Guests from 5 nations; Peru, Canada, China, Slovenia and Irak. Olivia MC at an EU event in Madrid, Israel calls for UN chief to resign and war escalates, a Yoigo reunion, the clocks go back and other stories of the week.

Sunday, 29th October, 2023

Coffee at Alverán last Sunday is becoming something of a tradition. 

Good morning again.

How are you all feeling? Have you adjusted to the clock going back one hour? I never like the two occasions in the year when the clocks go back in October and forward in the spring, although I prefer the latter. What I hate is having one hour less of daylight time, or sun; not that there has been much of that this week.

Last Sunday was dry and sunny for most of the day until the heavens opened again in the evening. This was the beginning of Storm Bernard (yes Adele!) which would batter parts of Spain. This is so unusual in this country when it is normally sunny and dry. 

But last Sunday was a good day. At 12 we met Oli and the kids for coffee (and a pastry called "vigiliante") at our favourite coffee bar, Alverán. I had dressed up that day as we had a lunch date in Madrid. For the record I was wearing a new dress I had bought at the market in Santa Pola with my friends Sandra and Adele. Eladio took a photo but you can't see much of the dress as I am wearing my very old white Zara coat and a white scarf on top. It was the first time I was wearing "winter" clothes in a very long time. Here I am with the table full of coffee and pastries, awaiting the arrival of Oli, Juliet and Elliot. Sorry it's a repeat of my feature photo - I did not have a better one this week. 

Coffee at Alverán last Sunday

We parted ways at around 13 and left for Madrid. Again we parked our car at the metro station and took the train into the city. We were at José Antonio and Dolores' house - our old house too - by about 45 minutes later. I remarked to Eladio how easy and painless it is to get into Madrid these days. We no longer take the car as there are so many rules about emissions. 

We had a pleasant and quiet lunch with conversation mostly centred on how their kids are - their grown up kids - and grandchildren. We also spoke about the war. Which war? Well Israel and Hamas of course. We also spoke about travel, our road trip and their recent trip to Uzbekistan. Wow, what a place to visit. It's on my bucket list too. 

Just as we were traveling home, I got a sudden reservation from a guy called Mohammad for my father's room, newly baptised "the book room". He was coming for 3 nights but where was he from? His number was from Malaysia but there was another one from Oman. I would find out later. As soon as I was home, a new guest arrived, Ma Juan from China who doesn't speak a word of English or Spanish. She came with some Chinese friends who tried to interpret for her. I never did find out why she came. Mohammad arrived shortly afterwards. He is my first guest from Irak!! He is also here to study at the local University where he will be doing a master degree in Sport Management. 

But the house was quiet, now that the Chinese family had left and gone to Granada. That night we watched  an interview on a programme called Salvados with an Israeli and Palestinian who both live in Spain. We then watched a documentary on life in Kabul. Eladio remarked life wasn't worth living there. Isn't life a lottery when it comes to where one is born? It certainly is.

Monday came and brought some sunshine, despite Storm Bernard. Thus we were able to go on our walk, albeit on the pavement rather than through the woods. I came home to make our lunch; cream of pumpkin and carrot soup followed by baked salmon with leek. I made an effort that day as both Oli and Miguel were coming for lunch. They came alone as the children were at school so we had a very peaceful meal together. We also had a siesta that day as we do most days, although I hardly ever sleep but I did on Monday and woke up too late for my weekly Skype call with Amanda which we had to reschedule to Tuesday. Both Eladio and I had medical appointments that evening. Mine was to get my annual flu jab and my 5th Covid jab. The nurse told me it will now be annual and that Covid will live with us like flu but is now far less dangerous. She told me there was a lot around! I'm glad I had my jab and do not believe all the fake news about the dangers of vaccinations.  On my way home I dropped in at Oli's house to get a new remote for Tana's TV so I got a chance to see my grandchildren for a short while. Juliet was surprised to see me alone and kept asking where was "Booboo" (their version of "abuelo" meaning grandfather). Of course, she always sees us together and wondered where he was. The kids were disappointed I left so fast as I had to be home for dinner at 8 with "Booboo". 

We had a quiet dinner in the dining room while Mohammad, my Iraqi guest was trying to order food online. He needed me to talk to the Indian restaurant to give them our location. He is Muslim and there is no place in the area to buy halal food apart from Indian restaurants or Kebab houses. Cole, our Canadian guest, had just returned from 3 nights away in San Sebastian so I introduced the two young guests, hoping Cole could help Mohammad who is trying to find his feet here, on his first trip to Europe. 

I woke up late on Tuesday morning and it wasn't raining for once. I woke up to more news from the Middle East. Hamas had released two more hostages - that is 4 so far, out of about 220. Meanwhile, Netanayau was dithering about bombing Gaza to smithereens. In a way, the Israeli government is caught between its promise to eliminate Hamas and its promise to bring back the hostages. Not an easy situation. Most of Gaza has kilometres of tunnels under its territory and any attack there means the killing of innocents as well as many Israeli soldiers deaths and casualties. Since then, Israel has geared up for its first proper territorial incursion. Netanyahu is calling it "the second phase of the war". The mian problem if they want to eliminate Hamas and bring back the hostages is that they will have to do so under the city in the 300 miles of tunnels built by the terrorists.  Meanwhile, humanitarian aid is only trickling through to Gaza. All the world's eyes are on this new war and it seems we have forgotten poor Ukraine.

We had a quiet day. Olivia was preparing for her role as MC at the Rural Mobility Congress on Wednesday. It is just one of the events taking place under Spain's Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Mobility refers to transport in rural areas which is a big issue in the areas of "Empty Spain".  I was proud to read that the event  will be conducted by Olivia Freijo Lloyd as seen in articles this week. I played my part in helping her write her speeches so that saw me exchanging long whatsapps with my daughter that morning. I was also pleased that day to hear she had won a prize - a hamper of French gourmet goods, from her French classes at the Spanish school of languages. Good on you Oli. 

Our walk that day was again on the tarmac rather than through the woods. I came back to finish making my red lentil soup to find Mohammad in the kitchen. He asked if I would accompany him to see a room for rent nearby as he was worried he might be scammed. Of course I agreed; so off we went. The house is nearby where I vaguely recognised the owner, mostly because of her big dog. She lives on the ground floor and rents three rooms in the house above. The place is a bit hippy and there are lots of rules. She is vegan and insists her guests be vegan too. Mohammad was worried he wouldn't be able to eat cheese, eggs or milk! The rent is low, just under 500 euros a month but guests have to spend 3 hours a week cleaning! If they don't want to clean they must pay 100 more! I found the setup really strange. There are 2 or 3 dogs and  I saw about 5 cats all of whom roam everywhere, including on top of the kitchen sink. Mohammad noticed the litter trays desperately needed changing. He didn't really like the place, far preferring our house. 

