Farewell to Her Majesty, Britain's greatest show of pageantry, a rather flat week improved by yet another September birthday, a broken Colin Caterpillar cake, my first taste of Georgian wine, Putin's threats and mass mobilisation, an unsatisfied guest and other stories of the week.

Sunday 25th September, 2022

The birthday boy with his grandson on Friday

Good morning everyone. 

How are you all feeling? I have to say this week  after the Queen's funeral I have been feeling a bit flat. It didn't help that I have a nasty cold. The week improved though as on Friday we celebrated Eladio's birthday. It's beyond belief that he is now 78. 78 is old, it is, but he he does not look old. Suzy who has worked with elderly people as a dietitian commented that most people his age are in a bad physical condition. He is not. She mentioned his teeth? Why his teeth? Well, because most people his age have bad teeth yet his are perfect. A year or so ago he had an implant and the colour he got was A1, the brightest there is. Many moons ago my teeth were also A1, but sadly that is no longer so. I asked him how he felt. I think he is slightly alarmed that he is nearly 80 and what that means. We all want to live a long time but with good health and a sound mind and only a very small percentage of those in their 90's or 100's manage that. I think, maybe, Eladio will be one of them. He better as he is twelve and half years older than me and I need him by my side for a long time still. Thus we must enjoy every day and try to keep healthy. Thankfully this week, after all our travels, we have resumed our morning walks. My new Samsung smart watch monitors my steps and for the most I have done 10.000 a day. That has to continue.

There have been 3 family birthdays in September. Juliet turned 1 on the 4th and little Elliot turned 3 last Saturday. We celebrated it that day and the celebrations continued on Sunday. Oli's Uni friend, "Anita" came for lunch and brought one of her spectacular home made cakes - I always say she could make a living out of them. Of course Elliot didn't eat any of it - kids don't - but he loved the candle moment and the singing of Happy Birthday to you. He was all smiles.

Elliot's second birthday cake - c/o Anita looking at him lovingly in this photo

The house was once again like the United Nations that day. One French guest left, Laurent, and a young student, Diego, arrived from Mexico. The next guests to arrive were a couple from Glasgow. Samuel and Andy were my first Glaswegian guests and I was most grateful they spoke Queen's English - they did, they really did. I was glad because I can hardly understand a strong Glaswegian brogue. Can you? Sam was born in Lerwick, Shetland, one of my father's favourite places in Scotland, one I wish to visit one day. His father was a teacher there and he told me the ferry takes 14h to mainland Scotland and that the cost of flying is prohibitive. That doesn't make sense. I think flights should be heavily subsidised for locals as they are for those who live in the Canary or Balearic Islands. After all a 14 hour ferry is almost unthinkable. I have always wanted to visit Shetland but am now having second thoughts. 

Even though the house was full of guests, there are plenty of places to escape to and I chose my bedroom to watch the end of The Queue of those people wanting to pay their final respects to the Queen at Westminster Hall. How I wished I was one of them, even if I had to queue all night. I began to wonder why I didn't just catch a flight to London when I heard that The Queen had died but I suppose I couldn't just up and leave although my heart said otherwise. At 8pm that night there was a minute's silence when Big Ben was supposed to mark the moment but things went wrong. Watching my iPad with headphones on I joined forces with those marking the moment and that's when my tears came again for a second time. I still can't take in that The Queen, a presence in my life since I was born, is now no longer with us. It's a very empty feeling.  For some reason though I didn't cry during the funeral, just watched the greatest show of pageantry on earth with a small lump in my throat. It was perhaps just too somber. 

For history's sake, I want to reproduce here a photo from The Times with the funeral plans. 

The Queen's funeral - planned with military precision

I was determined to watch the funeral of the century from beginning to end on Monday 19th September but I was not in England so did not have the luxury of easy access to the BBC. My VPN express let me down occasionally when my laptop froze and my iPad did too so for the second half I had to resort to watching the RTVE transmission all in Spanish. I did not want commentary in Spanish on such an English occasion but that was all I had. The Spanish press were mostly focused on the fact that the disgraced former King Juan Carlos had also been invited like his son, King Felipe and that British protocol dictated that they sat together. They had wanted to avoid the image below but it has now gone down in history. 

Second row European Royalty - from right to left - King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, former King Juan Carlos and former Queen Sofia - also estranged from her erring husband. She lives in London and he lives in Abu Dhabi. 

We all knew at home here in Madrid that this did not go down well with the Spanish government nor the Spanish Royal Family. If the British Royal family have their problems with Harry and Meghan and Harry (what a silly and sad story), in Spain the problems come from the bad relations with the current King and his father. 

As I watched the funeral cortege taking the Queen's coffin from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey with all its symbolism, I thought of the pride the mothers of the pall bearers watching their sons carrying her late majesty. It was the funeral of the century and the biggest since the death of George VI. They said 500 heads of state came to London which was the centre of the world last week. What a miracle of diplomacy to host them all and get the seating right. Imagine the protocol involved. I can't. It has to be thanks to years of planning for the Queen's death code named Operation Tower Bridge (also London Bridge is down) and Operation Unicorn - if she died in Scotland as she did - and for Operation Spring Tide (plans for Charles' ascension to the throne(. Each step after her death had a code name. These are just some of them. All the years of planning proved successful as Britain put on the greatest show of pageantry, pomp and tradition, only the Brits are capable of. It's their soft power, as it was the Queen's soft power that glued the country together. The pageantry will continue but somehow it will never be the same without Her Majesty who reigned for 70 years. 

We also know the Queen was heavily involved in all the details. I was most interested to know what the order of service would be like and especially her choice of music. This is it, also for the sake of history. I liked her choice of the hymn, Immortal Invisible God only wise. That was one I considered for my father's funeral. I also liked the choice of the Psalm to be read by the new PM Liz Truss, the same one I chose - The Lords my Shepherd and from the King James Bible - the old fashioned version. The order of service reminded me of the one I put together for my father's memorial service at Bradford Cathedral on May 6th this year with its beautiful pomp on a tiny scale, of course, but oh so meaningful. When he turned 100 in 2019, he received a beautiful card from The Queen which is in prime position in his old room. Now people will get one from King Charles III which is not quite the same is it? My father lived through the reign of 4 kings; George V when he was born, then came came Edward VIII who didn't last a year, then King George VI and finally Queen Elizabeth who took over in 1952 when her father died only in his 50's. So how many people living in Great Britain today will have been alive before she became Queen I wondered? Only 20% of the current population is the answer. But most of us have only ever known one monarch, Queen Elizabeth II and that is just one of the reasons we will miss her. There are many more. 

I think I spent the whole day devoted to watching the processions and funeral as well as the Committal service at Windsor. Perhaps that for me was the most poignant. What I missed were tributes, spoken tributes like at my father's funeral but there were none. In their place were the presence of her last two corgis and her beloved pony, Emma, with her favourite Hermes headscarf draped over the Queen's saddle. It is said that these two events were additions to Operation London Bridge, possibly introduced by her adored grand children. Another poignant moment was seeing her great grandchildren, George and Charlotte aged 9 and 7 walking behind her coffin. They are now 3rd and 4th in line to the throne. 

Here are some pics of the day. There are many more, but these are ones I particularly liked.

Pictures of the day

Apart from our morning walk, I spent most of the day on my bed watching and grieving and wishing I was in the UK. I also had the nasty cold coming on which didn't help my mood. 

Tuesday came and we had planned to go to our apartment by the beach near Santa Pola but with a cold I just didn't feel like going. I felt completely flat after the funeral. In fact I felt a bit flat all week. It had rained and we went for a walk on wet terrain. While on our walk Eladio got a phone call from our insurance company offering him a death policy insurance policy!!! I hate those sort of calls but actually it got us both thinking about plans for our own deaths or our wishes for where we wanted to be buried. All we both know is that we want to be buried together. I would like to be buried with my parents in England but that isn't possible as there is no space left at the Charlestown Cemetery. I want a Church of England ceremony and for my girls to sing and my grandchildren to lead the tributes. Eladio didn't comment on a religious service. We debated on the location and haven't decided yet. One thing I know is that I don't want our ashes to be scattered over the sea or somewhere. Our conversation got me thinking I should maybe plan for Operation xxxx (can't think of a name) so that the girls know what to do when the time comes. Depressing right? Yes, well, it is. 

It's depressing too that Lucy, our housekeeper of 4 years, is not with us. I understand she has to be with her husband in Paraguay who by the way had a successful operation on his pancreas and is now recovering with his wife's "tlc". But with Lucy not here, I have to make the meals. Her replacement, the sweet young Lili, is doing a good job, or the best she can, but doesn't know how to cook. I have showed her how to make a few dishes but it will take time. Thus I made our lunch every day this week and our dinners. But at least she was there to clear away. We have become very lazy in that way.

Our French family who had been with us for about a week left that day and there were only Diego the Mexican and Sam and Andy from Glasgow - good on them they went to see museums in the city - there until my next guests arrived on Thursday and Friday. I did go  out for a walk that day and then in the afternoon for a  prescription for my cold but that was about it. I wondered if my feeling flat or down was more to do with the passing of the Queen and the official end of the national mourning period. I do not know.

