The end of the “Cousinade” in France, goodbye my "Kiwi family", back to Spain, The World Cup is not coming home, Trump visits the UK and other stories.

With my "Kiwi family" on the last day in La Teillée

Sunday 15^th July 2018 

Gosh (what an old fashioned word!), this time last Sunday I was still in France for our annual cousin gathering, the "Cousinade". How time flies. 

I was up again early that day and after publishing my blog and a leisurely breakfast with some of my cousins - others, the younger ones, slept on . I went for a walk with Tony and his little daughter Ruby, my "room mate".  Katty couldn't join us as she had to drive her son Luc's friend, Luke (the other Luke as we called him) to the station in Poitiers.

Tony, my cousin Katty's husband, the "New Zealander" among us and their little daughter, Ruby on our walk last Sunday

It was another warm day. I complained about the heat in France but my goodness it is far hotter here. 

We came home to spend a leisurely morning playing all sorts of outdoor games. The first was a water fight where we all got completely drenched. I had to change all my clothes afterwards hahaha.  Only Katty and I out of the "oldies" joined the younger cousins in the game which we all enjoyed. It didn't matter about getting wet as it was just so hot. 

The water fight at the Cousinade last Sunday

People began to leave as many had to go back to where they lived to be able to get to work on Monday morning. So we were just a few less around the lunch table where we ate plenty of leftovers.

In the afternoon, after much clamouring from the kids, we all played croquet; such an English garden game and one I am not good at. This time the champion was my cousin Zuka whose team won hands down thanks to her skills. I had no idea she was a good croquet player. Later she told us she used to play as a girl in Biarritz and had won a championship organised by "Knigina" (Princess), a relative of the Tsar who had fled to France during the Russian Revolution and who my family was very close to. She was a Romanov.

Zuka our croquet champion with her safari hat on. 

After croquet where my team came last hahaha, we moved on the Molkky, a sort of Finnish skittles which we play every year at the Cousinade. Here we are playing. Luc, Katty's eldest son, beat us all hands down by the way.

Playing molkky

When the game ended, more cousins began to leave and we all got a bit sad. When Elizabeth started crying that made both Katty and I cry too. I do hate goodbyes. We had such a good time I hate to think I won't see all my cousins again for a whole year. We do live so far from each other. Those who live in France and, who are the majority, see each other more often but those of us who live in England, Spain and New Zealand not so. 

Our group was diminished by half late that afternoon but the cousinade was still in full swing. What I love most about it is the difference in age. The youngest member is just 9 and the oldest 93 which makes for a lot of fun. We did all sorts of things together, including hairdressing, would you believe it. Helene needed her hair cut and Katty being an amazing all rounder -  she can put her hand to anything - obliged. Here she is cutting her Helene's hair with Ruby and I looking on. I am wearing my favourite summer outfit, my blue jumpsuit which I bought last year at the market in Majadahonda.  I say that because Ruby was wearing a blue jump suit too and she remarked that we were dressed the same, bless her. 

A bit of hairdressing during the "cousinade"

Soon it was "beer o'clock" as dubbed by Zuka's son Sasha which made me laugh. Those of us who were left, sat around together on the big veranda talking, drinking and in the case of Sam (Katty's son) and Helen (Marie Helene's daughter), playing the guitar and singing. It was beautiful to watch them.

Helene and Sam playing the guitar on Sunday evening.

Little Ruby sang a Maori song for us which impressed me. She's such a clever little girl for her age - 9 and an accomplished gymnast too. 

We chatted and listened until really late, late even for dinner in France. Katty had made a delicious dish called "pull pork" or at least I think that's what it's called. None of us were hungry but we ate it with gusto. The kids and I especially enjoyed the ice cream afterwards. That night we went to bed relatively early at just past midnight.

Monday came and it was my last day in La Teilée. After breakfast I went on a 2 hour walk with Katty, Tony and Helene. We left a little late at 9.15 and it was already hot. I love the countryside near La Teilée especially the sunflower fields at this time of year. They remind me of images of the Tour de France which of course is on right now. We had to have photos taken and this is one of me which reminds me of a similar one the girls took of me in a rape seed field in the Cotswolds and a video also where I keep saying "it's all yellow". This was all yellow too hahaha.

Me in a field full of sunflowers on our walk on Sunday

We even came across miniature plums which we picked and took home for Zuka to make jam. 

Picking plums on our walk last Sunday

Helene and her Mother Marie Helene were leaving after lunch and then I was the only cousin left with my "Kiwi family", Zuka my cousin (the daughter of my Mother's brother Nicky) and her Mother, my Aunty Valya (Nicky's wife). The kids wanted to go swimming so I joined them all when they went to the swimming pool in Vivonne, about 10km from La Teillée. I think I disappointed Ruby by not going in. I would have but I think I am spoiled by having my own private pool and don't like going into a public pool full of people. Or maybe that's my age. I did join them though when we all had an ice cream each. An ice cream at  a swimming pool is the height of joy in my books. 

The pool closed early for me at least, at 7 pm - they close at 9 pm in Spain - so we only had a couple of hours there but it was quality time with my Kiwi family. Before leaving Vivonne we stopped at a local supermarket to get more ice cream. The kids had earned a tub each for singing or dancing (hahaha) and in the end we got lots of tubs. I marvel at the range of ice cream flavours in France as opposed to Spain where there is little choice. I was dying to try the raspberry, mango and passion fruit ice cream although my favourite is pistachio and coconut which I had bought at the beginning of my stay. Not for me the traditional flavours of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry thank you very much. 

We were home on time for "beer o'clock" and Zuka, her Mother and I had an intense and wonderful long chat about my Mother and my Aunty Masha. My Mother was Zuka's favourite Aunt and she lived near my parents in England for many years. There were so many funny tales to tell, especially about my very eccentric Aunty Masha. 

That evening,   my last in La Teillée, I remembered before it got too dark to have a photograph taken with little Ruby on the natural "love seat" on one of the big trees in the garden. We have one together taken the first time the cousinade took place, three years ago,  and I wanted another one this year. 

