find it strange that we don't mind having lodgers. Well, we don't. It brings in income to run the house but also the house is so big there is room for lots of lodgers and very few get in the way as there are plenty of places to escape to; mostly our room, our study and the dining room which are all off limits. 

Monday  was yet another rainy day and we had nothing planned. Thus I thought it was the perfect day to do some proper Christmas shopping. Eladio came with me to Plaza Norte 2 which is so big it's not manageable. We started with a coffee together and then when I wandered into Zara and H&M, I realised I shouldn't have dragged my husband from home as he hates shopping. If I put him in my shoes, it is the same when he visits DIY places he loves and I hate. The poor chap ended up  sitting on a bench outside Primark for more than an hour and a half while I went on a shopping spree. I didn't get much, mostly stocking filler things for the girls and one jumper from me to me. I hoped my planned shopping outing to Madrid with the girls on Wednesday would be more successful. It was. Suzy, like her father,  isn't into consumerism, but both Oli and I are.

We came home to lunch on the table; fish and chips. I did not eat the latter and then spent another quiet afternoon in my bedroom. There was no sign of my Chinese guests who I had expected back on Sunday night after a couple of nights in Barcelona. Finally they came back that night but with no warning. The highlight of the day, apart from shopping, was my weekly Skype call with Amanda in the UK. That day there was snow in London and in other parts of England causing havoc to public transport which comes on top of rail strikes. Devon was not affected. In Madrid it rained all day again which was quite depressing. 

Tuesday would be another rainy. We have been experiencing "Storm Efrain" - these days storms have names; funny thing. It wouldn't go until Friday when finally we would have a dry day and we would be back to normal as it doesn't really rain often in Madrid.

My morning started quietly and I even spent some time in our main lounge which is something I hardly ever do. I wanted to read surrounded by the Christmas atmosphere I had created.  I put on seasonal music thanks to Spotify and a new blue tooth connection to our old stereo system. I particularly admired my new merry go round and a lamp tree which comes with a remote to change the lighting. I do love my Christmas gadgets. This was how everything looked as I sat on our very old sofa, one we had bought second hand just before we got married. We refurbished it about 25 years ago and I wondered as I read whether I should do that again. We could spend a packet on refurbishments around the house but it is not going to happen I am afraid.

Enjoying the atmosphere in our main lounge on Tuesday morning

I couldn't stay for long as I had to prepare lunch which would be our "cocido" leftovers. Oli would be joining us and she does love her "cocido". I also spent time helping our Colombian guest Ximena, to find an apartment to rent for the year. It's not easy for her as there are few flats to rent and one of the basic requirements is a work contract which she doesn't have as she is self employed. I hoped my efforts would pull off. 

Our afternoon would be different that day as we had to take care of Juliet and Elliot while Oli swanned off to Madrid to perform as an MC for a big prize winning award ceremony. It's a good job she's not reading this as she wouldn't like me saying that. It meant I had to look after Juliet for 1.5h. She was mesmerised by our winter wonderland and of course wanted to touch everything. How can you explain to a one year old that these are not toys but decorations hahahahhaa?

Juliet enjoying the spirit of Christmas on Tuesday

Meanwhile Eladio had to pick up Elliot and the half an hour he took seemed like ages to me while trying to keep Juliet occupied.  Luckily Suzy joined us - she is so good with the kids - and it was three of us. It was the perfect time to give them the homemade gingerbread men biscuits I had bought at the English Christmas market. I swear I didn't try them. Suzy did and said they tasted delicious. My grandchildren agreed.

My grandchildren enjoying their gingerbread men biscuits

We were relieved of grandparent duty at around 6.30 when their father came. The evening was quiet but the next day, Wednesday, would not be. It was not quiet in Doha where the semi final between Argentina and Croatia was playing. Eladio watched it but I stopped when the South Americans, led by an amazing Liolel Messi, were beating Modric's team 2-0. I always want the underdog to win but it doesn't often happen. It has happened though to Morocco who I wanted to beat France but knew that was nigh on impossible. 

