Got the BBC, end of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Nadal King of tennis, Boris Johnson wounded but won't resign, off to Montrondo, time out in the village and other stories.

Sunday, 12th June, 2022

Stop for lunch at Palacio de Bornos in Rueda on Wednesday ´- love that place

Good morning again friends and readers.  I am writing from our house in Montrondo where we have escaped from the heat of Madrid. How is life? I can't complain or shouldn't at least. I don't have a perfect life but it's as good as it gets. 

One thing missing from my life as a "Brit abroad" was the good old BBC. Thus I missed out on a lot of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. An old pupil of my father, Michael, who lives in France, sorted that for me last Sunday when he suggested I sign up for Express VPN. I had been thinking about it for a while and upon his recommendation I downloaded it and paid for one year. I did so on my iPad and on my Samsung Galaxy phone. It worked but is not perfect as the BBC often detects that the VPN is not in England and adds cookies and it crashes while watching. The only way round that would be to use someone's Apple ID who lives in England and get the iPlayer app. As an iPad owner in Spain I only get directed to the Spanish Apple store when downloading apps and to get the iPlayer I would need a UK Apple ID. But that is maybe a lot to ask of a friend. I don't know. I'm still thinking about it. For the meanwhile though now I have access not only to the BBC but also ITV and Channel 5, albeit sometimes interrupted. 

I've finally got access to the BBC in Spain although illicitly 

That day then I caught up with some of the Jubilee content I had missed such as the Platinum Party at Buckingham Palace on Saturday night. It was splendid but I am no great fan of rock so only really appreciated Queen but then again Queen is not the same without Freddy Mercury is it. The best part and the part we shall never forget was the clip of Paddington Bear having tea with Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace. What a splendid bit of British humour and TV at its very, very best. I also watched the documentary called "Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen"  - the story of her life in picture and in film, most of which came from her own private collection. Marvelous. 

The Queen was also largely unseen at the Jubilee celebrations owing to her age mostly but she made a surprise appearance on the balcony of the palace on Sunday afternoon after a huge pageant on the streets of London. It was to close the Jubilee and to thank everyone. She appeared with the closest royals, Prince Charles and Camilla, Prince William, Kate and their 3 children including Prince George. That represented 4 generations and 4 generations of monarch and future monarchs. There was little seen of the Sussexes that day or any day and as to Prince Andrew, he conveniently had Covid. Here is our lovely Queen dressed in emerald green who had traveled from Windsor Castle to the Palace for the surprise appearance which delighted crowds and royal fans.

The Queen in a surprise appearance at BP on Sunday night to close the celebrations of her Platinum Jubilee

Meanwhile, her cousins,  the King of Spain and Norway's Crown Prince Haakon were in Paris at Roland Garros, the site of the French Open. They were there to watch the King of tennis, Rafa Nadal of Spain and his Norwegian pupil Casper Ruud at his tennis academy in Mallorca, play the final. It was the first time in history a Norwegian tennis player took part in a Grand Slam final. For the Spaniard,  it was his 30th Grand Slam final and his 17th  Paris Open.  He first won in 2005 aged just 19 and he won yesterday aged 36. He now has 14 French Cups and 22 Grand Slam wins. That makes him the GOAT (greatest of all times) in men's singles tennis. Let's not forget that Steffi Graf also has 22 Grand Slam titles. However, no one comes close to him in Paris. No one has ever won a grand slam 14 times. 

The figures that show Nadal is the G.O.A.T in men's tennis

The twitter handle of Roland Garros very fittingly called him "Rafa Garros".

He broke so many records last Sunday and Spain could not have a greater ambassador for sport. But and it's a big but, Rafa Nadal has an incurable injury on his foot - necrosis of a bone - and he had to be injected for the tournament meaning he felt completely numb in his foot. So, how long can he carry on for? It depends on his foot of course. For me, it would be the perfect time to retire, on such a high. However, he still loves the game and wants to continue if he is physically able to. Thus, as with the Queen, I also say "long may he reign". 

Our own Sunday was also a family day when we were all reunited. I went for a walk with Pippa on my own while Eladio washed the Volvo and mowed the smaller lawns. I had my headphones on and as it was Sunday I played my British hymns list. That had me thinking of my father's memorial service just one month ago; how marvelous it was and how I am so grateful to all those who made it possible. I can't stop thinking about it. 

I came home to make our lunch as Oli and Juliet were coming - Miguel went to his mother's with Elliot. With the help of Lucy and Suzy I made a family favourite; potato salad. The kitchen was busy as we had 6 guests that day - the Chinese family and  two young American girls, Emily and Sarah. Emily is actually from Puerto Rico so that day we had 6 nationalities in the house- The United Nations hahahaha.  Eladio and I  had our mid morning coffee talking to Jayzay and Yinzi and spoke about China and how it is such an enigma to the west. This young couple with two kids (they say they are unique vs a vs the one child policy) are very very critical of the Chinese communist regime. They told us that many, many people are but just can't speak out in public. I asked them about their parents and grandparents and what life was like for them during the terrible "cultural revolution". Our conversation was fascinating. As Airbnb hosts, I have to say it's not just about the money to help run our big house, it's also about meeting interesting people from all over the world.

As there are so many eating places in the house and garden, there were plenty for everyone to choose from. We had ours on the kitchen patio which is really our domain. The girls and Juliet then retired to the shady part of the pool while Eladio and I went up to have our siesta. Before falling asleep I watched a bit of "Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen and later went down to join the girls. I had to catch Suzy on camera with Juliet who turned 9 months old last week. She really is the loveliest baby in the world who  hardly ever cries. 

Suzy and Juliet chilling out on the grass by the pool last Sunday

Oli left around 6.30 and so did Suzy but she was back for dinner.  It had been the perfect day. There was a low point though and that was to hear from Lucy, my neighbour in Santa Pola, who cleans the apartment, that this weekend's guests had been complete pigs and left the place the worst she had ever seen. I have reported the guests to Booking but unfortunately the platform does not allow hosts to evaluate guests although, most unfairly, guests can evaluate hosts. 

