Casa Rosales

Casa Rosales

Saturday 19 October 2013

A week and a world away

The 'great secret' wasn't kept for too long once my mum had arrived to spend a week with us. Just three days into her time with us, it became necessary to let her know I'd be travelling back with her - all the way to England - and she was delighted. So much so that telling her seemed even better than keeping it a secret.

Luckily for us, there was a taxi booked to take a friend's mother and sister to the airport leaving around the same time as we needed to go, so we all squished in together and shared the cost. (Good job I went or we might have ended up in Motril or Almeria as the driver missed the turn off for Malaga!)

It was quite a shock to the system to be met by the chilly, damp weather at midnight (not unexpected but a shock nevertheless...) but great to see my sister waiting for us and after we'd seen safely Mum home, we settled down for a little chat before bed. Three hours later, we were still chatting...

My visit back to England had no real focus at the time I booked it - it just felt like a great joke to play on Mum! However, in the meantime, my sister had found a new house and all was set for a completion on the day before I left so I'd get to see it and it was really exciting to think about them in a new house. As she's intending renting her current one out, rather than selling, it also meant that there was no moving day stress to contend with - the move would take place over the half-term holiday, one room at a time, with a group of my nephew's sixth form friends doing the bulk of the furniture-lugging. (She would have time to blog..if she was a blogger.)
They have found a farmhouse, with outbuildings and lots of land (she says she's copying me...but I think not!) and it was what they always wanted, though the intention wasn't to look for another couple of years. But when you find the house of your dreams...what can you do?

Tantalising glimpse of 'Sunnyside' - soon to be renamed 'Pear Tree' Farm.


We drove it past the next day on our way to meet Emily, my niece, to take the dogs for a walk. It is really difficult to see from the roadside but is in the middle of beautiful countryside in Cheshire and I was hoping to see it inside before I left.











We went to meet Emily and her housemates then set off for the beach on the Wirral. Everything around was looking very autumnal and moody - and the beach was incredible despite the biting wind that left my ears ringing.









Emily is in her fourth year of Veterinary Studies and currently shares a very focused household with three other vet students. As well as Judy and I on the beach, there were three dogs and four vets  - which was almost the title of this post. Lovely bunch they were - all girls, all interested in the same things and very happy sharing their house with just one, very bright little Border Collie, Fizz, who absolutely fell on her feet when Emily got her from a rescue place a couple of months ago. The other two dogs are my sister's.


Amazing skies, amazing beach. SO cold, you wouldn't believe me!!
After a bite of lunch, we headed home before Judy - can't call her 'my sister' all the time, however proud of her I always feel - generously took me for my first 'TK Maxx' fix. If you don't know, this is an outlet shop that can, to the untrained eye, closely resemble a wild jumble sale but to a savvy shopper with an eye for something a little different, is a veritable treasure trove. I bought some beautiful card stock, some edible gold stars, a woolly hat and a king size fitted sheet. And then we came back to Knutsford, calling at the local supermarket, Booth's, where I was blown away by the choices of things that I love. I'd forgotten about such choice!!

A truly wonderful selection of different breads...

Oh sigh! I absolutely adore dorset cereals.... all of them!
(Though if I had to choose just one, it would be luscious berries and cherries.)

On arrival at Huddersfield...why they had the fountains on, I have no idea!
Over the weekend, I went by train to Huddersfield to catch up with a few friends. I couldn't see everyone, so made it a low-key visit. The weather was about as unpleasant as it could have been but Huddersfield felt reassuringly the same. As did the couple of people I bumped into! I managed another visit to TK Maxx too, where I bought jeans for Ruy and Romy at a price where it didn't really matter whether they fitted or not (they do!) and a new bag for me and a jacket for Mateo. Then spent the evening with my friend, Marion - chatting, of course!



 I do like TK Maxx. I had to resist quite a lot of what I really wanted though as I was limited on space and weight for my return journey.

On the Sunday morning, there was a lovely craft and local produce market on in the big open marketplace - called 'Upmarket Sunday' - where Jenny and
I spent a lovely couple of hours, testing lemon curd, beetroot focaccia, cheeses and cake...
Beetroot focaccia on the left, with goats cheese and onion - rather good!

