Last day with Sandra and Adele, Oli's birthday, the pool ready for the summer , off to Santa Pola, a trip to Callosa, Algar and Bolulla where it all began, Real Madrid win their 14th European cup and other tales of the week.

Santa Pola, Sunday, 29th May, 2022

In Callosa de Ensarría - where it all began 

Good morning everyone. If last Sunday I was just back from  Asturias in the north of Spain with my dear Uni friends, Sandra and Adele, here I am today publishing my blog from the south east of the country. We are at our apartment near Santa Pola in the Alicante region with Suzy, my eldest daughter, and came on Tuesday the day after my friends left. We have come to see Suzy of course but also to find a new cleaner to look after the apartment and guests. Before I tell you about our time here, let me wind back to last Sunday.

Last Sunday was the last full day with Sandra and Adele. We had had a blast but all good things come to an end unfortunately. It was to be a busy morning and day  as it was Oli's birthday. She turned 37 that day!!!!! So I had lots to do to make the day perfect.

It started off with a much needed walk in the woods opposite our house with my friends and dear little Pippa who was in dire need of some exercise. I love May in Spain because everything is still green and there are lots of spring flowers which, like my father, I always admire. I had to record the moment to share with you today.

Our walk last Sunday

As soon as we were back, my friends and I went out again. I had to get some provisions for the birthday lunch - always home made fish and chips with mushy peas and go to Alverán to pick up Oli's spectacular cake. It's our favourite.

Oli's stunning birthday cake

I could have done with Lucy's help that day as there was so much to be done but I had my friends to help me peel the potatoes, lay the table etc. Meanwhile, Javier, the "swimming pool man" was here giving the pool a final clean after it had been painted. At about 1.30 he would start filling it. The pool is pretty deep and needs 75000 litres of water. God knows what that will cost. It would take a whole day and a whole night to fill. We took advantage of the moment before the water went in to step into the empty pool and have a bit of fun as you can see in this video - a moment of hilarity once again with Sandra and Adele. I took some pics too, like the one below.

Just before the pool was about to be filled with water - 75000 litres of it!

By 2 pm Oli and family were here and the fish and chips were ready on the table - delicious I have to say. 

Fish and chips and mushy peas for Oli's birthday lunch

And here we are around the table about to dig in. The only person missing, of course, was Suzy but we would see her on Tuesday when we drove here. 

The family birthday lunch last Sunday

Elliot was not particularly interested in this number one British dish but he was interested in the cake and the lighting of the candles and the opening of presents. I caught Oli and her family on camera at the moment she and Elliot blew out the candles. Happy birthday darling. I can hardly believe you are now 37, a grown up woman, a mother and amazing professional. I hope she enjoyed her day which I tried to make special. 

The photo of the day last Sunday 

We oldies were all full and tired after the walk and the big lunch so had a siesta. Later we convened by the pool to be with the family. I took lots of pictures but I particularly like this one of Sandra with little Juliet who behaved perfectly as she always does.

Last Sunday - Sandra with little Juliet smiling in her arms

As if we weren't already enough people in the house - Eladio, me, my 2 friends, Oli, Miguel, the 2 babies and the Chinese family of 4, the numbers increased when our new guests arrived. Deren and his group of scientists - a party of 5 from Imperial College London arrived during the afternoon. They would be staying until this Friday. That meant we had 9 guests this week - a bit too much but manageable. They are an interesting group who have been before. They are working on a medical project about muscles below the waist with a local hospital here. Although they all live in London, none of them is English. Deren and Simon are from Cyprus but Deren is a Turkish Cypriot and Simon is a Greek Cypriot and they are good friends. Ari is from Calcutta, Shibo is from China and there is another guy who is from Hungary whose name escapes me. You have to agree my house is a bit like the United Nations. Sandra whose mother was Hungarian and who was born in India was in her element with our young scientist guests and so was Adele who recently retired and is missing her University students.  They are the perfect guests and I am very fond of them.

They went out to dinner and we had ours on the kitchen patio - the "last supper" with my friends and it was marvelous as was the time we spent by the pool later with the sound of the water filling it. I think we went to bed after 11. For once I slept well and was up at 6.40 on Monday morning.

The girls were leaving and I was to take them to the airport. Meanwhile, Eladio was putting the finishing touches to the pool and pool area. Here he is tending to it.

Eladio tending to the pool on Monday morning

It was still not completely full and had taken 48 hours to fill. The girls and I had a photo by it just before we left. It was to be our last photo together.

Me and my girlies - our last photo together. 

At 10 am the three of us set off for the airport. Oh, how quickly the week had gone past. I had to drop off Sandra at Terminal 2 and Adele at Terminal 4 which is 5km away. Sandra's flight to Brussels was at 12.40 and Adele's to Paris was at 15.45 so she would have some time to wait. We had a last coffee together with Sandra and then left her at the check in queue.

After dropping off Adele, I started my return journey home which is quite a distance - 45 km. As soon as I was home off we went again, this time to do some shopping. We needed to leave Lucy some essentials and household products while we were away in Santa Pola. Our Chinese guests moved rooms that day and Lucy had to prepare the girls' room. Each week they are here they change rooms as I have other reservations from other guests and it's all a bit of a jigsaw puzzle. 

I was only free after lunch. I had a short siesta while Eladio mowed the lawn by the pool and brought up all the swimming pool furniture. I watched a bit of that silly series Succession (the "f" word seems to be in nearly every sentence) and then went down to the pool to sit and read Anatomy of a Scandal on my kindle. Everything looked perfect.

The pool and surroundings all ready for the summer

Normally I would have been the first one in but it was not warm for me - about 22ºc. Our young scientist guests did though so they were the first this year. We had our dinner at 8 as usual and then went up to bed to watch the news - mostly about the Emiritus King of Spain's visit to Spain after 2 years in exile. He would leave for Abu Dhabi again that day - sadly I thought - "good riddance".  He was such a good King or seemed to be and now he has ruined it all with his financial scandals. Stupid man. 

