At the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve, people gather in squares around Spain, or with their families at home, observing the quaint Spanish tradition, of eating twelve grapes, for each strike of the clock, as they welcome in the New Year. The ceremony is relatively new, dating back to 1895, when vine growers introduced the custom to better sell their bumper crops of grapes, during the winter months. The consuming of 'The twelve grapes of luck' would, according to convention, bring prosperity to all those taking part. In some parts of Spain, it is also believed this practice, wards away evil magic and witches!

The ritual of consuming twelve grapes was popularised by a working class group of madrileños, (residents of Madrid,) early in the last century; mocking the elite who gathered in Madrid's Puerta Del Sol, eating grapes and drinking champagne, pouring scorn on all those who took part. The ceremonies throughout Spain hark back to this time, leading to the observances we see today!

On New Years Eve families gather to pay homage to this ceremony, eating each grape in quick succession. With the family formalities over, the younger generation will depart to party the night away. As for me, well, I will be following this age old Spanish practice, as I did last year, minus the partying into the early hours; I'm much too old for that now!

It is always heartening to receive feedback on blog posts, positive or negative. I inherit a lot of comments and messages, mainly though the wonders of facebook. Today I received a message about my latest entry entitled 'Year In Review - Family' from a member of my own family, a cousin I haven't spoken to in well over a generation. I have only recently got in contact, with this person and  am so glad I did. At a time when I have been feeling rather nostalgic for all things British, missing friends and family, he was able to give me some words of comfort and encouragement, not to mention a supporting ear in which to sound off in, metaphorically speaking of course.

It can be difficult writing down feelings and emotions, especially those to do with family; these bonds are chequered and somewhat sparse, especially over the last ten or so years. There are many events, circumstances and difficulties, that myself and my cousin, don't know about each other. My life deviated away from the tiny market town, where I grew up, his stayed very much rooted in the memories of the past. I admire the fact he still lives in the town of his birth and envy his connection to  people I haven't seen for years. I can't get those lost years back, but I can at least focus my efforts on renewing links that are just waiting to be reattached; a continuation of where I left off, all those years ago. 

I will be paying my cousin a visit, when I eventually touch down on British soil again. His comments were much needed and appreciated, his words of advice taken on board and his genuine affection the biggest gift of all.

When people ask me why I blog, everyday, I am not always sure of the right thing to say; today gave me a real reason, apart from having too much to say, a crusade to fight or a story to tell; today gave me the true meaning of blogging; to connect with people, reignite friendships and relationships and of course move away from the pain of the past.

"Blogging is a powerful medium, don't let anyone tell you any different!"

​'Not the best photograph to start with, on a Christmas Day, but after the restless night I had, I was surprised to be up at all, let alone at 9am. I have never been a morning person, much preferring to stay up late and get up later. Even though I was in bed at a reasonable time, it didn't really matter; the ghost of Christmas past was on the prowl!'

​11.15am

Both Darrell and I had a very weird night and early morning this Christmas day. When I got home from work on Christmas Eve, I found Mollie acting strangely. She was sat, perched on the edge of the sofa, looking upwards, meowing heavily, chattering occasionally, as if she was having a conversation with something, yet there was nothing there. Mollie was observing something, that I clearly couldn’t see. She carried on like this for a good few hours. No matter what I did to try and distract her, she would ignore me, acting distant and distracted!

As a person, I am quite spiritual and believe in an afterlife, if not God; I suppose you could call me agnostic. I understand from reading about the power of animals, that cats are very sensitive to anything out of the ordinary, otherworldly or ghostly. Mollie can certainly see things I can’t; things that exist, which the human brain can’t comprehend. I am sure it was a ghost! Now I have seen a ghost before, and can remember the circumstances in which the apparition appeared, not unlike what I experienced last night. A sudden drop in temperature and a strange, very strange feeling that came over me. I didn’t see anything myself, it has to be said, but I am sure Mollie did.

At three O’Clock this morning, after only being asleep for about two hours, I woke up suddenly, gasping heavily, heart racing; I thought I was about the breath my last. Then out of the corner of my eye, I spied Mollie, sat at the bottom of the bed, looking upwards, as if in a trance; she was at it again. Perfectly timed, Darrell also kicked abruptly into life, after a particularly bad snoring fit. Darrell does suffer with sleep apnoea; on occasion, when I detect he has stopped breathing, I jab him in the side with my elbow, just to wake him up. Darrell jolted upright in bed, laying straight back down, whacking his head on the side of the bedside table, right on his temple. Obviously any head injury is a concern, especially how hard he hit it. I have been monitoring him this morning and he seems to be fine. 

From previous experience, I am sure this house is haunted; I know you are going to think I’m mad, but I really do get these strange feelings, so don’t judge me. I am however a person who has no problem with this type of activity and actually find the concept quite comforting. So far so good today, Mollie is laying in the sun room and isn’t acting strangely yet; however the day is young.

​Darrell has to work at four O’clock, so I am cooking a roast before he goes. I say a roast, because I am not doing a proper Christmas Dinner; the ingredients were just too expensive. I bought a chicken from Mercadona for 5´05€; the same size turkey in Iceland, La Marina, about two and a quarter kilo’s would have cost me 20€ and I wasn’t prepared to pay all that extra money, just for one day. We still have to watch the cents here in Spain, so I am continuing to be as economical as I can. At least Darrell finishes work at 8.30pm, so we can have a few glasses of wine then. It is a gorgeous day today, 24 degrees. Not your typical Christmas weather, but much better than the big freeze in Britain!

​1.30pm
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Well that’s Christmas Dinner over and done with. As a treat I am using the dishwasher, not something I do often, due to the high cost of electricity in Spain, but today is the birth of our Lord, so forget the expense I say. I have just sat down with a glass or two of red wine watching ‘The Importance of Being Ernest!’ Queen’s speech later and a little siesta afterwards.

4.30pm

Mollie and Wildling are still enjoying the fabulous Spanish weather, after eating a large Christmas dinner with myself and Darrell, who has just left for work. As for me, well I'm blogging and drinking wine all evening. I really do cherish my own time these days, if that makes me antisocial, so be it. As a Taurean, I am a home buddy and that's the way I like it. 

I've just watched The Queen's Speech, as I have done every year since I was a wee lad; a Christmas tradition that really is the icing on the cake, especially now I am an old Expat living on the Costa Blanca. Her Majesty is a link to the past, not only for our Nation, but also for people like me, who no longer live in their Country of birth. The Queen highlighted a year of terrorism on Britain's streets. Lets hope 2018 see's an end to these barbaric acts and a return to peaceful coexistence!

It's back to another glass of red for me and some Roy Orbison; his new CD with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; cheers my lovelies, hope you are enjoying your day!