Halloween 2024...

 

Absolutely wonderful evening at the station in Bewdley.. spookiness and creepiness in every nook and cranny!

The main attraction was coming in though, trains full of passengers, dressed appropriately in darkened carriages... to witness the displays on the platforms and the people dressed up and scaring the bejesus out of them! 

Was chilly but not too much so, perfect weather for the night of all hallows...

And Saturday late afternoon! Football! 

At the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton! 

Great viewpoint and good match, 2-2 in good! 

Sunday did some pottering around, and Monday went to Worcester, not sure if I've been before, but now I know I have, beautiful ancient city, wonderful cathedral.. 

Had lunch in a Witherspoon's, a Witherspoon that seemed not unlike a TARDIS it went back and back and back and...

Always drawn to a cathedrals crypt... I don't know why!

M.

The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence.

Price Pritchett - Author-Business Advisor-Speaker

Wonderful breakfast this morning with son and babes.. at Bills in Nottingham..

Backpack loaded and off to beautiful Bewdley.

My train was already on the platform, I checked first, that it was my train, and double checked, 'Are you 100% certain?' I asked, he said yes, he's driving! The train was going to Cardiff, also sounded like not a bad idea to keep going, as I love Cardiff! 

But Bewdley definitely calls louder for me.. 

After a few minutes on the train a girl came past and sat near me, we immediately became good friends! Jasmine! From here there and everywhere, same as me! She's spent six months in Asia, couple of years in Jersey prior to that, and named Liverpool and Nottingham as 'home.'

We didn't stop talking until the train pulled off and other people got in our way...

Leaving that train here in Birmingham New Street, we wished eachother good luck and hugged goodbye..

A new friend, off to Leamington Spa! 

I'm still sat on this train now, but better than the platform!

Just a couple of stops and off at Droitwich Spa then Kiddy next!

Bare with... You won't know but holding this to post later..

On another platform, waiting for third train.. woman got off a train and is leaning on one of seats in this shelter..

She is sobbing her heart out, talking to herself, about her life ..

I am trying not to get involved, I always involve myself and I found unfortunately, it isn't always the right thing to do ..

I don't mean to sound hard or cruel, because that's not me, but I can be naïve and some of what she's saying doesn't sound right, true... And she's saying how much she has drunk..

So biting my tongue and hoping she finds help from someone who can really help her..

Because I already feel like crying with her now, and that's not a start in helping, it's a start down the way down to where she is... And she sounds like she's in a very dark place...

Just to add, she's got on the same train as me, shouting and swearing on the phone, and to anyone else within hearing distance.. I did the right thing.

M.

January 20th, 2020 Hartlebury..

Why? Just because I came across it!

A good friend sent a photograph from 'home' this week, I replied 'that had been my view also...

Familiar to me as my own face in the mirror...'

But, catch up needed! One week here, where did I close? 

Oh okay, a little depressingly.. 

Two photographs from the flight... Full moon, and the second very very low cloud/fog.. 

You'll have to zoom in on that second one to see the tops of wind turbines!! 

Hang on I'll do it now, in a minute!! 

That's how low the cloud was! 

So I landed! Great flight, except for a beverage spillage! Stewardess gave me my tea and it slid straight off the table thingy and onto my lap! I quickly caught it though and only a little leakage, luckily, as very hot contents!! 

In my haste to catch it I sort of threw or dropped my card ready in my hand to pay with .. 

And had to get ladies behind me to search for it!

The day before I'd had two cans of coke explode in front of me so a second beverage incident didn't come as a shock! There was a third and now it seems to have gone from my mind?? 

Since I've been back I've sorted out lots I needed to, and I have done it all, in a week! 

I have made two trips to the lockup where my possessions are residing!

The first journey I went, got a case and brought it back! Long haul back, only seven minutes but uphill and I literally couldn't breathe when I got in! Had to sit for half an hour, before opening the case, only to find out that sods law was about to come into effect, to find only boots and bags!! 

So today, we went again, better selection of things, I opened cases and took what I needed! Much better idea, and son pulled the case home!

And Christmas is coming to Nottingham! Watched them start with the big wheel the other day!

M.

Leaving

I guess this is it; me leaving.

At the gate now, already. And feeling it, it's not a golden gate, it's gray, and dark outside.

And I am missing... everything and everyone already.

But where I disappear on this side I will reappear in England!

And I am only 2.5 hours away.

That's me.

Stress levels 99.9% and holding.

 M.

Coffee early this morning just a short walk away from here.. café y croissant!

Down near the beach, old familiar walk, and many good memories...

Return to bar again this afternoon, but this was this morning..

Talking to a friend just now, being asked how I'm doing.. 

I answered...

'Just feels very unreal.. maybe it'll hit home when I leave ..

When I get to England, maybe after a few days...' 

Just doesn't feel like this is the end of my life here in Spain.. and I guess with all the friends who feel like family, it never will be..

And this is how it is... 

The last day of living in Spain feels like any other day to me.

Maybe I haven't processed the reality yet.

