April 21.-26

I am starting to feel tranquil again after the excitement of M&Ms visit.

I have got Castlenel back to "normal" this means I feel like getting back to my routines here. Jane; walks; writing.

I hope to finish ER this week. It is quite touching that a lot of the people in the early series are popping in.

Quite shocking the last episode I watched. John Carter came back and the last scene he was having chemo ( oh no)

I have planned my Zoom with Susan; Gary and Wendy, and coffee with churros on Sunday morning with Sofia Frank and all , the Saturday afternoon picnic was cancelled. I prefer this.

I am meeting Suzanna on Saturday morning for coffee ( Vicete A/C mans wife) and on Saturday evening I have a zoom call with Johnny and Ellie

April 22nd

I slept well and late ;did all my mornings routines. started the laundry from La Galleria .While the laundry was in I went to see Belen to make an appointment about the residents permit...she was in and I spoke to her about Resident's permit and extending3 month visa; she can't help and does not know who can.

Spring cleaning La Galleria

Morning writing

I walked all around town to find the place who might fix my Kindle, but I could not see it. It was 29 degrees this morning. I went into Consum to get some cleaning things. Domestos ,one for each floor, bin bags, cleaning cloths etc. It cost about 30 euro but I am ok to pay for that myself. After the cleaning today I think we need new mops and brushes,La Comparsa can pay for them, as Maria will use them and I think needs them.

I had a very nice cafe con leche and an agua con gas at La Bassetta. After being out in the heat it was a lovely tranquil moment. I was the only one in apart from the staff.

I opened La Galleria door and let in the fresh air and gave it a good clean, it is a good start. I emptied the Lunky and gave the floor and the shelves a good clean. Until we get the new shower room en suite I think a coat of paint would make it feel nice in there, might keep the dust down.

I have decided to pay for LA to be painted and have already asked Matthew to come round to talk about that and the work on the cellar wall. I also want him to move a few things for me.

I am enjoying Dancing Backwards, I have finished Anne of Green Gables. I have finished ER too. I had no idea it went on so long after I stopped watching. Almost all new people for many series, I loved the last series when so many of the original cast come back for cameo parts.

I loved the last episode with the Joshua Carter free hospital.

Matthew transferred £20 to me to take Pilar out for drinks to thank her for her help with the car.

I will do that; I will also buy her a plant at the Market on Saturday.

I am looking forward to my zoom with Susan tomorrow morning !

April 23

I set the alarm last night in case in slept in and missed my zoom with Susan at 9.00 AM of course I was awake at 7.00AM.

Yesterday was all about spring cleaning La Galleria today it is all about El Garret. Before the call I got a wash on. Made two cups of tea and a glass of water to take to the lap top; it is always a long call.

Susan is settling into her new home happily and is slowly recovering from the move the 80 th birthday celebrations and her sisters visit.

She and Alan are very happy together. he would like them to get married and move in together, Susan likes it better as it is now, they spend a lot of time together but Susan like to come home to her own " wee butt and ben" I feel exactly that same. I am used to living alone and I could not live with anyone again.

Her family are thriving and she continues to go to exhibitions, theatre and tomorrow she and Alan are going on a tour of the off GPO building in Sydney. ( now a hotel)

I drank both large cups of tea and the water during our two hour zoom :)

I completely forgot that M&M and I bought a joint lottery ticket on Saturday.It was for the Tuesday evening draw. Last night Matthew asked "are we millionaires " I could not believe I had forgotten. It was the first thing on my list to do after the zoom call... I went straight to the wee tobacconists who sells the tickets - we are not millionaires ....next time.

As I said to M&M " yet we have so much to be grateful for " we are all blessed.

I went to L'hostel for" cafe con leche y tostada "after I had posted some cards. I am amazed how much cheaper the post is here than the UK . L'hostel is not as nice as it used to be but I go in occasionally; I prefer La Bassetta.

L'hostal brunch. 3 euro 10 cent

Two new daisy plants.

I bought some plants from the local florist their plants looked so lovely as I passed by. I normally get them at the market.

I heard from Matthew (painter) he will call in soon to answer my questions,

I was a bit lost after the end of ER but I have found Staircase... it is keeping me interested and a bit scared of Colin Firth.