Wednesday  was the day the girls and I went Christmas shopping into Madrid city centre. We knew it was going to rain but being British born that didn't put me off. It did the girls so I reminded them that there were umbrellas to protect them from the rain. That made them laugh.  We set off quite early at around 10.15 and were in Madrid in record time which surprised us. We parked at the Corte Inglés, just off "Callao" and there we split up. Suzy went  to the famous bookshop, "La casa del libro" and Oli and I went into the department store. She was buying a smart watch for Miguel and I was buying another Christmas present from me to me (hahahaha) - a DVD player for our big Samsung TV. We were to meet later in the heart of Madrid and Spain at the famous Puerta del Sol. But first I wanted to introduce Oli to the Japanese answer to Zara, Uniqulo. She loved it and I was lucky as being with her I was able to buy some of her Christmas presents. From Sol the three of us walked to the Four Seasons hotel - again for me. I wanted to show them the beautiful decorations there and swan it up in the amazing lobby with a delicious cup of coffee - each capuccino cost 8 euros!! But it was worth it. Suzy had hot chocolate in a cup to die for. Here she is being pampered at the Four Seasons. 

Suzy being served hot chocolate at the Four Seasons in Madrid on Wednesday morning

What a lovely moment. I recorded it on video so you can see more 

When paying the bill we were asked if we were staying at the hotel. I replied I wished I were which the waitress agreed with hahahaha.

From the Four Seasons we split up again. I wanted to foray into the semi new Galería Canalejas Food Hall. I was disappointed as it isn't a food hall as such, rather a series of luxury bars. So I quickly left and made my way again to the Puerta del Sol. It is still under construction but was looking festive.

A view of the Puerta del Sol as seen on Wednesday

I joined the girls who were on the children's floor of El Corté Inglés where Oli was buying pink Wellington boots for little Juliet. By then it was getting late and we were keen to get to Majadahonda as soon as possible where Oli had booked a table for lunch for us at El Verde Olivo. So we didn't just have a trip into Madrid to do the Christmas shopping together, we also had a girly lunch. We also had peace and harmony when the girls, for once, did not quarrel. 

Once home, Oli left to pick up the kids and I went up to join Eladio who was resting after his lunch of leftovers (hahahaha). The rest of the day was quiet, apart from the semi final match between France and Morocco. It was a very symbolic match for many reasons which I am sure you don't need me to go into. Morocco played well but were not able to score and France won 2-0 and went into the final against Argentina who they will be playing today at 4 pm. I predicted from the beginning that France would win but now I am not so sure as Messi is so strong at the moment. If either team win, it will be their third World Cup. Did you know that since 1930 only 8 countries have won it? They are Brazil (5), Germany (4), Italy (4), Uruguay (2), Argentina (2), England (1) and Spain (1). That is quite a select club. I would have loved to have seen a new country added to this year's list.   Anyway, as good old British fair play dictates, may the best side win.

Thursday came. It rained again but Storm Efraín was waning finally. What a wet December it has been. We could have gone on our walk but it was food shopping day which funnily enough, as we don't get out too much, we actually quite enjoy. 

It was on Thursday too that Netflix released the three final episodes of Harry and Meghan, their own documentary, told from their side, which will bring them earnings of 1 million dollars. While I sympathise with some of the negative coverage Meghan had to undergo after her wedding, I do not sympathise with them washing their dirty linen in public for money. They harp on about privacy yet this TV series shares their private life to the public world wide. Even I, who am a sucker for news of the Royal family, am getting a bit sick of them.

We had a better viewing experience that night watching a fantastic Spanish thriller set in a psychiatric home in the 70's. It sort of reminded us of One flew over the Cuckoo's nest. If you don't know what to watch next I highly recommend God's crooked lines. 

Finally on Friday we managed a walk but not on the path through the woods which we knew would be very muddy. It was good to be out again in the fresh air. For the past 2 or 3 weeks I have been waking up far too early, at around 5 or 5.30 and I think that morning it had taken a toll on me. I found myself falling asleep before lunch which is most unusual but I was desperate for a nap. I was desperate for my siesta too but it was short as we had to pick up the kids that afternoon at 4 pm from school. Oli was at a Christmas lunch with colleagues from her TV programme. I couldn't believe the amount of kids, parents and cars so thank goodness there were two of us.  Instead of bringing the kids here we took them to their house where they are easier to manage as there is only one floor. We spent the time playing with them. Elliot won't let Juliet touch his toys which makes for some challenging moments. I commented to Eladio just how boisterous he is and that I supposed it is because he is a boy. We had girls who had plenty of personality but were not so boisterous. The time passed slowly and we were only relieved of our duties when Oli and Miguel returned after 6 pm. We were too tired to go out to dinner that night so had a quiet night in, like most dadys this week.