I did not sleep well tossing and turning and coughing for a lot of the night. I was up on Tuesday morning, the day of our departure, at 5.45. We left the house with a car full of groceries at around 11. It was good to get away again, especially from such a full house with 9 guests. We stopped for a coffee and for some petrol and at around 2 pm (our usual lunchtime) at a little town called Chinchilla. We had a damn awful lunch at a damn awful roadside cafe and will not be going back hahahaha. 

Suzy, bless her, was waiting for us when we arrived at around 5 or 5,30. We hadn't been back to our beach apartment since last September and it was good to see Suzy again. It was funny to walk into a lived in apartment and to see she had changed the furniture, etc. After unpacking we sat on the terrace. The salient point about our apartment is the lovely little terrace overlooking the garden and unfortunately now with the view of the sea obstructed as the trees have grown so much. Here are father and daughter deep in conversation. Suzy was telling us all about her plans and they were not easy to follow. Suzy is a free spirit and is rather anti system so it is far from easy to be on the same page. 

Father and daughter

I love our gardens here and Pippa does too. I took her down later and just marveled at the view. Let me share it with you. I'm afraid a photo doesn't really do it justice.

A view of the gardens, pool and sea in our complex, a sort of gated community. 

It was much warmer here than in Madrid but later got cooler. I have to suffer mosquitoes in this area big time but had come prepared with repellent, spray, anti mosquito devices - 2 types and after bite. Thankfully now we have anti mosquito nets in the bedrooms. Even so I got one bite. Without all the above no doubt I would have been bitten all over.

We had a pleasant dinner together and then watched a so so series on the TV. I had a coughing fit again but a glass of honey and lemon with boiling hot water did the trick and I had a relatively good night's sleep. It was my last night of coughing up till now so I am crossing my fingers my coughing bout is over. 

I was up on Tuesday morning at 7 am which I consider quite good. Over my coffee I was devastated to read about yet another mass killing at a school in the US, this time in Texas. I read that an 18 year old had killed 19 children and 2 teachers. Joe Biden wrote on Twitter: "The idea that an 18 year old can walk into a store and buy assault weapons is just wrong. What in God's name do you need an assault weapon for except to kill someone". I wrote back "For God's sake do something about it". The other news that day came from London. The Sue Gray report about "partygate" was finally published and the culture of drinking and disregarding the Covid rules during lockdown were laid bare. Boris Johnson said he "was humbled" but I don't think he was. More like he was cross to be have been found out; doesn't think he has done much wrong and has no intention of resigning. In my mind he should have resigned this week. What a liar we have in Downing Street. He represents the Conservative Party, the party my father always voted for. If he were still here, he would be ashamed of his party. I am disgusted. 

Far away in this quiet little apartment, we had lots to do that morning; mainly household tasks. If a year ago I had bought new towels and sheets I now had to sort them out as they were all over the place. I need to have at least 12 sets of each with the added difficulty that one of the bedrooms has a bigger bed. So there you had me, with Eladio's help seeing which ones were for which beds. That took me a while. Another task was to draw up a list of things needed; some replacements of old things such as, yes toilet brushes, etc as well as cleaning agents, new knives, new scissors, adapters for the plugs and a long etc. That meant a trip to a large ironmonger and then to Mercadona.  To record the moment here are Eladio and Suzy carrying some of the bags from the car to the apartment.

Coming back with provisions

Once we had put everything away, it was time for lunch but I was damned if I was going to cook it so suggested we eat at the pizza (and other food) place across the road; Soleluna. It's a nice place but oh so slow. I don't think we will do that again. 

Lunch with Suzy at Soleluna on Wednesday

Eladio spent time in the afternoon fixing things in the apartment - I always count my blessings that he is so good with his hands - and I read and did my accounts and updated my bookings calendar. I'm very busy with that these days as we approach high season. I then read and fell asleep by mistake on the sofa and woke up at 7pm. What had happened? Well, I had caught up on some sleep which wasn't a bad thing. I took poor Pippa down for her physical break poor thing as she must have been waiting. That's when I met Marina and Andrei, 2 Russians who had escaped Putin a year ago. They told me of their plight because of the sanctions on Russia and I felt for them. I told them my own family had fled Lenin and they had fled Putin which was a very similar situation in some ways. I spoke a few words in Russian and was happy to hear Marina say my accent was very good. If only my mother had taught us Russian but she didn't because she wanted us to feel English. As I always say though, if she hadn't, I would have been a very different person. Marina told me that now with the war in Ukraine they are ashamed to say to anyone that they are Russian. I can relate to that. 

Dinner was salad again; just the 3 of us after which Eladio and I watched a series called "Entrevias" but soon fell asleep. Again that night I slept well and woke up on Thursday morning at 7 am. PS I did not cough that night hurray. Thursday was to be the highlight of our stay.

Early in the morning, I  was quite astonished to see a man high up in  a palm tree cutting the branches. I thought that it was a dangerous but skillful job and had to record the moment in the photo below. 

A man cutting the branches of a very tall palm tree outside our apartment

On our way to the open market shortly afterwards I congratulated him on his work. I also commented to him that I would like to see more trees pruned as since we bought the apartment back in 1999 they had grown so much they now obstruct the view of the sea from our terrace. The view from the terrace was one of the key selling points. He told me they would be cutting down more so I hope the view of the sea can be restored and soon. 

I love the Thursday morning open market in Gran Alacant and we went to buy some fruit, mainly the juicy and sweet locally sourced oranges. Here I am in my element. 

