War in Europe, Putin invades the Ukraine while we all watch in fear and the stories of our week.

 Sunday 27th February 2022

Photo of the week, me with a smile on my face in one of my favourite locations, Niembro

Dear all,

How has your week been?  On the world scene, this was the week Putin invaded the Ukraine. But no doubt you already know that. This is Europe's darkest moment since WW2. Putin has gone mad and is on a mission to demiliarise and "denazify" the Ukraine which he claims is historically Russian. His main fear that the Kiev government joins Nato. For weeks tension increased on the Ukraine border where he mobilised up to 200.000 troops. For weeks peace keeping talks took place but in vain. Joe Biden, no doubt with up to the minute info from the CIA, took him seriously and warned an invasion was coming any time. He was right, the time came on 24th February 2022, a date that will go down in history. The repercussions are not just for the Ukrainanian people but for the whole world. 

As to us, well this week brought a change. On Monday we left for our house in Asturias, the first time we have been since October. We left Lucy to hold the fort with FT hidden away in "his" room and a house full of guests first from Finland and then from France. Bookings are on the up. 

Last Sunday was quiet for us but it wasn't for Buckingham Palace PR staff. They issued a press release to tell the world HM The Queen had tested positive for Covid. Bless her I thought. Aged 95, this is not a good thing. However we were told her symptoms were mild and that she would carry on working but carrying out light duties. 

BP announced last Sunday that the Queen had tested positive for Covid

My goodness. Amazing that at her age she has to work still. Wouldn't it be great if politicians and royalty could also retire at around 65? If that were so though, her son the Prince of Wales whom she caught Covid from would be on the throne. Well, actually he would have retired too and it would be his son William and wife Kate who would be King and Queen (Consort) of my home country.  Well, that's a thought. But, I, like the vast majority, never want to see that happen. If only the Queen could carry on forever. Whether you are for or against royalty I am sure nearly everyone in the world appreciates the British Monarchy because of the Queen and the Queen alone. 

Covid is still very prevalent in the UK, otherwise maybe HM would not have caught it.  So why, oh why is Boris Johnson announcing the end of all Covid restrictions? I really don't get it. Do you? I don't get why old Boris the clown is still in power either, do you? I mean after his appalling behaviour just no one believes in him anymore or almost no one. Yet he is still there, hanging on. He has important topics to deal with that could distract the news of partygate but then who is listening on the world stage when he talks about the Russia Ukraine crisis?  No, the real statesman here is his French counterpart (ouch Brexit) Emmanuel Macron, who last Sunday spent 3 hours on the phone to Putin trying to work out a diplomatic solution to an imminent invasion of Russia's neighbour. It was Macron who orchestrated a summit to be held in person with Putin and Biden - that actually never happened. Could Johnson have managed that? No. It seems that Putin only listens to Macron from the Western Powers but could the Frenchman prevent war? No. In the end Putin played with him too. No one could with that madman in the driving seat. The world watched as Russia gathered the biggest military display on the Ukraine border along with Belarus (God forbid) since anything seen since WW2. I personally thought last week that it would never happen. But my thoughts went back to my father's opinion of an impending war when he visited Berlin in 1938. Ever the optimist he told me that although Nazi signs were everywhere, he said  "I thought it would all blow over". Well, it didn't did it. 

Life here was very very quiet - not unlike a phony war. Spain is far away from Russia and the Ukraine but repercussions will hit the whole world for sure. We may have to prepare for a cyber world attack from evil Putin and who knows what else. For sure this invasion is not only going to affect the Ukraine, it is going to affect the whole world in some way or other. Already high power prices soared the day after the invasion and soon some will find it too expensive to fill their tank or warm their homes. 

But it was all quiet on the Western Front here.  On the home front, our day was without event. It wasn't though for little Elliot who is not yet 2 and a half. He is a great fan of the comic series set in Wales called Fireman Sam. So he was delighted when his family was invited to a real fire station where one of the parents from the school works as a Spanish firefighter. If Elliot could talk properly and I asked him what he wants to be when he grows up, no doubt right now he would say a fireman. I hope he doesn't choose that profession. I really do. But I was happy to see him enjoying his outing with other children. Here are some photos Oli and Miguel sent us where we could see Elliot being Fireman Sam for one day bless him. 

Elliot - Fireman Sam for one day

For us it was an extremely quiet day with nothing to report really. We did not see or hear our squatter Felipe Turover who had not left his room since Friday. I seriously wondered whether he had taken his life. Why did I think that? Well, there was a precedent when a few weeks back he drank alcohol and took an over dose and then later he admitted to me had tried to commit suicide. With all the pills he has available he could do that any time. Was he having me on or was he serious? Those were my thoughts last Sunday. Both Eladio and I agreed if by Monday noon he hadn't left his room we would knock on his door. The consequences for us if he had taken his life were more than terrible. I was glad then that I had warned both the police and his doctor of my worries. So, even though I tried to keep him out of my mind I couldn't help thinking every now and again whether he was dead or alive. Damn the man for spoiling our lives.

Monday came and I got a sudden reservation for a group of 6 young men coming from Finland to our house for 3 nights. They would leave on Thursday and another group, this time, 6 women from France, were coming for the weekend. As we had no appointments of any kind this week, it was the perfect opportunity to go away for a few days leaving capable Lucy in charge. It was on Monday morning we knew FT was alive as a letter arrived for him with some legal heading. I guessed it was to inform him he had been assigned a pro bono lawyer. I didn't want to make our journey public so there was no news this week about our trip on my social media pages. But now I can say it as we are going home today.

We left late at around 12.30 and  stopped once for a late coffee at about 13 and then a not particularly good lunch in Simancas - home to most of Spain's old archives. We were in El Cuetu after 6 I think because I didn't look at my watch. There was Loli our neighbour and the person who looks after the house waiting to greet us and to show us the new door. We loved it. Finally there are no gaps at the bottom for cold to seep in and now there is more light in the house because of the 2 panes in the upper half of the new stable door. Oh, I do love stable doors don't you? Loli had put on the heating in the morning but it was rather cold I have to say. Outside the temperature was mild though. It took 2 days for the house to warm as the central heating here is pretty outdated. 

