Back from Montrondo, home sweet home, goodbye face masks indoors, "Is this my country?" Olivia back on TV, news of FT, the Queen turns 96, Olga Villiers, née Kapnist, preparing my father's memorial events in Yorkshire and other stories.

Sunday 24th April, 2022

Wednesday was the day face masks indoors were no longer obligatory (partially though).

Dear friends and readers.

How has your week been?  In the Ukraine the war continues. More mass graves have been found, Mariupol is still under siege, the Russian forces are concentrating on the Donbas region and have stated they want the whole of the south of the country. Foreign premieres went to visit Zelensky - including the Spanish PM and they have all promised more arms and weapons but probably not enough. The war does not look as though it will end soon. 

Let me tell you about ours. Last Sunday, Easter Day, we left Montrondo after a wonderful stay there with Olivia and her family. It was not a good day to drive back as there would be loads of holiday traffic but we had no choice as we had to be back on Monday. Oli and her family left at around midday and we closed the house. All of this took time as packing all the baby paraphernalia seems never endless. Elliot was a bit out of sorts that morning - he is quite a character and has a temper . but can be forgiven for his age and the fact that everything was so new for him. I was glad to see him getting to know all his little cousins and no doubt he will feel more familiar when he returns in the summer.

Last moments with Elliot in Montrondo

Their journey would be long because of the traffic. It normally takes 5 hours to get to Madrid but it took Oli and co 6 and a half. Amazingly the babies hardly protested but I am sure they were glad to be home to familiar surroundings. Oli sent me a pic of them playing. 

The babies happy to be home

We set off half an hour later. I felt hungry as I had missed my mid morning coffee. We hoped to get a table at the Parador in Benavente but being Easter Sunday it was full. Eladio suggested we go off the road into the small town of Valdevimbre. It is famous for wine making which takes place in caves that are quite unique. It is a popular tourist destination because of the many restaurants now housed in big caves. We were able to find a table at one of them, "La Cueva San Simón". 

Where we had lunch on Easter Day

I was impressed by the real live grill at the entrance where meat was being grilled. My lamb chops were grilled there and tasted quite good.

The grill at the entrance of the restaurant

We had been to one of the cave restaurants years and years ago in Valdevimbre and I remember feeling a bit claustrophobic and I did too on Sunday. The meal was good though. We had it as quickly as possible so as to hit the road again as we knew traffic lay ahead.

Our journey was long and tiring and I wished we had left on Monday but it wasn't to be. We finally arrived home at 7.30 to our "home sweet home". It was great to be back. Sunday was very warm and I think we could have had dinner outside but it was late and we were tired. What I did have was nearly a whole Easter egg afterwards. I had bought two online for Easter but did not take them with us as we hadn't planned to go to Montrondo after Asturias. 

The best part about coming home was sleeping in our own bed with its giant 180cm wide memory foam mattress. Nothing beats it for me. That night I slept like a baby.

I was awake at just before 6 am on Easter Monday. It was lovely to be home again and everything was in order thanks to Lucy. I felt good after our 12 day holiday and reflected how it was the first Easter Holiday in 2 years as Covid had robbed us of holidays at Easter since 2020. 

Food shopping was our priority on Monday and off we went to Mercadona and Carrefour. Both were full of people like us loading up provisions after being away. There was no walk or coffee out as Eladio had an appointment with an eye specialist for a check up as his sight has got worse. It was always good and he never got presbyopia. I got it aged 39 and always envied his sight. Well now it's the other way round as I was operated on 3 or so years ago and now I can see quite well. He came back to tell me he had the beginnings of cataracts but not yet operable. More worrying was that the doctor wanted him to see a retina specialist. That sounded ominous. But we refused to worry and got on with our day which was very quiet.

On Monday, María Eugenia, a young woman who I thought was from Mexico but is in fact from Venezuela arrived. She will be occupying the green room for 25 nights. I'm not quite sure why she is here; something to do with paperwork but no doubt I will find out later. She had asked to borrow a bike and we have lent her Oli's (hope Oli doesn't mind). She seems the sporty sort and will be using the bike as transport. Good for her. She seems the quiet type and will not bring us problems, like our damned squatter. That day too I had English guests arriving at our apartment in Santa Pola. Suzy welcomed them and I knew they were in good hands. I was told they loved our pad. Great, I was glad.

It was warm that day but it would be the last day of good weather for some time. That, unfortunately, means the pool can't be painted as it needs two full weeks of dry weather before it can be filled with water again. That's a bind as the pool is the greatest attraction of this house for guests. 

That afternoon, evening and night I  watched all 6 episodes of a new British TV series; Anatomy of a Scandal which was just up my street, not that I like stories about rape. I don't but I do like British TV you dunnit mystery series. I was also attracted to it because it features two actors I really like; "Mary" (Michelle Dockery) from Downton Abbey and "Peter Finch" (Rupert Friend) from Homeland - I had no idea he was a British actor. 

I think I must have fallen asleep at about 1 in the morning and was up at 7 am on Tuesday. That morning I finally got down to contacting the 4 "monumental masons" I had been recommended by the Bradford Town Hall bereavement team. I had never heard the term. What's wrong with "stone masons"? The lady from the Town Hall had recommended I use my mother's headstone to add words for my father. That makes sense although it won't be easy as the inscription for  my mother takes up nearly all of the headstone. But I would think of something.

As you can see there is not much room for my father's inscription on my mother's headstone. 

The penny clicked when I found this photo without flowers. Is it possible he left the small bottom part of the headstone for his own inscription; so tiny compared to my mother's? He was so modest he must have done. My dear friend Amanda commented it was rather fitting that the space for her was larger than for him, reflecting their personalities. She always stole his thunder but he never minded as he was so shy and quiet compared to my mother who was the exact opposite. 

That morning we managed our one hour walk in the woods and oh my how we noticed that spring had come on so quickly since we had been away. The grass was knee high in some places. Once home and after a quick cup of coffee I was off again. I went for a much needed hair cut and retouching of white and grey roots. I hate going to the hairdresser as I find it time consuming and boring except for the part where my hair is washed. I love that.

I was home for lunch and between Lucy and I made "bacalhau à brás", a Portuguese dish which is basically scrambled eggs with thinly cut chips, fried onion and cod. We love it and it's so easy to make.

I spent the afternoon trying to watch something on Netflix but ended up chatting for a very long time with a prospective guest; a solo travelling English woman who wants to come here in July. She sounds nice. 

It was supposed to rain that day and it did but only during dinner. On Wednesday morning we woke up to heavy rain and cooler temperatures. We also woke up to the fact that in Spain face masks were no longer obligatory indoors. We had been wearing them for nearly 2 years and I was happy to say goodbye to wearing a face mask. There are exceptions though: health centres of any kind, public transport, chemists, opticians and I think that is it. I was happy to say goodbye to mine when we went to have coffee at Alverán that morning but not everyone else is. Most people seem to have kept them on. I suppose I feel safe as after being a "Covid Virgin" for over 2 years I actually caught it. Plus I have the 3 vaccines so feel pretty immune at the moment. 

In the UK face masks have been abandoned a long time ago as have nearly all Covid restrictions. On that topic, the UK premiere, the one and only Boris Johnson, recently got a fine for breaking the law by attending forbidden parties at Downing street during lockdown, something he has repeatedly denied. He cannot carry on denying it I'm afraid. This week though trouble could be brewing when it was decided that a committee in Parliament would hold an investigation as to whether Boris Johnson had lied to parliament. That, if nothing else, is something he would have to resign over if he is found guilty. I doubt it will happen and he will continue to live a life of privilege, unlike most of us. 