At the market on Thursday morning

That day we had planned a road trip down memory lane, something we do every now and again when we stay at this apartment which we bought in 1999.  My parents bought a ramshackle house in the town of Callosa de Ensarria about 25km inland from that monstrous holiday town Benidorm. It nestles within orchards where a typical fruit called "níspero" hails from. The name in English is apparently "loquat fruit" but I've never seen it outside Spain. My mother bought our house there in 1972 when I was just 15 and my famous Aunty Masha bought an even more ramshackle one for a few hundred pounds further up the road and into the mountains in a tiny village called Bolulla. We would spend every summer there  until my parents sold the house shortly after we married. I have so many memories of our summers there that they often merge and I can't remember the years specific things happened. What I do remember is always inviting friends to join us and many of them have become friends for life.  To think my parents were in their early 50's and now I am 65. We are talking 50 years ago. But Callosa and Bolulla still have the same attraction for me;  the memories of my teens and happy summers in Spain. In 1972 we knew no Spanish and it was Franco's backward Spain that we enjoyed. We found it most exotic. I also think the villager found us exotic as we were the only English people there. Today that has changed and more foreigners have found their way there. Callosa means a lot too because it is where Eladio and I fell in love in the summer of 1980. He was then a priest who had decided to leave the church and I had just graduated from Nottingham University. He was 35 and I was just 23. So now you understand why Callosa and the region means so much to me. This is our first ever photo as a couple and it was taken in 1980 in the pretty village of Guadalest. That was more than 40 years ago but our love is still going strong. I always say I won the lottery of marriage.

Our first ever photo taken together - summer of 1980 in Guadalest

It was Suzy who drove. She has memories of the area but from long ago and I was keen to show her "my villages" in Spain. Callosa is absolutely nothing special apart from the orchards and mountains which are spectacular. I remember as a 15 year old girl seeing lemon and orange trees for the first time. I wanted to take Suzy and my husband to an old haunt - a modest ice cream parlour called La Jijonenca which brought many happy memories back. But we couldn't take Pippa inside and there were no tables outside. Thus we walked up the road to Bar Europa which has been there for years and years. Here we had a coffee on the road which is a busy crossroads with roads leading to Bolulla, Guadalest and Alcoy and to pretty Altea. Here Suzy took photos of us and I have chosen the one of us kissing as our very first kiss happened in Callosa de Ensarría. This is where it all began and what eventually led to my moving to Spain forever in 1981 and marrying Eladio in 1983. This year we will celebrate our 39th anniversary. How things have changed since then.  If you had told me when I first came to Callosa in 1972, aged just 15, that I would come and live in Spain and marry a Spaniard I would never have believed you.  In 2008 when my darling Aunty Masha died I wrote a post about how Spain became part of our live and I came to live here which you can read here, if you want to know more. 

From Callosa we took the road to Bolulla where we would stop at what are now famous waterfalls - Las Fuentes de Algar. Here my brother George, our cousin Sasha and I would bathe in the natural pools because we couldn't afford the swimming pool entrance. Today they charge to see the waterfalls. But first we wanted lunch and we chose Casa Marcos where we often came the year we met and in successive years. The owners do not remember us but we can never forget.

Lunch at Casa Marcos at Algar

Just next to our table was a lovely terrace looking out over the mountains and surrounded by fruit trees. Suzy fell in love with the view and had to have a photo. It was funny to take our daughter to the area where we first fell in love. She had been here as a baby, child and teenager but had not been back for years. I was happy for her to see where my roots in Spain grew and where it all began. 

Suzy at Casa Marcos in Algar

After our lunch we ambled across the path to the pool which we can now afford. In fact it is free if you eat at the restaurant. Both Eladio and Suzy had a siesta while I read Anatomy of a Scandal with Pippa at my feet - for once dogs were allowed.

The pool at Casa Marcos in Algar where Suzy and Eladio had a siesta

The pool and surroundings brought back many memories too as would our visit to the waterfalls. When we first went we could only bathe at the bottom by the big waterfall. Today there is a path that leads up into the rocky mountains where you find more waterfalls and more natural pools. Every time we have been there we have gone in the freezing cold water and swum with difficulty to the main waterfall, sometimes going under it. But that was impossible on Thursday as there was so much rapid and rushing water it would have been suicidal. So we had to make do with just looking. 

The main waterfall at Fuentes de Algar

We walked up the very steep path with even steeper steps and I climbed with great care owing to my troublesome knee. It was worth the effort as the sights as you walk up are to die for. It was only when we got to the very top that we could venture into the water at a shallow point. Suzy went in and I just paddled while Eladio looked on. Had it been 1980 we would have gone inside like a shot. 

Suzy in one of the natural pools at Algar on Thursday

From Algar we drove to Bolulla as a trip to Callosa and Algar are never complete without visiting my Aunt's village. I was keen to see her house - a very modest affair which had cost her just a few hundred pounds and where  a donkey lived! A few years ago my cousin Sasha sold it. I think if I had known I might have bought it. It's on the Calle Mayor and we could see as soon as we approached that it had been completely redone and was now a green colour - not sure I like the green. This is it.

My Aunt's old house - the left of the yellow and white one

We walked all around the little village and were a bit upset to see that the bar was closed. We walked back to the car from the far end of the village. I remember the green, the smell of jasmine, the bright flowers, the river, the fruit trees and the mountain in the background and wanted to walk towards where my Aunt used to park her car. 

Approaching Bolulla

Just as we were going past the first houses on our right I spied a man on his terrace. It was Francisco, perhaps the only person in Bolulla today who remembers us. I said to him in Spain "dichosos son mis ojos" (how lucky are my eyes). He was stunned to see us and said he had just been thinking about us when we appeared. How amazing is that? Francisco was a fruit grower and lived with his mother Elvira on the same street as my aunt. I remember him before he was married. Once when we went with the girls when they were very young, he took Eladio into his orange groves at the crack of dawn which is when he always got up to go to work. Today he is 78 and looks that or more. My husband is 77 and looks 10 years younger. It was great to talk to Francisco who remembered all my family so well. What a chance encounter and perfect end to the day.

With Francisco in Bolulla - we first met when we were young

I would have loved to stay but it was getting late and our apartment is 88km away - an 1h and 15 minute drive. So we parted and I wondered if we would see him again. We were home on time for dinner - a frugal affair after which we watched a bit more of our series "Entrevías". We were in bed by 10.15 pm and I felt so tired after the day's exhaustion both mental and physical. It was a bitter sweet trip down memory lane.

Friday dawned and that day we finally made it down to the beach. Suzy stayed behind as she is not a beach person. Thus it was just Eladio and me and as it still not high season the beach was not full at all - it never really is as this is not Benidorm, thank heavens. It was a warm day with temperatures reaching 25ºc and I couldn't wait for my first bathe in the sea this year. Here is Eladio looking the perfect tourist hahahahaha on the walkway down to the beach.

