Over one shoulder

I've said many times that I'm not the reflective sort. Yet blogging encourages one to reflect. Sitting down in front of the computer, reading what others have written, noticing with absolute amazement that I have had more than 50,000 visits since I started out and looking forward to a new year, another new year here in Spain and, at the moment, in glorious sunshine and under exquisite blue skies, I feel a quick glance back might not be a bad thing to do.



The first thing that I feel compelled to acknowledge is that for the past few months, we've been in negotiations for a property. Nothing is settled yet. I've resisted writing about it partly because I'm trying very hard to keep it from being a blot on the landscape if we don't get it. If I only see it vaguely from the corner of my eye, then I can cope with it disappearing. And it's always so important to see what is right in front of you.

The other reason for not writing about it has been that the house is not in Alcala la Real. It's on the other side of Granada.
I had not wanted to see it and viewed it very critically when FR insisted it was worth having a look. And despite my negative approach, it worked its way into my heart. We took the children to see it and they were surprisingly very enthusiastic even though we explained it would necessitate a change of schools if we were able to get it. They didn't seem to mind at all, which surprised me; I know that if they'd said 'no way', then we'd have gone no further.
As it is, our offer is going backwards and forwards; we know our limit and cannot go beyond that. So I continue to hold it as a shadowy idea in the corner of my mind's eye. (But I know just what will go in that little nook next to the kitchen door, of course....)
You may, if you will, cross a couple of fingers! It has wisteria too.

I feel I have developed as a language teacher this year, particularly from October when I took on some extra hours and more responsibility at the Academy. I knew I loved language and words but that love is now something I so enjoy transmitting to my students. I enjoy the Spanish/English connections and finding the differences and similarities. Many of my students also like to have 'hooks' to hang their understanding on and it's great fun finding out what works for whom. I'm very grateful to Kirklees Council for the emphasis they always placed on training for employees - much of which helped to develop my own skills and knowledge but which also instilled an understanding of how training works. Helped having a really good friend who is a really good trainer too!

My children have grown tremendously this year - not just in height and age, but beginning to turn into rounded young people.
It hasn't been easy for Mateo and he knows he has to buckle down and address those areas of academic work that he has held at arm's length in his new school. In addition to growing and changing radically in the past twelve months, he's gained in confidence and shows many glimpses of the mature person he is becoming.
Ruy is most anxious to follow in his footsteps and is filling out in preparation for a growing spurt. He really hopes this will come soon as his sister is only a hair's breadth or so less than him in height. Ruy can put so much effort in and at the Christmas performances, he absolutely shone with pleasure and enjoyment as his class sang. Quick to anger and very stubborn at times, he's also the most delightful son to have - cheerful, responsive, responsible and fun - and he flourishing in the Spanish sunshine.
My delightful, clever and funny daughter..is delightful, clever and funny! She loves to entertain, works hard at school, is thoughtful, independent and original. Her drawings are quite amazing - she creates cartoon sequences that tell her stories brilliantly and I am constantly fascinated by and proud of her.

And in reflective mood, I'm so happy to say that FR and I are still very much in love. We are quite a volatile and argumentative couple and our ups are as high as our downs are deep. We haven't reached a stage where we are comfortable companions - maybe we won't - but we are not bored with each other, can still make each other laugh - and cry - and are looking forward to another exciting year together.

Looking back I am amazed, as we so often are, as to how quickly the year has passed. For many in the UK it seems to have been a year of celebration as well as downpour. I saw little of the Golden Jubilee here and not that much more of the Olympics - partly because we were away on holiday and partly because the coverage in Spain concentrated on favourite Spanish sports such as basketball, football and synchronised swimming...so the summer months focused on seeing family for us. It was great to catch up with my sister again albeit briefly. And we were all grateful to be able to be with FR's grandfather for the last time too and, if an old man has to die, then his timing was perfect, allowing us all to get together to celebrate his life with the least possible undue fuss and the greatest affection.

A moment that stands out for me is when, in April, we painted our toes in rainbow colours to offer support across the world when a fellow blogger was diagnosed with cancer. She is doing well and her blog is an absolute delight - she's Annie at Artistica Domestica. Good on you, Annie - you're doing great!

Then, more recently, a diagnosis was made on a friend closer to home - someone I have known for more than 20 years but with whom I have only recently come to view as a real friend. It is always shocking news to hear.

