Yes ……it’s me, I am still here ….its just taken me 120 days to write to you . Very precise I hear you say …how do you know that …are you sat sitting, counting the days? No of course not – let me ask you a question Dear Reader…. turn your mind back to my last blog entry ( ok I know you’ve slept since then) but I dedicated it to a special friend who was going to have major surgery…remember? Well after 101 days in hospital she was discharged on 10 th April …. 101+19=120! She has certainly been through the mill, and as I write this I hope when she reads it, it brings a little joy …..though I have to tell you that at the end of this there is definitely a mascara warning and probably the need for a Kleenex or two ( still wonder if I could get paid by Kleenex for this advertising ? No…. Ok!)… because this blog is dedicated to one Rheincroft Apple Tart …..

I shall keep you waiting on this one Dear Reader …..it’s a difficult write ( an apple tart you say?…she’s finally lost it ….should we call in the heaviest?) …please bear with me …I’m not into totally gloomy writing – for a start you wouldn’t read it would you ?!…so let me first lighten the load with stuff I’ve been wanting to tell you ..and then I’ll explain why I’m dedicating a blog to a pastry !!!

You’ll have to forgive me because I wrote parts of this back in January ..doesn’t change a thing , you need to know this!

Spring cleaning I think they call it or New Year = New You! Now that may be a total deep clean or a general sort out and tidy up, and if the DB isn’t looking a cheeky chuck out!! ..just depends on how the mood takes me 😉😉 This year, it turned out to be the whole lot, aided and abetted by the fact that on January 4 th we had snow ! This then froze as temperatures plummeted for almost an entire week rendering the DB and I more or less, confined to barracks ! So a thorough everything was embarked upon as time was plentiful….

Starting point ..the kitchen! Every cupboard emptied and any open comestible contents past their sell by date discarded. All well and good …then I arrive at the spice cupboard ! Now I don’t know how you store your spices if you have them, but ours are stored on a unit with three shelves of different heights. When I’m feeling really organised , I’ll put them all in alphabetical order …Allspice, asafoetida, cloves ground, cloves whole….you get the picture.

However on this occasion, I was determined to be ruthless so all spices were out and checked . Allspice …best before Aug 2025…..you can stay . Asafoetida ( bear with me, it is a spice!) …best before Jan 2008 …what? I certainly haven’t used it since then …I mean it’s not like cumin, coriander or turmeric is it ? I remember needing it for a recipe …I can imagine sending the DB with the shopping list….

DB What’s this?

Me Asafoetida ?

DB Asa what? Why do you need that ?

Me Asafoetida…it’s a spice and I need it for a recipe

DB What recipe ? Can’t you use something else?

Me No . It says asafoetida so please just get it …oh, and don’t bother looking through the Tesco spices ( other supermarket spices are available !) it’ll be in the Schwartz section ….

Now Dear Reader of course I could probably have used something else or indeed left it out but with a food conneseur coming round you can just imagine the comments…….

This pork is delicious…missing something though…now what is it 🤔🤔…of course, asafoetida….what a shame you couldn’t find it…would have lifted the dish to a whole new level 🙄

So the DB duly returned with said spice …a teaspoon maximum was added to the other ingredients…then the pot was returned to it’s place next to Allspice and there it remained ! Until it was ceremoniously dumped in the bin ….losing it’s place for good!

Once the kitchen was tickety boo and ship shape I turned my attention to the garage 🙈🙈🙈 Now that is always a head in the hands job . I’m up against an indomitable brick wall …or the DB as you have come to know him ! He doesn’t like throwing anything away ….

Me …but you haven’t used this for 24 years ?

DB …I might need it ( as if!!!) ….it might come in handy you never know

….and there we are, the whatever it is that might come in handy, is repositioned for another 24 years …..

Anyway I decided to take on bite sized chunks …put what I felt could be thrown out to one side for later inspection by you know who !

It was then I found two metal gadgets lurking in a box ….looked like unsuitable weapons of torture to me …so they were for the tip!

Until…..here we go …..

DB What are these doing here?

Me What are they?

DB Mole traps

Me Mole traps ….and when have we ever used mole traps..we’ve lived here for 24 years and never used them? ? We’ve never had moles here …I mean we’re on the heaviest clay soil ever….they can go … but before he could say “you never know” , we were saved by a friend who called to see how the garage clearance was progressing ! Needless to say she saw the mole traps ….and suggested an alternative to chucking them out . The gardener who comes to cut our lawns would take them …she gave him something similar last year.

Problem solved !

So imagine my infuriation Dear Reader, the following morning …yes literally the next day…when the DB looking very pleased with himself called me ..,

DB Come here and look at this …this is why you should never throw things out ?

He took me to the front door and opened it ….well, I won’t tell you what I said …I’ll let you guess . Just look at what met my eye ….

And then the little devil continued on its wrecking way ….

In 24 years we have NEVER had a mole in the garden ………

The DB used the traps to no avail …the mole just continued causing absolute chaos ….. certainly not on my side at all !

I was brought up with moles, well not literally…but they were the bane of my father’s life who loved his garden which was built on very sandy soil. I remember my father setting traps, using smoke bombs and any other hack that would rid his precious lawn of multiple mole hills !

This subject caused considerable amusement at the internment of my mother’s ashes ( bear with me , I haven’t lost the plot yet!) …,.she was to be placed with my father’s ashes in the local church yard .

