TV stardom while the snow sneaks closer

I wish I could have a day in bed. Not tossing with fever or nursing a bandaged ankle. Just a day in bed. Wake up late, get a coffee, crawl back under the still-warm covers, snuggle down with a good book, and cuddle up to the inert mound of the usually very active Artist. Then I could drift off to sleep again. Although, truth told, by about midday I’d be getting all fidgety and nerviosa.

I’m only whinging because today was an early start for a Sunday, although totally laid back compared to yesterday’s 6am Up And At ‘Em. The Hockey Star had a match in Madrid, poor chap. The team left at 7am, played at 4pm, won the match, returned in the minibus and the Artist and I picked him up in the drizzling rain at 1.45 am this morning. We got to bed by 3am and I was showered and dressed by 9.30am ready for my next media star part. I’m glad to say that the Hockey Star didn’t fall out of bed until around 2pm.

Anyway, off I went (in my new wheels, naturally) to the office to welcome journalist and camera from the Andalucian TV company, where they were going to interview our football correspondent. Experience has taught me that if I go dishevelled and hair unwashed, they’ll want me in the shot too. So I washed the bouffant and wore my high heels, though I could hardly walk, but even then, they still wanted me in the shot. Me, on a football programme? Of all things. I doubt Andalucía will understand what we said, in our guiri Spanish. Here's hoping in any case.

The experience was painless and quick. I doubt I will be more than a fleeting shadow as a day’s filming will be reduced to four minutes on the screen. To celebrate my new celebrity status the Artist and I went along to the local bar for breakfast - black coffee, toast with tomato and olive oil for me – Big fat, fried, hot and crunchy churros for the Artist. Who said diet?

On the way home we stopped to admire the peaks beyond the bay, sprinkled with snow. If I hadn't got up to do the TV thing I wouldn't have seen the snow-capped mountains. Life is like that, it gives you little presents, and if we're lucky, the ability to enjoy them. (If you click on the photo you can actually see the snow).
Slowly over the last few days the snow has been creeping closer to home. Last night it rained quite heavily but today it has been gloriously sunny and crispy cold – just 10ºC at five this afternoon. The snow won’t get any closer but it’s lovely to see.

Why say yes when you really mean no?

Why say yes when you really mean no? That was what I was going to write about today. I had the whole thing written up in my head and just had to get to a computer quick. But I failed. Work got in the way and now I have forgotten the argument and I am too befuddled by tiredness to say much of worth. If you're unlucky, I'll get back to it another day.

Anyway, I'm tired but happy. It’s Friday, and the weekend stretches ahead and outside, in the street, sit my (hopefully) soon-to-be-new-wheels. I have been given the car to use all weekend to see how it feels and whether I want to buy it. I suspect I shall spend the next two days driving the Artist round the bend and then another, and another. Poor chap. Our old and battered silver Loretta sits dejectedly in the street, quite forlorn with the cocky red VW gloating behind. I feel quite the adulterer, but we need a car.

I confess, that it was love at first sight and that I can hardly say anything coherent because we only met today. Such excitement has left me yawning for oxygen, emotionally exhausted and the biggest car bore this side of Sierra Morena.

Grey days

We woke early this morning to a lead grey day, tinged blue with icy light and 5ºC, although the kitchen window's thermometer was marking an enthusiastic 10ºC. It was cold, but didn’t feel like five degrees. However, Boloski Boy didn't agree, and for the first time that I can remember, our fat cat begged to stay indoors when we tumbled out the front door at eight o'clock. Luckily it hasn’t rained so far, and being carless, we’re more than thankful for that. After yesterday’s downpour, which drenched my hockey star on his way home from the instituto and covered the nearby mountains with snow, it’s been nice to dry out a bit today.
By mid morning the sun was gaining some ground but the winter weather has come ahead of its season and the next few days are set to be stormy, wet and cold. Ideal weather to be without wheels and a hot water heater. Guess that leaves one more thing to break before we get to the proverbial no hay dos sin tres or perhaps it was a la tercera va la vencida - three times lucky!

Did I mention the wonderful cava cooler?

Is this cool or what? Here it is again, this time in its glorious green version. I shall remember this birthday, at least so far, for this toy and for the singing of Bear Necessities in the restaurant. We howled with laughter.

Happy Birthday!

Life is tough and then it gets so much better. Work over and off to dinner with the girls to celebrate Gony's birthday. There we sat, surrounded by luxury yachts, the full moon shining down on the Med in the company of old friends and enjoying excellent food. What a way to end the day. Then down to the hot bar area where we sat underneath the swaying palms and shared a bottle of cava in this truly wonderful cooler that shines from within and changes colour. If it had fit in our handbags we would have taken it. The evening only spoilt by the 20-year-old waiter saying "guapisimas" every time he came near the table and wasn't dribbling over some ridiculously dressed, skinny and incredibly good looking girl. I almost clobbered him with my sensible middle-aged handbag. A lovely evening... and a lovely prelude to my birthday, finished off with me holding a sparkler while we all sang Happy Birthday - and the wonderful thing was that at this age we just don't care who looks at us and if we make fools of ourselves - the only thing that matters is that we are enjoying ourselves tremendously.

It's been a while, I know

It's been a while I know. I've been meaning to get back to writing this blog but have found all kinds of reasons not to. Today, though, in a five minute break after a stressful morning, I've decided to write a few lines.

My son's field hockey team are immersed in the regional play-offs for the national championships. It's serious stuff, and not for the weak-hearted.

Yesterday they played against the team from Cádiz and beat them, with difficulty. While their match was being played, the chaps from Madrid and Alicante arrived. They were HUGE. Real men, not young teenagers. At least they appeared to be, but they're not of course, as all players have to hand in their IDs with their birthdate on it - Even so, they were big and strong and we are having to bring in lads from the younger teams as we just don't have the personnel.

Beating Cádiz yesterday was a psychological plus.

Today our lads were up against Alicante who won against Madrid yesterday - so a lot of pressure. Our team played, what was for me the best game I've ever seen them play, and the drew 2-2. Boy did we, parents and friends, suffer. But the score much better than we expected. Bonzo played so well, I swelled up like a mother hen. He was impressive, but the effort took its toll and at the end of the match he almost fainted.

We spent a memorable half an hour or more in the changing room with me supporting his legs in the air while The Artist first fanned him cool, then rubbed him warm as he lay on the floor trying to get down a sugary drink. He was all over the place poor guy. Finally, he felt better and we came home, where on his request The Artist conjured up a mouth-watering paella, while our hero had a long shower.

Fully fed and restored he's now gone off to chill out with the rest of the team while they plan the strategy for tomorrow's game. I'm quite frankly exhausted!

Last night us mums, known as the Veteranas, had our weekly field hockey training session. We played a full hour on a half-field pitch which brought lots of complaints from us girls but our trainer wasn't hearing them. I didn't sleep at all well because I hurt all over. It was exhilarating and I can tell I'm getting fitter but boy this morning I felt I'd had the stuffing beaten out of me.

More tomorrow. If our team wins tomorrow, they're off to Zaragoza next week to play in the national championship - my nerves are shot to pieces!

Feliz Navidad!