Even worse, he is in sync with his awful Home Office Minister, Pittia Pratel who is cooking a plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda of all places. It seems ironic that she herself is an immigrant from Uganda who sought refuge without issue in England in the 70's. I think this is absolutely appalling. When I read about this I just keep thinking "is this my country?"

Today Spain is my country of course, where I have lived since 1981. It was on Wednesday that I was delighted to see my daughter Oli who returned to work last week after maternity leave, live on TV again. She never tells me when she is going to be on so I was lucky to catch her. Here she is reporting on a football scandal, something to do with a contract to play the Spanish "Super Cup" in Saudi Arabia whereby the Barcelona football player, Gerard Piqué would get over 20 million euros in commission. Oli attended a press conference where the head of the Spanish FA would be giving his version of the facts.  She asked him later whether he thought the commission was ethical. Good for her. 

Great to see Olivia back live on TV

I wished I could have spoken to her that day when Eladio and I went into the laundrette next to our favourite cafe, Alverán.  But I would have to wait till later to tell her the news. We went to pick up all the bedding that we had taken for dry cleaning after our horrible squatter Felipe Turover left on 30th March last. We were amazed to hear from the woman there that Felipe had taken her his suitcases asking for the clothes inside to be cleaned. He hasn't paid her of course and that very morning she saw him sitting on a bench outside in the rain. He went in to give her his wet puffer jacket and to retrieve one of his dry coats. I asked her if she knew where he lived. She told me she was sure he is living on the street as he looks dreadful. He carries a haversack and if  he is living on the street, then that is why he has taken his belongings to the laundrette. The lady had taken them in as he has been a customer there for years until very recently when as we all know, he ran out of money. All she wants now is for him to take back his suitcase. We were stunned and you know what? I actually felt a little sorry for him. What do you make of that? My theory is that he found a place to stay via a vacational platform like he did with me. He probably booked and actually paid for 2 or 3 days. After that he would have offered to stay on paying directly (like he did with me) and that is when no doubt the owners googled him and found out his past and then chucked him out. So now he is on the street. What a terrible end for him when it could have been so different. Damn the man. I can't get him out of my system. I thought I was getting over him until we went to the laundrette that day. 

He is probably having awful days. I had a good day. There was time to read  (still finishing Exodus) and I downloaded the book Anatomy of a Scandal which I hope is as good or better than the series. I told my dear friend Amanda all my news in our weekly skype call. I can't wait to see her in England. We were interrupted by a "monumental mason" from the Keighley area; the only one so far who had bothered to contact me. He sounded lovely, a solid and honest Yorkshire man. I warmed to him immediately but was sad to hear the headstone won't be ready for the burial. I heard from him and others later that there is a huge backlog due to Covid so my father's inscription won't be on the headstone for up to 10 months or a year. Well, I thought, that's a good excuse to go back to Yorkshire.

I heard from another Yorkshire man that evening, Barrie, an ex Russian pupil of my father who left BGS in 1980. He had fond memories of my father. I was surprised to see he had become a vicar and was a Canon, just like my dear Grandfather, Revd. Canon John Collins Lloyd. I think we immediately bonded by email and he has been helping me enormously with the memorial and burial service programmes. He is also going to officiate  at the Memorial Service which is hugely fitting. Fittingly too I have called him a "God send".  I loved his anecdotes of my father too. It's wonderful to know that he lives on in so many people. 

My father fought in WWII so would be familiar with the Great Escape from the German Prison of War Camp Stalag Luff III. We have all seen the film and it's great as is the story. But that night we watched a documentary which was incredibly revealing. Of the 76 who escaped, 73 were caught and only 3 managed to avoid capture. They were 2 Norwegians and a Dutchman and part of their success was their ability to speak German. My father would totally understand that. 

However, the documentary gave me nightmares and I woke up in the middle of night wanting comfort from my husband. He too had had nightmares of Nazis chasing him which is unusual as Eladio hardly ever has nightmares. We started talking and I was wide awake. I kept hearing noises I couldn't fathom where they from until I opened our balcony window. My goodness there was a veritable concert of bird song going on. They were cooing to each other and courting. I only wish I had recorded it. 

Thursday came and HM Queen Elizabeth II turned 96 God bless her. My father had told me just before he died that she was "quite young". I love the official portrait for her birthday this year together with two of her horses. I pinched it from The Times to share with you here.

The Queen's official 96th birthday portrait

Her official birthday is in June and of course this year is her Platinum Jubilee. I sincerely hope she will be up to all that. Harry her grandson spoiled the occasion by blurting out in an interview that he had been to see her to make sure she was being looked after properly - suggesting she wasn't. Shame on him. 

The Queen loves her dogs, corgis mostly and I love ours, Pippa. So we took her on our walk as we always do. Thursday was a splendid sunny day and I could see all sorts of spring wild flowers which I know my father would have loved. I had to have a photo for this joyous moment and here it is. 

On my joyous walk with Pippa

Walks make you hungry and that day I decided to make a Russian dish my mother taught me how to make, Boeuf stroganoff which I am not actually sure is really Russian. It is made with fillet steak, mushrooms and a creamy tomato and onion sauce. We had it with rice. 

My boeuf stroganoff

The photo of the day on Thursday wasn't this but one sent to me by a past pupil of my father's; Jon. He too will be at my father's memorial events. He had been to Bradford Grammar School but also attended the Norwich Russian Courses where my parents and Aunty Masha taught for years. I went many times  so recognised quite a few people in the picture. I just loved seeing my parents and Aunt there on the front row. 

A group photo of the Norwich Russian Course in 1986. My parents are on the far left of the front row and Aunty Masha is third from the right looking very glamorous. 

That brought back so many memories and is a photo to treasure. Those were happy years for my parents. I notice my father is wearing one of those awful jumpers my mother knitted for him hahahaha. The lady sitting on the right of my father is Olga Villiers (third from the right on the front row with a pink jumper) née Countess Olga Kapnist. It's a very long story but my mother knew her when she was a child, when they both went to a school in Cannes in the 20's.  My mother was just 6 and had been sent from Bulgaria and was forever having tantrums. No doubt she missed her family. Olga was about 14 and was her angel. Olga was the only person able to calm my mother down. Many, many years later in England, my father saw an article about Olga's father - a Russian admiral who died during the Revolution. From that article, my parents were able to locate Olga, then Olga Villiers, living in Tunbridge Wells. Their reunion was of the sweetest as they had adored each other. My mother had never forgotten Olga. She became my "Aunty Olga" and often visited us in Ruskington with her old estate car and in Bradford. She then joined my parents as a teacher of Russian at the Norwich Russian Courses. I heard she died a few years after my mother in 2003 or 2004. I have tried to find her children and came across something on internet where her granddaughter, Emma Towers is looking for information about her grandmother's life story. If only I could find Emma Towers, we would have so much to say to each other. 

Thursday was a day full of memories, mostly about my father. After the correspondence with Barrie I was in touch with Emma, a journalist from the Bradford local "rag", The Telegraph and Argus. They want to be heavily involved in his memorial events for which I am so grateful. There will be an article in the paper this Monday and it will be online from tonight. I now have to get in touch with more media including of course, the Yorkshire Post. I realised on Thursday that now that FT is out of our lives I can continue the grief process of losing my father. I thought about him a lot this week as I spent time on the memorial events I am planning in Yorkshire. I finally finished the order of service for the Memorial Service on 6th May at 10 am at Bradford Cathedral. I got some help from Barrie - many thanks. This is it. Do you like it? I hope so.

