Epilogue , last few days and return to Liverpool
14th February; Valentine's Day
On my last Saturday in Castalla we had a quiet beginning to the day ...then the wind started up again. I decided to stay home and to start my farewell to Castlenel cleaning.It takes me about three days to really arrive here and get things opened up I don't like to rush it I do things very gradually and savour the moments.
It is the same when I am leaving . I take my time put things away gradually so it is not too shocking.
I spent five hours cleaning Castlenel from top to bottom ; I listened to a combination of pop music to keep me moving; Love's Executioner by Irving Yalom and The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton read by Kate Winslet. I could not resist buying it when I saw it on Amazon Audible.
I enjoyed making everything sparkly; I washed all the crockery and cutlery on the shelves; wiped surfaces, washed floors and polished what had to be polished ; I don't think Maria polishes, she dusts, as do my cleaners in Liverpool. I replaced all the candles and nightlights and watered the plants , what is left after the storms.
I then had a long hot bath in the warm bathroom. My last one as it takes a while to warm the bathroom . I can't or wouldn't do it very often as it would be expensive.
I then got dressed nipped out to Consum for a few last things, and called in at La Bassetta to have my last Saturday night vino blanco here in Castalla.. Very nice it was too. I could see lots of folk were all dressed up and settling in for a good night out. I enjoyed just one glass while people watching.
When I came home I played my "John " playlist and raised a valentine's day glass to John. Torture to be honest , but once in a while I am compelled to do it. I often miss John more when I am here.
I then came down to LA and watched ER on my laptop. I am enjoying it ; I can't really remember any of it. I think Anthony Edwards is a much better actor than George Clooney. George Clooney has improved enormously with age. My favourite is Dr Peter Benton among the men .
Sherry Springfield is beautiful.
I watched The Resident which is a more modern version of ER when I was in Taiwan.. I really enjoyed.
I enjoyed getting messages from Sandra, Marie,Archie, Martha , Kate, Penny , Johnny and Ellie on this day of love.
Matthew and Marie were supposed to be going to Brussels today , sadly their flights were badly delayed; so they went back home and will hopefully travel tomorrow.
15th February.
it was another wild night, but I slept quite well, no doors or windows blew open, that's a bonus.
Pilar and Alberto came over t 10.00AM . Alberto wanted to see the house.
He really loves it and was full of ideas about insulation and carpenters; all great; all we need is the money.
He told me a lot about parts of Spain I don't know but always wanted to see; Toledo; Cordoba ; places way up in the north where it is beautiful and green; when he was young he had a camper van and travelled all over; he gave me a wanderlust to travel more in Spain; Toledo I saw pictures of years ago in a magazine and thought I would like to see it. I of course just like coming here and enjoying Castlenel , and small town life. I cant really afford to do all that travelling ; Alberto thinks I would get cheaper rates in Spain because of my age, as local people do. I don't know if I would qualify.
In April one of my goals is to find out about getting a visa to extend my stay to more than three months and how to get a residents permit. There is a season for everything this one has been about surviving the winter in castlenel and making it warmer..April will be about lawyers and officials, yikes.
I wish my children and or my siblings were here and I could share the burden with them. I realise I can be a bit too independent; I need to remember it is ok to ask for help...
On the other hand
' I can do it Duffy Moon"
"Day'll come hen"
February 16th
I had a zoom client this morning, first piece of work since Jan 24th; and it was a tough one, a woman I really like working with , alas she is going through hell.
I felt really tired after the session; but decided to go for the 1.15 bus to Alicante...after trying to figure out what I am doing wrong with the blog, no luck.
As I walked down to the bus the Shrove Tuesday bells were ringing out and the wind was howling. I met Nicole( Franks Daughter) at the bus stop, she was saying goodbye to her mother who was going back to Madrid.I have never met the mum, Nicole is very like her.
Nicole is a name I remember from Queen Mother Hospital in 1970; one of the woman who was in ,like me, for weeks before the delivery, had a daughter on the same day I had Andrew, The baby had jet black hair , her mum, whose name I cant remember said " her hair is as black as coal" she decide the baby's name would be Nicole.
I had a perfectly nice ride down to Alicante, but felt my heart sinking a bit when I saw the trees all the way down to Alicante blowing wildly.
The small people who live under the shop in Terry Pratchett's Diggers said" the trees waving their arms around is what causes the wind" They have been waving wildly for weeks here. I some how thought it would be different in Alicante.In some ways it was, it was warmer and we had blue skies, but I went onto the beach and the wind was blowing sand every where. I had to leave quickly. For some reason my pictures do not capture this, it looks quite calm.
Some areas were cordoned off ; I think it was because people could be swept away to see in the high winds; there was a high police presence.
I am finding the incessant wind waring. I did Jane this morning . saw a client, and walked 8,000 steps ( approx) I felt so tired when I got off the bus to Castalla. I decided I need a change from all the veggies and fruit I have been eating since I got here. I went into Consum and bought fresh pasta , four cheese sauce and smoked salmon, and a small integral roll.
