Brindleboy123's Blog

Evening all!

I thought it was about time I let my fingers do the typing again.  Seems quite a while since I have been on here – don’t suppose for one minute you have been waiting with baited breath (is that right saying?!) but anyway, I will start my ramblings!

Well, Madrid must now be full once again as they have now left the area in their drones.  We still have one or two “hangers on” but it is only a matter of time before the last one leaves and we can lock the gate!  In all seriousness, it really is very quiet in our block now with just 4 or 5 apartments occupied out of 54.  Another month or so and it will just be three of us here.  I don’t mind, even though it is “quite” nice to have everyone around it is also good when we have the place to ourselves again and the community swimming pool and area becomes, once again, our front garden!  The weather has remained very warm though and the beach opposite is still full each day.  It is the “oldies” that are here now (know the routine nowadays – its the younger couples in May/June, families July/August and anyone over the age of 65 thereafter!). The “oldies” are experts at beach days! The use old shopping bags on wheels and convert them into deckchair carriers! There is usually a place for the brollies and when it is all up and running on the sand, they even have somewhere to hang their clothes without the risk of creasing! Curtains are also often stitched with eleastic and these apparently make good changing rooms without the need to leave the beach!  You have to give it to the Spanish – they waste nothing!

We ventured onto the beach for the first time in weeks yesterday.  We were only there for an hour or so but were offered two “free” day trips (in the hope that we buy a new bed/heater or blankets!), sunglasses, watches and would you believe tableclothes!

I went back to the UK for a few days to visit Samantha, Ben and of course, baby Jacob! He is enormous (thats Jacob not Ben!) It really was lovely to see them.  Babies seem to grow so quickly and I thank Mr Skype everyday for his invention so I can still see them when I am here.  Many of the clothes that we had bought for the little one were now too small and probably had not even been worn more than once! It seems that the Spanish sizing for babies is on a par with sizing for women because the 3 – 6 monts wouldn’t even go near him!  We managed to get out and about quite a bit and the weather was very kind.  I’m not blond but I do seem to have several “blond” moments nowadays (menopausal!) and I left £50 worth of shopping  in a changing room.  I couldn’t believe it when we got back and thought it was gone for good.  Thankfully, the shop assistant handed it in to the information area and so we had to go back the following day.  It shouldn’t have been a problem other than the fact that on the way home there was an accident on the motorway so we took the other road.  Big Mistake!  It took us 3 and a half hours to travel what should have been a half hour drive.   Feeling a bit stressed we pulled in for fish and chips …..the queue was outside the door.  It really wasn’t our day but one positive thing was that the journey gave Samantha and I an opportunity to have a nice mother and daughter chat.

Took Jacob swimming too.  I’m not 100% convinced he was really impressed but I would love to think he will get used to the water and not be a water phobic like I was.  I didn’t even learn to swim until we moved here.  Tony eventually taught me how to swim by getting me to tread water.  I couldn’t believe I could even do that and spent a week or so swimming in an upright position! Now I really enjoy it but not too keen on the sea as there are no sides to head for!

A few weeks ago Tony was looking out of the window and saw a small black dog sat outside a house across the road from us.  A lady came out and was trying to kick him out the way.  The little dog wasn’t deterred and stayed there when she went back in.  After a white Tony called him over and we gave him some food and water.  He was such a lovely little chap and I thought he was actually a puppy until I looked inside his mouth and it was then obvious he was actually getting on a bit in years.  We took him to the vets to check to see if he was chipped and fortunately he was (or so we thought). The vet phoned the owner who said he was too ill after a hip operation to collect the dog who was named Percy and 10 years old, so we took him back to the old chap.  Poor Percy was terrified when we got there and didn’t want to go inside.  The old chap was Spanish and obviously liked the dog but was unable to look after him .  He gave Percy a pat on the head but Percy moved his head.  I hated leaving the little chap there.

Three days later (you’ve guessed) Percy was back outside again! I brought him in, fed him and he played with our two dogs. Believe me I was solely tempted to keep little Percy with us but sense told me that our little flat was really too small for three dogs.  I know we had done it before when we had our dear Chunky boy but I knew I needed to find a new home for this little chap.  Someone had told me that a mutual friend had had to have her dear little dog put to sleep a few weeks earlier and I bit the bullet, put a lead on Percy and went out on the hunt for Diane! Luck was on Percy’s side as I found her in the local cafe with her family including her son who is a dog trainer and animal behaviourist in the UK!  Result!  I asked Diane if she knew anyone who would possibly take this old chap on for his last few years and Percy played the part too – smiling and rolling over exactly as I had told him to on the way down there!  To cut a long story short (unusual for me), Percy is now happily living with Diane and her husband and Peppy their other little dog who has now found a new lease of life.  Percy is enjoying life and I am very hopeful that the years he has remaining will be spent with this very loving family. He is loving the sunshine around the pool and has already been trained to play ball and now even gives the ball back – mind you, only so he can go and lounge by the swimming pool!  Percy has landed on his paws.

I have become obsessed recently – Jigsaws!  Is it possible for a 53 year old woman to be obsessed with jigsaws?  I discovered an app on the Apple Mac and it allows you to create your own so now the majority of our photos that I have on the laptop have been convered into a jigsaw!  Last month it was cross-words, I was doing them day and night.  Actually if I’m perfectly honest it became more a case of looking at the clue and then copying the answer from the back of the book, that’s when I decided I needed a new hobby – I had a book of 500 crosswords and the thought of copying all those clues was a bit too much!

I must be sad because I know I mentioned Celebrity Big Brother last month but I started watching the new Big Brother and noticed that one of the contestents came from my home town of Weston super Mare!  It turned out to be one of the lads that went to Playschool and on to all the other schools with Samantha!  Aaron Allard….well, he has changed!  I remember him at playschool and when he was in A Christmas Carol with Samantha!  I had a text from Samantha when she heard and she said she was considering selling her Christmas Nativity story from primary school to the Sun!!

We have decided to go on one of the Coach trip tours that are popular around these parts.  It is to a place called Cuenca which is north of here.  Its only for 3 days but I think it will be a nice change for Tony to be driven somewhere and will give us chance to see a bit more of Spain.  Our friends have said they will look after the dogs which is going to save us a little too.  We will return the favour later in the year.  I’ll let you know how our little adventure goes next month.

I have been using Twitter a little more lately and getting into the swing of it too although I’m not that good at working out how everything works on there – give me time and I will get there!  Following a dear little lad named Jack Marshall.  He is only 6 and suffering from a terminal brain tumur.  His mum writes each day and there are always smiles and happy memories recorded.  If you are “in” to Twitter give it a quick look.

Whilst on to things to look at – someone posted this on a local forum – if you don’t mind a bit of nudity you should give it a look (it really isn’t anything vulgar!) Again, could only happen here! I just love the look on the policeman’s face and also the fact that the same man seems to be following her around taking photographs!

http://player.vimeo.com/video/6779174?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&autoplay=1

Right then folks, time to get going as there are some grapes with my name on them – I know sounds ridiculous but Tony has decided to lose weight AGAIN and that means I can’t eat anything naughty either as it would seem so wrong!  Apparently the Johnny Rocket burger doesn’t count!  Hopefully I will look so slim next month you won’t even recognise me!

Take care everyone and those carers who are reading this – thinking of you all often and still stalking the forum!

Love as always,

Bell x

Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever.  ~Author Unknown

Good Afternoon and welcome from an extremely hot Torrevieja (38 degrees at the moment)!

The holiday season is in full swing here…I’m sitting in relative quiet in our little flat at the moment as the one saving grace of living in Spain is that many still adhere to the afternoon siesta which gives a reprieve from the noise from everyone in the pool and general chatter.  I know it sounds like I’m a real miserable old goat but I’m not…honest!  Everything just seems so much worse when you are trying to cope with the heat!  Last year we put a gate up which meant that the children didn’t come over to the door to put their hands through to the dogs.  Our neighbours (unfortunately the only people in the block that we just can’t see eye to eye with who have made it perfectly obvious they don’t like British!) complained about the gate!  We came to an agreement to take it down in August as this is the only (thankfully) time they are here (yippee!).  The good thing is though that the children this year are that much older and boys appear to have taken the place over my dogs!

