Happy New Year

I'm embarrassed to say it's June and I'm sitting here typing away in my shorts and bra, good job we have no guests and I have the nerve to be blogging about New Years Eve, but here goes.

Last year I travelled back from Brighton on New Years Eve having been there welcoming my new baby grandson Jaxon into the world, I was shattered on arriving home after a wonderful time so we just went to bed early. This year however Alan had asked me if I fancied going into Cordoba to see the new year in. We had been two years ago and had a great night. It's tough being away from family and friends on these special times and especially as it's my dad's anniversary. I'm often tempted to stay at home and enjoy some quiet time reflecting but I bit the bullet and said yes let's go.

We weren't going to be caught out like last time, expecting bars and a few shops to be open.  When we arrived two years ago the city was deserted until around 11.00... yes at night, and nowhere was open to buy a drink! This year we left home later with a bag of drink and some goodies and  joined in the fiesta.

We hadn't been there long and the crowds were begining to build. Families that had enjoyed a family meal together and wanted to celebrate the new year with others. Most wouldn't venture out of their homes until midnight had struck. Suddenly we saw a tall figure we recognised, it was our mate Ken, if you have been reading my blogs for a while you may remember Ken the Good Samaritan. He would help us out when our generator conked out, or if ole Frank the car needed a bit of TLC, there was Ken wandering across the square in front of us.

We called him over and there we all stayed, three Brits in a Spanish square celebrating the new year, wondering what 2015 would bring us all. We chatted and people watched as the fun loving Spanish arrived, some in the smartest of clothing, others more casual wearing funny hats with balloons and party blowers. All with their bags of posh drinks, snacks and grapes. The excitement was building and the Spanish were getting their grapes and cava ready or in some cases champagne. Most even had champagne glasses with them. As the clock struck midnight the city becomes silent as they begin eating their 12 grapes. Apparently if you manage to eat all 12 grapes on time you are in for a year of prosperity and good luck. Once all the grapes have been eaten  you hear calls of  “Feliz Año Nuevo!” as everyone hugs and kiss each other, whether you know them or not.

Then of course every Spanish city loves it's fireworks and Cordoba is no exeption. They banged and crashed above and all around us for what seemed like ages, and then the dancing began again. Ken, Alan and I stayed for an hour or so more then we headed home, we had a 45 minute journey ahead. It was a fab evening and good to spend it with a friend also.

Apologies for the blurry man. Maybe he was dancing fast!

Alan and I, with Ken

A Grovelling Apology

Here I am yet again grovelling my apologies. The fact that I have even opened this page and began typing is at least a step forward. It's not a woe is me post however it has been a pretty difficult time for me health wise. When it's tough for me it's just as tough for Alan too. Living together 24/7 ain't always easy... God bless him! 

I'm not harping on that, I just wanted to say hi and let you know I have lists of blog titles all ready to write abut and post. Many are from last year so I may just try and type them out as word docs and get my butt in gear to get you all up to date with this years goings on.

Watch this space, and love to you all xxx

Christmas in the campo

Last Christmas I had the extremely exciting opportunity to spend Christmas with the family in Brighton as my little grandson Jaxon was born mid December.  This year it was back to just the two of us, with our feathered and four legged friends.  Obviously I had a wonderful time last year.  I was with the kids, the grandchildren, and Frankie's partner Jordan's family were very kind and squeezed another place for me at the dinner table at least twice.  It was lovely, and I was very grateful.

It did make me realise however what I really miss at this time of the year are the Christmasses of the past.  Especially when the children were young and we would visit family and friends over the festive period.  A highlight would always be a trip to my Auntie Jess on Boxing day.  We would pick up Uncle Charlie, her brother en route, and usually drop him at the pub first, and he would join us later. We would arrive, usually to the familiar smell of roasting pork  which was her favourite. Auntie Jess was in catering and her food was always lovely.  If any of you are fans of Peter Kay the comedian, he has me in stitches when he talks about the 'reserve chairs' coming out at  Christmas. I would always stifle a giggle when we would be at different heights all around the table with our hats from our crackers. Especially as Auntie Jess and Uncle Charlie being so small their feet wouldn't touch the ground!