We had gathered along with a few special friends at the appointed place …awaiting the arrival of the funeral director . Suddenly the DB touched me on the shoulder and said “Have you seen who are your father’s next door neighbours ?” Well no…….

So I looked to see who they were ….Sid and Marjorie Mole !!!!!!! Unbelievable….you couldn’t make it up ….

The internment continued to provide hilarity ! Before I tell you why, I should perhaps give you some insight into my mother. She wasn’t one for school room language …bottom was a dirty word so any pseudonym of it would have been met with strong disapproval….,

At the appointed time, the funeral director arrives ….reverently carrying my mother’s ashes in a cask . He is very smartly dressed with top hat, black jacket , crisply ironed white shirt and black tie and dark striped dinner trousers . His shoes were polished to within and inch of their lives. The ceremony can began …so far so good. Then the funeral director takes one knee to place my mother’s casket next to that of my father…and his socks are revealed …..cartoon character socks with the following words clearly visible ..

KISS MY ARSE

All guests present saw the funny side but kept a demur exterior as would be expected …he was oblivious to the humour he had caused!!!

And with that Dear Reader I move on to the dedication of this blog….to our wonderful Rheincroft Apple Tart …tissues at the ready for it is no less than she deserves ..

Millie passed away peacefully as we wanted her to, without suffering and with dignity, at the vets here in Spain nearly three weeks ago, aged 13 1/2 years . Nick and I were with her till the end . Our family will miss her terribly and we are completely heartbroken …she has been a constant with our children and grandchildren over the past 13 + years , a constant in our lives ….

So our beloved Millie Dog …run free and fly high over that Rainbow Bridge …know that you are so loved by us all and so many others ….until we all meet again …

To be honest Dear Reader , I can’t actually remember when I last made contact ! One minute we were in Spain and the next, after a hectic run up to Xmas , I find myself here in relative tranquility with plenty to say ( what a surprise !)

It only seems right that I start at the beginning ( or begin at the start , whichever way you prefer to look at it )

Current events in and around Los Angeles have brought back to me the events that occurred in Valencia ( just up the coast from us) whilst we were there. I’m talking of course about the devastating floods. I cannot begin to describe to you the catastrophic effects the tsunami of mud, water and anything else that got in its way, had on the land over which it indiscriminately and relentlessly wreaked havoc . Terrifying tales of human loss with unbearable suffering have emerged and nearly three months on people are still trying to pick up the pieces of their broken lives to move forwards into 2025.

Now to the other side of the world…and the City of Angels or Los Angeles as we better know it . We’ve seen films before …in 2007 the sci fi movie The Apocalypse came to our screens …but the pictures we have seen over the past couple of days on our television screens have been truly apocalyptic . How horrendous and frightening must it be for those people who lived there …and I mean normal people , the Joe Bloggs’ of this world, folk like you and me …the press seem to focus on the homes of famous celebrities . Well I’m sorry, at the end of the day nature has a wonderful way of levelling things out …whether your home is worth $150,000 or $ 150 million ( crikey that would be a whopper wouldn’t it?😉 but you get my jist) it is still your home and if it burns down you have lost it and everything in it regardless of value. Don’t start me on the sanctimonious celebrities trying to point score on the back of this ….I don’t buy it, and I very much doubt the normal Angelino would either . One of our own actresses who lives there but is currently in the UK said she felt helpless being over here, and suggested her fellow citizens meditated ….is it me??? You see what I mean…..

Now as I don’t want this blog to turn into a rant about certain celebrities, I am going to desist from further discussion…oh go on , just one more ….

Firstly I must admit I have no real idea who this woman is …no Dear Reader, I did not watch the reality TV show The Kardashians, nor do I feel I haven’t lived by not doing so . Apparently this woman lives in a $60 mansion, and despite water restrictions imposed in 2022, she was fined for using 232,000 gallons more than her permitted allowance supposedly to keep her garden looking good . Yesterday, it was reported that she and her family were going to sue the powers that be for inadequate protection…the courts will wipe the floor with them.

So I return to the purpose of this brief rant – nature will always win. We may send people to the moon but we cannot stop nature when she is angry . Is it climate change? Well, certainly in my lifetime the climate has changed …I think we all need to start respecting the world in which we live, and be more caring about it …we are in charge of a very precious commodity and it’s our duty to keep it safe for the next generation. Don’t worry, when Donald reads this I’m sure he’ll take it on board !!😉😉

I think the following puts things into perspective, don’t you?

Now to pickup from where I started …our journey home …which was actually both pleasant and uneventful. Well I say uneventful…rarely is anything the DB and I do, truly uneventful and the journey home was no exception !

A question for you all…

Let me tell you, it is something we could all do with in our vehicles …just in case ! I thought quite a lot about this piece of kit in relation to people who suddenly found themselves in their cars in a rising tide of water…..so if you said it’s a piece of kit to smash a car window ( and cut through a seat belt to boot) you would be correct ! Well done 👏👏 So where am I going with this you may ask. Well, have you ever considered if it works, what’s it like to use …of course not, you’re not going to do a trial run with it, are you ?

So to the non- uneventful part of our journey home . We stopped at a service station to buy croissants and coffee for breakfast …and drove round to park in a more peaceful spot in which to enjoy our feast. Within 5 minutes a young man dressed in jeans and a tee shirt ( that is important because it was barely 2° outside) came up to our car indicating he wanted to speak to us ( as it happens I recognised him from outside the bakery- it appeared he had been with another group of people ..how appearances can be deceptive) .