On Saturday there were lots of things planned. Julio was coming for dinner that night. You will know he is my best "boy" friend, my ex Nokia colleague and more importantly a member of The three musketeers - i.e. Fátima (RIP), him and me.  We first met at Nokia in 2000 and became fast friends and each Christmas we would have a Christmas dinner here at home and a New Year's dinner at his place. The year she died, December 5th 2019, we skipped on the tradition. In 2020 we had to skip too because of Covid and last year Julio did come but as we had that horrible squatter Felipe Turover, we did not go to his house. This year, our first Covid free Christmas, we have restored the tradition. After much debate I decided on prawn cocktail, fillet steak with red peppers and a home made strawberry and cream mille feuille. I made it in the morning and was very pleased with how it turned out. The pastry rose beautifully and out of 3 strips I was able to make 6 layers filled with cream, strawberries, strawberry jam with a strawberry icing top. This was it. 

My home made strawberry and cream mille feuille

I was really looking forward to a taste as last night I broke my diet for practically the first time since the end of September. There is actually some left over for today, thank goodness, as both my daughters begged me to leave them some. It was so successful I think I will be making it for Christmas Eve instead of trifle. That is a difficult choice as I love trifle too.

Just as I was preparing my "pink topped " mille feuille, in walked Eladio to make his breakfast. He was wearing a lovely pastel pink M&S jumper he is usually reluctant to wear but looks gorgeous in. I commented so. Then in walked Suzy who was also wearing pink which was quite a coincidence. Her top was a very old Nokia fleece which I got years and years ago but is still going strong. I'm sure any of my ex Nokia colleagues reading this will remember them and the lovely Nokia merchandising we all had. So, of course, I had to have a photo of father and daughter dressed in pink. I love it.

Father and daughter both wearing pink yesterday morning

Meanwhile, Oli was preparing the kids for a morning out with "grandma" and "booboo" - Elliot's name for his grandfather, Eladio. We took them to Centro Oeste, a manageable shopping centre where the main pull was letting them ride on the remote controlled children's cars. Elliot chose the police car (of course). It was actually Juliet who was more thrilled than either of them and didn't want to get off after a 20 minute drive around the shopping centre.

Elliot and an excited Juliet in their "police car" yesterday at Centro Oeste in Majadahonda

We adults were more interested in coffee time afterwards. Oli also had a pain au chocolat called a "napolitana" here which she had to share with both kids. They both have a sweet tooth just as I do and my father famously did. 

Coffee and pain au chocolat at Centro Oeste yesterday

We also went into the giant Carrefour there for various items. You would think this would bore the babies but both of them, especially Elliot, love shops - not so much my poor husband as you know. Oli had to get a Christmas jumper for Elliot for a school function next week. This is it. Ah, and Juliet is wearing the hat to go with it. They look lovely.

Elliot and Juliet wearing new Christmas garments

We came home to lunch on the table - what a luxury - and were joined by Miguel who had escaped from work. Eladio had to go out again. He went to a demonstration in Madrid as he is a firm believer in a semi mafia like organisation exposed by what are known as the Royuela files. He and his brother Toño are appalled by what they are finding out. I, prefer, to know as little as possible because if I also became embroiled, frankly I don't think I could live. I took him to the train station and later he came  home by taxi. 

I came back to find the house full of my grandchildren but escaped upstairs to the quiet and safety of my room and slept a little. When I woke up they had gone. I love them when they are here but I also love them when they go. It took Lucy and I a while to clear up and we had to do it quickly as we then had to prepare the dinner. Eladio was home by 7.30 and everything was ready. I wish I had taken photos of the table and the Christmas decorations with all the lights and candles lit. But we did take the usual photos of us before and after the dinner. I think the best one is the one I have chosen as this week's feature photo of the three of us wearing our crowns from some of the M&S crackers I bought for an extortionate price at British Corner Shop online. We also had some taken before we tucked in and it's thanks to Lucy who took the photos.

The before dinner photo of the three of us last night

We all loved the food but especially the fruit tart. Eladio is not into puddings as such and is not a great fan of pastry but he really complimented me when he asked for a second portion. He even suggested I use the very same menu for our next dinner with friends. That was high praise.

Later we sat in the lounge with Christmas music on, enjoying the spirit of the season. We all remarked it was our first proper post Covid Christmas and that Covid is finally behind us - what awful times indeed. Covid will live with us forever but I, at least, believe in the vaccines.

My friend left early at around 11 which is actually late for him. He loves  what is called a "French exit" but not with us - we are so close, it is not necessary.