Just a couple of years before we lost Auntie Jess we turned up on Boxing Day, as planned, although bless her heart she had forgotten she had invited us, even though she had just spent Christmas Day with us. Luckily I had brought all the food.  She did hunt through her kitchen cupboards and came tottering out with a few bowls of things.  One particular bowl, Mark and Frankie were pondering over, so I decided to dive in first.  The taste was vaguely familiar, but I couldn't quite work out what it was.  I had to ask... "Auntie Jess, if you don't mind me asking, what's in that bowl?"  "Oooh I don't know" she replied.  "I'll show you the packet" It was a packet of Smash, instant mashed potato, bless her heart.

I'm digressing again, but it was those days when we played cards with pennies with the neighbours, and we never worried about what was on television, apart from maybe the Morecombe and Wise show. We  cannot go back however so we need to start making new memories now.

This year I was determined to enjoy my Christmas Day and not get too upset about not being with the family, and I did so well - I even put up my Christmas tree.  Alan and I don't buy each other presents, however we did treat ourself to something... more news on that in another blog post.  We did get a huge bag of Cadbury's chocolate from Alan's auntie, which went down an absolute treat and is still laying on our tummies!  On Christmas Day I spoke to both Mark and Frankie on  skype which was great, and they were both spending Christmas with their loved ones. Alan and I enjoyed a good roast dinner, we also had a walk by the lake and had a relaxing evening in front of a roaring log fire.

Ww hope you had a lovely Christmas. With love from Alan and I and some of the gang!

Alan with Eduardo

With Cassandra

Galaxy and I

Big Beautiful Blue

Carlos

Our little Miliko

Big Arf!

Our gorgeous Gabi

Celebrating Little Jaxon's First Birthday

Before I knew it I was back on that train to Malaga and dashing back to the UK.  It was going to be little Jaxon's birthday.  I'm not sure I ever remember a year flying by so rapidy! This time Mark was away working in Liverpool, so no luxury drive down to Brighton, the good ole train it was. Frankie knew I was on the way, but had burnt the dinner, bless her, so she picked me up from the station and we popped to the shops to enable me to chose my own pizza... and yummy it was too!

Pretty Christmas Tree at Malaga Station

This was a real flying visit, as I only had three whole days with the family, so I had to treasure every precious moment. Poor little Jaxon was suffering from a slight tummy bug, as were I think most other people in  the UK.  A couple of nights prior to my visit he had been sick numerous times  during the night.  My Frankie is like me and not good with 'sick' but luckily nothing phases Jordan her partner, so she had some help.  Poor little Jax also has a floppy larynx and reflux so he struggles with tummy pain and sickness as it is.

The following morning was Jax 's first birthday and of course another school run, after which Frankie and I popped into town to get Jax's birthday present from Alan and I.  I was open to options and when she mentioned that he needed his first pair of shoes, I jumped at the chance to get him something useful. As we got into town however, he fell asleep... "Ohhh let's have a  hot chocolate and relax first whilst we can" I said to Frankie. No sooner had we drunk the gorgeous hot choc, yes with cream and marshmallows, it has to be done sometimes, and Jax was awake. Time to head for Clarks.  He was star and was happy to have his big fat feet measured, admire himself in the mirror and try some shoes on.  The new shoes were decided on and were packed up and paid for, and we managed a few more shops until His Lordship started complaining, tyical man, so off we went home again.

I timed the trip well as that afternoon was Kaci's first school nativity play and I was going to be able to watch it. It was one of those moments that made me wonder where have the last 20 years have gone. It seemed like no time at all I was watching  Mark and Frankie's nativities. I was a very proud nanny Lorna watching Kaci singing away on the odd occasion  but spending most of the time seeing the back of her head, as the person behind her seemed to be so much more interesting than her audience.  It was lovely to see Chris, Kaci's dad there too as he had managed to take the time of work. During the evening Jordan's mum  and dad came over too and we chatted and all enjoyed some chocolate birthday cake which Kaci had chosen.  It was all pretty low key sadly as Frankie didn't want to pass any germs round.