After lunch and just as we had settled in our quarters to watch the news, the bell sent. It was another guest, a lady called Elena. She is from Slovenia but lives in the Dominican Republic. She is in her 50's I think and looks to have had a lot of botox applied, not to mention the layers of foundation she was wearing. Who wants to wear foundation coming off a long haul flight I asked myself. She was happy with her room and looking forward to seeing her son who is studying a the local University. I didn't see much of her but when we did coincide I found her to be a lovely person.  What an array of nations we had represented in our house this week; hailing from Peru, Canada, China, Slovenia and Iraq.  My mother who used to fill our house at 6 Heaton Grove, with lodgers, would be proud of me hahahahhha. I have to say it is very enriching to meet people from all around the globe. Mohammad is our first ever guest from Irak and conversation with him is very interesting. His parents are lecturers in sociology at the University of Baghdad. Imagine! As Irak borders with Turkey, I asked him how safe his country is. He assured me it is. I'm not so sure but would be very keen to visit.

I mentioned these anecdotes to my dear friend Amanda when we finally had our weekly Skype call that afternoon and she said I should write a book with all these gems. I don't think so but they certainly liven up my life. Without my rental business I would probably be bored stiff. It keeps me on my mark.

Storm Bernard did not really affect Madrid that day but it was so cold compared to not so long ago. We now have the central heating on for the first time since the beginning of May. 

Wednesday came and I was awake at 5.45. I think I had forgotten to take my sleeping tablets, damn. After feeding Pippa, I started boiling that day's lunch, a "cocido madrileño" - a typical winter stew from the Madrid area. It is made with chickpeas, potatoes, carrots, cabbage and then all sorts of different meats and bones and takes hours to cook. 

It was our shopping day and as I left I realised that Olivia would be in the middle of presenting the EU Rural Mobility event. I asked her for a photo and this is what I got.

Olivia emceeing" this week at an EU event in Madrid

She told me she found it rather boring and I'm sure it was but the organisers were happy with her. Good girl Oli, go girl. You are doing a great job.

Our day was quiet with really not much to report. The war continued in the Middle East but that day there was a diplomatic row between Israel and the UN with the former calling for Guterres to quit.  It's funny but it was precisely the UN that voted in 1948 for Israel to become a state. The UN President was in their line of fire when, if you analyse his words, there was some truth in them.. Let me reproduce Antonio Guterres' words here for you to make your own judgement.

I have condemned unequivocally the horrifying and unprecedented 7 October acts of terror by Hamas in Israel. Nothing can justify the deliberate killing, injuring and kidnapping of civilians – or the launching of rockets against civilian targets.All hostages must be treated humanely and released immediately and without conditions.  I respectfully note the presence among us of members of their families.Excellencies,It is important to also recognize the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum.The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation. 

Israel does not want to hear the words  that the attack from Hamas had not happened in a vacuum and that the Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation. This is something I grapple with too and many other people. So how was modern day Israel formed? Many of the Jews who survived the Holocaust went to their "promised land", the land they had left after being persecuted back in Roman times. In 1948 the land was divided up so that Israel could have a state and thus many Palestinians were driven out. So does that land they occupy now really belong to them? And does the land they are occupying in settlements in what is semi officially Palestine belong to them too? Herein lies the question and the root of all the troubles  until we arrive at today's situation, the worst since the state was created. 

Again that day I helped my Iraqi student, Mohammad, finding his feet here. The funny vegan, hippy lady refused to give him the room and he was devastated, thinking it was a question of racism. I sincerely hope it wasn't. 

Another guest of mine was having great trouble. Cole, our Canadian English language assistant at a nearby state school, was hating his job, unable to discipline the kids in class. So I was not surprised when his father wrote to me to say he is leaving on Friday. He may not have adapted to the school but if it had been me, I would not have given up. He was a good guest and we will miss him. 

I did not sleep that night, one of the reasons being another horrible letter from the tax people who now want to investigate my tax returns for 2021. It is a nightmare but I refuse to let it get me down. Honestly, I think this is the fault of my accountant who is not doing a good job in sorting all this out. But I'm in a catch 22 situation as she is the only one who has all my documents and knows my history. Eladio is sure she did the books wrong and I think he is right. 

I hoped Thursday would be better. It had to be. That night was the much awaited Yoigo reunion which I should have been really looking forward to but I just wasn't in the mood with all that is going on. I joined Yoigo in 2006, 17 years ago. I was 49 at the the time the young Swedish CEO; Johan, hired me as the Communications Director. He was only 33 and could have been my son and at times is felt like that.  It was my job to make Yoigo a household name. At the same time I made him famous in the sector.  Looking back, I know I did a great job.  Yoigo was a start up that aimed to become the 4th mobile operator in Spain, competing with the likes of Telefónica, Orange and Vodafone. We made a huge success of it and were only 100 people. . Johan and the other Swedes quit the company in 2012 leaving us in the hands of a very different management; not one I was ever happy with.  In 2017 we were bought up by MásMóvil, a far smaller operation and that is when the management team, including me, was fired. I was 59 at the time and had to pick up the pieces and sort of reinvent myself which I think I did quite successfully. I began my little hospitality business but I also worked as a freelance Communications Director for Adamo, a Swedish fiber network company, thanks I have to say to Johan, that young Swede who took me on at Yoigo. I have bitter sweet memories of Yoigo. There were great times and not such great times. It was to be a big reunion with over 90 people. I knew lots of people but was especially looking forward to seeing Belén, Gonzalo, Daniel, Antonio, Pedro,  Bricio, Dragutin, Robert,  Juan and  the two Johans, My other favourites, Tony, Maria and Javier couldn't make it and I missed them. It had been a long time since we met and  a long time since I went to a corporate event in Madrid. So off I went by car and metro as I do these days to get to the city centre. I arrived a little late and soon saw so many familiar faces. It was wonderful to see some very much loved faces but all night I  felt a little like a fish out of water. I ought to confess I have never liked crowded events  though for much of my career as a Communications Director I also doubled as the Events Manager. Unfortunately I  missed out on being in the group photo which I am reproducing here to record the event. I was there but I wasn't there. My head was in another place. I think, otherwise, I would have enjoyed myself much more.

The Yoigo group photo which I am not in. 

I made what is called a French exit only saying goodbye to a handful of people. It was late for me and I had a long journey home. At home, waiting for me were my dear husband Eladio and Pippa, our faithful and adorable miniature dachshund. I should add that I have her thanks to Yoigo but that is another story.

I slept better that night and was awake on Friday morning at 7.30, on time to see Cole before he left.  I had hoped this weekend to see our grandchildren but Oli and family had gone to their beloved Valencia - where they met and where Miguel worked for RTVE, to a wedding in a place called "Puig" on the coast.  Oli sent me this lovely photo of her and the children ready for the wedding. 

Oli and her children ready for the wedding on Friday

I think Elliot looks so smart in his blazer, don't you?

I was so busy that morning with guest related activity that it was too late for our walk. Of note, Mohammad will be staying with us now long term and I am happy for him. Finally he has found a home and will hopefully find his feet soon. 