Janice in Caunes and I worked together for the same council and I always appreciated her intelligence and knowledge of the Education Service; her strong views, commitment and level-headed approach were things I really admired. I admit to being rather in awe of her. She left the council a couple of years before I did and went to work at her local hospital and I rather lost touch. However, I remember bumping into her in the carpark at Kingsgate in Huddersfield just before we upped and offed to Spain and thinking again how easy it was to talk to her and how genuine, friendly and approachable she was. It was that chance meeting that kept us in touch via Facebook and then my blog. Janice took to blogging like a duck to water once she decided to do it and those of us who follow her know that she is full of wonderful stories and anecdotes about her family, past and present, and her insights into life in France. She has a tough few months ahead of her as she faces chemotherapy but when I saw her at Christmas, she looked wonderful and I don't think cancer has a chance in the face of her strength and optimism. And we are going to spend some time together as soon as she feels up to it. Janice, you are one of the most precious things of 2012 - here's to enjoying more of 2013 together!

Malala

And as my brain kicks in and I really start to think back about 2012 and think more broadly, I realise that there are things that have happened in the world this year that are almost too tragic to bear. The untimely death of children is obviously uppermost in my mind, but also the attacks on and murder of young girls and  women who are doing nothing more than going to school, travelling together or working in humanitarian roles, as teachers and health workers - I find I'm so angry at this that it is painful; it's overwhelmingly frustrating that all efforts so far in the world to counteract this attitude should be as nought at the end of 2012. Outrageous. I am outraged. And will continue to be so and so must we all.

I will be discussing these issues with my students when I return to my teaching and with my own children too. Changing the world is rather too much for me to take on but damn it all, I will make sure that these things don't go unnoticed by those near by me. And maybe we should all look over one shoulder to see what is going on behind our backs or in places we don't feel we belong to - because whilst we don't feel the threat directly, it's much better to be aware of what is happening than burying our heads in the sand or somewhere cosy and comfortable.

We really should be aware.

And so went 2012

This is a little glimpse of the end of 2012 for us. It was a jolly good ending, I have to say, if just a tad exhausting.

First, the arrival of my in-laws, who bring such joy and enthusiasm with them - and usually a little bit of chaos and unpredictability. Like their bed breaking in the middle of the night causing guffaws of laughter.

Then a gathering and eating with friends;

The chocolate game in full flow.

Mario tucking in whilst we await the next six.

Then a visit to a craft fair in Montefrio where I would have gone to sell chocolates if I hadn't sold out. There was a 'living' Belen - with exception of the camels, of course!

Not 100% convincing but rather sweet!

The goats and the chickens were quite authentic but I think the girl is on her mobile...

Comical camels watching on.

Noche Buena en familia - Christmas Eve is the main family meal in Spain, so when in Spain do as the Spanish!

Followed - at a very respectable hour - by a lovely relaxed Christmas Day ..

with everyone more than happy with their various and much appreciated gifts.













Then the children and I headed off for a brief spell in the UK on Boxing Day.
Flying out in beautiful sunshine and landing in Manchester to chilly damp and rather windy weather. But never mind - as Romy said, we didn't go for the weather.

Whilst we were away, FR and his parents took advantage of the weather we left behind.













And caught the first signs of the spring that will come.









I didn't take my camera to England...why? We were packed to the hilt and had not a spare place for it - however, I happened to have heard that Ruy was going to get a camera for Christmas, so all was not lost. Though I couldn't control his subject matter...

Mateo with his nose where it usually is.

Much tucking in - I am sure we spent more than half our time eating this Christmas

Oh, and watching 'The Hobbit' at the Printworks in Manchester - that took quite a while too but we did enjoy it.

We found time to go to Huddersfield to meet up with friends there and I was delighted - nay, emotional - to see Janice (not in Caunes today) looking absolutely stunning, notwithstanding her recent health problems. I hope 2013 brings her much good health and a return to all the things she loves doing. It was such a joy to spend a few hours with her, and my other friends who were able to join me and making my busy little trip so enjoyable. It was as if I'd never been away and just as I'd hoped. Thank you all!

Janice with Romy and I

Ruy took absolutely loads of photos and quite a number of videos, particularly on the evening we spent with Marion and Ali, after careful consideration, I decided none of them were what my blog needs. Unless of course you wanted to see screaming children sliding down the stairs or the stalking of cats or Romy playing on her new Nintendo... but I've decided probably not!

We had a very early start to get back to Spain and quite a few 'problems' before we successfully caught the plane but less said, soonest forgotten...

And last night, we enjoyed yet another delicious meal. I think I shall not eat much in 2013 to make up for the excesses of the end of 2012! I have really indulged this year - I foresee much dog walking in the weeks to come. But hey; I've missed the variety of food that's available and eaten in England. Spanish food is excellent but very.....Spanish. The miso soup was out of this world; and to eat Kalamata olives again was a joy; and turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce..sigh...plus lightly cooked spring cabbage and my sister's roast potatoes..heaven; Mum's mince pies and Christmas cake - perfection. And what did we bring back? Marmite - huge jars of it! A jar of crystallised ginger. Ryvitas! Sun-dried tomatoes and Maldon Sea Salt. What is it you can't live without?