Eladio walking down to the beach

We sat  our old blue chairs which really need replacing but still serve their purpose. I should have brought some sun lotion as later I realised that I had caught the sun and was quite red in parts. Not good. The water was fresh and clean and I bathed many times. We also walked to the end of the beach stopping on the way back to have a coffee at one of the "chiringuitos" (beach bars). Life felt good. It was only after our walk that Eladio ventured into the sea which it seemed he had all to himself.

Spot Eladio bathing in the sea on Friday

We stayed for about 2 hours as we are not the kind to spend the whole day on the beach. Once home, Suzy joined me at the pool. I have to say the pool is the apartment's best feature. It is spectacular, large, clean with grass to sit on and above all amazing views of both the sea and the Mediterranean garden here, another key selling point; not that we will ever sell this place. We had the pool to ourselves too and here is Suzy who you have to spot in the photo below.

The empty pool on Thursday

Lunch was a simple affair after which I fell asleep over the TV, tired, I suppose from so much sun. My knee hurt too after the long walk on the beach. 

At around 5 pm our quiet afternoon was interrupted by the arrival of a possible cleaner for our house. Stupid us, we explained everything before negotiating a price. Her price was far too steep so she left. In the end it will be our neighbour who will continue to do the cleaning as she is so good and her price is quite reasonable. We still had to find a key holder; someone who would have the keys and look after the guests. That is proving more difficult.

Suzy and I then drove to Lidl, initially for a chocolate fix but we ended up buying a few more provisions for our meals here. Our evening ended in the same way most of our evenings have ended here; watching an episode of "Entrevías" and so to bed. 

I surprised myself by waking up at 7.20 on Saturday morning. Saturday was quiet. We stayed at home. I did housework, mostly getting rid of unwanted stuff that accumulates over the years. Eladio set upon the task of washing the curtains and then sewing the hems which had come unstuck. He then went about ironing them which is a huge and ungrateful task as they are so big and the iron isn't very good. I remarked it would have been better to take them to the dry cleaners. I hate household tasks and always have apart from cooking. I made a simple lunch of spaghetti bolognese and spent a lot of my day reading. Yes, I can read again but only simple novels, nothing erudite I am afraid. When he wasn't mending the curtains, Eladio was engrossed on his computer. I caught him on camera when I came back from one of my outings to take Pippa down to the garden.

Eladio engrossed on his computer

Yesterday was the final of the Champions League and Real Madrid were playing Liverpool. For once we could watch the match as it was open on TVE. The stakes were big. Real Madrid were going for their 14th cup and Liverpool for their 4th (I think). Maybe as a person born in England I should have been rooting for Liverpool but I have lived in Spain for 40 years so know where my loyalties lie. We had dinner watching the match - well Eladio watched it and I only glimpsed occasionally to make sure "Los Blancos" were doing their job. And they did it after a goal from the young Brazilian forward, Vincius Junior. But the man of the match was the Belgian goalkeeper Curtois who stopped 9 possible goals. Wow. Real Madrid won again as they have so many times. 

Real Madrid, champions again

They now have 14 cups, double the amount of the next club, AC Milan, which has the 7 and is the second club in the ranking of Champions League wins. Wow! These are the years Real Madrid  has won.

Madrid's 14 European cups

They have played 17 finals and won 14 of them. Impressive too. I went to one of the finals once. It was in 1998 and would be the club's 10th win. It was played at the Amsterdam Arena. Again it was won with just one goal. The Serbian player Milosovic scored the only goal in the match and it was at the very beginning meaning we were on tenterhooks until the match finished. I can't begin to describe the atmosphere outside. It was electric and a bit frightening. I wonder what it was like on last night outside Le Stade de France in Saint Denis with 80.000 spectators. 

This year Real Madrid have won both La Liga and the Champions League. This 14th cup makes them the best club in Europe of all times. I think you will agree. But the match was marred by very bad organisation. There was trouble at the entry point with fans getting in without tickets and many with tickets having to wait a long time to get in. Then there were troublemakers who went along to make trouble and the police had to intervene quite viciously. That meant the match started half an hour late; something pretty unprecedented.  I may not have watched the whole of the match but I loved the ceremony at the end where the Spanish King was present. Present too was Real Madrid fan, Rafa Nadal. Like Real Madrid he has won  the French Open 13 times and if he wins again he will possess his 14th cup too. He is up to stiff competition though with both Djokovic and the upcoming fireball Carlos Alcaraz being the players who may stop him. As I write all three are through to the last sixteen. May the best man win and may that man be Rafa (or Carlos). 

Today is Sunday and it will be a warm day. We have no particular plans. I'm not sure I want to go down to the beach again as my skin still feels burned. It will probably be another quiet day here.

So my friends, I have reached the end of this week's tales and will leave you now to publish this. Enjoy the read. 

Cheers till next Sunday

Mashha

Girly reunion and trip to El Cuetu with Sandra and Adele, showing my friends Asturias - Niembru, Barru, Playa de Póo, Llanes, Picos de Europa (Lakes of Covadonga and Cangas de Onis), Llanes, rescued by the Guardia Civil and home again.

 Sunday, 22nd May, 2022

A glorious day in the Lakes of Covadonga in the heart of the Peaks of Europe

Good morning everyone,

What a blast of a week it has been. My dearest friends Sandra and Adele arrived on Monday for a girly week together. We hadn't been together since 2019 and this was a long awaited reunion. We had 4 nights together at our house in Asturias where I was keen to show them the area. We first met at Nottingham University when we must have been 18. It is marvelous that nearly 50 years later we are still best friends. 

Before I start though, let me wind back to last Sunday. That day more guests were arriving; a Chinese family, Yinzi and her two daughters aged 12 and 10, had come to spend 3 weeks with us. Yinzi is Olivia's age, who, by the way, turns 37 today, and they had escaped lock down in Shanghai and come to Madrid. Yinzi told me she was fed up with how the Chinese authorities dealt with Covid and couldn't stand yet another lock down. Yinzi, a lovely, lovely woman, knew Spain as she had spent a few years here doing a Masters degree. This is where her daughters were born; thus they were able to leave China. Not so, her husband or so she thought as later in the week she had news he would be allowed to join his family. They soon settled in and are a delight to host.

