Casa Rosales

Casa Rosales

Friday 24 August 2012

A month in the country - Leon

Leon is the area where FR's family are from - not Valladolid at all. On his father's side, he has two aunties who live to the north east of the provincial capital. In Leon itself, FR's mother has two sisters and their families and this is also where Segundo, FR's grandfather has been living - well, been looked after - in an apartment with one of these sisters in turn. The house where these sisters, another and two brothers were born is to the east of the province in a typical little Leonese village called Valdepolo. 

Despite a plethora of mosquitoes and flies, ancient beds, awkward cooking arrangements and the occasionally cutting off of the water supply, we are very fond of the house in Valdepolo and when I say we spent a month in the country, it is this house that is central to the concept.

Add to this the proximity of family, who joined us for lunch from time to time and brought pipes along......



....glorious, glorious countryside and natural surroundings.....



....amazing sunsets....



....outdoor baths....


... lazy, hazy evening strolls.....
 


....in late golden sunlight....






...and making campfires on which to toast marshmallows....






....I think you'll see why we like it here.

And a short drive away, we were able to visit Segundo just a few days before he died. 



I hadn't been able to go on the day this photograph was taken as I was unwell but I went the next day and saw Segundo in his bed. FR suggested I sing to him - I don't know why - but I obliged with the first thing that came into my head, which was 'The Owl and the Pussycat'. I had his rapt, if somewhat bemused attention from start to finish. I think he liked it. I hope so. 

What I didn't capture, because I forgot my camera that day, was the beautiful cathedral of Leon which we went to visit before returning to Valdepolo. I have borrowed an internet image as it is such an amazing building it would be a shame not to include it here.


It is a huge tribute to Alcala la Real that we don't choose to live in Leon. I wish we could have two - no, three homes - one in Alcala la Real itself; one in the campo nearby - for weekends and holidays, with a swimming pool, of course; and a third in Leon province for our month in the country and possibly for longer as our children grow up, leave school and make their own way in life. I think FR and I would appreciate the peace and calm of the countryside in years to come. 

Though right now, I'd be glad of just the one house - the one we're searching for in Alcala! But Leon can rest assured that we will be back...

10 comments:

  1. How great that everyone was able to visit Segundo, and that you sang to him Annie...that is lovely. Your time away from Alcala looks to have been well spent. Romy and the pipes makes a great image, and in the photo with the bullrushes you look younger than the last time I saw you, which must have been at least 5 years ago.....so you are doing something right. Good luck with renewed home searching. Love Janice xxx

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    1. Thank you Janice. I am pleased with the photos even though I forgot to take my camera with my on a number of even more photogenic outings. And that one of me was taken by Romy and is quite flattering - why else you think I posted it...? (And it's you that gets younger every year!)

      The search will be on again once the holidays are over.
      Axx

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  2. Beautiful photographs...and your post gives a great description of the best of holidays...not necessarily doing very much, but doing it well!

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    1. Thank you Fly - as I said to Janice, I'm pleased with the photos - they have captured the 'essential spirit' of what we did. Axxx

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  3. Annie, you are giving your children some fantastic holiday memories which will stay with them lifelong. I too love your photos, which give such a clear impression of the pkaces and people that matter to you.

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    1. I do hope they remember it all Perpetua - I know they enjoyed it and Mateo said it was the best holiday he'd ever had, which is lovely to know. They are very comfortable with their families and of course, I couldn't ask for more.
      Axxx

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  4. Something I've really enjoyed this summer is seeing all the places my bloggy friends have been. I can understand why you love your parents in law's garden Annie, it looks charming, and then to be somewhere with views and skies like these ... it really looks like a marvellous holiday :D

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    1. Thank you Annie - always been fond of the little oasis and its interesting corners but really have missed having a garden of my own. This year, time spent in the garden (just sitting, not gardening, I hasten to add) has been premium time.
      Axxx

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  5. Beautiful pictures - what a wonderful summer! The light is stunning.

    Pomona x

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    1. Welcome, Pomona - just nipped on to your site and love what I've seen. You are right about the light - it is quite unique to Leon and one of the things we love best. Axxx

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