There are still a few little ones that adore our little Lola and every time I leave the flat with her we are surrounded with little ones who want to pat her!  She is very good and well behaved even though the little ones can be a bit frightening when they have hands going in all directions.  When its too bad I take her for a walk by collecting her from the other window from Tony!! Poor little Bobs, no-one bothers to touch him – guess he isn’t that pretty but he’s gorgeous in my eyes!

Do you have one of those memory foam mattresses? We bought ours a couple of years ago and all has been well with it until this year.  Not sure if it is because now the ceilings have been lowered and the flat is even more warm that usual, but we have a problem with moisture underneath in the storage part.  It has been an absolute nightmare.  We have about 10 boxes underneath full of clothes for the winter (Tony has one or two as well!) I know I shouldn’t have so many clothes but there are a couple of “one day’s” in there…you know the ones I mean, “one day I will go somewhere to wear that” or more often “one day I will fit into that again”!!! Anyway, to cut a log and tiring story short, it has meant that we have had to empty everything out and either wash it or air it outside.  People have looked at me as if I was completely crackers over the last few weeks.  They have bikini’s on their lines and mine were full of woolly jumpers and coats!

We discovered household vinegar which worked a treat.  Now our clothes are aired and have a delightful smell of fish and chips (nah, not really)!  It has taken away the mould that was under the bed though so fingers crossed it will be better now.  Leaving the bed up during the day so it gets a good airing too.  OK so that may be boring to read but it has been traumatic!  I guess the mattresses are great because they do mould into your body shape (ugh…that’s possibly not so good and means when I get up I have to try to hold my tummy in so if Tony looks the imprint I leave behind looks better than the real thing!), but I’m not convinced they are the best thing for a hot country like this……we’ll watch this space with vinegar in hand and fingers crossed.

Bob is quited excited though and has taken to crawling in the boxes when we are not looking……!

Tony has finally had the last part of his tatto finished.  It has taken four sessions and was apparently very painful although I didn’t feel a thing.  It started off with just having our little grand-child Jacob’s name on the arm but he then decided to go over a tattoo which he had done when he was just 17. Someone asked if he had been deprived of a colouring book when he was a child and I think they may have a point.  I used to think it looked awful to have tattoos and I’m not keen on them on women but if you take a step back and think out the box a bit, it really is very good art.  The artist that did it is, I admit, very talented.

When I first met Tony he had just a couple of small tattoos, mostly from his army days.  I’m not sure how I would have felt if I had met him and he had an arm like this!  Hopefully I wouldn’t have been as narrow-minded as many people are when they see someone with tattoos.

Little Jacob is now getting really big and even more gorgeous if that is possible.  I’m off to see him at the end of September and we are both going over in November.  I never would have believed that Tony would be so keen to go back to the UK and it is amazing what impact this little man has had on him.  Thank heavens for skype because it gives us the chance to see Samantha and Jacob each week.  To see him smiling at his mum is also a wonderful thing.  It doesn’t seem 5 minutes ago that Samantha was phoning me so disappointed that she wasn’t pregnant and now here we are with him at nearly 3 months old.  He has already outgrown so many clothes and even the moses basket.   I’ve put a photo of him below with his cousins.  Little Callum is about 3 or 4 months older than Jacob and until recently clothes have been coming to Samantha as Callum outgrew them.  I think, as Ben’s Mum said,  it may well be the case that the clothes will be going in the other direction in the future!

I’ve known several people since I have lived here that have gone on about how much they missed their grandchildren and how they couldn’t wait to see them.  Some have even gone back to live in the UK because they simply couldn’t be apart.  I used to think they were crazy!  Now, I am beginning to understand what they mean – although I know I would not return to the UK to live.  Knowing that I can pop back for a little “fix” whenever I want certainly helps.

Have you been watching this year’s Big Brother?  I know it is probably something that you shouldn’t admit to, but I have been enjoying it!  One thing though, what are those Abs on the pap guy all about??? Perhaps if he had a flat stomach he could have got away with it but when you have a belly like his (nothing wrong with it but certainly not flat), seeing Abs rippling on the top looks just a little odd! As for Jedward…well!  I can’t make up my mind if it is all just an act or if they really do behave like that day to day.  They sppear to be so very young for their age….but at the same time I guess, they have probably made more money that most at their age so they can’t be that daft can they!

Someone mentioned on another forum recently about the price of gold at the moment.  I had a rummage through and found a few odd bits and pieces that I no longer wore.  I thought it might get me a few euros but was REALLY impressed when I took it into town and was offered 608 euros!  Then I became a bit suspicious about the man in the shop and decided to tell him I would “think about it” and we went to a different shop.  Would you believe that we actually managed to get 980 euros for exactly the same bits!  Did the deal and this will give us our holiday with Jacob later in the year! I wasn’t going to sell some of the pieces I had but then, as Tony said, what is the point of keeping it and just leaving it in a box forever!  He is right and this way we get to have some enjoyment out of it too.  Don’t think I have anything left to sell now though that isn’t of sentimental value so in the box it will stay.  I would recommend anyone to go through their box though and clear out any broken or unwanted pieces that you have.  Don’t leave it in there – get some enjoyment from it too!

We are in the middle of a “debate” with the company that we bought our sofa from at the moment.  I’m really annoyed because when we had the flat renovated we bought what we thought would be a hard-waring sofa and last years.  Now, just a year later it seems to be falling to pieces.  Initially, they are saying that I havent maintained it properly. Damn cheek!  I know that everything in the EU is guaranteed for 2 years (did you know that?) so I’m going to hold out to get it replaced or repaired.  I’ll keep you posted on this one. Although my Spanish isn’t too bad and certainly good enough to get me by day to day, it can be quite difficult to understand some people on the telephone so I’m hoping that I can meet with someone face to face to sort it out.

Right, well it is time for me to get going now.  I just wanted to catch up with you all and to let you know that we are still alive and kicking, albeit very slowly in this heat!  We are intending to go to Karaoke tonight (ok, ok, not everyone likes it but I enjoy a good old sing song).  Reminds me, last time I went someone asked me if I would sing at their charity night!  I knew if I held on I would be spotted!  I had been hoping for Simon Cowell but the local fundraiser is better than nothing!

Take care everyone and I’ll catch up with you again soon when there is more going on – when I actually venture outside the front door that is!

Bell x

In spite of the cost of living, it’s still popular.  ~Kathy Norris

Hello, good afternoon and welcome!

Just looked back and it was the end of May when I last wrote….not like me at all! There has been so much going on (not that is an excuse, I am retired afterall!).  Anyway, first things first and we are now grandparents!  Jacob James Roseff entered the world on the 8th June at 1.53 in the afternoon, making Tony and I very, very proud grandparents. Weighing in at 7lb 8oz he has the longest fingers and feet that I have seen but when you look at how tall his dad is, why would you be surprised.  He is smashing and yes, I am totally biased but I don’t care!  I went over the day after and stayed in bed and breakfast in Weston (Spreyton House, on Locking Road) which I can thoroughly recommend.  Dean there does the best omlette I have ever tasted!  Samantha was exhausted, as you can imagine and still looked a bit “shell-shocked” by the whole thing.  She is a truely wonderful little Mum and Ben her husband is now getting quite an expert at changing nappies even though the thought of it before Jacob was born did not appeal!

Tony and I went back over on the 9th July and stayed a week in a “luxory” flat!  It would appear that one man’s “luxory” is totally different from another.  Charlton Holiday flats.  In a lovely spot just off the sea front but far enough away not to be bothered by the 44,000 people that were there for the T4 concert the day after we arrived.  The landlord had actually offered us a “free upgrade” to one of the flats right opposite the pier before we left which we turned down – ummm, think it might have been just a tad noisey!!!

