Casa Rosales

Casa Rosales

Friday 27 December 2013

Moving on...

We've had a lovely Christmas, all things being equal. We'd intended to go down to the coast on 23rd but in the end, we decided to go into Granada. FR had seen a funfair and thought it might help to distract Ruy and Romy from their struggle to come to terms with Darwin's dreadful demise.

They were very brave and enjoyed themselves despite it being difficult to smile at times. The setting was spectacular and the small fair was in the grounds of some big warehouses that were home for the 'Muestras de Armilla'. (Armilla is a village of Granada and a muestra is an exhibition.) It was incredibly noisy inside the big spaces and there was a lot that was just a waste of space too, but in amongst, there were some interesting things to see and do.



The setting was spectacular, with the snowy Sierra Nevada behind the huge chimney and glorious blue skies.



There was a large model railway set up at one of end of one of the three main exhibition halls. We'd arrived when there was nothing running...but we were assured that on the hour, there would be movement...




A smile (almost) was raised in the police exhibition area when the children were allowed to go on the huge police bike...


I rather fancied sitting on it myself. I remember as a 5 year old, being allowed to sit and play on our nextdoor neighbour's motorbike and it has stuck in my memory ever since.




This looks as though Romy might have been wrong to set the siren off without leave....at least he didn't put her in the back seat.













Manoeuvring a remote controlled truck around an obstacle course required a lot of concentration....


This is a lot of concentration....
















There was a zip wire - quite a big one - and both Ruy and Romy were keen to have a go....


But even that failed to raise a smile for Ruy... poor Ruy. He's been very, very hard hit. We're sharing lots of hugs as and when needed.




We gave the impressive Viking long boat a wide berth although I bet the view was fantastic as it swung from side to side. (I would be probably hanging over the edge though, not caring about anything if I went it it. I remember going in one once many years ago and hanging on for what seemed a lifetime before it eventually, and mercifully, came to a stop. Never again!)


No, we didn't manage to raise much of a smile on Ruy's face.

However, I found a very nice stand inside one of the pavillions that was a dog rescue centre based near Santa Fe, not too far away for us. I spoke to a lovely German woman who worked there who said they always had dogs and puppies in that needed adopting or rehoming. I think we might pay her a visit in the not too distant future.
Christmas morning was lovely.

With everyone very happy with what they got.


And the tree looking very comfortable in the corner of the den, where we all sat round opening our presents.

And acting in the usual clownish way...


After lunch, the children continued playing with the surprise star of the gift show - Storycubes. These are a set of 9 dice with pictures on each face. You throw them, look at the pictures and then make up a story that is inspired by the images. Romy and Ruy spent almost the whole day telling stories!


 Romy was heard telling stories on her own, later on in her own room. Absolutely perfect for her!


Once upon a time, there was a little bee, whose name was ...




And who wouldn't want a pair of knitted wellies for Christmas?

I did, but they didn't have my size. These are Romy's.







We had a few moments of real sadness - particularly around mealtimes. FR has been much more affected than he thought possible. He's usually first up in the mornings and it's been really hard to go downstairs and not find Darwin, still dozy from sleep, stretching and reaching up for a morning stroke. And having no one to pass on the bits left on plates...very hard on Christmas Eve, when we had barbequed ribs. Never has our appetite been so dulled. We saved the bones for Sergio's dogs.
The weather - which has been so lovely and bright and sunny for so long - was appalling on Christmas Day. The wind was relentless and very strong and we had driving rain from morning to night. This caused the metal fly curtain that we have outside the door to keep rattling against the glass - always a sign that Darwin wanted to come in....that was very hard.

On Boxing Day - not a day recognised in Spain as a holiday - our English friends, Sam and Dave and their two daughters came over. Originally, Dave wasn't coming at first - this is his first year working on the olive harvest, which is gruelling work but cannot be done in the rain. After the deluge of Christmas Day, the ground was too wet to go back on Boxing Day, so we had the whole family together which was lovely.