We went on our walk in the now thick woods, thick with wild flowers and all still so green. It was Pippa`s first walk in a long time and ours too. Eladio spent a lot of the day mowing the lawns while I prepared the rooms with fruit and flowers - beautiful roses and mock orange blossom - from the garden. I also made a simple lunch after which we had a siesta. The rest of the day was very peaceful. We now had 4 guests in the house but it is so big we often don't see our guests. 

I was looking forward to Monday, the day Sandra and Adele would arrive from Brussels and Orleans. I also had to plan our journey the next day to Asturias. 

My day started quietly as it usually does. On the world scene the main news was the application to join Nato by Sweden and Finland, both neutral countries until now. The move is obvious, the fear of Moscow. But how would Putin react? If his main objective when invading Ukraine was to curtail Nato's power in the region, then this new move would only serve to intensify it. 

On a much happier note I was pleased to read in the news that morning that the Queen, aged 96 and now with limited mobility, had happily attended a Platinum Jubilee equestrian horse show. Called "A gallop through history, the performance took place at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. A comedian commented "Your RH, on behalf of everyone here we would like to thank you for picking us over the State Opening of Parliament which she didn't attend, to which the Queen laughed. Everyone knows about her obsession with horses but not that she has  a wry sense of humour.  I think she enjoyed every moment of the show, God bless her.

The Queen seen at the Horse Show and enjoying every moment. 

Monday was a special day for our grandchildren too. It was a bank holiday in Madrid in honour of the patron saint of the city; San Isidro. At nursery that day, our grandchildren, like children all over the city and province, dressed up in the traditional "chulapo" outfit. Don't they look gorgeous?

Our grandchildren dressed in the traditional 19th century folk dress of the Madrid area

I asked Oli where they got the outfits from and she said the Internet. If only I had had that resource each time we had to dress up our children when they were small for special occasions at school. 

While Elliot and Juliet were off to school, my dear friends Sandra and Adele were starting their respective journeys to Madrid from Brussels and Orleans. Sandra was here first and took a cab so that I wouldn't have to make two 90km return journeys to the airport. Sandra was arriving at 11.50 and Adele at 15.45. Here is dear Sandra in a selfie on her first flight since Covid. I know the feeling.

Sandra flying to Madrid on Monday

Shortly before my dear Uni friend arrived, we had visitors from the HQ of Renault Spain, a group of mechanics who had come from Vallodolid. They had come to remove a prototype car that my French guests who stayed last week had left when it wouldn't start. The car was a bit of a mystery as it had no branding. Miguel my son in law guessed it was a prototype car for Uber like fleets and it turned out he was right. The car was painted in stripes which had me a bit puzzled. It was my neighbour Julio who told me that was done on purpose so that if people took photos the shape or curves of the car would not appear so it could not be copied by rivals. That day we had 2 such cars. Here is Eladio next to one of these funny prototypes.

One of the Renault prototype cars that was removed by mechanics from the company

It was an intriguing car but I was glad to see it go as it would leave a parking space for our guests. 

Sandra arrived just before 1 pm and it was such an emotional moment. It was great to see her. The last time had been January 2020; two years ago. We chilled out until lunch time when we served red lentil soup and stuffed shoulder of lamb. She came armed with Belgian biscuits and chocolates. I especially liked the Pierre Marconi heart shaped ones.

Chocolates from Sandra

At 14.45 we set off to pick up Adele. The journey took 45 minutes and soon we were reunited with our Uni friend. The three of us became firm friends in 1976 in our first year at Nottingham University. We spent the rest of the afternoon chatting, drinking tea and eating cake (Battenberg from M&S) and enjoying the good weather. Dinner was made by Lucy - Spanish tortilla with fresh asparagus and ham. Adele had brought some exquisite French chocolates too and so many gifts, we felt inundated. They really didn't have to. We were up until about 10.30 pm, all shattered and in need of a good night's sleep.

I had a bad night coughing for most of it and finally got up at 5 am. We wouldn't be leaving for Asturias until 10 but I was excited and wanted to get up, even if it was at the crack of dawn. We left at around 9.45 and had to have a photo of the moment. Eladio obliged.

The moment before we left on our road trip

I drove my lovely Mini for the first hour and a half. We stopped for coffee and then at Palacio de Bornos, that lovely winery in Rueda, an area that specialises in delicious white wine. We have been going for years as it on the road to both Montrondo and Asturias. I was keen to share my love of it with my friends. We were warmly welcomed by the staff there and I wanted my friends to taste the wine. We got the full works of wine tasting and I was delighted my friends loved the local "verdejo" based wine - a local grape - for their white wine, as much as I do. Here we are having a ball tasting various types of wine of which we would buy 2 whole boxes!

Having a ball tasting the wine at Palacio de Bornos

My friends then experienced the food to have with the wine; a platter of freshly cut ham as well as a platter of cheese and lomo which we ate with fresh local bread sprinkled with olive oil. The piéce de résistance was the white chocolate with almonds we polished off for dessert. It must be very good chocolate if my friends from France and Belgium appreciated it.

We were in El Cuetu by just after 4 pm and it was probably the warmest day I have ever experienced there. We put the food away and then had a cup of tea on the terrace. We needed the parasol and thankfully Pepe, our neighbour, brought out the very heavy base to place it on. We didn't have  Eladio there to do all the little things I usually rely on him for so we had to be very self sufficient. We then unpacked and as we had a few hours before it got dark (after 9.30 pm) I took the girls to one of my favourite places around here. I have so many it is often difficult to choose where to go. I took them to the little seaside village of Niembro where there is a sort of fjord with a beautiful church and cemetery which seems to sit on the sea. What a place to be buried.

Adele left and Sandra right at the cemetery belonging to the church called Our Lady of the Sorrows

The tide was in so we couldn't walk on the beach. Instead I took them around to a tiny port to show them a special viewing point of the sea; a secret little place where the water is emerald green. 