With little Ruby on the "love seat" of this beautiful tree

Ruby  and I are as thick as thieves. I love her so much as I do her Mother Katty and her father Tony and two older brothers, Luc aged 17 and dear Sam aged 14. They are such a special family. I call them my "Kiwi family" because they live in New Zealand. I do wish they lived nearer. We took lots of photographs on the love seat that night and I have chosen the one of Katty and me with her 3 kids to illustrate this week's blog. I really feel a part of that adorable family and was glad that we had spent the last day of my stay together. 

Dinner was long and drawn out, the highlight being the different flavoured ice creams we had bought at Vivonne. We all indulged, it was so funny. That night I went to bed exhausted, very full but very happy. 

Even happier would have been the parents of the boys in Thailand who were trapped in a cave for more than 9 days. On Sunday last the first part of the rescue took place when 4 of them were rescued. The rest had to wait until the next day. The news of their rescue which has been called the rescue of the century was world wide news and the teams of divers who took part in the operation have been heroes. What a story. 

The big story that day in the UK was the resignation of Boris Johnson who needs no introduction here. He is our orange haired national laughing stock who only has his own interests at heart, pursuing his own agenda only. He resigned after the Brexit secretary Davies resigned, all because they are not in agreement with the latest white paper on the terms of an agreement to leave EU which is proving mission impossible. Didn't they all know that when the referendum took place I ask myself? What a shambles. 

All good things come to an end and this year's cousinade ended for me on Tuesday morning, the day I was leaving. It had been an intense and marvelous 5 days with my cousins in France. I only wish my girls and Eladio could have been there with me. Of course I was up early but actually didn't have to leave until 9.30 if I was to catch the 10.28 TGV to Paris Charles de Gaulle.  Zuka and Katty were to drive me to Poitiers but before we left my Aunty Valya rightly said she wanted a photo with me. So we took one of the two of us but with Zuka and Katty too, 3 generations in one photo. If Ruby hadn't been asleep we would have had a photo of 4 generations. She barely opened her eyes when I kissed her goodbye. 

3 generations; Aunty Valya, her daughter Zuka and Zuka's daughter Katty and me

It was bitter sweet saying goodbye to Aunty Valya. She said not to put a date on when I will next see her but I hope with all my heart to see her again next year. 

It was sad to say goodbye to Zuka and Katty too when the time came to walk to my platform with my huge suitcase and PC.  A lovely young black girl helped me carry it up the steps. The train was on time which was good. What seemed a little strange was that I was unable to check into my Air France flight leaving at 16.40 but I wasn't too worried as I had plenty of time to check in as I would arrive well on time at CDG airport. I would soon find out why. At check in after an enormous queue I was dumbstruck to hear that my return ticket was not valid unless I paid a penalty fine of 250 euros a penalty for not having used the outgoing ticket would you believe? I had bought a return ticket via Expedia with Air France but didn't use the outgoing ticket as the arrival time was too late to catch the TGV to Poitiers. Instead I bought a single ticket with Vueling to fly out never thinking there would be a fine to use my original return ticket.  I cried with frustration as this has never happened to me before and I find it totally unfair and unacceptable. I tried to get a cheap single ticket with another airline but I'm afraid last minute single tickets cost a lot - in this case 600 euros! Well I needed to get home and didn't want to be stuck in Paris so I had to pay the 250 euros and then I had to run as time was running out. By my goodness the queues; first the baggage queue which these days is a do it yourself baggage drop and then security. Thus I just caught the plane by the skin of my teeth, feeling hot and bothered and with nothing to eat except a few nuts I had left from my journey out. I just managed to grab 2 copies of the day's Le Figaro, one for Olivia and one for my Father. They both like newspapers from abroad. My Father knows 6 languages, one of which is French but it was never his favourite language. Later in the week he asked why the newspaper was called Le Figaro. I had to consult google and it seems it comes from the opera, the Barber of Seville. Interesting. The headlines were about Brexit hahahah. 

The plane arrived a little late in Madrid to 35c which felt like an outdoor sauna when I stepped out of the airport. For the records the plane landed at 17.15 but I wasn't out of the airport until 18h. My conclusion that day is that flying is no longer pleasant anymore. It's one big battle in fact. Thankfully I didn't have to wait too long in the hot sun. Eladio was soon there with his air conditioned Volvo and we were shortly on the motorway going home. After such a horrible trip, all I wanted was to be home.

While I had been away, Eladio had been taking care of our Airbnb guests, those leaving and those arriving. I came home to meet our Scottish guests or rather our guests who live in Edinburgh in Scotland, Norman and his wife Alison who is from Belfast and their delightful daughters in their late teens. She is a teacher of biology and he is a lawyer. Norman speaks some Spanish - he told me he learned it at school - and enjoyed practicing it with Eladio. He could have not found a better person to speak Spanish to. It was also interesting to talk to them about Brexit, Scottish independence, the Irish question and of course Catalan separatism. We were never short of conversation with Alison and Norman. They were great guests; in my top 10 ever since we began doing Airbnb. 

We watched the France Belgium match with them as we would do the England match the next day, such was the connection between us. We all wanted Belgium to win but it was not to be. The day ended with a quick dinner on the terrace with the dogs. Our Scottish family, having adopted Spanish eating habits, went out to dinner after the match. We found that funny. We went straight to bed to our air conditioned room, after all it was plus 30ºc outside and I had good night's sleep. The best thing about coming home is sleeping in your own bed. Don't you think so?

It was also lovely to wake up in my own bed on Wednesday morning although I missed my room mate Ruby. I got up late for me at 7.15 and as soon as I had finished breakfast Eladio was urging me to go on our morning walk to avoid the heat. Thus I didn't get enough time to read the "papers" on my iPad something I love to do leisurely. 

Our guests were still asleep when we came back. Later they went to El Escorial and El Valle de los Caidos - their visit was mostly cultural. This of course led to a long conversation about Franco when they came back after the proposal from the new Socialist government here to remove his remains from The Valley of the Fallen. 

Meanwhile at home there were a hundred little things to do. Our main task that morning was to bathe all three dogs who were much in need of a thorough soap down. I hate smelly dogs and I like ours to be clean and nice smelling. 

