Another New Year.

Just a couple of hours to go. 2012 is nearly over, and what a great year it's been, one of many.

In a couple of hours it will be 2013. I'm sure it'll be another good one with loads of fun, and maybe a few challenges, but I'm ready for it. I am grateful to have made it to another and look forward to whatever it may bring.

I wish you all a wonderful year with incredible times. May it be everything you wish for and everything you need.

30.12.12

Been out and about a bit today...

I started by meeting my new chum, John - whom I met through NaNoWriMo, for a coffee on the seafront. We had a good old chin-wag.

From there I drove round to St Pere de Ribes to feed Loli, Victoria's cat, as she's away visiting her family down south.  Loli is lovely and sat on my lap for almost the whole hour that I was there.

I've spent the afternoon doing bits and bobs, as well as reading - I started a new book a couple of days ago - Home to Barcelona: A foreigner's story, by Richard Manchester Set in Barcelona it's about an American that has settled there and is, at the part that I'm reading, working as an English teacher.

Doesn't really sound like much, but it's filled my day.

And for today's photo I'm adding perhaps my favourite from one Christmas day- Cuddy thrilled with her present.  Good grief how much do I love that dog?!?!?

Still ...

... going on about food.

Christmas Day we had a right old feast - starter of a TulStig Medley of guacamole, pate and coleslaw. Main course of 14 veggies plus stuffing balls and Yorkshire puddings with lashings of onion and red wine gravy. Dessert of orange and chocolate trifle and late Chocolate bombe.

Boxing Day we had the same veggies again but casseroled in the oven, more trifle and mince pies for pud.

27th we took advantage of the voucher that the other Supernova teachers gave me for my birthday and lunched out at Gilda's. 3 course feasting again.



28th had some of said teachers round for late lunch - Veggie curry, Leek and espigalls in cheese sauce, Cheese and onion Quiche and a variety of other dishes on the buffet. Luckily I wanted everyone to bring Tupperware so most of it left with our guests.

Today. Lentil soup for lunch, remaining curry for dinner... 

If I haven't put on a few pound over this festive season I will be amazed.

Reviving Passion...

Needless to say we've had a great Christmas- a techno free one too -The PC laid dormant all day yesterday.

Friends, food and fun were the orders of the day. And today a bit of relaxing, but still plenty of food and friends through the ether (whatsapp, facebook etc etc). Technology was on the cards today. So much so that in the last couple of hours I've even heard from a first cousin who I've not seen or heard from for maybe 25-30 years - I really can't remember when we last saw each other. We're just starting to catch up now!

I've also been thinking of one of my passions over the last couple of days.... the Camino.... The bubbling in my blood has begun again. Last week I bought my new trainers - a December tradition now (more or less), so that they will be broken in ready for June. The style are exactly the same- why change something that ain't broken? - can you tell which are the new ones?

Next year I plan to do the Camino Ingles- from Ferrol to Santiago, then go on to Finisterre and Muxia. Dates and timings not really decided yet. I know that some readers of this page indicated a thought about joining me. If you are keen and have any particular dates that wouldn't suit around the end of June, beginning of July let me know before it's too late!

Just writing those few words about something that is ingrained in me know has stirred up feelings of excitement and nervousness for the walk, and it's not just a head thing I can actually feel tingling in my arms and legs for it all. How rare and exciting and how lucky am I?! ... 

Christmas Sunday

After I'd walked the dogs, and fed everyone, and Tony had been round the corner for his morning drinkie we set out for a local shopping centre. We wanted to get there early-ish so as to miss any crowds.

Anec Blue (The Blue duck) shopping centre in Caseldelfells (I have no idea why it's called that?? either!) didn't have everything we wanted so we headed on to Gavá (Olga's home town) and shopped some more, finding most of what we wanted/needed.

Happily neither shopping centre was too busy and we had a really nice time shopping together- Now this doesn't happen too often. Tony doesn't usually join my on shopping trips and when he does we tend to have a word or two. This time none of that- clearly 'tis the season to be jolly.

So tomorrow we have to take R2 back to the vets for a booster antibiotics shot, then Tone is shopping down town while I hit the supermarket for the final purchases. Then we shall hunker down and start the preparations in earnest. So far we have a selection of 8 vegetables, plus stuffing and Yorkshire puds, plus all the usual trimmings and peripheries.

This evening we have been watching 'Morecombe and Wise' and the 'Victoria Wood' - oh such memories. 
Christmas is well under way in the TulStig household, and I can feel it in my water - it's going to be a great one!

Let the fun begin

Well the festivities have well and truly begun.

Thursday evening we had our Christmas bash from the school. A few glasses of the red stuff and a a few tapas. Unfortunately something disagreed with me -I'm sure  I tasted fish in the salad, and that always makes me hurl! Otherwise it was a good evening.

Friday was a full day with far too many classes for the last day of term, but they all went well and by 10.00pm I was on holiday. So Andy & I stopped for a beer before returning to our homes and spouses.

Today we've been shopping in the market for veggies for Christmas day, went our own ways for a bit of Christmas shopping and then met up for a coffee. This lunchtime we went to Julie's for a celebratory lunch, which was delicious. She'd even made Egg Nog. We are now watching a mash up of Christmas programmes, and the final of 'Strictly come dancing'. All very relaxing. And the sunset from Julie's balcony was stunning:

Tomorrow we're off to the Anec Blau shopping centre for a bit of festive shopping and lunch... holidays are under way and we're making the most of them.

Two days to go

..till the end of term, or even time!

Well that's that then.

For some time now I've been biting my tongue, and finally I've shared. I feel better for it, but am wondering what happens now- Oh well -In two days time it is the 21.12 -The Mayans predicted some kind of sea-change!

Busy day running round, especially when I was out in the wilds of Catalonia and realised that the tank was nearly empty. No matter I got back to Sabeco for petrol - all okay- someone's always watching over me.

Tomorrow I have another 'last-before-Christmas-class' and they all decided they would like the lesson in a bar- OK by me, so we're having a drink while they practise their English. After that we've got our Teacher's Christmas party in a bar on the Rambla -watch out for those candid photos on Facebook and Picasa Friday.

Friday is the final day for final classes before Christmas, of course Mayan predictions being for change and not apocalypse.  Then that'll be me done until 7th February. A little time for some R&R and catching up on the things that I've let slide a bit recently, and of course a quick trip to the UK.

For now I'm off to my bed... but just before I retire here's a pic of one of the shop-fronts in VnG -Cute Santas!