April 24th

It is quite a shock to waken to 13 degrees after the high temperatures . I am about half way through laundering all the towels here in Castlenel. , luckily unless it pours with rain, the balcony catches the sun, they will all be done and fresh before I leave. I left some out overnight and they were almost dry this morning.

I have done quite a few washes and hope it is not too expensive to have the washer on so much; I have not had any heating on though.

The spring cleaning has to be done.I want all the bedding and towels to be fresh and clean when the family arrives in July.

Pilar came over for morning coffee we had a nice chat before she heads to Madrid to look at machines for her studio and to see Alberto.

I had a client at lunch time, then continued washing the never ending amount of towels in this house.

I have stopped till tomorrow when I will have two more loads.

I have already thrown some towel into the rag bag...and some in the bin.

By tomorrow afternoon,,,all the bedding and towels dishtowels will be done :)

Matthew popped in and I told him , I would like the same colour in the RoR through to the LA and the back TV wall a blue similar to the shutters.

I think this colour looks good agains the blue shutters...

He answered my questions about what he will do in the Cellar. I will let Matthew know and see what he thinks.

He moved my desk and chair up to the RoR . I am so happy as a long time ago this was my office ; the wifi is much better in this room.

I am sitting at my desk now this is the first thing I have typed from this room

April 25th

It poured all last night and is still raining now ;as we say in Glasgow

"Good for the wanes and good for the drains"

I went to meet Suzanna in La Bassetta, the market looked a bit drooket ;all the covers were sagging with water.

The cafes were busy and cheery . I ordered a coffee and waited for Suzanna; I texted her to say where I was and she came back with lots of emojis reflecting she was so sorry she had forgotten our arrangement.

She was so mortified, but I was very happy where I was and reassured her not to feel bad.

I ordered a tostada con tomate and "people watched."

We will meet before I leave inshalla.

My task for today " should I choose to accept it " is to descale the kettle and clean the dishwasher and washing machine. I bought the white vinegar and baking soda when I was at the market.

I have happily spent quite a lot on castlenel ;so this morning I bought some much needed make-up and little baskets to put it all in; for myself. Simple things make me happy.

After the market I cleaned the the kettle the dishwasher and the washing machine with vinegar and baking soda....it took a while to take the vinegar smell away. Thankfully that is another thing done.

I continued to wash some the myriad of towels we have in this house.

After lunch I finally got around to watching Frankenstein, I still prefer the book but it was very touching especially the second part.

I had a lovely zoom call with Johnny Ellie and the children. Lots to catch up on Johnny's German job has just finished.

Ellie had a lot on while he was away. Children had exams Clemy is not too well.

We tried to arrange a time for me to visit over the summer when me to see Kew Gardens in Summer and visit the Portrait Gallery. They will get back to me.

26th April.

This morning I met up with Sofia and the children and we went to Mobile Park ( behind Pilar's house.)

for a morning picnic of Churros and chocolate milk. ( neither of which I like ,too sweet) Maria came with us and Frank came later from working on his new house. Then Nicole and her three lovely children arrived.

When Frank arrived we talked about taps. He approved the ones I chose on amazon and said he would fit them for me when /if I decide to get them.

When the picnic was over I went with Sofia ,Nicole, six children and Maria to see their new house.

I am well impressed with the house and Franks work.It seems there is nothing this young man cannot do. He was upstairs mixing cement when we arrived.

Isabel arrived shortly after us, then Maria's neighbour from her childhood. It turns out they have bought Maries's grandfathers old house. .

It was hot and loud yet quite charming too ; to see how everyone gets involved with everything.

I came home starving as I had not eaten the churros and hot chocolate; picnic's here are different for a picnic in my imagination. I had a big lunch then slept for 3 hours.

When I came to the laptop with my cuppa I found a new Air BnB booking for May 1 -4 for 83. I ordered the taps immediately :)

Hopefully I will see them fitted before I leave.

We passed two restaurants on Sofia's street I am told there are five altogether, Maria likes Casa Paqui best she says the other on is too expensive.

I liked their street and their house; fab potential.

"It's in those quiet little towns, at the edge of the world, that you will find the salt of the earth people who make you feel right at home." — Aaron Lauritsen

I have finally finished all the laundry in Castlenel.