The following day was possibly one of the best days I can remember for a very long time. Kaci hadn't seen her little cousin Maisie for a few months, what with the girls starting school and one thing and another.  We had arranged to secretly pick Maisie up, we were all going to spend a lovely day together. The girls were so happy to see each other and walked hand in hand like little twins, in their matching coats, and cuddled lots too.  It made my heart melt! First stop was Funplex, where the girls could run around and have loads of fun together and Jaxon could sit in a little play area and throw balls around until his heart was content!

The sun came out to play and so our next stop was Brighton Pier, a real favourite of mine. The girls had an absolute blast going on all the rides and we met up with our great friend Micklos who is the DJ on the pier.  Micklos was one of my fab dance teachers that used to work with me. He has such a huge personality, all the kids loved him.  If you are ever on the pier in Brighton, look out for him, he's near the helter skelter!

Our pal Micklos

My precious girls

Next on the list was something I had been planning for ages.  I decided not to buy the girls a main Christmas present this year and to take them to their first pantomime instead.  I had booked for Frankie and I and the girls to see Jack Frost's Frozen Christmas at the Pier Pavilion in Worthing.  It was a new style panto about how Jack Frost was out to destroy Santa Claus and  Christmas. Kaci and Maisie had no idea what to expect and their little faces were a picture.  They soon got the hang of booing and cheering along with the rest of the audience, bless them.  In the interval little Maisie shed a few tears as she told me she really really didn't like Jack Frost, but thankfully she  believed me when I said that the good guys always win in the end, and not to worry.  Sure enough Jack Frost turned into a good guy and that was Maisie's favourite part of the panto, and she cheered her little heart out! During the finale the 'snow' fell from the ceiling and I  somehow managed to stop myself from being a blubbering wreck but I did struggle to fight back the tears watching their little faces.  It was an   evening I'll never forget.

On Sunday poor little Jax still wasn't feeling 100% and neither was Jordan, Jaxon's daddy the day before, so I decided to take Kaci into Brighton for some last minute Christmas shoppping and she was an absolute star.  We had a treat of a hot  chocolate and she chose a boring ole cheese sandwich but luckily some shortbread fingers for us to share too.  We spent most of the day in town and I think I wore her out, bless her heart.

  Kaci fell asleep on the bus

Mark and Laura came over later that evening, the only time I had managed to see Mark as he had been on an exciting job in Liverpool.  He works as a detaining officer and a lot of extra man power had be sent to a Liverpool prison due to an incident up there. It was lovely to see them if only for such a short time.

The following morning I was up early, I had an earlier than usual plane to catch, I was a little concerned as I didn't feel 100% so unlike me I decided to skip breakfast and head off for a gentle stroll of about 20 minutes to the train station, it felt good to get some fresh air.  On arriving the direct train I had spotted on t'internet was delayed and nowhere near, so I was advised to get a train into Brighton where I had the chance of more trains to Gatwick. The train was full of commuters doing their daily trip to work, and due to signal failures and delays plus cancellations of other trains, the one I had to get was heaving.  I managed to squeeze in with my  cabin luggage and wedged myself in the corner by the door.  The doors shut and we were off, it was a short journey of possibly not much more than 10 minutes.

As the journey began I started to feel extremely hot and uncomfortable.  I didn't have any room to take my coat off and there was definitely no where to sit apart from in the first class carriage  next to me. A few minutes later and I had that awful feeling that I was going to be sick.  What do you do in that situation as an adult? As a child you can get away with throwing up down your coat and everyone feels sorry for you, and even more so whoever has to clean you up, but I'm an adult, it wasn't an option!

I was getting hotter and feeling so sick, I was aware that I was breathing deeply, slowly in and out, hoping it would pass.  The next thing I knew, a very tall. smart gentleman was helping me up.  I had fainted. However, luckily the train was so crowded I didn't land on the floor, I simply slid down the wall. Being a typical Brit I remember apologising and confirming to everyone that I was fine, when seconds later I faintly heard some 'ooohs' and  'ahhhs' and I was being helped up again.  The kind, tall smart man insisted I sat in the first class  carriage, which was empty, for the rest of the journey.  We were in fact just pulling into Brighton station.  He told me to stay there as he wanted to get someone to check me over.