And we had a great afternoon and evening - and of course, the girls stayed the night which pleased Romy no end! We played a crazy game of Uno, ate well and had plenty to drink. It felt like a proper family Christmas celebration and we're so glad they could come.


It doesn't look wild, does it? But we had such a laugh!!

And the next day, there was much jumping on the trampoline. I love these photos.




And yes, Ruy is smiling again.  It was our first Christmas in our new home and it was one we will never forget - for both the right and not so right reasons.We're moving on.

And towards a New Year. Hope you've all had a very Happy Christmas.


22 comments:

  1. Perhaps it was as well you had the distractions of the seasons...and friends to come over to share with you....and do go to that refuge, as those animals need the love your family can provide and that would be a great way to honour Darwin and all the love he gave you.

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    1. Thank you Helen. Yes, the Christmas distractions have definitely helped us through these early days, but I've just had a little weep again as a day of normality has emphasised the hole he's left.

      I will definitely go to the refuge and we will definitely have another dog. There'll never be another Darwin but there are lots of dogs who need homes and we have a lovely one to offer.
      Axxx

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  2. Plenty of distractions to ease the heartache. It does get better with time...an old cliché I know, but it's true. So pleased you have made contact with the refuge. I think it would be lovely to adopt a dog who desperately needs a home, in Darwin's memory. I did the same with my latest rescue Tommy. I felt Poppy would want her bed to be put to good use. We never forget our dogs, ever. They leave an indelible pawprint on our hearts, but your lovely family have lots of love to give another dog. Happy New Year Annie with lots of love xxx

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  3. Thanks Ayak - I know it's time that's needed. I know as well that we must get another dog. I like the 'indelible pawprint' idea - - though at the moment, seeing Darwin's still around in our garden is hard. There are a lot of dogs around that need rescuing and after the New Year we will be looking seriously and waiting for another sweetie to catch my attention as Darwin did.
    Happy New Year to you too, Ayak. Much love, Axxx

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  4. Hang on in there - I hope the patter of new paws helps to heal the big hole in your family's happiness.

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    1. Thank you BtoB. If I was any nearer, I might have to borrow Jake for a while...Axxx

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  5. I have finally made it to my office ( cubby hole of a room, jokingly described as the 4th bedroom in the estate agent's details......room measures 5ft6" x something probably a bit less than that ! )
    I am so pleased you managed to enjoy your first Christmas in the house. It is lovely to see Sam and Dave sitting at your kitchen table....and you looking incredibly glamorous.
    I know from the experience of having to have our springer, Lucy, put down, a few years ago...how awful you will all have been feeling. The shock of it, as well, must have added to the horror. I think it also surprises us.....how desperate you feel.....I mean, we're sensible people, we love our animals...but they are not children.....but somehow, the sensible approach means nothing. Darwin was an incredibly important part of your family, and it will take a long time for that horrible feeling of emptiness to go away. Fur balls, foot prints, other dogs that look like him, walks you have been on with him..etc etc. I still cant walk on the bridle path behind our old house in Mankinholes, without expecting to see Lucy bounding ahead, and turning around to check we were following her.
    I am sure that bringing another dog into your family will help.....and I am sure you will find a piece of wall space to put the very best photo you can find , of beautiful Darwin.
    I suspect that in moments of sadness.....bouncing on the trampoline might help ! Lots of love Jxxxx

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    1. It is much harder than I would have believed, Janice. I was very calm and brave the first day when it happened. I needed to keep it all together for the children. You sort of think the worst is the discovery and the awful truth of him not being here. But it's the every day things that, one week and a bit on, are the hardest to deal with. We have had a very lovely Christmas and at times, everyone is very cheerful and normal. Then one or the other of us suddenly gets a sad face and we all know.
      We will get another - we do need one.
      Hope you've all had a great time - look forward to photos and info! Must away - things to do....
      Axxx

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  6. Yes, you can see the sadness on the children's faces in your earlier photos, Annie, and that sadness will keep coming back to hit you all for a while yet. Darwin was a very important part of your family and though he can never be forgotten or replaced, I'm sure another dog will find his or her way into your hearts when the time is right.