Front cover of the Order of Service 

Later though when I sent it out to the "old boys" who will be talking at the service, I discovered quite a few mistakes. One of them was that I had used the King James version for Psalm 23 and  the Modern English Bible version for the verse from the Gospel of St. John.  They are now both the King James version which I think is the Bible my father was most familiar with. So thanks David and John for pointing them out. And thanks Amanda for proof reading. I also have to thank my dear friend Juana who came up with the format when I designed my father's memorial service in Madrid. Without her help I wouldn't know how to turn this into a leaflet to give out to the congregation on 6th May. 

Barrie also helped me with the graveside burial. He practically did it for me which is a huge relief. I have never been to a graveside burial  and only seen them on TV so don't know the protocol. I needed to know when people could throw earth/soil into the grave. This was the answer Barrie gave me : "The usual procedure is for someone from the family to place the urn/casket into the grave unopened at the words “we now commit…”. (With slight pause in the prayer to allow this to be done without rushing). Earth/soil is thrown into the grave by the officiant during the words “earth to earth, ashes to ashes” and then others are invited to do so immediately after the end of that prayer.   The cemetery will usually provide a bowl/container of soil for this purpose". You see I have to get it absolutely right and there is so much to learn but I am loving learning it. 

 I also had to write my own reflections to be read at the burial. I have done that too. I check everything with my dear friend Amanda. She is on board with me on this 100 percent. We went to school together and my parents were like second parents to her. So who better to have on board?

The final arrangements are: 2nd May 2 pm. Graveside Burial at Charlestown Cemetery officiated by the Acting Dean of Bradford Cathedral, 5th May 7 - 9pm reception and buffet at Bradford Grammar School,  6th May 10 am. Memorial Service at Bradford Cathedral followed by refreshments.

Dear Emma from the T&A has suggested there be some representative or recognition from veteran associations at the Memorial Service. That was on my mind too but I didn't really know how to go about it. Emma introduced me to a Bradford City Councillor who is the Local Armed Forces Champion. She is now in touch with some big wigs from the Royal Navy. This whole thing is snowballing and it is doing so out of the love and dedication I have for my dear parents. I think of them all the time as I am making the arrangements. 

Friday came and it rained again. I spent the first 3 or 4 hours on all the arrangements and only then was I free to make our lunch. We went out to buy fresh fish which we had with my father's favourite veg, cauliflower. The afternoon was spent lazily watching Young Wallander on Netflix. The pace is a bit slow. 4 young students attending a start up conference for young marketeers arrived from Seville so the house is full this weekend. In fact all 3 of our houses are full which is good. 

We went out for a fast food dinner which was naughty but nice. We don't often go to hamburger "joints" but rather like Carls Jr which is very nearby. It's the chips I love, just like my father.

On Saturday it rained again. We had the pleasure of the company of Olivia and Juliet but not Miguel and Elliot who went to have lunch with his mother. Juliet is such a sweet baby; no trouble at all. I took her off Oli's hands so my daughter could get a  rest. I put her in a sort of cradle like recliner and sang to her while rocking it until she fell asleep. It reminded me of when my girls were babies because that is how I got them to sleep. Thus we all had a good rest.

Today is Sunday and the sun is shining. We shall go on our walk with Pippa, I shall make our lunch - just the two of us. The afternoon will be different as we have been invited for afternoon tea, or "merienda" as it is called in Spanish. You will read about that next week.

Now it's time for me to publish this and to get on with my day.  Next week I will be publishing this blog in Haworth, that beautiful Yorkshire village where the Brontë sisters lived.

Till then my friends, goodbye.

Masha

50 days of war in Ukraine, last days in Asturias, Playa de Toró, reading again, a day in Cantabria with Gerardo and family, RIP Xavier des Horts, and so to Montrondo, joined by Olivia and family and other tales of the week.

Montrondo, Easter Sunday, 17th April, 2022

Feeling on top of the world - by the Toró beach last Sunday with Pippa - always with Pippa

Good morning all and Happy Easter.

Here we are in Montrondo, all the family, except Suzy who is in Santa Pola.  For Juliet it is the first time and for Elliot it is a discovery; a new place, a village in the mountains, family members to get to know and so many cousins his age. He has loved it and I have loved to watch him. As to Juliet she made her debut in the family and has been the centre of attention.  She is everybody's real live doll. Everything is peace and harmony here unlike in Ukraine where families' lives have been interrupted for more than 50 days since Russia invaded its neighbour on 24th February. The war looks like it will continue for a long time. The war has claimed thousands of victims, many of them civilians and the war is affecting the rest of the world with prices going up everywhere bringing inflation. We have all noticed how much more it costs to fill our shopping baskets and our tanks and I wonder how long this will go on. We always say if the worst comes to the worst there is always Montrondo to escape to although I don't think it will come to that.

Threats from Putin have escalated as has the war. Putin is livid that countries are supplying Ukraine with armament and warns of "unpredictable consequences". Does he mean nuclear weapons? He has also warned both Finland and Sweden again that there will be repercussions if they join Nato, something which is very much on the cards. Putin is furious too that the Ukraine army has destroyed its flagship Moskva warship and has retaliated by bombing a missile plant outside Kyiv. Hundreds or thousands are feared dead not only in Bucha but in other towns and as to Mariupol it is  still under siege. It is said 4.7 million Ukrainians have fled the country. Some are heading back to Kyiv but God knows what they will find. Just imagine their plight. Yet still the West is hesitant to hurt Russia with the worst sanction of all; a stop to the purchase of gas and oil. 

During our time both in Asturias and in Montrondo we have followed the news and I have often thought just how lucky we are to live our lives in peace. 

Last Sunday we were still in beautiful Asturias, often referred to in Spain as Asturias, a natural paradise. It is indeed that. That morning we decided on Llanes again where we would take a coastal walk towards the Toró beach which we had only ever seen from a distance. It's just outside Llanes, one of the posher coastal towns in Asturias. But first for a coffee at Plaza Sobrino Parres. There were far more tourists than the week before. It was a glorious sunny day, the warmest of our stay in Asturias. 

To reach the Toró beach you have to go towards the port and then the lighthouse. I always admire the beautiful houses at the end of Llanes where there are two small beaches easily reachable from the gardens of these houses. I would love to own one of them but would have to sell our house in Madrid to do so and that is not on the cards. We love Asturias but we don't like the winters there where it can rain a lot. 

Beautiful houses at the end of Llanes and near the Toró beach.I wold love to own one of them. 

From the houses and two small beaches we walked up to the coastal road and took a path we thought led to the Toró beach. We admired the views as always and the craggy cliffs with their limestone rock.

Eladio by some rocks near the Toró beach last Sunday with Pippa again

We were impressed by the Toró beach which was quite full. I hate to imagine it today. 

The pretty beach of Toró which we discovered during our stay this time. 

We walked across it and up the paths on a green hill to enjoy more views which were as good as most on this rugged coast with its mountain backdrop. That is the pull for me there. I just can't get enough of the views. 

There were a couple of enticing restaurants where I know we will go to one day but we had lunch at home - the beef stew cooked by the butcher's wife from Posada hahahhaa. On our walk back into the town I was surprised to see an outdoor chess tournament going on and played by children. It looked exciting.

The open air children's chess tournament last Sunday in Llanes

I wondered if any of them had been inspired by the film The Queen's gambit.  A girl was being interviewed just before the game began and was asked how many women or girls play chess compared to boys or men. I was saddened to hear that only 10%. Maybe that popular film will help increase the number of girls. I remember being taught to play chess at school during the lunch breaks and quite enjoyed the game. Today I think I have forgotten nearly everything. Anyway, back to our day. 