Another guest arrived that day, Maria, from Malaga, a student of physiotherapy at the local University. She had come to do last minute cramming for exams in two subjects she was resitting this Friday. Thus we hardly saw her. 

It wasn't only the World Cup that was on this week. There was also the Tour de France and of course Wimbledon. Our Scottish family wanted to watch the Nadal Del Potro quarter final match but unfortunately you can only see Wimbledon on Pay per view TV in Spain and we are not subscribers. I well remember as a teenager in Bradford in Yorkshire watching as many matches as I could with my family. Those were the days of Chris Evert, Billy Jean King, Martina Navratilova,  Virginia Wade, Jimmy Connors, Nastase, McEnroe, Bjorn Borg and co. I do miss Wimbledon in England. In Spain I support Nadal - who else? but have to follow the matches on Twitter which is not the same thing. In any case I don't think I could watch his epic matches as I get far too nervous. I far prefer to see the play after I know he has won. He won that day and would meet Djokovic in the semi final. Anderson, the big Australian stunned everyone by beating Federer, Nadal's traditional rival. 

It was just as tense watching England play Croatia in the semi final that night. They scored an early goal which had us all thinking "it was coming home" - the chant about winning the World Cup - but it was not to be. Towards the end of the match the Croatians equalised and thus it went to extra time. We were all expecting the match to end with a penalty shoot out but that didn't happen either. Instead the Croatians scored a goal and won 2-1 which was the end of the English dream. So it's not coming home now unfortunately. I now have no one to rout for. I don't really care whether France or Croatia win today but if I'm on anyone's side it's on Croatia's if only for another country to win the World Cup.  Eladio enjoys the World Cup more than me because he is never on any country's side, except for Spain. He just enjoys the football so there is no tension for him. There are only 8 countries in the world who have won it, including France, so I think it's Croatia's turn. It' quite amazing how a little country with a population of only 4 million people has got to the final when the great teams such as Brazil, Germany or  Spain lost on the way.  All I can say is well done. 

Oli and Miguel joined us at half time and we had dinner together, continuing to watch the match on my iPad on the kitchen patio. It's amazing how you can watch TV anywhere you want these days. I love technology. 

Thursday came and it was only when we were on our walk that I remembered I had an appointment with the eye specialist later that morning. It was an appointment in preparation for the laser treatment to be performed on my left eye which still has astigmatism after the cataract surgery. So we had to rush home. I also had to say goodbye to Norman, Alison and the girls and wish them a pleasant journey home. They are such nice people I do hope we see them again.  

Off I went for my appointment which involved all sorts of tests, many of which had been done before and I didn't leave the hospital until past 1 o'clock. I had to rush home to make lunch but stop on the way at Carrefour Market to buy provisions as our cupboards were bare. I got some fresh fish which we would have with the potato salad I made for when Oli and Miguel came, with gazpacho. I also bought strawberries and mangoes as well as 2 kilos of big thick black cherries at nearly 9 euros a kilo but I didn't care as I love them and this year seem to have missed the cherry season. 

Lucy was busy after the Scottish guests left, getting the rooms ready for our next guests. A family from Surrey was coming to spend 3 nights with two little girls. I knew I would have to hide Pippa throughout their stay as she barks at children and I didn't want to get a bad review. Oh Pippa!

Jane and Scott arrived in the middle of the hot afternoon with their delightful little girls, Celine aged 6 and little Poppy aged 5. They were gorgeous girls, such fun and very extrovert. I liked the parents too. They soon settled in and in no time the girls were splashing in the pool. I felt sorry for Maria who was studying at the table on the pool patio but she didn't seem to mind or at least I hope she didn't.

My English family went out to dinner to Ginos, which I recommend guests with kids to go to as they offer great pasta and pizza dishes. Meanwhile, for our dinner, I made prawn cocktail with mango and avocado, the ingredients of which I had bought at Carrefour that morning. It was delicious as you can judge by the photo below.

My prawn cocktail with mango and avocado for dinner on Thursday night

We took Pippa to bed with us that night to keep her out of the way of the girls who hardly got to meet her hahaha. Pippa was not complaining as she loves to sleep in our bed. As I was brushing my teeth she was lying comfortably by MY pillow!!

Pippa happy to sleep with us as always and always in prime position.

On Friday morning there was a bomb shell newswise. Donald Trump was visiting the UK in his first official visit there and the day before he had given an exclusive interview to The Sun of all papers. Doesn't he know it's the one of the most unworthy tabloids in the UK? Maybe his press people only judged it on its high readership numbers.  Friday was the 13th so very unlucky for Teresa May that day as he blasted her upcoming Brexit agreement with the EU. If she was hoping for a good trade agreement with the US, the news in The Sun will have chilled her. How damned undiplomatic is that red haired laughing stock of the USA. This is the front page of The Sun on Friday morning. What a bombshell and so wrongly timed.

The front page of The Sun on Friday

In the interview Trump says Teresa May had wrecked Brexit and that he had told her how to negotiate (please) but that she hadn't listened to him. He then said that an agreement with the US would not be possible anymore. Thankfully, later he went back on his words and even said the Sun interview was "fake news" (please) when it was a taped interview. He also said that his orange haired friend (my words) Boris Johnson would make a great Prime Minister. There were huge protests all over England against his visit and even a gigantic comic balloon of his baby face, a blimp, flown over London. What a man. 

It was not a lucky day for our English guests either. They had to curtail their visit as Scott's father had fallen ill and they wanted to be with him. I felt for them and was very sorry to see them go. They left me a lovely note in the visitors' book. 

It was a difficult day at Wimbledon too on Friday 13th. The semi final between Anderson and Isnier was so tight it lasted over 6 hours and turned out to be the longest match in Wimbledon history. Anderson won but only just. The final set alone took 2.5 hours. Surely there must be a better way to settle a tie break in a Grand Slam? It's not fair to players to play for 5 or 6 hours and 24 hours later play another marathon match. They had started at 1 pm and the Nadal Djokovic match was to start at 5. In the end that didn't commence until 8pm which must have been nerve racking.  They also played under cover which Nadal later complained about saying that Wimbledon is played in the open air. I agree with him. The two top players had to stop playing at 11 pm which would mean of course that they had to resume play on Saturday.  I think the Nadal Djokovic match should have been played on another court on Friday or on Saturday and the Mens' final on Monday. I think there will be a lot of food for thought for the organisers vs a vs the future of these marathon matches and the time the players have to recover. All this had me biting my nails on twitter. 