How this weekend's guests left the apartment in Santa Pola- disgraceful. 

I was upset but refused the incident to spoil my day which otherwise had been perfect.

We watched more of the new season of Borgen that night and then when my husband fell asleep I resumed watching the documentary about the Queen. She must have felt very happy and content that night as so she should, God bless her.

Monday came. On the personal side, it was one month since my father's Memorial Service at Bradford Cathedral. If you didn't watch it, you can see it on my YouTube channel here. I did him proud in organising the best send off possible for a wonderful father, teacher, polyglot and WW2 Royal Navy veteran officer. None of it would have been possible without the help of many who I would like to thank in public.  I hope I don't miss out on anyone. They are the Acting Dean of Bradford Cathedral, Revd. Paul Maybury, the Headmaster of Bradford Grammar School, Simon Hinchcliffe, Emma Clayton of the Telegraph and Argus, Cllr. Joanne Dodds, the Champion of the Armed Forces in Bradford, Helen Johnston, the Policy Officer, the British Royal Legion, The Royal Navy,  Chaplain of the Royal Navy, Revd. Chris Buckley, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, David Pearson and Revd Barrie Scott, my father's old pupil who took part in the service and helped me put it together. I would especially like to thank the 12 who attended but above all John Asquith for his magnificent speech and for attending all three events. Thanks too to my father's old colleagues, Tony Kingham and Ian Stoney. I am grateful to  the Leonard-Myers family  as well.  I consider them  my family in England although they are not my blood relations. Bless them, they were with us throughout.  And of course I want to thank my wonderful family for being there and supporting me and for how well my daughters Olivia and Suzy sang for their grandfather. He would be proud of them of them. I know. So thank you all again and thanks  to all of you who watched the service online. 

On Monday morning Suzy would be leaving again. She is always leaving and then coming back thankfully. She has to find her place in this world and I only wish good things for her. Here she is leaving on Monday for Santa Pola again.

Suzy leaving again on Monday

When she left we both went to our hairdresser, Conchi, for a well needed cut and root treatment in my case, hahahahaha. 

Meanwhile in England, Boris Johnson who needs no introduction, was facing the trial of his premiership. He was facing a vote of no confidence after 54 Tory MPs had submitted a letter calling for his resignation. He needed 180 of his more 359 fellow MPs to vote against him for him to resign. In the end 148 voted against and 211 for him. He came out of it the wounded victor yet vows to carry on. It is a fact that his predecessors, Margaret Thatcher and Teresa May came out better from their votes of confidence yet went on to resign. He has to go but he won't until he is dragged out of Downing Street. He is unfit for the job and that is a fact. If it hadn't just been his own party members who voted that day and it had been the public, I think he may have lost. Did you see how he was booed when he arrived at the Platinum Jubilee Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul?

Oh the Platinum Jubilee. Thanks to my father's ex pupil, Michael, now that I had the BBC, I was able to catch up on the events and spent 90 minutes watching a summary programme that afternoon from the comfort of the bench outside our kitchen. I enjoyed every blessed minute of it. The Brits do pomp so well but as the commentator said, "not pompously".

Eladio joined me for part of it and was impressed too. But he had work to do. He washed both cars and mowed the two smaller lawns. I did not do much else I am ashamed to say.

Tuesday came and the news was full of the result of the Confidence Vote. Oli, my daughter was asked at the last moment to do a piece in the studio on what the reaction of the UK papers was. She asked me for help and I, in turn, asked my father's ex pupil, Michael, who is something of an expert on UK politics. She had to choose 3 front pages and went for The Times (a wounded victor) The Mirror (Party's over Boris) and The Daily Star (Carry on Pinocchio). 

Some of Tuesday's front pages in the UK papers

Both Michael who switched his VPN to Madrid, watched her live. Even after all these years I still get a thrill from seeing her on TV. I always like to help her when she turns to me and this of course was an interesting topic for a news journalist. Here she is in action. I didn't like her dress. She didn't either but said she had no time to choose anything as she was working on the topic right up until she went on live. That's live TV for you I suppose.

Oli on TV on Tuesday morning

I am very disappointed with the British Government and even more so now when the horrible new policy of sending illegal immigrants to Rwanda is about to start with the first flight scheduled next week. I can't believe the British government is doing this. I know someone who works in the Home Office. He explained that the policy was to deter immigrants from coming to England which I heartily disagree with.   For Iranians, Afghans, Syrians, etc, being sent to Rwanda must be nearly as awful as staying in their own countries. This reminds me of Nazism when Hitler wanted to send the Jews to Madasgacar. My mother who arrived in England as an immigrant just after WW2 would have been appalled. Even then it wasn't easy for people like her. In order to get a residency permit she had to work as a cleaner for 2 years! That is awful too but better than being sent to Rwanda. 

Tuesday 7th would have been her birthday. I only wish she could have seen Oli on TV this week,  see the girls now and of course our grandchildren. She left us on 1st October 1999 and was reunited with my father on 5th May last. Oh, how I miss them. I no longer have my father to say "today would have been Mummy's birthday" so I kept it to myself but thought about her quietly. 

Here are two photos to mark the day. The black and white one is of her aged 18 in Bulgaria. That photo has wording on it in French which I can't decipher. I have an inkling it was the one she used in Germany during the war to forge papers to leave Berlin for Vienna before the Red Army came.  She did so with her brother Nicky on an old Germany typewriter at the Gestapo headquarters while the  latter were literally fleeing. She always told me the photo was one her younger brother kept with him, telling people it was his girlfriend. It's a good job he had it otherwise there would have been no escape papers for her. 

