NINE YEARS

If you read yesterday's post you'll know that we left London 9 years ago and arrived in Vilanova today, nine years ago.

Our original plan was to be taking a year' sabbatical, but after just a couple of months we knew we'd be staying. By September I'd even found a job and our future here was secured.

Before we arrived in VnG we had employed a Scottish builder to have the place ready for us when we arrived. A new bathroom and a new kitchen were to have been installed. The new bathroom was wonderful, the new kitchen was far from finished. Not only that the dear man had used all our bedding as dust sheets. After a long and tiring journey I was ready to cry, but first we had to do a bit of washing. Unfortunately the washing machine had been plumbed in badly too. IT worked but only drew hot water. Nice one!

Within a few days we were settling in nicely. I took control of the kitchen renovations, putting the cupboards together myself and shopping for more supplies, then told the builder that we were sorry but we were going to have to let him go. He complained that life was unfair, but we saw no more of him afterwards.

We soon set about making the most of our new home and introduced Xali to all our favourite haunts.

Bye bye London

Nine years ago we woke up for one of the most momentous days of our lives together thus far. It was the day where our escape from London was planned.

The day before the car -Our faithful Old Berlingo Bertie - was packed up with as many of the things we thought we'd need for  year's sabbatical as we could scrunch in.


In the afternoon we rounded up our two cats and settled them into their boxes for the journey, with a little light sedation as advised by the vet. Sadly neither of the old girls are with us any longer, but they ended their days with a few years in wonderful sunshine and relaxation.

SPIKE

 SAMM

Xali was also given a low level sedative, and along with erstwhile friend Martin we jumped in the car and set off for the channel tunnel. Xali enjoyed a journey-long cuddle with Tony, and enjoyed the comfort stops like the rest of us. He truly is a well-travelled dog!

XALI

Saying goodbye to our wonderful home in Brockley did bring a tear to my eye as we turned out of Foxberry road headed for goodness knows what in Spain.

The journey was pretty painless. We drove through the night as we thought the traffic would be less. Around midnight we were on the peripherique in Paris, and by mid-morning in Barcelona, where we to lost for the first time in the journey.

To bring the animals we had forked out over two hundred quid for each of them on pet-passports, yet not once did anyone check them throughout the journey. NO wonder animals end up being smuggled around Europe in awful conditions. Ours, happily, travelled legally in the best conditions we could manage. Although I think they were all relieved to arrive. 

BY the middle of the afternoon we were in Casa TulStig exhausted and ready for a few days rest. But more of our arrival tomorrow...

Reality

Britain's got Talent

The Voice

The BAFTA Awards

Master Chef

The Great British Bake Off

Pop Idol

Why do I watch these programmes? I often get asked, well I get asked this about the some of them anyway, and any programmes like them.

I Enjoy watching them because I love seeing people's dreams coming true. I love seeing people getting what they deserve. And this weekend I've supped up the three at the top with gusto - brought to tears, caused to laugh, and moved by people's stories and journeys to get there.

Reality programmes - some of them are less than entertaining and annoying even, but some of them really hit the spot. A little like reality itself.

Well my reality at the moment is wonderful. Summer's on the way, the Camino is in sight (which you can follow on my new Camino blog - CAMINO WAYS), and life is just great. 

Credentials

Look what arrived at Janey's house in the post this morning:

These are our credencials - they allow us to stay in the Albergues along the Camino. One each for me, Janey and Kerri. Preparations are under way. My feet are itching to get going.The excitement is building. We are going to have the walk of our lives (again for me and Janey, and a first for Kerri) - whay hey....
BY the time we get to Finistere they will be full of stamps (sellos - your Spanish lesson starts here) from the places we visit along the way...

Let the harvest begin

I had a great time yesterday, first of all up at the allotment. I planted out the Okra (maybe a bit difficult to see amongst the straw), did a bit of weeding, checked the Rhubarb and harvested a couple of lettuce, which are growing so fast now, if we don't cut them they'll grow too fast and go to seed, oh and they are delicious. I also half-inched a few nisperos (Meddlar fruit) from one of the trees, ready to make a bit of chutney.

Techo-TulStig Connections

I am loving my techno connectivity - I love - 

• the PC connection  - TulStig Comms Central where everything is stored.
• Laptop - where I do most of my writing and blogging etc

• My phone -where I can catch up without plugging into either of the bigger boys, and stay in contact with my chums around the world, and will be great for blogging etc from the Camino. (all thanks to Nick's advice and guidance)

Today Tony took over ownership of my older phone. It's his first smart phone and whilst using it this evening the air was blue. I was able to sympathise with his frustrations, but couldn't help laughing either. I know, though, that we'll go through all the same questions tomorrow, until he is really used to losing it. 

These are our first techno additions in years, and hopefully will last us a while. 

As I said I'm loving it and know that Tone will love his new toy soon too. 

TulStig News

Today we have been wondering about whether or not to continue with our monthly TulStig round-up Newsletter. It has been going for 15 years now and we really enjoy writing it and sending it out across the world to over 60 readers. However, we have noticed recently that feedback and follow up comments are becoming less and less. Also my new laptop doesn't have 'Publisher' installed on it so it'd cost a few pennies to buy that, as I prefer to sit in the garden and write now that the warmer days are here.

Is this because people are reading the blog instead, and have more regualr contact through Facebook and other social networks? Or has the Newsletter run its course? Is it time to put it to bed for one last time? We write the newsletter because we like to share our monthly goings on, but at the end of the day we do write it with others in mind. We know what we've been up to (or does the newsletter remind us of the wonderful month we've just had?).



DO you get a copy of our monthly newsletter?

Do you want it continue?

Is there anything that would make it more enjoyable?

What would make you contribute or give us some feedback?

Any other suggestions? 

We're going to give it a few days before we make a final decision, and while we await people's comments.

Then it could be Au-revoir or onwards and upwards...