Casa Rosales

Casa Rosales

Tuesday 15 July 2014

Here, there and everywhere

It's been busy, busy, busy for our family recently. And in a good way for the main part.

Since our visit to the Medieval Market a few weeks ago, we've had a visit to Valladolid to see FR's parents. Their Golden Wedding anniversary was actually on 10th June, the same day my own parents got married, but school hadn't finished and so the celebration was postponed for a few weeks. However, travelling there and back created a couple of problems..

I knew I would have to come back early in order to continue my teaching course - it simply wasn't possible to postpone or reschedule the classes - so I had a ticket booked to travel back on the Monday...only realising too late that once I arrived back in Alcala, I was transport-less! However, right next to the bus station, there's a little hire car office and they did me a good deal on a cute little car that would get me to and from work without problem. First problem sorted.

Pippin was my other main concern. No way was I going to leave him behind, nor did I want to put him in kennels. I wanted him to come with us. He has a problem, though, with car sickness. We can't even get the 7kms to the vet's without him throwing up! This is a journey of almost 600kms!! I went to the vet and asked for some pills, which she gave me...(sorry, that should read that I paid an extortionate amount for)...and it was with my fingers crossed that I gave them to him wrapped in a little ham on Friday morning.
It took a little effort to persuade him into his cage in the back of the car. Taking him meant putting the top box on for our luggage as he takes up all the space in the back. But once in, he settled down - and was an angel all the way. Second problem sorted.

And there were no more problems. We had a great time. These photos are from the meal we enjoyed altogether at the restaurant where FR and I had our own wedding reception. The food was excellent and we laughed a lot - though there was less singing than on our day....


One of me, not because it's a good one, but because there are so few around...
Mateo and Marco in the background looking teenagerish!
And at the bar, FR's youngest brother and his girlfriend - another English woman!

Main dish - choto, or kid goat

I can't remember what was so funny but I do like to FR laughing!


And who knows what my father-in-law had said here...

This is the gift from middle son - a restored photo of his gorgeous parents when they were young. I fell in love with this picture and we're going to get a copy for ourselves.
It was taken by a street photographer and just a random snap - but it captures so much....
What a stunning couple they were.

And happy still - with their three sons here.
 The festivities continued back at the house and on to the next day when more family came down from Leon to celebrate. The weather was really poor - imagine, chilly and rainy in July in the centre of Spain! So we set the table out in the garage. I have to share a typical and funny story from this family. Marco, middle brother and his wife, Carmen live in the centre of Valladolid in an apartment. It was their task to bring a table and a chicken casserole that Carmen had cooked the day before. They are notoriously bad time keepers and usually turn up quite late for family events. However, they were surpassing themselves on this occasion. Nadia, the English girlfriend, with whom I got on really well, was getting a bit concerned as she wanted everything to be just right and kept insisting we phone Marco to see where he was. Eventually, we did this and it turned out that he'd forgotten the table and had to go back for it. By the time he arrived, we'd sorted alternative seating arrangements so the table wasn't necessary. During the afternoon, Marco and Carmen took me to one side and 'confessed' what had actually happened. Bear with me, it's a good one!

They park their car in an underground carpark near the house and the slope up to the road is very steep. Having loaded the table and the casserole into the boot, they decided it would be dangerous to drive up the slope and risk the casserole spilling, so they took everything out again. Marco then went back down and picked up the table - but forgot the casserole!  Halfway to his parents, we called about the table and it was then he remembered he'd left the casserole in the carpark!!!...So back they went. In order to fit the casserole into the boot of the car, he had to take out the table. Obviously by now, they were rather stressed....because they then drove off - yes, you've guessed it -  with the casserole, but without the table!

Anyone know the Tales of Hoffnung story...The Bricklayer's Lament? Well, I laughed almost as much at this as I did at Marco's tale.





For my in-laws, I painted my first ever picture. A mixture of watercolour and Zentangle. I wanted to do something just for them and whilst it is very 'naive' in style, I was quite pleased with how it turned out and it looked even nicer with a frame. They have it on their wall and I know Amelia will enjoy looking at it every day.



I will share what my family did without me in a later post....now, I'm preparing for a much anticipated visit to England!! We fly tomorrow - me and the children -  for just over a week and I am feeling rather excited about this. It's a busy life!


18 comments:

  1. That looks such fun...and thank you for the Hoffnung II story!
    You have to have a copy of that photograph....accounts for your husband's good looks too!
    I hope you find things improved for your parents when you visit...and hope too that you catch up with your friends who had to return to the U.K.