Wednesday was shopping day. We said goodbye, or rather hugged Sam and Andy, and off we went. Shopping included a coffee together at Alverán which cheered me up enormously. What did not were Putin's threats from Moscow. He once again is threatening to push the nuclear power button. Can we believe him? He has also announced mobilisation of over 300.000 new troops as the war in Ukraine is not going well for Russia. That lead to protests and arrests and it also lead to lots of young Russian men trying to escape the country. What a mess. I haven't written much about the Ukraine war since it started in February. I just can't keep up. At the beginning it was headline news for months and now I think readership fatigue has set in as it always does. But somehow I don't see an end to it. Putin's madness doesn't end there. He is also organising illegal referendums in pro Russian territories in Ukraine which no doubt will be completely rigged. The only good thing in all this mess is that the West continues to support Kiev by supplying weapons and training troops to such an extent it may still be possible for Ukraine to win the war. Time will tell but it will be long and drawn out and meanwhile most of the country destroyed. Russia had become a pariah once again. I have Russian roots but I hate what is happening as most sensible people in the world do. My daughter Suzy who doesn't follow the news at all, said to her father one day at lunch this week, "He's a bit like Hitler I think". In his madness I would say she is right. 

Thursday was the quietest day of the week. I went on my walk with Pippa while Eladio mowed the whole lawn or lawns, one big and two small. It took him the better part of the day. An American lady was arriving in the morning. She came with her daughter and I didn't see much of her and could never have expected the trouble she would cause me. 

Friday was the big day this week. It was my dear husband Eladio's birthday, the third birthday this month. I had ordered the famous M+S Colin Caterpillar cake from British Corner Shop online. Unfortunately it arrived rather broken - the head had come off and some of the white chocolate legs. It was badly packaged  - I actually think the M+S packaging is at fault - but BSC made good and gave me an immediate refund. That didn't stop us using it though when I did my best to put it together again, a bit like Humpty Dumpty hahaha. 

Our day started with a walk, not across the woods but to the local "churros" bar where we had a coffee and I had a "porra". I got a photo of the birthday boy enjoying the moment.

The birthday boy on Friday at the local churros bar

I came back to make his birthday lunch - roast and stuffed shoulder of lamb - only to find the girls had changed my plans. Instead of a birthday lunch it was to be a birthday dinner. Thus I had to cancel and make a new reservation for dinner out to Saturday and then come up with a menu for the dinner at home.

Oli and family arrived at around 4 just as my new guests arrived - a big family from Holland with their own kids aged the same as ours - 1 and 3. I was mortified the house was full of my family as I thought they were arriving later so it was a bit of a full house. They hadn't brought a car so borrowed a bike to do their shopping. Later a boy and a girl - part of their family who live not so far from here.  arrived also by bike - to see them. 

While our grandchildren were up and about until late, I heard from the Dutch family that they put their 1 and 3 year old children to bed every day at 6 and 7 pm respectively. I tried telling that to Oli and Miguel who have problems getting Elliot to sleep before 10. It is exhausting for Oli who is now up at 4 every morning to be at her programme by 5 am sharp. 

Somehow we all managed to cook in the kitchen and finally our meal was ready outside. For the occasion I got out a bottle of wine from Georgia a recent Georgian guest, David, had brought me. I have never tasted Georgian wine but we liked it. We had a photo taken to send to David and his wife Irina thanking them for the wine. This is it.

Celebrating Eladio's birthday with Georgian wine from a past guest

It is a 'Saparavi", Qvevri wine from the Vazisubani Estate and has a 4 star rating on Vivino, that popular wine lovers' app. 

My first taste of Georgian wine.

Later David sent me a link to show me that the traditional Georgian "Qvevri" wine making method is on the Unesco list of "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity". There you go, another lesson in different cultures for me thanks to my little hosting business.

Once we had finished our main courses- salmorejo with prawn salad and good Ibérico ham, it was time to sing Happy Birthday and get out Eladio's broken Colin Caterpillar cake. That was the highlight of his birthday. Here is a  photo of the occasion. Elliot sat next to him and enjoyed helping his grandfather who he calls "Booboo", blowing out the candles. 

The cake moment on Eladio's birthday on Friday

Oli took a video too which you can see here. It was a bit of a laugh hahaha. We had had a lovely day and I counted my blessings that the whole family was together to celebrate Eladio's birthday. 

But I did not get a good night's sleep. I fell asleep quite quickly but was awake again at about 11.30 pm. That's when I saw a message and missed call from our American lady guest. She had arrived late and couldn't get in the main door because someone had left the key on the other side. She must have waited a while but finally tried the kitchen door. It was open (it shouldn't have been) and in she went. When I woke up and saw the calls and messages I asked on whatsapp if she had got in ok to which she replied she had come through the kitchen door  and I thought not much more about it. But oh dear she was very cross and started off a whatsapp chat that felt never ending. She would leave the next day and wanted a refund for the last two nights - Saturday and Sunday - and that if I didn't agree she would contact Airbnb. I was flabbergasted that she would react like that when nothing had really happened and she had been able to come inside. I am a good host, I allowed her to check in early when she came and allowed her to have her daughter here with her so I cannot understand her reaction. Thus I rung Airbnb immediately to tell them what had happened just for them to know my side of the story. I also sent them screen shots of our whatsapp chat. It was a good job I did  as later the next day I got a call from Airbnb USA asking if I was willing to reimburse her for 2 nights. She had rung to make a complaint and get a reimbursement as she claimed she wasn't able to get into the house. The Whatsapp screenshots proved otherwise. She doesn't have a leg to stand on but she would try and try she did. 

On Saturday morning I was up early in the kitchen. She walked in at about 7.20 and with smug sort of smile on her face asked me where to leave the keys. I just showed her where and said goodbye. That is possibly the worst ever experience I have had with a guest. But I had to get on with the day and put it past me. I was partially able to do so but the whole issue bugged me. 

We had another quiet day yesterday. Who did not was Roger Federer appearing in his tournament The Laver Cup where he was playing doubles and his partner was his good friend and rival, Rafa Nadal. It was to be his last professional match.  The whole thing was very emotional and I would have loved to have been there. Both men cried showing they are human. They really are, though on court they are made of other stuff. The Times this morning included this poignant picture of the two rivals of the century crying together and holding hands.

A sad goodbye for Roger Federer - here crying and holding hands with his good friend and rival Rafa Nadal at the Laver Cup yesterday

What joy they have brought to tennis. It's sad to see Roger go. I wonder too how long Nadal has left to play. Aged 36 he is plagued with injury as was Federer so maybe too his time is up. But they have, together with Djokovic, perhaps brought to us all the most thrilling tennis ever. 

While this was going on, Eladio and I had other plans. We went out to dinner to celebrate his birthday together quietly. We chose a new restaurant that has opened very near us and that was recommended to us by one of our French guests. We liked La Flaca as soon as we saw it. It is the most upmarket restaurant near us now. Dinner was good - sorry no photos as amazingly, for me, I had left my phone at home - but not spectacular. However we liked the decor and service was good so we shall be back. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner so maybe this is new place to try for our morning coffees. Watch this space Alverán. 

We came home to a quiet house. Our Dutch family were enjoying the last hours of their stay with us. They will be leaving this morning and have been perfect guests. The Dutch are always fun and open in my experience.

They are the last of our summer guests and I only have one booking for this house - a student coming next week. I hope to get more but for the moment we shall enjoy having the house to ourselves.

Next week we may be off to Santa Pola where we couldn't go this week. I look forward to times on a sunny beach before the autumn sets in.  Let's see if it happens.

Meanwhile, I wish you all the best until next Sunday,

Masha

Mourning The Queen, "Carlitos" wins US Open, time with my friend and with my grandchildren, Amanda's birthday, Tuesday 13th, reunion with my Spanish family, "The Queue", Elliot turns 3 and other stories of the week.

Sunday, 18th September, 2022

With my dearest and oldest friend on her birthday this week

Good morning everyone. I don't know about you but this has been a historical week for many, many people in the UK and around the world. With the passing of our dear Queen, we are witnessing history and events never to be seen in our lifetimes again. A state funeral like Her Majesty's was only seen in my lifetime twice, that of Winston Churchill and The Queen Mother. But they pale in comparison because the Queen is much more than the Queen of England. She is the embodiment of the spirit of the British at its finest. She has been on the throne since all those who were born after 1952 and that's a lot of people. But also because, whether you like the Royal family and the monarchy or not, the Queen herself rose above all monarchies because of her life of duty and because of her persona, impossible to describe. She never put a foot wrong, dedicating her life to her role; a difficult one. She had no power per se but rather was the best royal ambassador the country could ever have. My words don't do justice to what she was but if you are British you will understand me. Since Her Majesty passed away on 8th September we are all in a period of mourning until her funeral tomorrow which I shall watch from beginning to end. She will, though, remain in our hearts always. 

For me it was very comforting to be with my best and oldest friend, Amanda, when we heard the news in Asturias. We have known each other since we were 11 and the Queen has been in our lives since we were born. Her passing of course added sadness to our otherwise marvelous trip to Asturias. The Queen has never been there but if she had she would agree there are similarities to Scotland; her beloved Scotland where fate had it that she passed away.  Both peoples descend from the Celts and the countryside and coast, bar the high mountains in Asturias, are similar in many ways. 