Apart from the tart, I also broke my diet by drinking wine. We had a bottle of Rueda by Marques de Riscal between us  and I think I must have drunk at least half of it as Eladio and Julio only had one small glass each. It probably helped me sleep as I didn't wake up until 6.30 this morning which is better than 5.30.

Today we have something to look forward to and it's not the World Cup final at 16h between France and Argentina which actually doesn't interest me that much. No, we shall be going to see a Spanish magician, Jorge Blass, perform at a show called "Flipar" tonight in Madrid at 7 pm. But I also have to cater again for Oli and family for lunch today  and will have to perform the usual fish and loaves miracle to feed everyone. 

But more about that next week. Next week will be Christmas day and I love Christmas day. 

Thus I send you seasonal good wishes until next Sunday. Cheers Masha

Remembering Fátima, Spain and England out of the World Cup, I beg to differ, Christmas came to our house, a visit to St. George's Christmas market and other stories.

Sunday, 11th December, 2022

Yesterday at the entrance to the St. George's Anglican church annual Christmas market in Madrid 

Dear all. I hope you are  well. Like us, no doubt, many of you will have put up your Christmas decorations and are immersed in preparations. Many too will be following the World Cup as it enters its third week. From 32 countries, we are now into the Semi Finals. Sadly both Spain and England are now out after losing to Morocco (ouch) and France as we well know.  Who do you think will win - Argentina, Croatia, France or Morocco? My bets are on France, the last champions.

Last Sunday it didn't feel at all like Christmas. It was wet and cold and we had to turn back half way through our walk. We should have stayed at home like Oli and family who, lucky them, indulged in churros and "porras" for their late breakfast. I loved the photos my daughter sent of Elliot and his "porra" - the thicker version which is my favourite too and the one of Juliet with one of each in her hands. 

Elliot and Juliet enjoying their breakfast last Sunday

We had a quiet day overall. Not so for the England and Senegal teams. England were on great form and beat the African champions to go through to the Quarter Final where they would meet France. Statistics placed them equal with 11 matches each but it was never going to be an easy match.  That night a son was born, my dear friend Kathy's new grandson; born to her footballer son Tom whose wish was to holding his first child as England won the match against Senegal. His wish came true. So far, the son had no name and Kathy was holding her breath until it was announced. He will be called Isaac Joseph. How biblical can you get? It's lovely. 

It was on Sunday night and late that our Chinese guests, Yinzi, with Mr. Ling and Mr. Ren, arrived.But I wouldn't see them until the morning. I slept fitfully that night for no particular reason.

Monday dawned and it was cold and wet again as it would be for most of the week which meant no walk again.  Yinzi was soon down bringing with her a gift from China, a tea set which was very sweet of her. She and her family had stayed with us in the summer from May to July when they came to escape lock down in Shanghai. Once again she was critical of her government. It's so interesting to hear people express their opinions from countries in the news, who come and stay, such as Iran, Ukraine and now China.  Neither of the Chinese gentlemen who are here on business and to buy a house for over half a million euros to give them residency, speak English or Spanish. They nod and smile at me and I say "nihao" (hello, how are you?), the only word I know in Chinese. But now I know another because when one of them gave me two sachets of tea I asked how to say thank you and it is "xièxié" (shey shey). I don't think I will forget that. 

Monday wasn't just any day, it was the third anniversary of the passing away of my dearest beloved friend Fátima. There is hardly a day that goes past without my thinking of her. Life is cruel and took her aged just 58, leaving behind a very young daughter to face the future without her. She lived very near and I can still feel her presence. There are so many times when I want to share things with her and I can't. That is the cruelty of death. I wrote a tribute to her shortly after her death which you can read here. I read it just now and every word I wrote was heartfelt. 

We were so close. Those who knew us called us "Pin and Pon" and life is not the same without her. 

Fátima and I, best friends forever. 

But I still have Julio, our third musketeer and together we bring her back to life with our memories. We will be having him over for dinner this year at Christmas as we always did together with Fátima and he will reciprocate in early January. I love those dinners although it is at times like these that we feel her absence most. RIP my dearest friend. I hope you know that I carry you in my heart.

