Fira de Noviembre

OK so first things first - Not much writing down today, but I am at 22,291 words and the story's going well.

So why not much writing today- because it's been a relaxing day enjoying the Vilanova November Fair. We did intend to pop out for a couple of hours, but then bumped into some of the Supernova teachers and ended up joining in the wine tasting, and enjoying a few glasses of the red stuff.

Interestingly whilst we were drinking a man came up to me and said "Shouldn't you be at home writing?" -it was a fellow NanoWriMo writer who had recognised me from my profile picture on the site. We chatted a while and agreed to meet up again during the week, or next weekend.

Anyway we ended up back home around five , and I promptly fell asleep on the sofa. 'The best laid plans of mice and men' ... as they say!

I set myself a challenge to get to the halfway mark (25,000) by shut down of PC time tomorrow evening, and am still feeling confident. 2,700 words (just over) - I think I can do that, even with the Monday to-do list I have.


And Today's photo challenge : night - and here's R2 (or is it Erasmus??) in his favourite night place, well at least until he joins us in bed when the lights go out.

Wiped Out

Today has been a bit of a wipe out. After spending so long cooking yesterday, and then partying till the wee hours  not to mention eating out in Sitges Friday night) we were both a bit wan when we got up this morning. Well that was am. After walking the dogs and tidying a bit we retired back to bed until midday. Since then we've finished the washing up and then just lazed around, and yes even took a siesta for an hour this afternoon. But it was all worth it as we had a great time lst night and the food was muich appreciated:

Some of the wares from the days baking

And as a token of that appreciation I was presented with a chef's hat, apron, and knife along with a pair of dazzling glasses.

Crazy chef

For more photos of the party check out my facebook pages, or click the photo captions to be taken to my 'Picasa web album for June'

Unfortunately this project - The cooking and the partying - has meant that I have neglected my wiring a little, but no matter I shall be back to the keyboard tomorrow.

Oh and have you seen the ticker at the top right - just NINE days to go till I'm off.. (Arghhh....)

TulStig Catering

Today was a baking, preparing and cooking day, for Tomorrow is the End of Year Party for school and I've started in on the catering for said party. I really enjoy all the preparations and organising myself to have everyting ready in time. According to my planning I am on time with everything so far... humus (Check), nachos dip (check), spicy dahl (check), Homity Pie  (double check - it looks amazing), coleslaw (check) and so the list goes on. Tomorrow Tone's off to teh market to get a few fresh provisions while I continue with the otehr bits and bobs here, then it'll be all nads to the decks for the final push.

Tony's a bit concerned as I am taking it all with a very laid back attitude, but I know I'm on target and so this evening we even had time for dinner out in Sitges.

Preparations underway

Over the last couple of days the preparations for our School End of Year Staff party have begun in earnest. I am doing the catering gain and have settled on a menu that seem s to please everyone. MY first job has been to source all the ingredients - so loads of shopping, although the final shop will be done early on Saturday morning (The day of the party) first thing at the town's market. I've also set out a plan for what dishes are to be cooked when and how we are going to store them. This afternoon I need to pop out and get some serving bowls etc, from one of the 'Chinese Bazaars', then I think I'll be all set to start the cooking tomorrow, finishing up on Saturday. Fortunately I enjoy the process of bringing everything together and then watching as people enjoy the efforts of my labours.
So here's Saturday's menu:

Wine, fruit, knowledge and gratitude

Yesterday evening we attended the wine festival in town here in VnG. What a great way to spend the evening. This is a wonderful town to live in with so many festivals and events to keep us happy. It was brilliant to see people wandering from stall to stall carrying their wine glasses and testing wines along the way. It was all so well organised and everyone was behaving perfectly. I can't imagine this kind of thing happening in a high street in Sussex without a modicum of trouble or drunken bad behaviour.  Although by looking at this pic of us with Julie we do look a little over the limit ourselves.

I do have to admit that my drinking days are well behind me now and the four small glasses I had last night were more than I've had for months, and as a result I was a little delicate this morning, but well enough in control of my faculties to be able to conduct a coupe of classes without issue.

This afternoon I took a bit of sun in the garden before settling down to write a bit more in 'Take Two'. I am amazed that the writing was going quite slowly just a week or so ago, yet now the words are spewing forth and the story is rushing along, and still there are surprises for me as it develops. I so love the process, and am so grateful that I have my muse working through me.

Naturally the Camino is still in the forefront of my mind as the days whiz by and my trip to Oviedo rushes even closer. Today I stopped at some trees just down the road to pick  and eat some mulberries. If it hadn't been for Kees I would never have known what they were let alone dared to eat them, and they are so tasty and should not be missed. Not only is the Camino a great and spiritual walk (for me at least) but it has also brought me so much more knowledge, about the world around me and the world within me. Isn't it just so easy to see how much it forms part of me now and I give heartfelt thanks to all those involved in making it what it was /is. And if you're reading this that probably includes you. Thank you

Saint George's day

Or as we say here in Cataluña -El Dia San Jordi, where it's an important day in the calendar. It's traditional here to give roses to the lady you love, or a book to the man in your life. 