It took us a while to settle in and at about 8 pm we were sitting down to dinner - a simple tuna fish salad. Later we watched the news - Russia had not yet invaded the Ukraine - and watched a silly war film about General Patton in Africa fighting Rommel the Desert Fox. We both are avid fans of WW2 genre films and series but are not familiar with the war fought in Africa. Later I turned to the far more entertaining Line of Duty. I was interrupted by our guests arriving from Finland. I had to talk to the guest who had booked, a young man called Ihaab - not a very Finnish name - who asked if they could use the pool! I couldn't quite believe what I was hearing. I suppose anyone from Finland thinks pools in Spain are open all year. They aren't. Public pools are open only from the middle of June to the middle of September. Ours being private is open from April or May to October but NOT in February. The next day the temperature would rise to 20ºc which I suppose is high for Fins but not for Spaniards. Ihaab later wrote to ask if he could use my car and offered to pay. Again I was astounded. Of course he can't. I don't lend my car to anyone, besides it is not insured for third party drivers. Oh dear I hoped this wouldn't be the beginning of difficult guests while we were away.

 I fell asleep very late and was up on Tuesday morning at 715. I woke up in Asturias and it felt strange but pleasant. We had got away from it all finally but not from world events. 

What was really strange about Tuesday 22nd February 2022 was the significance of the numbers of the date: 22022022. It can be read as the same both from left to right and from right to left which means it is a palindrome. But, it can also be read up upside down, something known as an "ambigram" - a word I had never heard of. 

A very significant date

For numerologists this date meant connection and love or something similar and couples in China scrambled to get married on Tuesday. 

But there was no love or connection on the Russo Ukraine border.  Instead there was bad news that day. In the Ukraine the pro Russian rebel areas of Luhansk and Donetsk were declared independent! 

This was the perfect excuse for Putin to send troops there after having recognised the rebel states as independent. He said he was sending in peacekeeping troops.  Why then was he sending blood reserves to his troops on the border; only because war is or was pending? The West reacted with threats of sanctions but I fear they will not be enough. In a way I thought Putin would only send troops to these areas to support the pro Russian rebels but I was wrong. He is after much bigger fish; the whole of the Ukraine. He wants to topple the pro west Kiev government and put a puppet leader in its place. 

In Spain after the scandal of the war between the opposition party leadership - Pablo Casado vs the President of the Madrid region, Isabel Diaz Ayuso, dubbed by the British press as the "Spanish Thatcher" - his right hand man, Teodoro Garcia Egea resigned and there were all the signs Casado himself would do so. The next day he made a goodbye speech in Parliament and next week there will be a big party conference to decide who is to replace him. All bets are on a man called Alberto Núñez Fiejóo. I would prefer to see a woman leading the party but it won't happen. .The news programmes in Spain can't get enough of it. But I am beginning to tire of the story which I reckon will go on for weeks. 

But we didn't have to think about this or about the troubles in The Ukraine as we were back in our lovely house in the mountains in the divinely green area of Asturias on Spain's north coast often called The Green Coast. It was to be a sunny day and ours for the taking. That felt good. 

Our house in the sun

By the time we were ready to leave it was around 11 o'clock. We headed for the beautiful seaside town of Llanes, one we have come to know very well. It's quite upmarket in this area and very unspoiled. I could live there I love it so much. As usual we parked near the town beach, El Sablón and I was lured there as soon as I got out of the car. It was warm enough to sit on the beach but not to swim as the sea was rough. I loved watching the waves.

Eladio and Pippa by the Sablón beach in Llanes on Tuesday morning

Once we'd had our fill of that beautiful scene, we headed to the centre via the castle and old paved streets to the main square, one of our favourites; Plaza Sobrino Parres. Countless Spanish films have been filmed here as it it like time has not passed. We had coffee at La Galerna like we always do and sat in the sunshine enjoying the coffee and just being where we were as well as appreciating the moment.

Coffee (Fika) at La Galerna on Tuesday 

The danger or the advantage of having coffee at La Galerna is the temptation to go to the lovely butcher gourmet store called Aramburu opposite the cafe. I cannot resist it and that day spent the most I have ever have at that enticing shop.

Irresistible Aramburu

Everything it sells is of the highest quality and I can't resist quality when it comes to food. There I purchased Iberian ham, "cecina" (a sort of braseola), fish mousse (pastel de cabracho), meat pie, sardines, free range eggs, cheese for Eladio as well as the best kind of chorizo. I felt happy with my purchases knowing we would be enjoying loving dinners from shopping at Aramburu.

We then went in search of a photography shop. I have long wanted to replace a tacky painting of a horse in the lounge here - all the decoration was inherited and some of it is tacky. I wanted to replace it with a photo of the Torimbia beach. So I got the photo enlarged. The problem now is finding a frame but we will.

This is the photo by the way. I know it's good quality as it was chosen by RTVE for a competition. We would revisit that lovely beach the next day. It is famous for being a nudist beach but no one in their right mind would be bathing there in February or so I thought. 

This enlarged photo will soon be framed and hung in our lounge here. Playa de Torimbia

We still had time that morning for our walk and the most obvious choice was the Paseo de San Pedro above the town and Sablón beach. It is one of my favourite walks in the world and whoever designed it should get a prize. 

Eladio on the Paseo San Pedro walkway on Tuesday

We had had a wonderful carefree morning but it was getting late and time for lunch. We had our meal at about 3.15 - some leftovers I had brought from home and then rested but just for a while. It gets dark here at 7 pm and as it was a sunny day we wanted to make the most of it. Thus at around 5.45 we set off for another lovely spot we like and discovered on our last visit here - the village of Niembro with its pretty church, Our Lady of Sorrows on the beach where the sea is more like a fjord. What a wonderful spot. We caught the last of the sun and it was magic to be there. The feature photo is of me across the way from the church. We had the place to ourselves and with such scenery all my troubles seemed to waste away and I was feeling good with the world.