A secret viewing point of the sea in Niembru

From Niembru I drove my friends to see the nearby beach of Barru where countless Spanish films have scenes from. They loved it. We decided to have a drink at the hotel bar there. We didn't like it much but we loved the location. There we bumped into the previous owners, Mari and José Manuel, who had sold us the house. Sandra and I nearly polished off a whole bottle of cider and Adele had two glasses of white wine. I never usually drink but when I have British friends to stay I can't help but join in. It was about 8.30 but before we left I wanted my friends to see another view of the beach by walking up to a stretch of very green grass to appreciate the place properly and they did. 

Barru - simply gorgeous

Adele kept saying the scenery reminded her of Brittany but it also reminded us of Scotland, Wales or even the Yorkshire coast as it is so rugged.

From Barru we drove the short way home and by 9ish we were enjoying a delicious dinner of what I call "bits and bobs". Naughty me, I had brought the chocolates my friends had brought us from France and Belgium.

We were in our bedrooms by about 10.30. The girls chose the red and green rooms and I slept in the yellow one. I read a bit of Anatomy of a Scandal and soon fell asleep. I was awake at about 3 something because of my awful cough which alarmed my dear friends. But I am used to it. After a cold I always have a cough which often lingers for more than a month. Even so it wasn't that bad a night and I was up at 5.45. I love my early morning time to myself to read the headlines, write this blog and do wordle in Spanish and in English.

Wednesday was to be a glorious day and one to remember. I love the mornings here in the village when you can be outside with your pyjamas on - you couldn't do that in a town. We were out there talking to our neighbour Loli who showed us her back garden, vegetable patch and hens. The views from there are amazing. 

In Loli's garden on Wed morning

As you can see Margarita, Loli's 2 month old pet lamb is in the picture; the lamb that thinks it's a dog which I told you about when we were here last month. Here I am holding her too - what a hilarious moment. My friends loved Margarita too hahahaha

Holding Margarita

And here is Margarita being bottle fed by Loli. 

Loli feeding Margarita

Then a neighbour, Felipe, a farmer who has 90 cows and a lot of goats, came past on his quad and my friends had to have a photo of me in my dressing gown with him. Talk about getting back to nature and in contact with animal life - that's why I am in my element there.

With Felipe a local 

Still in our nightwear, Sandra and I had  a task to do; water the plants. 

Sandra watering the geraniums

This is normally Eladio's job but without him here we had to be self sufficient. As soon as we were ready to go out, off we drove to Posada- the nearest town - to do some food and household shopping. From Posada we drove to Póo (don't laugh at the name) where I was eager to show my friends my favourite spot in the area. The Playa de Poo and surroundings are to die for. My friends fell in love with the place as soon as they saw it, just as I did. Before walking on the beach we had a coffee at the little hotel there where you sit above the beach and contemplate the beauty of nature around you.

My friends waiting for their coffee at Playa de Póo on Wednesday

My girlies happy on Playa de Póo

The tide was out so we were able to walk nearly the whole stretch of beach which is shaped like a fjord. It was marvelous and marvelous too that we had the whole place to ourselves.

We then walked up the hill  for my friends to see the marvelous views from there.

Sandra on the cliffs above the Playa de Póo, one of my favourite places in the area. 

My friends agreed the scenery was just stunning and so it is. 

From Póo we drove to Llanes, the main town in the area and one we love. It's quite the poshest seaside town in Asturias. We parked next to the Sablon beach and from there walked into the town. I took my friends to Aramburu - that gourmet butcher - where we stocked up on cecina, ham, pastel de cabracho, locally farmed eggs and cheese for my friends. I then took them to two wonderful cake shops also where we bought far too many cakes. I wanted to take my friends to the top of Llanes on the San Pedro walkway but it was getting late and we were hungry. Thus we drove to our lunch place; a beach bar (chiringuito in Spanish) called "El Castru" above the sweet and pretty cove like beach of Andrín. There was one of my favourite eating places with the main table overlooking the beach ready for us.

Our table at Chiringuito in Andrín

We had a wonderful lunch mainly composed of seafood tapas such as mini scallops (zamburriñas in Spanish). They were to die for but not cheap.

"Zamburriñas"

We could have stayed all afternoon but with all the drink - wine and cider - we needed a rest at home. Once home we spent part of the afternoon sitting on our humble terrace. We decided at around 6 that we really needed a walk to work off all the food and drink so I took my friends along the path to the next village; Debodes. It is so beautiful and we enjoyed every step.

The beautiful walk to Debodes

We had the path to ourselves. This place is so off the beaten track that is why it is the perfect location to get away from it all and connect with nature (if that is your thing). You also have the choice of going to the mountains or to the beaches. I'm happy we bought our house there. 

We came back feeling energised and then sat on our humble terrace again, We said we weren't hungry for dinner. But come 9 pm or so, Adele brought out wine and cheese and then the pie and some of the cakes and we had a delicious impromptu dinner outside. What a wonderful day it had been.

The whole day had been simply marvelous and Thursday would be too. I think actually Thursday was the best day of all. It was the day I took my friends to the legendary Lakes of Covadonga in the heart of the Peaks of Europe. On most days of the year cars are not allowed and people get there by shuttle bus but we were lucky as the rule starts from 30th May. I checked the weather to make sure there would be no fog or clouds and we were blessed with a sunny day with good visibility. We weren't the only ones up there but it was not crowded at all as it usually is on weekends and in the summer. It's a 50 minute drive from our house up a steep and windy mountain road which worried Adele as she hates heights or driving on roads with sheer drops such as the road to Covadonga. The scenery was to die for; simply stunning and the drive well worth it for the scenery when you arrive at the Lakes. It is one of the most popular stages in the Tour of Spain and my friend, Pedro Delgado, a cycling legend in Spain is always associated with this stage. His name is painted on the road in many parts. The first lake you get to is Enol and there we stopped to admire it and have photos taken by other hikers.  I have chosen that as this week's feature photo which was a very hard choice.