    I'm glad that despite your grief you had a good first Christmas in your lovely home. It must be so satisfying to be able to entertain your friends there and for the children to be able to play out in your wonderful surroundings. Wishing you all the very best for the New Year. Pxxx

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    1. Thanks Perpetua - the smiles have increased as the days go by and we did, all in all, have a lovely Christmas. Darwin is never far away in our thoughts and that's as it should be but I'm glad to say we are all coping with that. I'm not looking forward to the children going back to school as that's when I valued his presence so much but we're not there yet.
      I wish you all the very best for the New Year too, Perpetua - may it be a good one.
      Axxx

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  7. Dear Annie - I think you have to get another little dog - it will bring back the children's smiles and help ease the pain of their loss and yours too.
    I hope you do not mind but I have made a cube after seeing the lovely one on your other blog. It was just too tempting for me to try.

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    1. I think so too, Rosemary - I would get one sooner rather than later but the family is a bit divided. When the time is right, we will, without doubt.
      Of course I don't mind about you making a cube! In the box, there are NINE - so keep going. They are lovely things and definitely provide hours of fun.
      Thank you for your kind words. All the best for the New Year.
      Axxx

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  8. It looks and sounds as if you and your family had the best Christmas possible, especially under the circumstances, Annie. Good for you all for putting one foot in front of the other; a hard task to undertake right now.

    Storycubes. I need to check those out. They sound like fun both in groups and individually, from the look of Romy entertaining herself with the cubes.

    Here is to a happy beginning to 2014. Thank you for being a blogging friend across these many miles. Penny

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    1. I think you summed it up perfectly, Penny. It has been a lovely Christmas and one we will never forget.
      The Storycubes are great - good for groups too. Depends on those involved but if they're at all interested in words or imaginative, it's a great idea - and so simple.

      And all the very best to you too, Penny, for 2014 - for family and health and happiness. It's a pleasure to have such lovely friends.
      Axxx

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  9. Oh dear - those brave little faces!
    I'm sure you will be wise and choose your new friend when the sadness has eased a little. Good luck!

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    1. I know, Nilly - I tried really hard to catch a smile but they were very few and far between, especially from Ruy. We're all doing better now. And able to talk about finding the right 'new' one. Just not doing that bit yet.
      Thank you.
      Axxx

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  10. After a lifetime of keeping multiple dogs my heart is covered in those indelible paw prints Ayak mentions. Another dog, or two, that is always the answer to the hole they leave, but it doesn't make the pain of their passing heal any faster. I like to think that learning to cope with loss is one of the things our dogs teach us, the last lesson of so very many. Oh to be able to live as a dog does, always in the moment, non judgemental, ever loving. Get thee to that rescue soon Annie x

    And here's hoping your New Year celebrations can raise a few more smiles on the faces of those brave kids of yours x

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    1. Thank you Annie, I think these are very wise words indeed. I'm seeking already and am in speaking to a number of dog reskue plases (Sorry, for some reason, my letter 'see' isn't working....most irritating!) We will find another - not the same - but another before too long.
      A Happy New Year to you all,
      Axxx

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  11. I hope 2014 brings happiness and new doggy friends to raise those smiles.
    All the very best to you, Annie.
    Sxxxx

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    1. Thank you Ms Scarlet - that's a lovely thought. Happy New Year to you too. Axxx

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  12. Oh Annie, so sorry to hear your news. (Only just catching up with everyone's blogs after the New Year.) He looks such a sweet dog and they so wind themselves round our hearts it's so hard when they go. If it's any comfort, same thing happen to a friend's dog and the vet's view was the dog died of a stroke or heart attack (otherwise they would not have been in the water) and would not have suffered. From its sad beginnings, may 2014 move into a happy, healthy time for you all.

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    1. Thank you Sue - it is still quite hard to come to terms with. He really was a sweet dog and although I'm looking for another, so far, I can't commit to any that I've seen as they just don't measure up....
      Apart from this, we are all enjoying the new year and the new opportunities that it is bringing.
      All the very best to you too.
      Axxx

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