We walked to the end of the road that led to a tiny port and there we climbed up a small hill to get a view of the ocean at sunset. What a wonderful moment. Talk about peace and beauty all wrapped up in one. That's what if felt like.

The sea at sunset near Niembro

We then walked all the way back and across the beach to the little 18th century chapel. What is attractive there is the cemetery if you are into cemeteries. I'm not but am fascinated with this one where the tombs lie on a promontory as if they were on the sea itself. Some of them are very fine and some even have their own chapels. Spanish period series have been filmed here such as El Abuelo and La Señora. I am not surprised. It is a place where time seems to have stood still. There was  angrave for sale and I suggested to Eladio that it would be a lovely place to be buried not that I want to be buried any time soon hahahahah.

At 7, as expected, the sun set and we headed home. Dinner was delicious and easy to serve. Aramburu always comes up trumps. Then it was time for the news and more stories on Spanish politics and Putin's antics in the Ukraine.

That night it took me a while to sleep but for once I was at peace.

Wednesday came and it would be another sunny day and ours for the taking again. We felt happy and privileged and worry free, unless our thoughts turned to our squatter but I was determined he was not going to spoil my mood. That day we headed to Niembro again to the Torimbia beach I wrote about above. We parked on the cliff above it and admired the views of both sides, the Torimbia beach on the left and the smaller Toronda beach on the right. Wow I kept thinking. I cannot get enough of the scenery of this beautiful and rugged coast. There was hardly anyone in sight - the advantage of visiting in February and again we had the place to ourselves literally. I hate crowds so that suited me fine. I took tons of photos and here are two of the best; one of each of us as there was no one to take a photo of the two of us and selfies are not my forte. 

On the cliffs above the beautiful beach of Torimbia

We didn't walk to the end as it was quite a distance but instead walked to the top of the cliffs. We could have walked all the way down but the path was more suitable for goats and my knee was  not up to it as I have a torn meniscus. 

There was nowhere near for our "fika" (mid morning coffee) so we drove back to our nearest town, Posada de Llanes. We both commented it is not exactly "God Forsaken" but has few saving graces. What it does have is a pleasant town square and that is where we sat in the sun and had our coffee. I also went into the very good butchers there to get some prime steak for our lunch one day and into the ironmongers to get some decent kitchen knives.

We were home on time for a healthy lunch of fish with "padrón" green peppers. The afternoon was quiet and only interrupted by David the local carpenter who had made our new door. We have now asked him to make a coffee table out of the old door. I like that idea; preserving the past.

I was up late mesmerised by season 3 of Line of Duty - one of the best - and didn't dare look at my phone to see what time it was when I finally hit the sack.

I woke up on Thursday morning to the terrible news. A few hours earlier, Putin had invaded the Ukraine. So what we were all fearing had finally happened. Of course he was serious if he had gathered up to 200.000 troops on the border of the Ukraine. There was no other news that day. While the madman ordered troops to attack military infrastructure from all fronts and with all his military strength, there was not much the Ukrainian army could do in response. The problem here is that the Ukraine does not belong to NATO so there will be no military support from the west in the country. All the West can do is send military supplies and impose draconian sanctions on Russia. Putin doesn't seem to be afraid of the sanctions, however drastic they are. So the world just watched as the Ukraine was invaded and did little else. The Russians have done it again. When my mother was pregnant with me, she always told me about the Hungarian uprising in 1956 - I was born in 1957 and how it horrified her. I was 11 when the Prague uprising happened and again the Russians went in. I remember too how my mother took in a Czech family who had fled. They stayed in our house for free for many months. Now there will be many Ukrainian refugees fleeing their country. I hope there will be a lot of people like my mother to help them because help they need. I cannot believer there is a full scale war in Europe in 2022.

War or no war life continued quietly here in Asturias. It seemed so far away but it isn't. What if after the Ukraine, Putin goes for the Baltic states or comes knocking on the doors of the rest of Europe? It could happen. Meanwhile cyber attacks rocked the Ukraine and fuel prices, already high, soared in the rest of the world.

It was supposed to rain here on Thursday and although it was cloudy it did not rain. We went shopping to the local supermarket for basic household supplies for future guests. We had coffee in Posada and then drove to Llanes to get money out of the hole in the wall to pay the carpenter. 

In Llanes by the port on Thursday

We had time on our hands and decided to explore the other side of of the coast of Llanes towards the Toró beach. That day the sea was quite rough and I just loved watching the waves hit the rocks and cliffs and the sound of the ocean. 

The sea was rough on Thursday

On that side of the town we discovered a beautiful coastal path and road which we shall be returning to as we loved it so. 

That day we had lunch out. We went to a place in Poó (unfortunate name but pretty village) called Xagarda which looked popular. It was and the food was good and so were the prices. I went for the local bean stew: fabada. Eladio had the menu of the day.

The rest of our day was spent quietly until 7 pm. At that time I had a video call with a friend from the past; Mark A. He was part of the Bradford Grammar School crowd and from my group of friends. I hadn't seen him since we were at University - more than 40 years. We had so much to catch up on. Our call made my day. It was great to talk to you Mark. Really great. It was good to pick up from where we had left off after all these years. But childhood friendships can be very strong and we met in our formative years, years never to be forgotten. Mark used to play rugby for the 1st XVI and we would go and watch him play at the BGS playing fields at the weekend. Being a big guy, he was the perfect doorman for my parties, something we both well remembered. He also remembered my brother playing the piano when he and Simon, Chris, Andy and Tim had a band. He remembered it was at Eldwick Hall. I have vague memories of that. Wonderful.

We chatted for ages until I ran our of battery. We had a quick dinner and then plumped by the TV to watch the recap of the day on the Russian invasion of the Ukraine. The news was chilling to say the least.