Lago Enol

It was taken by a  lovely English group of people, from Nottingham, the University town where we three met.  Later we had coffee with them further up at Lake Ercina. We parked nearby Lake Enol and then walked the steep road up to Lake Ercina which takes about 15 minutes. All we could do was go "oh" and "ah" as we admired the stunning scenery. The Lakes of Covadonga are a must  go to place on anyone's bucket list when visiting Spain. Forget the Costas, come up to the lush green coast of the north of the country. My friends couldn't believe this was Spain. It looked more like Switzerland, cows with cow bells included. 

Once at Lake Ercina I took my friends for a coffee at the bar there which is such a lovely one. Just sitting on the wooden benches admiring the Lake with its backdrop of snow capped mountains is enough to heal your soul. We invited the friendly group of English people who are hikers and were visiting this lush coast with its famous Peaks of Europe. Here we are together. 

With our new found British friends at Lake Ercina on Thursday

I would have loved to have lunch at the cabin shaped bar - Bar Maria Rosa - but we had a table booked at my favourite restaurant in the area. I wanted to take my friends for lunch to Casa Pedro Parres in the small village of San Juan de Parres which is 1.6km from the beautiful and much visited town of Cangas de Onis. It was a 30 minute drive down the mountain and at about just after 2 pm we were there. This is the once humble little restaurant which has now been made famous after various TV reports. The chef is a guy called Cristian who is actually a friend of my friend Miguel who is from Cangas. There is a 15 euro menu of the day or you can choose a la carte. We did a bit of both. 

Lunch at Casa Pedro Parres

Our table was in the "horreo" (granary) to the left of the picture. Notice the cider pump on our table. The local cider Asturias is famous for is always poured from high or these days done so with a pump like this one. There is a verb in Spanish to pump cider - usually manually - which is called "escanciar" and it's quite an art; one I'm not very good at. We would see it in action shortly afterwards. 

From Casa Pedro we drove back to Cangas -. once the capital of Asturias and steeped in history. I was keen to show the girls the town, but mostly the famous Roman bridge. Everyone takes photos there and we did too.

The photo to take in Cangas de Onis - by the Roman bridge

We then went to have some menthol tea at the bar and restaurant under the bride, aptly called "Puente Romano". I remembered Eladio and I discovering the spot on our first visit to Cangas after we had bought the house in El Cuetu in September 2020. 

Having a cup of menthol tea under the Roman bridge in Cangas de Onis

Oh what a beautiful spot it is. It was here that we saw an Asturian waiter pouring cider the traditional way which I pointed out to my friends. I took a video to share with you so that you can understand what I mean. This is it. 

Video of a waiter pouring cider the traditional Asturian way - Cangas de Onis

We sat enjoying the view and the weather and at about 5 ambled back to our car. We passed an enticing looking shoe shop on the way called "Pisando Fuerte" which we couldn't resist visiting. Sandra got some lovely colourful trainers and I got some classy looking espadrille like summer shoes for Eladio. 

Once "home" we settled on the terrace outside to enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening. That night, for once, we were hungry and made a delicious dinner of salad and pie, followed by cake and chocolates. We were happy girls hahaha; in our element.

I was busy with my Airbnb work and managed to get into bed at around 11 and read for a while. I did not sleep badly that night.

Friday came and it was our last day in Asturias. We would have quite an adventure that day. It actually started in a very funny way because Margarita, the lamb that thinks she is a dog, came to visit. She had her breakfast just after we had ours as you can see in this video of Loli feeding her. Margarita thinks Loli is her mother and skips after her everywhere. She even came into our kitchen. When I posted the photo on social media I got comments about her being our lunch or our dinner but I said no way José.

Margarita visited us on Friday morning. 

It was on Friday that we visited Llanes again. I was keen to show the girls more of the town and especially to take them on the famous walkway, Paseo de San Pedro. Our time there started, though, with coffee at La Galerna, as it nearly always does in Llanes.

Coffee at La Galerna

Soon it was time for our walk on the beautiful Paseo de San Pedro which overlooks the town of Llanes, the rugged coast line as well as the Peaks of Europe. Unfortunately though it was a cloudy day so we couldn't see them. Even so my friends loved the walk; a walk I never tire of. 

My friends seeing the Paseo San Pedro - the walkway above Llanes - for the first time. 

We walked to the end and back and then walked all the way across the town to the other side where you can find the second beach, Playa de Toró, one I love.

My girlies posing with the backdrop of the Playa de Toró  just outside Llanes

I had booked a table at the Mirador de Toró, a restaurant I had been recommended. And what a find it was. This is easily the best restaurant in the area both for its food and the views of the beach. We had seafood which was not cheap but it was delicious.

Lunch at Mirador de Toró 

We then walked back to our car. I wanted to take my girlies to see the very famous inland beach of Gulpiyuri (try saying that) which is about 14km from Llanes. I did not remember there is no access by car which was my downfall. I put in Playa de Gulpiyuri on our satnav and there began our adventure. It took us onto a tiny dirt track with just enough room for the Mini to pass. It was potholed and we had no idea where it was taking us. Some cyclists who couldn't even pass the Mini came to the rescue.

My poor Mini lost on a dirt track trying to find the famous inland beach of Gulpiyuri 

They told us the beach was within 300 metres so we carried on our way slowly. Everyone we met told us cars were forbidden by the beach but we had no option but to continue. We found a space to park at a fork of various tiny and stony paths and walked from there to this famous little beach. It is supposedly a geological miracle and is the most photographed in Spain. Luckily that day there were hardly any people. I did a short video in the form of an interview with my friends to remember the day which you can see here. 

I think my friends liked the little beach where we have once swum. Unfortunately, though, that day the tide was in and there wasn't much water. Had we come at high tide we would have seen Gulpiyuri in all its splendour.

The Gulpiyuri beach as seen by us on Friday - with not much water. 

Just so you can see the difference when the tide is low, this is a photo of when Eladio and I visited it in September 2020 and were able to swim. 

When we swam in the Gulpiyuri beach in September 2020.

While there a herd of cows and bulls came rushing into the field we were standing in. Sandra was much taken with all the cows she saw in Asturias so I took this video for her. It was another hilarious moment of the day. 