While the tennis marathon was being played on Centre Court, I spent time by the pool. My Malaga student Maria had finished her exams and had passed one with a 9 out of 10. We spent time chatting. I always like to get to know my guests. That's the plus side of the "business" hahaha. 

Being Friday night, Eladio and I resumed our Friday night dinners out and guess where we went? To nearby Ginos. I fancied comfort food; i.e. pasta. It was a nice way to end the week. 

Yesterday was the 14th July and I would have loved to be in France for the "Fête Nationale Française". Maybe I should suggest that next year's "cousinade" coincides. Just a thought. 

I had breakfast over the news of Trump's visit to the UK. Thankfully, as I wrote earlier, he went back on his words about the trade agreement. Now he was praising Teresa May and saying that the "special relationship" was "at its highest". That guy is bipolar for sure. He never got to see any of the protests as the centre of London was not on the agenda. He did, however, get to see the Queen and have tea with her which is what he most wanted to do. He told everyone that his Mother who was Scottish, loved the Queen. His Mother could have told him something about protocol too which he either never listened to or chose to ignore.  We didn't get to see photos of him having tea with the Queen but we did see images of him with her inspecting the Royal Guard. I am not a royalist but I do love our Queen and I did not like seeing him walk in front of her, covering her up completely. Ok he didn't bow and Melania didn't curtsy which is no longer a must but please don't walk in front of her you male chauvinist *** and ignorant man.   The newspapers and social media made much of his faux pas when meeting the Queen but I'm sure he doesn't care at all. These are just some of them according to US Today.  Apparently also he arrived late making the Queen look at her watch as she waited.

Trump walking in front of the Queen

I wonder if the Queen chuckled when "She" read the headlines too. I'm sure she did. I also wonder what she thought of the man the world so despises but has the most powerful job in the world. We shall never know but I doubt he's her type unless he has an interest in horses which he doesn't. His thing is golf and he has now left England for Scotland to play golf at his own golf course there. Good riddance is all I can say. 

All my sports hopes were dashed this week. England lost to Croatia and even lost now to Belgium in the third place play off . Nadal also lost to Djokovic which depresses me more. I was hoping for a third win for him at Wimbledon. But no, it will be either Djokovic or Anderson. We will only know later this afternoon. Good luck to both of them. 

Maria left yesterday morning and another guest arrived last night, Jorge from Portugal. All my next 10 reservations are from abroad. I get far more international guests than Spanish guests. My next guests will be a family from Holland. 

Saturday was a quiet day in general with no guests in the house for most of the day. After our walk I pruned the roses, filled the house with flowers and cooked. I also had a long siesta in our air conditioned room and read my book about the Romanovs by the pool. 

And today is Sunday and I have lots to do. First we shall on our walk so that's why I am writing early today to get this post published as soon as possible and also print a copy for my Father the most avid fan of my blog.

That's it then folks for this week. Wishing you all well, cheers till next Sunday.

Masha

The World Cup heats up, an insight into Saudi Arabia from my Airbnb guests, off to France, our annual cousin reunion and other stories.

Sunday 8^th July 2018

The group photo of this year's "cousinade".

Good morning all.

I am writing today from La Teilée, a small village in France, not far from Poitiers, where my cousin Zuka and her Mother my Aunt Valya live. Zuka is the daughter of my Mother's youngest brother Nicky and one of my very few cousins. I only have 3 on my Mother's side and none on my Father's side. However, I have many second and third cousins on my Mother's side and my visit to France this week was to attend this year's "cousinade" (cousin reunion), the third in a row. Nearly all of them live in France and are of Russian descent. It was great to see them again and there are even some more members this year. We were to be 22 all in all, quite a challenge for Zuka to accommodate and feed  everyone I am sure.

But let me start at the beginning, from last Sunday, 1st July. That day our Airbnb group of youngsters from Madrid were leaving. They were lovely guests if a bit untidy and noisy but generally very well brought up. They didn't get up until way past our return from our morning walk. I helped them prepare a picnic as, after leaving, they were going to spend the day at the San Juan reservoir, a popular summer destination for "madrileños". But before they left I took a photo of them to remember their stay. Very sweetly, they left a glowing and beautifully handwritten review in my guest book, bless them.

Last weekend's guests

They left me in the throes of cooking. Oli and Miguel were coming for lunch that day and I had lots to do. I made bread for the first time in weeks or months which left the kitchen smelling delicious.

The multicereal bread I made last Sunday

I also made chicken casserole and in case there wasn't enough to eat I decided to make risotto from the last of the rice I had bought in Italy. Meanwhile, Lucy was busy cleaning the rooms and changing the sheets to get them ready for our next guests, the 6 member Saudi family arriving that night. 

On the other side of the world, Suzy was making her way to the "Gily Islands" which one day I should love to visit. 

After lunch we watched Spain play Russia the host country. My Father joined us and for the occasion I got out the Spanish flag. Even Pippa joined us.

My family watching the Spain Russia match on Sunday

Spain started off as the favourite; Russia has never got through a group stage but there again they are the hosts and that always improves a country's chances. Spain started well with an early goal which was later equalised by Russia. Spain played their usual way, passing the ball and possessing it most of the time but their tactics are now too well known and the weaker teams like Iran, Morocco and Russia faced their competitor by simply defending the whole time making it practically impossible for Spain to score. It was a terrible match to watch. Then came the prologue which ended with a draw and so to the penalty shoot out which I think is the most unfair way to settle the score of a match. I couldn't and didn't watch it and very soon after heard Spain had missed two penalties and that the Russian goalie had saved one. Really Degea, Spain's goalkeeper, who has not been on form this World Cup should have been replaced by a substitute goalkeeper and perhaps now we would be playing the Quarter Final. But that was not to be. So, like Germany, Spain was out and it was another national tragedy. However, luckily for me, I had 2 teams to support, and I my hopes turned to England. 