Before heading back to our car, I couldn't resist the temptation to go into El Fito, a wonderful patisserie in Llanes, as good as any in France. Eladio is not into cakes but I am and  indulged myself too much during our time in Asturias.

We stopped for some wine and a bit of fruit at Puente Nuevo, a tiny little place with a shop, bar and tobacconist - our nearest bar and shop, where people were enjoying their "aperitif" in the sun. It looked enticing. 

Our beef stew was not so enticing but would have to do. Just as we were finishing there was a knock on the door. Who could it be? Our neighbour Loli bringing us eggs maybe? We don't know anyone else there so were amazed to see the familiar faces of Gerardo and his wife Vicky and 2 of his 5 children, Irene and Gerardo. They are very good friends from the family I lived with in Madrid when I was a student many moons again. They have a house about 45 minutes from ours and we were to see them on Monday so were surprised to see them drop in. But it was a lovely surprise. They came because they were meeting friends for lunch at the tiny village of Mazuco, a village not far at all from  El Cuetu. It was great to see them and we showed them our humble abode. Their kids Gerardo and Irene though were probably more interested in meeting Margarita, our neighbour's adopted baby lamb who is adorable.

Irene and Gerardo with Margarita the baby lamb last Sunday

They couldn't stay long or they would be late for their lunch appointment and left soon. It was a very warm afternoon, the warmest of our stay. I decided to sit outside but the sun was strong and we needed the parasol. I think it was the first time we have used it. I felt so relaxed I decided to read. That sounds normal right? But not for me. I have been an avid book reader since I first picked up an Enid Blyton book aged 7 but that all stopped during our ordeal with FT, our horrible squatter. Last Sunday morning, my friend Andy recommended me a book. I replied that I no longer read, that I had lost my concentration powers. But with the sun out and the terrace looking so inviting I decided to try. I had not brought my kindle so didn't have much choice. There was either my father's book or Leon Uris' Exodus, about the birth of Israel made famous by the film with Paul Newman with the same name. It's not classical literature but is a fascinating story so I went for it. I was soon engrossed and marveled to Eladio that I was reading again. He joined me with his PC and we spent the best afternoon of our stay just relaxing and enjoying the weather in peace and harmony.

Eladio relaxing on our little terrace on Sunday afternoon when it was so warm. 

Eladio remarked we needed more flowers for the terrace; hydrangeas and geraniums and we decided to visit the garden centre in Cue next to Llanes on Monday morning.

That morning I was happy to read that this year's Sunday Time's best town to live in England was Ilkley in West Yorkshire. It is a town I know well. It is well known for its moor due to the song On Ilkley Moor Ba'tat and my father was never happier than climbing the moor and enjoying the heather. As  children he would take George and me there many a Sunday and he called me his "little moors' girl". I liked him saying that but did not feel the same affinity as although I love walking I do not particularly like walking uphill. I never have. What I did love was the fact that he bought us sweets there and when he took us to that lovely cafe Betty's for tea and cakes. 

Ilkley town center

I have loved it ever since and have been back many times. Ilkley is one of those beautiful Yorkshire towns with I suppose a lot of class about it, a bit like Harrogate, Skipton or York although it is smaller. It is definitely considered "posh", a word I hate by the way. I shall be taking the girls to Betty's when we are in England next month. A visit to Yorkshire without going to Ilkley is never the same. Good old Ilkley. Love it and proud it made the top of the list. 

Monday was the day we had been invited by Gerardo for lunch at their house in the village of Lamadrid which is actually in the next province of Cantabria, Santander. We were looking forward to that. 

We were to meet at the Playa de Rosal in the beautiful seaside town of San Vicente de la Barquera in the next province, Cantabria (Santander). It is a 45 minute drive, so not far at all. First though we stopped in Posada de Llanes for more provisions and then to Cue a little village on the coast next to Llanes where there is a magnificent garden centre. We needed more hydrangeas and geraniums for our little terrace to spruce it up. Thus we were a bit late and arrived a little after 12 when we had arranged to meet at 11.45. I do hate being late for things but our friends didn't seem to mind. They took us for a walk on the lovely beach which is bigger than many in Asturias. The Cantabrian coast is less rugged than Asturias but the backdrop just as green. That makes for longer beaches like Playa de Rosal. 

With our dear friends Gerardo and Vicky on the Rosal beach near San Vicente de la Barquera

Vicky's family were originally from this area and she has been coming here since she was a child with all her sisters and enlarged family. After many years of renting a place to stay our friends finally decided to buy a house in the area and we were to see it. I knew it would be beautiful but not quite as stunning as I had imagined. Our place in El Cuetu looks like a shack in comparison. Theirs was brand new when they bought it and was beautifully decorated, plus it has a garden including lemon trees. We loved it immediately. The architecture and style is very typical of the Cantabrian region, a style I love too. 

Our friends' beautiful house in Cantabria

Gerardo made us a paella which was challenging as it was very windy. He had to go to the back of the house between two walls to get the fire going on this gas heated paella grill. He was even wearing an apron with his name and the words "paella maker". 

Gerardo making our paella on Monday

We had lunch with our friends and 4 of their 5 children; Vicky who is to be married soon, Lucia, Gerardo and Irene. Only Ana was missing as she is studying in Texas. It was too windy outside so we went indoors after  2 glasses had smashed. It was an unusually windy day although sunny. 

We sat around talking after lunch in their beautiful lounge. Gerardo started asking my husband who is a philosopher and studied theology when becoming a priest, some very existential questions. I could only look on and enjoy the conversation, admiring my very cultured and erudite husband who at the same time I still find physically very attractive. No one would believe his age. Gerardo says he has made a pact with the devil. Hopefully not the devil.

Gerardo and Eladio having a very existential conversation

I looked on, listening in awe as I always do when Eladio talks "philosophy". What a cultured man he is but doesn't think so himself. That itself is part of the attraction.

Time with our friends ended with a short visit to the beautiful seaside town of Comillas, famous in the past for its Catholic Church university where Eladio's brother studied. We had been before but I think you can never get enough of Comillas, especially its architecture. Beautiful buildings are everywhere and it is not spoiled. I love the town hall square where we forayed into a bits and bobs semi antique store looking for furniture for the entrance to our house in El Cuetu. The prices put us off hahaha. 

In Comillas on Monday with Vicky and Gerardo

It was getting late and time to go home before it got dark - it gets dark in El Cuetu at around 9 pm . but before picking up our car, our friends wanted us to see the sunset on a view point over the Gerra beach from where you can see San Vicente de la Barquera and the snow capped Picos de Europa. What a place. It was divine and my photo doesn't pay justice to what my eyes saw but I have to show it to you. What a beautiful place. I vowed we would be back.

The view point from Gerra of San Vicente de la Barquera

Soon it was time for parting and we left with a large bag of large lemons from our friends tree. What a treat and how lovely they smelled. We were home around 9.30 and after unpacking our shopping and all the plants sat down to a salad dinner. 

That night I slept better than most. Suddenly it was Tuesday and we had been in El Cuetu for a week relaxing and winding down after all our troubles with FT (damn the man). 

It was another warm day and we spent the morning at the house. Eladio planted all the new flowers while I sat reading again. It felt like heaven. 

Reading on our terrace surrounded by plants

 We had lunch out that day and chose El Roxin where our friend Gerardo and his family had been on Sunday and highly recommended. El Roxin is in the tiny village of El Mazuco - famous in the Spanish Civil War. 