We put the window down and he asked if we had anything to help him break into his car which he’d somehow locked with the keys in situ and the engine running…and his coat was inside to boot!

Now I’ve heard too many tales of this sort of thing happening …you know, kind Samaritan gets out of his/her car to assist poor stuck motorist, and before he or she knows it , the person who asked for help has scarpered with the valuable contents of the Samaritan’s car🙈🙈

So needless to say Dear Reader, I was a little cautious…in my investigator voice , I commented that I’d see him with a group in front of the service station? Yes he had been, he said, he was asking anybody and everybody if they had anything to assist him get into his car. The closest he’d got was the remnants of a roll of duct tape ( no banana in evidence 😜😜) – six inches in total 🙄🙄 .

So he was desperate. Then I remembered our gizmo! We explained it would mean one of his windows would be smashed ( well if it did what it’s supposed to do) …then the thought crossed my mind …what if that is not his car and we have smashed the window . Can you imagine the scenario? Inspector Clouseau arrives on scene …puts his hand on the DB’s collar and the conversation goes as follows…

“ Excuse me sir …what do you think you are you doing ?”

“I’m smashing this window so the young man can get in to his car, Officer”

“Which young man would that be, sir?”

“This young man Officer…..well he was here a minute ago “

“ This car belongs to that couple exercising their dog sir. I’m afraid I shall have to arrest you for breaking and entry. You will come with me now”

With that all whirring through my mind , I suggested the young man did it himself ( we could then only be charged with aiding and abetting couldn’t we?) However, he was desperate and as it obviously was his car , the DB set to. Let me tell you, the gizmo works. However, if you do have cause to carry one of these implements, have a pair of gloves with it…..the glass shatters, and splinters of glass settled all over the DB’s hands. Anyway, with our part of the job successfully completed, we returned to our car, leaving the young man to remove all the shattered glass from the broken window panel and get on with his journey !

As for us, the remainder of our journey was uneventful 😉

Before I go , I wanted to share news of new words that have made it into the Oxford Dictionary …🙄🙄🙄🙄you may find some of the following useful…who knows?

On that note I have one request . Never mind all these new words …please can we reintroduce three small words into the dictionary that seem less and less present in the English language ? They would be “ please and thank you”

Thank you and with that, I bid you farewell and until the next time , keep safe !

May 2025 bring you good health and happiness, and endless reasons to smile 😊

On a serious note though, this particular blog written at this particular time, is dedicated to a special friend of mine who has been going through the mill so to speak, and is not yet out of the woods. I have it on great authority that she has a chuckle or three at my ramblings …and as she is due to have an operation next week, I felt it best to to proceed now and avoid any ensuing problems post surgery such as bursting of stitches ! So off I go …..

Actually all I really need to do is post the following, no description is required….

I mean you can clearly see what it is, so I could just as well go on to discuss the price of French bread, tell you how fantastic the Millau Bridge is, or even tell you why I’m appearing to talk about things to do with France ! But I don’t think that’s what you! read my blog for is it? No …of course not ! so I am going to discuss the above work of art further …

Let’s be honest, if I stuck a banana to a white board with duct tape, and took it to my local art gallery for sale , I’m guessing at best I’d be directed to the green grocer’s two doors down …and at worst be sectioned and sent for psychiatric treatment . ( I wanted to say the funny farm but I’m guessing you can’t say that now ….)

However the art world has finally gone stark raving bonkers ….this picture of a banana stuck to a wall with silver duct tape has just sold for $6.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York . The title of this beautiful piece is “Comedian,” ( you couldn’t make it up could you …rather “Lunatic” ) and was put together by an Italian artist I’ve never heard of and who I my opinion has no talent whatsoever. As for the nutter who has paid out for this …they have more money than sense !

Now the cost could be so high, because I understand that this “ piece” comes with instructions……stay with me, I know this is pretty hard to believe but trust me on this ….as to how to replace the banana 🍌 . I am struggling to write this because it is utterly farcical …I mean you would have to be a complete fool not to know how to replace the banana, wouldn’t you? Surely it’s quite simple ….

1. Lift up one end of duct tape
2. Remove brown over ripe banana ( put it in freezer if it’s gone too far, it’ll make good banana bread
3. Buy yellow banana
4. Put back on board and replace duct tape
5. Better still forget the whole miserable piece that pertains to be art, eat said banana, throw duct tape away and use white board for your shopping list !
6. Go and lie down in a darkened room and try and work out why you were so stupid in the first place to pay all that money and what on Earth induced you to do so

What is the matter with people I ask myself? Again ..is it me??? Anyway c’est la vie ….apparently….

Now I’ll show you a real work of art …well eventually 😉….bear with me ….. let me explain where I’ve been for the past six weeks…the DB and I were in Spain ( where the work of art is !) and we are currently in transit on our way home , staying near the Millau Bridge ( where I’m blogging from!) in France en route via Belgium to Angleterre. Needless to say any burglars reading this ….beware! we left Grandma in charge so enter at your peril 😉

Just to give you an idea of our current surroundings…we crossed this ‘ bridge’ today ….

You know how I like to seem informative at times ….well as of October 2023, the Millau Bridge or Viaduct is the tallest bridge in the world having a structural height of 343 metres (1,125 ft)….the view from the car wasn’t so spectacular!

