From the sublime to the ridiculous

SUBLIME

As it was such a nice day today I made a tasty courgette soup and for a change we had lunch in the garden. Even the dogs and cats joined us for a while.

 RIDICULOUS

Today  I did something that I have never done before - I forgot one of my classes. This afternoon at almost  5.30  I suddenly realised I should have been in a class, just as the phone rang - the school checking where I was. I threw my stuff together an ran round the corner for the bus, and was there in ten minutes. My student was very sympathetic, but I felt wretched and embarrassed. Admittedly it was a class that was only added to my schedule just a few weeks ago, but still I can't believe how my mind slipped a gear.

A HAPPY MONDAY

First job this morning was to pick up my new meds, which I'll be starting tomorrow. Fingers crossed everything will be okay.

When I got back I had a phone call from Sue saying she had managed to get out for a change- remember Sue's the one who had a baby just under a month ago. She hasn't been able to really get out since because she's either had Liliana clamped to one breast or the other, or she's been trying to get her to sleep. However when she called she said that hopefully they'd turned a corner and she'd be freer now. So we agreed to meet at a cafe just down the road, and I must say it was really nice, and little Lil' was so well behaved.

this after noon on the way to my first class I dropped off some Tiffin cake that I made yesterday for one of the other teacher's birthdays. Tony and I have since had a couple of small slices ourselves and I have to be immodest and admit it's jolly good. And here's a stack of it for your delectation!!

And whilst on the subject of food some of you may have noticed that 'Grub and Stuff' my  foodie blog has disappeared- no (well that just proves it). I kinda thought I was putting a lot of effort into something that wasn't being viewed or utilised, so have decided for the time being to suspend it. However, fear not if you are , like me, a foodie. I will be posting on here from time to time foodie things, pictures, meal ideas and even recipes (if they are wanted).
And on that note, here's what we had for tea (dinner?) yesterday- double baked potatoes with macaroni cheese and rucula salad

Weekend

Where to begin?

Dream

Well at the end of last week I had an incredible dream, that actually woke me up. I dreamt I was at a well-known publishers discussing the rights to my book. Now I'm not sure which book it was but who knows - let's hope it was a premonition type dream - wouldn't that be a hoot.

Saturday Shopping

Saturday morning, as it was my weekend off, we decided to head up to Barnasud, the shopping centre in Gava (a town just up the coast) and see if we could find some paper to cover the Easter Eggs I'm planning to make as I'm not having any luck finding anything suitable in VnG. We also planned to check in MediaMarkt to see about getting me a Laptop so I can sit in the living room and type etc, and no longer be banished to the hallway. And guess what- that's exactly what I'm typing this on at the moment. It's taking a  bit of getting used to, and of course I've had to transfer all my favourite programmes form the main PC onto here, but little by little I'm getting used to it. What FUN....

Saturday Evening

This week we've been to the pictures. at the local cinema in town they weer showing 'The Artist' and seeing as it is basically a silent film we thought we wouldn't have too many problems watching it in the Spanish cinema. we knew it had got a load of Oscars, but didn't know anyone who had seen it. We weren't disappointed though- it's a great film, equal measures of laughter and a few tears - we really enjoyed it and I have to admit to having a guilty pash for the leading man!

After the film we went for an Indian, and enjoyed the food immensely once again. It's just a real shame it doesn't get busier.

And so to Today:

 I've even managed to get a few more thousand words added to the Winner sequel, which was on hold for while when I was unable to sit at  the PC cos of my back/leg.

I've also done a bit of 'baking'  well I've made another Tiffin cake - teachers beware -chocolate goodies coming your way tomorrow......

My kids....

This morning I took Cuddy and Xali on a slightly longer walk, feeling that my leg was well enough to do so. I really love the way the gamble around. Cuddy loves water and after the rains of a few days ago there's a huge puddle on our walk that she loves to play in. She's completely crazy playing in it, and sticks her head right the way under, blowing bubbles, just so she can find just the right stone to carry around for the rest of the walk.

Xali is more reserved and gently walks along the edge of the puddle occasionally sipping as he pauses. However he does love to run in the sports field, and it is a pure JOY to see him gambling about, and a relief to see he is still full of the spark of life. He may be heading towards 13 years old, but still acts like a puppy now and again.  At times I feel like I am dragging myself out of bed to take them out, but as soon as we get in the fields and they start their antics I realise it is all, and always, worthwhile. 

The cats are happy the sun is out again too, and have spent a lot of the day running, or rather chasing each other around the yard and back in. This does means that the floor is grubby as quickly as it is cleaned, but their games give me the greatest of laughs too.

If you didn't know by know, my animals are my JOY and get and deserve the love I lavish on them. I couldn't imagine our house without them.

Moving, keep moving....

This morning was my quarterly check up at the docs- and I am more than pleased to report that everything is just about tickety boo - including a drop in my cholesterol levels to 4.0.

After the meeting with Doctor Dishy - and that is no joke he's seriously date-able and so much more - I had my final treatment with JanWillem, the vet. Once again I left there floating and hopefully things will continue to improve. I haven't had any real pain today so that's a plus one... I'll be keeping you posted.

Driving up into the mountains the rain was lashing down and it so much reminded me of the day on the Camino when Jane and I walked in the rain for almost the whole day down from O'Cebreiro... oh such happy times.

And it's getting better.....

Hurrah it's been raining on and off all day- a great relief for the garden, now the bulbs will have a good chance of making the garden an Easter's delight.  Cat's however, are stir crazy, and as I type away I've one staring at me, literally in my face, Sprout wont leave me alone, so errors are likely!

I've had my third treatment at the vets, and aside from a bit of pain while waiting for the bus this evening I am remarkably better (Thus I am remarking). Thank goodness for complementary therapies. I'm sure dear Andrea's homoeopathic remedy is doing its magic too. Tomorrow will be my last treatment in the series then we have to wait a couple of weeks to see that everything is settled. Fingers crossed I will be cured!!

After each treatment I stop on for a cuppa and a chat, partly because the treatment leaves me a little spacey and I don't want to drive straight away. Today I was sitting in JanWillem's kitchen enjoying a cuppa when one of his cats jumped up and sat on my shoulders like a fur stole. he was so happy there purring loudly in my ear- cat therapy now that's a must!

Walking the dogs early this morning I had a mini echo of the Camino when I saw poppies sprouting up in the fields, not is such numbers as in the photo Janey took for the cover of the magic, but lovely nonetheless.

So little time

Well today it is officially three months before I start my next Camino, and happily I am recovering well from the sciatica, after my second visit to the vets today. It looks like I may be going solo this time too, as Nick is almost definitely out of the picture, and Janey is a probably not. Now this scares and excites me in equal measure.

• How will I cope on my own?
• who will I check directions with?
• who will eat all the food I cook (I can only cook for a minimum of four people)?
• Who will I moan at/to when I'm at my low ebb?
• Who will I point out all the amazing sights to?

Well I know I can very well manage to do these all on my own, but it will be most strange to be walking without my usual walking partner (Janey), or without my expected walking partner (Nick), but fear not I can and will do it.  BTW guys this isn't to make you feel guilty or change your minds. If you could/can make it that'd be great, if you can't I'm sure I'll have a ball too.

And this will be where I will be planning to be walking the first day (21.06.2012) Oviedo - Grado (21kms)

SO as the clock really starts ticking I am feeling the old Camino spirit starting to burn in my blood again- be gone damned sciatica I need to walk.......