27th April- May 3

 This is my last full week here in Castlenel Castalla.

I had to turn my mind towards 83 Ullet Road today. I ordered an online shopping to be delivered on May 7th.

I wakened very early then went back to sleep and wakened again just be for 10.00 I still feel tired. I did so much last week and yesterday was very hot and tiring.

This will be a lie low day; the kitchen taps will be delivered today, scullery taps tomorrow. Amazon Esp don't give a time like they do in UK just a date. This is good I have to stay home and not feel I should be out. I sat on the balcony this morning for about an hour drinking tea and daring to listen to The Rest is Politics. I have no idea what is happening in the world they were talking to the potentially next Serbian President. I did not feel reassured.

I am still in the throws of Spring cleaning but the biggest part is done. I gave two bags of clothes , bedding and household things to Isabel ; she sorts through things she knows who could use things , what goes to the church and what goes to the ECO park. I am grateful. 

It is 11.00 AM and I am still in my dressing gown. I like days like this. 

I have renamed ( in my mind) the old Utility room to The  Butler's Pantry.and El Jardin to The Scullery. these names reflect more what we use the rooms for.

In the big old houses , the scullery maid did all the washing up in there and in Castlenel Maria is the only one who uses it

The Butlers Panty not only stored special goods .The butler had a wee space for his cuppa or his dram.

I often have cuppa's available down there; we also store our wine in the fridge.

Makes sense to me :)

                                  I saw a client on zoom at 5.30 and the Kitchen taps arrived 

                                                                    Kitchen Tap

 

I went out to Hong Da for the last small packet of compost to top up some of the terrace plants.

I decided we needed a new watering cans, the broken ones we have here we have had for about 15 years,

 

                                                               One for each floor

Kings Trust payment came in today with the extra counselling money AND the Air BnB money came in and my client paid immediately. I feel happy to see my account building up again. Especially as I have had two moths over here so far this year.  I have much to be grateful for.

I will still buy a lottery ticket for tomorrow night draw for M&M and me .

Dusk in Castalla 

 

 

 

                                                                        April 28th 

I had to stay home again all day to wait in for the Butler's Pantry tap; of course it came at 6.00 PM

                                                Waiting for Frank now to fit both Taps

 It will be good to go out tomorrow . I have a little shopping to do.  I need bulbs for my bedroom light and the lunky and seodin,  

 

  The new storage boxes I brought over with me; I got them especially for the towels over here.

                                                                      April 29th.

Hooray I was able to go out this morning for some shopping; I filled up with dishwasher tablets; washing machine tablets, rinse aid, lightbulbs ,all ready for when the families arrival in July... and new kettle, sugar and cream and mugs for the Butlers' Pantry.

As we have two comfortable chairs in the main hallway now I think it would be nice for folk to sit and read down there and have a cup of tea or coffee.

I have fitted all the light bulbs since I came back; very satisfying.

I have booked a massage with Isha for Tuesday at noon; a wee treat for myself on my penultimate day. 

There is another new supermarket along from L'hostel; it reminds me of the shops in Taiwan ; they seem to have  everything you might want and it is very cheap. These shops are sprouting up here and I wonder how they can all be making a living .

I am having a coffee tomorrow with Sofia;  Maria could not open the french windows in RoR ( they were very stuck) or the door in La Galleria. I want to show Sofia how it is done and she can show Maria . She can keep them clean for us. I have made a good start.

I said to Lucy before I came here that I would like to make a video of Castlenel; Sandra makes lovely videos . I have not been able to make the video and talk over it at the same time.

I am happy to say I started this morning and I have shown the top floor and it is nice and bright and I can hear what I am saying ; Happy days.

This afternoon I went out to get some more things for Castlenel. Dust pan and bushes; and some shopping for July to get us started. Pasta /Rice Couscous tins of tomatoes ,tuna, washing powder...

My kindle has not been working I thought there was something stuck in the space where the charger goes

I asked in the mobile shop if they had an instrument small enough to get it out. It turns out there is a bit that needs replaced. He will have it ready for me for Monday. He was a lovely young man who told me he had travelled a fair bit and his favourite city is Edinburgh.He loves the highlands too. An instant friend :)

I then took a favourite pair of glasses ( from before I had the cataract removed ) to the opticians  and asked could she make them into sunglasses.....she can... hooray they will be ready on Tuesday afternoon.

                                                              April 30

I wakened up feeling much more energetic this morning.I enjoyed drinking tea and listening to the bells.

Sofia came with Ember  I showed her the things I want Maria to do next time she is cleaning.

We went for a coffee at Pehuen and it was lovely and quiet. She has far too much on her plate, still grieving, new baby ,new house, generally being a mum and hardly seeing Frank, not his fault, he comes home has food then out to work on the new house. 

We had a walk in the sunshine, then she was off to see Peter in hospital in Alcoy.

I  video-ed part two of my video of Castlenel.I am happy to say that after so long time thinking it was too hard; it was a piece of cake.

I then tackled La Galleria front door; it was clatty-manki  as we say in Glasgow. I have made a good second go. I think it looks quite amazing now.

It is a bank holiday here tomorrow but not Monday; opposite of UK. I need to go to Mercadonna for some food shopping, I am using everything up before I leave now. There is nothing left in the freezers. I need to make sure I just get what I need and no more, last time I was here I gave so much food to Sofia; which is fine but if I can avoid having too much that is better.

I bought Pilar a beautiful plant and a bottle of red and a bottle of white wine with the money Matthew sent to thank her for her help.

I was going to take her out for drinks  with M&Ms money before she goes off the Almaria to spend  Mother's day on Sunday with her Mother.  She said she was pretty tired and could I just go over to her house .