Back to our Spanish work of art ( cost €140 if you’re interested …though would be tricky to buy it I guess …you’d have to buy the house too 🙄 but hey still far less than $6.2 million …and if I say so myself, more pleasing to the eye, and doesn’t go off and need replacing 🙄)

The background to this of course is that water from our drains was seeping into our neighbours house 🙈🙈and so over the Summer we had work done to replace and repair our drain …….

Of course the tiles we have are no longer made ( and to boot they’re an odd size 🙄) so the guy at the tile shop suggested a mosaic , and that is what we did ! Raffi was born …a splendid work of art !

Now Sotheby’s can eat their heart out with bananas and the like ( whilst raking in their commission !!!) I have actually had dealings with Bonham’s art department about a real work of art …have I told you about this? No, …goodness I don’t believe I have 🙄!! Well here’s a tale of real art …me and my erotic drawing, Dear Reader….no, not me drawing erotic art, or worse someone drawing of me in an indelicate pose .

I’m thinking I should perhaps give a warning like they do on the telly box if something to be shown might be offensive …okay I will . If you might be offended I apologise…don’t look closely at the picture below . Thank you ( and box ticked ✅)

Let me explain ….this was left to me, along with the rest of my aunt’s house contents when she died. My father’s sister was a spinster and a Quaker . She campaigned tirelessly against nuclear weapons…remember Greenham Common ? You don’t???well of course not …you’re too young – so look up CND / women/Greenham Common on the lovely Mr Google and you’ll find out . She was also a strong supporter of the anti..apartheid movement in South Africa and the free Nelson Mandela campaign. We had, and still have family living in South Africa …so my aunt was well informed about the situation. I’m relieved to say our family were very against the brutal apartheid regime and in their own ways kicked hard against it. Anyway that is for another day …back to the drawing ! I thought it was a symbol of black and white unity ( well as it happens it was 🙄🙄 but naively, thought they were playing rugby )

It shows, I think, how much notice I took of this picture. It was in a box in the spare bedroom wardrobe!!! One day I was in “ clearing out mode” and retrieved it …to be honest I didn’t like the framing of it otherwise I might have had it hanging in the hall….can you imagine ??? Well, I suppose it would have a conversation starter ….or maybe stopper 🤣🤣

Anyway back to clearing out ….it was off to the charity shop ! Then the DB noticed that on the back of the picture, there was a handwritten letter to my aunt , along with the front page of an auction catalogue solely selling works by renowned artist Duncan Grant …certainly not renowned by me ! The plot thickened!

So we looked him up and it appears that Duncan Grant was a member of the Bloomsbury Group – this was a group of associated British writers, intellectuals, philosophers and artists founded in the early 20th century. Their works and outlook deeply influenced literature, aesthetics, criticism and economics as well as modern attitudes towards feminism, pacifism and sexuality ! Whilst he was a talented artist in all sorts of genres, his name is often associated with erotic drawings ….in fact 400 of his drawings, thought to have been lost or destroyed, were discovered hidden under a mattress !!! Of course at the time the group were active, homosexuality was illegal and not decriminalised until 1967 in England …he was Scottish and it took till 1980 for it to become legal in Scotland….therefore all erotic penning had to be out of sight and hidden.

Anyway, having established the supposed artist’s legitimacy, we then had to decide whether this drawing I had in my possession was an original ! It looked to have been drawn on a page from a wire bound notebook …you could see where the page had been torn out !

Then I looked closer and saw what I thought was a 5 3. “ No good , it’s a print… number 53” I said to the DB, who promptly looked at it . “ You’ve got it upside down ( there really is no hope for me!!) …turn it round and look again …it’s ‘DG’” Try it …zoom in to the faint signature ( well initials bottom right hand corner…)

With that, we started to seek professional advice …and found that Bonham’s had a sale of his works coming up ..so we sought their opinion. We took it up to their nearest office and left it …I think at this point I realised the true significance of the picture 🙈🙈🙈! I should say the handwritten letter stated that the author ( clearly a good friend of my aunt) had bought this for her because they knew she loved his work, and wanted to buy her a token of gratitude for her friendship over the years. I suppose I am still astonished that there was a part ( possibly the main part) of my aunt’s life that I never knew …..

Anyway, my drawing was indeed one of Duncan Grant’s erotic masterpieces …rugby players my foot 🙄🙄, and a work of art to boot! It sold at auction for more than was estimated , and now hangs on someone’s wall ….who’s I have no idea, but at least it is someone who will love and appreciate it 😘 🤔

Gosh, is that the time? I’ve gone on longer than I intended – what a surprise !! Anyway , must dash ….I’ve an idea of something I could do with a grape and a piece of double sided sticky tape 😉😉

Until the next time …….

To be honest Dear reader , I’ve been spoilt for choice this week…hotels, the way some folk care for their dogs ( or don’t as the case may be 😠)….but the headline that sent me spinning skywards ….and my first choice….was this one …

Firstly, I had to look up who are these special Gen Z that would make the powers that be bow and scrape before them. Well, apparently Gen Z refers to the generation of people born in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s .

Why, I ask myself, do we need to appease this generation ….and what use is a teacher who is present nine days out of ten, has lie ins and works from home . Have we gone completely mad? I want my grandchildren taught by someone who is present in the class room five days a week, and for the duration of the school day during term time .. thank you very much if it’s not too much trouble .