My mother aged 18

The other  one is with George and I was taken at the University of East Anglia during the famous Norwich Russian Courses in the early to mid 70's. It is one I treasure. 

My mother with George and I in the mid 70's - one I treasure

So I thought about her a lot that day and even shed a tear in bed at night. When I think I am the only one left in our family it makes me sad. 

What makes me happy is the family Eladio and I have created. As we went on errands that morning we commented on our feelings for each other. We are not often romantic but my goodness that day just as we were reaching El Corte Inglés department store to pick up Eladio's new suit, he told me I was his universe. He is mine of course but what a beautiful way to say he loved me. Later that night he told me he had been inspired by a poem by Victor Hugo ( Quand nous habitions ensemble) which he recited to me in French . His memory for poems is daunting but in French even more so don't you think? One of the things I admire most in my husband is his just how cultured he is. Not many husbands or lovers would be inspired by a poem by Victor Hugo in French if they are not French. What a good education he had. Mine pales in comparison.  PS The poem is about paternal love but there is nothing paternal about my husband's love for me. 

If French is synonymous with chic, that is just what my husband looked when he tried on the Calvin Klein suit we had bought for an upcoming wedding and for future use. He looked chic and dashing and will look a lot better in it with a proper shirt and tie - or rather a bow tie which he usually wears. I can hardly believe my husband is the age he is. 

Eladio in his new suit which we picked up on Tuesday morning

We later did some last minute food shopping and were home a bit late for lunch served by dear Lucy. Oli and the babies were supposed to be coming in the afternoon but Juliet was not well and they had to go to the health centre. She has an ear infection poor lamb. Thus we spent the afternoon alone. Our Chinese guests were by the pool too but they don't go in. I must say we actually enjoy hosting Jayzay, Yinzi and their girls Isabel and Lucia. I wonder what their Chinese names are.

My husband had been clearing out the garage and out came odd objects to be reused such as a beautiful candle lantern but also a bird house for a tree. He climbed his ladder to put it in one of the horse chestnut trees by the pool in the shady part we always like to sit in. Here he is up the tree with the bird house. It had belonged to Suzy and she was delighted her father was putting it to good use.

Eladio up the tree where he put a bird's house 

Meanwhile, I finally decided to take the plunge and take my first bathe of the year. It was 30ºc and the pool was there all for me so what better moment? 

I took my first bathe on Tuesday

The water was warm and I went in quite a few times. That night I urged my husband to go out to dinner and he agreed. So off we went to the nearest good restaurant in the area; El Tinglado. We had a great meal and I do love that place if only it wasn't for the damned music which I had to ask them to turn down.

We were home early as we are not ones to linger over dinner. We watched some more of Borgen and then I turned to the BBC to finish watching the documentary about the Queen's Coronation where she is actually interviewed. I love her but was surprised just how dry her commentary was - a bit cold too. When that was finished I turned to a documentary made by her family of her "strength and stay", Prince Philip. I found it fascinating but eventually fell asleep. Thank you again Michael for helping me set up the VPN to be able to watch British "telly".

Wednesday came, the day we were off to Montrondo and then to Asturias. We would be away for 10 days and Lucy would be holding the fort for us. My good morning photo was the one below;  my coffee in my favourite Emma Bridgewater mug by the freshly mowed lawn - bliss

Morning coffee in the garden

We set off at around 11 am, had a coffee on the away - yes another - and then stopped at Palacio de Bornos in Rueda (the white wine growing area) for lunch. We always stop there. It is one of our favourite places. That's why. 

Eladio about to dig in.

We bought some wine of course and just as we were leaving I spied a big flock of sheep passing by. The picture would have been perfect if it wasn't for the ugly rubbish containers (hate the word waste). They are omnipresent in our lives and I hate them. 

The flock of sheep in Rueda

We had a quiet drive with not much traffic and arrived in Montrondo which looked pretty quiet too at around 4.30. The temperature was about 15ºc and it was raining! What a change from Madrid.

We soon settled in. I continued watching the documentary about Prince Philip on my iPad with my newly acquired access to the BBC but the signal is pretty patchy here so it kept freezing. I had a quick skype call with my friend Amanda and then did my accounting. 

We had a light dinner and began a new series on Netflix called Miss Jerusalem, an Israeli series set in at the beginning of the last century. I slept quite well that night and was up at 6.30 on Thursday morning. 

Even though we had brought some provisions it wouldn't be enough until we leave tomorrow so off we went to Villablino, the nearest large town, to Gadis, that superb supermarket that unfortunately only has stores in the north of Spain. There we had a coffee of course and remarked that there are no nice cafeterias. There aren't. Villablino is not an attractive town. We came home to make a barbecue just for the two of us.

Here is Eladio grilling our lamb chops and chorizo. It was delicious.

Eladio in charge of the barbecue

I spent the afternoon lazily. We should have gone for a walk I suppose and then soon it was time for dinner. Thursday was all about eating I'm afraid. But I made something special that night; clams in seafood sauce (almejas a la marinera).

Almejas a la marinera 

It was nice to be on our own but thoughts of our family are never far away so we were delighted to see a photo of little Juliet Oli sent to the family whattsap group. Here she is, smiling away, and standing up in her play cot. What a little love she is.

Little Juliet getting bigger

Of course we watched the news which was depressing. The war continues in Ukraine, Algeria threatened Spain with cutting off relations which is important as this country gets all its gas from Algeria. The reason? Spain's attitude to Morocco, their hated neighbour and all because of the former Spanish territory, Western Sahara, which wants to become independent from Morocco. But there was one story which, although depressing in its own right, really caught my attention and that is because it was about animals, bears in this case.

