ADIOS LOVELY LACRIMA

Since arriving in Madrid, we have been very fortunate to have the beautiful Princesa Lacrima of Romania as our trusted housekeeper. As we have continued on our family journey over the last two years, Lacrima has become much more than our housekeeper, someone we as a family trust implicitly, babysitter to Aimee and Liam who love and adore her, occasional resident when D&D have had a big night, a friend.

Tonight she has gone on holiday back home to her family in Romania (I am always humbled to think of the positive outlook Lacrima always projects under what must be an often lonely life away from her husband and daughters). When Lacrima returns to Madrid at the beginning of September she will not be returning to work for us.

Playing the Game Of Life (somehow appropriate) 

Last Tuesday our delightful Spanish tutor Angela met us at the Museo de Archaelogico, and we had a practical Spanish lesson. Afterwards, we went to La Gabinoteca, one of Madrid's funkiest tapas bars and had a great night. Regrettably, this was our last lesson with Angela, an intelligent and lovely lady, who for two years has maintained a remarkably brave front in the face of severe adversity (at least in one case!) in her attempts to teach the LegsyBoys the Spanish language. Thanks to Angela, Aimee is able to hold her own with any local, Buzzy is on the cusp of fluency, Dulcinea understands perfectly (although finds it a tad more difficult to converse), and Don L has been a miserable failure through no fault of Angela. You don't know how depressed I become when I see that even the neighbour's dog understands Spanish! Hopefully my lack of progress in the language is partially offset by my willingness to delve into the history and culture of this unique country. We have really enjoyed  our Angela Experience.

Lovely Angela on the left

This morning, the kids and I popped into Banneton Bakery for our morning tea. For two years Cristina, Laura and Enilda have been a coffee life support for me - they gave it their best shot (get it!), always served with a smile, and even tried to help with my Spanish - nothing was too much; there was even a tear in the eye this morning. I'm sure the bakery owner knows what an asset they are to his business. Their doors close on Sunday for the summer holidays and when they re-open we won't be able to order a Trebor Special any more. Muchas gracias chicas.

Banneton chicas - Cristina y Laura

Now all you clever people out there will have by now started thinking "what's happening?" So the hot gossip can now be unveiled as fact....THE LEGSYBOYS ARE ON THE MOVE.

On 21st August, we will be returning our faithful steed Rocinante (complete with a couple of minor flesh wounds!) to the GSK stables - but not before safely shepherds us through a two week break in San Sebastian and Asturias! Then on Friday 22nd August Dulcinea, the Aimster, Buzzy and Don L will leave Barajas AeropuertoTerminal 4 and venture due north on our Quest - LONDON, HERE WE COME.

We have the visa, we have the kids in an excellent school (St. Benedict's School, Ealing) and we have found a very nice home also in Ealing. With Dulcinea's mothership located in the next suburb of Brentford we think we've done pretty well. The address (thought you'd never ask)? 4 Heath Close, London W5 3EG, other communication details will follow as we arrange them.

It's exciting times for the LegsyBoys. We have made some lovely friends here and we genuinely love Madrid, so it will be a sad day when we depart. But, of course, there is much to look forward to as well, not least for Buzzy who is very excited that he is now legally entitled to go up to the top of Big Ben (one needs to be a British resident to do so).

For those who have visited us in our Iberian paradise - muchas gracias from the four of us, we really do appreciate it, especially as Madrid is not one of the default destinations from Australia. For those who didn't quite make it, well, don't let our absence stop you from visiting one of Europe's most elegant cities sometime soon, you won't be sorry. And to all, here's hoping we see your feet on the 'Hola' mat at Heath Close sometime soon (the good news is we have a guest room!).

Oh yeah, before I forget one other little matter, if you're in the vicinity of Melbourne over the Xmas/New Year period and wishing to have a laugh over a latte with any member of the LegsyBoys, then just say so, 'cos ...WE'RE COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!!!

Adios Lacrima.....Adios Angela....Muchas gracias, abrazos, besos y los LegsyBoys te aman xxxx