One of our favourite places to visit is Madrid. The Spanish capital is a vibrant and colourful place, full of history and a city that teems with life especially when the sun shines on it. The main draw for us though is not the culture nor the weather but my brother Frank, his wife Ana and their wonderful kids, Pablo, Sophia, Carla & Andrea. Even if Madrid was an inhospitable dump, which it certainly is not, it would still be worth the visit to spend time with such a fun and welcoming family.
This trip was originally planned for us to help celebrate Sofi's first communion, but it also coincided with Mum's 70th birthday so a quiet few days were never on the cards! Instead the time we were there was spent preparing for Sofi's ceremony and the post event bash, the day itself, the subsequent clearing up exercise and culminated in a family party for Mum before Lynda and me took our leave and came home. All of this was liberally interspersed with a huge amount of fun and cuddles with the whole family, and with Ana's family which descended en-masse on the Saturday and somehow all managed to overnight with us in the same house. The Army would do well to study how so many people could be billeted, entertained, fed and washed in one house.
Mum, Lynda and me arrived at Madrid on the Thursday a bit bleary-eyed after our very early start but in fine humour. Our mood was lifted even further when Frank met us in the arrivals area. It had been the best part of a year since we'd all seen each other in the flesh (Skype doesn't count) so it was great to be welcomed by him at Barajas Airport.
Half an hour later and we were at the deceptively quiet house, the kids being at school and Ana at work. The benefit of that was being able to unpack without having to peel excited children off our luggage first. We couldn't wait to see them and so were delighted when we nipped up to the school at lunchtime and bought the twins (aka twixies) home a bit early. By the evening we'd had a lovely reunion with Sofi, Pablo and Ana and all sat down together for our first of many huge and delicious meals.
Friday morning and the sun was shining. Time to get things prepared for the communion party. A marquis went up, spotlights installed in various trees and most importantly a bar was set up. By the end of the day Ana had run up some table cloths, fairy lights were hung in the marquis, table decorations were assembled, a 'sound system' and CDs organised and the whole scene was pretty much set. Following in his uncle's footsteps, Pablo is now a budding guitarist and was to make his debut accompanying the choir at the communion ceremony in the church. We managed to sit down and run through what he was going to play and fair play to him, Pablo has taken to the guitar with real enthusiasm. I'll be following his progress with great interest. Incidentally he performed splendidly the next day.
The talented Pablo
The next day and the Valencian invasion began. Gradually over a few hours Ana's mum, brother, sisters, their partners and their many young children flocked to the house which was soon a Babel-like fusion of Spanish, English and baby talk. The final touches were applied, the catering fetched (mmmm....catering) suits, dresses and ties donned, car sharing sorted and away we went. It was BLOODY warm, especially in a tie and jacket, even the locals were feeling the heat judging from the amount of fans being wafted in the church. We managed to stay upright though, despite the additional handicap of not having a clue what was going on. The kids looked lovely in their communion outfits, especially Sofi who despite being both nervous and excited managed to sail through the whole thing seemingly thoroughly enjoying herself. A quick photo call afterwards outside the church and then the Dunkirk-like exodus back to the house where the festivities kicked off. Sofi was piled high with some lovely gifts from everyone and we even managed a cake and a chorus of 'Happy Birthday' for Tita.
Later into the evening friends and family gradually drifted off home or to their alloted sleeping space, leaving a few die-hards including the gregarious and English-challenged Max, who didn't allow his less than perfect grasp of our mother tongue prevent him being excellent and very funny company. We were still laughing when we eventually all turned in.
We quickly cleared away the next day and spent the bulk of it having fun with the kids and eating even more spendid food. Ana's incredible roast gammon joint cannot escape praise - possibly the best bit of pork I've ever tasted - made even tastier by eating it al-fresco in splendid company, washed down with a very nice Cava from Frank's excellent cellar. That evening we were treated to the most amazing storm. Thunder, lightning, a huge downpour and the most incredible wind - no change there then. It was enough to lift the marquis from its moorings and to blow a large parasol across the terrace. We quickly shot out to try to make good a few things before the storm really took hold and fortunately managed to limit the damage to a couple of broken umbrella spars, which we patched up the next day.
That amazing Pork - no, not me !Monday was back to work and school for Ana and the kids, and Frank for a couple of hours. The previous evening's storm had ripped through a large area, lifting roofs and closing roads and tunnels as a result of some pretty serious mud slips. Luckily no-one was hurt, just slightly inconvenienced. Later in the morning we hopped in the car and headed to the shops to stock up for Mum's birthday celebrations that evening. No mean feat when she was actually with us, but some deft diversion tactics meant she'd no idea the trolley was full of birthday cake, balloons and other festive doings. A fine lunch then off to get the kids from school. They were very excited at the thought of Nana's party and were brilliant in helping to get the terrace decorated with banners, balloons, lights and flags while Frank managed to divert the birthday girl. Ana came home and (we still don't know how she does it) cooked a superb dinner while the rest of us danced and laughed on the terrace. When we thought we couldn't eat another thing we suddenly found form and managed to dispose of a birthday cake intended for around 75 people while Mum, sporting a very special 'birthday princess' hat, opened her various presents. It was a lovely, lovely evening and regretably our last for this particular trip.
Up early the next morning and after we'd had big hugs and goodbyes with everyone Frank drove Lynda and I back to the airport. Mum was having an extended stay both in bed that morning and with Frank & Ana for another ten days. We'll be seeing the whole family again soon for our next adventure together, this time in France so the 'goodbyes' were considerably easier than they would otherwise have been. We were still really sorry to be leaving but we had that thought by way of consolation. A quick goodbye with Frank then into the airport.
We took off bang on time, had a perfect flight and got home safe and sound. That coming on top of a great few days with the family made for a perfect break. Thanks to Frank & Ana, Pablo, Sofi, Carla and Andi for their love & hospitality, the lovely presents and all the laughs. Can't wait to see you in France. Thanks too for Mum for her company this trip - enjoy the rest of your stay.