And for last couple of hours I have had a weird eye sight thing, flashing wavy lines, it's horrible, so disturbing, slight pain over my eyes, but it's this visual thing so hard to cope with.

Stress I guess. Coming out physically.

M.

The London Pub... Fuengirola, icónico y Infamous!

And Heavens Gate discoteca, I used to go there, back in 2002! Walk in on my own, grab and drink and dance! 43.. and so brave still..

The wine I am drinking, I took a bottle of wine to a friend on Sunday and got a bottle back!! That wasn't how it was supposed to be!

C'est la vie! So I opened it Monday and on glass number three! 

Walked to the store today, said Ciao to J. in work, had a coffee next door and 'bye' to everyone in there... 

It is now evening, last full evening, last full day tomorrow.

El fin.

M.

 

When I came out of the apartment this morning I thought, where's my car? Gone now... 

Then I thought, 'have I left the lights on?' 

I remember doing that after I'd had such a bad road accident, News Years day, 1994... 

I thought my car lights were on, and kept walking up to the garage behind the house to check...

My car had been written off, it wasn't there.

Sat on the bus as I begun this entry..

Bit of a slow painful journey of a place I've called home since 1988, at least me driving I'm looking at the carriageway and other cars...

This option is just look left, and I'll do the same coming back.. Other side of the road! 

A lady had sat next to me from getting on somewhere, and as we began our journey down the final road to the bus station said to me where is the final stop..

I said afterwards, was she Welsh, she said yes, from Cardiff..

Which opened the conversation, about us living there for three years, she said they were just moving here, I said I was just leaving, they'd been in the states for a few years! 

Amazing how much information in just a two minutes journey! We wished eachother luck in our new adventures and bye...  Gone! 

A flash friend!

Strange photo, shadow of wine, reflection of water glass and base of wine glass..

These last two taken at Da Bruno's in Cabopino on Sunday...

Now I sit awaiting an appointment near where I am having a coffee..

The above photograph just now, it is a truly iconic picture of Spain! Not the bulls, not the beaches, not the beer! 

It is the coffee! And the people watching that takes place whilst consuming it!

M.

Oh why here? Another tatu! Of course!

I know what is still making it very hard for me; I think I can still go home, to the house.

In my head, my mind, my heart? It is still there for me to return to.

To open the door and find everything as it was before, before everything..

And that feeling chokes me.

Because somehow, I already don't see it as it was the last few months, only as it was before.. 

And now I have finished my last day.

10/10 (2024) like CB radio, Over and Out!

Handed over my key, my knife, my marker pen.

So many people came in to say goodbye today, not to buy, just to say goodbye, so nice of them.

M.

Popped into Casa Las Flores on Tuesday, on my way back down to Calahonda..

Not for the last time of course, I'm sure whenever I visit here I shall be in for the best patatas fritas in Andalucía!

Access to the tortugas is very restricted now... Used to be able to stroll around the edge of the water and watch them, now plants are blocking the way, not because of growth but because of keeping people away... 

Still I held my phone high, as I could and snapped away!

And at Monika's I took this of the old building opposite the bar, been passing this for thirty-five years... Since I first visited Alhaurín El Grande.

And today, my last day at work.

And this made me cry..

Three words and a sad face emoji..

M.

I wrote October 28th 2015

We forget so easily don’t we…. Every day is a present, and we must unwrap it each morning with glee and be happy to be above ground, thankful each night we have lived and laughed and loved… and just breathe…

And my horoscope for today.. I don't check it daily, sometime weeks can go by, so only when I feel drawn to look, and I know! They can cover a zillion people, or none at all...

But..

Cancer horoscope for Tuesday Oct 8

You are someone who is often very resistant to change. It isn't because you don't see yourself as adaptable. Actually, dear Moonchild, you can adapt quite nicely when you want to. You happen to be someone who is nostalgic, sensitive, and soothed by the familiar, and that's why you fight change much of the time. However, a certain change is coming that will benefit you immensely. Even though you may not see the merits in it just yet, they are abundant, and they might even usher in at least one of your big dreams. Be open to it. 

 -- 

Copyright © Daily Horoscope.

Download it now — http://comitic.com/dh

Just seen the copyright so hope it's okay I'm sharing! 

Rain is forecast here and there, but just percentages, and as the time moves on so does the weather.. 

Heading up to Alhaurín this morning, taken away my 'home' tag on Google.. 

I'm laughing, my phone changed Alhaurín to Alhambra! It did it last night, and again just now! Like it's already forgotten...

M.

Saturday, yesterday, walked down memory lane..

First the nonexistent phone booth where I used to call my mom...

Then walked over to El Zoco, above..

The Almond Tree.. that was... 

And the Duplex above...

A friend saw me standing here.. I guess I was just standing looking lost, because she called out.. 'are you lost' and I suppose in a kind of way I was...

She came over we talked briefly and after a hug I walked back .. an angel when I needed one...

Spent the rest of the afternoon and evening out, drank all much, but had a great time, suffered somewhat this morning and rested and hydrated and now, at ten at night I feel fit as a fiddle! 