And then I met Kath, my lovely ex-nextdoor neighbour, who whisked me off to Greenhead Park for tea and cake before dropping me back (at TK Maxx) just before I went off to meet Judy, Rob and my nephew. Will and his girlfriend, Roseanne, are now both students at Huddersfield University which is rather a nice arrangement all round, I feel.
We had a lovely lunch in an old favourite and on our return, I began to realise I had spent a lot of time eating and was beginning to feel the effects of over-indulging...a very tight waistband!

And suddenly, Monday came and went - with no exchange of contracts on the house - so on Tuesday, I went out for the day with Mum, hoping to get a call from Judy to say all was sorted with the solicitors...but the call never came. The exchange of contracts didn't happen until last thing Tuesday, with completion happening as I was flying over Valladolid - probably! It ended up being rather stressful after all - I shall suggest Judy starts a blog or takes up doodling...

Because that was the other thing about my visit. I couldn't stop doing my Zentangles. So much so, I'm starting a new blog about them... it will be up and live very shortly. That way, I don't bore the pants off anyone who's not interested! I promised myself not to go on about it during my week at home - but by the end of it, Judy had shown definite signs of interest; Jenny will be a natural; Marion tried to commission me to do a set of pictures to go on her new kitchen wall...and my mum's friend was absolutely fascinated by it and watched me do a whole picture....I guess I must have mentioned it.

When the time came to go, early Wednesday morning, I left looking absolutely bizarre, with several layers on under my thick jumper and leggings on under my skirt - but it was SO chilly first thing in the morning yet, around 28 degrees in Malaga as I landed - difficult to get it right at both ends. Judy dropped me off to go and check my suitcase in whilst she parked the car. Imagine my surprise when I saw Chris, husband of Kath, walking towards me! The whole family were there as Bronte, their eldest daughter, was off to Boston on a school exchange!! It was a brilliant way to end my stay - hugs at the airport from lots of lovely people! It was quite a send off and drew great attention to my strange attire, I'm sure...

However, I discreetly stripped various items off along the journey, and so was able to travel back to Alcala by bus, without melting into a sweaty heap. It was absolutely the right thing to do.

And oh what joy to come home! It's a long time since I've been away alone and I did actually feel a little homesick - quite unexpectedly. But home really does feel like home now and I haven't stopped grinning since I got back.  (Apart from when I stepped on the weighing scales...sigh.)

Nor have I had chance to speak to my sister as she's busy on her new farm, moving the hens in! I think by the time I get to see it, there might even be a pig and a sheep living there too. She's known her daughter wanted to be a vet for a long time....how absolutely perfect!







28 comments:

  1. It's satisfying when a plan... any plan, comes together. It certainly looks like, homesickness and completion delays aside, your visit was a great success. Beyond the good time you had visiting family and friends and visiting TKMaxx it also makes you appreciate even more what you have back in Spain.
    I also feel that you are the sort of person to find something positive to enjoy in most situations and your delight shines through this heartwarming post.

    Lots of rain in the UK since you left and much more forecast for next week! x

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    1. It was a lovely week, Gaynor and despite having a really good time, it has underlined and confirmed without any shadow of a doubt, that we have the best life possible here as we are - even without TK Maxx!!
      The forecast for the winter seems particularly bleak...something about berries being out early on the trees.
      I promise you, there are days when I'm a snappy, bad-tempered old beast but luckily for everyone else, those days are very few and far between in recent years.
      Axxx

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  2. Sounds like a very enjoyable jam-packed visit. Just as well you don't have T K Maxx in your part of the world though, you might end up penniless!

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    1. I did covet some lovely casserole dishes - the sort that are very, very heavy - but my philosophical conclusion is that I can quite happily live without TKMaxx now!! I don't even think I'd bother if there was one round the corner....hmmm, or would I? (Good job I'll never know!)
      Axxx

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  3. Sounds like a very successful trip. I am also a TKMaxx groupie. I'm hoping to come across one next week when I'm in the UK.

