Castlenel June 29th till August 3rd.
Castlenel
Wednesday July 1st
Part One
Hello Blog
I arrived in Castlenel late on Monday June 29th after a very long day. I did all the last minute things on my to do list in Ullet Road. beds ,bins, fridge, food to neighbours, pack both Alexa"s away. Text neighbours about gardens, post and house guests..
I got an Uber early as everything was done so why wait". I had my travel book " Spectacles "by Sue Perkins( a Christmas gift ) and would enjoy a coffee.
I checked in easily, as I was early I was the only one there ,so no waiting time.
I was happily reading my book drinking my coffee thinking it will soon be time to go to the gate...horror or horrors I looked up to the screen it said " estimated 19.20... it was about 3.15. After a while I had had enough of my book and my audible book too.
I discovered that I could see Netflix on my phone. Three episodes of The Resident would take me to nearer the flight.. So in between walking up and down getting in some steps I watched a tiny screen while sipping sparkling water.
Finally a note came up " more information at 18.35." I was worried it would be a further delay. But no hooray, go to gate 17. We moved through very quickly and my reward for my patience. I got three seats to myself.I had a black coffee to help keep my awake, As we were arriving in Alicante I was able to move to the window seat. There was a truly beautiful pink moon in an orange sky above white fluffy clouds. It was a precious moment in a very stress-full day.
It was lovely to see Frank waiting for me at Alicante Airport.
He whisked up to Castalla in no time on very quiet roads. He mentioned how beautiful the moon was ; I said I had see it from above the clouds.
We came in to Castlenel. Frank made sure the gas was on for me then went down to the cellar for some tools. I waved him off and went on a slow walk around Castlenel.
I am very pleased with the cellar wall and the steps ( Matthew repaired the broken steps. ) Franks does not like it but I think it's terrific.
I am very happy with Los Angelos too ;the blue wall is amazing .We need light pictures on the wall. I put the picture of Andrew and I against it to see and it breaks up the blue, really well.. I am enjoying the changes each time I come back to my Spanish Home.
I had my traditional glass of wine on the balcony on a very beautiful moonlit night. It was so silent so tranquil. I waited till the first chimes of the castlenel clocks then came in to unpack my cases I was not tired enough to sleep. I eventually went to bed at 3.00 AM
I wakened at 7.00 still tired and still slightly affected by the long tiring day.
I brought out my ornaments found my ipad and kindle I was very very hot so I took things slowly.
I was waiting for my Mercadonna delivery when I got a message to say my card had been declined...I put another one in and they accepted it and rearrange the shopping to come two hours later.
I decided to go out to get the money for Matthew which I did then came home and had a long siesta. Pilar
contacted me to say the only free time she had till after she comes back from Madrid was on her way home from work that night. I said yes come in, she said all I will want is something decaff or cold .
The hallway was the coolest part of the house so we sat there and had sparkling water and chatted for two hours. It is so good to have options and with the Butler's Pantry on the ground floor was had all we needed.
After she left I had a delicious plum tomato sandwich a pot of tea, then went to bed .
I felt better on Tuesday. I slept well; I was sad to see 95 percent of the plants on Sofie's Terrace were dead. I think Frank and Sofia have enough on their plates,I wont ask them again, they do enough.
I took my time had a slow morning and missed the plant stall on the market.I gave Valerie the money for Matthew ( he asked me to do that) I went to get some cash for myself and discovered my card was being declined at the bank and in Consum. I used another card which was fine.
I thought I would go for a coffee but it was very hot I decided I prefer my own home.
I made up Philip's bed and looked out the bedding for La Galleria it is all lovely and fresh I will make that bed up soon.
I slept some more had a light supper, lots of tea and water then off to bed.
I wakened up feeling really well plenty sleep again. Enjoyed my morning rituals , went out for some shopping , came back and sorted out the bank of Ireland card on a phone call for some reason my card was frozen.
That was all sorted happily; I went to test the card and got the money for my massage.
Isha is a fantastic masseur she works for about two hours and charges 50 euro. Beth does one hour and charge s70 pounds. ( Beth is also excellent)
After a light lunch and a long siesta I went to a wee flower shop and bought some plants to fill up the terrace; mostly herbs, two geraniums ,and a peace plant. I met Maria and Isabel when I got to 58 they examined my plants with approval and warned me the peace plant was for the house not the balcony. :)
The neighbours say they always know when I am here because of the plants on the balconies.
I have listened to a lot of James Naughtie's book club; some back programmes I have missed. Wonderful
I really thought Philip was coming tomorrow, but of course it is Friday evening he arrives...I lose time when I am here and not working, no routine yet and adjusting to the heat and surroundings.
So it is still two more sleeps.
I am having coffee with Sofia and the children tomorrow morning at the new cafe by the convent.
July 2
I heard every hour chiming in the night. I could not sleep. Heat excitement I don't know.Of course I fell asleep at some point and wakened at 9.36. I was to meet Sofia at 10.30.
I quickly watered the plants had a shower a cuppa and went off to meet here at the newish cafe at the convent.
I like this cafe , it is right under the lovely chimes of the convent clock that John and I always loved.
Sofia has a lot going on with Notaries etc since her dad died. She is going to her dad's house in Valencia tomorrow for a month with the children. She wants to make the most of it as it is to be rented after the summer to pay the mortgage.
She hopes to come back to see Philip at some point; I said not to worry we can zoom; she needs the rest.
We went to see progress on their new home.It is truly amazing what Frank can do.It is going to be awesome; you go upstairs to the bedrooms and come across a garden with a lemon tree and a vine with lots of grapes on. Frank made the stairs.
It will take a long time but it will be amazing and worth it when it is done.
I took Tunnock's Carmel Wafers for the children, told them they were made in Scotland and were my dad's favourite biscuit. Aidan had one immediately and declared "delicious"
I am expecting an amazon delivery today. I treated myself to new duvet, new bedding and of course the squeegie for the shower.
I think its' the bedding today and the squeegie tomorrow.
I got a picture from Philip of Philip at the airport, he is on his way, it is hard to believe that tomorrow at this time he still wont be here.
I asked him how he felt about such a long journey he said " I will drink and watch films" he made me laugh. I drink water all the why when I am travelling. Not our Philip.
I am going to take another video of Castlenel as it is today. After tomorrow everything will be upside down and they way the other folk like it. Which is as it should be.
I did some cooking this afternoon while continuing to listening to " back editions" of Book Club ,It is very soothing and interesting. I particularly like the one with Douglas Adams it was recorded just a few months before he died. Lovely guy, so sad. I heard it before and enjoyed listening to him again.
Amazon brought my new duvet...great....but send a single bed duvet cover and one pillow slip...not good.
It is 10.00 PM as I write this and think in 24 hours Philip should be arriving in Castlenel ( inshalla)
I am cherishing the cool of the evening and my solitude. From now till July 29th it will be all go. I will love it when I am in amongst it all.
I think it would make sense over here to sleep from about 10.00 AM till 8.00 PM I always come to life about now when it is cooler. I was on the balcony an hour ago and the swallows were having fun ducking and diving. The sun was going down and the sky was beautiful.
Apart from my first evening I have been drinking lots of water and tea, I imagine I will drink some wine with Philip tomorrow evening. Today I had my first cafe con leche with Sofia.
Tomorrow. I have some last minute shopping to do. I need a clock for LA the last one blew off the wall when I was here in January and I need some more compost.
I will go out early when it is cool, then spend the rest of the day doing last minute chores then resting ,a nice long siesta will be in order. I think I will be up later that usual tomorrow night. I am quietly joyful.
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