Monday was a horrible day, weather wise as we near winter. We did not brace the cold and rain for our walk but instead went into Boadilla on some errands. The first was at the local launderette which also mends or alters clothing and we took 3 of Eladio's old blazers which are now unfashionably too long. It was at the launderette that we got news of our former squatter Felipe Turover. He too had been their customer for years, a good and wealthy one until he ran out of money. When he left here in April he took 2 of his big suitcases there, allegedly to have his clothes cleaned but he never paid and the cases remain there. Occasionally he used to go and get clothes out, change in front of everyone and put his dirty clothes back into the cases. When the assistant asked him to remove his cases he told her it was law for her to keep them for 2 years and it is. She also told us she hadn't seen him for months but that the last time she did, he was incoherent and as thin as a rake - he who once was so well heeled and sporty. We commented we no longer see him at our favourite café, Alveran. She explained that's because he owes them money! So what has become of him? I can only imagine him living on the streets completely down and out, a ruined man, or even dead. That is not the end I wanted for him. It was the news of the day for me, but not good news.

We had more bad news. The fraud company who have charged one of our visa cards quite a lot of money, until we reported it and cancelled the card, are once again trying to charge us. That meant another visit to the bank with no news except that the charges were under dispute. I can't believe this is happening to us. We won't know much this week as both Wednesday and Friday were national holidays. So cross your fingers please and I hope this is sorted soon.

We came home to a quiet house - all the guests were out. Lunch was leftovers -  delicious cold roast beef - and we were joined by Olivia. The afternoon was quiet, the highlight being my weekly Skype call with my dear friend Amanda who I had last seen in Hebden Bridge during my glorious week in Yorkshire. We had lots to talk about and one of the topics was the Royal Family or rather the upcoming Harry and Meghan documentaries and his book "Spare". We commented too how the release of the Netflix trailers and the documentaries themselves will have done and do more damage to the Crown, as if the issue of supposed racism by the Queen's former Lady in Waiting, Susan Hussey hadn't already put it in the spotlight . The latter had to quit "over racist remarks" to a charity boss, Ngozi Fulani, a British born black lady Nogozi Fulani. They met last week at an event sponsored by the new Queen. At the event Hussey was overheard grilling Fulani over where she came from. That, my friends, sadly, is now seen as racist. I beg to differ. Because I have a "foreign" name and surnames - Masha Lloyd Lieven, I get asked every day by someone here in Spain, where I come from. And, I love telling them of my origin. Yes, I am a Spanish naturalised citizen but I was born in England, in Cambridge, to an English father and Russian mother and I married a Spaniard. Very exotic right? It is and I like my story. Thus, I too am always interested to know where people are from if they have "foreign" sounding names or  different colour skin. Many a time have I asked  Asian looking taxi drivers in Yorkshire where they are from. If they say from Bradford or Keighley, I want to know where their family is originally from. That is not racism. I want to know about their culture; are they from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan? but not because I am racist, God dammit, but because I am genuinely interested and love talking to people from different cultural backgrounds.  So, no, Lady Susan Hussey, in my mind, was not being racist when she asking Nogozi Fulani where her people were from. Have we got so woke we cannot even ask people where they are from for fear of being labelled racist? I actually would go as far as to say that if someone considers a question about their origin as racist, that they either have a chip on their shoulder or are looking for trouble. Since when is is racist to ask someone where they come from?  There, I've said my piece.

But back to the Harry and Meghan story, I also commented to my friend, quoting my husband who is not at all interested in this disruptive couple,  "why is she complaining about racism when she is not even black?" Well said I thought. 

Much more interestingly I watched the new film, Lady Chatterley's Lover on Netflix. I wasn't sure I would be too interested - what with all the torrid sex - but my goodness what a romantic story. A titled lady falls in love with one of her husband's servants, something impossible in the 20's in England and how she gives up everything for love. I grew up knowing that DHS Lawrence's book was no go territory. It had been banned for years, first being published in the 20's privately.  It apparently included the no no four letter word and much more and went against the morals of the times.  Its publisher, Penguin, was brought to trial under the Obscene Publications Act. I think then edited versions were published but it was only in November 1960 that Penguin won the right to publish it entirely. On the first day it hit the bookshops, 200.000 copies were sold. I was brought up to think it was a forbidden book. But, my goodness, the story is beautiful and a warning; it has some very steamy scenes which I am sure DH Lawrence would have approved of. I'm not sure though that he would have approved of the literary licence in this new version where even the ending is different.    

We couldn't watch much that night as the remote on our fancy new Samsung TV broke down. It would not be easy to get a new one. Thank goodness then for my iPad.  What use is a fancy television these days if the remote doesn't work? You may say I could have used my phone and I tried but it required an ok from the old remote so I would have to wait to find a replacement. 

