Get down and boogie.

 Well that was a first, being at a club where your son was the DJ ! Not such a novelty for Donald who is often found in disco mode but our parental status meant we got in for free!

Having invested in some of the required kit over several years it was interesting to hear how it sounded when played up a few decibels. We were very impressed with the showmanship and special effects even if we hadn't a clue about from whence came the sounds.

As we left (early.. @ 2.30am) a man felt he had to ask us why people of our "relative maturity" were having such a good time dancing we had to

admit that we were in fact "mature relatives" of the DJ. Well done Andrew!

Tick tock.. 2 more sleeps

Tick tock says the clock above Puerta del Sol.. it does go slow when I am in class eaxh morning but guess what - they slow the chimes at Hogmonay so that people don't choke on the 12 grapes they are required to eat - one between each chime of midnight, or at least so I have been told.
Anyway tick on big clock 3 more Spanish classes, but only 2 more sleeps until we head home. Whoop!

Christmas is coming..

Somebody asked today if they have Christmas trees in Spain. Well yes but they are growing outside. There are metal ones with lights all over town and artificial ones to buy. We don't know anybody who has a tree inside, but we have a candlestick covered with a green ribbon, which is fine especially as we are escaping home on 20th - DV and WP. The other picture is what I am making for Christmas presents for the neighbours. I am using Fanny of Netherbrough's recipe to make Marmalade from Santa (Eugenia)!  It is so funny to think that during Fanny's lifetime there was an abundance of oranges on Westray as the Spanish boats remained in the bay at Pierowall for weeks to avoid going home due to the Spanish Civil War. So many links with Spain and Westray.

Quite striking!

 
Scenes around our area this week have been quite striking, from the rubbish lying uncollected to the crowds of nurses carrying mock coffins.

Our local job centre appears on TV every few weeks as the unemployment figures rise - now 5 million and rising. This week our bank (Bankia) has paid off 8,000 workers in Madrid city alone. People openly rummage in garbage skips, which is easier now the stuff they seek is lying on the pavement. I even saw prescription medicines lying loose - the bag having been burst.
Beggars have given up sitting on the pavements with downcast eyes, it is now common to have someone heckle you even while sitting on the metro and demand money or face a outburst of unknown complaints (they presumably know whatthey are saying it is us who look bemused.)
During the general srike last month I was listening to Radio Madrid. They had recorded a jingle saying half of Spain was on strike the other half was playing football. They missed out the quarter who were on the broo.

The irony of this for me is that after waiting since June for an X-ray, I got an appointment for Wednesday and duly turned up only to be told the consultant was on strike and to come back next year. The nurses marched past with a chant telling me helpfully that they were striking for my benefit. Thanks lasses.