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    1. It was great fun, Helen - everyone was on form! Glad you liked the Hoffnung story too.
      The photo is really lovely and yes, I think my hubby is handsome too and a mix of both his parents..
      I am not expecting great things when I visit my parents but I know from my mum that they are now coping better and that my dad is no longer very angry and difficult, but is much more physically disabled than he was a year ago....
      Thanks, Axxx

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  2. What an enjoyable, and typical, family adventure. I love that photo of your father-in-law with your mother-in-law, head in hand. Oh my, how often I've seen that in other folks. What a nice gift the photo is. Hope you get your own copy soon, Annie.

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    1. I enjoyed it immensely and at least now, I can understand more of what's going on! I included the photo of my in-laws as it summed them up beautifully! And isn't it a great old photo of them both? Thank you Penny. Axxx

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  3. Such lovely photos of a very happy family celebration, Annie. I love the old photo of your parents-in-law - so unposed and good-looking. I cherish a similar street photographer snap of my parents on their brief wartime honeymoon. As for the tale of the table and the casserole - truly worthy of the unforgettable Gerard Hoffnung. :-)

    Safe journey to the UK and I hope you have a wonderful time with your parents and friends.

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    1. We have a lot more photos, Perpetua, as you can imagine - and more that the other brothers took. None are quite as good as that old one though...I love it.
      Glad you liked the story and the connection to Hoffnung...it's a while since I've listened to that!

      Thanks for the good wishes - I'm looking forward to some (cool) time back in the UK.
      Axxx

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  4. Hi Annie , Is your hubby the one next to his father? If so , He is the image of his father , I was trying to work it all out , Lovely gift of the photo , xx

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    1. Hi Anne - yes my hubby is in the purple shirt next to his father. There's one of all three brothers with their parents - the youngest posing at the end, the middle one in the middle (with beard) and FR nearest the camera.
      The old photo is really lovely.
      Axxx

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  5. That is a very sophisticated looking couple in that photograph... it's a wonderful picture whether you know the people or not.
    And your water colour zentangle was a lovely, thoughtful gift.
    Sx

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    1. It's a fantastic picture - even though they are the most unsophisticated people imaginable in real life - they were gorgeous when they were young. Thank you, Axxx

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  6. I love the picture you gave your in laws... just beautiful as is that fabulous photo of them when they were younger. It looks like a really joyous gathering, and I am so pleased poor Pippin managed his journey without being ill and spoiling it for the rest of you.
    I have to say that FR is looking particularly stunning ......has he lost some weight? he looks different...not of course that he didn't look pretty gorgeous before ! I also love the photo of you. It is a really good one.... it captures a lovely moment...and you are looking fabulous !
    I'm still so annoyed that our UK trips werent better coordinated...but do hope you have a brilliant time. Jxxxxxx

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    1. Thank you Janice! Weren't they just wonderful young people? And are now wonderful older people.
      Pippin was great and it's done him the world of good. FR always looks stunning to me....:-) and has been working hard in the garden so possibly has lost a bit of weight. You are very kind - we had such fun and enjoyed every moment.
      I did miss not seeing you in Yorkshire!! It would have made a lovely visit even better. Axxx

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  7. At last I'm back to being able to comment! Love the photos Annie, and everyone looks like they are having a great time. Hope you are enjoying your trip back to England. xx

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    1. And I am back! And able to comment!! Thanks, Ayak. We have had a great time in England but it's rather nice to be home again. Axxx

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  8. Hi Annie,
    Can't think how I missed this delightful post. Family celebrations can be wonderful and 50 years is worthy of a wonderful celebration!
    Glad that the journey and party went so well. Your painting is fantastic and will rival the Matterhorn!
    By now you'll be home from your UK trip . Hope all went well and that the arrangements you put in place to help your mum care for your dad are working.
    You are a 'glass half full' sort of lady and this shines through every post.
    We've just arrived in France and it feels strange to have no return journey booked...
    Any more building progress?
    Take care x

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    1. We had such a lovely time, Gaynor and definitely celebrated.
      Yes, we're back and we've had a lovely time and done all sorts - I'll post soon! Mum and Dad are coping still but who knows for quite how much longer...that's the problem.
      My glass is usually almost full, so it's not a problem for me to be cheerful, Gaynor!
      And how amazing to be in France for as long as the mood takes you - I have some of your posts to catch up on which I will do as soon as I can!
      Axxx

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  9. Hi Annie , sorry I was so engrossed in your photos , that I forgot to say , I love your painting and zentangle , it is amazing, xx

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    1. Too kind, Anne! Thanks so much for telling me, it is so appreciated! Axxx

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