I did stay there, but only for a couple of minutes.  I was cold and clammy and felt pretty poorly, but I knew I would feel better when I got off the train and had some fresh air. I found the toilet and freshened up and splashed some water on my face and set off on what I hoped would be a much less eventful part of the journey.  Thankfully it was! I managed to get a seat but low and behold 10 minutes before we were due to  stop at Gatwick, the driver announced over the tannoy that a bird had hit his windscreen and smashed it, and he didn't feel it safe to continue the journey.  We stopped at the next station, and all had to change trains.  Finally I made in to Gatwick Airport.  The earlier flight however meant I had no time to spare and rushed to get myself a bottle of lucozade for the  flight.  I couldn't wait to land at Malaga and luckily Alan was going to be there to meet me this time, as he had brought friends down that were flying to Gatwick.  I had a young  couple beside me on the flight, so I leant against the window and hoped to sleep as much as possible.

Once I get on a flight I rarely move.  I don't like travelling, I feel motion sickness very easily.  When I'm in a car, I just need to look down  at something  and I go all of a wobble. I am certainly more used to flying, I used to hate it, and would be very scared of feeling sick on the flight but I seem to be better these days.  However the awful feeling returned. I knew I had to get to one of the few toilets on the plane and sods law it was engaged. I wanted to be on my own, I felt so bad but the stewardess asked me to wait back out in the main part of the plane as she was getting trolleys ready for something.  God I felt awful, when was this lady going to come out! I stood with my head against the partition, it was cool and it felt good.  Luckily possibly only a minute passed and the toilet was vacant, otherwise I think I may have fainted again... what a nightmare.  I managed to splash some water on my face and cool myself  down, compose myself and hope to sleep the rest of the journey.  Luckily I did and before we knew it we were  coming into land. Oh my word it was good to see Alan, and even better to be home.  Shame it wasn't a great ending to the most magical long weekend!

Brighton for little Kaci's 5th BIrthday Bash

My  night in the 'urgencias' was certainly conducive to a good sleep on the journey to Brighton, where I was going to celebrate my granddaughter Kaci's 5th birthday. I felt no ill effects from Dolores the previous night, so I slept the whole way on the train to Malaga and then fell asleep again as soon as I got on the plane.  That certainly helped speed up the journey. Mark, my son had managed to get the day off from work and came to meet me from the airport, which was lovely, and he took me back to his girlfriend Laura and his new place, and he even cooked me a lovely meal too.  It was great to spend a few hours with them, and then they drove me then back down to Frankie, my daughter's where I was staying. It had been such a long 9 months since I had seen the family. They had both planned to come out however coincidentally both got the opportunity to move house, so of course I was very happy for them, but missed them greatly.  Frankie had just a month earlier moved into a lovely little house with a garden, which will be just perfect for the grandchildren in the summer!

I was sleeping in Kaci's bedroom, and she had been told I wouldn't arive until very late and she had to go to sleep like a good girl, and I would be there in the morning, when she woke up.  I was awake early as I'm not used to a lot of traffic noise, and at one point noticed her peering over at me, to check if I was there yet.  I said to her "Good morning beautiful" and she smiled and went back to sleep for a little while. 

It's great being a nanny and having to wear all this lovely jewellery!

Before we knew it, we were off on the school run. Blimey I don't miss that! Kaci and Maisie, my other gorgeous girlie both started in September, where has that time gone! I did think that with Kaci being at school it would mean Frankie and I could share some quality time together, however little Jaxon at 11 months old is both adorable and a bit of a handful.  He doesn't sleep and my Frankie is totally exhausted.  She is up most nights 3 or 4 times, sometimes for an hour or 2, and during the day he may sleep for an hour in the morning.  Good job he's gorgeous! So I'm not sure it was quality time together, but simply a lovely time together.

On the Saturday the weather was lovely and sunny so we had a trip to the pier, it was suprisingly warm for November and we enjoyed all that Brighton Pier has to offer, rides, 2p machines and naughty food! Hence the slight return of Dolores the following day... silly me, but wow that chippy on the pier was scrummy!