No one said teaching is an easy job …I am full of admiration for the teachers of our children , I think they have a tough time of it…..but when you enter that profession you know what you’re going into . Like nursing, medicine …the list goes on – are we going to try and attract Gen Z into those professions by offering WFH, lie ins and nine day fortnights . If we are, can I just point out there will be an issue with the morning drug round/ bed baths/surgery if the nurse/doctor is having a lie in 🙄

On the subject of the teaching profession ..as a parent I expected ( and was fortunate enough ) to send my children to school to learn academic skills. Apparently now one in four children starting school are not toilet trained- that is a disgrace …seemingly one in four parents believe it is a teacher’s responsibility to toilet train their little darling …well not in my book, it isn’t. In my book , if your child isn’t toilet trained they shouldn’t be allowed to start primary school. End of!

In the same vein ( oh what a lot I’m getting off my chest 👏👏) what is all this about children in school being allowed to identify as whatever they want to be? Why should our teachers and other pupils lives be affected because a child demands to identify as a fox at school? …and excuse me , but when did a child get to demand anything at school? When I was at school you respected the authority of those in charge …challenge their authority??? Not on your life ( or knuckles 😉 if you knew what was good for you !!!

If a child wants to identify as a cat at home, fair enough, it’s their parents problem- but not at school ; it isn’t fair to interfere with other pupils learning ( unbelievably I heard there may also have been a litter tray involved in that case …..and don’t ask me what I know you want to ask. I don’t know nor do I want to know 😠😠😠) and the running of the school. I’ve heard of a child in another secondary school insisting ( insisting for goodness sake, how dare they!) on identifying as a wolf …now just as a matter of interest, has anyone considered the prospects of a wolf/cat working in the big wide world ?…because I am pretty sure I have never heard of a wolf or a cat ( or any other animal for that matter!) succeeding as a lawyer/nurse/gardener/train driver or undertaking an apprenticeship of any sort…..it all reverts back to the preparation ( or lack of it ) of our young people for life in the real world ……. Wolves are beautiful animals and have very strong social and family bonds …sadly no human can truly mimic their behaviour …so in my book, if you insist on identifying as a wolf, head for the nearest animal park !

What I will say about this Gen Z is that not all members of this generation can be tarred with the same brush ….I know many Gen Z’s ( well I didn’t realise I did until I found out who they were ) who have the same approach to work as my generation . Clearly however there are some in this generation who are very precious and must be treated with kid gloves . I’m afraid they haven’t been raised to be prepared for the real world …the real world isn’t always a kind place where everyone says “ yes” to you, and I feel strongly that as a parent your role has to be to enable your child to cope and survive in the big wide world.

I remember a friend of mine telling me a tale of one of his work colleagues. He was older than many of his colleagues who were of the Gen Z generation. They had attended a training day that in his words had been taxing to say the least! However, to his surprise, when he said cheerio and see you tomorrow to one of his colleagues, she informed him she couldn’t possibly come to work the next day following such a tough day. He was a little surprised at her reaction, but when she informed him she had told their employer she was taking a mental health day to recuperate , he was completely shocked.

I understand what it is to have to step away and reset…I have had to do it myself in the past … but my point is if a stressful day’s training knocks you off kilter, maybe you should reconsider whether you’re in the right job!

Goodness is that the time ? So much for a short rant ….well, I feel better !!!!

Until next time …when what what will it be …we’ll have to wait and see!!!

I know , I said you wouldn’t hear any more from me …well for a while at least. The problem is, I hear stuff on the news and my little brain starts whirring ! “ What?” “ You must be joking” “ The world’s gone mad” …so I decided that rather than suffer brain burn out with all these thoughts …I’d put them down on paper to share with you …it is of course entirely up to you whether you read them or not 😉

So what got my goat this week ….well, a 12 year old boy has been convicted for his role in the Manchester riots ( not surprisingly the youngest person to be convicted) just a minute , a twelve year old boy ….. Stop right there …..what the hec is a child of that age doing anywhere near the riots . Look, I know I’m perhaps a bit old in the tooth, and things have changed since I was twelve ( they’ve clearly changed since my own children were twelve 🙈🙈) …and of course the obvious question is what were his parents doing / thinking allowing him to be where he was ? Now I have no idea of his family background …there is obviously something drastic missing …and in fact his court case had to be postponed because his mother was missing ! She had gone to Ibiza on holiday ….I rest my case …but the Judge didn’t rest hers . The case was delayed so it could be heard on Mum’s return with Mum present ( you couldn’t make it up could you?)

The outcome …well Mum was ordered to pay £1200 and attend a six month parenting course (maybe financially penalising the parent is the way forward …it would at least make them think twice about taking some responsibility for what their children are doing) I’d suggest it’s a little bit late for a parenting course and I would also suggest she needs a lot more than six months . I’ve come to the conclusion that some parents whether single, double or any other combination think children bring themselves up! They don’t …nor do they ask to be born …so if you bring a child into this world it is your duty to guide them appropriately ( and yes children don’t come with instruction manuals and I dare say his mother has her own problems but at some point the circle has to be broken and it can be broken) . Personally I think being a parent is one of the hardest jobs in the world …but it can also be one of the most rewarding ! We know that some children go to school hungry, not having had any breakfast …well I’m sorry but I don’t think there is an acceptable excuse for that . Breakfast cereal , milk, bread, butter and jam does not break the bank and I would suggest it’s rather that the parents can’t be bothered rather than an inability to buy that is the problem ( and if it is financial that is what a food bank is for and I have absolutely no problem with that) Having said that , a friend of mine was on her way into her local supermarket when she overheard two women talking. One said to the other “ I’m just popping in here for some bits, anything you want?” Reply “ No , I want to go out this weekend, so I’m going to the food bank” Priorities all wrong 🙈🙈🙈