Friday came. News from the Ukraine was worldwide. Just one look at the front page of The Times sent shivers down my spine.

Olena Kurilo the symbol of the conflict

The photo is of a teacher called Olena Kurilo. With a bandage on her head and blood on her face, she survived an attack on her home in Chuhuiv in Ukraine's Kharkov (Russian) or Kharkiv (Ukrainian) region. Her photo is one of the most striking of the conflict. So yes Russia was targeting military objectives but it also hit civilians. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians tried to flee the country but not men aged between 18 to 60 who have all been called up to fight the Russians and fight they did. There are many stories of heroism and the Ukrainian Army until Saturday morning at least held the Russians off. But for how long? If the Russians want they could wipe the face of the Ukraine off the world. So why doesn't Nato intervene? First the Ukraine does not belong to the alliance and second if it did it would be all out war between Russia and the 30 members of NATO. One of Putin's main reasons to invade is to stop the Ukraine from joining. Putin went as far this week as threatening Finland and Sweden not to join either. But will he stop at the Ukraine or will he continue and attack the Baltic states, also a former part of the USSR? If he does that then NATO will have to intervene as they are part of the alliance. It is all looking terribly grim. 

Far away here in the north of Spain everything was quiet and again the day was ours for taking. We had some good news when we heard the trial is on 17th March and that the eviction date remains the same, 4th April. We can live with that. It was good news and added a spring in our step on our way to the Picos de Europa - Peaks of Europe, the famous mountain range near our house - just 15km away or so. We had long wanted to visit the tiny village of Bulnes which gives the name to the highest mountain here  - 2.519 metres. The only access apart from mountain paths to the heart of the peaks is via cable car. I wondered how on earth the small group of villagers go about their life with no road access. We arrived early in Poncebos, 8km from Arenas de Cabrales. There were some cars but plenty of room. Try coming here in July or August and it would be impossible.

Entrance to the cable car 

It is an 8 minute ride and dogs have to wear a muzzle or go in the crate provided. Pippa hated the crate but I sat right in front of her all the way to reassure her all was ok. She was much happier when we got to Bulnes.

Pippa was happier outside than in the cable car

We thought the cable car would take us to the middle of the village but no and it's a 5 minute walk on a stone path. The scenery is amazing although being winter there was no green. The sheer rock mountains are very imposing.

Walking into Bulnes from the cable car

The village is tiny with about 3 or 4 people living there all year round. 

In the tiny isolated but pretty village of Bulnes on Friday 

It obviously comes to life in the summer as there were plenty of hostels and bars. Only one was open but the coffee machine needed heating up. We heard there was another part of the village a 10 minute walk up the mountains so off we went. But we made a huge mistake and took the wrong path. We must have walked up a path suitable only for goats that got steeper and steeper until we realised we were on the wrong one. So we walked down the best we could. 

Once back in the village we were able to have our coffee - very late at about 1.30. At 2 we caught the cable car back to Poncebos and then drove home for a very late lunch.

We did not leave the house again until Saturday morning.

By Saturday Russian troops were in Kiev. The Ukrainian resistance is amazing. But soon there will be street fighting, guerrilla warfare and blood on the streets. The streets are mostly empty as many citizens have left. Those who haven't seek shelter in the metro. My heart goes out to them.

Saturday was our last day here and we spent it quietly. Yesterday morning we did some shopping in Posada and then went to have coffee in Llanes. The highlight of the day was a walk on the Paseo de San Pedro. It was sunny and there were people on the beach but it was too cold for us.

Today we shall be leaving and don't know when we will be back. I hope it is soon. I also hope our journey home is uneventful and that all is well at home.

All the best until next week,

Cheers Masha.

Trial delayed, meeting with a prophetess, celebrating St. Valentines Day, "Fika", "women brainwashed to hate their bodies", Line of Duty Season 6, lunch with Julio and other stories.

Sunday, 20th February, 2022

Socialising again .- a wonderful lunch  out with Julio this week 

Good morning again my friends.

What is there to tell about this week? The main news is that the trial scheduled for 17th February has been postponed. That was a bit of a blow but we were determined not to let it affect us too much. After all we are not getting younger and we have to live our lives despite our unwanted squatter, Felipe Turover - can't stand the man. 

So last Sunday we went on our walk in the morning to lift our spirits. Our walks are so important for both our bodies and our minds. 

On our walk last Sunday

They are good for Pippa too, our constant companion. There aren't just two in our marriage, there are three as you will know. Our miniature chocolate dachshund so beloved by us, arrived 7 years ago this week and we could not envisage live without her. But we are all missing her canine sisters, Norah and Elsa our beagle and golden lab who passed away last year. They left a huge gaping hole in our lives. We miss them a lot on our walks as I am sure Pippa does too. 

We had a big lunch that day. I splurged on a shoulder and leg of lamb which we had with roast peppers. It is my favourite meat. I know meat is going out of fashion these days but then I don't always like to keep up with fashion hahahahaha. 

We didn't see the children that day but were sent photos from Olivia. Here is one of the two little tots in Juliet's playpen and below is one of Elliot trying out his mother's trainers. He says they are his, not hers. He is nearly 2 and a half and is going through that phase where he thinks everything belongs to him hahahahah. I remember our girls when they were toddlers saying "mine, mine, mine". 

Our grandchildren last Sunday

I love receiving photos of Elliot and Juliet. They always brighten up my day. Often we talk about whether we shall move from this house and where shall we go. But we always come to the conclusion that it can't be far from them. For the moment our idea is to carry on living in this great big house for as long as we can. Then we shall see. If only this great big house was free of our horrible squatter. 

Monday was St. Valentines Day. I'm no great fan of imported American traditions and it is only very recently that Eladio and I celebrate this day. These days though we need a reason for celebrating so we have succumbed to the day of love or of friendship as it is called in Finland. I had booked a table at La Txitxarrería (try saying that), one of our favourites so there was something to look forward to on a Monday night which is unusual.