If you read last week's blog post you will know we returned on Saturday  11th September in the  evening after 5 wonderful days in Asturias. It was good to be home again. Sunday was quiet for us but not for the upcoming young Spanish tennis player, Carlos (Carlitos) Alcaraz who was playing in the final of the US Open. If he beat the Dane Ruud he would become number one.  And he did it becoming the youngest player ever to win the US Open.  That was such good news for Spain and for sport. If you think a year ago he was far down the ranking and in just one year has become number one, he has performed magic. His coach, Ferrer - a former number one player himself, said Carlitos was still only at 60% of his capacity. If that is true, he will become unbeatable very soon. Flushing Meadows was not a flash in the pan win, a bit like Emma Raducanu, but the culmination of  an incredible start to his career. Seeded number 33 at the beginning of the season,  in this year alone the 19 year old won six career titles including Masters 1000 titles in both Miami and Madrid.  That means he is the player with the most victories this year.  He is now the youngest player ever to become number one. In his journey to the top spot, he has beaten Nadal, Djokovic and Zverev to name some of the top seeded players he has played and beaten. 

Smiling Carlitos with his US Open winner's cup last Sunday

I don't think however he ever played Roger Federer, who, aged 41, announced his retirement from tennis this week. What can I say about the best Swiss tennis player and one of the top players in the world with his 20 or so Grand Slam wins? He was a gentleman when he played and a joy to watch. His favourite court? Probably Wimbledon where he won 8 times. 

On the home front it was seeing my grandchildren again and introducing little Elliot to my friend Amanda at Oli and Miguel's flat which was another first. She had met Juliet but not my grandson. I think she was charmed. He is such a character. She was also to see Oli and Miguel's new flat which she said she loved. It is beautifully appointed and well located and of course, very near us which is convenient. 

With my lovely family

Amanda took the beautiful shot above. Thank you my dear friend. 

We couldn't stay very long as unfortunately I had to go to A+E at my local private hospital, HM Montepríncipe.  That was because the night before I realised something was wrong with my "lady bits" - something was peeping out and it worried me. I thought I had a tumour. My friend was impressed that with private health insurance in Spain you can go to A+E at a private hospital without having to be referred by a a GP on the public circuit. We are used to that so I knew I would be well attended as there would be a gynecologist on duty. There was. I hardly had to wait to see him. He took one look and declared I had a prolapsed bladder and womb! The correct terminology is  a "cystocele" (grade II to III) and a "hysterocele" (grade I). This, apparently is very frequent in women over 50 who have given birth. OMG I thought. There and then he did a scan and I walked out with the results, a medical report and a date for a new appointment. He will be sending me for physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles and then most likely there will be an operation. I think in a way I was just relieved it was not cancer and that I was cared for straight away. Given the state of the NHS, my friend was very impressed with the Spanish health system, or what she saw of it -  as she was with the hospital itself. 

I spent lots of time with my dear friend this week and probably abandoned my family a bit but they don't mind as they all love Amanda. From the hospital I took her to our favourite cafeteria, Alverán, in Boadilla. This is the cafe which our horrible squatter Felipe Turover always frequented but I refused not to go there because of him. The good news is that he hasn't been for months which must mean he has left the area. Good riddance.

We sat outside in the sun or rather in the shade and were served by Abel; my favourite waiter. I remarked that I wished Amanda lived nearby so we could go  and have coffee together whenever the fancy took us. All my best friends; Amanda, Kathy, Sandra, Adele and Anne, live abroad. My only Spanish best friend, dear Fátima, died in December 2019 and I am still mourning her. She would have comforted me when the Queen died as she was a great anglophile. Amanda took a photo of me which I posted on social media and entitled "happiness is coffee with a friend". I always say it's the little things in life that bring happiness. Don't you agree?

Happiness is with coffee with a friend.

We came home to have lunch made by dear Lucy, chicken casserole. Then there was time for a siesta. While I was resting, a specially designed hearse was taking the Queen from Balmoral to Edinburgh where she would lie in state for 3 days before continuing the journey to London. Crowds lined the way and more crowds were in the Scottish capital awaiting her arrival. I had a friend there who was witness to this historic event. The next day she would be taken from Holyrood to St. Giles Cathedral but there were 30 hour waits to pay respects to the Queen which I suppose is a little daunting. I wasn't able to watch the news 24 hours this week but I kept checking my phone for updates. What caught my attention was the news that the "Fab Four" - the now Prince and Princess of Wales and Harry and Meghan went on a walk about together in Windsor to see the tributes. Was that a real sign of the thawing of their soured relationship or just for show I wondered. But at least they were making a sign of unity at such a special time. At the vigil of the Queen's coffin in  Edinburgh it  was just the 3 brothers and sister, Charles, now King Charles III, his sister Anne, the Princess Royal, Andrew and Edward. All were in military uniform except for Andrew stripped of his privilege as a royal because of his dealings with the sex offender Andrew Epstein and accused of rape by Virginia Giuffre. Even so it was a very moving occasion, especially seeing Princess Anne making her final courtesy to her mother and Queen. It was her late majesty's only daughter who followed the hearse from Balmoral. What a long, lonely and sad journey for her. When asked she said it was a "an honour and privilege" to accompany her mother on that sad occasion. 

A very sad looking Princess Royal who accompanied the Queen's coffin from Balmoral. 

This by the way was her statement which was published on the Royal Family's website:

 "I was fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest Mother’s life. It has been an honour and a privilege to accompany her on her final journeys. Witnessing the love and respect shown by so many on these journeys has been both humbling and uplifting.We will all share unique memories. I offer my thanks to each and every one who share our sense of loss.We may have been reminded how much of her presence and contribution to our national identity we took for granted. I am also so grateful for the support and understanding offered to my dear brother Charles as he accepts the added responsibilities of The Monarch.To my mother, The Queen, thank you".

It was revealed this week that only Charles and Anne were present when the Queen died. I think that's because the other siblings were not able to get to Balmoral on time. I too had the privilege to be with my father when he passed away, not so my mother. I got there too late and always wished I had been by her side when she most needed me. 

Perhaps a little irreverently we spent part of the afternoon playing more ludo but we had a happy time together. Suzy had a friend round, Marta, who is a piano player and played my grandmother's ancient Broadwood which was music to my ears. It needs tuning and Marta gave me a contact. 

Marta was with us for dinner and I think we all got rather jolly, laughing our heads off which was a good thing. But then it was early to bed for me. My father always used to say: "early to bed, early to rise, makes a man  healthy, wealthy and wise". I don't think it makes me wealthy hahahaha. 

Monday dawned and Amanda and I had planned to visit the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum. Unfortunately she woke up with a migraine so we changed plans. She felt better shortly afterwards and came with me to do the food shopping at Mercadona and Carrefour. She loved them both as I love British supermarkets. I think we always think the "grass is always greener on the other side" don't we? Inspired by my friend who has a smart watch - an Apple - I wanted one for my Samsung Galaxy. So off we went to Spain's flagship department store, El Corte Inglés and I got one. I am now the new and proud owner of a smart watch - the Samsung Classic 4 This means I have yet another piece of technology to add to all the other bits and pieces I have. I am getting used to it and rather enjoying my new toy; especially paying with it with the shake of my wrist.  After that I needed a multiple adapter plug as with just 3 sockets by my bedside, I had nowhere to charge it. The adapter had to have usb ports too as the watch, like many other devices, is charged via a usb. I am very pleased with the one I chose on Amazon. This is it. 

My new multiple plug adapter

I showed off my watch at lunch but had a long way to go before mastering its use. Oli joined us with the babies. Just as we went up to see the news and rest, Lucy came to see us to tell us she was returning to Paraguay immediately or as soon as she could get a flight. Her husband was ill with pancreatitis and some problem with his liver. She hadn't seen him for 4 years but I know they are very close. She sent her 24 year old "niece", Lilian, who is actually a cousin, to replace her. No one can replace Lucy and we miss her sorely but Lilian or Lili is doing her best. I feel so sorry for the girl who is just 24 and has left a 2 year old baby behind to come and find work in Spain to feed her family. So I cannot complain at all if I compare myself to her. We are slowly teaching her and being as kind as we can. It must all be so strange for her and she must feel terribly sad. Who wouldn't? We are so used to home help though, we have become lazy and dependent on a house keeper. Amanda told us that in the UK only the very rich have them. We are not very rich but need one mainly for the guests and so we can go away on our travels. 

That day was quiet. All our guests had left that morning and I had blocked that night and the following until Amanda left on Wednesday.  The children (babies) left early and Amanda and I played ludo. Dinner was quiet, just the two of us and Eladio and we had it sitting on the terrace under the roof as it was raining. Yes, the rain came this week and we did indeed need it. 

Tuesday 13th September was my dear friend's birthday. It was her 66th and I had planned for it to be very special. It was the first time I would be with her on her birthday since we were children. Apart from a birthday lunch with the family I had organised a very special dinner. It was to be with "my Spanish family". My Spanish family are the Gonzalez Galvez with whom I lived in my year in Spain. Amanda knows them too as she visited me at their house and kept in touch with Gerardo, the oldest sibling. Gerardo and his sister Irene were about 13 and 12 when I went to live with them. I was about 21 and we have kept in touch ever since. I carry them in my heart and Amanda loves them dearly too. She had not seen Irene since my wedding so the reunion was going to be very special. 