Sunday was Kaci's birthday and we had a great time at Monkey Bizness in Lewes, what a great place for a kids party.  We hardly saw the children... that's got to be a bonus, until they were called for their food, and then a monkey came along and we sang happy birthday.  I was a little sore with over indulging the previous day, so I had a lovely time in the ball pit with the toddlers. It was super seeing all of Kaci's family there for her birthday, family and friends all both sides, just the way it should be!

A couple of evenings later Mark and Laura came over to Frankie and Jordan's and I cooked for us all, it was the night before Mark's birthday, so Laura brought some lovely cakes and Mark played the game well and pretended to be very suprised as we sang Happy birthday to him, even though he had provided the matches for the candles.  

I managed to have a quick check on Uncle Charlie, who I was delighted to see looking very well. He seems to have a good little band of helpers and carers around him at the moment.  They are descreet enough that I think he probably thinks they are friends popping in to check on him, so that's all good.  

It's so difficult managing to divide time with family and friends, and this trip I did only see the family apart from a quick get together for our good friend's granddaughter who celebrated her 2nd birthday whilst we were there.  Plus of course now the girls are at school it wasn't so easy to spend time with my little Maisie, but thank goodness we had a lovely time playing after school one day. It was lovely to kiss them all goodbye knowing I would be back again very soon.

No Dolores, not tonight!

We had some miserable weather leading up to my trip back to Brighton in November.  I was so looking forward to my nanny cuddles and kisses. Sadly  neither of my children had managed to get out to see us this year and the time between my journey back in March for my granddaughter Maisie's birthday, through to November for little Kaci's birthday seems like a life time. The washing couldn't be done until the last minute as the solar was so low, and it was on an airer in a bedroom, and the miserable weather was our excuse for eating bad food so it should have been no suprise what happened, really.

It was around 8pm the night before my flight and we were sitting watching rubbish television, as we have such few channels now.  We get Irish channel 4 plus a few oldies like Challenge and Pick.  So our TV life revolves around the Channel 4 comedy 8 out of 10 Cats, Bullseye and Family Fortunes, on which Les Dennis looks about 25!  We watch the odd downloaded series too, it's not all bad. Anyway, I felt that pain, I knew immediately it was Dolores the gallstone(s)  I fidgeted about  and walked around but needed to double up really. This couldn't happen now, I had a  plane to catch in the morning.  I had some strong painkillers prescribed from the hospital so I took one and realised I needed to tell Alan.  "I hate to admit to this now", I began," but I've got a pain!"  He knew immediately what that meant.  The options were to sit tight and see if it passed after a few hours, but risk needing to go to the hospital in the middle of the night for pain relief or go now, hope I could be seen quickly and possibly be back home tucked up in bed by midnight. We decided to do that.

We arrived at a particularly busy 'Urgencias' at the Reina Sofia hospital in Cordoba, but you always hope maybe they'll whizz them through fast. No such luck on this occasion.  We saw a young beautiful female doctor who looked about 18 and was proud to try out her English on us, which was a great help. She asked me all the normal questions... bomit? deearea? She had a good feel about then the ladies rushed in... as they do. They put the doo dah on my finger, checked my blood pressure, then they tried numerous places to get a little blood out of me.  It's usually third time lucky, with a bit of wriggling involved. Eventually the line was in, blood taken out and a pain killer on it's way.  Once the pain killer was in, and it works incredibly quickly, I was sent back out to the waiting area for a while. Next stop was an xray, then await to see the pretty little girl again.  Time was ticking away, and we were getting concerned.  We had to leave home about 7.30 in the morning for me to  catch the train from Cordoba to Malaga then my flight to Gatwick, and it was now around 3am! We sat patiently, now and then checking the phone for the time, and sighing. At last we were called back in to see the young doctor.  She confirmed it was my gallstones, and or gallbladder.  Not to eat fat, or drink alcohol and if I become yellow to go to the hospital in Brighton straight away.  We managed a brisk walk back to the car, and arrived home at 6am.  Alan decided he would have an hour in bed as he thought it was better than nothing, but I was sure I would feel worse so I finished drying my clother by holding them up to the calor gas fire. Alan's alarm soon burst into song and I was still feeing great... full of drugs, so off we went.  With any luck I would sleep  most of the journey and see the family  very soon! 

Sadly he wasn't a doctor at the hospital!