De Perros y Limones

It was the best of times and the worst of times

Luna in action hunting bunny rabbits

She’s gone again

a philosophical Dora

Aiyeo.  What to do?  Que hace? 

Pretty Princess or Worm-ridden skank? Bindi.

The love of my life has had to return to Morocco to begin the next term of her work, to look after Bibi who is one of the sweetest dogs you could ever wish to meet and to oversee the chopping off of the balls of Sparky.   The poor bastard.  He knows not what is in store for him.  A necessary act but one that is resplendent with sympathy from a fellow male.

Luna
Dante feeling inquisitive

The departure of Sonalee from us has left  us slightly confused, bereft of that other intelligence to whom we could seek guidance and with puzzled looks at the green sofa that is now empty.

Pistachio nuts!

It was a busy two weeks for the both of us.  For a starter, Luna and Dora joined me on my virtual 10K run to record a time literally just over an hour.  I am so proud of our doggies that that they were able to do this.  Seriously, it’s a great time for them both!   And I think it is the only time that I have seen Luna entreaty me to finish walkies/runnies because she was totally knackered.    It may never happen again.

The Spanish Lottery. Compelling viewing.

Bindi decided to inject some excitement into the household by simultaneously vomiting AND peeing on our bed! The fun never stops when you have four dogs.

Priego de Cordoba at Christmas

Sonalee and I managed an evening with our friends Ken and Maria at their pace where we engaged in Spanish conversation with the other guest, our friend Jan.  We hosted the three of them for a Sri Lankan curry night and missed our other village friends Graham and Jane who are stuck in Vietnam. 

We all lamented our ability to visit friends and family back home and their chance to visit us.  What to do?  We live  in strange times and we must all roll with the dice that are thrown for us.  Would Sonalee and I choose to spend months and months apart?  Hell, no.  Would we choose a life where our doggies only see the one of us for half a year?  Absolutely not.  Or our mums not able to see the amazing and wonderful improvements I have made to the house?  (ahem) 

We received a gift box from the village government one day, delivered by two young ladies dressed up in the Moorish style.  One of them had blackfaced herself, which obviously isn’t offensive to us at all.

We walked around our nearest town, Priego de Cordoba to see so many small shops shut up, for sale or just completely empty.  It is so sad to think that these businesses were more than just a job for the owners and that they have had to give it all up.   Priego doesn’t have the chain stores that you find everywhere in the UK, most are independent traders who haven’t been able to cope financially during the pandemic.

During our walks around the campo with the dogs we saw much evidence of workers in the fields during the current olive harvest.  And of the use of migrant labour to get the work done.  In the village we rarely see these workers – they work long hours  – and the village isn’t exactly a hive of cultural entertainment right now so everyone is pretty much indoors.  The week before Sonalee arrived I had to go to another town, Alcala la Real during some driving rain.  That’s when I saw about a hundred migrant workers huddled down in cardboard boxes underneath arches and terraces, trying to keep warm.   Rain equals no work for them and many of them will be sleeping in hostels that chuck you out in the daytime.  

I hope that the weather stays dry for them in the next few months.  And that when they migrate to the vineyards to find work, that it will be a good harvest for them.

The two of us also took a trip to our 4th nearest city – Malaga.  Sonalee had to have yet another PCR test and neither of us had actually seen anything of it apart from the airport and ikea.  

Dora looks out over the civil war battlemments

It’s really nice!   Had a lovely lunch, strolled through the main town and walked around what is called the Roman Theatre but is mainly a Moorish castle overlooking the modern harbour.   Then we ambled back through the shopping part of the city to take the two hour drive home.  I have to say it was all a bit too stimulating for me.  The women with their fantastic hair, the men all dapper and trendy.  The shops, the consumerism!   You have to remember that I have been in a village of 700 people for 4 months on my own.  Priego is about as cosmopolitan as it gets for me.  Malaga was sensory overload.

Sonalee is home

My career plan to win the Spanish lottery didn’t come to pass.  I know, right?  I’m as shocked as you.  It would seem I will have to find employment after all.   Bugger.

We stayed up for the New Year!   In Spain there is a tradition that you eat a grape for each gong of the bell in Madrid to mark the new year in.  We’d dutifully counted out 24 during the early evening.  Then we drank a lot of wine and cava.  And then, when it was the crucial time to be ready, I started too early, just couldn’t shove the grapes in at any of the gongs but thought I’d counted 12 but saw that there were 5 left.   Sonalee slurringly swore blind she’d managed 12 although I dispute that.  So I had to polish the rest off as well.

Malaga

Look, it was our first time trying this new Spanish tradition.  The other one, wearing red underwear on New Year’s Eve was easy.   This one, not so much.

And then two days later I drove her to Malaga Airport with Dora with us just to keep us sane.   And now there is no one here to ‘improve me’ by pointing out the many errors that I make.   And no one to cook for.   And no one to walk and talk with in the campo.  And no one to kiss.   It will be three months till we see each other again. 

And then yesterday came the news that we knew would be coming but hoped wasn’t.  Sonalee’s best friend from university, Maeve, passed away after a 6 year battle with leukaemia.  Maeve was the lady who conducted our wedding ceremony in the UK and she did it brilliantly.  She was a lovely, warm and caring person who visited us in the summer before we left for Morocco. 

We had so hoped to be able to visit her in Ireland and that she could have come over here once more for breakfast on the patio.   Maeve died peacefully at home surrounded by family which is some comfort to Sonalee at this horrible time.  I cannot quite believe she has gone.   So many video chats with her over the last few years.   So much discussion of food!   And so much love with such a kindly smile.  

Needless to say, I’m crying as I write this.  In fact there has been lots of tears today and from when we first found out she had taken a turn for the worse, a little over a week ago.   I am going to miss her a lot.  Sonalee, as you would expect, is absolutely heartbroken.

And I can’t be there to give my wife a hug.

I think, upon reflection, that I am so utterly tired of this fucking pandemic.  

Stay safe, people.

Hasta Luego, Inshallah

Aybowan

Paul

Luna contemplating life and all that it holds.

Paul

213 responses to “It was the best of times and the worst of times”

  1. Great read as always Paul and fantastic photos. Parts of the blog made me laugh out loud (between the dog pissing in the bed and the girl rocking up to your door wearing black face…jaysus). Very sorry to hear about your friend Maeve in Ireland. Can’t imagine how tough it must be for Sonalee and you at this time. Please give my regards to Sonalee. Here’s hoping you and Sonalee are reunited soon and that these 3 months fly by. Stay safe man.
    Ed

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