Anyway, the flat was clean but not sure what constitutes “luxory” unless it is the fact that it did have two smallish flat screen tv’s on the wall?!  Couldn’t actually open the fridge door completely if the kitchen door was open, no washing machine, towels or cleaning equipment at all when we arrived.  The owner came around and did find some towels for us to use and bought some washing up liquid and an iron to replace the one which had more wires showing than the national grid! The first night we were exhausted and did manage to sleep despite the attempts of what I thought must be a water bed but turned out to be just a mattress that was so soft it was best to sleep holding on to the drawers next to the bed for fear of falling out!  The best bit however was when we arrived back on the Sunday night to find that the place was in complete darkness.  No electricty whatsoever.  I telephoned the owner with the last little bit of credit I had only to be asked if I had put any money in the meter!!!!  Dumbstruck or what!  I “asked” him if he was serious that after paying him £400 I really had to pay for my own electric too!  Apparently so…….guess we won’t be going there again!

Accommodation aside we had a glorious week.  Loads of cuddles from both Jacob and Samantha (some spare ones for Ben too!) and of course lots of shopping!  Marks and Spencer do love it when I visit the UK! We took Samantha and Jacob to a large shopping mall and at one point she returned to the car to feed him only to find herself stuck in the back of the car – she hadn’t realised that the doors had child locks on and her bag was in the boot with the phone.  After quite some considerable time she did eventually manage to get out and come back to meet us but I think it will be some time before she tries that manouver again!

I had the chance to catch up with a few friends which was also great.  Ros and Owen cooked us a meal and we had a lovely evening chatting about all sorts of things and doing the grand-parent thing of showing photos of babies/children in all different poses, places and ages!   We also spent time with Carol and Andrew and the beautiful Jack Russel lookalikes that don’t (if you know what I mean!).  Basically they are supposed to be x with Jack Russell but look nothing like them.  Bella and Archie, I love you both whatever you are! (Topper….not forgetting you either, you were a gentleman!).

We also had time to visit Windsor where Tony used to live and made our way down to Slough and Wexham Park Hospital where Tony’s son Sam passed away in 2001.  A chair had been dedicated to Sam and placed in the children’s play area. This was the first opportunity Tony had to see it and also to catch up with one or two of the nurses that were still working on the unit.  I’m sure it brought back many memories for Tony to return to the hospital but I know he was pleased he had seen the chair and also to know that other children and families were making good use of it on a daily basis.

As many will know, I have worked in the NHS for many years and so I was quite interested in the hospital.  I have to say that I was very disappointed to see how generally “neglected” it appeared to be.  The flooring on the corridors was broken up in many places and an absolute danger to anyone who had any type of difficulty walking.  I saw yellow clinical waste bins on the corridors and I did not see ONE sanitiser unit anywhere!  Having visited Bristol/Weston hospitals since the increase of MRSA has been documented over the last 10 years and since I left the NHS I had assumed that all hospitals did as these two hospitals do and have sanitiser at the entrance to the main hospital and also on the outside of each ward.  I walked past several wards in Wexham and there was no evidence of anything to clean your hands before entering a ward and certainly nothing in the entrance area of the hospital. I have sent a quick email to the hospital hoping that they will consider the comments – not a busy body, genuinely concerned.  Mum had C-diff and MRSA and I know how much she suffered from both.  Perhaps it wouldn’t prevent all infections but something so simple could help couldn’t it?

Met up with my Auntie Eileen and cousin Karen.  Wonderful to see them again.  I visited their home for the first time ever and it was strange but I felt so very much “at home”.  It was as if I still had a “family home”.  We went out for a meal and had a lovely time for a few hours together.

One thing I did manage to get done this time was to have a granite vase made and inscribed with Mum’s name.  Tony and I took it up and placed it one Dad’s grave where I believe my sister would have placed her ashes.  It looked good and matched the headstone perfectly.  I had just Mum’s name, date of birth and death and the sentence “Love you more than that” inscribed.  Whenever I, or even any of the grandchildren used to tell Mum that we loved her she would always answer “Love you more than that” so it just seemed appropriate.

I will probably go back over to the UK in a couple of months (or less!) and Tony has said that he may well come over before Christmas!  That is a miricle….Jacob must certainly be having an impact!

We saw the funniest thing when we were booking in at the airport on the way home.  There was a family there who were trying to take over their deckchair….not anything special, in fact one that looked rusty and had seen better days. The lady told them that as it was separate from their luggage they would have to pay £25 for it each way! The daughter was moaning about how expensive it was and it would be cheaper to buy one there (yeah, right….we even have running water and electricity here in Spain too!). The family were not going to be outdone though, the suitcase was opened, clothes removed and worn and the deckchair was placed inside!  Unbelievable! The guy was last seen walking through departures complaining that “it was the deckchair that probably took them over their weight!”

I was saddened to see that one of the Carer UK’s members (JohnRJ) passed away recently.  John helped me several times when times were difficult with Mum and I will always be thankful to him for that.  He was totally devoted to his dear wife Pat and family and I know, like myself, many people from the CUK forum will have the family in their thoughts.

The holiday period is well upon us now here.  Cars and people everywhere. The beach is so hot it hurts your feet if you don’t wear flip flops and it is the time of year when you get “up close and personal” with everyone on the beach – not necessarily through choice but if there is more than 12 inches between you and anyone else, someone will park a chair there!  There are so many lovely beaches around this part of the country but for some reason the world (and their mother literally) seem to want to sit on “our” beach! Not long, and Tony will be calling out “close the gate on Torrevieja as you leave please” whenever he see’s someone packing up to go home!

Bobby and Lola apparently behaved themselves when we were away – not strictly true, I think Lola did her best to make sure everyone human and canine knew she was the boss.  Tony was just concerned that she would return a virgin – Fiona had her Mum’s shitzu (sp) there and I noticed the look of lust in Mervin’s eye! Maddie and Mervin how cute is that for two dogs!

Right, well best be off now as we are off to a quiz evening.  We never win and quite often get the donuts for coming last but the landlady does a mean free egg sandwhich so who cares!

Take care one and all.

Bell x

Grampy Tony and Jacob

Nanny, Daddy and Jacob

Hello…..it’s me again!

Just thought I would come on and catch up with everyone, it seems to have been quite a while since I was on here last but when I checked it was just a month.  Time flies when you are having fun and we have this month….well, we have had some relaxation which in my book is fun!

The beach adventure has continued and we now have our own “spot” to aim for each day!  Seems like this is the done thing as we are normally surrounded by the same people. The Moroccons still haven’t got the message that there is no way that I am going to get into the skinny costume they try to sell me every day and I am refusing to buy the flower dress that is flashed before me on a regular basis…not just reached that stage yet!

We had an influx of Jelly fish a couple of weeks ago….horrible little creatures apparently as they bite or do something ghastly which leaves you in pain.  The beach, even though it is only small compared to some has 2 red cross life guard posts and the red cross hut.  The guys from there were going up and down the place collecting the jelly fish in bags…loads of the little blighters.  I went over to warn a family as they were about to let their toddler loose in the sea for the first time.  He was still placed in the water mind you….I wouldn’t have let mine anywhere near it that day.

Tony took me to the Chinese shop again and has bought me….wait for it, a Miss Daisey hat!  I can’t believe I actually wear it but hey ho, who cares!  Besides, Gok says hats are good, doesn’t he??!

Last week Tony took me kicking and screaming to the dentist.  I hate them with a passion unknown to man and have managed to avoid all visits for a few years.  Someone stupidly went onto the local forum and went on and on about this wonderful dentist in the area and before I knew it, an appointment was made.  I kid you not, I would rather have had my eyeballs done again than go to the dentist but dragged along I was.  What a wonderful surprise I had.  She was lovely!  For the first time in my life I felt at ease.  She knew exactly how nervous I was and even put some cream in my mouth (not the edible sort unfortunately) that numbed the area before giving me an injection.  I was very impressed.  I had a clean on the bottom teeth and am going back tomorrow for the upper teeth to be cleaned and to look at the possibility of a bridge or two – looks like it was worth her smiling at me nicely as she is going to get some business!  Apparently a bridge here costs around €1,000.  Anyone know how that compares with the UK?  Just wondered.  When I have my new smile I will send you all a photo (something to look forward to ..NOT!)  Tony wants a George Clooney smile but the dentist said that to achieve that he would need to have a brace! He has decided that at 54 (55 next month!!) he is probably a bit too old for that so no George Clooney smile.  (I think he is far more handsome that George Clooney anyway)!!