Unusually too I had a doctor's appointment at the local health clinic - the public one. It was to get a new medical certificate as proof that the squatter situation was affecting my health in the hope that a judge would be sympathetic and issue an injunction. I went for nothing in a way as my Doctor must have forgotten. While there I had another kafkian moment. I wanted to update my health card with my new Spanish ID. For that the clinic had to go into the Social security data base. I wasn't surprised they had found me with my old residency card number. That had me panicking as not being on it would affect my retirement pension request - of course it would. So I rang my accountant Pilar - it's not really her job but she is very kind to me - and by the end of the day she had done the necessary paperwork or so I hoped. The thing is she has supposedly done it in December but something must have gone wrong. This change of identity is a nightmare, as bad as the process to get Spanish nationality. There is so much old fashioned bureaucracy, it's all online which is fine if you can navigate the page and nearly impossible to get a face to face appointment. Sorry for ranting but I really am sick and tired of Spanish bureaucracy. I don't know what it's like in the UK, France or Italy but I do know it cannot be worse than here. I had good news later as by Friday I was registered with the correct identity. Wow it had taken some time. Thanks Pilar. 

I spent the rest of the morning with Oli and Juliet but not on a nice mission. If only we had been out doing some clothes shopping. But, no we went to the courts in that God forsaken suburban town of Móstoles to the hostile courts again. We had to go to find out what was going on with our case. As we had suspected, FT had not got a pro bono lawyer on time and thus the hearing would have to be rescheduled. No one could give us a date but it won't happen for a least a month. Thus the eviction date will also be delayed probably until May. We were shocked too to be told that the judge had refused a preliminary precaution or injunction to chuck him out until the hearing. The judge doesn't have to put up with him breaking our windows or attacking our daughter. We do. Oh how I hate the justice system in this country. We also tried to get information on the proceedings of some of our reports - the vandalism to our home, false documents (bank slips) and attacking Olivia. All three were not added to the main cause and were yet to be assigned a court. That was so infuriating.

We spent about 2 hours in that soulless building where we only got bad news. We went to have a quick coffee before heading home. I suppose I should have felt furious, angry, frustrated but I just felt a bit numb. There is no other option now than to wait and wait we will. But I refuse now to be stressed. It is of no help. Something happened in that cafe worth mentioning as it made us laugh. We were talking in English and Oli was feeding Saint Juliet who hadn't cried all morning, when a black lady spoke to us in English from a few tables away. She is from Cameroon and spoke good English although I thought French was the main language there. Elizabeth told us she was a preacher and prophetess. Really? How incredible to find one in Móstoles don't you think?  She started to flatter us telling me I was beautiful, had lots of good energy, was a strong woman and should dedicate my life to God. She told Oli she was beautiful too and that she could see her being successful in England at some time. Elizabeth said any money problems I had would be gone by June.  

Meeting a prophetess in Móstoles

We rather warmed to her but I was also on my guard as this was all too surreal. Eladio later told me people like her are out for other people's money. Meeting Elizabeth was quite something. We mentioned our squatter issue and she prophesied he would be gone in 3 days time. She told me to go home, lie down somewhere and read Psalm 23 (The Lord's my shepherd I shall not want ......). We could only hope her prophesy would come true but of course it didn't.  Coincidence or not though, that day I got a lucrative booking on Airbnb for June which made me think. In any case it was quite a fun and inspiring moment. 

Oli then dropped me off at home just in time for our lunch which dear Lucy had taken care of.  We had a quiet siesta during which FT had arrived home and was knocking on the door. We refused to open it until after the siesta. It is Eladio who opens the door for him, not me. I just can't face him. He has taken to leaving windows open so as to climb back into the house without us having to open the door but we have cottoned on to his trick and shut them after he has left. Damn the man.

Amanda and I had our usual Monday afternoon Skype call that day where we chat, commiserate, laugh etc for a good 2 hours. These calls do us both such good. Then there was dinner to look forward to. We had booked a table for 8.30 and were there promptly. The restaurant was quite full which figured as it was St. Valentines Day. I always go for the meat - the best in the area - and my husband always goes for fish. His choice that night was cod. As the portions are so big and we cannot eat too much in the evening we skipped both starters and pudding. I do realise that the older we get the less we are able to eat. Our choice of drink was cider as the restaurant is Basque where cider is popular. It is too in our beloved Asturias. Instead of enjoying a starter we enjoyed the bread and a small bowl of pumpkin soup that came with the meal. Here I am toasting my Valentine.

A toast to our love at dinner on St. Valentines Day

When I posted some of the pictures on social media, my dear friend Sandra commented "love how you always celebrate your love now more than ever". She is completely right. I am very lucky to have married Eladio and that our love is still going strong after so many years - 42 since we first met in 1980. 

Not our best St. Valentines pic

We left early as we only had one course and were soon home to an empty house except for "him" and dear Lucy who holds the fort when we are out. Our guests had left that night and the next group are not coming until this week but I was happy to get 3 new reservations on Airbnb just as we were finishing our meal, two of them were for June which is when the prophetess Elizabeth had prophesied any money problems would be solved hahahahha. I got another one yesterday. Oscar arrived at lunch time and will be here for 2 nights. As we come out of winter hibernation, reservations seem to be picking up. 

That night I slept relatively well. The earlier stress from our nightmare I think has now receded as has the media exposure - that was very draining. Also I was prescribed some anti anxiety pills by my Doctor. They are called sertraline (50mg). Whether I am feeling less stressed because of the medication or because I am getting used to the situation I cannot tell but I am definitely calmer now. Thus I sleep better.

I was up at 7 am on Tuesday. That morning after our walk we had an appointment at our bank - La Caixa, before Bankia. I needed them to change my residency card to my new Spanish ID - yet another task to do after getting Spanish nationality. Without that change I wouldn't be able to receive my pension so it was an important mission. My bank account assistant, Marisa, is not the friendliest nor the most efficient person but at least she now treats me more kindly. I left the bank not knowing when the change would become effective and would only know the following days. It was thank goodness. 