Tuesday came and it was 6th December, Constitution Day in Spain and Independence Day in Finland - the latter much more important as it celebrates their  release from the Russian yoke. Finland declared its independence in 1917. Would you believe a relative of mine, Mikhail Aleksandrovich Stakhovich (1861-1923) my great grand uncle, was the Governor General of the Grand Duchy of Finland at the time?  He didn't last long though and resigned on 17th September of that year.  Coincidentally too, his next post was as Ambassador to Madrid but he never reached the Spanish capital owing to the October Revolution. Like all my Russian relatives he took exile. He died in Aix-en-Provence, in 1923 and is buried in the Sainte-Genieviéve-des Bois Russian cemetery in Paris. He was the brother of my great grandfather, my mother's paternal grandfather, Alexander Alexandrovich Stakhovich (1830-1913). I wonder what sort of man he was? I wonder what he thought about the revolution? I wonder what he thought about Finnish independence? I am only sure of one thing though, that he would have gone to the Russian Orthodox Uspenski cathedral often when he lived in Helsinki. When I worked for Nokia from 2000 to 2006 I made many visits to the Finnish capital and nearly always visited this magnificent onion domed Russian cathedral. I knew vaguely at the time that a relative of mine had been the Governor General. Only when I started research into my father's book and then my mother's history, did I find his name. I don't know what he thought but I am very happy that Finland broke away from the Russian yoke. 

My great grand uncle Mikhail Aleksandrovich was Governor General of the Grand Duchy of Finland when the latter declared its independence in 1917. 

I look forward to the Ukrainians being able to celebrate the end of the war with Russia and their independence but the battle will be very long. 

On a completely different topic, that morning we went on a mission to get a new remote as well as a new DVD player for my PC and other stuff. We shopped at the wonderful Corte Inglés department store which normally sells everything including a kitchen sink but not, unfortunately a remote for our TV. We would have to battle that out with Samsung who apparently only has one supplier in the whole of Spain - shame on them. 

We also did some Christmas shopping. We bought my friend Julio's present as well as a lovely green jumper for Eladio by Gant - love that Swedish clothes brand for men. Shortly before we left, very coincidentally, we actually bumped into Julio. He was there buying gourmet food to take to have lunch with his parents. He lives in the centre of Madrid so it was a pretty big coincidence. I got Eladio to take a photo. I look awful but the moment was beautiful. Here you are:

A chance meeting with my dear friend Julio at the Corté Inglés on Tuesday while buying his  Christmas present!

We were home on time for lunch with Suzy. Our siesta was short as the Spain-Morocco Last 16 match started at 16h. I could not watch so used my new DVD player to start Season 10 (and 11) of Call the Midwife which I had to buy on Amazon as it is not available on any streaming platform in Spain.

The teams drew 0-0 and went to extra time and then to a penalty shoot out. No way was I watching that. I came up later to see Eladio's  face. Oh dear, Spain out again. How on earth could the Moroccan team beat the Spaniards? Well because the latter did not perform their magic that day as happens so often. I now had England left to cheer for. Could they beat France? I thought it would be 50-50. Meanwhile the last teams to play in the knockout round were Portugal and Switzerland. Ronaldo was not playing so how could they win? Well, they could as they have a new young striker called Ramos who scored a hat trick. No doubt Ronaldo was feeling glum as his team beat the Swiss 6-1 without his help. I was sorry for Spain but not so sorry for Portugal as I am no fan of Ronaldo. 

I don't have much to say about Wednesday. It was a mundane day brightened up with news from the bank that Visa would be reimbursing the fraudulent charges but I will only believe it when it is reflected in our bank balance. At least, though, it seemed our trips to the police and bank were not in vain. We did go out that morning again and it was to send some of my family calendars to friends abroad who feature in it.  On our way we also visited the launderette again- the one Felipe frequented - to see the seamstress and measure the blazers that need shortening for my husband. I had a lovely frothy coffee afterwards at Alveran without the worry of facing the down and out  Felipe  who I fear  may not even be in this world anymore. We should be able to forget this terrible episode but deep down I can only feel sorry for the man. 

I have to confess I binge watched a lot of Call the Midwife that afternoon and evening and did not feel very productive. I would be more productive on Thursday.

Thursday was also a holiday this week, to celebrate the Immaculate Conception. If it really happened then it should possibly be as big or bigger than Christmas. But these days Christianity as we know it, at least in the UK, is declining. You will have read the news of the latest survey in the UK. That does not come as a surprise to me. Would I have ticked the box as Christian? I definitely would have although I am not a church going one .My parents never forced any religion on me and both had very strong faith. Mine is not strong. It is weak and often absolutely absent. I will never know whether God exists. Imagine if he didn't, what a wasted life for Church going people not to mention bishops and Popes. 