With help from Lili and Amanda I prepared the dinner which would be cold for easiness sake: my flagship potato salad, salmon salad and asparagus which are Amanda's favourite. Dessert would be a delicious white chocolate, fruit and sponge cake with lashings of cream from Alverán. 

Amanda and I went out for coffee again and also to do some last minute shopping as well as fill my bloody tank - just hate that job. We also went to a shopping centre (Centro Oeste) to look for presents for Amanda's husband and son. It was while we were there that Suzy rang in hysterics to tell me Eladio, my husband, had had an accident. We rushed home to find he had nearly broken both his little fingers which got crushed in a deck chair which wasn't in the right position. He had to get out of it by himself further damaging his fingers and in excruciating pain as no one could hear him. Suzy rang the equivalent of 999 (112) in Spain and spoke to a doctor who said he should go to A&E. My stubborn husband didn't think it was necessary although he was dripping with blood. The good thing was that he hadn't broken his fingers but what a shock.  There was to be another shock as I drove up the drive in my rush to get home to see him. A tire burst. I wondered what could go wrong next and I was right to wonder as bad things always come in threes. Later in the day when I was opening a gigantic jar of asparagus, it exploded on me wetting me, the cutlery drawer and getting water everywhere. Somehow, I managed to salvage the asparagus. You know what? That day was Tuesday 13th (martes y 13),  the Spanish equivalent of Friday 13th; not that I am superstitious hahahah. 

Oli joined us for the birthday lunch as did Elliot and Juliet. Amanda took a great photo of them which I want to share with you. This is it. Lovely right?

Oli with Elliot and Juliet on Tuesday at Amanda's birthday lunch

They loved the candle moment. We all did. Suzy did a surprise entrance with her ukelele singing Happy Birthday which Oli recorded so you can see it here on my Youtube channel. What a magical moment. 

Birthday lunch cake

Later we all sat outside, mostly talking about poor Eladio's fingers, both bandaged beautifully by Suzy bless her. Perhaps, conscious it was her last day with us and taking into account we were all together, my friend took some great photos that day, such as this one of Eladio and me and one of me alone and then with my beautiful grandchildren. I treasure them. 

With my darling husband with his bandaged fingers - and Pippa of course

Me by the pool after lunch

Thank you Amanda for this lovely photo. It's such a keepsake of me with my grandchildren

We spent the afternoon with Oli, Suzy and the kids and when Oli left - she couldn't join us for dinner- I set about laying the dinner table. Both Amanda, Suzy as well as Lili helped me. I forgot to take a photo of it which is a pity as it looked gorgeous.

Our friends arrived promptly, first Irene and her husband Tomas and then Gerardo and his wife Vicky. What a wonderful reunion it was. Being with them is like being with your family. It really is. This was us by the pool before dinner.

With my "Spanish family"

Dear Lili took one of us around the table to remember the evening together. 

All together for Amanda's birthday dinner

The Queen was not forgotten during our dinner as we both made a speech about our reunion and  her passing away and we toasted her. We did so by opening a special bottle of port wine from Taylor's in Oporto, purveyors of port wine to HM the Queen. As we drank and ate, her remains were arriving at Buckingham Palace from Scotland. The next day there would be queues of people stretching for miles to pay their respects when she lay in state at Westminster Palace. She will be there until tomorrow. If only I could be in London and see her lying in state just as my mother saw her father lie in state. She always told me about that. But back to the birthday dinner. 

The cortege arriving at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday night

Suzy  was the life and soul of the party. She was also an excellent hostess, serving everyone. Then when she sang for us, she wowed us all with her amazing voice.  Thank you Suzy. We all parted vowing to see each other again soon. I really hope we do and I hope that Amanda can be there too. 

And all too soon, Wednesday 14th September came, the day of Amanda's departure. Once again I say "all good things come to an end". 

Amanda wasn't leaving until the afternoon so we still had some time together. We had to pick up my car from the garage where all 4 tires had been changed after which we visited Decathlon. That French sports shops is quite big in Spain as most French big retails brands are but not so in the UK. Amanda was again wowed. From there we drove to Alverán for our last coffee together or rather coffee for me and mint tea for my friend.

Meanwhile, Oli, at work, had produced a report on the links between the British and Spanish monarchies - it all boils down to them having descended from Queen Victoria. That makes the King of Spain Her Majesty's 3rd cousin. This is the report (in Spanish). I was quite impressed and pleased too that Oli had learned the history of both monarchies. Having been born in Spain my children are sad about the passing of Her late Majesty but not in the way I am of course. 

We came back to have our last lunch with Amanda and then it was off to the airport to drop her there to catch her flight to London. We both wondered what it would be like once she reached there as London was going to be "full" due to the mourning events. She told me all the world and his wife were there or rather all of Africa and India but her plane was on time and her adored husband, Andy, was there to meet her. They had a 4 hour drive back to Devon, plenty of time to tell him all about her visit to Spain and time with us. 

I drove home on a pretty empty ring road - so different to London I suppose - to find Oli, Suzy and the kids with whom I spent some quality time. When they left, finally I was able to switch on the BBC and watch what was going on in my home country. Wednesday was the first day of people queuing up to pay their respects to the Queen whose coffin was lying in state at Westminster Hall. 

The Queen lying in state at Westminster Hall this week

They had one hell of a wait. If on Wednesday the queue stretched 3 miles or so and took about 8 hours, this weekend it grew to 5 miles and a 24 hour wait. At times it was stopped as the queue was at its maximum capacity. It wasn't just anonymous people who joined the queue, public figures did too, including the former MP, Teresa May and her husband as well as David Beckham. A BBC presenter Victoria Fritz, decided to queue up too after leaving the BBC studios. She did so anonymously but was later caught on TV. She told how it was "markedly different from watching events unfold on TV" and added "getting to the end of the line was surreal and extremely emotional". Then she said I think what most of us are thinking "it feels like the final act of the Queen was to bring people together". Too right. If only I could have joined that queue. It is now being called "The Queue" and has its own social media sites! Amazing. 

To queue is a very British thing indeed and this has been mentioned in the press over and over again. The Queue is orderly as you would expect and no one seems to mind braving the cold or not sleeping just for a chance to pay their last respects. They have all my respect. On Twitter, as was to be expected, there were lots of quips and memes. My favourite was this one: "The Queen's coffin queue now stretches so far that the people at the end will get to see Charle's coffin instead". Another was "How has no one called the queue the Elizabeth Line?" Ben Rathe wrote"Queue is such a great word. The actual important letter and then four more silently waiting behind it in line". That is so true, don't you think? 

The news since Wednesday was all about the Queue of course but also of Charles' visit to Wales, the last of the 4 nations that make up the UK. Then arrangements for the actual funeral were vaguely revealed. But what I want to know most is what hymns she has chosen for the service. I read that the plan, called Operation London Bridge, has been in place for decades and that the Queen herself was much involved, adding her own personal touches. For example she added a final Lament from her Scottish piper. That will be most poignant. 

I think I watched the lying in state for quite some time until it was time for dinner. It was just Eladio and myself that night. But we weren't alone for long. Shortly afterwards, Katia and her family arrived from Marseille. They told me it was a 10 hour drive. Wow. They had come to settle in their son at the University here,  like all my French guests these last few days. He too will be studying Physiotherapy but in English. It is offered in French, Spanish and English! I have learned that it's very competitive to get in to study this subject in France - and other countries - so the Universidad Europea de Madrid - is a good alternative. It's about 3km from our house and is where Oli studied journalism, marketing and audiovisual communication (3 degrees actually) and is the most expensive private university in Spain. It caters to an international audience and the beautiful American like modern campus is home to students from literally all over the world. They are mostly rich kids who will have the time of their lives. They are very privileged. 

The next day, Thursday, they told me their toilet didn't work. There is always something that needs Eladio's immediate attention to keep the house incident free. He went out to get a spare part to repair it himself but it was not easy. At that very minute we had a plumber in the garden who was fixing a leak in the irrigation system so thankfully he was able to mend the toilet. Katia never complained though and she and her family were the perfect guests. We actually have a lot in common as her father is Russian and her grandfather English. She was most interested in my father's book bless her. 

While Eladio was engaged with the plumbing, I went out again to get more provisions. We had meatballs made and frozen by dear Lucy - I am wondering when Lili will know how to cook our favourite meals. On a positive note here, we have heard that her husband's operation was successful. But we don't know if she is coming back or not. Meanwhile I am training  Lili. She is such a sweet girl. One day this week we were cooking together and I gathered more information about her background. I was happy to hear she finished her schooling and that her dream is to become a nurse. Part of what she earns in Spain she wants to spend on her studies. I encouraged her to pursue her dreams. 

Oli and co didn't come that day as the house would be full of guests. So Suzy went to help her as that day Miguel was off to San Sebastian to the film festival. My new guests, Vicent and Bruce and their ex spouses arrived later - it turns out they were married, are divorced but  still get on. I had no idea and had set up the rooms for two couples. In the end I have no idea how they slept.  

