I turned 75 on May 18th 2025, last Sunday.

I was in Germany at the time attending the confirmation of my third German grandchild, which was on the same day.

So, we had a joint celebration lunch.

^{[Image courtesy of Etsy]}    

On May 19th I started two-and-a-half-weeks "de Rodriguez". 

On that date I flew back to Spain, while my good lady, German Rita, lingered in Germany to catch up with family and friends and to attend the latest Familientreffen, family reunion.

I would normally attend that too, but we have a kitten now, plus there's lots to do in Andalucia after the rain and floods in the Spring.

"De Rodriguez" in May

My period "de Rodriguez" did not start well. Between Talheim (B-W), where we had been staying, and Stuttgart Airport, my wallet went missing! 

Gone were my TIE (residence permit), two bank cards, two health cards (national and private), my tarjeta65 (pensioner discount card), two ONCE lottery tickets (no doubt winning ones!) and 45€ in cash.

Fortunately, I still had my passport and one Spanish bank card, so I would be able to board my flight, re-enter Spain and pay for stuff.

Over the next couple of days, Rita searched Hauptstrasse 59, the car we had borrowed, contacted the Airbnb host and phoned Lost Property at Stuttgart airport. There was no sign of my wallet. 

So I put blocks on the two bank cards and set about re-applying for everything else.

    ^{Cork wallet [Clan Earth]}

***

As for "footloose and fancy-free" (the best translation of "de Rodriguez" I can find). Nada. 

Apart from going to bed and getting up when I want, and not having to rush home from my local for dinner, nothing much has changed.

Certainly no "slap and tickle", which is implied by the "nudge-nudge, wink-wink" nature of being "de Rodriguez". 

The only women I fancy are all happily married or way too young.

Besides, I've no time for "einen Seitensprung", as the Germans call a "fling" on the side.

^{[Image courtesy of Amazon UK]}    

When you have to prepare a meal, cook it, and after eating it, wash up, dry and put everything away, and tidy up the kitchen, you begin to appreciate what your wife/partner does!

My realm is outside in the garden. But, "when the cat's away", that work doesn't stop either. Mowing, weeding, tending my "huerto", clearing areas of garden overgrown with metre-high weeds, tidying up. It's never-ending!

^{[Photo: Karl Smallman]}    

Those giant weeds

I engaged my sometime gardener Rafael to help me cut down the giant weeds. I'd bought a brand-new desbrozadora which Rafael used for several hours, while I cleared away. A good job done.

***

Well. I'd been home five days and not much sign of "de Rodriguez".

Then, on Friday evening I got a call from Rita who was now in North Germany staying with her niece Bianca, and guess what .....

STOP PRESS:

The Airbnb host had phoned to say she'd found my wallet! We're not sure exactly where, but we believe it had fallen underneath a piece of furniture.

Katrin would retrieve it and bring it to the family reunion and Rita would bring it home to Spain.

Phew! What a relief! I can now unblock my cards and don't need to re-apply for anything.

And if my lottery tickets win me a million, it will be perfect!

^{[Image courtesy of ONCE]}    

Links:

….. de Rodríguez? - EOS

De Rodríguez – at Christmas? - EOS

... de Rodríguez? - Secret Serrania de Ronda

https://www.justlanded.com/english/Spain/Spain-Guide/Visas-Permits/TIE-Tarjeta-de-Identidad-de-Extranjero

HOW TO …..apply for a replacement TIE - EOS

© Joe King

Pictures:

Amazon UK, Etsy, Karl Smallman, ONCE, Paul Whitelock, WordPress

Acknowledgements:

Wikipedia, www.eyeonspain.com, www. help-me-ronda.com, www.secretserrania.com

Tags:

Airbnb, Andalucía, "de Rodriguez", "einen Seitensprung", Familientreffen, family reunion, "fling", floods in the spring,  lottery ticket, May 18th 2025, May 19th, "nudge-nudge, ONCE, wink-wink", Rita, "slap and tickle", Stuttgart Airport, Talheim, two-and-a-half-weeks "de Rodriguez", "when the cat's away"