Spain has a population of between 200 and 300 Iberian brown bears in the north of the country, mainly in Leon, Palencia and Asturias. The day we arrived here, our neighbour, Guzmán, told Eladio how he and his wife had encountered one not from far from this village. The story in the news which has now spread internationally is about how a male bear attacked a female bear to kill its baby bear. Not being the father, the intention is to kill the young and make the female fertile again so that it can mount the female. This is apparently common practice and rather savage but it happens in the animal world. The fight took place on the side of a rocky mountain and was captured on camera by two passersby and the video which you can see here went viral. The mother bear fought valiantly to protect her cub and during the fight, the male bear got knocked off a cliff and went tumbling down to its death.  

The male bear which fell off a cliff to its death

The mother bear fell too but  apparently survived as did the cub. Bear conservationists have placed a camera in the bear den and have left food for mother and baby. We now know the cub is unscathed but the mother has yet to be seen. What a story. It comes after the Paddington bear story last week during the Platinum Jubilee but is of a very different nature. 

Friday came and it was to be a scorcher in most of Spain. In some parts the temperature would rise to above 40ºc. We were told by the weather people that this could be one of the earliest heat waves in years. Thankfully it was not so hot in Montrondo but did reach 35ºc in León, the capital town of the province where we spent most of the day on Friday. Eladio and his brothers and sisters had an appointment in the city so we left at 10 ish. We thought it was only an hour to the city but it is nearly 1.5h and we were a bit late. I stayed outside with Pippa and was joined by my sister-in-law Dolores and we had a coffee together in a shady street. We then went in search of a "hole in the wall" which was an excuse for killing time before lunch with Eladio's family at 2 pm. I also searched for some comfortable walking sandals but didn't find anything suitable. 

We were back in the village by 5 or so. As Montrondo is so high up - at over 1000 metres, the temperatures here are cooler but even so it was around 28ºc or so. We lay outside on the sun loungers but in the shade of course. The garden behind our house is called "La Era" and we love it. It's so quiet and peaceful and no one can see you. Pippa loves it too.

Chilling out in Montrondo

The grass in La Era was knee deep when we arrived so my dear husband had to cut it with a scythe. Yes, he knows how to use one as when he was young he always had to help his father to cut the long grass in their various fields. It was to make hay for their herd of cows. He really is a shepherd boy. He cut it the day we arrived and then on Friday he took the bales of hay with a huge old fashioned fork and I had to capture him on camera. He is a man of many talents. Yes he is a philosopher but with his feet firmly on the ground (at times hahahahha). 

Eladio with his bale of hay

Far away in the south east of the country, Oli and her little family had arrived at a place called Oliva on the Valencian coast where they have been staying at a friend's house this weekend. We were delighted to get photos of them on the beach which I have to share with you to record their stay.

Olivia and her family on holiday this weekend in Oliva (Valencia)

I imagine it was hot in that area so no doubt they will be enjoying bathing in the sea. Soon we will too, I hope, when we go to Asturias tomorrow. 

Saturday was the feast of Corpus Christi in Montrondo which is always celebrated here, except that I had never coincided. It rained in the morning and if I wanted to go out I had to change into warmer clothes  - leggings, a fleece and even a jacket. I didn't really want to go the Mass but was keen to see the procession. Difficult to describe, so here is a video and some pictures for you to get the idea. 

Pictures of the procession to honour the Feast of Corpus Christi yesterday in Montrondo

It was mostly members of Eladio's family up front but my husband had stayed at home. He was not particularly interested. I suppose that's because he has seen it so many times in his life. Most villagers had dressed up for the occasion as is the tradition here so I felt rather under dressed but who cares? I felt comfortable didn't I?

I went home to relate the events to my husband who was interested to know who had led the procession. When he was a priest many moons ago, it would have been him saying Mass and leading it. I wonder if he thought about that while I was out watching it for the first time?

We had a simple lunch of sausages, steak and chips (naughty but nice). My siesta was very long and I was woken up by my sister-in-law and her daughter at 6 p - I suppose I needed to catch up on my sleep. I had a cup of tea with them, or rather decaf tea so as to be able to sleep that night. I then joined the family who were celebrating one of the youngest member's birthday. There are so many great nieces and nephews I wished Elliot was there to play with them. But he is away at the beach with his parents. He will be here at the end of July though and I look forward to that. Montrondo is a great place for small children; there are lots of them and it is very safe.

It began to rain at around 7pm which we found strange. That's why it's so green here  I suppose. Later last night there was a tremendous thunderstorm with lightening and thunder which terrified poor Pippa. It terrified her so much we had to take her to bed with us. Then it started pouring it down and the noise was very loud.  Eladio went out to look and oh my goodness there was a very strong hail storm. But this morning the sun is out and it looks like it will be a pleasant day. 

Next week I shall be writing from our other village, "El Cuetu" in Asturias where we are taking Eladio's brother and wife who haven't seen our "new" house yet. We are looking forward to time out there too, time out that I think we deserve after all of this year's stress. You will hear all about our tales there in next week's blog post. Meanwhile, I wish you all well and hope that you have a great day.

Cheers till next Sunday,

Masha

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee, Bradford wins UK City of Culture bid, a quiet time in Santa Pola and home again, a new suit, reunited with the grandchildren, family pool time and other stories of the week.

Sunday, 5th June, 2022

Coffee time in Santa Pola this week

Wow, we are now into June and summer is upon us. In the UK this weekend is a 4 day bank holiday for a very special occasion, the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. To think our 96 year old monarch has now been on the throne for 70 years and has become the longest reigning monarch in England. I would like to add she is still going strong but that is not quite true. The Queen now has mobility issues and has had to ration her appearance at all the events prepared for this most special occasion. I wish I could have been transported back to England to join my countrymen in the festivities and especially attend a street party. You see the Queen has been a constant in most people's lives;  at least for those of us who were born after 1952 and that is the majority. She was just 25 when her beloved father King George VI died and she became Queen, The Queen of England. There is no other. I just can't imagine another monarch at Buckingham Palace so we should appreciate every day she continues to reign. And, oh how well she has done that in my opinion and in the opinion of many.   I have only ever known one monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. My father, born in 1919, lived through 4 monarchs; George V, Edward VIII, George VI and Her Majesty the Queen. Shortly before he died, he remarked to me that she was "quite young". She was in fact 7 years younger than him, and born in 1926, like my father's dear sister, Gloria RIP. 