We then decided on a coffee together, a morning ritual when we are out. Did you know that in Sweden, coffee with friends is called "fika"?  It is basically a coffee break. I learned the word and term when I used to work for Yoigo which belonged to the Swedish national operator, Telia. I totally relate to "fika" which is something of a ritual in that Nordic country. The BBC recently did a story on this custom entitled "The Swedish tradition that can make you happier at work". I couldn't agree more; not just at work but in any situation. In most companies there "fika" is an allowed break at 10 am and at 3 pm. The idea is for workers to get a mental and physical break so that they come back refreshed and happy to continue work. What a great idea. The  word "fika" derives from the slang for coffee "kaffi" apparently and is inverted - not sure why. When you fika and you can use it as a verb  or as a noun, you take time off to enjoy a break in company. You never fika on your own. Fika also involves eating a little something, usually a typical cinnamon bun. To have our "fika", we drove to Alverán - must take you there if you ever come to visit - and my little something was a piece of toast and butter. Being born a Brit I only ever eat bread if it is with butter. That is something Spaniards do not understand. But oh they do understand "fika" although it is called something else here - something like a mid morning break during a long working shift. So, yes I love to "fika" but let me tell you something. The Swedes have great cakes and buns but their coffee is not a patch on coffee in Spain or at least not in my experience. Eladio and I are like chalk and cheese when it comes to how we drink our coffee when we go out to "fika". I order mine not too hot, strong and with plenty of foamed milk. Eladio orders his - if it is available with soy milk and honey, usually decaf and with zero foam. Eladio doesn't really "fika" as he never eats anything with his coffee. I am greedier and have always been. I had to have a photo to show you how we had our fika on Tuesday after the boring bank visit.

"Fika" at Alverán on Tuesday

The Alverán cafe is also Felipe Turover's favourite place but we haven't seen him there for ages thank goodness. He is keeping very quiet these days. We try to rise above the situation and get on with our lives but his presence is always there and always threatening. 

Our daily routine as you know by now if you read this blog often nearly always involves coffee out or "fika" but also a walk with Pippa, lunch at 2 on the dot and dinner at around 8 pm. Part of our routine is watching the news at lunchtime and after dinner. The news these days is dominated by the threat of Russia invading the Ukraine - they haven't done it yet and let's hope they don't. In Spain the main news was the outcome of regional elections in the area called "Castilla León"  a very rural area with a big part of what is now called "empty Spain" (la España vaciada). That is where Eladio's village is located in a very remote part of Castilla León. The right wing party PP won but as usual these days did not get a majority. The far right wing party, Vox, got 13 seats which means that the PP will have to rely on Vox. I used to hate Vox for its ideas but, my friends, this is the only party that wants to change the law governing squatters. Thus, for the first time in my life I may be voting for a far right party. As it happens I can finally vote in all types of elections now that I have Spanish nationality. With British nationality I could only vote in the very local (not regional) and EU elections. You will also know that as a Brit who has lived outside the UK for more than 15 years I haven't been able to vote in the country where I was born or in Spain for more than 25 years. That means of course I had no say in Brexit. Well, I won't rant about that. I am bored with politics in Spain and am not at all interested in the recent regional elections. More exciting is what is happening in Madrid where the PP  opposition party governs. The fight is between the President Isabel Diaz Ayuso and the head of the party, Pablo Casado. The main issue is a contract for face masks awarded by the Madrid government to a company owned by a family friend and the fact that Diaz Ayuso's brother was involved and got a substantial commission. No doubt this will continue to be the main news for weeks now. 

But the news that caught my attention after lunch on Tuesday was both Spanish and international. A Spanish fishing boat from Galicia called "Villa de Pitanxo" had sunk in waters near Terranova, Newfoundland in Canada, the night before. The trawler was not so near really; about 450 kilometres from the coast. 

The Spanish fishing trawler Villa de Pitanxo which sunk in Newfoundland waters this week

It seems the sea was very rough and of course ice cold. There was a crew of 24 men, most Spanish but some from Peru and Ghana and only 3 have been found alive. There were 4 lifeboats but only one was found with survivors.  This is tragic news and I can't begin to imagine the pain of those families who have lost a member in the cold sea so far from home.  As I write 7 are dead and 14 are missing with just 3 survivors.  This was the main news in Spain that day and it was very sad.

If that was sad, words from the British actress Emma Thompson about women's bodies was perhaps the piece of news that I could really relate to. She was talking about a scene in a new film where she had to stand naked in front of a mirror. This is what she said: "If I stand in front of a mirror, I'm always sort of pulling something or I'll turn to the side, I'll do something. I can't just stand there. Why would I do that, it's horrifying" said the the 61 year old actress. She also said people weren't used to seeing untreated bodies on screen and added "but that's the problem isn't it, that women have been brainwashed all their lives to hate our bodies. That's just the fact. And everything that surrounds us reminds us how imperfect we are, and everything is wrong with us". 

 Emma Thompson said out loud what all women think. 

Wow she said what probably all women think secretly. I do at least. How right she is. I can only imagine very few women can't find any fault with their bodies. So if we hate our bodies, how on earth can we be happy? Why do we care? Because we are inundated with the idea of the perfect body we can never ever aspire to, especially as we become middle aged and grow old. But younger women too hate their bodies. They should learn to love them because they will only get uglier as they grow old. We are never happy with what we have are we?  Emma mouthed what nearly all women think but never say. Her words are profoundly significant and yesterday they helped to make me care less about my "horrible body". Yes, that's what I think about my body. Maybe now she has said it out loud I shall start to care less. All the bodies we see on screen, unless we are talking about young teenage girls, need to be "treated" if they are to be portrayed as perfect. We are not perfect and when we learn that we may learn to love ourselves a bit more. Thank you Emma for your words. 