I’ve often talked on here about the problems we have with stray dogs in the area.  Well, this afternoon I was walking dick and dorf when I noticed this little poodle walking around all the cars. He was just about to walk out into the road and a car was coming.  I called out and don’t ask me why, just sat down quickly pulling the two dogs behind me.  Fortunately, the little lad came running over to me and I managed to scoop him up into my arms.  I took him back to show Tony what I had found and went back out to see if anyone was around looking for him.  Not a soul to be found.  As we already have the two and having lost Chunky recently, I really didn’t feel that I wanted to take on another dog yet,a neighbour kindly said she would give him a try with her little dog.  He was adorable and so gentle.  We discovered he had fleas so gave him a special bath and put some exspot on him.  All was doing well for an hour or so but then I had a knock on the door and it was my neighbour to say that she couldn’t keep him because she feared her husband who had recently had a stroke would fall over him.  I went straught around and picked up Rusty as Tony had named him, to bring him home with me.  I was just giving him a little talk that we mustn’t fall in love with each other as it may be that he wouldn’t be able to stay when a lady that lives not so far away, came running in and calling for “Chico”!!! Turns out her little boy had unfortunately left the gate opened and Chico had escaped!  The little boy was at home in floods of tears!  A happy ending for once.  Chico turned out to be 7 months old and I miss him already!

Went on Skype this week and spoke with Samantha.  Baby’s head has engaged and she has just 3 weeks officially left to go….getting very excited now.  Looks like it will be Jacob now but not holding my breath as that is still up for a vote when he arrives! Ive decided that when I see her, of course I will buy baby a few bits and pieces but I thought it would be nice to buy something for Samantha.  Considering a nice locket.  I can get a photo put inside and the baby’s date of birth etc.  I know everyone always thinks of the baby when they arrive (quite rightly so) but at the end of the day she is still my little girl and I want to do something special for her too.  I had an email from Samantha’s mother in law the other day telling me about how Samantha is looking well but that she is tired etc.  Don’t get me wrong, I am VERY grateful that she is such a caring lady and I know she looks after Samantha and Ben, but part of me just aches when I read things about my daughter written by someone else.  Is that stupid?  It is times like this when Spain just seems so far away.

I’ve been thinking a lot about my Mum and Dad this week too.  Wondering how they would have felt about having their first great grandson.  Guess I will never know.  I was trying to remember conversations that I had had with my Dad and do you know what, I couldn’t really remember any.  I’m sure there were some but Dad never really talked about much.  Of course we had what I suppose you would just call day to day chats, but very rarely did he ever get into deep conversations with me.  What a sad shame we never talked about his childhood or things that he had done in his life etc.  Can’t turn back the hands of time as they say.

Those on Carers UK will know that I am still having trouble sleeping at times (from the grumpy messages I put on roll-call at 2 in the morning!).  My blessed menopause just gets better and better!  I’ve tried herbal remedies, knock you out pills and even a painkiller with tremedol which seems to be the only thing that can get my eyes to close and stay closed until the morning.  Thing is, when you are not particularly in any pain, it does seem a bit extreme doesn’t it to take Tremedol!  I remember Mum telling me that her menopause had lasted 19 years….ah well, only another 18 to go!

I’m sure you all heard about the Earthquake earlier this month in Lorca.  It was a little close for comfort I have to confess.  Lorca is only about 35-40 minutes away from here.  We did hear something on the afternoon of the quake, I went outside but couldn’t see anything so had assumed it was a lorry or something going past.  How wrong could I have been.  Such a tragedy for all those living in the area.  There are various fund raising events going on around to help those who have suffered.  There but for the grace of god as they say.  There was a memorial in the town last week which had to be held outside of the churches because they were all damaged during the quake.  Horrendous.  Thank you all for your messages of concern, but we were lucky and very thankful.  My son in law, Ben telephoned whilst we were at the Chriopodist to check that we were ok.  He was in a real panic as he had heard about it on the radio.  Its nice to think that someone cared…Tony was really surprised that anyone would be concerned enough to phone!

Right, well time to go because Tony is having a “chocolate day” and has the malteezers out!  Days like that don’t come along too often on his fitness regime (yawn, yawn!) so I’m certainly not going to miss out!

Take care everyone and thanks for popping by to see what this old girl is getting up to here!

Bell x

Never miss an opportunity to make others happy, even if you have to leave them alone in order to do it.  ~Author Unknown

Howdy folks!

Here we are then at the end of yet another month…May 2011 on the horizon. Unbelievabubble! I have now entered the brown brigade….at the moment I look more Jamacan that I do Bristolian!  As many of you will know, we have lived here in Spain for coming on 9 years and until this month I would say that we had been on the beach probably 2, maybe 3 times!  May not sound remarkable but when you consider that we live right opposite the sea, people do often find it strange!

Since we have been without Chunky boy, our life seems to be very different and we don’t seem to have such a routine as we did previously.  Quite out of the blue (probably a “tropical moment”), I suggested that we went to the beach and sunbathed!  Not sure if it was the shock of the suggestion or what, but within a few hours there we were…on the beach! We had a great time, just relaxing and people watching…excellent!

Now when the Spanish “go to the beach”, they “go to the beach”! They walk past our window with chairs, bags , umbrellas the lot usually tied together and pulled along on wheels from some old shopping trolley that they have found by one of the bins!  Not to be outdone (that just wouldn’t be right!), the following day we took ourselves off to Carrefour to buy in our supplies!  Two fold-down chairs, an umbrella (largest possible of course!), a tray for the umbrella pole, a cool box and the obligatory battery operated water squirting fan!

Our next trip to the beach we were prepared!  The wind had picked up a little but everyone seemed to have their umbrellas up so we didn’t envisage any problems.  But there was…..the other umbrellas were your standard “umbrellas for the beach” type….not ours!  Let’s just say a family of 10 could probably sit quite comfortably under it and still have room to invite their friends around!  Anyway, the umbrella obviously required a much calmer day and probably something more substantial (like a bulldozer) to secure it into the sand, so we decided that we would just play it cool and pretend that we had decided to toughen out the sun and keep the umbrella down!  The tray by the way didn’t fit on the pool anyway!  The fold down chair was fine although something that didn’t fold quite so low would have probably been preferable.  I wasn’t too keen on the fan…the idea of something squirting water directly into my eye just seemed to be ridiculous and a complete waste of me investing in new lens’s for someone to just squirt water, mixed with the odd bit of sand, directly into them! Loved the cool box though!

Also for the first time in 9 years, we bought some sun cream.  Probably a bit late to feel the benefits as my skin is now something akin to a wrinked up piece of paper that has been ironed out in places, but as least we were now trying.  As seemed to be the norm, Tony covered me and I covered him….why I ended up with bruises on my legs led me to believe that perhaps he was purposely a little heavy handed though…ok I could have got it from falling over my own feet but I’m not going to tell him that!

Tony had taken me to the Chinese shop up the road (my man knows how to treat a woman) and bought me some new swimwear so there we were, all kitted out and ready for our relaxing afternoon.  What I didn’t know was that when you visit a Spanish beach it is also necessary to take everything with you, practically including your bankers card! We were approached by 3 moroccans selling sun-glasses (hey, I’m wearing some!!), one chinese lady who was offering me a massage on the beach…..is that really decent?!, another chinese lady offering me every DVD or CD known to man for 2 euros, a leaflet for a night in a new bar, 5 lemons for a euro and another woman who threw a bag of bikinis on the sand and every Spanish women within a mile radius came over and just stripped off in front of us and started to try them on…..the best bit was they were the exact same ones that I had bought previously in the Chinese shop!

Several visits later, we are now apparently “looking well” as several people have told me…have to say that Mum always used to say that I “looked well” although I normally found out that what she really meant was “you have put on weight!”  Hopefully that is not the case now, particularly as Tony and I are still “eating sensibly”.  Tony has managed to lose 18 kilos through his continued keep fit regime and I still have no idea what I have lost although some of my clothes seem to be fitting me better (fitting at all is an improvement to be honest) this year.