While the awful penalty shootout was taking place I turned to my book, "The Great Alone", set in Alaska. By Kristin Hanna, the author of "The Nightingale", it is my third book by her and she is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. 

Oli and Miguel didn't see the penalty shootout either as they had to leave if Miguel was to catch his train back to Valencia for the week. I said goodbye to both of them and I won't see Oli until I am back from France. 

I made a delicious potato salad out of leftovers in the fridge for dinner which we ate watching the news on my iPad. We stayed up later than usual waiting for our Saudi guests who didn't arrive until way past 10 pm when my latest check in time is 9 pm. They are a family of 6, the father, Saleh, his wife Padria, eldest son, Mohammed (19), his 17 year old sister and 10 year old brother whose names I haven't learned yet and the youngest child, 8 year old Mishal an adorable little boy. We liked them immediately and after welcoming them and showing them their rooms we went to bed. Eladio later went down to inspect the lights, etc, only to find they had invaded all the lounges, had all the lights on and were trying to watch the Denmark Croatia match which had actually finished with a win to the Croatians. Their things were already all over the house and suitcases open everywhere. Only Mohammed speaks good English (he is at University in Canada!) and I tried to explain that they should unpack in their rooms. To no avail I am afraid. We gave up in the end, left them to it and went to bed feeling more than invaded. They would continue to invade during their whole stay. It's funny but they spent a lot of time indoors, lounging on all our sofas, something no other guest has ever done. They tell me they thought it was a bit cold here (around 30ºc) as they are used to 50º in Saudi Arabia at this time of year!!! One evening the little boys wanted to bathe when it was around 27ºc in the evening and the mother wouldn't let them saying it was too cold. Imagine!

I woke up early the next morning only to find their stuff all over the place. That makes me mad as we are zealously tidy in this house I'm afraid and hate to see belongings strewed everywhere. They left their used breakfast things on a tray on one of the tables in one of the lounges and later that evening I presented it to them asking them politely to clear up after themselves. I'm not sure they understood as they left the tray with crumbs in the kitchen aarrgghh. 

We came back from our walk happy to see their car wasn't their. Obviously they were out for the day. But no, they had only gone out shopping for junk food - you should see the stuff they eat: popcorn, coca cola, chocolate, ice cream, crisps and not much else - and would not be going out again that day. 

I escaped to the hairdresser to get my roots dyed as my hair was beginning to look white hahaha. On my way back to the car I spotted a sale at a small local boutique where I sometimes shop. Their I spied some lovely t-shirts as well as a pair of  "Bereber" style flowing white cotton trousers. I tried them on and fell in love with them. They are so comfortable and actually quite stylish. Here I am wearing them.

With my new summer "Bereber" trousers, love them.

After lunch, with the Saudis all over the house and garden, I looked for a quiet spot to read in the garden, far from the pool. Both house and pool were totally invaded by them; some of the kids were lying on the sofas and the others were playing with the dogs in the garden and kept appearing. There was no peace that day, so I was happy to leave for an appointment just before 6 pm to escape the chaos. 

I wore the new trousers for the appointment I had that evening. At 6 pm I was meeting an old boss from the radio side of Motorola Spain, Luis P.B. at his golf club which happens to be near where we live, the "Las Lomas Bosque Club de Golf". It's funny but in the 12 years we have lived here I have never been although I once saw it from the outside when we were house hunting.

I had no idea just how beautiful it was and started snapping on my camera as soon as I arrived. I particularly like the lake or lakes there. 

The golf club where I met my ex Motorola boss

I sat at a table on the terrace of the cafeteria with this view in front of me and had to take a selfie. This is it.

At the golf club on Monday

Luis soon arrived and we took off from where we left, many years ago. When I worked for the mobile phone division, he was head of the Radio division and we have many ex colleagues in common. I got to know all the people from the various divisions when I was in charge of the cycling team and champions league sponsorships - those were the days. Today Luis heads up a company called Radiotrans, the biggest Spanish walkie talkie company. He needed a contact at an operator which I was happy to help him with. We caught up quickly on our lives; he is soon to be a grandfather (lucky him) and of course turned to how some of our ex colleagues are doing. Many familiar names were mentioned; Jesus S, Paul, Manuel, Luis, Ignacio C, Jaime M, Eusebio B, and it was good to talk about old times. To think I was just 33 when I joined. I told him I remembered using the walkie talkies he gave me for family use, such as when we went shopping with the girls to "Pryca" (how Carrefour used to be called here) and all in all spent a great time reminiscing. 

I was home before dinner and joined Eladio on the pool terrace with my kindle. Shortly the Saudi family joined us one by one and soon we were having a discussion about Saudi Arabia. It was a very interesting one. Only Mohammed speaks good English so he spent his time translating as well as answering many of my questions.  He is a very quick minded boy and very mature for his age. He told us Saudi Arabia was a dictatorship and that the country was built for just one man; the king. I asked them about the reforms of the new Crown Prince, Mohammed Bin Salem. They told me his reforms were just a move to appease the people but dictatorship was not changing. I also asked about the previous Crown Prince who had been ousted and Mohammed told me he had just "vanished". So my Saudi family seemed quite liberal and they told me they were but when I quizzed the mother on arranged marriages and driving, she seemed a lot more conservative than her husband Saleh. I asked Saleh if he would allow  his son to marry a Canadian girl for example and he said "sure". I then asked him if he had changed his children's nappies. He said yes but then his wife, said no way, he had never done that. So could I believe his "sure" about his son marrying whom he wanted?  I'm not sure they were always telling the truth as when I also asked the wife whether all women wore black burkas in Saudi, she said, oh no but later I found 2 crumpled up black ones on the chest in the hall which she and her daughter must have worn when they left home and took off when they got to Madrid. Saleh's wife also mentioned her husband never enters the kitchen and doesn't even know where the door is. I also asked the 17 year old girl if she would prefer to marry someone of her choice rather than have an arranged marriage. She preferred the latter. I gave her a high five for that and she giggled. Both women giggle a lot. She also looks forward to being able to drive but her Mother will not, saying she is afraid of cars. Stupidly, I asked the family if women could vote to which they answered men could not vote and that no one could vote. Of course, it's an absolute monarchy. Mohammed said that with some of the social reforms on women's rights the new Crown Prince had said he was bringing Saudi Arabia into the 21st century but that in his opinion it was bringing it into the 20th century. I corrected him and said it was bringing it into the 19th century!  I also asked about men being allowed to marry up to 4 women and whether the practice continued. Mohammed said it was quite common but that it was not happening as much as before. I asked Saleh if he wanted a second wife and he smiled and said no. I suspect his wife would kill him if he did. When we first sat down, I told the wife, who, by the way is a teacher of Arabic, Pradia  is her name I think, to take off her veil in front of me. She did so but,  as soon as Eladio appeared, she quickly put it on again. As you can see we had a very interesting conversation. If this is a supposedly liberal family, who for me seem extremely conservative,  what must a non liberal Saudi family be like I wonder? I truly feel sorry for women who live there. My heart goes out to them. But many, like Pradia, have been brainwashed, don't even seem to question the subject and accept it as their lot. I hope things change with Mohammed's generation. 

