February 2026 Castlenel,Castalla
I have just discovered today February 6th , which is Matthew and Marie's 38th wedding anniversary, that the February blog I have been doing daily has disappeared. I have posted all these pictures here to help me recreate what has been happening here.
2/2/26
I remember that about the 2nd we had our first day without the relentless wind. it was sunny and although the temp was low I was able to get the laundry dried on the balcony. Simple things make me happy. :)
3/2/26
Market day and we had beautiful sunshine; I bought the plants at the market stall, which is much reduced in winter as is the market. I had a gorgeous walk around Castalla , up the hill round the top and back down again. It was lovely to be out and about in the sunny weather
It is St Blaise's day on Feb 3 the day when we saw people in County Claire lining up out side the churches to have their throats blessed ( or troats as they would say) I always sent my dad a post card on February 3rd, ( he had throat cancer) I asked family and friends to remember him on that day; some people prayed, some did a circle dance, some wrote to dad via me it was all very touching .
4/2/26
After my morning routine Jane, Writing , Blog and to lists, I waited in for Mercadonna delivery and the amazon delivery
I knew Vincete had ordered a part for the a/c unit but did not know when he would come; he turned up without warning and happily I was home, waiting for the other deliveries.That day it had returned to lashing rain and wind.in the morning but happily when he was here it was brighter for him to do the out side work. I heard late on Feb 4 that Sofia's dad had died. I felt very sad for Sofia as she was anxious since I arrived about his heart surgery; I had a feeling it would be a success; I was wrong. I went to bed really early that night with my book and was asleep by 9.00 PM
5/2/26
It was a beautiful day yesterday and by the afternoon is was up to 18 degrees; a crazy jump from 7 the day before.It is still windy but nothing like it was on my first 10 days.
I went to get the money out for Susanna and by some miracle , the ATM at the Caixabank seemed normal and easy. It's a mystery.
I am meeting Susanna Vicente's wife on Saturday at La Bassettta to pay her for his work.
I went to Pehuen for a coffee on my way home and Valerie pronounced Ball-er-ee-ia in Spanish. who served me ,gave me her English boyfriend's card, he is a painter. His name is Matthew;
This name immediately draws me in as both my grandfathers, my father, my brother, my nephew and grand nephew, an uncle and some cousins were all Matthews.
I contacted him to ask if I could meet him before I leave and get a quote for "room of requirement" to compare with the last quote we had, I also thought he might be able to do a few small things for me if he is at all handy.
He is coming on Monday morning at 9,00 am. I look forward to that.
I had planned to go to Alicante today to say hello to the Med :) but I feel quite low in energy ; I think a wee walk in Castalla and a cafe con leche will suffice.
I went for a night time walk before supper and watched a Jeeves and Wooster; Early night with my book.
7/2/26
After my morning routine I went to meet Susanna to give her the money for the a/c repair.
She is a lovely young woman from Hungary ; she speaks a good few languages and is studying to be an interpreter.She has one son in Canada, he is 17 he is on a "one school year gap ",her other son lives here in Castalla. She lives El Campo and has two big dogs and two cats.
We will meet again for a coffee before I leave. She says she likes the opportunity to improve her english, and unexpectedly she said I had a lovely accent and she could understand me perfectly.
I then wandered in the market and bought a few sweaters , as I have very few winter things here.
When I got the sweater home I noticed that one of the zips was coming away from the material; I took it back to the market stall and the man indicated I could just sew it up :) I laughed and said I want another one; this was all done with body language. I did get another one though.He was baffled by my request.
I enjoyed a walk in the winter sunshine and came across a band playing light hearted music and young folk dancing around them.
I noticed that our towels in Castlenel were old and miserable looking ( and feeling ) ; I thought new grey ,black or white towels would match the new bathroom.
I went in to Consum on my walk and there in a small space were some grey towels and bathmats.
Two towels and facecloth 9.99 euro and the bathmat 5.99 euro. I bought them; Perhaps each family member could buy some each time they are here and we can gradually get rid of all the ancient towels; some of which I brought from Ireland 20 odd years ago,
I will be having a zoom with Matthew and Marie later today . I have delayed my trip to Alicante ;I was going to go after the market and coffee.
I will certainly go before I leave on February 18th.
I really enjoyed my lovely long zoom chat with Matthew and Marie we caught up on family news, world news, life and death and made plans for future get togethers.
I then, as it is Saturday night ,went out to L'hostel for a vino blanco. It was a wet night and L'hostel was quiet; I thought because it is a wet night everywhere is quiet'
When I left about 30 minutes later the streets were alive with people. It reminded me of Feakle, the local folk done come out till about 10.00 PM
8th February 2026
Today I plan on getting the bus to he Alicante at 2. 15 .I will talk about that trip and my zoom with Susan Patsy and Sandra in next weeks blog.
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