The entrance to the pretty village of El Mazuco

El Mazuco is about 4km from our house and we had no idea there was a famous restaurant there. What a find. I made a reservation and got the last table. El Roxin is not fancy in a gourmet sense. It's all plain cooking but most of the ingredients are sourced by the owners. We went for the goat stew and huge rib eye steak. We could only eat half each and would take the rest in Montrondo. Oh what portions! Far too big.  

I asked for a small steak and this is what I got. 

We were impressed and will be going again no doubt. We came home to rest and maybe because of all the food I slept a siesta until 6 pm. I woke up to calls from Alicante about a new washing machine being installed at our flat and of course I was late for my weekly call with Amanda. I am not at my best when I wake up either in the morning or after a siesta. But once I had a cup of tea in my hand and was sitting outside on the terrace I was more or less ready for our weekly chat. There was lots to talk about; mostly of our upcoming visit to Yorkshire. It will be great to see Amanda again in the flesh so to speak as we haven't seen each other since 2019. It will be great too to see Phil and Kathy. Roll on 29th April I thought. 

 Believe it or not we had dinner after the huge lunch and then plumped on the sofa by the TV and watched something on Netflix - can't remember what. It was our last night in Asturias and I slept quite well.

Wednesday came, the day we were leaving for Montrondo. We had to leave as guests were checking in the next day. I was up early and as usual read the headlines and checked my Facebook and Instagram. That's when I learned that my dear colleague Xavier Des Horts had died aged 54 of cancer. Xavier and I both worked for Nokia. He was head of Communications for Nokia France while I had the same job, heading up communications in Spain. We met countless times at long meetings in wonderful far away places. Those were our golden days and  Xavier was one of the best. He was a Frenchman with lots of joie de vivre. He was a family man and wonderful colleague who was dedicated and good at his jobs, always full of new ideas he was happy to pass on to us. I remember one night our team, the European Communications team were invited to have dinner in Copenhagen  at no less than the American Embassy!! I sat with him and our Italian colleague and we all laughed at the American wine saying it was not a patch on wine from Spain, France and Italy. I always sat with him as I was guaranteed to have a good time.  When I left Nokia I missed him. Later the Finnish giant was bought up by Microsoft where he went to work. We last met in August 2019 on the beautiful French island of Île de Ré where his family have a house. I was there for a cousinade and we agreed to meet. I wrote about our reunion in my blog post which you can read here. I had no idea then that that would be the last time we would meet and I feel devastated.  Life is so cruel. Xavier leaves a big family with lots of children and he will be sorely missed. The photo below was taken by his teenage daughter Priscille. I well remember her taking this photo and my heart goes out to her and her family. 

With Xavier in August 2019.

I can't quite get over the loss of Xavier. When I posted the news yesterday on FB, tributes poured in as Xavier was such a popular colleague, one of those special ones you want to keep in contact with always. I also wrote a short article about my dear colleague yesterday on LinkedIn which you can read here. He will always be missed. He left this life too early. Oh how cruel life can be. There is now one less perfect French gentleman in this world and that was Xavier des Horts. RIP my friend and colleague. 

With a heavy heart I left our little village of El Cuetu in beautiful sunshine. We had had a very relaxing time and had been lucky with the weather. We stopped on the way in Posada to replenish provisions for our stay in Montrondo. It's a 2.5h drive but we went slowly and enjoyed some of the scenery. We could probably have arrived in our village on time for lunch but decided to stop somewhere. That somewhere turned out to be a great choice. Google helped me find the restaurant, El Reundu in the small Asturian town of Campomanes. It was a real hidden jewel or so I thought until we got there and it was full with just 1 table left and that table was for us. 

El Reundu restaurant a great find on our way from El Cuetu to Montrondo

Lunch at El Reundu on Wednesday on our way to Montrondo

We ordered the menu of the day at just 13 euros each. The portions were so enormous we asked for a doggy bag. That would be enough food to last us 2 days or so in Montrondo. We both chose the "fabada" and couldn't stomach a pudding. Our meal was washed down by local cider, a must in Asturias.

We were in Montrondo just after 4 pm. It was sunny but a lot colder than El Cuetu. That's because our village in León is very high up and El Cuetu is near the sea. The difference was notable. Eladio had brought a box of cider for each of his siblings and after we had greeted some members of the family we soon settled in. We love our century old house in Asturias but the house in Montrondo was built to spec and is much more luxurious and with far better decor. The house in Asturias is nice enough but needs a lot of changes which we will do one day. For the moment it stays as it is. The house in Montrondo is far warmer and it has to be to stand the cold temperatures in this area.

We spent time with José Antonio and Dolores inspecting work on their houses here of which there is a lot. Many of our great nephews and nieces were here and I wished Elliot could be here to join them. That was not to be, or so I thought,  as Olivia was working this week and only had Friday off.

Dinner was leftover soup from El Reundu and some supermarket pie which was nice enough. We then slumped in front of the TV and by 10 or so had both fallen asleep. I think I slept well and woke up on Maunday Thursday at 6.30 am. I thought it was going to be a quiet day when I got a sudden message from Olivia to say they were coming to join us for Easter as her programme that day had been cancelled. Oh what joy. I was so happy they would be with us here in Montrondo. 

I was happy too that Elliot would get to meet nearly all of his cousins; most of them around his age. There are 11 and soon there will be 12.  Oli later sent us an audio of her asking where they were going. He answered "Montondo" without the  "r" and added "Booboo house"  Booboo is what he calls his grandfather. That meant I had an excuse to go with my sister-in-law Dolores to the nearest town, Villablino, to do some shopping as I would need more provisions now.

We had a grand time in Villablino which included coffee time. It was a sunny day and was to be sunny throughout our stay. Oh what good luck.

The view from the back of our house here

Lunch was leftovers from our meal at El Roxin in El Mazuco and then a rest until Oli and family arrived. Meanwhile, in Santa Pola dear Suzy had got the apartment ready for our guests who arrived just before lunch. Suzy also sent me a video to prove the flat was clean. Thank you Suzy. Many kilometres further north in El Cuetu, a new set of guests arrived too and Loli my neighbour wrote to keep me in the loop. This was the welcome pack they would receive: flowers, lemons, eggs and a bottle of cider. I hoped they would like it. 

Later I heard from both Suzy and Loli that all our guests were happy with their accommodation. I was very glad.

At about 6.30 or so Oli and family arrived. Elliot looked a little dazed and startled when he got out of the car and saw so many children, many of them his age, all his little cousins. He didn't remember them as he was so little when he was last here in August. He spent a lovely time with them and was a delight to watch. He was curious too to see all the houses belonging to Eladio's siblings and walked into each of them wanting to see all the rooms and asking who slept where. Funny little boy. 

We had to drag him inside when it was time for dinner. He had brought his box of toys; all the little figures from cartoons he watches and was soon playing by himself happily while we got dinner together.

Elliot playing in our house in Montrondo

I think everyone slept quite well that night. I always say it has something to do with the mountain air. I was up at 7.30 on Good Friday. I only wished I had brought the hot cross buns and Easter eggs that were at home and never brought as coming to Montrondo after Asturias was not in our plans. Instead I had toast and jam instead of my usual porridge.

The children had a fabulous day. For us it was a joyful family day and the sun shone. Juliet was shown to everyone and was happy to be picked up by strange hands and passed around like the little human doll she is as she behaves so well. Here she is with her mother and dear Manolita, the most loved villager here.