I have one week left at work, but just one actual working day, Thursday shall be my last.

Then I fly away on the 18th...

The Bonelli eagle migrating again...

M.

I wanted a poem here..

But seems just more from me to say..

I may be leaving but I shall always remain

My memories will carry on here, moments like video recordings, will repeat in my absence 

All the places I have been

All the friends I have made

All the sunsets and sunrises

The laughter and tears 

I will leave a large part of myself here, in my last chapter 

And take the next chapter with me, opening with a flourish, a new exciting bright amazing road lays ahead

Take my hand friends, let's leap!

 

Yesterday after many, many many many more hiccups! 

Signed over the house, my house, our house.

End of an era, a chapter, a life here.. 

Was so stressed in the lead up I actually didn't think I'd make it through, but I did.

And here I am, outside the bar next to work, for now, G&T on the table and a headful of memories all bursting to get out, or lock in.

I moved out two weeks ago, and it's been a good transition, a very good one.

I am so thankful to my friend for letting me stay at her place..

It's been so much easier than waking up there yesterday and leaving.

I don't think I could have done it.

I popped in with flowers and left them with a bottle of Ribero del Duro.. 

And said, come on Franco, let's go... 

M.

Yesterday's morning went up to the old homestead, then walked into town with my neighbor, had coffee in Cruz and chewed over the weekend so far ..

So many photographers of this area, so many changes.. 

Better post this post I started! And never finished!

Night before had gone out for dinner with my neighbor down on the coast...

Lovely chiringuito down at Calahonda..

Good food, good company.

Good evening.

M.

Do you remember, the 21st night of September..

Down at the beach, Luna Beach, it was the 21st night of September!

I had moved into my friends apartment earlier in the day, and the blog before is after this!?

Never mind, it's typical of my life at this moment, moving backwards to get forward!! 

Great optical illusion above, my friends glass of water taking the aspect like a chameleon, of the glass of orange behind! 

Alhaurín at 8am on Saturdays morning... 

But this week has been crazy! Last time I sold a property, it was smooth and easy..

Now I am being questioned about a mortgage I haven't had, asked to pay next year's IBI (house tax), I have just paid this years! 

Having to personally run around to banks and town halls, to registry offices, doing things a lawyer should be doing, in fact should have done a month ago, not in the last moment, putting the sale back from today, to ... Next week? 

I even spoke with my lawyer from nineteen years ago! 

Couple of other ridiculous things I've been asked which I won't say, because.. just ridiculous!

My stress levels have been off the ceiling... Where my blood pressure was Monday afternoon! If it had stayed at critical I would have been off to urgencia yesterday, but although still stupid high..

It's not up there with urgent care!

Today, more issues, every day this week, struggling to cope with it to be honest..

Today when I got back from Alhaurín, I ate changed, and took a walk down to the beach and along to Cabopino and walked back along the carretera path, bit noisy and scruffy! 

On the road, a turn off for Cabopino, the first turn.. 

There is a big apartment block, it had been started around 1989, left empty and unfinished, graffitied and left abandoned..

At last scaffolding is up! 

Good to see a change for the better!

M.

Some reason sitting waiting now for J. looked back at some random posts and I was saying goodbye to things... Just my stuff that I've gathered over the years...

I really am a gatherer aren't I!

And now in the house, only a case and few bits to travel with me personally.

Rug been cleaned with Vanish carpet cleaner, came up beautifully! Washing machine cleaned with cleaner stuff! Refrigerator ans freezer defrosted and immaculate as an old appliance can be! 

All kitchen cupboard shelves cleaned ans scrubbed!

House is ready for a new family, happiness and laughter and life!

And my turn to open a new chapter, turn a big heavy page, wet and blurry with tears.. It has been.

But just like a good book, all the happy parts remain tucked away in the pages... 

I can turn pages back, just to glimpse and smile..

But I have so many pages left, all being well, and nothing wrong with tears spilt on pages.. flowers and memories .. onwards

M.

Notice the sign outside the bar next to the store..

So funny, and funnier because I didn't notice it for days! 

So many photographs I've taken waiting outside J's on the way to work... 

No more now, after today... If I take one at all when I get there!

Monday we had company medicals, and J. and I drove down to Fuengirola, parked up, and walked along...

I wanted to have coffee in Luis's Bar .. not seen him in a year or three, and unsure if even still is..

It is! After we finished I was inside the bar and he appeared, off his scooter and at the bar for something random, he said he's rarely there in a morning, and not that often rest of the week it seems!

So was so good to be able to see him and tell him goodbye, since 1988, seen him grow from boy to man... 

Coincidence seeing him... Life is like that..

Yesterday I came down to Fuengirola again, have stayed over with my sister-in-law, we have talked and eaten, and eaten and talked!

Now I am off to work along the coast road this time.

And Wednesday was my very last journey down through the mountain for work.

I didn't realize until coming around and seeing the sea, then it hit me like a brick wall and made my eyes leak...

Last time.

Lots of last times, but there will be more times, just not living here...

M.

ps more to right but must post