We went to bed a bit wiser about life in Saudi Arabia and watched the Oliver Stone film, Heaven and Earth, also about an oppressed woman, a Vietnamese American bride from the Vietnam War. 

On Tuesday I was up early as always and the first thing I did was to pick up all the Saudi family belongings strewn all over the house and garden, including all their shoes and put them in a supermarket bag on the stairs. It was my way of telling them to pick their things up. No doubt back where they live they have an in house maid or maids who do all the picking up for them. It drives me mad. I can't stand untidinss; I really can't and it puts me in a bad mood. Lucy cant' stand it either and remarked that they were the worst guests we have ever had. I am undecided because, as people, they are really nice. 

We missed the football that day. Unsurprisingly Brazil beat Mexico and valiant Belgium went from 0-2 to Japan to win 3-2. It really is an interesting World Cup this year.

On Tuesday, there was more mess from my Saudis and once again I packed all their strewed belongings into a bag and this time left it outside the parent's room. When we came back from our walk, hallelujah, we saw them driving out of our gate. They were off to Madrid for the day. We were worried they would never leave the house. 

Eladio and I had to do the food shopping that morning which took up quite a lot of time. I especially hate the unpacking and putting away when we return with all the provisions. 

We had the pool terrace to ourselves in the afternoon and at about 6ish, I took Lucy to the boutique where I had bought my white trousers. She deserves the odd trip out as she is doing her own job and Zena's who will be away for 2 months in the Ukraine. That means she won't have any days off until 8th September. So off we went, the two of us to the boutique in Boadilla. Here she bought lots of clothes. I bought the same trousers in black as well as a t-shirt each for my cousin Zuka and her darling daughter Katty which I would take to France. 

I came home just as England and Colombia were about to start their Last 16 match. I put the TV on to hear the National Anthem - my favourite part of the World Cup matches hahaha and posted "God Save the Queen" on Facebook! Earlier in the day, Sweden had beaten Switzerland by 1-0 in St. Petersburg. An eccentric ex Swedish boss of mine had gone out specially to see it so I was pleased for him and all my Swedish friends from my Yoigo and Nokia years. If England got through they would play Sweden which is what you all know happened. 

While Eladio watched, I went to the kitchen to make our dinner - prawn cocktail. By then the Saudis had returned and all 4 kids were in the pool; the girl in a "burkini" (Oh my God). I'm sorry but I'm just not comfortable with women wearing veils, burkas or burkinis in my house. Maybe I should be more tolerant but for me they are a symbol of the oppression of women. 

Thankfully they left us alone and we were able to have dinner and watch the match in peace in the TV lounge together with Pippa. It was another nerve biting match. England were awarded a penalty at the beginning, shot by none other than England's captain, the amazing striker, Harry Kane. But in injury time the Colombians hit back and suddenly there was a draw and we would have to suffer a prologue. After the prologue the score was the same and once again a World Cup Last 16 match was to go to a penalty shoot out. How I hate them and how unfair they are. But I was able to watch this one.  Both teams missed one shot but the England goalkeeper saved one brilliantly taking the Three Lions through to the Quarter Finals which I would watch in France yesterday. I was so happy for England.

We went to bed to watch the episode 6 of the TV series "La Verdad". I was falling asleep towards the end but suddenly got a new Airbnb booking I had to respond to. That made me wake up completely after which I found it really difficult to fall asleep. I think I did so at about 2 in the morning. On Wednesday morning I woke up at 5.45 which meant I had only slept 3.45h, not enough I can tell you. 

On Wednesday, Eladio said I was already more in France than in Spain what with all my preparations hahaha. We came back from our walk and bumped into the Saudis. I asked them what they would be doing that day and they said they would be staying in the house. Oh no, I said, you can't waste your time here, there is nothing to see here, you must visit blabla and recommended they went to El Escorial or to Toledo. I was happy they heeded my words.

Wednesday was a quiet day with our guests away and we enjoyed a quiet lunch, me a needy siesta as well as some quiet time in the afternoon.  

After a light dinner our guests returned and it was time to tell them I was leaving for France the next day and would only come back after they had left. I was actually sorry to say goodbye because I really liked them, despite their untidiness. I had to have a photo of them of course and we spent quite a while on a photo shoot. Here they are saying goodbye to me. When they leave on Saturday they will be off to Barcelona and then to Italy. They travel every year. Maybe they should learn the phrase "when in Rome do as the Romans". 

My untidy but lovely Saudi family

When we were saying goodbye, they said sorry for having done anything "inconvenient" to which I replied that yes they had been untidy but I liked them. They then said they just didn't understand our "system". Isn't our system the same all over the world? I then asked them that maybe in their home they had lots of maids to pick up their belongings, etc and they nodded that they did. So, that was the reason for their untidiness; they are just not used to clearing up after themselves. So, of course, they wouldn't understand "our system" hahaha. What a culture shock for both them and us but also a great insight into the life of a family in Saudi Arabia.

Thursday came and I had to be up early but blow me, I woke up at 5 in the morning when I didn't actually have to leave for the airport until 7.45. Oh well, it meant I had a leisurely breakfast on my own with the dogs and reading the "papers" on my iPad. 