The highlight of the afternoon was a long Facetime call with my dear friends Kathy and Phil who live in my beloved Yorkshire. We had lots to catch up on.

Just around dinner time, my newest guest arrived. Elena is another physiotherapist here to do a Master's degree in pelvic floor health, if that is what is called. She got the green room, my favourite. 

I slept so so again and was up at 7.30 on Saturday morning. It was wet and grey, not how I like the weather here. While Tana got the rooms ready for new guests and helped me prepare the lunch, we went for our walk, again on the tarmac. We gave her the whole weekend off and so I made the rest of the lunch which was a Saturday roast - lamb - as well as baked apples; all very wintry type food. I spent a lot of the afternoon in my bedroom with Pippa watching the rest of the very pro Beckham documentary. I am not into football and was never a fan of Becks and Posh but found it quite riveting. I then turned to "Cuéntame", perhaps Spain's most popular TV series which is into its 23rd and final season. We used to watch it on and off but Eladio is no fan so now that the whole series is on RTVE I am enjoying it a lot. It keeps my mind from any worries I may have; mostly about my daughter Suzy.

It took me a while to fall asleep last night. I managed about 5.5h and woke up at 7.20 this Sunday morning which was yesterday's 8.20. I woke up to light but this evening it will be dark at 17.41 rather than 18.41. Long gone are the days in May and June with light until 10 pm. I woke up too to read about the next turn events of the war between Israel and Gaza. Oh how I hate it. 

Anyway, on that negative note, let me leave you now in the hope that there will be better news next week,

All the best Masha

Israeli Hamas war, journey back from Santa Pola, home again, rainiest day in Madrid in a century, time out in the city, Juliet in her flamenco dress as well as other stories.

Sunday, 22nd October, 2023

Wearing my new black and white spotted rain coat bought in sunny Santa Pola. I didn't expect to wear it so soon. 

Good morning friends and readers. 

As I write, top of my mind is the escalating war between Israel and Gaza or rather Hamas, the fanatical terrorist group that attacked Israel on 8th October last. You all know what happened. The militants broke the barrier into Israeli territory and went on the rampage, killing over 250 at a music festival and killing and kidnapping civilians at a kibbutz. Hamas now holds some 199 hostages, many of them children and old people although for some unknown reason, 2 were released this week.  Hamas wants to destroy the state of Israel and Israel wants to defend itself as well as take revenge for the terrible attacks the government never saw coming. Now Israel has warned over a million people from Gaza to leave their homes and go south. Most of them have and are stuck at Rafah,the border between Gaza and Egypt which, for the moment, remains closed.  Meanwhile, the US is rushing to avoid a catastrophe and begging Israel to open up a humanitarian corridor to get help to the Gazan population.  After some pressure it relented slightly and just a handful of lorries were allowed through on Friday, but no people. The international community are asking Israel to keep to the rules of war and not aim at civilians. They are also asking them to switch back on essential services; electricity, water and gas, Hamas has asked for the release of 6000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the kidnapped Israelis. This week saw the bombing of a hospital  in Gaza which Israel was blamed for but denied. So who did it? The Palestinians on their own people? The situation is dire to say the least. There have been outbursts of violence in countries in Europe, some of which are on high alert. On Monday this week 2 Swedish football fans were killed by an Arab militant which put Belgium on high alert. It is not thought to be related to the Israeli Hamas war but deep down it probably is. The US is Israel's biggest ally. Other countries are not so clear about where their loyalties lie. In Spain we have a left wing government in coalition with a Communist party called Podemos. Podemos always puts the spoke in the oar and last week its spokesperson, a woman I can't stand, Belarra, said "Israel is carrying out a planned genocide" and called on Spanish citizens to take the matter to the streets. That will have left the PM, Pedro Sánchez, in a difficult diplomatic position with Israel, not to mention with the EU. 

Meanwhile, life continues, as it does. Last Sunday saw me having breakfast with Sandra, my Uni friend who lives in Brussels. We left early after saying goodbye to Suzy, whom I haven't heard from since then. Sandie had an early flight. We had to say a quick goodbye at the airport and I left at around 9.15 am. I had a long solo drive ahead of me, nearly 5 hours. I do not like driving on motorways, nor do I like driving solo. I never have. But after our 50 day road trip, I am much more at ease at the wheel. I took it as calmly as I could and stopped twice, once for petrol and a second time for a coffee and croissant. For the record that cost me 3.90 euros compared to the 5.50 euros we were charged at the beach bar in Santa Pola the week before!

I was home just after 2 pm and delighted to see Pippa (first) and then my wonderful husband who had missed my company for 10 days. But he had survived, thanks in part to Tana who made his meals. He and Tana took care of the guests in my absence and all went well. I met a new guest, Martin, from Bristol, where my father once lived. His family lived in Henbury where my grandfather was the parish priest at St. Mary's. I am always very proud to say my father went to the famous school, Clifton College. Martin stayed in my father's room which we have baptised "the book room" and loved reading my biography, the book I wrote when my father turned 100.

After unpacking I had a rest and did not do much that afternoon and evening. I was feeling pretty tired after such a long drive.

Monday came and it felt good to be home again but I missed my friends Adele and Sandra and after 10 days away, doing what we wanted, I felt a little displaced. I also missed the warm weather. It hasn't been cold here but never as warm as in Santa Pola. No wonder tourists and retired people flock to the Costa Blanca. We went on our morning walk and had a simple lunch of fish and potato pure, courtesy of Tana, bless her. 

Martin left that morning and a new guest arrived, Daniel from Mexico. He came a little lost, like many of my young Latin American students. His first need was a local sim card and something to eat. Eladio drove him to Carls Jr. an American hamburger joint for which I was grateful as those sort of tasks usually fall to me.

The day ended quietly with dinner in the dining room and watching the news - all about the Israeli-Hamas war. It has overshadowed the war in Ukraine which no doubt will be delighting Putin. I slept on and off but managed to get enough hours' sleep and got up at 7.45 on Tuesday morning.

I woke up to the news of the terrorist killing in Brussels and immediately wrote to my friend Sandra who lives there. She was appalled and so is the world. That day I was expecting a group of 4 from China and wondered what sort of guests they would be. Much of the morning was spent preparing the rooms - thank you Tana. 

Eladio and I had errands to do. My dear husband was wearing the new polo shirt I had bought him at the Santa Pola market. It looked so lovely on him I had to have a photo.

Eladio wearing the new polo shirt I bought him at the Santa Pola market

He was standing under the newly repaired car port which he was very pleased about. I wasn't too pleased at the cost, hahahaha.

What did please me was seeing most of my roses in bloom which I think is unusual for October. Here are just some of them  in a picture I took as Eladio pulled the car out of the car port.

Roses in October

It was shopping morning but as it was already late, past 11.30 am, we headed straight to Alverán for our morning coffee. My husband took a photo of me with my cappuccino which I love.

Coffee at Alverán

It was good to be back at Alverán and good to be back with my husband. I had missed him. 10 days is a long time to be apart.