God, of course, is at the heart of Christmas but the majority of us treat it is a great big pagan like festival. But whether you believe or not, I do think Christmas is a good thing. It brings families together and creates a positive spirit, something we all need. I felt positive as we set about a task that morning that we have now being doing since we have been together, putting up the decorations. We met in  1980 and married in 1983 and every year we have done this together. In latter years the decorations have got more elaborate but our tree has not. It is still a smallish plastic one we bought at Carrefour years ago when it was called Pryca in Spain. At home, as a child, we always had a real one but they always dry out and shed lots of pine needles. Ours  would have do as it has for years.  Maybe we will get a bigger one next year but I doubt it.

We must have started at around 10.30 and everything was up and ready by about 1.30. Here is Eladio with the big Christmas box he brought up from the garage and the unadorned small plastic tree.

Beginning the job on Thursday morning 8th December. 

We have collected so many decorations over the years and some are even from my childhood. My favourites are my mechanical and musical ornaments, boxes and figures, especially a Christmas hat that sings. I am sucker for them and each year add one to my collection, like the carousel I bought recently at the Christmas market in Madrid. Naughtily  I also bought a tree lamp on Amazon which I can't wait to add to the decorations. Everything looked wonderful when we had finished. Suzy helped me just at the end, to the music of Christmas from Spotify which I connected to the lounge speakers.

Here are just some of the photos of how the main lounge looked like after putting up the decorations.

Some of the Christmas decorations we put up on Thursday morning

I wondered what our grandchildren would think. Elliot can just about say the word "Christmas". He would be coming the next day so we would see hahahahha. 

I had to do a tiny bit of food shopping for ingredients to add to our lunch menu: baked salmon with leek and peas  so off we went to Carrefour. It is the only supermarket open all year round. We came home to a quiet lunch after a morning of pleasant work conjuring up the spirit of Christmas to envelop our home. I wondered what our Chinese guests would think as they do not celebrate this Christian feast. That day they were in Segovia having lunch at the famous "Casa Cándido" where they ate the house speciality; suckling pig.

Again we spent a quiet afternoon.  A compatible remote, if very flimsy, had arrived that morning and to our amazement, worked on our TV so I took the opportunity to start binge watching the first part of the 6 episode Netflix documentary Harry and Meghan. I had been hoping for some bombshell news bur frankly there was nothing new; just the same old story, the story of a rich couple who have everything they want yet still complain. They did not hit any emotional nerve with me. One bit I did not like at all was when Meghan described her first encounter with the Queen. In doing so, she mimicked an over the top curtsey which frankly seemed as if she was mocking the Queen. Even Harry didn't seem to like it and looked he was cringing as she acted her curtsey out. How dare she?

Meghan mocking the Queen. I do not like the woman.

I kept thinking how on earth can they complain about their lives while people "back home" and elsewhere can hardly afford food or fuel, while wars are being fought and people endangering their lives demonstrating in countries like Iran? Again I say, what is this fixation with race or being bi racial? Can't they turn the page? However, as I am a sucker for stories of the Royal family I shall continue to the end. Frankly, Call the Midwife is much more uplifting. 

It rained all day on Thursday and would do too on Friday, shopping day. Our Chinese guests had left for the weekend to go to Barcelona but kept their rooms. Thus the house was quiet. Oli and Miguel came for lunch and brought Elliot. That was because he had been pulled out of play school with a temperature. It seems he has a virus. Thankfully it is not that dreadful Strep A virus children are dying of. 16 have now died in England and 2 in Spain. In light of that, Elliot was taken straight to the doctor who, by the way, saw him then and there. He is now better although he wasn't his usual bubbly self on Friday. But oh, how he loved my Christmas "toys" - the mechanical ones. I had to show him each and every one of them and how they work. His favourite? Our favourite, the singing hat, the one we used to put on my father which made us laugh so much. Here he is with his grandfather, Eladio, by our small tree; the embodiment of the joy of Christmas.

Elliot with his grandfather on Friday

We had an enjoyable family lunch although Elliot was not a bit hungry - poor mite. They left around 4 to pick up Juliet and we dashed upstairs for our siesta. I had been up at 5 am and was tired and slept for 2 full hours!  The news of the afternoon was Croatia beating Brazil in the Quarter Finals. Eladio later watched Argentina play Holland which was exciting but again went to penalties which I so hate. It is Messi's team who got through to the semi finals. 