I did not sleep well as on Friday morning I had to be at Oli's house to help Suzy get the kids ready and take them to school. I was told to be there by 7.30 am and that we should leave the house at 8.40. In reality I could have arrived at 8 when Elliot wakes up and could have left later for school which starts at 9. Getting there early meant we had to wait for 15 minutes. But I got to see Elliot's teachers, even his English teacher. He seemed happy there until I knocked on the glass window of his class room to say goodbye. That is when he burst into tears, poor little boy. I doubt he cried for long though as he seems to love his new school and fellow pupils. 

That day, the girls' oldest friend, "Copi" was coming with her fiancé, Unai, for lunch. We eat lunch at 2 but they didn't arrive until 3 which is their usual. Thus we ate alone and waited to see them when they arrived. They came loaded with presents for the children and with food; always so generous. I joined them after my siesta and we had a grand time all together on the kitchen terrace while our guests - now with their 2 kids who arrived earlier - were by the swimming pool enjoying the sun.  We had a photo together to mark the moment which I must share here as Copi's visit was the highlight of the day.

A photo with Copi and Unai who came to visit on Friday

There were an awful lot of people in the house at that moment. Let me count. 6 guests, the 4 of us, the 2 children, Copi, Unai and of course Lilian. That comes to 14. My God. Thankfully the house is so big it can cope with this amount of people and more. 

I just looked at the second sentence written in the paragraph above and wanted to point out that I did not use the "Oxford comma" - much in the news this week- rather the "serial comma". The main difference is that with the latter the comma is placed immediately after the penultimate word in a series of three or more words. Perhaps an image is better to understand the difference and I like this one. 

If you have been reading the news you will know why I am writing about the Oxford Comma.  It is because the new head of the NHS, the formidable Tèrése Coffey, in a memorandum to the NHS  told the staff not to use, under any circumstances the Oxford Comma. These were her words: 

"Language should “be positive”, “precise”, and “avoid jargon”. But most importantly: there should not be, under any circumstances, Oxford commas".

What left me and many people baffled is what on earth the Oxford Comma has to do with helping the NHS which is in the worst state ever. This is The Guardian's view on it. 

Anyway, back to our mundane life: Oli and children, Copi and Unai  left at around 6 and shortly afterwards Laurent arrived, another French guest here to set up his child - a daughter - at the Uni who has also come to study physiotherapy. He later made friends with the families from Paris. They were all pleased to be here as some had done so by the skin of their teeth as there was an air traffic controllers' strike in France and about half the flights were cancelled. I counted again and that night there were 11 people sleeping in this house. I think the maximum capacity for our 7 bedroom house is 18 people but that might just be a bit too much so I try to keep it to a maximum of 8 guests. I had guests this weekend in Santa Pola too and if all goes well and Lili knows her job with Suzy's help, we may go there on Tuesday. We haven't been since last September and it needs a look at. I think I need to get away again too so that would be the perfect excuse. 

Saturday 17th September was Elliot's 3rd birthday and there were big preparations underhand. I had bought decorations for the day but later regretted the choice as they took more than 2.5 hours to set up. Next year, I will just get bunting to hang up. I couldn't believe it was 12.15 when we had finished just shortly before the birthday boy arrived.

A photo with Elliot by his birthday decorations

I then set about preparing lunch: fish and chips with mushy peas, followed by a Victoria sponge cake made by Suzy. Meanwhile, with a break in tradition, Oli kept giving Elliot presents when in this house they are all left to be given out after lunch. I really think he was given far too many presents; honestly and it was perhaps too much for him. It really was. 

Elliot with his "Auny Bonie" and her cake and Elliot with his mother showing one of his many presents

I was pretty exhausted by the time lunch was laid on the table. Everyone dug in far too fast for any photos - the culprits being my husband and Oli hahahhhahaha. Everyone agreed my fish and chips were excellent. Even Elliot and Juliet ate a  little bit and they are not fish fans.

Fish and chips for Elliot's birthday lunch yesterday

Then came the cake moment, the most important of the day. Elliot loved blowing the candle but didn't touch the cake. Small kids don't usually like cake but the adults do of course. Here he is blowing out the candle. 

Elliot blowing out the candle on his birthday cake yesterday

I was allowed a short siesta and then came down to help Oli with the kids. Eladio went into Madrid to be with his brother and Suzy went to take a nap. Elliot had several tantrums which were very hard to deal with and somehow marred his birthday really, or rather the end of it. We didn't know what to do until it occurred to me to offer him an ice cream. That he wanted and then spent quiet time watching his favourite series Paw Patrol. He had another tantrum just as they were leaving. He wanted another ice cream which he wasn't allowed. All in all I think the whole day had been a bit too much for him and I was left feeling exhausted. I didn't even want dinner. So you know what I did? I went up to bed, got out my iPad and watched a beautiful Tribute to the Queen on the iPlayer. It calmed me down until Eladio arrived at about 10.30. I couldn't sleep though and what didn't help was the noise of a very long firework display in the distance. I don't know where it came from but it went on for ages, terrifying little Pippa who slid under the sheets between us, poor lamb.

Today is Sunday and I feel pretty exhausted. I am hoping that we can finally get a walk in this morning. No doubt those in The Queue are feeling much more exhausted so I have nothing to complain about. 

I shall leave you now to get on with the day. All the very best until next Sunday.

Masha

The Queen has died, the end of an era. Amanda came to stay, girly trip to Asturias, new PM for the UK, Póo beach, Mirador de Toró, feeding stray kittens, discovering "Dobble", Elliot and Juliet "back to school", the Picos de Europa, Cuerres, Ribadesella, hearing THE news, more exploring and home again.

 Sunday, 11th September, 2022.

The news announcement from The BBC where I read the sad news on my mobile on Thursday. 

The saddest news ever. Not unexpected but still a huge shock. 

By Lake Ercina in the Lagos de Covadonga in the heart of the Picos de Europa (Peaks of Europe). So lucky to get up there with good weather. 

Good morning everyone. What can I say? The Queen has died and I am devastated as so many people are. I just didn't expect it as I'm sure you didn't either. Just like JFK or the 11th of September (it is actually 11th September today) we will all remember where we were and what we were doing when we heard of her death. Thus 8th September will become a date I shall never forget. She has been on the throne for 70 years and a constant, comforting presence in our lives. If her family made trouble, she never did, never putting a foot wrong, giving all of herself to duty and earned the  respect of even the dire hard republicans. It's not that I am a huge fan of the monarchy, I am a huge fan of Elizabeth II and to see her go is to live through the end of an era. It's as if with her passing something has been taken away from us and from our childhood. She was an amazing Queen but she was also a mother and grandmother and became in a way the Grandmother of the nation, just as her mother, the Queen Mother, Queen Victoria did, but I do think she is probably the most loved monarch in the history of the country.  She was too a family woman and it's nice to see her family rally round. But of course her death produces huge change in England. Charles becomes King Charles III, William becomes the Prince of Wales and most striking Charles' wife Camila  becomes Queen Consort meaning she also will be crowned when the Coronation takes place.  Everything I have to write about my week, now pales in comparison. Below you can read about my week which was all about   friendship, which I am sure Her late Majesty would approve of. 

This week has been very different to last week. Last week was all about family time with the stress of having our delightful but tiring grandchildren here the whole time and the visit of Pernille, our dearest Danish au-pair. This week has been all about my time with my dearest and oldest friend, Amanda, in dire need of a break herself, who arrived last Sunday and was coming  for a luxurious 10 days  of free time with me. We have been friends since the age of 11 when we met at St. Joseph's Catholic Grammar School in Bradford, West Yorkshire, many moons ago. I love that our friendship never dwindles. Throughout the pandemic we spoke weekly on Skype and still do but it's so much nicer to be together in person.

While she was preparing to leave, we were already saying goodbye to dear Pernille after a wonderful, short but sweet visit. There were tears in her eyes when she got into the taxi. I begged her not to leave it another 5 years until we see each other again. I hope we can keep that promise.

Eladio and I managed a morning walk for the first time in days. It was somewhat interrupted by an amateur cycling race but we didn't care as we needed the exercise. Oli and the kids were at home when we arrived, Suzy was packing to go and stay with friends and I packed too for my stay in Asturias with Amanda. Lunch was leftovers and there were plenty. There was plenty of cake left too which was a good thing as dear baby Juliet's 1st birthday was actually last Sunday 4th September. Here is a photo of the cake moment which Elliot had missed the day before. They both loved the candle but neither of them ate any cake, hahahahaha.

Celebrating Juliet's 1st birthday again last Sunday

I had a new guest arriving that afternoon - a young girl from Berlin (Tanja) and had hoped the girls and the kids would keep quiet and be tidy. My hopes were dashed as I rose from my siesta. Thankfully Suzy put all the toys away and got Elliot who was running round the house naked out of the way too. I was a bit ashamed to show Tanja the house with all the family round the pool. But I couldn't do anything. So up I went to our bedroom again to escape to my kindle. Thankfully when I came down everyone had gone and it was just us and the guests and Lucy of course.

I had some quiet time reading by the pool and messaging with Amanda who was already at London Heathrow. Her BA plane would by delayed by 1.5h which meant my plans for dinner together got skewed. In the end it was just Eladio and I for dinner but I kept some for my friend in case she was hungry which no doubt she would be. I left the house just before 9 pm and it wasn't until 11.30 pm that we were home!!! What a stress. I hate driving in the dark and hate driving to Terminal 4, that monster of a terminal at Madrid Barajas airport. I could hardly see the signs and think I took the wrong toll road there but I made it. The problem when you arrive at T4 is that the car park is miles away so everyone waits outside in their cars. You are only allowed to be there for a quick drop off and as I arrived there was a policeman shooing the cars away. Luckily he didn't see me but it had me worried until Amanda finally got out. Flying today is not what it was.

