What a busy month!
21May
The last four weeks have been incredibly busy, with lots going on. It all started with the death of a Pope and ended on my 75th birthday. Let's take a look.
Monday, April 21st - Pope Francis dies aged 88
Pope Francis [SKY News]
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936, died on 21 April 2025. Head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 13 March 2013 until his death.
He was the first Jesuit pope, the first Latin American, and the first born or raised outside Europe since the 8th-century Syrian pope Gregory III.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Francis#Early_life
Monday, April 28th - El gran apagon
[Image: HuffPost]
The longest and most widespread power cut in living memory hit Spain, Portugal and parts of France. Read more here:
Thursday, May 1st - Labour Day / May Day
[Image courtesy of Adobe Stock]
Celebrated throughout the Western world. Often a public holiday. For more on this, click here:
Sunday, May 4th - My dad's birthday
John Albert Whitelock would have been 108 today. Sadly he left us 40 years ago aged 68 after suffering a fatal heart attack. Here is more:
Puntos de vista - a personal Spain blog
Monday, May 5th - Early May Bank Holiday (UK)
This is in effect May Day in the UK, which prefers to have its public holidays on a Monday.
Maypole dancing [The Independent]
Wednesday, May 7th - Papal conclave begins / India - Pakistan conflict / US - UK trade deal / Arsenal out of Champions League
What a news day!
133 cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel to choose a new pope.
Hostilities commence between India and Pakistan over the disputed Kashmir territory.
Trump and Starmer [BBC]
A US-UK trade deal on tariffs is announced by Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer.
Arsenal crash out of the Champions League after defeat by Paris Saint Germain in the semi-finals.
Thursday, May 8th - 80th anniversary of VE Day
In 1945, this was the day when the German surrender was announced, after six years of fighting during World War II.
Commemorated widely throughout the West.
VE Day in Trafalgar Square, London, 1945 [BBC]
Thursday, May 8th - New pope chosen
In the early evening, following the fourth vote, white smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, in Rome, signifying that the world's 24 million Roman Catholics had a new pope, the 69-year-old American Leo XIV, the 247th Bishop of Rome.
Pope Leo XIV [Vatican News]
More here:
Pope Leo XIV - Wikipedia
Saturday, May 10th - The "101"
The start of the "101" [Carreras de montañas]
"The 101 kilometres" is an annual race held in Ronda for cyclists, runners and walkers. It is organised by the Spanish Legion with 9,000 participants from several countries.
Click here for more:
101 km - Ronda, May 10, 2025 - Eye on Spain
101 km - Ronda, May 10, 2025 - Help me, Ronda
Thursday, May 15th - Off to Germany
We're off to Germany, me for four days and Rita for three weeks.
Read more here:
Sunday, May 18th - Confirmation of grand-daughter Lotta in Talheim (Baden-Württemberg)
Lotta is the third of our four German grandchildren. Along with 10 others, she was confirmed in the Kilianskirche, Talheim.
Dad Gero, Lotta, and mum Katrin [Photo: Paul Whitelock]
Sunday, May 18th - My 75th birthday
Where we had lunch [Photo: PW]
Born on this day in 1950, I've packed quite a lot into my seven-and-a-half decades on this Earth.
Here's a piece about Lotta's confirmation and my birthday:
Monday, May 19th - Return to Spain
Flew back to Spain to start three-and-a-half weeks "de Rodriguez".
... de Rodríguez? - Secret Serrania de Ronda
Pictures:
Adobe Stock, BBC, Madita Schroder, Paul Whitelock, SKY News, The Independent, Wikipedia
Tags:
1950, 75th birthday, Adobe Stock, birthday, BBC, C&A, confirmation, de Rodriguez, Gero, Heilbronn, Katrin, Madita Schroder, May 18th, Osiander, Paul Whitelock, Rita, SKY News, Talheim, Tchibo, The Independent, Wikipedia, Woolworths, Wurstbude
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