We shopped at Mercadona, Carrefour and BM and were home by 1.30, just on time to put everything away, have lunch and greet our Chinese guests who were arriving at 3 pm,

I went out to greet them. There were 2 women and a couple and 2 cars. I showed them their rooms and also gave a lesson to Yao on how to use Whatsapp - forbidden in China. He asked all sorts of questions which are all answered in my guest hand guide that no one reads. The main questions were the wifi password, where to do the food shopping, the best place to park in Madrid and where the best clothes shopping centres are - all in my guide book. They came with more food than we had bought that morning and I had to switch on  the extra fridge on the ground floor. They were given strict instructions to leave all the decks clear in the kitchen. I'm a bit OCD about tidiness and cleanliness. My father used to say "cleanliness is next to Godliness". 

Finally I was able to get away and have some alone time watching the final episodes of Season 6 of The Good Doctor until it was time for my Skype call with dear Amanda. It was so good to see and hear her and catch up on each other's news since we last spoke quite a while ago.

It was after dinner while watching the news that we heard of the bombing of the hospital in Gaza. Everyone was blaming Israel until the IDF denied its implication. In any case, it was awful. I did not sleep badly that night and woke up to rain on Wednesday morning. 

It rained on and off but we managed our morning walk. The rest of the day was very quiet which is quite amazing to consider we had 7 guests in the house - for the record, from Canada, Peru, Mexico and China. Eladio and I still feel amazed at how our lives have changed, sharing our enormous house with people from all over the globe. 

It was on Wednesday that 79 year old President Joe Biden who is looking pretty gaga, visited Israel. It came a few hours after the hospital blast. Because of this the Arab leaders he was supposed to have talks with cancelled their meetings. In summary he reinforced his support of Israel, stated that the bombing of the hospital was the work of the "other team" and only one real tangible came out of the visit. He got Israel to agree to open an humanitarian corridor between Egypt and Palestine. He then went home, no doubt a bit unsure of the success of his visit. The Americans are doing all they can so as not to involve Hezbollah in the war but I think their efforts are in vain. 

That day I finished The Good Doctor and turned to the BBC iPlayer to watch The Reckoning. It's a four part drama series that uncovers the life of creepy horrible Jimmy Saville. He duped and groomed many victims. As one of them said "he groomed a nation". But he didn't groom me. I never liked him. I remember him from Top of the Pops, Jim'll Fix it but above all from the advert about wearing seat belts "clunk click every trip". I would have been 7 when he was the presenter for Top of the Pops and even then I found him repulsive and creepy. What on earth did the programme directors see in him? Didn't they see the predator I saw as a 7 year old? No they didn't or if they did, they turned an eye. I am finding it heavy going and rather horrible. I'm not sure I want to finish it. He is the modern day Russel Brand who also duped the nation as well as my daughter, Suzy, who is an avid follower and doesn't see the evil in him. If only, ..... I hope he is imprisoned and stays locked up forever as Saville should have been. 

Thursday came and brought rain in abundance. Oh how I missed the good weather in Santa Pola. We had incredible weather there. Here in Madrid, the "summer" is over and next weekend the clocks will go back which for is the first sign of winter. Isn't it funny how important weather is? It go so bad that at the end of the day it was reported that Thursday 19th October went down in history as the rainiest day in Madrid in 100 years with over 114 litres/m2. of rain registered between 9 am and 7 pm.  All this was caused by Storm Aline. Storms these days are often called "Danas". Why can't we just use weather vocab we have always used I ask myself? I stayed at home all day so missed the chaos of closed roads and metro stations and general traffic chaos.

The rain in Madrid on Thursday caused traffic chaos and flooded the metro. 

Eladio went out in the afternoon for an appointment and told me he drove through a huge puddle that reached as high as the car door. He came back another route. As my friend Adele said; good for the earth, not so good for morale.  For sure it felt as if last week in Santa Pola was the end of the summer for me, at least. Oh how I miss the sun there. 

In Spain when it's bad weather, Spaniards, unlike the English, do not normally venture out. There is a saying called "sofa y manta" meaning the sofa and a blanket. People often add the word "peli", meaning a film. Thus Thursday saw me on my bed with a blanket watching the telly in the afternoon as there was not much else to do or if there was I didn't feel like it.

The house was full of guests but I hardly saw any. I felt sorry for my Chinese guests who were visiting Madrid on the rainiest day in a century. They probably went out shopping as that, apparently is one of the main reasons the Chinese visit Madrid. It's not the Prado, but big shopping centres where they can buy cut price top brand clothing. I don't give a damn about designer clothes, far preferring Zara, H&M, Primark, Marks and Spencer and even Decathlon and, of course, local markets. I love those. 

Another huge rainfall was forecast for Friday, again robbing us of our walk but it didn't happen. I had another nasty letter from the tax people that morning. They are digging into my tax returns for the last 5 years and I am forking out an awful lot. This is in part due to new laws but maybe to the incompetence of my accountant. But I refused to let it spoil my day. So off we went to the local churros place for a coffee (and a porra). For the occasion I wore my lovely new black and white spotted rain coat which I had bought at a boutique in sunny Santa Pola. You may remember the story of a spontaneous fun moment there with me and two other women trying on and buying the same coat. I did not expect to wear it so soon but it made me feel good and I got my patient husband to take some pics which are this week's feature photos. I especially like the back of it. PS the shop is called "El armario de Carlitos". 

We had guests coming and going that day - 8 in total. Cole, our Canadian boy went off to San Sebastian for the weekend as I could not accommodate him. He will be back tomorrow and staying till the end of the month and the whole of November. A young couple from Vitoria came that day and at around 3ish we greeted them and gave them the usual house tour. I know it backwards now. 

Only then were we able to rest for a while but not too long as that afternoon I had got an appointment for Eladio's Covid booster jab, his 5th. As he is an ex civil servant his health policy is private and comes from "Muface" and the system is different for "mutualistas". Most people, like me, have a public health policy; although I have both, state and private. With the public health system, getting the new Covid and flu jab is a doddle. All you need is an appointment at your local health system. Mine is on Monday near where we live. But for civil servant pensioners like Eladio the system for both the flu and covid jab is Kafkian like. To cut a long story short I finally found a way of getting him an appointment at the now famous Hospital Isabel Zenda - built during Covid. The problem is it is nearly 50km from home. Once there we were told that over 65s did not need an appointment. This annoyed me as I was told otherwise. Here he is after his booster Pfizer jab for the Omicrom version. I asked him to pose especially for this post.

Eladio after his jab

He now has to get a flu jab. If only he could have had both at the same hospital. We had a long drive home in the dark but were rewarded with a lovely dinner. I had made cream of broccoli soup and some new perushkis (Russian meat patties). We ate in the quiet of our dining room while the Chinese family invaded our kitchen. They made the strangest of meals. 

We had plans for the weekend; quite unusual for us. On Saturday we were going to the St. George's Anglican Church Jumble Sale. 