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    1. They're everywhere - I'm sure you will. Enjoy and let me know what you find! Axxx

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  4. Judy has clearly chosen a beautiful place to live, and when you visit next time, hopefully, she'll be really settled. Why does house buying have to be so stressful ????
    Your time back in England looks to have been brilliant. Not so sure about TKMax though. I have similar feelings about is as I do about IKEA. It takes so much energy. It is not the sort of shop you can pop into for 5 minutes, it takes a long time to ferret out those bargains. However....as it was your first trip to one, I understand your reaction !
    My favourite image from your trip has to be the drookit one of Huddersfield. I'll be back there next week, and in a way, I am looking forward to seeing the damp but glisteningly so, buildings of Huddersfield and even Halifax. ( no, I wont go that far..... Halifax is never a good place to walk round ! ) Take care Annie, and enjoy being back home again. Jxxx

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    1. No, no - not my first trip to a TK Maxx, Janice!! I was to be found there most days when I worked in town! It was part of the reason I came back to England if I'm absolutely honest but now I have had my fill once again, I think I might just be over it for a good long while.
      I am hoping Judy settles nicely into the farm - Mum had been on the Wednesday and could see why Judy liked it so much.
      Huddersfield was definitely drookit - but it does it rather well and I was glad to mooch around and see it looking like its old self still - and evidence of development too, so not as depressing as when we left. I'm quite fond of Halifaxx (oops, Freudian slip there!) too, though not sure if they have a TK Maxx.
      Have a good return visit!!
      Axxx

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    2. I did think....how could Annie not have visited TKMaxx when Kingsgate was only next door to the office ? I clearly didn't read properly. Somehow Halifax never matches up to Huddersfield for me, and I've lived in Calderdale for longer than I ever lived in Kirklees. I just think that when they modernised the town centre in the 60s/70s, they just created a horrible town centre. Huddersfield has some real splendour to it, and your photo shows that beautifully. Its pretty drookit in Caunes today, but still warmish. It will be odd to have to put all those layers of clothes on again next week. Jxxx

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    3. Having had another look, I can understand why it read like my 'very first' TKMaxx fix, whereas what I actually meant was my 'first fix' of my visit...first of many! Axxx

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  5. You've had a stunning week despite the weather...all that human warmth to make up for it.
    I would like T K Maxx....I know I would....
    And all that choice in a supermarket....

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    1. It was bloody cold, Helen, but yes, the human warmth did make up for it. I think you're right - you'd love TKMaxx. You, Annie and I could have a field day there!
      And I was quite blown away by the choice in the supermarket and photographed the honey shelves and the yogurts too but thought perhaps it was only me that was interested! I could send you copies if you want...
      Axxx

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  6. Another TK Maxx fan here too Annie. I've had some really good bargains from there over the years. I also love English supermarkets and my daughter laughs at me drooling over the immense choice, which we don't have here. So pleased you had such a lovely trip x

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  7. I miss being able to find quality bargains here, Ayak, so it's a pleasure to go and look at things - most of which I don't feel I need anymore! Choice in the supermarket is something I really DO miss though - I get very bored with the selection we have here in Spain in general...though I can't say we don't eat really well here. Thank you! Axxx

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  8. Wow what a hectic schedule, but obviously a thoroughly enjoyable one. So lovely to catch up with family and friends, shame about the weather though. Must agree with the supermarket theme, still miss certain things.

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    1. It felt much less hectic than usual, Chrissie, on account of having only myself to move around, not me and three kids - all who want to go in different directions! It was good and I really didn't mind the weather at all. I am slightly wishing I could have smuggled a big box of Dorset Cereals in with me but just didn't have the space...Mum's Christmas cake weighed in at nearly a kilo and that took me up to the limit. Now that is really worth having! Axxx

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  9. Glad to hear that you are learning how to layer as the UK seems to be turning into Sweden as far as weather goes, with winter lasting into May. Try Uniqlo Heattech clothes for packing very light, inexpensive layers - ideal for flying! I use them for antiques fairs that start in the middle of the frosty night.