I heard that a psycho/logist/analyst/therapist ( not sure which one ) had told a friend of mine that you should never leave a baby to cry ….it causes brain damage . Well forgive me but that is bunkum ( oh that appears to be a real word!!) . If that were the case , I would be sitting rocking in a corner . Why ? because as a baby , I like many of my compatriots, was brought up under the school of hard knocks. As a baby, after I was fed, had had my nappy changed and been winded , I was put in my pram ( during the day of course) and then put out in the garden and out of earshot of my mother. The timer was set for four hours when the process would be repeated . Basically, cry if you want but it won’t get you anywhere . Did it do me or anyone else any harm …maybe it did, but I’ve reached the age of 67 years old and I might be a little crazy…but brain damaged….I don’t think so !!!

That is my rant for this week….and for the benefit of your eyes and ears I’m going to stop …but will leave you with something to make you chuckle !

This really is the last you will hear of our escapades over the past ten days, I promise you 😉 We are both now back into our ‘normal’ lives ( ok before you look at me quizzically and ask “ Normal?” ….all I’ll say is “ Normal for me !” ) …strange now to be without my Camino Buddy after our nine fantastic, but tough days together .

Yesterday was our final day away, and a day of rest ( I use that term loosely…but in comparison to our previous seven days, it was an absolute spa day 😉) We had booked a day sightseeing in Bilbao with our own personal guide ( always the best way to see a new city …and yes I know …for those of you who have known me for a long time, will know that Bilbao is not a new city for me at all .. ). First we had to get to our agreed meeting point …so we go to catch the bus !

No, Dear Reader .. these are not stray children that we happened to pick up at the bus stop … let me introduce you … from left to right …

We arrived at the appointed time to meet with our guide – not realising we already had an expert on the churches of Bilbao in our midst , three being pointed out to us on the short bus ride!!! More of that later . Our guide ( my son Tom 😉) met us off the bus and off we went, direction the Guggenheim Museum . However, our church specialist ( aka Izan) firstly pointed out

That’s all well and good … but Izan knows it because of the bells …which he really doesn’t like ( understatement) and chooses to avoid at all costs, so just as well it was up there and we were down here !!!

“Creativity is the key to unlocking endless possibilities”

I was struck by this on the back of Izan’s t- shirt , hence the photo … but how true that is 💙

Now off to lunch …yet another Church pointed out on our way…again to be avoided at all costs ….

And so to lunch , to a very nice barbecue restaurant called “ Bobby’s Gourmet Restaurant” …where amongst other things was a sharing platter …..

An altogether lovely and special time with family …and with that , Kathleen and I had to make tracks to the airport to catch our plane back to Manchester. We said our goodbyes and jumped in a taxi to the airport , and this is where our story of this Camino ends .

However, it seemed appropriate to share with you some of the lessons we learnt along this part of the way !

What goes up has to come down…and what goes down has to go up ….

Round every corner is probably another corner ….or more likely a hill!!!

Every mountain has its summit …even if it’s the highest in the Pyrenees…,

Small acts of kindness can and do make a big difference 😘

A smile translates into every language…

The Camino teaches you many things … one of the most important being humility

Don’t believe everything you are told …

Compostable toilets may be environmentally friendly, but keep them away from Kathleen and I …..please 🙏

Wine gives you strength and vitality 🍷😉

A cold beer served in a glass stored in a freezer is essential after a day’s walking 🍺

For two sixty somethings we were much fitter than we realised …

Remember the race between the hare and the tortoise …and who won ? 😉😉😉

There are wazzocks in all walks of life …even on the Camino

If it looks dangerous … tread carefully…

Tortilla de patata is so good as a mid morning snack…

Beware the voluminous passenger!

The Amazon man really does go everywhere …

The 7 P’s make a significant difference …..

Never let your fear define your destiny ….

Finally ( yes really!) we both have so many lovey and special friends and family who have followed us both on this journey ..we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts, be sure to know your support has been both invaluable and much appreciated and helped get us through the tricky bits …along with our poles of course !!😘😘

Thank you 😘

By the end of yesterday, both Kathleen and I were shattered ….and not surprisingly so. When we think back to the length of the walks we undertook, daily and without rest days in between, we must be fitter than we realised . Whilst others were falling like flies, applying tape to legs , wearing knee braces and dressing blisters during their walking day , Kathleen and I just plodded on regardless without a murmur 😉😉😉

Anyway this Camino is over now for us, so we had time to enjoy Logroño this morning before boarding our train for Bilbao .

Then we took a stroll around the city …I couldn’t believe my eyes when we turned a corner to find you know who standing bold as brass in the street ….I give up , Happy Christmas Everyone 🎅🎅🌲🌲

The entrance to the Church of San Bartolomé is intricately carved and spectacular .

The time came to leave Logroño…by train ! Now British Rail could ( and should) learn a lesson from the Spanish Railways ….we were in second class , but look at the space ….plenty of leg room,a foot rest, decent sized table and your own personal rubbish bag!!! So we arrived in Bilbao two and a half hours later well rested after a very comfortable journey !!!!