But before I carry on, let me rewind to last Sunday. This time last week we were still in Santa Pola. We had a pretty quiet time there really. I felt a bit lazy and last Sunday we hardly left the flat; although I did spend one quiet hour by the pool with my kindle. Coincidentally and very  appropriately I began  reading what is considered her definitive biography. Called Queen of our times,  The Life of Elizabeth II, it was written by royal expert Robert Hardman in her Jubilee year so it's very up to date. .  

Appropriate reading this week

She was beautiful as a young woman wasn't she? Being a great fan I have read quite a few biographies. Is this the definitive one? I don't think so. It seems more to set out and correct The Crown's version of our monarchy which is maybe not a bad thing but it is not the best biography of the Royal family I have read. At the same time it is the story not just of her life but that of her country. As I was born in 1957 I remember nearly all the events in the biography of course. That is quite nostalgic at times. On the other hand the author goes all out to iron out any possible criticism of HM. I think he fawns a bit too much over her. I love her, but she is not without her faults as none of us are. 

As we didn't do much on Sunday, let me move on to Monday except that there is hardly anything to tell. The only interesting thing we did was do the food shopping and get new keys for the pool. If last year we had 3 keys when we arrived there was now only one left. Where did the others go I wonder?  Monday  was to be another quiet day but it turned out trumps when I finally found the solution to how the apartment and guests would be cared for in our absence. That was our mission there and it was important as I have about 14 bookings this summer and probably more to come.  Lucy, our neighbour, will continue to clean - she is so good - and I have found another lady who will take care of the guests. At the beginning Lucy will supervise her. But fingers crossed, all will be well. This weekend was the test. It was a test that we passed. Our guests told me they loved the apartment and that Lucy and Mar had been very attentive. Phew. 

Tuesday was our last day at our apartment. It was quiet too but we did go out. I fancied the beach but Eladio didn't so I went along with his plans. We drove to the town of Santa Pola which Gran Alacant belongs to. It's about 5km away.  When we  went there apartment searching in 1999 we looked at Santa Pola first. It's a town resort which mostly caters to families. There are no high rise hotels  nor do package tours go there. Again, though, we are not town people and when we found Gran Alacant and the apartment and gardens with views of the sea we fell for it. We went to get some cash from the hole in the wall there which was actually an excuse to have a coffee in the main square where all the locals go. As in Callosa and Bolulla and most of the area, the main language is "valenciano", a bit similar to Catalán. We parked at the end of the port and walked past fishing boats - this is an important fishing port - as well as all the ferries leaving for the island of Tabarca but we were not to be one of the passengers that day. It was only 24ºc but felt like 34ºc, a bit too much for my liking. Here is Eladio (and Pippa) by the port as I had to have a photo to illustrate the moment for my blog.

Eladio in Santa Pola with little Pippa on Tuesday

I used to love the heat in Spain in the summer but I am realising slowly that perhaps I now prefer cooler temperatures. It was much cooler in Asturias but warm enough to sit outside at night so maybe my preferences are changing.

We duly had our coffee at "Duende" in the main square where there were mostly locals but some other retired couples from elsewhere, such as ourselves. We do notice how, out of season, it is mostly retired people who travel. I often wonder why the marketeers of this world don't notice that it is actually the retired people who have no mortgages who have the extra cash (disposable income I think is the term) and are not going to kick the bucket as soon as they think. But they still advertise to younger people. We didn't spend much cash for our coffee, just 2.40 euros and the young girl who served us was tickled pink by my husband using his mobile to pay. She told me she didn't know how to pay with her mobile so I gave her a lesson. I remarked to Eladio that we have keep up with technology as we get older so as not to fall behind like many old people. Perhaps, that's why marketeers don't target them. 

Enjoying my coffee with extra foam at Duende in Santa Pola on Tuesday morning

When I posted the photo on social media, my dear friend Sandra who had stayed with us recently, remarked that it was cold and raining in Brussels and she wished she was with me on the sunny terrace having a "café con leche" with extra "espuma" (foam). She noticed from her recent stay that that is how I always ask for my coffee, bless her.

Lunch was simple, grilled prawns with green beans and asparagus followed by fruit salad. We would eat a heartier meal for dinner as we went out on our last night. I was gutted to find out our favourite restaurant, María Picola, had closed permanently. Thus I had to search for a new restaurant. El Olivo, nearby, seemed to have the best reviews so that is where we went. Was it good? Well, yes and no, like the curate's egg (good in parts hahahaha). I liked the starter; grilled artichoke and the tartin for dessert but I'm afraid the entrecot, although huge, was dry and a bit tough. Will we go back? Probably not. But it was a nice end to our stay.

Wednesday came and I was up at 6.40 or so, the day of our departure. I had been following Roland Garros, or specifically the new teenage sensation, Carlos Alcaraz, and of course Rafa Nadal who has lifted that trophy a staggering 13 times. Alcaraz is 19 and Nadal is now 36 and everyone says the former is Nadal's successor. But still Nadal is the better player or he was on Tuesday. Unfortunately Alcaraz lost to Zverez, the number 3 seed from Germany. Nadal was to play Djokovic in the Quarter Finals and all that meant on Tuesday night from around 9 pm which is late and it was cold and all the odds were on the Serb. Why? Because the conditions favoured him and because of Nadal's recent injuries and recurring foot problem. The first thing I did when I woke up was to check who had won. I expected it to be Djokovic, the world number 1. But no, once again, Nadal had worked his magic on the clay in Paris and beat him. The score was 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-7 so thankfully it did not go to 5 sets. Even so, it finished at past 1 in the morning which is madness. Thus Nadal and Zverez would meet in one of the semi finals on Friday and I and all of the crowd at Roland Garros would be rooting for him. We never expected the match to go the way it did - read on to find out what happened if you don't already know. 