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    1. Now with that good advice and recommendation, I could have avoided looking like the Michelin lady at the airport...
      I can imagine you will have some very chilly starts - I've just waved the children off this morning and it feels pretty chilly here too but we do know the sun will be nice and hot as soon as it appears...which makes all the difference. Take care - a rough winter is forecast! Axxx

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  10. It sounds like a perfect visit Annie :)

    I've never been into TK Max and I'm clearly missing something. But Booths ... Booths I love!

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  11. When my sister first moved to Knutsford, Booth's was a bit dull...but over the years, it's really blossomed into a great place to shop. And Mum and I had an excellent lunch there in preference to one of the many little places on the high street - partly through convenience but it was very tasty and fresh.
    You may not like TK Maxx but I think you should try it if you get the opportunity...you might just like it in a funny sort of way!
    Axxx

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  12. What a wonderful sounding trip back home. That photo of the beach is spectacular.
    Oh, TK Maxx - my mum and I love that shop - but you have to be prepared to browse or be a professional shopper like my mum (she really could do it for a living!).
    So pleased you had a lovely time.
    Sx

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    1. The beach really was incredible (-y cold!) and the light was fantastic when the sun popped through the clouds.
      I'm not a professional shopper but TK Maxx brings out the best in me - I am very pleased with my new bed sheet, it's really excellent quality. BUT - I know now I can live without it all perfectly happily. That's a good feeling too. Axxx

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  13. What wholesome busyness you have had, Annie - and all out of a desire to give you mum a surprise. I'm smiling from ear-to-ear at all your excursions.
    We have a similar store hereabouts, called TJMaxx. They sell overstock of household goods, clothing, food, and much, much more. Fortunately/unfortunately there is one only three miles from our house. I say unfortunately because I get in a wee bit of trouble there, buying this and that and the other. tee hee

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    1. We enjoyed keeping the secret for a while and then enjoyed telling her...we're not hard to please!
      TJ and TK must be related, mustn't they - very closely! Three miles is close enough to walk if necessary....how very tempting it must be sometimes. Very tempting. Axxx

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  14. You obviously had a marvellous week, Annie, despite the weather. Unfortunately you coincided with the cold spell we had and it's much warmer again at the moment, though not exactly dry. We don't have a TK Maxx anywhere near us, so I've only been in the Oxford branch once and couldn't find anything to fit me, which may have prejudiced me somewhat. :-) On the other hand my sister swears by it and has found some wonderful bargains. I've never even heard of Booths, but agree about the wilderness of choice in British supermarkets.

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    1. I did coincide with a cold spell, didn't I, Perpetua! I struggled to keep warm the first few days, but then adjusted. I adjusted a lot quicker to warm when I returned though...
      Sizes are odd in TKMaxx - at least that's what I tell myself when I come away with either XXL or S...both of which sometimes fit.
      And I think all British supermarkets probably have more choice just because here, people tend to only eat 'Spanish' food and at a really local level, that means food from 'here'! Which is great. (I just have to eat a bit less of it, I think!)
      Axxx

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  15. Hi Annie , well it seems that you had a fabulous eventful trip back to the UK ,, but the cold I can understand , especially for you .. I have just seen that Perpetua has been to the Oxford TKMaxx , 10 miles or so from where I live ,, I agree with her , not unless you have hours and hours to search ,, my niece loves it , I think the one in Cambridge might be better .. as for British supermarkets , I despair ,, much rather have a Spanish shop .. I was in Sainsburys today , omg it was a nightmare , cannot stand the place , give me a French?Italian Carrefour any day .. so happy you enjoyed you trip back to the Uk and see your family xxo

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    1. Hello there, Anne. Nice to hear from you again. I shall have to go and see what Perpetua has to say about TK Maxx...
      As for supermarkets, the big ones all seem just the same to me now but our local one is definitely not a patch on Booths in Knutsford...but we do eat so well here that I can't possibly complain.
      Seems an age since I was in England and today, the sky is as blue as it's been all summer, so I'm very glad to be home!
      Axxx

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