Saturday was a big day for England who were playing France. It was a big day for us too as we went into Madrid to visit the English Christmas market. It was hosted by St. George's Anglican church, where we held a memorial service for my father a few days after he died last year. I had been to their Easter market or jumble sale  and always a sucker for all things English, especially markets and more pointedly Christmas markets, I was keen to go again. We would be meeting my in laws, Dolores and Toño, although only we women would be visiting the market the men being totally uninterested. 

We set off at about 10.10 am and were there at 10.30 on the dot. So it only took us 20 minutes. Who says we live far out I wondered to myself?  Toño and Dolores were in the queue which was growing by the minute and I joined it while Eladio's brother went off to help him find somewhere to park which was not easy. 

Eladio with his brother and his wife yesterday in Madrid

The place was full of not very interesting stalls and full of people; a bit too crowded for our liking. I did buy things though - British food which I suspect came from the same source I use, British Corner Shop online. For the record I bought sage and onion stuffing, meant to buy cranberry sauce but left it behind, Mr. Kipling's Battenberg cake which I can't resist, a small box of Roses, a small slice of iced Christmas cake for Suzy as she adores it and some mince pies - not sure I will eat them before their sell by date. I also got two home made gingerbread men for Juliet and Elliot and a little box of Vegan orange truffles for Suzy. All of this is reserved for Christmas when I really look forward to breaking my diet. No doubt I will put on the weight I have lost since the end of September but I vow that I shall lose it again in the New Year. This is a permanent battle of the bulge my friends, the story of my life.

As the men didn't join us we sent them off to a very special coffee and cake shop "Balbisana" on the very upmarket Velázquez street where we joined them later. It's such a special place and Madrid's answer to Betty's in Yorkshire. The owner is a friend of a friend and I discovered the cake shop which sells online not long ago. It really is the best of the best. It's not cheap either and 4 coffees with 4 tiny chocolate truffles came to over 20 euros when normally a cup of coffee at a bar in Spain costs under 2 euros. But it was worth it. Just look at the entrance. It's gorgeous. 

The entrance to Balbisiana in Madrid

We enjoyed our time there although our conversation was somewhat intense. When Eladio and his brother are together they always talk about corruption in politics and the woes of the world; not my favourite topics. I was more interested in the beautiful place I was having my coffee at but I think I was alone in thinking that.

We left at around 1.30 and were home by 2ish on time for lunch which Lucy had prepared for us and included lamb chops - my favourite but not too good for the diet.

Our siesta was interrupted by the Portugal Morocco match. I was sure the Portuguese would win but I was wrong. An amazingly strong Moroccan team about half of whose members  play in the Spanish La Liga, beat Portugal and strode confidently into the semi finals. This is the first time an "African" team has made it to the semi finals although I have to say there are actually lots of African players in many of the participating clubs' teams. 

Then it was time for a special Skype call with my friends Adele and Sandra who live in France and Belgium respectively. It was Adele's birthday and we wanted to celebrate it with her. Adele wanted England to win but her French husband and French born sons did not. I'm not sure who Sandra wanted to win. I know I wanted England to win. But we had a problem. RTVE were not broadcasting the match dammit. However, thanks to my Express VPN, I was able to connect to ITV which was broadcasting it back home rather than the BBC I have my father's pupil Michael to thank for that. But it is not perfect and the screen kept freezing. However we were able to see England lose so sadly when Harry Kane missed the second penalty which would have given his team a draw and a chance to stay in the match. One commentator said most people in England would bet their houses on him scoring the penalty but he didn't. It's funny but the goal keeper from the French side is in his team and both know each other's tactics. This loss will go down in the history of modern English football as one of the worst losses and poor Harry Kane will be remembered for it forever. I feel sorry for him. He was gutted. Just look at his face in the picture below that I robbed from The Times this morning.

So sorry for Harry Kane, so sorry for England.

So England's dream was over and they weren't "bringing it home".  Like Spain, Germany and many others, they will have to wait another 4 years for a chance to do so. Now it is down to France, Morocco, Croatia and Argentina.  May the best side win which I think will be France. We will know next week. 

Meanwhile, life is quiet here today. Sundays normally are. The weather looks nasty again with a lot of rain so I doubt we will be doing much. 

I shall now leave you to get on with the day. Cheers then till next week,

All the best/Masha