The drive back was easier and it was great to chat together in the car on the way home. The only problem then was my friend's big suitcase which I had to take up two flights of stairs as she had done her back in. Mine is not great but I managed.

I was up at 6.15 - far too early - on Monday morning. I couldn't get away early enough as I was so looking forward to our girly trip to Asturias. I think we left at around 10.45 and both of us felt as free as the wind with me at the wheel in my lovely now not so British Mini. We stopped for breakfast, then for a glass of wine in Rueda at the lovely Palacio de Bornos. We didn't have the plate of ham though as we had booked a table for lunch at La Cueva in Alar del Rey further away. We sat outside tasting the  Rueda wine made from the local "verdejo" grape and my friend agreed it is one of the best white wines in the world.  They didn't charge us for the glass when I bought 4 bottles of it to take with us - not all to be drunk in Asturias I assure you.

My friend enjoying a glass of wine in Rueda

Happy as a sandboy - or shouldn't that be sandgirl hahaha

It was a beautiful day, sunny but with a breeze and the further north we went the greener and hillier it got. I have a feeling this area is a bit like Scotland but with better weather and higher mountains- about 27ºc that day. We arrived in our tiny village, parked as best as I could and then unloaded the car. My friend had done her back in so I had to carry all the loads the most difficult part being lugging up the century old stair case, our 2 massive suit cases. We had 4 rooms to choose from and in the end I went for "our room" the room with 2 big single beds. It felt strange to unpack without Eladio around. 

Once we had settled in we sat outside on our terrace with another glass of Rueda until it got dark. It gets dark there now  at 8.45 which makes for a long sunny day. Dinner was a delicious creamy red lentil soup I had brought from home. Entertainment was beginning a film called Mr. Jones set in the early stages of the Cold War. Without subtitles and with a complicated plot I think I just lost it and fell asleep. We went to bed early and I actually only woke up once.

Tuesday dawned and I was up at 7 am - brilliant.  We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and took as long as wanted to get ready. As we were leaving some stray kittens we had seen upon our arrival, were at our door. We fell in love with them, of course.  Later we would make friends and feed them. 

Amanda and the cats

As we were leaving we both admired the view of the nearby mountains from our street and house. We also admired the peach tree with so much fruit on it. It always surprises me that so far north in Spain you get exotic fruit trees and vegetation: kiwi, lemon, orange, peach and palm trees. People say this coast is similar to Brittany but I doubt that French coast can boast such exotic vegetation. It was a pity the peaches weren't ripe hahaha. 

Amanda posing by the peach tree outside our house with the mountains as the back drop

The day was ours for the taking and there is so much choice there I didn't really know where to start to show my friend all my favourite places . But it had to include the beach with  the funny name: "Póo" which my friend thought was hilarious. We drove to Niembru a pretty little village by the sea - well it's really a "ria" (small fjord) where I took Amanda to a spot on the road with good views of the pretty church called Our Lady of Sorrows with its marvelous cemetery. She agreed the location was beautiful.We also visited it on Friday. 

Our Lady of Sorrows in Niembru

Our next destination was the pretty beach of Barro. It really was a beach day and could have kicked myself for not taking my swimming costume when we arrived at my favourite beach, the one with the funny name of "Póo". It was a glorious sunny day and everything looked picture perfect. This was the view I was greeted with upon arrival, a view or scene I never tire of. 

Playa de Póo which is really a fjord. 

Before our walk on the beach and the cliffs we, or I, had a lovely coffee taking in the amazing scenery. Sadly coffee doesn't agree with my friend. We then walked down the wooden stairs to the beach and wondered all along it until it took us to the small village of Póo. We were lucky the tide was out so we got a heavenly walk. Here is Amanda enjoying the moment. I was so happy to share with her all the places I love around the area.

Amanda on the Póo beach

When we had walked as far as we could and back, I took my friend up the hill to the clifftops with wonderful views of the ocean, the Póo beach with its mountain backdrop. Don't forget we have some of the highest mountains in this area in the national park of Los Picos de Europa. Once at the top of the cliff I took  photos of my friend for her to remember the day and where she had been like this one below. 

Amanda on the cliffs above the beach of Póo

Our next stop was beautiful Llanes - that posh and pretty little seaside town about 14km from El Cuetu and easy to get to.  Every time we are in El Cuetu we go several times and this was to be no different. I really love Llanes and so did Amanda. We parked by the Sablón beach and walked into the old town with its wonderful old buildings, many used in Spanish period dramas. I also had to show my friend my favourite gourmet shop, Aramburu, There we bought food for meals in the evening and left our shopping to pick up later as we didn't want to carry it to the restaurant which was a far walk from the centre of town. For the record we bought Iberian ham (of course), some thick asparagus to have with mayonnaise, "pastel de cabracho" - a sort of fish pate- and some meat pie which looked delicious. 

It was quite a walk to get to the restaurant where I had booked a table - El Mirador de Toró ,the one I had discovered in May when I came here with my other girl friends, Adele and Sandra. This restaurant is the best I have found so far, its salient point being its location over the Toró beach. The food is marvelous too and the restaurant full, mainly of well to do Spaniards, many of them local. We both commented that the energy crisis, inflation and all the horrible crises going on only really affect people who are badly off. That is so true and so unfair. I felt privileged to be able to afford eating out every day in Asturias. My friend pointed out - to make me feel better - that I had earned it by working hard all my life; even now with my little holiday rental business. I suppose she is right. 

For the record we both had seafood - I just adore it although I am not really keen on fish. As we left El Mirador de Toró, I had to have a photo of my friend by the Playa de Toró with its wonderful rock formations. 

Amanda . Playa de Toró Llanes

We had booked the table for 2pm and I don't think we left until nearly 5 pm, as we were so enjoying the place. We then walked back slowly into town, remembering to pick up the food from Aramburu and drove home. We did actually stop in Posada to get some salad ingredients for our dinners, except that that night, even though we had only had one course, neither of us was hungry.

Who were hungry were the kittens that seemed to have adopted us since our arrival. We fed them some milk and bread and left out a bowl of water. I only wish I could take one of them back with me, the little white one. I love it. 

The stray kittens who never left our side during our stay in El Cuetu

We had  a lazy afternoon and evening sitting on our little terrace. We played ludo which as you probably know, I love. Then we played or tried to play a game which is new to me - a sort of snap with pictures called Dobble. Amanda had recommended it and I bought it online and it arrived that morning. I think it's fun. 

Dobble - a discovery

We were both tired while trying to play Dobble which should be played very fast and went to bed again before midnight.

Who probably went to bed even later was Liz Truss, Britain's new Prime Minister the news of which was announced that day while we were galavanting round Asturias. Am I pleased? I should be as we now have another woman Prime Minister and I think anything is better than Boris Johnson. However, there are many question marks as to how good she will be. Some say she is more ambitious than capable. Time will tell. For the moment I am unhappy with her cabinet post appointments. There are only 3 women damn her. She has put plenty of non white people in her inner circle which is neither here nor there for me but only 3 women!!! One of them is a lady called Thèrése  Coffey (notice the accents - love the surname)  the new Health Minister  who apparently loves a drink or two and is the heart and soul of the party  at Downing Street.  She is Truss' closest colleague. Not too bad right, except that her appearance is not exactly that of a role model for the job she has to do. I am not fat shaming her - how could I as I am fat myself? Coffey could have chosen any of the jobs going, including  three of the four great offices of state (PM, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Foreign Secretary or Home Secretary) but she went for Health. I suppose she thinks she can turn the page for the ailing NHS. I doubt it somehow. The only good news here is that we finally have a new PM, the Boris Johnson era is over, and, perhaps, just perhaps we can go forward. It will not be easy. 

A new PM for the UK - Liz Truss.

I wasn't thinking of her or BJ or Coffey when I woke up on Wednesday morning. I was thinking of my dear grandchildren, Elliot (nearly 3) and Juliet who has just turned 1. Wednesday 7th was the day they were going back to school. Actually Elliot is starting junior school and Juliet is going to his old nursery next door. As Oli was working I asked Miguel who was off this week for pictures of my grandchildren on this most important day for them. Elliot did know what was going on and smiled happily for the camera. Juliet probably had no idea. These were the lovely photos my son-in-law shared with me which I am sharing with you in turn because I love them so much and they have to be a part of my blog. Who knows, maybe, maybe, one day they will read these words when I am long dead. I hope they do bless them. My father wished them a productive life and I do too. 

It was back to school for Elliot and Juliet on Wednesday 7th September. 

While they were excitedly being taken to their new schools, I was planning our day in Asturias. We had been to the sea on Tuesday so I thought it would be the perfect day to show my oldest friend the greatest attraction of this area: the Picos de Europa National Park. Our  humble house may not be in the prettiest village but it is in a super location, just 14km from Cabrales (one of the starting points to visit the Picos) and the beaches of Llanes. I find that most of the guests who book our house come  to visit the Picos and trek there of course. The most famous walking route is the Cares Route also called The Divine Gorge. Here is a bit more information on it if you ever come this way: 

"The Cares river route runs into the Picos de Europa National Park, in Spain, and is one of the most breathtaking trekking trails that can be done in Europe. The Cares route is called "The Divine Gorge". The path is carved in the rocks of the mountains and it is a wonderful journey over 12 km".