Another piece of news that pleased me was to hear that Bradford, the city where I lived from 1964 to 1981, had been chosen as the UK City of Culture for 2025. I am not sure it is the most cultural city in the UK but it has its saving graces. They don't, however, outweigh its image as a grim northern city with the fame of having the highest immigration percentage of the population in England. While I was there recently I was told that in the city, at least, it is 60% Pakistani. I hope any woke people reading this won't criticise me for mentioning that. I hope too that the award will help this maligned city to prosper and to put it on the map. I had no idea, by the way, that it is the 5th largest city in Britain. I don't much like the town centre, except for The Town Hall, St. George's Hall, the Cathedral, The Wool Exchange (now Waterstones). 

The iconic City Hall in Bradford built in the 19th century in Venetian style

However,  I love the area where Bradford is located; West Yorkshire, so near to the wonderful Yorkshire Dales. Bradford also boasts The World Heritage site of Saltaire. It is a model village, absolutely intact, built by Sir Titus Salt who built it, away from the filthy centre of the city,  for the workers of his famous Mill.  The village was designed to cater for all its workers and their families' needs. So there was a hospital, a school, various churches, parks and brand new houses. However there was no pub as Sr. Titus was teetotal. 

Saltaire village

He was a complete pioneer when it came to looking after employees even if some of them were children aged 9. The Mill today is an arts museum and restaurant. We used to live nearby and I never thought much of the village but realise just what a marvel of living history it is today. The mill of course was for making wool and when we went to live in Bradford in 1964 it was a thriving industry and the workers still lived there.  So I lived through it being what it always was until it was closed in  1986. The famous Yorkshire stone terrace houses; mostly "two up and two down" were probably worth very little then but now must fetch enormous sums. I wrote that and then looked up the prices and actually they are not that high.  A medium sized terraced house in Salt's village fetches a price of around 250k pounds.Who would have guessed in the 60's that Salt's Village would become a World Heritage site or be part of the bid for Bradford to be named Cultural City for 2025? Not me. I would have thought it would be thanks to Bradford's other and bigger claim to fame, the nearby village of Haworth where the famous Brontë sisters lived and wrote their classic books. Both were part of the bid and both are the top places to visit when in Bradford. The third is the National Science and Film museum which I have never visited so can't judge. I would have added the amazing curry houses, all so authentic but I suppose that is quite common place in the UK now. In any case,  well done Bradford. 

I didn't comment any of this to Suzy or Eladio who probably would not have been very interested. In any case we were busy that morning getting ready to leave which would take a while. Just before we set off we gave Lucy the keys and talked over for a final time how she and the other lady would care for the guests and the apartment. I left feeling it was in good hands. I also thanked Lucy for looking after my daughter so well since she went to live there last year. She was coming back with us to Madrid and I hope all goes well for her.

It was a long journey and Eladio and Suzy took turns to drive. We were home after 5 pm and all was quiet with no sign of our 5 guests. Lucy was there to greet us - our other Lucy - who looks after us and the house so well. We soon settled in and at about 8pm were sitting round the table on the kitchen patio having a quiet and simple dinner. I didn't sleep badly and was up at 6.40 the next day, Thursday.

Thursday marked the first day of the 4 day bank holiday to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. This official photo was released and I love it, so must share it with you. 

Taken by Kent based Ranald Mackechnie, The Times called it a "picture of content". No doubt our dear Queen is feeling content but still missing her husband, her stalwart the Duke of Edinburgh. On the eve of her Jubilee the Queen issued this lovely statement: 

Thank you to everyone who has been involved in convening communities, families, neighbours and friends to mark my Platinum Jubilee, in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth. I know that many happy memories will be created at these festive occasions.

I continue to be inspired by the goodwill shown to me, and hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved during the last seventy years, as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm.

ELIZABETH R.

Oh how I wished I was in England to be part of it all. I would miss each and every one of the events. Unfortunately the Queen would too because of "discomfort" but would be able to see everything on the TV from Windsor Castle. Not being able to get the BBC in Spain, I would miss it all and felt very much out of everything. 

The event that marked the beginning of the celebrations, the famous Trooping of the Colour in honour of the Monarch's official birthday, started at 10 am and the Queen was able to watch it from the balcony with her cousin the Duke of Kent. 

Trooping of the colour

Then there was a fly past which watched by key royals from the balcony again, so the Queen appeared for a second time. She was joined by the "key royals" which did not include Prince Andrew who, conveniently has Covid, nor the Sussexes on their first trip back to the UK as a family since "Megxit". All eyes were on Meghan but she did not steal the Queen's thunder. No one could. Someone told me that a poll showed 70% of people support the monarchy in the UK but 80% support the Queen. I am part of that 80%. 

The balcony moment - watching the fly past

The day closed with the Queen lighting a beacon from Windsor Castle which would reach Buckingham palace and then be lit all over the country. That would be her last public appearance. I noticed the Queen wore blue as did most of the women royals. Any explanation?

Our dear Queen starting off the beacon of light on Thursday evening

I didn't see much of the events but read avidly about them. Instead Eladio and I went to one of the branches of Spain's flagship store, El Corte Inglés on an important mission. It was to buy Eladio a new suit. I have to explain. He has suits, quite a few of them but they were bought over 20 years ago and are no longer in fashion. The one he wore for my father's memorial service was not suitable and even my husband who is not at all clothes conscious realised. He compared his suit to Bradford Grammar School Headmaster's at the Memorial Service for my father apparently. The main excuse to get a new suit is that we have a wedding to attend on 2nd July, so off we went to El Corte Inglés that morning. We have never spent so much on clothes and it goes against my grain but there was not much option if we are to even begin to try and compete with self respecting Spaniards at weddings. After trying a few options, we found the best was from Calvin Klein (imagine!!!). But it really was the best and my husband will look great on 2nd July.

