The Copper Queen

During these weeks in Barcelona, in-between my Aptis testing and looking after guests, I'm trying to work round the house chucking out things we don't use or need anymore and tidying up little areas.  Yesterday, the top drawer in our hall got some attention.  We keep in there a mish mash of handy bits and bobs:  measuring tapes (3!); boxes of Tic Tacs (4, Bb?), two little money belts that we sometimes use if we go on an exercise walk (2), keys (lots!); red and white plastic chains to hang from the metal chain at the end of our street; bags of coins from different countries (mainly Hungary, Egypt, the UK, Brazil);  an assortment of little post-its notes that we use with things like 'please leave this lamp on', 'vuelvo in 5 minutos' (back in 5 mins), 'banana and walnut bread, please help yourself!' etc.  And, a wooden tray of loose Spanish coins.....well euros/cents.  See this previous blip:

https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2329548705163642945

Yesterday, I took all the euro coins to our local Carrefour as I'd noted they have installed a machine into which you put your coins and you get a voucher to spend in the shop or exchange for cash.  I know they're in the UK, but this is new here and a bit of novelty and I've only ever seen one person use it....warily!  Yesterday I took across two bags of coins and they totalled about 32 euros.  Today, I took across another big bag and they came to about 37 euros - so almost 70 euros in loose change!   

The title of this blip comes from a story back in my International House London days when one day a colleague walked into the teachers' room, held up a bag of coppers and said, I've been tidying up and have this bag of coppers, does anyone want them?'.  I looked at everyone shaking their heads and then said 'me', and from that moment on I became The Copper Queen and every year I get a birthday message from that colleague to The Copper Queen!    My reputation lives on.  Now, what to spend that 70 euros on.....