At 1100 we met up at the pastry
shop to plan the day’s events. (Sorry NO WiFi)!
Off we went to collect the baby
gifts and took a short stop at the Mirador de Baztan. Met another couple,
visitors, who were quite delighted with the view then we continued on the old
Pamplona road up the pass to Ventas de Ulzama and Belate for lunch. It is
another favorite place right up at the pass with beautiful views all around and
deer hanging out in the pasture just below us! There was a roaring fire in the
fireplace to welcome everyone. Ensalada, wild mushrooms, and then entrees. It
was my birthday luncheon and it was wonderful; we had a lovely Verdejo white
wine which was outstanding. It was a pretty day with sunshine and all was good
with the world!
We set off to Pamplona with an
hour to find their apartment and a parking slot. Nekane was out front holding a
parking slot for us and her mother. Let the birthday party begin. Julia was
somewhat overwhelmed with all the newcomers but she handled it well. It was her
first birthday the week before and she and I wore birthday hats and blew out a
candle!
After cake and brownies we all
went for a walk, a paseo, to let Julia swing at the park. She is barely
walking, but can handle the swings very well. Is there anything sweeter than
watching a baby smile and laugh with joy? Half way thru our paseo Fernando
joined us, home from work early because of our visit. After an hour of fresh air,
we went back to the apartment for snacks, tortilla de patatas, lomo and chorizo
sausage and good bread.
Nekane and Fernado told us about
their interview to get Julia into the child care at the University. It is a
bilingual school!( Julia is not speaking Spanish yet!) Spanish and English with
Happy Mathematics and Goals and Set objectives! Fernando is looking for the
Candid Camera and Nekane is shushing him because he is about start laughing!
Start ‘em young I say! I mean for heavens sake! Nekane has a PhD in Linguistics
and Fernando is an International Lawyer…..seriously? They have to be veted
before their baby goes to daycare?!
Julia was accepted into Day Care bilingual
English and Spanish, you will be happy to hear! Nekane is back to work full
time at the University but Loles will pick up her nieta a couple of days a week
and all will be well.
It was so good to see them all
again. They are a lovely family and we are very fond of them. By the time we
left, Jane was bouncing Julia and singing the Galloping Major to great hilarity
all around as well as a giggling Julia! Mickey and Minnie Mouse were a great
hit as were all the gifts we all brought! I think she was quite overwhelmed to
start with, too many people and too many gifts!
As Nekane’s father also had a birthday that day there was
going to be a follow on party for him so it was back to the Baztan for us with
a quick stop at the apartment for the travel netbook and a walk over to the
Posada which actually open this evening( and has WiFi). Damn that was along sentence!
Belen and Carlos who run the
Posada have become dear friends over the years. Their 3 kids came in at various
times for the evening supper. Their boy is 13 now, the youngest girl a very
tall 12 year old and of course the lovely Hanna is a beautiful 16 year old now.
Hanna took the opportunity to sit and talk to us and practice her English while
she ate her meal. She is going on a field trip next spring to a village near
Tarragona on the Med. We bought raffle tickets to help with expenses. Should we
win must we return to Spain in order to claim the price(s)?? On Friday they
will have a stall at the Fiestas to sell Tshirts etc so we will shop and see
what we can buy.
We were all full from a good
lunch and snacks with the family at Nekanes but we had a small bowl of warm
soup and Joyce a mixed salad to round out the day. Shame we couldn’t eat more
because Belen is a very talented chef! It really was a busy day. Full of wonderful
experiences, friends and food! Don’t forget the food! Lol! We are fortunate
indeed to have such friends.
With such a busy day we were back
at the apartment by 11.00. An early night and we were tucked. We expect another day of rain tomorrow but
Friday looks to be a much better day for the fiestas in Elizondo - - we may
even some sun!!
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