We went to this jumble sale yesterday

You may remember that it was St. George's Anglican church that I organised my father's first funeral in Spain in November 2021. My father wasn't interested in jumble sales but my mother and I loved them. 

 As a child she took me to many. I remember going to one in Ruskington when I must have been 4, 5 or 6 and buying some grown up high heeled shoes to play in! That reminded me I had to give Juliet her flamenco dress and shoes (with small heels) I had bought at the market in Santa Pola which I knew she would love. We were having dinner with  Oli and family  last night so I was up early as I had so much to do.

After breakfast and a shower, I drove quickly to Mercadona to get more pastry and was home to make the last of the pies to take to Oli's last night. At 10 am Eladio and I left and drove to the nearest metro station where we parked our car. We then took the metro to Velázquez, a very chic part of Madrid. We met Eladio's brother and wife, Toño and Dolores outside the church. Dolores and I went in and the men went for a walk. We were both a bit disappointed with what was on sale, a lot less than other times. But I managed to get some second hand toys for the children.

We then headed to my favourite patisserie in the city, Balbisiana, as good as the best in Paris or Brussels. It is run by a friend of a friend called Paula who started making cakes as a child. What a place she has made. She now has quite a few in the city but the one in Velázquez was the first. Just look at their cakes.

Irresistible cakes and pastries at Balbisiana

We sat over a lovely cup of cappuccino accompanied by a delicious chocolate truffle. Just look.

Coffee and truffles at Balbisiana yesterday

We left at around 13h but not without having a photo taken outside to record the moment. I had also bought some truffles and cakes to take home. I couldn't resist them.

Leaving Balbisiana yesterday

I have to say it was nice to be out and about in Madrid yesterday, lovely to see Dolores and Toño and to have coffee at Balbisiana. We will be seeing them again today as we are going to have lunch at their house. Not sure if you know but we used to live in the same block of flats when we got married. We lived there from 1983 to 1988 when we moved to a proper house outside the capital. Going there is like going back to our past, where it all began. 

On our way home I got a message from Olivia. Very coincidentally, she was also in Calle Velázquez and we had missed her by about 2 minutes. My youngest daughter was going to a lunch with her friends from St. Michael's school. It was a 20th anniversary  reunion organised by one of her classmates, Zeus. I always remember him doing badly academically at school and being a bit bullied by the teachers but today, oh my goodness, he is the most successful of them all. His parents ran a very famous chain of hairdressers so he comes from a family of entrepeneurs. One of his many businesses is a chain of 18 restaurants in various countries called Sushita. The reunion was held at the one in Velázquez, Márques de Sushita, right across the road from Balbisiana. Oli said she had a wonderful time. She sat next to her best friends, Sonia and Paula whom I have known since they were little girls. She came back saying that they all commented how happy they were at the school. This, is a photo I got of the group lunch. How lovely for them all.

Oli's 20th anniversary school lunch yesterday. What fun she had

She had left Elliot and Juliet with Miguel's mother as he was away in Navarra and won't be back until today. We hadn't seen the kids since before I went to Santa Pola so went round for dinner last night which consisted of  more of my broccoli soup and perushki. It was great to see little Elliot and Juliet. He was wearing an awful "Venom" suit (some TV character) and he greeted us at the door with a big scream to frighten us, hahaha.

Elliot dressed as Venom, some character from Marvel pictures. 

He has lots of these types of costumes but Juliet has none, so I was delighted to give her the flamenco dress and shoes I had bought her at the market in Santa Pola. Here she is looking at herself in the mirror feeling not quite sure.

Juliet in her flamenco dress

Both Oli and I were reminded of little Ruby, our New Zealand cousin, who came here with her parents in 2010 when she was about 3. Her parents bought her a flamenco outfit in Madrid just like Juliet's. It's amazing to think she is now 15. I dug out the photo to share with the family and you. Here it is.

Ruby with her brothers Luc (left) and Sam in 2010 in her flamenco dress and shoes, just like Juliet yesterday

Dinner with the family was a bit chaotic but a lot of fun. We left rather exhausted at around 10 pm and came home to quite a quiet house considering we had 8 guests last night.

Today is Sunday again and we have 2 social engagements; coffee with Oli and the kids and lunch in town. You will read all about it in next week's post.

Cheers till then, Masha

War in Israel. A wonderful girly week in Santa Pola with my daughter Suzy and my soul sisters Adele and Sandra. On the beach, lunch on the island of Tabarca, walk to the lighthouse, trip to Callosa, Algar and Bolulla, Alicante by night, tapas at Nou Manolin, a "mascletà" on the National Day of Spain, visit to Elche, the city of palm trees and other stories.

 Santa Pola, Sunday, 15th October, 2023

With Adele (in blue) and Sandra (in pink) by the port in Santa Pola last Sunday

Good morning friends from Santa Pola. Is the week really over? How can it be? It went so fast. When you are  enjoying life time always flies doesn't it? But we packed lots in and this has been a holiday to remember.

It was also the week Hamas, the Gaza terrorist group, attacked Israel, provoking out and out war. The Israelis never saw it coming and neither did anyone else. Last weekend the terrorists launched their unprecedented attack which started at a rave party where hundreds were killed. More were killed by multiple rocket blasts and the worst of all, almost 150 people were kidnapped from kibbutzum and settlement areas including children and old people. Some of those killed were beheaded. This echoes Nazism I'm afraid and I am with Israel.  Since then the tensions have increased and there is out and out war in Israel which is very destabilising for an area which is  permanent hot pot. It is being likened to Yon Kipur which I remember as a child some 50 years ago.  It is said the attack comes after agreement  talks with Israel and Saudi Arabia and that Gaza is being backed by Iran, a common enemy in the Middle East and everywhere. Otherwise, how could Hamas on its own take on the mighty Israeli Army. Hamas couldn't have done this without help. Now Israel is retaliating, hoping to get the the hostages which I think is mission impossible. Whatever they do, they will be criticised. 

Sandra my friend is of Jewish origin and was appalled. I was too.She remarked that few people on social media were standing up for Israel. I am though and immediately posted "My heart goes out to Israel". I wrote to Kelly, my ex Nokia colleague who is from Tel Aviv. She wrote back to say she was on holiday in Ireland and that it had turned into a nightmare and added "I can't believe what I hear and see it is inhuman and barbaric. My family is OK in Tel Aviv, thank God. Can't wait to be back home with my people and try to contribute to the effort. Those poor, poor, captive families; little children taken whose parents were massacred, youngsters, soldiers, ... Masha please pray for their rescue"

The war hovered over us the whole week but as you know, life goes on and it could not spoil our long planned week together. Sandra and Adele, my bosom friends from Nottingham University where we met in the first year in 1976, arrived the Saturday before last as you will know if you read last week's blog post.

That day we tried to do some shopping but it was Sunday, so not so easy. From the Udine supermarket I drove them to Santa Pola, our nearest town, along the old coastal road which I had to show to them as it is simply gorgeous.