Dig in! Not sure what Ruy's expression is saying!

After our long day, I was a bit concerned I might fall asleep before we saw the New Year in, but our dinner lasted until almost midnight and by the time we'd prepared 7 plates with 12 grapes on each there was only a little while to wait for the bells to strike midnight in Madrid. One grape to be eaten for each strike of the bells. Small panic when FR's father dropped his on the floor - we managed to find them all in time!



We popped open a bottle of bubbly and after the children and their father and grandfather had been out throwing a few 'petardos' - or bangers - in the streets along with others doing pretty much the same, we felt we should get our heads down for a good long sleep.


And so begins 2013. Happy New Year. I hope all is going well with you and yours.

Let the holidays begin!

Once again, I have been a familiar sight, running from one place to the other, in a state of constant multi-tasking. I really deserve to cut a lithe figure, rather than a chunky one!
In addition to the usual dashing around, I've been chocolate making and selling. I made up a little time for all the other things I have to do by very nearly selling out completely at my first stall, held at the English Centre - 'A Little Bit of Britain' - here in Alcala la Real on Saturday morning. I was absolutely delighted and rather dismayed at the same time as I'd intended going to Montefrio on Sunday to another craft market there. I don't have enough stock to do it now because as well as an excellent morning, I've had a stream of personal shoppers coming to the house. So, having squirreled a few chocolates away for my niece (hope you read this Emily, I got the message from your mum!) I'm pretty well cleaned out! It hasn't been a profitable exercise - it rarely is - but neither has it left me with kilos of chocolate left with no takers. A big 'phew' and a big 'hurray'!!!

Exam time at the Academy - in the last week of term, which I find very sad but I was told that the children need to be motivated to work right up until the last lesson and exams are the way it's done here. I did try to argue for them to be a week early but no, not an option. Although I only had to arrange the exam for the first level, the group I teach entirely on my own, I also had to administer the Listening and Speaking tests for the other groups and it made me unexpectedly jittery. Anyway, glad to announce that they are all done and finished and my level one children produced some wonderful results and we still had time to play. In fact, with a couple of classes, we managed to play some of my favourite games - including Pictionary, Kim's Game, using vocabulary they've been learning recently, of course - plus a madcap game we used to play at my own childhood parties. You need a bar of chocolate - wrapped - on a tray, which can only be eaten using a knife and fork. Everyone sits round in a circle and takes turns to shake the dice - a six allows you to attack the chocolate but you must first put on a hat, a scarf and a pair of gloves, preferably two sizes too big!   Whilst the lucky person makes a start, the dice continues and as soon as another six is thrown, that person must don the required apparel and continue attacking the chocolate. And so on. It's great fun and I played with an equal amount of enthusiasm as the kids. And ate my fair share of chocolate too...I haven't always had time to eat properly these past few days and I was very hungry!

Scene from one of the many performances at Alonso de Alcala Primary School

Nativity plays and Christmas theatre at school. I missed Romy's performance as I was teaching but was able to go to Ruy's the next night. It was great fun if rather chaotic and very loud! His class were the last one and whilst the other two year six groups performed plays, rather well it must be said, Ruy's class performed two songs including playing the accompanying instruments - it was beautiful and so appreciated that they had to perform an encore. Ruy clearly loved every moment and his parents were a tad emotional. Romy also confessed to feeling like she was going to cry...

This is another group whose performance I particularly enjoyed not least because it included a very touching scene showing well how the school integrates their pupils with special needs. The Star is a girl who has autism and cannot cope with being touched. She was given free rein to run around the stage, which she clearly enjoyed, whilst gentle but comical stage play was made by the Kings - who, of course, had to follow her. She eventually came to a stop and remained on stage to take the applause.

And eventually, I too got to see Romy's performance as yesterday, all the performances were repeated for the benefit of the whole school. I was misinformed many times about the timings...resulting in me running back and forth from school four times that day - nay, five as I had to go to collect her at the end of the day too! I have a very distinctive black and white raincoat with a Rennie Mackintosh design on it and as I crossed the road for the fourth time, the migrant workers who are here for the olive harvest but who spend most of their time on a wall outside the bus station, all cheered me on as I sped off yet again - this time to deliver a dozen chocolate snails to a friend who was meeting me elsewhere in the town!