This being Easter weekend has seen a huge increase in the number of people that have arrived in our block.  It is now probably 2/3rds full and completely different to the block we have known over the last 6 months or so. It feels like we are sharing our “front garden” with everyone as we have been so used to being able to walk outside the front door and not seeing anyone.  Now when you go out there are people sat around the pool and children running around everywhere…joy of joys!  It is actually quite nice to see the old faces again.  On the whole they are a very friendly lot and its nice that they all take the time to come over to say hello and give the obligatory kiss.  Did I ever tell you about dear old Carlos’ mother in law?  She was in her 90’s and sadly passed away a few years ago.  She used to come down from Madrid with Carlos and his wife every year and everyone loved her.  She was very independent and would walk around the pool area with her stick saying hello to everyone that she passed.  The best bit was when she gave you a kiss.  She would practically suck your cheeks and Tony always used to say “you’ve been kissed…you’ve still got the marks on your face!”  You would hear granny kissing someone from 100 meters!  God bless her.

Heard from Samantha that my other daughter, Colette, is planning to get married in December.  I’m deeply sad that I will not be invited to the wedding as Colette still prefers not to have me in her life.  Nothing would make me happier than be able to see her marry but I know that is just not going to happen.  I know it is terribly sad when divorce comes and I don’t know where I failed in handling the situation but although in my mind I was leaving my husband of 25 years, I also lost a much loved daughter in the process.  Perhaps one day the situation will change, at the moment is seems to be unlikely but who knows I just have to hope against all hope that one day I will be able to share life with her again.  In the meantime I am blessed with Samantha and her husband Ben and the fact that in just 7 weeks or so my first grandchild will be born.  Samantha is doing ok but I think she is very tired.  They have been coping with so much, moving home, office and the baby that its no wonder she is tired.  Not too long now….soooo excited!

In Spain, each “community”, ie block of apartments etc has by law to have a meeting each year to elect its president, discuss finances etc.  Our normal meeting is in August but this year we have had to have an extra meeting because of problems with the pool area – leaks into the garages below etc.  Well, this meeting was on Friday.  Started at 8 and finished at 11 and total madness is the only way to decribe it!  Everyone shouting to be heard…hands flying around (why do Spanish need to express themselves so much with their hands?).  Our 3 hour meeting achieved absolutely nothing to do with the repairs that were needed on the square and only succeeded in an agreement to repair the pipe that is leaking into the street!  So we get to go through the whole lot again in August….just can’t wait.  The funny thing is when they argue and moan at each other you would assume that they would not speak to each other again.  Funny thing is, as soon as the meeting is over it is as if nothing has happened and they are all sat together having a glass of wine!  No grudges whatsoever….isn’t it a shame that isn’t the same everywhere.

Right, I’m off now to put the TENS machine on my back…..stupid here cleaned the toilet and managed to twist awkwardly and put my back out – old age doesn’t come alone does it! Small problem compared with what others have to put up with.  I’ve seen that several friends on the Carers UK forum are struggling at the moment….big hug to you all, thinking of you all often….hold on in there folks.

Take care everyone, see you again next month.

Bell x

We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.  ~Frederick Keonig

Hi there everyone,

Long time no write!  Its been a month now since we said our farewells to our mate marmite and it has been quite a tough month in many ways emotionally.  I haven’t really felt much like writing and have just spent much of my spare time doing mind numbing things on the internet.  Anyway, today I have celebrated my 53rd birthday!  I really can’t believe it….53 alwys used to seem “so old” and now, I’m there….does that mean I am now middle aged? I received some lovely cards and the funny thing was, they all referred to either food (on the whole, cake and chocolate), handbags or shoes!  My friends and family must really know me better than I thought! Tony did a brillient one on Moonpig and it is like a magazine cover with the story of my singing and hopes for a record deal!  I can but dream!!   I don’t feel my age, in my head anyway, my body gives me constant reminders that I am older now and it is about time  to stop walking on sea-walls, skipping along the road with Tony (don’t worry, we always check that no-one is watching…the thought of a 6 foot 2, 17 stone man and a 4 foot 11 inch (not daft enough to type my weight!) woman skipping would be too much for anyone!) Then again, why not…so long as I can get my leg over the wall and we don’t fall over as we skip along, who gives a damn!

At the beginning of the month we sorted out Chunky’s bits and pieces and passed on some things to a local charity that cares and raises money for the Spanish galgos dogs.  They do a brillient job and need all the help that they can get.  Life, or should I say the people in it, can be very cruel to these dogs so every little helps them with their attempts to not only save the animals that are being mistreated but also to raise awareness of their plight.  It was interesting that this particular charity have also started visiting children in local schools…wht a great idea.  Please take a moment to read about the charity here:

http://www.torrevieja.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=76794

Other things belonging to our big boy have now been placed in a box and put away as I think we both found it too painful to have the reminders that he is no longer with us around.  We still have his photo of course and I’m sure he is looking at me…let’s hope so anyway!  Bobby seems to still be in a bit of a depression and has changed quite a bit in his ways since Chunky boy died.  He no longer will sleep with us but insists on sleeping in Chunky’s old bed and like Chunky used to do, he has began to refuse anything at breakfast time.  In fact, he is a bit of a misery and very clingy.  We took him to the vets yesterday just to get him checked out and the initial blood tests took fine but we have paid to get a further analysis done just to be on the safe side.  Evil Edna is fine and is keeping Bobby on his toes! Actually, they are both fast asleep next to me and it is actually quite nice to see them actually snuggling close together.  Peace in our time!

I went over to the UK just for a weekend to see Samantha and Ben.  Samantha was almost 30 weeks when I got there and unlike her mother is carrying her baby  very neatly.  I really did resemble Demis Rousos (not sure of the spelling but I’m sure you will recognise the name!) very early in my pregnancy but Samantha just seems to have a bump and doesn’t even look pregnant from behind.  It was really lovely to see her.  She seemed very tired which isn’t surprising as she has had such a lot to contend with lately. Apart from being pregnant, she has also moved house and the company she works for have moved offices so she has further to go each day.  Not sure how much longer she will be able to cope with working full time as well.

We went to the Eastgate centre where they have shops such as Mamas and Papas, Mothercare and Boots…everything you could wish for when little one is on the way.  Now, buying a pram is no mean fete.  It is like going to battle without knowing the apparatus.  Pregnancy and menopause both play their part in ensuring that you are unable to make a decision so 3 hours later it was time for me to move the car.  For some stupid reason, you can only stay in the car park for 3 hours and you can’t return within a certain time either so I had to leave Samantha and leave the car park to move into Ikea next door!  Not exactly a rule that encourages you to stay in the area to shop!  Obviously a rule put in place by a man!

Neither Samantha nor I knew what to get when it came to prams.  It all seemed so difficult and we walked around Mamas and Papas looking very much like newby’s to the pram scene.  It wasnt too long before a very kind shop assistant took pity on us and showed us exactly what all these machines do and the way she turned that pram into a car seat carrier was truly professional!  Sold to Mrs and Mrs Gullable!  Add to the bag plenty of baby clothes, a moses basket and stand, blankets and bibs and a very harrassed Mum to be was ready to go home.

For the first time on my travels to the UK, I hired a car.  I have to admit I was a little nervous because I really haven’t driven for a couple of years.  I booked through Argushire on the internet and it was a fairly good price at £47 for the 2 days.  They picked me up at the airport and took me down the road to their offices to fill in all the paperwork.  I was waffling on to him as I normally do about how I hadn’t driven and how it will be strange to be on the “other side of the road” when I realised that he looked abit worried!  When I asked him if he had a pillow he asked if he should get one to go all the way round the car!  Cheek! Anyway, I decided to pay the full excess of £15 per day because if you don’t do this they automatically put £750 on your credit card and this is taken off again when you bring the car back in tip top condition!