Juliet with Manolita and Olivia

We had coffee at one of Eladio's sisters houses where Elliot was keen to see the rooms too. He has a thing about houses hahahaha. His father then took him off on a tour of the village which included the church and the belfry. Here he is happy in his grandfather's village. One day he will inherit our house and will come here with his children. 

Happy little Elliot in Montrondo

He must have missed one of the highlights of the day, buying bread from the local bakery in Murias that Alberto delivers to all the villages in the area. Here is Oli getting 2 loaves for our consumption. She loves the local bread and so do I.

Buying bread in Montrondo

Lunch was fabada again followed by lots of different desserts. I ate too much.I always say that there is something about the mountain air here that increases the appetite hahaha. We should have gone on a walk in the afternoon. It was our intention but all the children were playing with their parents all around and we just stayed by the house all afternoon. At one stage a lorry arrived with fire wood. It was unloaded but had to be stacked. Everyone lent a helping hand and all the children including Elliot were keen to join in.

Elliot lending a helping hand to stack firewood. 

The mountain air and all the activity made Elliot flake out on the sofa. Thus we had a peaceful dinner. It was everyone's favourite; egg and chips. Later when my grandson woke up, he had a bath in my clawfoot bathtub which I thought he would enjoy but he was so tired and miserable he cried throughout. poor mite. 

I went to bed before the children did as I too was tired. I was awake on Saturday morning at 6.30. Again I was the first person up and had time for my first coffee and to write a bit of this blog. That morning we insisted we needed a walk and off we went; Oli, Miguel, Elliot, Juliet and I. We walked all the way to Senra which is about 4 km, quite a long walk when you have babies with you.

On our walk yesterday

The prize when you reach Senra is coffee in the sun served by the grumpy bar owner. We got Eladio to pick us up as walking back 4km would have been too much for the babies.

We came home to make a barbecue which was quite a treat. Besides, the weather was marvelous. Here is Eladio, as always, in charge of the fire which fascinated little Elliot.

Eladio in charge of yesterday's barbecue

In the afternoon an egg hunt had been organised by two of our neighbours, Elena and Brunella. It was very exciting and well organised. I contributed 4 bags of mini eggs as I myself had brought  for the children. Elena and Brunella's organisation skills were wonderful and the kids had a great time.

Yesterday's egg hunt for the children

Elliot showing me one of the Easter eggs he found

Yesterday was our last day in Montrondo. We have been away for nearly 2 weeks and now it is time to go home. Lucy has been holding the fort and no doubt provisions are running out. So today is our last morning in the village but we will be back.

Today of course is Easter Day so let me wish you all a very happy Easter.

Cheers till next Sunday,

Masha

Chickens on our walk, butchery and genocide in Ukraine, happy times in Asturias, meet Margarita the lamb that thinks it's a dog - visting Mirador de Fitu, Gijón, Bufones de Santiuste - and other stories of the week.

 Sunday, 10th April, 2022. El Cuetu, Asturias.

Meet Margarita. In my element with this baby lamb in my arms. Pippa was a bit worried.

With our lives finally back, we were able to enjoy our first weekend at home without our unwanted squatter. The house felt as though a cloud had lifted and the sun was shining again; in that the good vibes were back. Now we could finally get on with our lives which until he left felt on hold. Now too we can leave the house without fear that "he" might do something. Thus this week we came here to our new house in the mountains of beautiful Asturias on what is known as Spain's "Green Coast". 

On Sunday last Oli and the children came to spend the day and then Eladio's brother "Toño" and wife Dolores came for lunch. I was up at the unearthly hour of 5 o'clock in the morning having been awake since 4 am. In my mind were thoughts of all I had to do before anyone came: wash my hair, do my nails, update and publish my blog, update all new reservations (I got 4 on Saturday last alone- 2 for Santa Pola, 1 for Asturias and 1 for this house) and then of course make lunch for everyone with all the finery for laying the table. I had some red lentil chunky soup which would do for starters but I had to be creative with the second course. It was a bit like the bread and fish miracle in the Bible. I had 8 chicken legs for 6 adults and little Elliot. I made a casserole with a huge layer of all sorts of vegetables and the chicken legs on top. When they were roasted, I took them out and boned them. Thus I had lots of bone free tender roasted chicken. To that I added the veg and then made a sauce from the juice and crème fraîche to which I added some herbs, cashew nuts and sultanas. We had it with rice and it was delicious and there was loads for everyone. 

It was a sunny but cold day and in the afternoon we all went for a walk including Elliot and Juliet in their push chair and pram.

Starting our walk last Sunday with the babies and the dogs

Instead of going through the woods we walked on the road as navigating the pram and push chair would have been difficult. We did though cross the main road at the bottom of the hill near our house to a parkland area. The children behaved perfectly all the way. When we were nearly home I spied 2 small white hens loose on the pavement. It was so funny to see them. We soon realised that the gate of the home where they obviously live, was open. Toño and Eladio, being "village boys" know how to deal with hens and Toño tried his best to get them to go into the house again. It was a hilarious moment which had us all in hysterics. 

The hilarious chicken episode

Oli took a video which I hope you will enjoy. You can watch it here. 

We were home by around 7.30 when Eladio took our guests back to the metro station. Oli and I remained with the children. I was absolutely shattered by then, having been awake since 4 in the morning and had no energy whatsoever to prepare dinner for us all. Besides, I wasn't hungry. Thus Oli and the kids left and soon Eladio was back and we had a frugal dinner together before going to bed.

I slept better that night although I was awake at 2 am, 4 am and 6 am. I finally got up at 7 on Monday morning. Someone far away in Miami, may have partied the night away. On Sunday last, Carlos Alcaraz, the 18 year old Spanish tennis player created history. He won his first ATP Masters in Miami becoming the first Spaniard and the youngest player ever to do so. He is being compared to Nadal of course as is natural but this young man from Murcia is a force of his own making. I was proud for Spain and happy for the teenager. I wish him a successful and lengthy career. 

The world woke up though to terrible news from Ukraine. Russian soldiers, not only raping women but massacring civilians in their hundreds mainly in the town of Bucha. Not far from Kiyv, this name will go down in history like Aleppo or Srebrenica. It beggared belief to see the horrific images of dead people who had been tortured by the Russians, many of them with their hands tied together and even with bombs attached. Putin had already crossed many lines but this was the straw that broke the camel's back in my opinion. I do not want to insert images here; they are too gruesome and no doubt you will have already seen them. Biden and leaders from around the world coincide in wanting Putin to face a war crimes trial after this. Could that happen any time soon? No, but maybe in a few years time. It did happen to Milosovec and members of the Khmer Rouge. But all the world could do was to increase sanctions on Russia and send more arms. The only sanction that would really hurt would be to stop importing fuel and gas. Can that happen soon? I don't know. So Russia will continue its war crimes in Ukraine. I don't see peace coming soon. You can't negotiate with a butcher can you? 

With all this on my mind I got on with the day. At around 8 am, the "swimming pool man", Javier, was here to get it ready for Easter. 

Starting on getting the pool ready for Easter

This year it's going to be painted but Javier reassured me it would be ready on time for the Easter weekend.  We had a busy day getting the rooms ready for guests arriving on Tuesday - we will have non stop guests now until the end of May.  I also corresponded with upcoming guests at all 3 of our rental properties which will be fully booked for Easter. Lucy was a great help and Eladio did the tricky parts like hanging up the washed curtains. He even mowed the lawn later. I was also busy on the preparations for my father's memorial service in Bradford, his burial and related events. This is going to keep me busy until we fly out. I also booked our car which cost a pretty penny but we need one there. What cost a pretty penny too was the fuel  Eladio ordered that day. Normally a full tank of over 1000 litres costs around 900 euros. On Monday the price was  1600. That is nearly double. We couldn't believe it. The war is hurting the world isn't it? 