Eladio being fitted for his new suit, the first in more than 20 years

We both laughed later when we remarked that this suit would do for both weddings and funerals and would be the last one he owns in this life, hahahahaha. Well, at least he will now look up to date and smart - well, he always looks smart hahahahha.

My dear husband insisted I get a new dress too. I have put on weight and any possible dress I have for a wedding (and I don't) no longer fits. If I am a little overweight the best shaped dresses for me are tunic shaped, just above the knees and with what they call French sleeves - to cover up my ghastly arms. I must have looked at 100 dresses and there were only 2 I liked that looked ok on me - a bit flowing I am afraid to cover all the curves. That dress will do though for all sizes so hopefully it will do for any future weddings too. 

We then went to get toys for the children who we would be reunited with that afternoon. Elliot aged 2 years and 9 months is now into puzzles so we bought him a box of four puzzles with a few shapes for children from 2 onward. For Juliet we got a Fisher Price toy which wasn't much success. 

We were home on time for a simple lunch with Suzy. Meanwhile Bernardo, a man of all trades, was painting part of the apartment in Santa Pola. Good oh. He will do the rest after the summer.

The newly painted terrace in Santa Pola

I had a short siesta and then retired to the garden to read. It's funny, we had 5 guests in the house but none were interested in using the pool. Pippa and I had it to ourselves but I didn't go in. But no worries, it will be put to full use by most of our future guests this summer and we used it a lot this weekend. 

Pippa by the empty pool on Thursday afternoon

Can you notice the abundance of geraniums around the pool?The flowers in the garden are looking marvelous. I especially love the hydrangeas. Geraniums are not my favourite but they certainly add colour to a house and garden. That's why so many houses are decorated by them in Spain, like ours in Asturias.

Some of the hydrangeas beginning to bloom now. 

Some of our geraniums and hydrangeas - all pink

At around 6 we drove to Oli's house. We were delighted to see our grandchildren again. Elliot loved the puzzle but I soon realised it was far too easy for him. He is now onto puzzles of more than 25 pieces and does them in minutes - faster than me hahahha. Here he is happy after completing a few in front of me. Even so, he liked the puzzle but I now know to buy him bigger ones.

Elliot happy after finishing his puzzles clever boy

Little Juliet is now beginning to stand up and maybe soon she will start crawling. I love to watch her development. We left for dinner at around 8 pm and had scrambled eggs on toast on the kitchen terrace. Entertainment that night was starting the new season of Borgen - that Danish sort of West Wing which I really find entertaining.

Friday dawned and I woke up at 6.20. It was to be a wonderful day but I didn't know it. It started off with a shopping expedition with Eladio and Suzy. We had to fill the cupboards and fridge for our absence from Wednesday when we will be off again - this time to Montrondo.

I watched Eladio choosing fruit and vegetables which these days are now weighed at cash out. That got me thinking of the absurd idea that Boris Johnson and his "mates" have of bringing back the Imperial system of pounds and ounces and more, most of which are very complicated. In 1999 the UK adopted the Metric system but kept some of the easiest of Imperial measurement units,  After the country has got used to the metric system for most weights and measurements, bringing back the Imperial system with all its complications seems like regressing instead of progressing. Maybe he is caught up in nostalgia for the past what with the Jubilee celebrations and of course harping back to the Empire after damned Brexit. I well remember as a child having to learn nearly all of them. It's all quite easy to understand inches, feet, yards and miles or ounces, pounds and stones, fluid ounces, pints and gallons but try furlongs, chains, links, fathom, shackle, cable, etc.  Kids today in England would look pretty blank if they had to measure in feet and inches, so used are they to the metric system. I caught my husband who has only ever known the metric system like most of the world, on camera as he did his fruit shopping. 

Eladio shopping at Mercadona on Friday

While wondering around the aisles at Mercadona I kept thinking of what was happening in the UK that day. The major event was the Thanksgiving service at St. Paul's Cathedral and then a lunch at Guildhall for the Royal family. The one person absent of course was the Queen. What little I saw of the Jubilee had me thinking is this the last time we shall see her on the Royal balcony? People all around the country were holding Jubilee street parties. I should have got my act together to at least put on a Jubilee afternoon tea at home but then my family would have thought I was a bit bananas. As the girls were not born in the UK, although they are very attached to the country, they are not particularly interested in the British royal family, like I am. Friends kept posting or sending me photos of their garden parties. Someone commented something along the lines of "you should see my neighbour's garden, they are doing great justice to the drinking ability of the late Queen Mother" - as we all know how fond she was of her drink. I am sure the Jubilee celebrations were the greatest occasion for many, many Brits to get completely "plastered". My countrymen, do generally, like their drink and are part of what is known as the "silent drinkers" except that this bank holiday they can come out in the open and drink to their heart's content. I wonder what the trade for Prosecco was this weekend, not to mention beer and gin tonic. Some would have drunk tea and some coffee - which would have been my choice. 

We  went to Alverán for our coffee - "café con leche" - where we were served by Abel. Later, our horrible ex squatter, Felipe Turover, turned up. We were disgusted to see him there but I am  damned if I will stop going to my favourite cafe because of him. We totally ignored him of course. Suzy remarked that he can't be penniless as he claims, if he goes there every day for breakfast. That's food for thought. 