On the Sunday my flight home wasn’t until just before 8 o’clock at night but I had to get the car back for 3.30 otherwise I would be liable for a further day’s hire.  I filled up the car on the way back to the airport with another £5 as it only had to go back quarter full, drove around the forecourt of the garage and noticed that the petrol guage hadn’t moved so went back to the pump and put in another £5 and paid the now very confused attendent!  When I drove away and along the road, the guage went right up to nearly half full!  Typical…mental note not to do that again in future!  I pulled into the office of the car hire feeling very pleased with myself that all had gone well on the driving front….then I met him. Mr Jobsworth!  He must have been 16 (ok, probably more like 19 but he still had spots!) He looked all around the car, ticking as he went on his clipboard (every jobsworth should have one!) Then he invited me to return to the office with him.  I was then told how lucky I was that I had taken out the excess otherwise I would have been charged £150 for the damage!!  What damage I asked???? Apparently I had damaged the wheeltrim on the kerb.  I defended myself demanding that I hadn’t parked anywhere near a kerb all weekend.  (Actually that was absolutely true because I had only parked on Samantha’s drive and in the shop car-park where there were no kerbs.  Mr Jobsworth just looked me in the eye and with that Easyjet manner (you know the one, its on all the programmes you see), asked why I was making such a fuss “Madam” when “you are not being charged”!!!  Little upstart…I hadn’t parked by a kerb!  Mr Jobsworth told me to just “sign the paper”.  I signed but made a note on the page to say that I hadn’t parked by a kerb!!!  I was taken back to the airport by Jobsworth who, obviously feeling sorry for the old dear, said that it was possible that the trim had been damaged in a pot-hole!!!  Must have been a very deep pot hole and I think I would have noticed don’t you!!  Mental note to try a different car hire company next time and to definately make sure that we pay for excess.

Back at the airport I had 4 hours to kill so I got myself a paper and a sandwhich and settled down in a comfy chair to phone Tony to let him know that the flight was on time.  Tony suggested that I went into the VIP lounge…ummmm not a bad idea!  Went upstairs to the lounge and paid the £16.  Payment has to be made by a card not cash…ok.  Then, I give my boarding card, home address and then have to show more id! Come on, I have just got through departures easier!  Eventually settled down and have to say it really was worth it.  Free drinks, snacks, papers, internet for 3 hours.  I was able to phone home and Samantha for free on Skype and don’t tell anyone, even managed to sneak a can of coke into my bag for on the plane!!! When we went to Las Vegas Tony and I used the lounge in Gatwick and it was great because they served hot foot too, so it was really worth the money there as food costs an absolute fortune in Gatwick.

Flight home was ok and the wine I had earlier meant that I didn’t even take that much notice of the man next to me snoring…it was just like being at home actually!

Tony has continued his “keep fit” regime and is still doing 1 hour a day down in the garage on the walking machine and all the other articles of horror otherwise known as gym equipment!  So far he has managed to lose around 11 kilos which is very good for him.  I have avoided the “gym” but have followed the healthy eating  (don’t really have a choice do you when your significant other is doing so well with his diet?!) I have a phobia about scales…don’t go near the things for fear of what they may say…but can tell from my clothes that I have obviously lost some weight.  I think perhaps I need to do some exercise too so have decided to wait until the swimming pool is warm enough to do an hour or so a day (yeah right!).  Unfortunately (!) the weather is still a little too cold at night to keep the pool warm but the day is near.  I actually woke Tony in the middle of the night on Wednesday because he WASN’T snoring!  It scared me because I guess I am so used to hearing him howling grunts into my ear throughout the night.  I think it is because of his weight loss as it happened once before when he lost weight.  Can’t win can you….snoring keeps me awake because of the noise and nowadays I can’t sleep because he isn’t snoring.  Not sure which I prefer!

Torrevieja is still rather quiet with very few holiday makers arriving in our area. No-one has arrived at all in our block which is unusual for this time of year.  I think nowadays it is probably cheaper for people to take once again, the package holidays which  became less popular over recent years.  To pay for a flight, apartment, food and car hire it is very expensive and probably far cheaper to buy a complete package deal.  I think several people will be struggling this year as many seem to rely upon the rental market to survive and more and more apartments and villas are on the market at extroadinarily low prices.  One two bedroom apartment here has recently sold for just 67,000 euros whereas just 12 months ago it would have been expected to get a minimum of 100,000 if not more.

I was talking to a young lady that makes a living out of renting apartments and asked her why she didn’t do more “long term” rentals.  I knew it can be a little complicated here in Spain but didn’t realise how complicated!  She told me that it is very, very difficult to get people to leave if they don’t pay the rent and the courts will always look favourably on those who are renting, allowing them to stay up to 5 years without payment.  Surprisingly (or not!) it is apparently not the Spanish that flaunt this law the most.  I’m told that the most problems are from those from immigrants who quickly learn the rules and take full advantage.

Well, today was Mothers Day in the UK and I had a lovely card from Samantha.  Next year she will have one herself from her little one.  How strange it is to think of your own baby having a child.  We were due to go out this evening to celebrate my birthday and it was very difficult to find a restaurant that wasn’t full of families celebrating Mothering Sunday, even though Mother’s day in Spain is later in the year.  We did manage to book somewhere but have had to cancel because we are absolutely full of cake.  After our joint fasting (ok, should call it healthy eating), I decided that I wanted chocolate cake on my birthday. Tony and I took a trip to town this morning and I had a lovely piece of chocolate cake with coffee. We bought some more cakes and ate those when we got home!  Then just after, our dear friends Jane and Gordon came around with a huge chocolate birthday cake for me!  I can almost hear my arteries thickening and the warm air is obviously shrinking my dress as I type!  Ah well, tomorrow is another day and I have the joy of yet more carrots, cabbage and broccoli awaiting me!  Lovely!!

Forgot to mention, have I told you about my attempts at Karaoke?  Tony and I have avoided it like the plague since we came over here but about a month ago we were persuaded to go to a local bar with friends.  Now Gordon sings wonderfully and his rendition of I Pretend (Des O’connor) can bring me to tears but there was no way I was going to get up and give it a go.  The following week I don’t know what happened but I found myself up there, in front of all those people singing (well trying to) Que Sera Sera! Four weeks later that is my signature tune!!!  I sing like an angel, unfortunately a tone deaf one but hey ho, I don’t care…I have a laugh and really enjoy myself.  I know I should be looking at songs by Adele, Janet Jackson but for some reason am drawn towards Doris Day, Connie Francis!  One song that I adore is Frankie by Connie Francis but it would appear that no-one else has heard of it and the Karaoke man has to put in a special order for me!!!  So I guess I really am old!……..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-Jetds-O38 ..

Take care everyone and I would just like to thank everyone for their emails following my tribute to Chunky Boy.  It meant a great deal to us both.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Speak to you all again real soon.

Love Bell x

They say that age is all in your mind.  The trick is keeping it from creeping down into your body.  ~Author Unknown

Hello one and all.

Well here we are, 4 weeks down the line and Tony has lost 11lbs and me….I guess everyone needs a fat friend and I suppose I must be his!  No, not doing too bad really – I refuse to weigh myself nowadays, not only could I not take any disappointment but had a few “issues” years ago so tend not to go on scales anymore.  Managed to get my jeans on without doing some sort of yoga position on the bed to pull up the zip so that has to be an improvement!  I’ve even got to the point where I haven’t even wanted to touch the sweets that I know are still in the cupboard.  I like to know they are there for emergencies though!

January has been fairly quiet here.  Still very few people around despite the fact that we have had some really lovely weather for this time of the year.  Even managed to sit out in the sun for a few hours in and out.  One family have arrived and they are staying for a month.  Appears that they live in Brittany normally (ex-pats from the UK) but have hired an apartment here for just £380 for the month including all bills.  Can’t be bad really and they don’t have to worry about how much electricity they use for the heating! The lady even ventured into the swimming pool…I did warn her it was far too cold but she still went in!  Don’t think I have ever seen anyone get out quite as quick as she did though.

Samantha is doing really well (touch wood).  She is still very tired but I think that is just as much to do with the fact that she is coping with quite a demanding job and organising moving house and renting out her flat too! They are off to New York for a few days soon which was planned before she became pregnant.  I’m sure they will have a wonderful time.  I remember going when it was my 40th birthday and it was fabulous.  I would love to go again with Tony. He did the New York Marathon years ago….no intention of doing that one though, just a gentle stroll around the shops would do for me!