I was going to go for a glass of wine but nowhere appealed; I prefer our beautiful Castlenel kitchen. After all a few days from now it will not be an option. I have been listening to Chopin, and John Denver most of the day, both make me feel sad, yet I am drawn to them at the moment. The weather is impacting on me, and avoiding Radio 4 because of the word wide news is affecting me.
It is all unsettling. I am seeing Sofia tomorrow and that will be a sad meeting I have not seen her since her dad died.
All I can tell myself is...
All shall be well
and all shall be well
and all manner of things shall be well....
February 17th
another wild windy morning; I wonder if the market stall will be up and running?
I am listening to Mozart this morning...simply divine.
I met Sofia at La Bassetta , the first hour was a bit like a counselling session... but harder due to language barrier. I was glad to see Sofia and hear what it was like for her....very sad. I had no idea, she has an estranged brother; he is 9 years older than her; he was from a different mother. I far as I understand he has turned up and not looking for his share of the dad's money... sounds like a prick to me.
They have the keys for their new home now and already Frank has pulled it apart, he is in heaven.
It will be a while till they can move in.
I have asked Sofia to pass messages on to Maria, and to remind Frank to measure the persiana, and to find out the cost and where to get one.
If I decide to have RoR painted, she insists that she will come to deliver the key and not to give him the key safe number. She is very protective of us and Castlenel.
I then had a wander in the market and bought another two jumpers; they are very inexpensive
Bye bye Charlie till April
I have started to get the house ready for me leaving; I have my last laundry in and , as hard to believe as it is, the sun has come out the wind had died down, and the balcony is warm and the first batch of laundry is hanging out there. Simple things make me happy.
I have enjoyed the afternoon finishing the laundry enjoying sunshine on the balcony. All my " things" are packed away, my case is almost packed; I have my boarding pass; but could not check in my bag I will have to do it t the airport.
Tomorrow at this time, I will have gone from here and be at the airpots The Shrove Tuesday Bells are still ringing;I was told yesterday the bells were Shrove Tuesday bells. Perhaps they were a rehearsal.
I stood on the balcony on my last night as the sun went down and the bells rang out; it was wonderful and a wee bit sad.
February 18th....
The wind has gone, the sun is out, it is 19 degrees and I am leaving today for Liverpool.
I have completed 99 percent to my leaving tasks....I just have to bring in the last bit of laundry. Pack laptop I pad etc...I had my last coffee and tostada at Peuhen with Pilar. She is flying it with her business, good for her. I will of course miss , Castlenel, Castalla, Pilar, Sofia Frank and family. I have enjoyed meeting a few new people, Matthew, Susanna, Vicente.
I have been worried that the flight might not go because of the weather...but I am feeling confident ( of course something else could delay a flight.)
I will finish this in Ullet Road. I really hope for a smooth flight and a safe landing and arriving home to a cosy flat and a nice cup of tea.
February 19th Happy birthday Lucy.
Frank picked me up at 4.30 I gave him two bags of food from the fridge and freezer that I could not use.
We had a beautiful run to the airport.. we are comfortable enough together now so we have no need to chat. I sat back and enjoyed the blossom on the almond trees, the sunshine, and the distant view of the sea.
Alicante airport now had the new system for checking in bags as I faced in Liverpool when I flew to Alicante. The staff here were much kinder than the people at Liverpool Airport. I was given a choice if I wanted to use the new system or go to a member of staff. I chose a person. She told me it was their first day with the new system.
They also have a new thing in Alicante; you have to have one tray for all your electronics; and the other for clothes and shoes.
I was horrified to see a Wetherspoons as I arrived at the airport, and another one at the departure gates.
It was an ok flight as any Ryanair flight can be. The chairs are so narrow it is not so comfortable now as it was travelling with John, because we could lean on each other; travelling alone you spend you time trying not to lean on the next persons arm rest.
When I arrived I was shocked at how wet ,cold and black the night was. As I left the airport I saw a bus going to South Parkway and hopped on ,as it is a nicer pace to hang around than out side the airport on a wet cold night.
I was the only person at South Parkway and it turned out there was an 80A arriving in 10 minutes; it takes me the the bus stop opposite 83 .
The whole journey cost me nothing, I had my bus pass with me. :)
I came into a lovely warm flat thanks to Andrew, it was good to feel cosy, and there was a box of Maltesers too.
There was a book in amongst the post .I ordered it ages ago ,and a letter saying the state pension is going up as always ,in April, it is a very small amount, but that's better than it going down or no increase al all.
I unpacked , found my Alexes my digital picture frame and a few other things I pack away when I leave.
I felt warm and happy.I had some Glenmorangie in the cupboard, and decided to have a wee welcome home dram along with some Maltesers. Delicious.
I always find it hard to leave Castlenel ;conversely I always feel happy coming home to Ullet Road.
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