That is one of the things most of my guests do and one day, when my knee is better, I want to do it too. But we did make our way to the starting point which is in the tiny hamlet called Poncebos near Cabrales. From Poncebos you can take a funicular to what was once the most inaccessible  villages in Spain, Bulnes. Bulnes, one of the prettiest villages in Spain according to the Times, was completely isolated until the funicular was built in 2001. Villagers, all farmers I imagine, had to walk one hour to Poncebos and then a few miles to Cabrales (Spain's cheese capital) for their purchases. Today they have cars parked at the funicular station and are able to move much faster. So, I wanted to show my friend Bulnes which I had only seen once. 

The highest mountain in the Peaks of Europe is the Naranjo de Bulnes called   Picu Urriellu locally - something to do with the colour of the rock which is limestone.  It measures 2.519 metres and Snowdonia pales in comparison. Fyi the highest mountain in the Spanish peninsula is Mulhacén in the Sierra Nevada mountain range - near Granada - which measures 3.479 metres. So the Naranjo de Bulnes is not as high but it is still magnificent. 

We saw it from a viewing point from the road and it is clearly distinguishable because of the shape of its peak. See if you can spot it in my picture taken from the viewing point.

The Picos de Europa 

So back to the village of Bulnes. I had hoped we would get a better view of the mountain but a taxi driver later told me it is a 5 or 6 hour trek from the village and could not be seen. I won't be doing that trek in a hurry.

The funicular is really an amazing feat of engineering going right under the mountain rock and measuring about 6 km. It took about 7 minutes and it drops you off some 300m away from Bulnes. The paths and surrounding nature are just heaven and I felt as happy as if I were in heaven as I imagined it as a child. 

In Bulnes

We ambled into the heart of this medieval village which I tried to imagine how primitive it must have been earlier in the last century. We both loved it immediately with its cobbled streets and stone houses. It is so unspoiled thankfully. A fellow tourist took this photo of us having a happy day together. 

In Bulnes with my dearest friend Amanda

We couldn't spend too much time there as we had booked a table for lunch at a restaurant, Casa Pedro Parres,  near Cangas de Onis, San Pedro Parres where I have been countless times and could not recommend more highly. I had booked the table for 2.30, then rang to say 3.30 and in the end we arrived 10 minutes before the kitchen closed. But it was worth it. Not wanting the local dishes, fabada and cachopo - all too heavy, I went for a gourmet hamburger. I actually wanted a good piece of steak but would have had to order one weighing 1kg at 85 euros. That's why I went for the good old hamburger. But just look how it was served. 

Lunch at Casa Pedro Parres on Wednesday

I had it with cider, very typical in this area, as you can see.

Enjoying the cider at Casa Pedro Parres

We could have gone home but as we were in the area I wanted to show my friend Covadonga. It is the site of the famous battle of King Pelayo of Asturias against the Moors in the 8th Century. Legend has it that during the battle he won which was the beginning of the reconquest of Spain, he saw the Virgin Mary in a cave he hid in. The cave where The Virgin of Covadonga is venerated by millions of Spaniards is a tiny little one in the rocks of the mountains where she is known as "la santina" - lots of words in the Asturian dialect end in ina or in and o's become "us" ( pronounced ooze). It's funny to hear. But the place was packed. So we had to park down the hill and walk up. It was then that we were approached by somebody in uniform asking us if we wanted to go up to the famous lakes of Covadonga. From about March to October the steep road leading to these glacial lakes is closed to private transport and a good business is run by a local taxi firm. We said yes immediately as the Lakes of Covadonga, Enol and Ercina, are in the heart of the Picos de Europa range and are a  sight for sore eyes as is the ride up. We went in a taxi with 6 other people, sitting at the back where we hardly saw anything. On the way down we sat at the front and enjoyed the views of this stunning road, often used in the Tour of Spain as one of the main mountain stages. It is here that my cyclist friend, winner of the Tour of France, Pedro Delgado became famous. His name is still written on the road, "Perico" which warmed my heart. 

It's about 7km to reach the top and when we did we were rewarded with great views as there was good visibility.  A young Brazilian girl who was our fellow passenger in the "taxi", offered to take photos of us like the one below and the one I have chosen as my feature photo this week. It was heavenly to be up there. The photo below is of us by Lake Ercina. 

Lake Ercina

We had about an hour to enjoy the scenery and spent most of it at the view top which was one hell of a climb. When we came back down we were rewarded, this time by a herd of goats going past Lake Ercina. What a beautiful sight. The Lakes are haven of nature and peace. 

A herd of goats by Lake Ercina

Upon our descent where we saw vultures whose wings span up to 2 metres, cows and wild boar but not the famed wild horses. Once we got out of the taxi  we went to get our car to drive up to the site of Covadonga. My friend wanted to see the Basilica built 125 years ago in honour of the Virgin. It's quite magnificent. 

The Basilica at Covadonga

But just as we reached the top there was a procession - the "Novena" in honour of the 125th anniversary of the Basilica and the police wouldn't let us past. We were keen to see it too and took some photos. The anniversary also coincided with the Day of Asturias - also in honour of Covadonga - which was the next day, 8th September and is a local holiday. 

The procession in Covadonga

So in just one day I showed my friend a lot of the Picos and we had really packed into one day what should be seen slowly in two. When we started our drive down the mountain to El Cuetu the heavens opened and the downpour of rain was a huge shock. It got dark and was very difficult to drive but we made it. Not everyone did as on our way to Posada to get provisions, we saw an overturned car on the road. Thankfully no one was killed but that showed me how dangerous it is to drive in such torrential rain and on flooded roads. 

We spent the evening playing ludo my friends, probably one of my favourite games. I had to refresh my dear friend's memory and was delighted when she found she likes it as much as me. It kept us entertained from then on and also very relaxed

We  had no idea what was coming on Thursday 8th September, a date now forever etched in my brain. I planned the day again. We would visit Ribadasella, a very pretty coastal town about 25km from our house and go on the main road rather than the motorway. On our way we stopped when I saw a sign for "Cuerres", near a pretty little fjord like beach, Guadamia, but more interesting for me where the cliffs called Castro Arenas are located. The beach is well worth seeing. After getting slightly lost we found the beach and again I wished I had brought my swinming gear as it was a beautiful day for the beach. 

Guadamia beach, so hidden away it is not well known. 

Just further along the same path we came to the cliffs which I love so  much as they were featured countless times in a Spanish period drama I adore called "La Señora! I went with Eladio some years ago before we knew this area. So that day I was delighted not just to see them again but to understand the location, near the pretty Guadamia beach but also across the fields are the famous "Bufones de Pria" - an area where jets of water rush out of holes made in the rocks, a bit like geysers. I think they are called Blow Holes in English.  They are only to be seen though when the sea is rough and it wasn't that day. 

The beautiful cliffs at Cuerres

It was a short drive from Cuerres to Ribadasella which I later learned is the rival town of Llanes. Both vie to be the one of the most upmarket seaside towns in Asturias. I love them both. Ribadasella takes its name from the River Sella and the town is divided by it. It is famous for the Descent of the Sella river - on canoes which is a huge annual event bringing thousands of participants and spectators every year. 

A view of Ribadasella from the other side of the bridge

It was 1.30 by the time we were sitting in a cafe in the old part of the town. We had planned to have lunch at home which was a bad plan as we ended up eating at 6.30 that evening. From the old town we walked to the town beach, the beautiful Santa Marina which is absolutely spectacular. The promenade is various kilometres long and we walked to the end. Here is just a shot but one day you have to see it for yourselves and also admire the splendid colonial type houses on the waterfront. They are magnificent. 

Playa Santa Marina in Ribadasella

It was while we were sitting and relaxing at the far end of the promenade that we heard "The news". I was so glad that I got it in the company of my oldest friend, for whom the Queen has also been a constant presence in her life. It would have been awful to be alone and not share my devastation with someone who understands as Amanda does of course. It was my dear friend Sandra who was actually at the Balmoral hotel in Edinburgh that very moment. She wrote to say the Queen was being medically supervised and that the Royal family were on their way. The news came out of the blue. We all knew she had mobility problems but just 2 days before - on Tuesday - in her last public engagement ever, she had received the new PM, Liz Truss. That photograph would be the last of her reign. 

The Queen's last photo

We could never have imagined it would. That she was under medical supervision did not surprise us. What did was that all her children and Prince William and Harry were on their way to Balmoral to be with her. That could only mean one thing, she was dying. I burst into tears. I just couldn't take it in. Only if you are British and born after she was born in 1926 she (became Queen aged 25 in 1952), can you understand what I felt. I was comforted to be with my oldest friend. Both of us are baby boomers and have only ever known one monarch on the throne, Elizabeth II. She has been a constant presence in our life, leading a country with so much devotion to duty. She sacrificed her life for her country literally and as Paddington Bear said, something we all echo:  "thank you Ma'am for everything".  