Tuesday came, the day of our departure to Asturias. We couldn't wait to go away without having the worry of our nasty squatter who finally left. We feel liberated now and can go away when we want. We have our lives back thank goodness. I am smiling as I write that. 

I felt extremely happy as we left in our old Volvo with Pippa at the back. She needs a special harness after new traffic laws and we hoped we wouldn't be in trouble. We were so happily talking that we took a wrong turn which probably added 1.5 hours to our journey. Instead of heading from Valladolid to Palencia, we headed to Burgos. We could have had lunch there hahaha but had to go for yet another god forsaken road side cafe. It wasn't too bad. Thus we didn't get to our house in El Cuetu until at least 6.30 pm hahaha. We had an incident with the police about half an hour before arriving. We had driven off the main road to find a toilet for me and there were the uniformed officers checking on cars. They stopped us and I had to have one hand on Pippa in the back so they didn't see her. They wanted to see our latest MOT sticker which we couldn't find. Where was it??? Thankfully they let us go with no fine and I immediately looked up dog harnesses on Amazon where I do most of my shopping hahahha.

We arrived to sunshine and the house was in good order. As soon as we had settled in I went out to see the neighbours who were gathered in the street. They all wanted to know about our nasty tenant as they had seen us on TV like most people. I was more interested to meet Margarita. Margarita is a month old lamb whose mother had rejected her and my neighbour's granddaughter, Soraya, has adopted her. I would have too. She is gorgeous. She even let me scoop her up in my arms and stroke her. I fell in love immediately.

My new friend, the lamb called Margarita

We had a simple dinner while watching the terrible news coming out of Ukraine - ghastly. I later fell asleep in front of the TV. That night I slept well and got up the next day at 7 am.

It was wonderful to wake up in our house in Asturias on Wednesday morning. The day was ours for the taking and we enjoyed every minute. I was busy though before I went out and in the afternoon with so many preparations for my father's send off in Yorkshire next month. I am on a mission to make it perfect, emotional and fitting and won't stop until I have achieved my goal.

We left the house in brilliant sunshine and I had to have a photo of my dear husband outside our lovely old house. 

Eladio locking the door of our house on Wed morning

We headed to our nearest town, Posada de Llanes, to get provisions for our stay and then to the beautiful sea side town of Llanes for coffee and a walk. We had our coffee, as always, at Galerna in the picturesque square called Sobrino Parres. Here I am enjoying life and wearing a shocking pink jumper I love which I bought at a little boutique in Posada last time we were here.

In Llanes on Wed morning

In that same square there is a gourmet store called Aramburu which I always make a beeline for. There I buy wonderful local fare both to eat here and to take home.

Aramburu gourmet store in Llanes

We put our purchases in the car and then set off for our favourite walk in the area, the Paseo San Pedro on the cliffs above Llanes. It was a beautiful sunny day with good visibility although there was a distinct chill in the air. It seemed to be mostly retired people, like us, walking there. I suppose everyone else was at work. I am still getting used to saying I am retired. How did life pass by so fast I always ask myself?

On our walk on Wednesday

We came home to have a splendid lunch including steak sourced from local cows which was delicious. I was busy after that preparing for a video call with the events manager of my father's old school to discuss their involvement and a buffet dinner to be held there the night before the memorial service on 6th May. I didn't stop "working" until dinner time. We enjoyed some of the produce we had bought at Aramburu while we watched the news - some terrible stories coming out of Ukraine again.

Thursday came. For my younger daughter, Olivia, it was the day she went back to work after her maternity leave. I wondered how she would get on and also wondered whether Juliet would miss her.

That day we decided to go further afield to the seaside town of Gijón, the largest in Asturias with a population of about 280.000. I had only been once, about 11 years ago. It was a warm but cloudy day with the temperature reaching 23ºc. We have been lucky with the weather despite rain threatening during our stay.

On our way we stopped at the Mirador del Fitu - a mountain peak which commands views of 360º. I wondered what "fitu" meant. In Asturias which has a unique dialect very close to Spanish the o at the end of the world is written and pronounced "u". Fitu comes from hito or jito meaning a passing geographical place that coincides with various territories. Once this area had an old Roman road. 

The steps leading to the mirador. 

It is often included in the Tour of Spain as it is quite a climb. From there you can see the snow topped mountains of the Picos de Europa and the coast of that part of Asturias - La Sierra del Sueve. There are many view points in Asturias but this is one of the best.

Eladio posing at the Mirador del Fitu on Thursday. 

It was very windy up there but well worth the visit.

From this splendid peak we continued our journey to Gijón. Gijón is one of those big coastal cities with a town beach like you find in Santander, San Sebastián and La Coruña. Called San Lorenzo it is one of the most popular town beaches in Spain. I can understand why as it is long, clean and also wind protected by the houses in front of it. Some are beautiful but some are ugly. Spain's modern architecture when it comes to blocks of flats is one of the worst in the world. I never understand why architects design such horrible living quarters when the country has so many beautiful houses built in the 19th and 20th centuries, especially in the north of the country. For me these ghastly high rise blocks of flats somewhat spoiled the sight of the magnificent San Lorenzo beach. 

By the San Lorenzo beach in Gijón on Thursday

We visited some Roman baths - Gijón has lots of Roman remains - which were closing and they wouldn't let Pippa in so I didn't see much. Not that I am into Roman ruins really. We then ambled towards the main square, always called "Plaza Mayor" in Spain. 

Part of the Plaza Mayor in Gijón as seen from our restaurant table

Nearly every town in the country has one. It was 2 pm by then and we decided on lunch and took a table at a restaurant in the square on the terrace so that Pippa could be with us. It was nothing special but their "fabada" - the Asturian flagship bean stew - was as good as most. In any case, Eladio, I and Pippa enjoyed it.

Once we had finished we walked to the port to see the famous statue of King Pelagius (Pelayo in Spanish) of Asturias. He is famous for initiating the Christian reconquest of the Iberian peninsula from the Moors in 718. But it was so windy we were nearly blown off our feet so returned to the Plaza Mayor and onto the San Lorenzo beach where we walked about half of it. I had my first outdoor ice cream of the season which I loved. I am such a fan of ice cream. 

We couldn't stay much more as I had a video call to take at 5 pm that afternoon with the events and PR manager of Bradford Cathedral to discuss all the arrangements for my father's memorial service. I made it on time and was very happy to meet Phil virtually. That morning I had written my homily which I sent to my dear friend and editor Amanda. She said she loved it and that there wouldn't be a dry eye in the cathedral. I am worried it is a bit long - 1200 words which take 4 minutes to read. After the call I cracked on with the press release to be jointly sent out by me and the Cathedral PR department. I wonder what my grandfather, Revd. Canon John Collins Lloyd would think of a church or cathedral with a PR department. There was no such thing in his day hahaha. I wondered too what he and my father would think of the service being live streamed on Youtube. When my father was born in 1919 electricity, cars and the telephone were very new and not yet mainstream. My father has seen technology develop so fast to what it is today and found it miraculous but I doubt he could imagine a church service being live streamed. Dear Daddy. He is so much in my thoughts these days as I prepare to take him back to Yorkshire where he wants to be buried with my mother. 

When I had finished I went outside for a rest and there was Margarita, the baby lamb again and I was delighted to see her. I have fallen in love with her. Margarita ran to me and let me scoop her up in my arms. As she is being reared with a family with dogs, I think she thinks she is one. Pippa was a little jealous which I suppose is normal. Here she is, meet her again. 