Eladio drove me to the airport, to Terminal 4 where I was to catch the 10.40 Vueling flight to Paris CDG, the same flight that left me grounded 2 years ago. This time it didn't. In fact everything went well and even the steward at check-in changed by 29A window seat for a 4D aisle seat as I hate window seats. The first few rows on Vueling have more space so I was very grateful. Normally you would have to pay extra to choose a seat but that day was my lucky day. 

I had to have a coffee and croissant at the Paul Boulangerie at Madrid airport in anticipation of my trip to France. There is nothing I love more in France than dunking a croissant in café au lait. I learned to do so on Inter rail at Gare du Nord in Paris many many years ago.

I arrived in Paris  Charles de Gaulle, well on time and walked out of Terminal 3 not quite knowing how to get to the TGV or SNCF station which was located in Terminal 2. My idea was to walk but when I asked 2 young pilots they said I had to take the shuttle train and to follow them. They were complete gentlemen and escorted me until I got to the train station. It  turned out they were Czech pilots. I told them that in 1968 after the Russian invasion of Prague, when many Czechs fled the country that my non communist Russian mother had taken in a Czech family to live with us for many months free of charge and that maybe today they were repaying the favour. Sadly one of them told me that his grandfather had been jailed in 1968 because of the uprising and had died in prison. What a story.

We parted at the train station and off I went to see if I could change my train ticket to an earlier train. I had arrived at 12.30 but my train wasn't until 16.17.  This time I was not in luck, there was no other train and I just had to wait to catch the TGV which would get me to Poitiers at 18.30 or so. I had a boring time at the station and wondered to myself why it was such a dreadful one, pretty dirty and with hardly anything to offer. There was the ubiquitous Starbucks and Paul and some other rotten bar with not much to offer as in lunch. In the end I went for a tuna sandwich and a cake from Paul. There was hardly anywhere to sit so I went up to the top floor to eat outside only to find myself at a horrible bus and taxi terminal which was even dirtier than the station and nowhere to sit. I ended up sitting on the dirty floor on my coat eating my lunch. You would think a TGV station in Paris would be much more swish. The Atocha Ave (highspeed) station in Madrid is luxury compared. I whiled away the time writing my blog from the dirty floor until it was time to catch the train.

The train was a bit late and I got a window seat (hate them) and started reading my new book, a history book on the demise of the Romanov family, quite in keeping with the upcoming "cousinade", all descendants of the Russian Revolution. By the historian Helen Rappaport it is called "The race to save the Romanovs" -  the Truth behind the secret plans to rescue Russia's Imperial family. It has only been recently published and seems a very seriously studied topic by Rappaport an expert on Queen Victoria and the Romanov family.  It kept me occupied during the just over 2h journey to Poitiers. I shall be ordering a physical copy for my Father who I know will be very interested in this new and enlightening book.

Just as I got out of the station with my huge suitcase - I never travel light - dear Katty and Tony my cousins from New Zealand had arrived to pick me. Katty is Zuka's daughter and my soul mate. She is like a sister to me and I adore her three kids, Luc aged 16, Sam aged 14 and little Ruby aged 9. I had seen Katty at last year's "cousinade" but not the kids since the year before and I hadn't seen Tony since the family visit to our house about 8 years ago just before they left England to move to New Zealand. You see, Tony is from New Zealand. We call them "our Kiwi family".  It was  great drive to La Teille catching up on our lives since last year. Soon we were at Zuka and her Mother's house, Aunty Valya who was the wife of my Mother's younger brother Nicky. Only Aunty Valya was at home when we arrived. Aged 93 she is in great shape and it was wonderful to see her again.  Soon Zuka arrived with the kids, Luc, Sam and Ruby and a friend of Luc's from school in Bolton England where they used to live, Luke; same name different spelling.

It was a wonderful moment hugging the kids from my kiwi family. This is one of the photos I took of them when they arrived.

Our Kiwi family, Tony, Sam, Katty and Ruby

Zuka and her Mother had extended their veranda and soon we were all sitting around having drinks. I was a bit hesitant about drinking wine but instantly gave in and ended up having at least 3 glasses. Thankfully I only had a bit of a headache the next day. Dinner was prepared for the 9 of us on the veranda; delicious French patés, salads and then barbecued king prawns. It was a lovely family meal. Having got up at 5 in the morning, by midnight I was exhausted and had to turn in. I am sharing a room with little Ruby which is a delight for us both as we adore each other.  The sleeping arrangements were all in place and had to be as on Saturday we would be 22 people. The kids would sleep in tents in the garden.

Friday dawned and I was up early although Tyotya (Aunt in Russian) Valya had beaten me to it. I enjoyed a quiet cup of coffee on the veranda enjoying being away and in the French countryside.

Zuka's sprawling farm house in La Teilee

We had a busy day ahead of us before the "cousinade" began on Saturday, except that, unknowingly, nearly everyone was to arrive on Friday and there would be 17 for dinner that night. 

An important task after breakfast was to put up the flag bunting outside the gates of the house; something Katty, Ruby and I did together. When our cousins began to arrive they weren't sure if they were to symbolise our multiple international origins or if it was because of the football. I'm not quite sure either but it made the place look festive. 

Ruby and Katty putting up the flag bunting on Friday morning.

Later the boys went off kayaking for the day with Tony, Katty's New Zealand husband, while we "girls", 9 year old Ruby, Katty, Zuka and I went off to the bank in nearby Couhé. From there Ruby, Katty and I drove to Poitiers to Lidl and Auchamp to do the main shopping for the food this weekend. Bread and croissants are not what they were in France, unless, maybe if you go to a posh boulangerie in Paris; we got ours at Lidl haha and had to get lots to cater for 22 people's breakfasts and all the meals. It was difficult to calculate how much to buy, so I just picked up about everything I could find: lots of croissants and pain au chocolat which I love hahah. Here are Ruby and I helping ourselves at the rather complicated bakery dispensary. 

Ruby and I getting bread and croissants at Lidl in Poitiers on Friday morning. 