We couldn't take it in as we walked back along the promenade our spirits dampened by such sad news. I still hoped she would hang on in there, after all her own mother lived to about 103. I thought she would too. But I was wrong.

Our stomachs were rumbling when we eventually reached the old town. So we rushed home on that lovely country road and were home by about 5.30 or 6. We had a lovely dinner on our terrace, all cold cuts and salads. We felt happy but also alert to what was going on in England and in Balmoral. The sad news came at 6.30 that evening. Again I cried. In fact I cried my eyes out. I just cannot imagine life without here. Of course her death meant the immediate accession to the throne of Prince Charles who is now King Charles III. That will take some getting used to. I just cant get around the words "God bless the King". It sounds strange. He deserves all our support and respect but he will never ever fit into her shoes. She was one of a kind, like Queen Victoria. It's a very sad end of an era.

As if in respect, just as we heard the news it began to rain and we went in. We sat and watched the live blanket coverage, the best we could from Spain as we couldn't get the BBC even though I have a VPN - it kept freezing. I think this blanket news was comforting. It was only about 2 hours later that we resumed our game of ludo and I found it a bit trivial but it was good to take our minds off this sad, sad, desperate news.

Friday came, our last full day in Asturias and it was yet another glorious sunny day. I took my dear friend into Llanes which was full as it was a Bank Holiday. While the new King was being proclaimed and all the fanfare was set into motion, we had a quiet but beautiful day together. We were on our own, away from our dear husbands and free to do what we wanted. It was wonderful to be together as we are so close and anything goes and oh how we laugh so much. Amanda is good for me. I can be my true self with her and vice versa I am sure. We walked into the town and came across a little boutique of which there are many in up market Llanes. I spied a yellow rain jacket with a blue and white striped lining that I thought was perfect for my friend. As it was to be her birthday on her last night here, I bought it as a present. She looks lovely in it. She usually wears darker colours but yellow suits her. 

Amanda's yellow rain coat bought in Llanes

She didn't need it for the walk though as it was so warm. My friend loved St. Peter's walkway as I do and I never tire of it or its views across the ocean. I love the picture below of my glamorous friend enjoying her holiday. 

Amanda on the St. Peter's walk way on Friday. 

We did about an hour's walk or a bit more and then ambled down into the town again, destination Restaurante Campanu which had been recommended to us. It is good. Again I had bay scallops hahaha. Dessert for me was a lovely ice cream in the street from a local van. We sat down for me to enjoy it - pistachio and coconut flavours . my favourites of course - and my dear friend took this rather good selfie. Of course the sunglasses hide all our wrinkles hahahaah. 

A selfie of two happy women in Llanes on Friday

Our day did not end there as I was keen to show Amanda more places I love before we left. One of them is the Andrin beach not far from Llanes, but especially the views from the "chirringuito" (beach bar) at the top. It is a marvelous place. And here is my friend sitting in front of the little beach. I think it is a great picture. Just take in the colours please and think, is this really Spain? Yes it is. Spain is not just Benidorm or Seville or Malaga. The whole of the north coast is the jewel in the crown for me when it comes to beaches and mountains. 

Amanda at the bar above the Andrin beach

We then walked down to see it and I got a view of the bar from the beach. It really is in a magnificent location. 

View of the "chirringuito" from the bottom - the beach of Andrin.

Again I could have kicked myself for not having brought my swimsuit. Every day was a beach day, yet we never went in the water. After seeing Andrín, I wanted to take my friend to see the spectacular Torimbia beach which is one of the best. I took the country road and on our way we again went past the fjord where the Church of our Lady of our Sorrows is perched next to, its cemetery seeming as if it is in the water. See what I mean: 

My friend with the wonderful backdrop of the church on the water

We went into the church or rather grave yard which has been used for countless films and series in Spain. There were 2 people there and we got chatting. The man was cleaning his father's grave and his cousin, a woman, was there with him, her husband to be buried the next day. We were very sorry for her as they were for our Queen. It turned out the man, a Spaniard,  had been born in Australia where he lived for 11 year and felt for the Queen just what we do. That was one interesting encounter. From the graveyard we walked to a promontory above the beach and as we walked we spied a man changing after having swum, I suppose. He was fully naked from the back which is most unusual in Spain - but I bet he wasn't Spanish. I naughtily took a photo which we all laughed at as we shared it with our families. So, now I am sharing it with you. 

The naked man

From there I drove to the Torimbia beach nearby up very, very steep streets where I needed all my driving skills. But it was worth the effort. My friend was bowled over at the beauty of the beach and surroundings as I always am. It is actually a nudist beach but is a hell of a walk down. No doubt if we had walked down I would have got more photos of naked people. Probably we should have gone down, at least for me to have a bathe as I didn't need a swim suit. One day I promise I will skinny dip there. 

Torimbia beach - a marvel and the last beach I was to show to Amanda

We drove home to catch up on the news in the UK. It was a bit strange to be on holiday when the dear Queen died. If I had been at home I would have been watching all the news but in Asturias all we could do was catch up with it bit by bit. We watched the new King address the nation and thought he looked kingly. I wonder whether we will be calling him King Charles III or simply The King as we referred to the Queen as THE Queen? 

The mother cat and her kittens were waiting for us for their food which they got. We left the rest of the cat food to my neighbour's grandson, Pablo, to feed them. What will happen to them after that we wondered. They were so lovely but no way could I bring one home I'm afraid although I did fall in love with the little white one with her sweet and appealing eyes. 

Amanda feeding the cats who will miss us

Once they were fed, we got out the Rueda wine, some crisps and pistachios and played Ludo on the terrace until it got cold. We both remarked that with our husbands things would have been different as we would have had to make their meals on time, whereas there we could eat when and what we wanted.

I think we both slept very well on our last night and at about 11.15 yesterday morning or so set off for the long drive home.  I had to stop just as we left as I received a new booking for that very day at home, in El Bosque. That meant I had to get in touch with the guest and inform Eladio and Lucy. That also meant we would come home to three sets of guests. It turned out they were nearly all from South America: Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Lucy who is from Paraguay must have felt in her element. The lady who had booked to arrive that day was coming to bring her daughter to study at the girls' old school, St. Michael's. We were delighted to have them. 

Before we left, Amanda had to have  a photo of me in the car setting off and here I am on our little road in El Cuetu. 

Setting off from El Cuetu

Our drive was to be quiet with the roads nearly all for us. It is really quite an easy drive as it is all motorway. So while the new King was being proclaimed with all the fanfare, we were on the road in Spain. I had booked a table for lunch in the pretty town of Fromista in the province of Palencia (like Valencia but with a "pa"). It is on one of the up to 60 different routes of the Camino to Santiago. It also has a beautiful Romanesque church, St. Martins, but we only saw it from the outside as there was no time for more tourism. The restaurant, Hosteria de los Palmeros, is really lovely and we more or less were given a table in a dining room to ourselves. This is it. It was sheer luxury and the food was divine. 

At the restaurant in Fromista yesterday

As I was driving I couldn't drink wine and didn't want to finish the courses of food so brought half of it back which Eladio would enjoy for dinner. 

As we drove south the temperature gradually increased and we came home to 32ºc, 10 degrees more than in Asturias. As the Asturians say there is a price to pay for all the green; i.e. rain but thankfully it only rained once during our stay.

I came home to be reunited with my adored husband into whose arms I melted. It's marvelous but I am still as in love with him since the day I married him, if not more. He is my rock and he is always there. I go away and come back and there he is. He of course carried in the luggage and all our bags bless him. Lucy helped too.  Suzy was home and it was great to be reunited with her too.

Later we had a long dinner on the kitchen terrace while our guests had theirs on the pool terrace. I greeted them all and each and every one of them was having a great time at our house. Life seemed so good, if only we didn't have the terrible news of the Queen's death and all that  that means. We did talk about the Queen at dinner, but covered other topics too as we sat outside not even needing a cardigan. Amanda snapped a picture of the 3 of us looking at something on my phone - probably a picture of our time in Asturias. 

Last night with Eladio and Suzy

I was also reunited with little Pippa who I had missed. She slept with us of course. We went to bed watching a documentary on the Queen - the coverage in Spain has nearly equaled the UK - well not quite, but my goodness it has been round the clock. Madrid's autonomous President, Isabel Diaz Ayuso has ordered 3 days of mourning in the Spanish capital for the Queen for which she has been much criticised. Some say the reason for the extensive coverage  is because of the Royal family's ties with the Spanish monarchy - King Philip being the great great great grandson of Queen Victoria, like the Queen - sorry not sure how many "greats" to put in. 

Today is ours for the taking. Over the pond at Flushing Meadows, the 19 year old Spaniard, Carlos Alcaraz will be playing in the final of the US Open against the Dane Ruud. He is now number 3 in the world rankings but if he wins today he will become number 1 which is extraordinary. I am routing for him as is the whole of Spain. 

Today too the body of the Queen will be taken from Balmoral to lie in state in Edinburgh, I believe, before being flown to London to lie in state until her funeral on Monday 19th September. That I shall watch from beginning to end and will no doubt cry my eyes out. I still can't take it all in. Can you?

All I can say now is RIP Your Majesty - you meant so much to us all. As Amanda's husband Andy put it, it's like losing a member or your family. It is in a way.

Until next week, keep safe my friends, 

All the best Masha