Spanish Memoir

Jeanette was a Grandmother, Mother, Fairy Godmother, Sister, Auntie and she was a great friend.

A woman of substance who shared so much of what she had. There was always something tasty coming out of the oven, a butty for lunch, or a bit of chocolate to go with a cuppa. It’s a sign of a true friend when you can go to their house head for the fridge and ask "do you have anything nice to eat"?

A woman who made you feel at home, comfortable and loved, she had a way of mothering, nurturing, and making it all okay. Touching many peoples lives in lots of different ways, she shared her home, her garden, her car, her wardrobe, her jewellery, her make up, her life… and for many of us she shared her lovely apartment in Spain. 'Spanish Memoir ' is snippets of those times taken from my journal.

Jeanette who became fondly known to me as 'Ma' was my friend for 29 years. Diagnosed with bowel cancer the silent killer, she died six months later on the 12th October 2008

When I think of her, I catch myself smiling, she leaves me with some of her favourite quotes and words.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess, and I hope I gave you enough embracing hello’s to get you through this final goodbye.

LIVE LIKE THERE’S NO TOMORROW

LOVE LIKE YOU’VE NEVER BEEN HURT

DANCE LIKE THERE’S NO ONE WATCHING

Before you criticise someone, walk a mile in their shoes.

Laugh when you can, apologise when you should, and let go of what you can’t change. Kiss slowly. Play hard. Forgive quickly. Take chances. Give everything and take no regrets. Life is too short to be anything but happy.

and

I LOVE YOU x

After a very early start to our journey, my friend Ros and I finally land in Malaga Airport, for me it was with swollen feet and ankles! Ma is waiting at the airport to meet us and after an hour drive we arrive at Benamara, happy but hungry we stop off for lunch at one of the string of restaurants over the road from the village where we will be staying for the next 10 days. I enjoy a full breakfast while my friends tuck into a Spanish omelette, beside us, two beautiful Hibiscus bushes, the problem? They attract wasps who want to come dine with me.

It was lovely to finally reach Ma’s apartment, after unpacking, our first day quickly disappeared, we spent the evening chatting, drinking San Miguel, and dancing in candlelight with free expression to Spanish music using pink and lilac beach wraps to twirl and float around us.

I awaken and lie in pensive mood; I can hear the faint drone of traffic in the distance.

Birds chirp and call to each other.

The sun reflects off the whitewashed walls of the Spanish apartments.

The sky is clear and blue.

Rising from my bed I slide open the glass doors and walk out onto the balcony, the flowers are exceptionally beautiful and fragrant this year a real tonic to the senses.

My eye is drawn to the beautiful array of climbing shrubs.

I can see bright orange Brazilian flame vine. White Jasmine. Bougainvillea, Scarlet ‘o’ Hara red and Glabra, a purple flower with a tiny white centre.

I love the delicate orange of The Bird of Paradise.

The Pink, Lemon, Orange and Red of the Chinese Hibiscus, Honeysuckle and the Pale Yellowy Pink of the Angels Trumpet.

I am lost in a canvas painted with the brush of natures true colours for a long and enjoyable moment.

Late at night, sitting on the balcony beneath the stars, I write my journal, a little Gheko runs up the wall beside me. Ma has retired to bed and Ros comes out to join me.

I stop writing and offer the orgasmatron experience. The orgasmatron is a finger like wire contraption that is used to massage the head, by the Oooo's and Aaaa's that came out of her I would say it has a very appropriate name. I sleep well tonight.

Ma drives us to Estapona’s large market. I see a lead grey statue of a dead air-man perched on a pedestal, he has a single red rose clutched in his hand, suddenly the statue stirs and comes to life, smiling and gesturing to the passers by, some are afraid of him, some are enthralled.

* * * *

The aroma of fresh coffee fills the air, the sound of cups and saucers clinking, mix with accents of African, Spanish, Dutch and English. Gypsies and cloths bright and gay, hustle and bustle, dolly mixtures of people and sound. A beautiful baby girl with dark brown eyes fringed with thick black lashes, waves her hand at me and smiles, holding my gaze for longer than a moment.

After shopping at the supermarket, we had a drive out in the car to a place called Losargos, we found ourselves surrounded by orange groves and huge cacti, there were horses in the fields and the people we met were friendly, bathed in sunshine we enjoyed a good stroll.

The afternoon found me walking along the beach, the pleasure of which was brought to an abrupt end by a sudden urge for the loo, a quick ungainly lunge into the bushes was the only solution, resulting in my legs being scratched to bits by thorny vines resembling non other than a bramble patch.

Arriving back at the apartment, looking very bedraggled, my story invoked copious laughter from my friends? Tsk! shame on you.

A lazy morning at the apartment sunbathing and sipping water, I lose myself in a book for a few hours, the book is called Clay, and Clay, is a Bliddy Monster.

Later, Ros and I walked over to the Pharmacia we had a Bliddy good giggle there and a Bliddy good giggle back.

Dressing up and going out for dinner to an Italian Restaurant called Cibo. A fabulous evening with delicious food and a peaceful ambiance. Above us in a dark velvety sky the new moon shone bright and clear, the silky warmth of the air wrapped around me and light danced on the palm fronds as we sat relaxing beside a sparkling turquoise outdoor swimming pool.

After two large Gin and Tonics, a Sambuka and a Tia Maria I had a sudden urge to jump into the turquoise pool but was under strict instruction from Ma...

"Don't you Dare"!

Sharing a tranquil moment with a true friend, we sip cool freshly squeezed orange juice with the sound of the Mediterranean Ocean lapping on the shore. The water is cool and heavenly with silvery reflections. Experiencing the delights of effortless living I savour this morsel of time, melting into relaxation, I feel my true nature rise and shine, Gibraltar and Africa calling to me from the horizon, my toes curl and uncurl in the hot soft sand. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves of young trees nearby, the breeze I feel caress my cheek is called the Mistral,  I think of all the other cheeks it brushed before it passed me by when the sweet voice of a young Spanish girl calling Mamma, Mamma, intrudes upon my daydream.