We parked near the castle and went to have coffee and cake in the square. Here are my dear friends at the cafe last Sunday. We had our coffee with a locally made "ensaimada" similar but not the same as brioche. 

Coffee and cake time in Santa Pola last Sunday

We then walked towards the port but got waylaid at a boutique called La Casa where my friends bought lots of clothes. We turned it into a party, laughing and fooling around and started talking to a lovely Spanish woman - a teacher of English from Elche who lives in Murcia. She dressed beautifully and we hit it off immediately. She was just our kind of woman. Sandra and Adele went back twice afterwards. 

Eventually we walked to the port although we came back to the shop (La Casa) where Adele got another dress hahaha. I didn't as I am far too fat. I waited outside on a bench in the shade and a lady from Elche  sat next to me.  When she got up she looked at me and said "oh you are so beautiful, you look like a  a princess. Was your mother a princess?" I as astonished and laughingly said yes. She certainly gave me an up. That is the second lady to comment something similar recently. Thank you ladies you made me feel so much better.

We came home to find Suzy making our lunch again. She is such a darling. It was  a make yourself tuna fish salad after which we all chilled out. The weather was great as it has been the whole time and around 5 pm I took my friends down to the beach. 

We took our chairs down but forgot our towels except for Sandra hahaha. The beach was quite full being a Sunday and bank holiday but not crowded. We made a beeline for the lovely, calm and clean water and then my friends went "walking in the sea". Here they are in the distance. 

The girls "walking in the sea" last Sunday afternoon

When they finally emerged I took them on a long walk to the end of the beach, as far as the rocks. Our apartment is on a cliff above this beach which is why it has such good views. And here they are in one of my favourite places in the world. 

By the rocks at the end of "our beach"

Before heading home we went in again and were determined to come back again , despite our very full programme, hahahaha.

Dinner was "bits and bobs" after 3 showers hahahaha. But first for drinks on the terrace, Protos rosé wine. Here is Sandra on the phone to her Jewish neighbour in Brussels talking about the war. 

Sandra on the terrace last Sunday

We went to bed around 11.30 and I watched more of  The Good Doctor Season 6 until I fell asleep.  I slept quite well and was up on Monday morning at 7.30 am.

That day we were going to the island of Tabarca and I had booked a table for lunch at Casa Gloria in the village part of the island but right by the sea. I wanted my friends to try the Alicante version of paella called "Arroz a banda" - my favourite.

Monday was a regional holiday - the day of Valencia so places were fuller than usual. I have never seen so many people on the ferry which takes 25 minutes from the port of Santa Pola. This is the view approaching it. 

The island of Tabarca

On the catamaran I looked up the history of this islet, the smallest inhabited island in Spain and known for its marine reserve. In 1700 it was known as St. Paul's island as it is said the apostle disembarked there once. It was a refuge for Barbary pirates until the end of the 18th century and a base for raids on the Levante coast. It was once part of the Republic of Genoa until it was conquered by Bey of Tunisia in 1741. However, Charles III of Spain conquered it in 1760. The people of the island spoke Genoese because, according to legend, .a group of Genoese sailors were shipwrecked and settled there. Amazing story right? Today it lives off fishing and tourism. It is a beautifully kept little island, half of which is built up on which comprises the small village. Here are my friends just before we disembarked. 

About to disembark on the island of Tabarca

I have been many times so was my friends' guide for the day. I walked them towards the fortified village and they found every street charming, as did I. 

Just one of the many pretty streets on the Island of Tabarca

We made our way to the end of the village and the island from where you can see Santa Pola. A nice Dutch lady took this photo of us on this pretty Mediterranean tiny island. 

At the far end of the island, the nearest point to Santa Pola

People were swimming everywhere and we wished we had brought or swimming gear. Boats were everywhere as were jet skis and two young jet skiers from further down the coast took another photo of the three of us with the small castle in the background. Everywhere we looked was beautiful with such sharp colours. 

The three of us on the island on Monday

I had booked a table at Casa Gloria in the village, a restaurant we have frequented in the past and where more locals go than tourists. It was once recommended to me by a local and we always head there. I love where it is located, right by the sea and away from the crowds. This is it.

Casa Gloria in Tabarca

We had calamaris followed by the typical "arroz a banda" which were both delicious. Here is our rice dish which we finished. 

Arroz a banda at Casa Gloria in Tabarca

We could have or should have gone for a walk around the island but it was too hot. Instead we went to have an ice cream and then took the first afternoon ferry back which left at 16.15. We headed home feeling a little tired and had a nap, etc until it was time to go out again.

That afternoon I had planned a walk to the lighthouse at the far end of the cliffs where our apartments are located and from where you get great views of the island we had been to in the morning. It's one of my favourite places in the world and I was keen to share it with my girls. Sandra had seen it 10 years ago when she came here but it was a first time experience for dear Adele. 

On the cliffs by the lighthouse this week

It's a bit over an hour to walk there and back and the three of us came returned in need of a shower after all our walking to the lighthouse and on the island. Only then could we put our feet up on the terrace and enjoy a few glasses of wine and some laughs. We always laugh when we are together. 

Bedtime was around 11.30 and I slept well that night. The next day, Tuesday, I was taking my friends to my old stomping ground, Callosa, Algar and Bolulla. It was in Callosa  in 1972 that my mother bought a house for a thousand pounds and my Aunty Masha a house in Bolulla for 500 with a donkey in it. Those were our "Callosa Days" which you can read more about here. That post is about Aunty Masha being laid to rest but it is also about how Spain became part of our lives and how I came to live here. I could never have known in 1972 that I would marry a Spaniard and eventually live here. Those years from 1972 to around the time I got married in 1983 were happy years. We would come every summer and bring friends from around the world. We revelled in rural and poor but beautiful Spain in Franco's time and after he died when progress began and we learned the language. So I was keen to take my friends to "my villages", Callosa and Bolulla, where also my love for Eladio began. We fell in love there in the summer of 1980 and, as you know, the rest is history.

It's a long drive but worth it across the coast. On the way we passed pretty La Nucia but even prettier Polop  where we stopped for photos.

A stop to see the view of Polop from La Nucia

We reached Callosa de Ensarría at around 11.30 in the middle of their "fiestas" called Moors and Christians. Everywhere in the Valencia region the fiestas reflect and relive the history of the reconquering of Spain from the Moors.  Spain was under the Moorish yoke for 800 years until 1492.

Fiestas in Callosa

As I remember every street as if it were yesterday, I took my friends to the ice cream parlour, La Jinonenca which looked as if time had not passed since we first went there. From there I took them to the street called Calle de las Flores where our little town house was located. It looks forlorn and run down today but could be done up marvelously if needed. This is it today. Every time I go back I have to have a photo sitting on the street outside.

Outside our old house in Callosa

But back in the 70's it was a house full of joy. As a family we invited many friends to join us there and our summers seemed wonderful and endless. Those were the days. But time has passed and the memories live on in my head and heart.