As a woman and British citizen, no doubt Emma Thompson, was as disgusted as me at the news of Prince Andrew's up to 10 million pound settlement in the sexual  abuse case we all know about. The Queen's second son was seen in a photo with Virginia Giuffre, trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein when she was just 17. 

The photo that says it all

Virginia claims she was forced to sleep with the Duke of York and I believe her. Instead of a trial with a jury, this week the Duke's lawyers came to a private out of court settlement with Ms. Giuffre whereby he is to pay her up to 12 million pounds and come away free from justice. I would have liked to see him tried and condemned in court but now his actions are covered up by blood money. Shame too on Ms. Guiffre who should have pursued him in court instead of accepting his money. This was not the outcome I expected nor one that I can accept. I wonder what his own mother, the 95 year old Queen thinks. The whole scandal has in a way tainted what would otherwise have been her glorious 70 year reign jubilee year. Another scandal from her eldest son and heir to the throne may further taint the year. Prince Charles is involved in a "cash for honours" inquiry. Basically this is to do with a charity of his being donated funds by millionaires keen to get honours such as the CBE in return. One case is that of Suadi donor Mahfourz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz who donated 1.5 million pounds in exchange not only for a CBE but also for British citizenship. 

Another damaging image - Camila, Charles and the Saudi billionaire Mafhouz - believed to have donated 1.5 million pounds to a Prince of Wales charity in exchange for a CBE and British citizenship. Just the tip of the iceberg in the "cash for honours" inquiry. 

Mahfhouz is probably one of those rich people who came to Britain using a so-called "gold visa". This is a citizenship for investment visa of over 2 million pounds in the UK. This has led to a vast number of expensive properties being in foreign hands, often Russian oligarchs. No wonder London is now referred to as "Londongrad".  Thankfully due to the Ukraine crisis the Home Office will be changing the rules.  Like his brother before him, Prince Charles  claims he knew nothing about the cash for honours cases. I bet he did. I also  bet both he, the Queen and his brother are losing their sleep over these scandals, some of the worst ever to affect Buckingham Palace. 

Part of our routine is also our daily siesta. I go through the motions but don't often actually sleep. When I can't I turn to my iPad with headphones, so as not to disturb my husband and watch something on a streaming platform. It was on Tuesday I started on Line of Duty Season 6 and I had finished it by Friday.  This is one of the best British detective series ever. I had devoured seasons 1 to 5 and then watched it all again so when Oli told me Season 6 was now available, I was as pleased as punch. That day I watched 3 of the 7 episodes. It's so clever and the dialogue is great. My overall favourite is Detective Superintendent "Ted" Hastings played by  the Northern Ireland actor Adrian Dunbar. There was a great line in one of the episodes when he tells a superior officer "The name's Hastings ma'am, I'm the epitome of an old battle". I say a round of applause is due to the script writers of this addictive and real life series. 

The much loved DS Hastings played by Adrian Dunbar

I loved that quote but I think my favourite is: "Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey" . He also continually says "Mother of God". His character is interesting not just because of his great acting and quotes but because he is portrayed as a Catholic Northern Ireland man and there are few of them. Thus he was one of the very few who served in the RUC (Royal Ulster Constabulary) and thus is always seen as an outsider.  I suppose all of you reading this are great fans of this series watched by more than 13 million in the UK. So I think you will love this "beginners' guide to Line of Duty". If you haven't watched the series, careful as there are many spoilers. 

Wednesday came, the only day in the week when I didn't have some task or errand in the morning. Wordle was difficult that day. It was a word I got right but only through guess work as I had never heard of it. The mystery word was "caulk". The definition is: "waterproof filler and sealant (don't know that word either), used in building work and repair" A better definition is "substance used to fill gaps around the edge of something, for example a bath".  I thought that was far too obscure. People are complaining the game has become more difficult since it was bought by the NYT. I don't know about that but what I do know is that because of cancel culture some 5 letter words have been removed from their list. I know that as I tried the word "slave" recently. How pathetic. I am fed up with wokes, this new thing about pronouns, being politically correct and as to cancel culture, it baffles me. It all seems part of a Brave New World just like Huxley described in his book of the same name. Today it seems we are more  censored than ever when it should be quite the opposite. At least I can nearly say what I want in my own blog or at least I think I can. 

Our news on Wednesday won't be of much interest to you but it was to us. This week a local carpenter finally changed the front door of our new but hundred year old house in Asturias. We loved the quaint original stable door but there were gaps where the cold comes in. Also when we shut it all the light was stopped from coming in making the hall very dark. We found the carpenter back in October and it wasn't until this week that he finished the job. He made a door to look like the old door - stable door too - but included 2 glass panes to let the light in. This is what it looked like before and what it looks like now (bar a knob he still has to put in).

The old door from the outside

The new door from the inside

We haven't been since October and are thinking of going next week. Obviously if we go away Lucy will have to stay to hold the fort while our horrible unwanted and non paying tenant is here. We need to get away so much. We love our house but want a change of scenery. I hope we can go. 

The highlight of Wednesday was a surprise dinner at Oli's. Miguel and Elliot had gone to have dinner at his mother's so Oli suggested we join her. It was nice to get out and see her and little Juliet. But their new flat seemed empty without Elliot's presence. He is so funny and so full of life but a bit of a handful. Oli told me that in his daily school reports he has never yet got a star for good behaviour. At nearly two and a half he still wants to breast feed which Oli finds tiring. Elliot's teacher "Itchy" (Itziar) suggested weaning him by only letting him do so for a minute. He has quickly learned to say "just a minute" and then takes one of Oli's boobs out of her blouse - sorry for the crude description - which makes me laugh. He is not a good sleeper and demands Oli's presence "for just a minute" during the night too and when Miguel offers to take over he is shooed away by Elliot when he says "Daddy no", "Daddy go". No wonder poor Oli is exhausted. 

