Anniversary

Anniversary

Still no internet at home, so here you have me writing from Yoli’s house in León where we have spent the night. So, got to be quick as we are off to have tapas and drinks before lunch and we woke up at 12. What a lovely life here in León (at the weekends!).

Well, yesterday was the 20th May and the 1st anniversary of the passing away of Eladio’s father, Antonio. We all want to remember him always so a memorial mass was arranged in Montrondo – the family village about an hour north of León – yesterday at one o’clock, time enough for the Madrid families to get there.

It was wonderful meeting all again as we hadn’t been together since New Year. There were very few people missing; Alejandro’s sons, Juan and Sara (Salita guapa) who is in China. The surprise of the day was Miguel who came from London specially for the event. Some of us were in the know (me of course) but his parents were amazed.

Apart from the family and we were 25 people, other people came from the village, as well as cousins from nearby villages and León. The mass was made even more emotional when Olivia read out some beautiful words she had written for the beloved “abuelo”. She got such a lump in her throat Susana had to go out to the altar to read out the end. It made quite a few of us cry.

After the mass, we all walked slowly back to the house for an impromptu lunch. Each family had brought food which we put on the big table in the kitchen and we all sat round eating, talking and catching up with our news. It was great to talk to everyone but I was specially happy to talk to darling Marta (one of my favourite neices: actually they are all favourite) who is living in Ponferrada with her dishy football player husband Fernando, commonly known as Ministro. Poor Marta is plagued by dreadful headaches. She is also working hard at conceving which is proving difficult. My heart goes out to her.

We drove to León in the late afternoon to take Susi and Oli to the bus station as they had to go home to study (I wonder). A lovely picture of them buying sweets for the journey just like old times.

And last night we went out to dinner, all the brothers and sisters plus my fathers and had a very tasty Italian meal at a restaurant called Casablanca.

Today we shall be staying for lunch at Yoli and Isidro’s. I can smell the cocido from the kitchen . I think it is safe to say that Yoli is the best cook in the family.

Tomorrow will be Oli’s 21st birthday – AMAZING! And the next day we will gallavant off to Santa Pola. So next week will be a good relaxing week before preparing for the move.

Don't know when I'll next write, what with not having Internet and going off to Santa Pola for a week. So meantime, cheers to you all.

Love Masha
PS pics are of us all in the kitchen in Montrondo, the younger generation and the older generation. Also one of the "younger generation" outside, plus the one of the girls buying sweets (chuchis).