As I tried to explain to my friends what our summers were like, I walked them to the old wash house where women used to wash clothes in public. We did too. We also used to sing there as the acoustics were marvelous. This is it today; pretty but a relic of the past.

The old public washing place in Callosa

Walking back to our car we passed the main square where festivities were going on. 

The main square in Callos with the festivities going on

A group of children were dancing and I had to take a video. This is it. As I watched the children I remembered vividly how in this very square Eladio and I watched the village beauty contest in the summer of 1980. That night saw the beginning of our love of each other. It's a night I shall never forget.

From Callosa we drove to my Aunt's village, Bolulla. She bought her house there after one of her Russian students at the University of East Anglia said her boyfriend, Tony, had bought one for a song. That very summer, she and my mother drove all the way from England to buy a house each. Tony was not happy as he wanted to be the only foreigner there. My Aunt started the trend by telling all her friends and on our visit there this week we were told by a young Lithuanian couple that today there are 28 nationalities in Bolulla. Imagine.  That is something amazing for such a small village. It is surrounded by orange groves and other fruit trees which was how the villagers made their living. My Aunt's house today is owned by an English family. I wish I had bought it as I would be very happy to have a little place there. Here are some pictures of our visit.

Bolulla with my friends. I carry this village in my heart

When my brother George, my cousin Sasha and I first arrived as teenagers in the 70's we had no transport and it was not easy to get to Benidorm or Altea unless my Aunt took us or we hitchhiked. So we discovered a place called Algar, 3km from Callosa and 3km from Bolulla. There from the rocky mountains comes a stream which turns into waterfalls and where natural pools are formed. The water is freezing but we didn't care and that is where we swam in the summer. There are bars and restaurants and many a happy time was spent there. So I was keen to take my friends this week. Sandra had been 10 years ago and for Adele it was a new experience. 

First things come first though - i.e. food. We were hungry and got a table by the pool at Casa Don Juan, like old times for me. Here is Sandra enjoying the moment. 

Sandra at Casa Don Juan at Algar this week

We shared tapas type food and I have to say their grilled mushrooms were just divine. They are grilled with olive oil, parsley and garlic and are typical of the area. 

Mushroom with garlic at Algar

Later we chilled by the pool like old times. I was so happy to share these places with my dear friends. This is the pool where many a good time was spent with my family years and years ago. It's like coming back to the scene of the crime. I am forever drawn. 

The pool at Algar

After our rest and I suppose digestion, I led my friends up the steep path towards the waterfalls. Adele and I were soon in our bathing costumes and in the freezing cold water next to the very powerful cascade. The moment was magnificent, a moment to remember. Sandra took photos like these ones and a video too for me to share here.

Bathing at Algar

After our fill of the main waterfall we walked up the very steep wooden steps which led us further and further up into the mountain where there are many natural pools. What a divine place. I have been coming for years yet Las Fuentes de Algar always give me a thrill and I love to take people there.

We came down feeling thoroughly refreshed. I had 89km to drive home but we stopped en route at Lidl in La Nucia for more provisions - primarily rose wine for my friends (and me).

Dinner was on the table, courtesy of Suzy, when we got home. Thank you darling. We then chilled out on the terrace with a glass or two of chilled wine. What a wonderful day we had.

Wednesday dawned and all we wanted to do that morning was to spend it on the beach. We did that after my handyman, Bernardo, came to fix  a few things in the apartment. My girls love our beach and I do too. We swam several times and then walked to the far end. On our way back we stopped for a coffee at one of the beach bars. We ordered 3 cappuccinos but were astounded when the bill came to over 16 euros at 5.50 euros per cup!  Coffee in Spain costs approximately 1.5 euros to 2 euros and a smart place will charge 2.5 but never in my life in Spain have I paid 5.5. Even Sandra and Adele who live in Brussels and in France thought it was scandalous. It was extortionate and similar to prices paid in Switzerland. I know we were paying for location but the other bars further along charged 2.5. So, what a rip off from "Conviction Beach Club Bar". Never again. 

Soon it was time for lunch and we slowly made our way back, had our showers and sat down to eat bits and bobs from whatever was in the fridge. The pièce de résistance was Sandra's home made guacamole. After some leisure time, we were out again. Sandra and Adele were keen to visit Alicante, the capital of the province which is about 18km from here so quite a short drive. We found an underground car park not far from the famous Explanada - Alicante's version of Barcelona's Las Ramblas, but far quieter. It is the city's most famous claim to fame after the Castle of Santa Barbara. Designed by architects Miguel López and Alfonso Fajardo, it was built in 1959 and was inspired by the Copacabana Boulevard. It runs parallel to the port and is lined with rows of palm trees. The floor is decorated with over 6 million tricolour marble tiles which forms a mosaic wave effect. I have been there hundreds of times but it never fails to impress me. 

On the Explanada with Adele on Wednesday night

At the end is Kiosko Peret, its most famous terrace bar which serves divine ice cream and horchata - ground almond/tiger nut milk. I had an horchata and my friends went for rose. Here they are enjoying the moment.

Sandra and Adele at Kiosko Peret on the Explanada in Alicante

From Kiosko Peret, I walked my friends to the Postiguet beach, Alicante's town beach which is small but beautiful with the castle above it. I had to have a photo of my friends to show you. 

Sandra and Adele by the Postiguet beach in Alicante on Wednesday night

Sandra being more a city girl then me was keen to explore the back and side streets which I am not at all familiar with. So I was on new ground that night for once. I have to say the old town is very pretty. They were also keen on having tapas for dinner. The best place to take them was to Nou Manolin which I had read about many times but never been. Incredibly upmarket and supposed to have the best tapas in Alicante it is quite famous. We walked there to find a queue until the bar opened at 8.15 pm on the dot. Then everyone rushed in to get a seat around the semil circular bar and soon every seat was taken.

Nou Manolin tapas bar inside 

It is obviously very popular. We found the prices very high but then again the place was divine as was the food. The only thing I couldn't stand was the noise but Sandra loved it. And here we are at the bar deciding what to order. 

At Nou Manolin on Wednesday night

For the record we had their Russian (potato) salad of which I was told they make 20 kilos a day, some anchovies, grilled whitebait, cod fritters and tomatoes. What a feast.

After this wonderful culinary experience we ambled back to the car park and then drove home. The day ended with drinks on our lovely terrace.

Thursday was 12th October, the national day of Spain, the day of the Armed Forces, Columbus Day and also the Feast of the Virgin of Pilar, so a national holiday. That morning Adele suggested that instead of breakfast we go out for brunch. I don't think I have ever done brunch but I much enjoyed it. We parked at the port in Santa Pola and walked to the Choco&latte bakery on the corner of the main square; Plaza Glorieta.

We were soon sitting down on the terrace in the square with a table full of the most delicious food. I went for the chocolate covered croissant and the "ensaimada". My girls went for savoury followed by an "ensaimada" which we all love.