For those that I haven’t told, Samantha and Ben are having a baby BOY!  So excited about it and can’t wait to see the little one when he is born…..imagine me a Grandmother! Just seems so unreal doesn’t it that your own children are going to be parents. My other daughter Colette will be 29 this month too…..time flies by so fast.  I miss her very much but I know that she is happy with her boyfriend and that is what is important really.  Who knows, one day she may want her Mum again.

Spent yesterday out with friends looking for a dog.  Their own little one passed away 6 months ago and like so many other people they decided they wouldn’t get another one…and then, hey presto changed their minds!  We went to one rescue centre and it was simply heartbreaking.  Mother and pup found running along the street which had obviously been thrown out.  Three beautiful spaniels simply thrown over the wall of the kennels and two beautiful little souls that some rotten british couple left in a flat with instructions to the neighbours to feed the dogs while they were away.  Guess what, they never returned!  Why and how can people be so cruel?  We even had one in the paper this week here where the bin men found a small black dog in the bin.  If the man hadn’t been alert you can imagine what would have happened.  Its not the first time this has happened either.  Disgusting….if I could get my hands on those people…..

Anyway, today our friends went to see a little yorkie cross that is being fostered along with her 8 puppies by a very kind lady.  They took to each other and they will collect little Tilly in a few weeks time when she has finished feeding the pups!  They are even tempted to have one of the pups too!

TILLY

I just love a happy ending!

We are off to Mojacar in February just for one night. We wanted to go out for Valentines Day but the price of meals here for that night seem to have gone through the roof so I looked on the internet and found a deal at a hotel where for 57 euros we have a room for the night in a Spa hotel with inside swimming pool and half board!  Bargain!  Why is it that on “special” nights, restaurants really seem to try to sting you!  No wonder so many places here are closing down.

http://www.andalucia.com/villages/mojacar/home.htm

Today had to send my passport off for renewal.  My god the price!  160 euros plus 29 euros for it to be sent and checked to the British consulate in Madrid!  I did just consider coming back to the uk for a quick flight and getting it changed but in the end I think it would have cost more.  You wouldn’t mind but they never even check the thing when I come back over here!  It is much harder to get in and out of the UK than it is to come back into Spain….don’t think I have ever shown my passport when I arrive at Alicante airport!  They never stamp them nowadays either do they!  What a difference 10 years makes too…….my passport photo is UGH!  I look so so old!  I’m sure it was the light!!!!

I discovered Twitter this week……I’m following everyone and their mother at the moment! I think its quite fun but don’t think I could become obsessed with it as some people obviously are.  Sometimes nowadays I am at a loss what to look at on the laptop.  I tend to just go between the local forum and, of course, my good friends on Carers UK. Don’t know what I would have done with them over the last couple of years.  I really wish there was more that could be done to help so many of them who really struggle to get through each day.  I still stalk them even though I am no longer a carer – I know 3 dogs and 1 husband doesn’t really count as caring but they won’t get rid of me that easy!

Have you been watching the Fat Gypsy Wedding on Channel 4?  Couldn’t believe that wedding dress last week.  Even made Jordan’s (don’t get me started on her!) dress look pathetic! Its on again in a mo and I will be glued to it!

Well folks time to take up position for those Gypsies that are going to be on the screen real soon.  Sorry this post isn’t too long….not much happening at the moment but I’m sure that will change as the hoards return for the sunshine!

Much love to you all…and thanks for popping in!

Bell x

An Animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language”

Martin Buber

Happy New Year to one and all!

Here we are then, 2011.  I can remember when I was a little girl talking about the year 2000 and thinking that was so far away and I would be very old by then!  Now, it is 10 years past and I was right, I am very old! Actually, I did feel reasonably youngish (ok, well not young but certainly not old!) until today when I caught Tony looking at me whilst we were walking the dogs.  He said “cor, we have both got to look a lot older” – I guess he put the “we” in just to protect himself!  I think my glasses used to hide all the lines and now I’m very exposed!  I even went out and bought some foundation for my face today, the first time in about 10 years that I have worn any!  I’m usually quite tanned but at the moment my face looks like it has been hit with the ugly bat and all help I can get is necessary!  Thankfully my Spanish didn’t let me down in the shop…it is the simple things like that when you are really glad that you studied at least in one lesson at school!  Spanish was always my favourite and now I know why…they say things happen for a reason!

We are one week in on our diets….we have been very good but I’m a bit disappointed that I still look like me and not some supermodel! I think it is going to take a lot longer than I had imagined.  Its funny (well, not really) but I have always been a bit like an hour glass (a large one I admit) but now, my waist seems to have disappeared.  I am searching everywhere and am determined to find it before my first grandchild is born in June…cant have him or her referring to the “big nanny in Spain”! I am now officially one size bigger than I was when I met Tony, so not so bad really but when you are not far off the same size as one of the 7 dwarfs, any weight gain does show!  Oh to be just 6 inches taller…actually, just to be over 5 ‘ would be a bonus!

We decided to stay in for new year’s eve.  Over here it has been a bit of a rip off in the bars (if you can find one open that is), they charge you to go in to see exactly the same acts that have been there for the rest of the year for free).  Anyway, it was nice and at 12 o’clock we kept up the Spanish tradition of eating the 12 grapes each as the clock struck.  I looked it up and it originated many, many years ago when Spain had a magnificant crop of grapes and the King of the day ordered that they should be distributed amongst the people.  Another tradition is to wear red knickers to bring you luck for the year….I have no idea where that one came from!!!  Outside it was very quiet, but to be honest there is still only the 3 of us here in our block of 54 so shouldn’t really expect too much activity!

Yesterday was Three Kings, all Spanish children receive their gifts from the Kings although they do receive something small on Christmas day.  The little girl upstairs had a beautiful pink remote control car to sit in…it was wonderful to watch her yesterday being controlled around the square and pool, she is only 18 months bless her and didn’t have a clue what was going on but was quite happy to play.  What little girl wouldn’t be – I would be quite happy with a car like that myself!

Last year on Three Kings day we went to Benidorm (some of you will remember) and scattered both my Uncle Bill and Miss Daisey’s ashes as it was a place they both loved and had so many fond memories of.  Yesterday we took little Lola with us and put a little plant and card in the spot  It was so lovely there, it is right on the top of a hill overlooking the sea and nothing at all like you imagine Benidorm to be like.  Miss Daisey used to tell us about a mountain that is close to Benidorm that she had pointed out to us when we took her there.  If you look at it from the road it looks like an Indian chief.  When we were on the hill I noticed that you could actually see part of the Indian Chief, I’d like to think that he will be looking after them now.  Samantha said that she went to the cemetery over the holiday and put some flowers there for my Mum and Dad.  I do feel bad that I haven’t been able to get over there to do anything but when Tony and I go over later in the year I think we will put some stones down so it doesn’t get weeds.  Its very difficult when you live so far away.  Still, as Tony says, they aren’t there…they are with me wherever I go.

First day of the sales here today.  Had completely forgotten about that and only intended to go to Lidl for some energy drinks and the car parks were actually chocker block.  Its funny but don’t know about you, I just feel like I have to join in and shop!  One dressing gown, new coat, make up, a colander that folds up and an egg poacher later we got home, oh and 46 energy drinks too!

Haven’t heard anything from my sister’s solicitor but am quite expecting to in the next few days about the children’s money that I had in trust for them from my Mum’s estate.  I’ve sorted it all now though and can just say that I have taken steps to ensure that the money will not be given to the children early and that no-one else can get their hands on it.  My solicitor has been excellent and the good thing in the long run is that I will no longer be involved whatsoever.  This should mean that I probably won’t have any further contact from my sister.  Sad really isn’t it how families seem to fall apart.  Please don’t think that I have just given up ….I tried so many times but it just doesn’t work and I always seemed to get kicked in the face and I just can’t deal with that any more in life.  The strange thing is that exactly the same thing happened with my Mum and her sister and also with my Nan and her’s.