Which was fine with me. I went to get her her gifts. Later that day possibly because Africa and Nam were there they decided to go out after We all went to Pehuen Alberto was there too.

Pilar with her plant.

We had the most delightful evening. Africa's boyfriend Nam is from Germany his parents are Vietnamese they left when they were about twelve. He is Nam and his brother is Viet...

Nam is in Marketing  it was very interesting to listen what that entails. Alberto is very interesting we had a great chat about politics his english is improving and he understands me ok if I slow down and talk clearly.

I discovered he is a Star Wars fan. 

They are all interesting and want to talk ;the loudest gets heard. Like being with the Collins family in the old days in Kintillo.

It was a great night altogether. 

Before I left to go over to Pilar's, Frank called in to fit the taps. I had to leave him to go out.

I was so happy when I came back to see the lovely new taps.Simple things make me happy. 

                                                                    Kitchen Tap

Butler's Pantry Tap 

May 1st 

It is a bank holiday here today and sadly it is raining this does not affect me as I am happy to be around in Castlenel this weekend to cherish being here in my last few days.

When I went up to make my tea this morning my heart flipped with joy to fill the kettle from a shiny new tap

The mists were rising over the hills everything smelled fresh after the rain. 

Misty mountains

Rain brought out new flowers

I wish I could be here to see these gorgeous flowers spring out 

The little lavender flowers just starting to appear 

I had a lovely afternoon bath in our beautiful PJ2 bathroom.Although we don't have too much hot water I still enjoy these baths.

I made a Pipperade and a few salads which I will enjoy over the weekend.

My guests arrived at 83 today, they asked if they could go in earlier to leave bags. I said not only can the go in early today they can stay a little longer on Monday as the cleaners asked it they can go in on Tuesday rather than Monday and I said of course; so the guests don't have to rush away. the guests and the cleaners are happy which makes me happy too.  

I watched an old favourite tonight " Guess who's coming together " Sydney Poitier " was simply gorgeous 

May 2 

My last Saturday here for a while...I listened to my inspirational playlist while I did my morning pages peace and gratitude journals in El Garret the sun was already up there is a low mist over the hills.

What on earth will I do in July when Philip will be back in his room :)

Today I will sort out my clothes, launder them and leave them ready for my return. By that time I will need the summer things. Although it has been much warmer here this visit.It still gets cold in the house.

I have avoided using the heating if at all possible and wear warmer clothes. 

Luckily I brought a wonderfully warm lined dressing gown( sort of  thing ) which I bought in Marie Curie in Woolton on one of my stays over there. It saved my life in January and I have worn it to death again this visit. The when I go out I change into something for the heat.

Pilar sent me some pictures of her place in Almaria last night. She wants to take me there one day.

 I look forward to seeing it in reality one day.

I am leaving now for my last Saturday market; just for  a " wee donner " as my dad would say.

PM

I enjoyed my Saturday morning market sojourn.

I had a coffee at La Bassetta on their TV they were showing Onil's Moros y Cristianos  festival.

Andrew and I went over there a few years ago after we had been to Alicante for some shopping.

I am not sure if it is my imagination or loyalty to Castalla but their festival does not feel as well organised as ours.

I bought some nuts at the indoor market to take home a few bits of stationary at Hong Da to take back; like Taiwan the stationary is cheaper than UK.

I treated myself to an outfit at the market because it was made in Italy; I am fed up with everything coming from China.

I always thought my "Salle Room" was the name from a ship which was a place of safely. I discovered today that is not the meaning at all. I will keep it as it does refer to relaxation.

In Hope Street our Salle room was the name of our counselling room (a place of safely)

A "salle" (commonly referred to as a saloon or salon) on a ship is a main lounge, living room, or common area designed for relaxation, social gatherings, and entertainment. It serves as a central hub for passengers or crew to gather, featuring comfortable seating like sofas and tables.  

I am still learning new things. Although the older I get the more I prefer familiar things. I like to watch things I have seen before. Read favourite books again. Listen to the music from my earlier life.

I will have a relaxing day today then I will start to pack some favourite things away; take down the art in the LA. My cousin David might becoming to morrow .if so I will leave the winding down till Monday.

After a wee rest I tackled the outside areas.

Scrubbed the chairs; look a wee bit better

washed the balcony floor

and Matt Collins Window

Sophie's Terrace

Scullery

I have not had any wine for a while; last Saturday evening in Castlenel deserves a G&T or a glass of wine.

Happy things.

A client contacted me to say how much better he felt and thanked me for my help.

I had a message from EDF to say my direct debit is going down.

The tax people took less out of my pension this month I think that might mean that will happen every month. It is not a lot but it makes me happy to see bills going down ( yay)

May 3 

It rained in the night everything smells fresh

I have been around the house opening doors and windows watering indoor plants, all the while I hear Maria outside chatting to a neighbour, Peoples conversations in another language sound interesting and romantic to me.

I am delighted to have found another Inspector Cheng Mystery.. I love theses books by Qiu Xiaolong.

I am listening on audible. Apart from being a very good mystery I learn a lot about China especially Shanghai .Inspector Chen is  also a poet and often  describes amazing Chinese food menus.

My cousin David did not come in the end ( Kathy needed the car) 

To be honest I was real pleased as this is my last day with no tasks and no people.

I watched a DVD I found " Busby " it must have been Phil's. I really enjoyed it ; obviously the Munich part was awful. I felt so sad and cried as I did in the David Tennent film of it.

I have made a list of all the things I have to to to close down the house till June 29th.

They will keep me busy for the next few days. 

I do have a massage to look forward too though.

I prefer the opening up part,.

"You get a strange feeling when you're about to leave a place… like you'll not only miss the people you love but you'll miss the person you are now at this time and this place, because you'll never be this way ever again." — Azar Nafisi