Brunch in Santa Pola on the National Day of Spain

Of course there were going to be events in Santa Pola on 12th October. We saw a construction going up just by the castle and a few feet from our table but weren't sure what it was all about.

The  set up for the "mascleta" by the castle in Santa Pola on Thursday

I asked three policemen what it was and was told it was for the "mascleta". So what is that you may ask? As it's so difficult to explain I have copied the answer from Wikipedia: "A mascletà is a pyrotechnic event characterized by the achievement of a noisy and rhythmic composition that features, particularly during daytime, in street festivities; it is typical of the Valencian Community. It gets its name from the masclets that are tied by a wick to form a line or firework display"

These are very popular in the Valencia region which is firework mad. In the old days I remember seeing people with missing limbs and hands and scarred bodies from manhandling fireworks. Today there is much more security. The whole place was cordoned off so no one would get burnt.  But the Mascletá, a word from the local dialect of Valenciano, wasn't starting until 1. It was to be preceded by some sort of town hall declaration with the Guardia Civil involved. I later read the party that governs in Santa Pola is the right wing PP and that the mayor is a woman, so was not surprised when I heard things like "viva España" and "viva la Guardia Civil". You see Spain is divided politically as it always has been and unfortunately a sense of pride of national belonging is seen as right wing. Even the use of the Spanish flag is seen as "fascist" and is only approved by the left wing for football and over sporting activities which is a huge pity. 

Anyway, before the mascletá, we had time on our hands and my friends were keen to visit the clothes shops. Sandra and I found Adele in a lovely boutique called "El Armario de Carlitos" on the main street. I was in no mood for clothes shopping but the boutique was amazing with all their clothes sourced from places like Istanbul or Florence. I got talking to the assistant, a lovely woman called Natalia who is a great saleswoman. The girls brought patchwork jackets but then Natalia brought out the most divine black jacket with white spots which I could not resist. Neither could two other ladies. We all got talking and the whole episode turned into a spontaneous clothes buying party. We had to have photos. Here is one of that great experience. I shall be going back to that shop.

Having fun with my girls and other ladies in a boutique in Santa Pola on Thursday

We were having great fun but had to curtail our stay at the shop so as not to miss the "mascleta". We stood in prime position and I took this video. Honestly it was so loud I have never heard anything like it.  

The end of the "mascletà" in Santa Pola on 12th October

I'm not sure I liked it but what an experience. My girls were slightly shell shocked afterwards, hahahaha. We then sat down again to have a drink at Choco&Latte where we seemed to spend the whole morning.

Needing to move, we walked through the old castle and then along the extremely long promenade by the sea. I found it very hot and all I wanted to do was go home and have a shower.

We chilled out for the rest of the day, the highlight being playing the card game "sevens" until late in the evening. 

Friday was Adele's last day as she was leaving on Saturday. Sandra is leaving today and our girly week will be over unfortunately. It was to be a beach day and we had a great morning on Playa de Arenales. 

Here are my girlies walking down to the beach which was slightly fuller than usual owing to it being a bank holiday weekend. 

Walking down to the beach on Friday morning

I just love the beach in the morning with so much sun and I also love the wooden walkways past the dunes to the beach, like this one.

Walkway to our beach

We walked the length of the beach and came back to have coffee at the beach bar (chirringuito) near where we had placed our chairs. This time we were charged a reasonable 2 euros per cup. We left around 1 pm to get some provisions for lunch and on our way to Unide (local supermarket) we picked up Suzy. My daughter, kindly, made us our midday meal.

Later we played sevens again and for the record my friends, I won which is always satisfying. But frankly I don't care whether I win or lose. I just liked playing with my friends. I always loved card playing but have no one to play with in Spain. 

We were having dinner in Elche that night so I took my friends to see this historical walled city, so influenced by the Moors in Spain.  Elche is the second largest town in the province in Alicante and is considered the shoe capital of Spain. It is famous for its palm trees - the Palmeral de Elche  which is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the only palm grove in Europe with North African origins and the largest on the continent. Within the "plameral" there is a beautiful park called "El Huerto del Cura" which we visited. It is a magical place and contains a unique tree, the Imperial Palm Tree, the only one of its kind in the world. This is because it has seven "suckers" that have grown symmetrically from the main trunk. A kind visitor took our picture.

 

By the Imperial Palm Tree at the Huerto del Cura park which is part of the huge palm tree grove which makes Elche famous. 

We actually bought some of the fresh dates from the park which had been picked that morning. They are delicious. 

From El Huerto del Cura which means The Priest's orchard, we walked into the main town. It is partially surrounded by Islamic stone walls from the times Spain was under the Moorish yoke. No wonder there is so much Islamic influence in Spain.  We walked through one of the main squares, La Glorieta; which was teeming with people and atmosphere with palm trees everywhere, on our way to show my friends the Basílica of Santa Maria. It is the most beautiful baroque cathedral where a famous religious musical play is performed every August called The Mystery of Elche. 

The Basílica de Santa María in Elche

As I read on the Unesco Heritage Website," the mystery play of Elche - which is entirely sung - is a sacred musical drama of the death, the passage into heaven (known as the Assumption) and the crowning of the Virgin Mary. The crowning moment is when an angel (a child from the village) is lowered down from the dome on a rope. We have seen the play twice and it is unique.

We then had cocktails at the bar opposite the church. I went for mango mojito, Sandra for a gin tonic and Adele a glass of Rueda white wine. My friends loved Elche and kept telling me how friendly everyone is in Spain. I think they are right.

From the main square we retrieved our car to drive to La Finca where were having dinner. This is top notch fine dining. La Finca, run by the chef Susana Diaz, has one Michelin star and the eating experience is fabulous. The only thing I missed was having dinner in their wonderful garden but it was closed and we ate inside in very modern installations. The whole eating experience was heaven for our taste buds and other senses. 

We drove home after a wonderful day together. We did so many things and had such fun. I do love my girlies and hope we meet up again soon, not just once a year. 

Saturday came and as Adele wasn't leaving until the afternoon off we went to the weekly market in Santa Pola where we had a field day buying cheap clothing. 

Clothes shopping at the Santa Pola market yesterday

When we had had our fill, we drove into the centre again where we sat at the same bar as always in the castle square. Of course my friends had to return to the dress shop called La Casa, hahahaha. 

From there we went to Mercadona for them to buy Spanish ham to take back and for me to get some final provisions for our stay. Suzy made our lunch again and shortly afterwards Sandra and I drove Adele to the airport. 

We came back to a quieter apartment and got out the ludo board and then played cards until it was time for a small dinner. Before going to bed we watched a programme on the BBC summarising the first 7 days of war in Israel. It is very frightening. 

And today is Sunday. Shortly I will be driving Sandra to the airport and then will carry on to Madrid which should take me 5 hours or so. I am hoping I won't get too much traffic and will let you know how I got on next Sunday. It was sad to say goodbye to Suzy but great to have been with her. 

Cheers then my friends, until next Sunday

Masha