At Christmas I bought Tony the Soprano Box set.  Have you ever watched them?  Excellent.  Without wanting to sound like we sit around all day, we managed to watch the whole set in just over a week which is some going.  I found it fascinating and I have learnt so much about myself from it.  In the series, Tony Soprano is in therapy and he talks a great deal about his mother.  There were so many similarities between the woman that played the part of his mother and my own that I looked up advice given by his therapist and have discovered a website for daughters with mothers with these, shall we say “tendencies”.  unbelievable!  The funny thing was when I signed in to the forum, I talked about what had led me to the site and it appears that the Sopranos had been discussed frequently on the site because of the mother.  So interesting.  Let me know if you want any details by leaving a comment.

Samantha is almost half way through her pregnancy now and will find out at the end of the month whether she is having a little girl or boy.  Poor thing is suffering though and sounds awful at the moment, full of cold.  She had the flu jab this week so I suppose that is partly why but to be honest she has had a cold practically since she became pregnant.  I think the fact that she is working so hard and trying to sort things out for their impending move is also not helping.  Ben her husband said to me the other day that her hormones are all over the place. I think he was being very subtle, but I did tell him he “ain’t seen nothing yet”, wait til the baby is born, and just when you think its safe, the menopause hits too!  I think my menopause is sending me slightly crackers to be honest!  I put the lead on Bobby to take him for a walk last night and then tried to put Chunky’s (who is 25 kilos bigger than him) on him too and couldn’t work out why it was too big…poor Bobs just gave me the look that said it all! I walk around the flat and have no idea why I have gone in the bedroom and went to put the cup in the fridge yesterday.  Someone tell me it does get better.

Well, I think that is all I have to report at the moment.  Nearly time for bed, no electric blanket this year yet…we have been getting 19 -20 degrees during the day which is very nice I must admit.  Not sure how I would cope with all that bad weather you have all been having in the UK.  Take it easy out there.  For all my friends on the Carers UK forum, hold on in there….you are the best!

Much love and once again, best wishes for 2011.

Bell x

An optomist stays up until midnight to see the new year in.  A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves”

Bill Vaughan

Hi Stranger….me again!

Thought it was way time I got down to another blog.  Haven’t been on here for a month…things have been relatively quiet here actually which is really nice and I’m not complaining.  So much more to write about when the natives are around!

There have been ups and downs over the past month or so.  For the first time in 3 years we have the christmas decorations up and it looks wonderful.  I’m really pleased with it all.  New tree and a few other bits and pieces has managed to turn the flat into quite a little grotto!  We have put our old tree outside by the front door with a couple of father christmas’s (only pretend ones of course because there is only one REAL santa as everyone knows).  The little girl upstairs is loving it and gets quite excited everytime she is taken up and down the stairs.  We have a Pinochio puppet which sings whenever there is any noise which is wonderful (not) because when the neighbours go past, the dogs bark and that then sets of Pinochio!  Let’s just say that I know his song very well now!  I have quite expected Evil Edna to attack the tree and other bits but have been pleasently surprised.  Its obviously quite the norm for pomaranians to have 6 feet tree in the house! There was one hairy moment, I caught her eyeing up the branches and just managed to catch her as she was about to pounce. Fortunately, the fly she was after came out before she got in……Lucky!

I went over to see Samantha at the end of November and had a lovely time.  It was quite a surprise when she picked me up at the airport.  Not only was it snowing and extremely cold, but she got out the car and looked enormous….(remember she is pregnant, not fat!), well I couldn’t believe how big she looked considering she was only 12 weeks or so at the time, but then creased up laughing when she took the pillow out from under her coat!

We had a lovely couple of days. Went out for a meal with Ben her husband and of course, shopping.  We were drawn towards the baby clothes but I was very good and held back.  I just think it is best until much later in the pregnancy before buying anything.  It was still alot of fun looking though. Then we went to find some clothes for my ever expanding daughter!  Samantha said she can’t understand why her sister and myself keep going on about how big she is getting….silly girl doesn’t realise that we are making the most of the fact that this may be the only time when we are actually smaller than her!  Anyway, we found some trousers, tops and a dress.  Samantha said, she thought some of the clothes looked a bit “Mumsie”….doh Samantha….because you are!  Touching wood, she is doing very well and is finally beginning to feel a little better than she had been.

If you are on the Carer’s forum, you will remember that this week marked the first anniversary that Miss Daisey passed away.  I can’t believe it has been a year already.  I don’t think a day goes by that Tony and I don’t mention her in some way or another.  It just seems so cruel that she was taken from us when we had so much more that we wanted to do together.  I love and miss you loads Auntie Doreen. x

My sister marked the anniversary by getting her solicitor to send me yet another threatening email!  I am trustee for the children and she is pushing for more and more information which I am very reluctant to hand over and which I am told I am under no obligation to give.  I can’t say too much in this blog at the moment but it is all in hand.  I would like to publicly thank my sister though for her atroucious timing.  What is it with some families?  It seems whenever money is involved they just won’t let go.

Today it was our wedding anniversary.  Eight years.!! I’m sure there were some who thought it wouldn’t last longer than a few months….told you…proved you wrong!! We planned a trip to a small hotel on the edge of Granada and a trip to the palace there.  Dogs were taken to their doggy home for a couple of days yesterday…they are looked after there so well but they still don’t seem to realise how lucky they are! Evil Edna gave them a present as soon as she arrived right in the middle of the drive and when it was time to go I swear she turned around to the other two with her paw in the air as she assumed she was coming with us!  Not so quick Lola girl!

Tony and I were up early yesterday and all packed up with our goodies for the trip down….you have to eat sweets, chocolates and anything else you can get your hands on when you are on a long drive you know!  It did not stop raining all the way down.  When we eventually arrived at the little hotel it looked and was lovely. We were the only people staying there and they had lit a gorgeous log fire and there was some wonderful classical music playing. We were given some Rioja and sat down to warm through.  Spanish hospitality is simply wonderful.  Then we went to our room…..Tony said it was more like a cell or a Nun’s room (not sure how he would know what a Nun’s room looked like but thought best not to go there!).  Have to say, it wasn’t quite up to the hotel room we had in Las Vegas but it is Spain you know!  Mind you the wardrobe even looked like a confessional box!  Cold!  My god it was cold!  I managed to get a couple more blankets and a portable radiator for the room which soon warmed through.

Tony spent the next hour in the bath (actually he was bent in half….I guess Spanish people aren’t normally as tall as him, they do tend to be on the shorter side), after that he paced the room like a caged animal!  We decided that as it obviously wasn’t going to stop raining we would come home today!  Decision made, off we went for a browse around the village.  Found a cake shop and had a coffee and then back to the room for another hour or so before heading out for a meal!  Nah, nothing open!  Eventually managed to find a tapas bar opposite the hotel.  Young family ran it and their little boy spent much of the time playing cars with me while the Mum went out to get the ingretiants for our tapas! I sent Tony back to the hotel before we left to get the little one our big bag of sweets which we gave to the little boy…he loved it!

Have a browse of the hotel here:

http://www.reservations.lodging-world.com/hotel/es/alicia-carolina.html?aid=334052&label=SearchResultsName

This morning we were up at 7 (old habits die hard), and down for breakfast for 8.  I felt awful having to tell them that we were not staying for our second night and promised that we would be back.  Four hours or so later, we were tucked up nicely at our little flat, watching National Lypoon’s Christmas special with more chocolates and freshly brewed coffee….heaven!

All my Christmas shopping is done…bought Samantha and Ben their present when I was over in the UK, Moonpip cards organised and Tony’s present hid away safely (not saying where because I know he does read this from time to time so, if you are Tony….KEEP GUESSING! We have actually decided to go out for a meal on Christmas Eve which will be nice…I really can’t be doing with all the hastle on Christmas Day and the price that  people charge is ridiculous.  We took ourselves off to Iceland that we have here to get’s some bits and pieces in we thought for our christmas dinner.  Came back with a box of mini pasties….that will do nicely!  I have a christmas pudding somewhere so I might even put the boat out and have that with some cream!  Just the two of us and the dogs!

Right, enough of my chatting, time to get ready for the Apprentice final!  Just leaves me to wish everyone a truly wonderful Christmas and a Happy new year,  There are a few people from the Carers forum who I know are having difficult times at the moment…if you are reading this, thinking of you…take good care.

Enjoy yourselves…see you next year I guess!

Love Bell x

I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.

Charles Dickens