We had an early and peaceful dinner without Elliot and Oli served some lovely food. Both Eladio and I remarked later just how well she cooks. We were home by about 10 and that night I don't think I watched anything and actually had quite a good night's sleep.

Thursday came and that morning Oli and I had detective work to do; investigating our horrible squatter. We went to his health centre where we wanted to talk to his doctor to report his attempt on suicide and all the tablets he takes which worries us. Amazingly we got an appointment for the next day.  

We had a break for "fika" at Alverán (again) before continuing. Finally our favourite cafeteria knows how to serve me my coffee - strong and with foam, just how I like it. This was accompanied an irresistible "vigilante" a sort of straight and thin croissant which amazingly hails from Argentina. Love them. 

Thursday's "Fika" 

We then went to his gym, the sports centre in the exclusive La Finca area. There we were received by the Director who had read the initial article in El Pais which exposed him. The Director confessed FT owed the gym 2 months fees and that he had cheated a woman there out of money. He wouldn't tell us who she was but we left our number in case she wanted to call. We also learned that he had been barred from the gym after the article. Good. 

It was on Thursday that I had a belated birthday lunch with my dear friend Julio who I first met at Nokia in 2000, 22 years ago. Wow! Today Julio is a successful professor at the UNED University. He took me to the "Jardin de la Maquina" a swanky restaurant near where we used to work in Pozuelo. We sat outside as the temperature was 20ºc and our table was next to the artificial lake. It used to be the "Leyenda" restaurant where I have been many times. Today it is more upmarket. We had a marvelous lunch which Julio treated me to. We shared mini scallops and for "seconds" I had lamb chops and Julio had filet mignon. Delicious. I have chosen a photo of the two of us having lunch as this week's feature photo. It was so good to get out, good to see a friend and to socialise again. Thank you "Julito".  He told me he found me in much better spirits than when he last saw me over a month ago. 

I was home late and had lots to tell Eladio who himself had been out to lunch. He enjoyed a meal out too that day with his friends and ex colleagues Juanjo and Roberto.

Friday came and that morning Oli and I met to see the doctor as part of our detective work. I think I told you recently the amount of addictive medicine this man consumes which I found out about through my friend a chemist. So it had to be his doctor who was prescribing all this and we wanted to know why and also whether he is a real suicide threat or physical threat to us. We found out  he takes so many pills as he has built a very strong tolerance to them. We also found out he had a big alcohol problem a few years ago. Whether any of this information will be of use at court I doubt but it will certainly be of great interest if I ever write a book about living with a  Russian spy in the room next door don't you think?

I wonder whether DS Hastings and his team, Steve Arnott and Kate Fleming would be interested in playing one of the parts if the story is taken up by Netflix haha. They would certainly have found out a lot more. I finished season 6 and was gutted. I was not happy either with the ending. I wanted a different ending. I also want another season to be filmed. I then had no option but to start all over. I can't get enough of Line of Duty.

After the health centre I drove home to pick up Eladio and go and do the weekly shopping. Once again we stopped for "Fika" but this time we went to Manolo Bakes - sorry Alverán - but they do have the most delicious mini croissants.

Eladio at Manolo Bakes on Friday

While we were sitting in the sun, meanwhile my home country, the UK, was being battered by Storm Eunice - the worst in decades with the strongest winds ever recorded (190km ph). The main focus of the storm was in   southern England, the Midlands and Wales. The wind was so strong that people were actually blown over while trying to walk. 

Storm Eunice

Imagine that. Damage was terrible with electricity cut, trees falling,  flying debris, roofs  (used to be rooves) blowing open - the O2 arena included and even the spire of the St .Thomas church in Wells fell over.  Most transport was cancelled, it was nearly impossible for planes to land at Heathrow, classes were cancelled and people were warned to stay at home. The record breaking winds claimed 4 lives and then went on to carry its course into northern Europe. I imagine the UK is still reeling from this storm of the century. 

Storm Eunice affected the weather in many parts of Europe but hardly reached Madrid. But it did affect the temperature which fell from about 20 to 10c from one day to the next. Thus we had to dress up warmly for our Saturday morning walk. 

On Saturday I came face to face with blatant age discrimination when I went to have my driving licence renewed. It seems that 65 is the official age to be considered old in Spain and never so more than when it comes to renewing your licence. Up till  65 licences last for 10 years. Not so when you reach 65. They are then renewed for 5 years. The stupid thing is if I had gone on 7th February, my last day of being 64 I could have had it renewed for 10 years. But I had no idea of this age discrimination. No doubt I will be facing more soon. There was even health discrimination too. When I told the doctor doing the eye test that I had had a cataract operation, the 5 years were reduced to 3. I had to plead with the administrator to take that off the record. I could not believe what I was hearing as for God's sake the operation had improved my eye sight. But no, those are the rules. Thankfully the administrator, worried I would take my application elsewhere where I would not make the mistake of mentioning the operation, agreed to change my record. I walked out without a provisional driving licence as  my new identity - the change from a residency card to a Spanish ID card (once again)  - would have to be notified to the authorities before renewing my licence. Thus if I drive before I get it, I will be breaking the law. Damn the system. It's so stupid. 

Apart from that yesterday was the quietest day of the week, the highlight being our lunch. Yesterday I made one of our favourite dishes - yes meat again, sorry: shoulder of lamb with apricot stuffing. Delicious. That had me sleep a siesta from 3ish to 5.30, making up for any recent lost sleep thank goodness. I slept well last night too and only woke up at 7.15. Wordle was a bit of a challenge today but I got both the Spanish and English versions in 4 tries each. I only consider 3 tries as good. I wonder if anyone ever guesses the mystery word in one try. 

Today will be a quiet day too. The sun is already shining and it will be warmish again with the temperature reaching 15ºcm which is not bad for February.

I have now reached the end of this week's tales so all that remains is to wish you all the best until next Sunday.

Cheers my friends,

Masha