Yes food. After a flying stop at Carrefour for a few more items, we came home with the food to be unpacked and between Lucy, Suzy and myself we did the job. It was not to be a quiet afternoon as Oli and family were coming to spend the afternoon and evening with us. As our Chinese guests were out and don't use the pool we would have it to ourselves. It was to be Elliot's first bathe of the season and Juliet's first bathe ever. Oli and family arrived early just as I was finishing my siesta. She was preparing Elliot with a cap, sun cream, a full bodied top, etc and I remarked that they as children would have gone in naked or just in their swimsuits. My savvy daughter said she had to protect her children's skin. She is right. Here is little Elliot ready for his first bathe.

Elliot all kitted out for his first bathe of the season

As to Juliet, she took to her bathe like a duck to water. Here she is in her sophisticated rubber ring with Elliot smiling next to her.

Elliot and Juliet in the water on Friday

Miguel who is a very strong swimmer, was able at times to swim while holding both children. Soon, I am sure he will teach Elliot to swim. Suzy and Oli also went in and were a joy to see. I should have joined in actually but felt lazy and just happy to see my family enjoying themselves with everyone in peace and harmony. Here are some more pics of the day. I especially love the one of my two girls together. 

Some pics of the day

When Juliet got tired of the water - she cried because she had been stung a bit by some insect, I laid out a blanket for her in the shade and gave her a toy to play with. I was hoping it would stimulate her to start crawling. She was to turn 9 months old yesterday but still hasn't got the hang of it while Elliot was crawling by about 8 months old. She is a quiet, placid and content little baby so will undoubtedly take her time. What a joy she is.

Time of the blanket in the shade for little Juliet

While we were having quality family time by the pool, in Paris, Nadal and Zverez were playing the Semi Finals at Roland Garros. We kept checking the score and then saw 7-6 (to Nadal) and 6-6 and the word "walkaway". It took a while to understand what it meant. The term refers to a player withdrawing during a match and conceding the win to his opponent. 25 year old Sasha Zverez, born in Germany to Russian parents, had twisted his ankle badly during the tie break in the second set. He had to leave in a wheel chair and went into the locker room to cry. Poor guy.  His chances, and he had them, were dashed by this awful injury which had him crying out in pain. He  came back later on crutches to shake the hand of the umpire. This means Nadal who celebrated his 36th birthday in Friday, is through to the final and what could be his 14th trophy if he beats 23 year old Denmark's Ruud today. But  it is not the way he would have liked to have reached it. Nadal had nothing but kind words of sympathy for his rival who he said would go on to win many grand slams. Paris had been his chance to win his first but it was not to be. 

My girls were not aware of the Jubilee celebrations in the UK - well Oli was a bit as she is as journalist and her programme sent a colleague to London. But we did have a sort of afternoon tea but not with cakes, etc. Oli had brought popcorn and Suzy served us fruit juice, kiwis and walnuts which was the nearest I got to a street party. But we did have a splendid dinner. Lucy stayed this weekend and made us Spanish omelet which we had with salad and croquettes. I have to say a good day was had by all. That's all I want in life, peace and a happy family and I got it that day.

Saturday dawned and we had no plans. But I had a task and that was to get a new cable for my iPad pro which was broken. I had ordered one on Amazon but it would take too long to come. Thus we went to the Apple Store at Gran Plaza 2. It was another excuse to have coffee out together, always the highlight of our mornings. We were well attended at the impressive Apple Store and I walked out with my new cable thoroughly satisfied by the service. I took a look at the new iPad pros - they measure 12.9 inches. I could see the new ones were smaller than mine but the screen is the same size. Mine was one of the best presents I ever got while I worked for Yoigo and it is still going strong.  I use it daily to read the news in the morning as well as to watch series in bed sometimes. 

My other task was to get Suzy's room - the one which that horrible squatter, Felipe Turover, occupied illegally for months, ready for new guests. Two American girls, Emily and her friend, were coming yesterday night and will be spending 4 days here. It had to be perfect and it was. I took some photos to show you and to show Emily who was traveling with her friend from London.

The room ready for our new guests with a goody corner including wine, almonds and fruit. 

As they were arriving late that night we would have the pool to ourselves again.

I made "cocido" stew for lunch which is a bit heavy but my husband loves it. I didn't sleep much afterwards and was soon up by the pool with my chocolate biscuit (naughty) and my decaf tea. I was waiting for Oli and family to come but they didn't arrive until 6 pm. Once again Elliot and his father went in the pool as did Oli but not Juliet as yesterday was a much cooler day.

Elliot and Miguel yesterday by the pool about to go in. 

Meanwhile in the UK celebrations continued for the Platinum Jubilee. The main events of the day were the Epsom Derby race which no doubt the Queen would have loved to attend, and the open air concert at Buckingham Palace which she watched from the comfort of Windsor Castle wearing her "comfy clothes" apparently. But she did appear you see. In a recorded clip, she appears with Paddington Bear in a sketch where they have tea together at Buckingham Palace.  It is absolutely marvelous. Have you seen it? If not, here it is. It's from the Daily Mail - not my favourite rag but the only place I could find the full length video. It's imbedded in the article but easy to find. In it we learn that the Queen, like Paddington, always carries a marmalade sandwich in her famously mysterious handbag. Until then, none of us knew what was in it hahahaha.

The Queen having tea with Paddington Bear - a sketch recorded for the outdoor party yesterday at B. Palace. 

While all this was going on we had a quiet family dinner outside. I had to invent our dinner and made a chicken salad. I should have made Coronation Chicken but actually I have never made it and wasn't sure my family would like it. After Oli and her little family left we went to bed. I watched some of Borgen until Emily and her friend arrived at 10.45. After settling them in, I was wide awake and continued watching the Danish series until far too late.

Today I was awake at 6 am. The house was quiet but I was soon joined by Suzy for some lovely early morning mother and daughter time. Oli and Juliet will be here for lunch today and I look forward to more quality family time.

So that's it from me this week friends. Hope you have enjoyed the read. Cheers till next week where I will be writing from our village, Montrondo.

All the best, Masha