Playgrounds for the over 65's!

I saw the most curious and ingenious thing today when I was passing through my barrio on the bus. There is a little park in Moratalaz where senior citizens can get some exercise doing what they like best, sitting on a bench and chinwagging! It was like a mini gym outside in the street where old people were congregated, having their sunday stroll and a chat with their fellow neighbours. You can sit on a park bench with a friend and work those leg muscles by pedalling on the pedals provided. Or you can climb up and down some little steps and work up an appetite for our Sunday lunch. There were even some funny wheels and ropes for the oldies to work on their arm strength. I was stunned, is this a common thing in Madrid? or in the world? Why have I never seen this before? If it isn't common it is a bloody good idea and the British government should get some installed back in Old Blighty!

Bank Holiday Weekend

Unfortunately Jaime has to work this weekend so we couldn't go away, I haven't been paid yet either so a bit strapped for cash at the moment. There has been a severe lack of CELTA students in the past few months which hasn't helped matters!

So with Jaime out of the house and me all on my lonesome I decided a) to clean, b) to watch DVDs and finally c) to do something cultural. The cleaning and DVD viewing took place yesterday leaving me free to wander around the Prado museum today.

This was my second visit to the Prado, but the first was very rushed and carried out rather half-heartedly having already whizzed around the other two museums in the 'Triángulo de oro'. This time I was keen to go investigating the masterpieces of Goya, El Greco, Vélazquez and Rubens among the many other famous painters represented amongst the almost 9,000 paintings within the four walls of this magnificent museum. However, for me the best painting is still the one that I only saw on my first visit to the Prado thanks to a postcard in the gift shop. I was so tired I was falling asleep on my feet when I first saw the picture of the Garden of Earthly Delights by Bosch and I remember thinking to myself I have got to find this painting. And find it I did, in Room 56 on the ground floor. And I forgot all about being tired when I was stood gazing at this wonderfully amazing tryptych for about an hour! It was as magical today as the first time I saw it. I find the piece truly intriguing, disturbing yet at the same time brilliant and beautiful and so far I haven't found a piece of art that can captivate me in the same way.

Wedding Bells in Aguilar de Campoo

Jaime and I went to Aguilar de Campoo this weekend to attend his friend's wedding. Fernando got married to Conchi in a lovely chapel in Aguilar (hermitage) and then they had a lunch reception in a hotel in the centre of town. The wedding started at 1pm and I eventually climbed into bed at 2am! A very long day, copious amounts of wine and Jack D and way too much food. We had Serrano Ham, Salmon Paté, langostinos (yum yum) and small crabs (which I didn't eat as it was far too complicated to open the buggers with nutcrackers and pull out the meat), we had hake and then lamb and then sorbet and then dessert. I was full to bursting by the end of it all!

I hadn't been looking forward to going since I didn't really know anyone (except for José (Jaime's brother) and his wife, Marta, and we weren't sitting at the same table.) However, I had a fantastic day (and night), everyone was lovely and I think out of the 160 guests I managed to learn about 15 names! Jaime had a great time, he hadn't seen his friends in a long time so you can imagine what state he was in by the end of the night!

The next day, after dragging myself out of bed at 12pm, I went for a little walk around Jaime's parents' estate. They live in an old water mill, and at this time of year it is very green and picturesque! The weather was superb. Here you can see Jaime's Rottweiler, Mozart, resting in the shade with Jaime's village, La Vid de Ojeda, in the background. And here is a picture of Jaime with his niece (Maria) and his nephew (Pablo) under the apple and pear trees. I think Freud would have something to say about Pablo's recent obsession!

Mr Dixon

With spring here and summer just around the corner I can't help but miss the old ice-cream van! Even though it was a little nippy in Huddersfield at Easter, that didn't keep the Dixon's van away from Manor Park Way! I resisted the urge to buy a 99 although I doubt that they actually cost 99p these days.

I remember running out of the house when I was little to the sound of the ice-cream van to buy Screwballs and Fabs and Apple cider lollies. I wonder if kids around Great Britain are still buying the same iced treats? What was your favourite ice-cream when you were little?

Happy Easter

Happy Easter, everyone!

Jaime and I arrived home late this afternoon after spending a lovely week in Great Britain. The weather wasn't too bad, it rained as usual but we did have some sunshine during our stay.

The week began with my usual trip to the hairdresser's so that Amanda could sort out my mop! How I love being pampered at the salon.

On the Wednesday we set off for Edinburgh, my parents had kindly offered to drive us up there for a short break. The hotel we stayed at was lovely (even if I was convinced that it was haunted), I had full Scottish breakfast every day and even managed to have a bit of haggis! I also took advantage of their water supply and had lots of lovely, hot bubble baths! Something I miss here in Spain.

While we were in Edinburgh we walked around a lot and visited Holyrood House,
it was a very pretty building but I was a little disappointed since Queen Mary's apartments were closed and I had been told that you can spot the blood stain of her secretary there. I had been hoping to catch some paranormal activity but I was out of luck. We wandered around the pretty gardens though and saw the Abbey ruins. Jaime enjoyed being a guard for a few minutes too.

We went on a guarded tour down Real Mary King's close where unfortuantely we couldn't take pictures, it was very interesting but yet again I didn't see or hear any ghosts! And I thought Edinburgh was supposed to be the most haunted city in Europe! We also went to a bar recommended to us by Scottish friend Steve, called Dirty Dicks, which is a cool pub where women are in no danger of entering the wrong toilets.

On the whole I enjoyed my first visit to Edinburgh, I took the customary picture of a Scott in kilt and sporan, playing bagpipes and we saw some rather interesting statues, (my guess is drunk students). On the way back to Huddersfield we passed through the Lake District where there was still a little snow on the hills and we had a coffee in a very posh hotel by Lake Ullswater.

Back in Huddersfield Jaime and I had some lovely meals. On the Friday we went to a new Spanish tapas restaurant called Mas and on the Saturday my Aunty Carol and Uncle Andrew took us for a meal in my fave restaurant, Bradley's. After dinner we went to one of Huddersfield's new trendy bars, Lounge 68. A fab night.

Now we are safely back home in Madrid and to be honest I am exhausted. I think I am going to take a leaf out of our cat's book and have a nice nap (but preferably on something more comfortable than the bonnet of dad's car).

Girl fried in Spain

Was looking at my web counter thingimibob and discovered that someone linked to me after doing a search on MSN Finland. I am intrigued to know what the hell they were trying to find with the search words "Girl fried in Spain". Could it be a new Spanish delicacy? Or perhaps it is a rather harsh tabloid headline refering to a recent arson attack in the Iberian peninsula? I have no idea, any suggestions? If aforementioned Finn should return to this sight, I would love to know what exactly it is that you were looking for!

Time Filler

If you have a little time to spare and you have nothing more productive to do, why don't you check out this Virgin Music Poster and see if you can guess the names of the 75 bands which are depicted within it. It is quite addictive and once you get started, you'll be surprised how many you can name! Have Fun!