I started the day off well with a couple of slices of toast slathered with the homemade strawberry jam I made yesterday. Then I did a few bits and pieces round the house before meeting Sue and Liliana for a coffee and natter down the road in Granja Neus. 

 After a good chat and catch up I walked back up the hill home for a delicious green veggie soup.

 This afternoon I had a couple of classes so walked along the Rambla to see the rose stalls and the book stalls, all overlooked by the Giants of VnG.

 Ah yes- VnG on another fiesta day -anyone getting the message why we so love living here?

Carnaval Sunday

Yesterday was Comparses in VnG - an amazing spectacle, but one this year we happened to miss. We did intend to go, but after having waited for twenty minutes for a bus we decided to give up on it, and save our energies for the night's festivities in Sitges.
Sunday night is the first Carnaval Parade in Sitges (The other being on Tuesday) and we normally make an appearance, and for the last few years we've appeared in fancy dress. This year we went with Sue and Jordi, and as the carnaval was much earlier than normal -I think the authorities are trying to curb the drinking and yob element by making it earlier.
We had a great time, saw some interesting and inventive floats, met up with Paolo, saw some chums from the Pub Quiz days and all this before midnight....

Today we were up and ready for action early on. Today was to be a DIY day- the wardrobe in the bedroom was begging attention, and the room itself needed a bit of TLC before Caroline comes to stay next weekend. I am happy to report that all chores done as far as we can. We just need to do a little more purchasing at Ikea and the like and it'll be as we wish.

Today has been one good day- 

one good day amongst many. 

I love my life, and happily life loves me.

Ball de Mascarots

Yes last night we were at the Ball de Mascarots in the Town Square, after a few visits en route.

First of all we dropped in on Jordi and Maria and their son (yes Jordi too), at Cal Jordi:

From here we had a wander down the Rambla interacting with all the other disfazados. It's so much fun when you're dressed up - everyone chats to you -usually nonsensical stuff about your character, but all with bon humor! Many times Tony was stopped for a photo -He must be on many people's facebook pages today!

Our next port of call was 'Beverly Hills' - Just as in other years they had no idea who we were when we entered and took a seat at the bar. When we raised our masks they all hooted and laughed and there was much hugging, kissing and hand-shaking. Just how long have we been using this restaurant?- well probably about 25 years!

After a beer and a plate of chips, and an obligatory toilet stop- do you know how difficult it is to use the loo when you're a star-wars storm-trooper??!! - we were off to the square, where the band/orchestra were limbering up. Soon after we settled into our space it was midnight and the band started with a Beatles set piece , followed by some Abba- they must have known we were there.

After enjoying the spectacle - and I don't mean just the one on the stage, and having a bit of a dance around, and yes another beer we decided to make a break for it before we got too cold or too tired. Home again around 1.30/2 ish - the animals were pleased to see us. As for us -  Happy and Tired and SOOOO enjoying our Carnaval 2012.

Carnaval Saturday update

So last night we had a great time.
I started the evening off with a massage and acupuncture from Jordi (Sue's Jordi) and left feeling quite bruised, but within an hour or so a lot more comfortable than I ave been in days.

I met Tony outside the Rambla school building where we were meeting up with some of the other teacher's for a little party in the classroom which overlooks the Rambla Principal, where the parade would be passing soon after. 

Snacking on crisps etc and drinking a delightful white wine we watched the parade:

 Even the dogs were getting in on the act. This one was out with his vampire owners.

The streets were packed with revellers. I sometimes find it hard to believe that anyone can be at home during the night of arrivó in Vilanova.

The costumes were from the very plain, but inventive to the brightly coloured, and all worn with a sense of fun.  Some of the costume and floats were political, ridiculing the current council members and their policies of cutting services.

Many had themes, from terrorists against the cuts to outer space visitors, to nurses to Robin Hood

After watching the parade and seeing the lads and lasses from our Barrio go by on their floats we headed off to the Indian restaurant where we had a delicious and fairly spicy curry. It seemed the entertainment was going to continue as the waiter had no idea how to use a waiter's friend corkscrew and ave us moments of enjoyment as he file and fumbled his way through opening bottles of wine as different customers arrived and ordered. 

As we prepared to leave and pay our very, VERY reasonable bill, Christine and Jordi (a very popular name here) came in for dinner. Christine had had a few more than she could manage and proceeded to apologise for her condition. I'm sure the poor girl will be most embarrassed and contrite next time we meet. During our conversation Christine asked if I would teach her to cook muffins, and also how to make the beef and steak pie I made for a party once. SO we agreed to set a cook-date once we're back at school on Wednesday.