Now this sign tickled me …all cases ( or voluminous luggage) were placed in the area behind this sign . A pity there wasn’t equivalent space for voluminous passengers ! I had one such individual in the seat in front of mine . We had bought two coffees and some crisps from the “ trolley dolly”( 6€!) and my coffee was harmlessly resting on my table . Said traveller in front of me, returned to his seat and in the process of launching himself into position … pirouetting my coffee skywards . Fortunately I was ready, and caught it as it left my table!!!

Bilbao train station is certainly impressive… that is some stain glass window !!!

We got a taxi to our hotel … look at this room !!!! Three of us in here !!! …don’t worry it is still just us two!!!!

…and another lovely bathroom !!!!

So to our usual past time…,

overlooking the old market square in the Casco Viejo ( old town )

With that I’ll bid you all good night ….and wish you once again a very Happy Christmas 🎄

One of these days these boots will start to walk all over again!!!!

What to say at the end of not only our longest day, but also this stage of our Camino. So many emotions, a parting of friends made on the way …but such a wonderful experience .

It is easy to assume that we have come here to do a walk . Those who have done this Camino will understand it is far more than that – the interactions with others you meet on the way ( and continue to meet ) are so special, and so there is a certain amount of sadness this evening. Previous Caminos we have walked, have finished in places where others finish ..this one has been different because many we have bonded with are moving on tomorrow with hopes of reaching Santiago de Compostella . We can only wish them Buen Camino and let them follow their own path .

Anyway we did have some lovely news last night …do you remember the lady we saw fall in front of us yesterday morning? Well, when we were sitting at our table for dinner last night , she and her husband walked in! We were SO pleased to see her 😘😘- they had been to the urgent care centre where she ( allegedly) had been fully examined and sent away ( mid afternoon) with a clean bill of health. So they’d taken a taxi to their next stop , which was where we were ! Whether they walked today or just went home to France , we will never know . For sure we will never forget them 😘😘😘

As they left, who should walk in but our lovely Father Xmas …..we had a great chat with him . He is 72, and having sold all his businesses, decided to test his ability to walk Caminos by walking two a year if he can – Altzheimer’s Disease/dementia has reared its ugly head in his family, and he is determined to do all he can to prevent it affecting him !

One thing is for sure , everyone walking this Camino has their own story ….so back to ours and our day today ….

It was raining slightly …and we we’re certainly in the minority wearing shorts !!

This was our view as we left Los Arcos …but the paths were on the whole secure under foot .

There were piles and piles of different hand made stone formations… very very moving…

From here we had 16 kilometres to walk…all I can say it would be much shorter were either of us a crow 🙄🙄

Anyway it’s clear that neither of us are crows do we just had to follow the yellow arrowed road! It has to be said though, that seeing our destination onthe distance gave us a real psychological boost !

So Dear Reader ….I will write again tomorrow but for tonight I bid you Good Night and of course Hasta Mañana 😘😘😘

Not that today hasn’t been lovely …not at all, but with our PMA ( Positive Mental Attitude ) , tomorrow will always be better!!

Let me start by informing you of the results of our research ( on your behalf, remember) last night . We would highly recommend this lovely little Sauvignon Blanc from the Navarra region …..

When we went into the restaurant, our fellow food loving Italian Pilgrim was already eating there …so we knew it would be good!

We opted for San Sebastián style monkfish followed by slow cooked lamb …

When we had finished our meal and we’re ready to leave at about 20.15 ( no late nights for us two you know ) this young lady came to see us …

We left the bar …saying good night to all …this little lady was happily tucking into a plate of fried squid !!😘😘

After a reasonable and long night , we were up with the dawn, and ready for off ..

On our way back over the Puente Carcel …

From the top of the bridge we had a good view of the Convento de Santa Clara ..

Anyway we were then back on the Camino path on our way to Los Arcos ! However, as we were walking along the road , one of our fellow pilgrims walking with her husband , suddenly fell backwards and banged her head on the road . We went to help …she managed to get up and we steered her to a doorway to sit … we have no idea what happened after that but doubt she would have ( or should have ) walked today.

We are now on Day 6 and very conscious that we have to keep our wits about us ( seeing a fellow pilgrim fall had particularly brought this to the fore) …tiredness can certainly lead to a lapse in concentration and a fall . However, we are both amazed at how we are managing ( don’t worry…I just touched wood 😉) …our fellow Dublin pilgrim calls us ‘the Yorkshire Girls’ and today a Spanish couple, who we’ve chatted to frequently, told us they thought we were about fifty seven !!! We’ll take that thank you …and no comments please from certain quarters that they should have gone to Specsavers!!!!

Today’s route took us mainly through arable land and grape vines …and close to Estella at the start of today’s walk, we passed several Bodegas ( where the wine is produced)

Now I think you will all heard of water fountains… but who has heard of a wine fountain ? No, I am not joking …and here are the photos to prove it ….

However I can assure you it is red wine and perfectly drinkable !

Translated this reads :-

Pilgrim

If you want to arrive in Santiago

with strength and vitality

of this great wine , take a swig

And make a toast to happiness!

Well, I don’t know about arriving in Santiago with strength and vitality , I could do with arriving in Logroño tomorrow in one piece ! Only one thing for it …we’ll have to have wine with our meal ..never mind just drink it for the purposes of research on your behalf!!!!