Romy's class were the last on and they did a little play written by their teacher. I confess to not understanding very much of it - the microphones were too loud and exaggerated the children's lines so I couldn't work out what they were saying - but I followed the advice I give my students... I listened for gist. I got the gist. Romy played a grandmother and made a lovely one. Her lines were as clear as a bell and she had plenty - she was pleased about that. I didn't have the camera though as FR had it with him in Granada, but I had taken a couple of Romy the night before - though FR took none of her or Ruy on stage preferring to video them in their performances. He doesn't have a blog-mentality at all!!








But here she is in character in our house.













Last night was my last teaching day until 8th January and I felt some relief as I came home and saw that Romy had decorated the tree. And now I must away to clean and sort my scruffy house and move beds and furniture around in preparation  for the arrival of 'mis suegros' - my in-laws - who arrive tonight. FR has gone to Marbella to an Arab Sheik's for lunch. Honestly - sounds ridiculous, but our friend is negotiation an oil deal with the Sheik...olive oil, that is....and he needs a translator. Should be quite a good lunch, I think.

This will be last post before Christmas. The children and I are flying off to my family's on 26th, so hopefully will be catching up with friends there too - we are rather excited. I suspect this has been a disjointed, rambling post - I don't have time to proof-read it either - but hopefully after today, I can slow down and really enjoy a lovely double-family Christmas. We're back on New Year's Eve.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Romy's Christmas Picture

 

Romy loves drawing cartoons - this is her Christmas picture drawn just now - I love all the details, especially those cheeky elves!

A perfect Sunday

The sun was out and the sky blue when we got up this morning and I had just managed to drag the children away from 'Anastastia' which was on Disney channel so that we could take Darwin out for a walk all together, when some friends phoned to ask if we wanted to go out with them.

We did and we've had the most beautiful walk from Alcalá la Real to nearby Fuente del Rey. 

I had my camera with me. 

Ready to go - leaving Alcala with La Mota in the background. 

Juan Carlos took us to this quarry - and told us that it ships its stone to China...
Sierra Nevada in the distance - looking very beautiful today.

Here at 1000m above sea level, the stones are made almost entirely from creatures that once settled on the sea floor.

In memory of those killed by the Republicans during the Civil War.

La Mota, looking deceptively close by, taken from the quarry.

Might be my imagination, but the chalet and the mountains look almost Alpine to me.

Fuente del Rey is a little village close to Alcala la Real with an important history. In the 14th century, Alcala was under Moorish rule. In 1341, Alfonso XI, King of Castile, Leon and Galicia (there was no 'Spain' at this time) put the castle under siege and had his base here in Fuente del Rey. He had a busy and successful year in 1341 so I'm not sure if he spent all the eight months of siege it took to force a surrender, but Alfonso is credited with taking the castle from the Moors and at this point, Alcalá Benzaide changed its name Alcalá 'la Real' - or the Royal. This little hermitage was built to house the statue of the Virgin that travelled with Alfonso XI and his army at the time. It was opened for us today by a lovely old lady who lives nearby and who has the key - she of the turquoise dressing gown and cotton flowery hat. Bless.

Caquis - soft orange globes against the blue.
We managed to liberate a couple but I've eaten one from the tree once before and will not be tempted to do it ever again. 

An atalaya - or watch tower. There are many in this area, both Arab and Roman design. This one has crenellations which I believe makes it Roman. The Arab ones are unadorned simple towers.

On our way back, the Sierra Nevada behind us. 

Another little treasure to investigate on our way back to Alcala la Real.

Celia, Romy and Tere strike a pose for Mario in the sunshine.

Mario and Romy are in the same class and get on so well together. They play beautifully together - especially with Playmobil. In their school play Romy takes the part of the 'abuela' or granny and Mario is her 'grandson' - they find this highly amusing!

It was a beautiful day and we had a really lovely walk with our friends. Just how Sundays should be. Looking forward to the next one.

I love Playmobil

I downloaded some photos from the camera this morning and came across these that Romy must have taken. I love Playmobil and the stories that children tell with it.

Domestic scene 

What a lovely bedroom

Oh look - father with broom and log fire - just like real life!

Apparently the mother of the family is an ambulance driver

No accidents, just the school run.

Byeee! (Shouldn't she be sitting down and strapped in?)

Hey - flashing lights and all!

I do love Playmobil!

Grab the camera

I was just about to set off with Darwin for our morning walk - a snatched twenty minutes in between preparing for and giving an English lesson - and I was struck by the BLUE of the sky so grabbed my camera.

The leaves have either turned to yellow, brown and red or have  fallen now, as we reach December.

Strange pods hang from many of the trees 

Golden yellow leaves against the blue, blue sky

Moon over the olive groves

And frost, hiding in the shadows of the trees - it's been a chilly night!

La Lovely Mota - basking in the sun - December 2012

Isn't that gorgeous?

Must remember to take my camera with me more often - there is so much that is beautiful to share.