Meet Margarita the baby lamb who thinks she is a dog. 

What a gorgeous animal. 

 

At that very instant a man (Egidio) from the village brought us some wood for the kitchen Aga. We had bumped into him on Wednesday and ordered a half tractor full of wood. He promised to bring it on Wednesday evening but didn't turn up until the following day. Then he only brought a quarter of a tractor. This is the wood that is now dwindling in the garage and which helps keep the house warmer. I was astonished at the price of wood which costs more than potatoes. Just that little pile came to 70 euros. But wow we needed it. 

Egidio's fire logs which would keep our kitchen warm

My husband soon had the stove going. Being a "village boy" he is a master with fire and had no trouble getting it going.  I wouldn't have known how. Thus we had our din,er in a much warmer kitchen. This house is 100 years old and the heating system is old fashioned, expensive and not very efficient. One day we will change it but for now, we shall rely on the logs for extra warmth. 

That night I slept better and the house felt warmer. I was up at 6.30 on Friday morning and had the day to look forward to.

The world woke up again to more butchery and genocide in Ukraine. Once again the Russians had cruelly and deliberately fired at civilians. They had bombed the train station of Kramatorsk where civilians were fleeing. It is in the Eastern region where Russia is concentrating its attacks after its defeat in Kyiv. Zelensky had urged citizens to leave the area and that was just what people were doing at the train station when it was bombed. It killed more than 50 people. One of the missiles had the words "for  children" on it so the Russians were aiming at innocent children. The world was up in arms. This was another atrocity and we cannot just stand by and watch. Ok that day Ursula Von der Leyen, the President of the EU Commission and Josep Borrel the High Representative of the EU for foreign affairs, visited Ukraine and saw with their own eyes the destruction and massacre at Bucha. Ok too that they offered millions of euros more for weapons. But I say, that is not enough. Leaders scrambled again to come up with more hurtful sanctions; trying their best to think of ways to stop buying Russia's gas and oil. But I say that is not enough. I say it is time to go in and fight the Russians. I really do. We cannot watch any more of this or allow it to happen. 

We woke up to our quiet and privileged life here in the village. Eladio lit the Aga again and soon the kitchen was warm and cosy. Here he is at the job. I am so glad I married a man who is good with his hands. My father was a wonderful man and academic but he was no good with his hands. Neither am I unfortunately.

Eladio lighting the aga to keep us warm, not to cook

Of course I could have cooked on it but I have been a bit lazy about cooking while here and have only made simple things. In any case we had ordered a home made bean stew from the local butcher. The owner cooks well and we often buy her ready made food with locally sourced ingredients. 

That morning we visited one of our favourite places, the beach with the unfortunate name of Póo. Yes,  I know what that sounds like in English. It's even a funny name in Spanish but as it has an acute accent on the first "o" it is pronounced "poh". That day we had it to ourselves at least at the beginning and enjoyed a walk on the beach and then up on the cliffs.

The beautiful Playa de Póo which we had to ourselves on Friday morning

We couldn't walk too far as the tide was coming in, so went back to the road to continue our walk, this time up the hill above the beach where the views of the sea surrounded by cliffs is to die for. We just love the views. Again we had the place more or less to ourselves. Most Spaniards will have begun their Easter holiday from Friday afternoon onward and places will have been crowded this weekend as they will all of next week, but not on Friday and we enjoyed the peace and beauty in which we felt immersed. The sun came out and we felt blessed.

Eladio on the cliffs above the Playa de Póo

I would have loved to have our morning coffee there but the two bars by the beach - the only buildings there- were not open yet.  So we decided to drive back to our local town, Posada de Llanes, and have our coffee there. Friday in Posada is market day which I always love. We actually had our coffee in the market square. Later I inspected the stalls and they were nothing special.

Coffee in the market square of Posada on Friday

Above the square is the gourmet butcher shop where we went to pick up the home made food for our lunch. The lady there is wonderful but my goodness I have never come across such a slow shopkeeper. While Eladio paid, etc, I wandered around the square looking at the not particularly interesting stalls. There was plenty of local cheese to offer but I hate cheese. There were plenty of local pastries but they are all too sweet and as to the clothes, at 5 euros a piece,they were pretty rubbishy. But even so I enjoyed the market atmosphere.

We were home on time for lunch at 2 pm and enjoyed the bean stew. We realised we had bought far too much and I wondered whether we would get through it all. 

By then the sun had gone and the rain had come. So we stayed inside all afternoon and I got Eladio to watch a new detective series with me on Netflix. Called "Mentiras" it is based on the British series "Liar". It kept us entertained until dinner. That night we had some of the delicious fresh range eggs I had bought at Aramburu in Llanes, accompanied by small green peppers. We later watched more of the series until I fell asleep on the sofa and woke up with a crick in my neck. 

Saturday dawned and we decided to go somewhere we had never been before; to Los Bufones de Santuiste. A bit like geysers, bufones   are jets of water that come from the waves of the sea and appear in holes in the rocks.  Often too they are called false geysers. We had already visited the Bufones de Pría where we saw this spectacle of nature. We were not so lucky on Saturday as the sea has to be rough for the jets of water to appear. It was tricky to find the place, some 30km from our house. Google Maps led us there but there was no sign leading  to the "bufones". We had to ask and were told we must cross a railway line and find entries into the field without the barbed wire that enclosed them. We did eventually but it felt like an orienteering expedition. Here is Eladio crossing into the field.

One of the tricky accesses to the "bufones" yesterday

Soon we spied beautiful lush fields with the sea in the distance and cows and their young grazing peacefully. What a beautiful spot and how wonderful that it is difficult to find as that means it must never get too crowded. I love beauty spots but hate it when they are crowded.

Cows grazing

We walked across the fields until we got to the cliffs with their rock formations where the jets of water spring from on a rough day. Even without them we were impressed with the area. 

At the Bufones de Santiuste yesterday

I just love the rugged coast of Asturias where the views of the sea are to die for. I never tire of them. We were lucky that day that a passerby offered to take a photo of the two of us - the three of us actually if we count dear Pippa. I was pleased with her efforts. We look so happy and carefree. 

At the Bufones de Santiuste yesterday. Finally a photo together. 

We could have walked and walked as the path looked as though it went on for miles but it was late and time to go home for our lunch. We were back by 2 pm and I naughtily made some chips to go with the beef stew I had bought from the shop owner of the gourmet butcher in Posada.

The rest of the day was spent lazily. Well, not too lazily as yesterday I cracked on with preparations for my father's send off in England. That afternoon I worked on the order of service for the Memorial Service at Bradford Cathedral on 6th May at 10 am. The tricky part was finding appropriate organ music for the beginning and the end of the service. In the end I went for two British composers, Elgar and Vaughan Williams. 

It was so sunny yesterday afternoon that I spent most of my time on our little terrace enjoying the warm sun. Today will be the warmest day of our stay here so far with the temperature possibly reaching 25ºc. We haven't yet decided what to do but no doubt we shall either return to a favourite spot or explore somewhere new. Today is Palm Sunday and all that that means. Today also marks the first anniversary of the passing away of HRH Prince Philip. No doubt the Queen will be feeling sadder today than ever. I understand completely.

For us it will be another care free day in Asturias, often called "paraíso natural" - a natural paradise. I can relate to that.

So my friends, I have reached the end of the stories of our week. All that remains is to wish you all well.  Cheers till next Sunday, Easter Day.

Masha