From Lidl we went to Auchamp and my goodness it was gigantic and as we didn't know where anything was we took ages. Suddenly it was 13.30 and we had to drop off Ruby at the water park to join the boys after their kayaking. Meanwhile I was dropped off on a road at the entrance to the town of Vivonne with lots of restaurants to grab a table for lunch for Katty and I as if I didn't they would all shut at 2 pm which I think is very uncivilised for France but that's how it is.  I finally found one which looked French and open called "Le Jimmy's and which offered a fixed menu at 12 euros each which is quite cheap for here. Katty came soon bringing little Ruby with her as the boys were late at the water park. The 3 of us had a pretty lousy lunch actually, again disappointing for France, and then had to rush off to take Ruby to join her Father and brothers. 

On our way home we heard that nearly all the cousins were arriving that day rather than on Saturday so it was panic stations to get back, unload the food and begin lots of cooking. And that's what we did all afternoon; or rather Katty and Zuka cooked and I did the skivvying hahahah. I was exhausted by the early evening and had to take a break. Katty continued till around 10.30 pm and we all had a very late dinner.

The boys and men, including Sasha, Katty's brother and his son Myles, who had come from England, kept me updated on the France Uruguay Quarter Final match which the French won 2-0. I was rooting for France as I though when in France do as the French. Later Belgium, the "Red Devils" played their Quarter Final match against the grand and almighty 5 time winners of the World Cup, Brazil and believe it or not valiant Belgium won 2-1. Thus they will meet France in the semi finals. And here are all the men watching the match.

Some of the cousins watching the Belgium Brazil Quarter Final

lndeed the World Cup was continuing to surprise.  

By then all the cousins except 4 who were to come on Saturday, had arrived and 17 of us sat down to dinner on Zuka's veranda. The main dish was barbecued sausages accompanied by my elder cousin's quiches and lots of salads. Ice cream was for dessert as I had spied my favourite flavours at Auchamp; pistachio, coconut and raspberry. I also got chocolate as I thought that would be a favourite with the kids. Funnily enough the favourite was pistachio, practically impossible to find in Spain, and raspberry.

There was lots of clearing up to do as well as washing up and I don't think we were finished till way past midnight. We then sat around drinking (not me) and chatting till far too late for me as that night I went to bed at nearly 2 am. 

Saturday came, the official day of the "cousinade" and I had slept very little waking up during the night. I was downstairs at 6.30 to find my 93 year old Aunt unloading the washing machine and poor Myles sitting up on the sofa bed he had tried to sleep on awake as he had hardly slept a wink because of the flies. There are lots here as we are in the countryside with many farms in the area.

Saturday was to be England's turn to play their Quarter Final game against Sweden and the English section of the house were rooting for England, hoping for the Three Lions to go through to the semi finals for the first time since 1990. 

Katty and I finally managed to go on a morning walk as we did daily last year and this year her husband Tony joined us. We left at 8.30 and didn't get back until 10.30 by when the sun was very hot. 

Tony and Katty on our walk yesterday

It was to be scorcher of a day with little respite from the sun. The heat here is very humid here and we all looked for shade in the garden drinking litres of water throughout the day.

Back home Oli was following our time here vicariously through my photos. She then, very sweetly, sent us one of her with my Father who I know would have loved to be here as he and my Mother were very close to Zuka and her husband Bruce RIP.

Oli and my 99 year old Father on Saturday

We even got a photo from Suzy from far away Bali too or rather lots of them enjoying local life. I especially like this one of her having gone native and laughing her head off. It makes me so happy to see her happy. Oh how I wish both girls could have been here at the Cousinade. It would have made it complete for me but it was not to be so. Hopefully they may be able to come next year.

Suzy happy in Bali yesterday

I even got a photo from Eladio. It was of him with the Saudi family who left yesterday just before midday. Oli finally got to meet them and loved them too. It was a challenge to write a review about them what with their untidiness hahaha.

The Saudi family who left yesterday, with Eladio. We grew very fond of them despite their untidiness. 

Later yesterday a Scottish family arrived for a few days. I look forward to meeting them when I get back. 

The morning was spent leisurely yesterday. Katty did all the cooking once again and at about nearly 3 pm all 23 of us sat down for lunch. The cooking, preparations and clearing away here are a mammoth job. My contribution was lowly chief skivvy most of the time hahaha.

After lunch it was time for the Three Lions to play their Quarter Final match against Sweden. Here are the group from the house watching the match.

Watching England play yesterday

It was great to see England go through after beating Sweden 2-0. They would then play the winners of the Russia Croatia match played yesterday evening. England go through to the semi finals for the first time since 1990. They thus have their first chance in many years to win the World Cup. Can they do it? Well we shall know when the play on Tuesday. 

It was then time for fun and games. Katty had devised a guessing game for all us and put us into teams of 4. We each had to submit a secret about ourselves. Katty read out all the secrets one by one and we had to guess which secret belonged to which person. It was not easy. I am happy to say though that our team comprised of Ruby, Zuka, Anna and Tony won by a tiny margin.

Afterwards was the perfect time for the group photo which of course is the photo I have chosen to illustrate this week's blog.

Just as we had finished our fun and games, most of our group rushed off to watch the Russia Croatia match. My cousins who live in France, being of Russian origin were all rooting for Russia to beat Croatia and they far outnumbered the England fans here hahaha. Here they are watching it in on Zuka's enormous screen.

Cheering for Russia at our Cousinade yesterday

It was a long and tense match and another one that went through to penalties. In the end the best team won as Croatia were clearly stronger although Russia put an enormous fight. 

Some of my older women cousins were not at all interested in football, especially my 93 year old Aunty Valya, hahahah and the long match meant also that dinner wouldn't be served till nearly 11 pm. 

Katty's lamb was delicious as was my apple crumble served with ice cream.  Once again I went to bed very late, at past 1 in the morning. It had been a great day and a great cousinade and today promises to be fun too. We shall be playing molky and croquet and as I write Katty has already begun cooking tonight's diner. Hopefully I shall get my walk in and then I will help her in my role as chief skivvy hahaha.

So my friends, that's it for this week. I hope you have enjoyed this week's post. Till next Sunday I send you my greetings and warm wished from this lovely part of France.

Cheers Masha