Just as we got into our car to try and find our way onto the road, a Guardia Civil car approached. That meant trouble added to our adventure. We would of course be warned and probably fined for being on a track road where cars are not allowed. However, these 2 policemen were the perfect gentlemen. They did not tell us off after I explained our trouble with the satnav. They told us how to get out and then offered to escort us to the main road. We were all very impressed. In another country no doubt we would have been fined but these two policemen came to the rescue of 3 ladies who felt like they were in a Thelma and Louise type film. 

The Spanish Civil Guard police escorting us back to the road. 

I had to take a video to upload on my YouTube channel as well as to post on the Guardia Civil twitter handle so as to thank them publicly. So you see that thanks to them our adventure did not end in disaster.

We drove back to Llanes again as my friends wanted to do some shopping. It was tea time by the time we arrived. While driving to the car park we spied a lovely looking terrace belonging to a pretty hotel called Hotel Don Paco. That is where we went to have our mint tea and wind down. It is a lovely place and we shall be back.

Cup of tea at Hotel Don Paco

But we were all a bit tired of so much walking and our little adventure that shortly afterwards we returned to our car to drive home.

Once home we went straight to our little patio outside to have a drink; or a few drinks hahahaha. I loved our evenings on the terrace as did Sandra and Adele. 

Adele and Sandra on our little terrace on our last night in El Cuetu

The day did not end very well as I got an upsetting audio message which I don't want to share details of here. I ended up crying actually but was comforted by my dear friends who are like sisters to me. 

We were in bed by after 11. I expected not to sleep well but actually I did. I was awake on Saturday morning at just before 7 am. Our Asturian adventure was coming to an end as were leaving for Madrid that morning. We got ready leisurely, packed and said our goodbyes to Loli our neighbour and were off by about 11.30.  Sadly, all good things come to an end but oh what a wonderful time we had had. 

Leaving on Saturday morning

We stopped for petrol and had a coffee there. Shortly afterwards we stopped too at Posada to go to  the shoe shop, "Pisando Fuerte". Sandra had dropped a ring there the day before. She had lost it and thought it might have happened there. I rang and was told by Marta the shopkeeper that she had found it and even posted it on Facebook. That's honesty for you. Sandra was much relieved to get it back. We also went into a children's clothes shop for me get something for the babies. For Oli and Miguel we went into the Lofer bakery and bought the tuna pie they love as well as an applessponge and some delicious little cakes made with almonds - a bit like bakewell tart. 

Our journey would take 5 hours straight driving but we stopped for lunch and for a few breaks to stretch our legs. Why do the journeys back always seem so much longer than the journeys going? All 3 of us drove and took it in turns to take the wheel. We soon noticed as we got further from El Cuetu which we had left with 17ºc, that it got warmer and warmer. When we stopped for lunch at Restaurante La Cueva in Alar del Rey it was at least 30ºc. The difference was enormous. While people were sweltering in record breaking temperatures in the centre and south of the country, Asturias remained cool. 

Lunch at Alar del Rey

The food at La Cueva never disappoints and we had a great meal and rest. Soon we were on the road again. We arrived home to 33ºc which felt like an outdoor sauna. We also arrived to the end of what seemed to be a pre birthday party lunch for Olivia. The house felt a little overtaken and it was a bit stressful to arrive in such heat and a chaotic household. Thankfully my Chinese guests arrived back when we had cleared everything away. Yinzi and her 2 girls were happy to see their father, JZ, who had also escaped lockdown in Shanghai to join them. He told us he had spent 2 months in the flat without going out and had to have  a test every single day. He likened it to animals in a zoo. Poor chap. He was very happy to be here and with his family. I didn't know but this family who will be here for more than a month had lived in Spain for 5 years some 10 years ago when the father worked for the Santander bank so they know some Spanish and are familiar with the area. I have to say they are fast becoming our friends. They are very likeable. 

After unpacking with the much needed aircon on, we all convened by the still empty pool - it will finally be filled with water today (75.000 litres of water which will cost a pretty penny). Here is Sandra chilling out with little Pippa on her lap. Pippa was frightened and trembling as there was an unexpected thunderstorm. 

Home again -. Pippa with Sandra on the pool terrace

We sat on the sofas until quite late and had snacks with delicious white wine from Rueda but we were all very tired and thus we went to bed early at about 10.30. I caught the second half of a wonderful film called "The children act" with Emma Thompson in it. I did not catch the news  though. This whole week I have hardly followed the news but  do know that the disgraced emiritus King of Spain returned from exile in Dubai, to Spain to take part in a regatta. His arrival back after all the financial scandals surrounding him was the biggest news item in Spain. The second biggest news was about the outbreak and  spread of Monkeypox which, no doubt, you will have heard about. It is rather worrying but not for over 50s who have all had the smallpox vaccine which works for Monkeypox, a very mild version of smallpox which was eradicated over 50 years ago. Cases have been detected in 12 European countries including Spain and the UK as well as the US, Canada and Australia. We don't want another virus in this world and I hope by giving under 50s the smallpox vaccine, it may well be eradicated. It is quite mild compared to smallpox but still has some ghastly side effects the worst being swollen lymph nodes on the face and body. 

 I was happy to sleep in my bed again but my damned cough didn't let me get a good night's sleep and I was up this morning at 5.30 am. Today will be a busy and special day. It is Olivia's 37th birthday - where has time gone? and we will be having a family celebration joined by Sandra and Adele but sadly not by Suzy. But we shall probably see her this week as we plan to go to Santa Pola. I shall be busy cooking for Oli's birthday lunch but also preparing for the arrival of 5 more guests today. 5 doctors from Imperial College London will be coming on a repeat stay. I can hardly believe that tonight there will be so many people; Sandra and Adele (2), the Chinese family (4), Eladio and I (2) and the 5 doctors. A total of 13 people will be sleeping here tonight. I just calculated and I think we could actually accommodate a maximum of 19 people. But that would be a bit of a strain on the house. I never really want more than 7 guests at a time.

It's now time to sign off and begin all the tasks I have ahead of me for today. Cheers then till next Sunday,

Masha.