Next we had a bit of a long walk home, through the detritus of the evening, and along the way we were still entertained by various characters in their evening's outfits. As a break we dropped off at Cal Jordi, to see Jordi and Maria (yes a very popular name here). From here we wend our way up the hill arriving home later than intended.

This morning I had a couple of classes. The first class only one student turned up, so we played a game of scrabble, and after an hour he was happy to go off home again- that's the pleasure of teaching adults. This allowed me a chance to whizz round the market and get a tray of strawberries and a couple of bunches of asparagus- all for bargain prices - How I love the market- Fresh veggies for next to nothing. Over half of the second class were in attendance so we had a more or less normal class. I was teaching Homophones which always amuses me.

This afternoon we've had a quick siesta, and have tried on our costumes. We're now taking a little time to relax before we begin again.... Fancy dress ball at Midnight here we come.

Arrivo

An early post today,a s things at Casa TulStig are heating up as we get ready to play our parts in Carnaval. Tonight we will be spectators at the big parade, tomorrow we will take an active part in the fancy dress ball in the town square, but all that's for later...........

Today is Arrivó -The arrival of the King of Carnaval- Carnestoltes- This afternoon the kids will be parading round town in fancy dress, and this evening it's the adults turn- the Parade of the King will be passing up the main Rambla for all to see, and we will be there watching,a s per usual. This year we are planning to watch from the balcony of the school building with some of the other teachers at around 7.30-8.00 for couple of hours. Then we're planning to have dinner somewhere with Jordi and Sue.

Before that I have a two hour class -not sure how many of the students will turn up though, as they'll be getting ready for the evening's festivities. Then I'm having an other massage and Acupuncture session from Jordi- my sciatica just wont budge at the moment!

And we've already had a busy morning -Tony's been down town to shop for some essential odds and ends, and to pop into the chemist for painkillers. I've been to Lidl and got important supplies in for the weekend.

We've just been in the street decorating the front window with a Manton (Carnaval Shawl) and streamers, as is our tradition, and now we're planning on a spot of lunch before the rest of the above starts to kick in. Today broccoli soup sounds ideal.

The photos on her are from last year's festivities for Arrivó and front window deckies from then too - there will be more from this year on our website and Picasa site later, over the weekend or early next week.

Meringada

Today was the first day of Carnaval- Meringada. earlier this afternoon  there were battles in and around the town hall, and Placa de la Vila -meringues, or anything that resembles a meringue were hurled back and forth. Walking to school this evening I saw some of the casualties of these battles -clothes hair and faces covered in shaving foam, meringue and all manner of white pasted- an yup they were almost all smiling- That really is what carnaval is about FUN, and from tomorrow we will be joining in....

 

As for here at CasaTulstig we have continued with the de-cluttering and renovation of the guest/spare room/office. Julie came round, poste gym, to help out with removing furniture and clutter to the skips- she's a real minimalist and helped me to get into the de-cluttering mode.  Tomorrow the 'work' will continue.....

St Anthony's Day

Today was St Anthony Abbatt's day, and as h is the patron saint of our town we had a day off and a a fiesta. Apparently St Anthony Abbatt was a bit like Saint Francis of Assisi and an animal lover. So for us that mean s that animals are allowed in the church for blessings- no we don't take ours they are truly blessed already!  - and there's a parade around town of horse, donkey, mules etc. some being ridden, some pulling carts and some pulling fine carriages. Even our neighbour has a Shetland pony that he parades around the town with Mrs Next door-neighbour in the back and grand-kids.
 

Of course we don't just watch the animals around town, although that is part of the enjoyment of the day-we also make a day out of it. Today we met Sue in Beverly Hills for a beer and a  plate of fries. Sue couldn't stay out all day but we did, so our next port of call was 'The Pupot' - one of our favourite bars, and where we had our stag-party before we wed.
Next we stopped of a few doors up the road at the 'Sentit's bar and then had quite a wander up the road. We dropped in on Jordi, just to say hello, as his bar wasn't officially open- him the missus and son were just tucking into their (late) lunch.  Our final stop off was at 'Café-Bar Neus' to see the couple who used to run the bar next door -- Inez and her hubby. Their son works there too now- scarily we remember him as a little lad running round with football -and has just returned from 18 months working in London. Interestingly he didn't speak English with us, he's still as timid as ever!
When we got back Tony hunkered down in bed for a quick siesta whilst I sat on the sofa for a while reading, then I too dozed off cuddled up to Cuddy and R2.
Thanks St Anthony, and Tony for a great day - now we've got to work all the way through to Carnaval next month!!