As we approached this particular place, we passed a fellow pilgrim playing his harmonica …very soothing 😘

No ….not a particularly dirty pair of boots – compliment accepted …actual proof we’ve been treading the path….it is in fact an ant nest !! All along our route I have noticed on many of the paths , loads of ants and large ones at that !

Now I don’t want you to think this blog is put together just any how ! We have advisors on hand on many subjects to make sure you get the correct facts . Re the ants…Kathleen has a specialist in ant behaviour who she consults at times of need . He informed her that if you stamp on the ground above an ant’s nest the ants will come to the surface! Well that explains the presence of so many ants on the paths ….all those boots passing over their heads incites them to come out and see what is going on !!! They’ll be disappointed of course …and probably squashed but there you go!!

In the same vein, I have an international political advisor …,and you’re not going to believe the latest news particularly pertinent to my Xmas theme! I am reliably informed that President Maduro of Venezuela has allegedly dedicated 1/10/24 to be an extra Christmas Day to cheer people up !!🌲🌲🎅🎅You couldn’t make it up could you …sign number six that there are now 111 days to Xmas Day ( well, unless you live in Venezuela that is 😉😉)

Sometimes our specialist advisors can let us down of course . For example, my gourmet Spanish food expert got things a little wrong last evening . Despite having the menu in English some words remain in Spanish , one of which was “ gorrin”. I had no idea what this was, so consulted my advisor who informed me it was a bird , and a small one at that! Interesting I thought …the menu offered roast palatilla ( shoulder) of gorrin , and also head of gorrin …not sure I’m enthused by a head of anything , but certainly not that of a small bird 🙄🙄😂😂Now you’re wondering what “ gorrin” is aren’t you …well, we found out eventually, because our Italian foodie pilgrim had ordered the shoulder version . It was in fact pork ! Please don’t ask about the head , thank you 🙏

In case you’re wondering, we are fortunate not to require specialist wine advisors …having trained long and hard we are both amply qualified to carry that title ourselves .

Now, where was I ? Oh yes crossing the arable plains and vineyards of Navarra!

This was a brilliant cafe …as inside was…

We had a sing along disco whilst queuing to order the coffee …Dire Straits ‘Sultans of Swing’ , Queen ‘We are the Champions’, Heather Small ‘Proud’ , Celene Dion ‘ My Heart will go on’ …absolutely brilliant 👏👏👏

This was our view ! Still no sign of our destination anywhere 🙈🙈.. but onward ( and probably upward ) we must go 🙄🙄

On and on we trod , until ….

We arrived at our hotel …and yes we do have a flushable toilet …to find our room overlooks the church! Beautiful 😘

Well that is until you discover the church bells chime every quarter of an hour . Perhaps they only work during daylight hours 🤔🤔…no matter, Kathleen has ear plugs should we require them !!!

So Dear Reader onto tomorrow, our 7th and final day of walking this part of the Camino ….it is our longest day so will possibly be tough, but you know us! We’ll do everything we can to nail it !!!

I’ll leave you Dear Reader with this thought

“ An eye for an eye only ends up leaving the whole world blind”

Mahatma Gandhi

Hasta Mañana……

What do you mean…stop all that? I’ve decided that with two more signs of Xmas today ( and despite there still being 112 days till Xmas Day ) , I must start embracing the festivity. Note to DB ..have decorations out and ready for my return !

Okay let me explain today’s signs ! At breakfast today , there was an older American gentleman clearly struggling to make himself understood by the Spanish waitress . He asked me a question about the route he needed to take from the hotel …then some translation was required regarding his eligibility for an inclusive breakfast ,and help to get his Pilgrim Credential stamped . He was such a gentle man and I knew he reminded me of someone. Kathleen immediately said “ Father Christmas from the movie ‘Miracle on 34 th Street’!” She was right … but that means Xmas sign number 4 🎅🎅….,.

Anyway keep reading for the next sign !

In truth the walk today passed by thankfully unremarkably! However we did take lots of photos en route so here we go ….

and sign number 5 !

So that’s what is with the Xmas celebration…5 signs in two days!!!!

On our way back to our hotel ( we were both frozen by this time despite the temperature being 20 degrees ) we passed an insignificant looking door way …

We presumed it was a church and went to the door to see if it was open

Lo and behold it was …and the interior totally belied the exterior…

Completely unexpected and stopped us in our tracks …..despite it being a large airy building , neither of us felt cold inside . It was a beautiful church ….and the automatic candles ( nothing like the real thing , but maybe health and safety got the better of them 🤔🤔) lit when we put the required money into the slot . I fact I got a BOGOF deal …two for the price of one !!!!

So that is our today in photographs ….we feel humbled to be able to do this walk , and very lucky to have had the weather we have . It rained a little yesterday , but nothing to write home about ….I took a snap shot of the weather radar picture in our area this morning….

Tomorrow is our penultimate day walking ….from Estella to Los Arcos

I always try to find something appropriate to end the blog with and I hope you agree this meets that brief ….

“ Be the change you want to see in this world”

Mahatma Gandhi

Goodnight Dear Reader …unfortunately we must away, as we have work to do on your behalf …wine tasting to be able to recommend a decent vintage . It’s a hard job but somebody has to do it and it just do happens that somebody is us !!!!

Hasta pronto 😘😘😘