That's what friends are for.

Do you ever have one of those days when you wish you'd rather have stayed under the duvet? those kind of days when the milk of human kindness seems to have dried up? Well I've had a few of those this week,  which has made me wonder 'what am I doing wrong?' --- Yup even when things are going wrong I still believe in the power of the law of attraction.

Well I still haven't worked that one out. But I did put a call into the universe for a little bit of love to come my way. Then like a bolt out of the blue I got a text message from a dear friend with whom communication is sporadic to say the least. In it she said that she had just heard Elton John's 'Your Song' on the radio and that I had popped into her head with the thought: 'How wonderful life is because I'm in her world' - That really rocked me- blew me away actually, and had me in bits for a moment of two.

Within another few minutes I had another couple of messages from other wonderful people in my life that carried on brightening my day and gradually my 'blue funk' has dissipated.

I just wanted to say to 'said' wonderful friends - and I hope that you know who you are -  that you all really ROCK - you are the bedrock to my life and I thank you all for being there. And please believe me I am here to bounce love right back at you all.

Too mushy? sorry - kinda feeling that way here tonight as I add an unusually late blog post. 

Entertaining, and writing...

SO... October has hit the calendar, where did the Summer go, and more to the point where did the last nine months go? They do say that time flies when you're having fun, so I guess that has something to do with it, cos boy do we have fun.
The end of September was jam-packed with entertaining. Marion (Aka Hatty) and Rosie were in town for their first ever VnG visit so we were busy doing touristy things, as well as catching up on the years in between when we hadn't seen each other. It was great to note that although we've all aged we've hardly changed, and as for growing up - forget it -not on my agenda!!
We ran around sightseeing, ate amply, drank and laughed late into the night... isn't that just what entertaining friends is about.

 And on a literary note: I've spent a lot of the last couple of days finishing off the final proof/edit of Take Two. I've been through the book with a fine tooth comb, and have started updating the PC copy- next step to finish the updating of the on-line file and reload onto Lulu.com - then it'll be open for general sale... watch this space for further news....

Friends in town.

At the moment we have some friends staying - albeit in a hotel on the seafront -which they really love -so we are busy entertaining at the moment.

Marion (AKA Hatty -a nickname leftover from our childhood days) and Rosie arrived on Tuesday and are here until Saturday. We've already had a night out at Gilda's when they arrived, yesterday I gave them the guided tour of VnG, and today we've been into BCN for the day.

It's great to be spending time with them both as we haven't properly had time together for ages. WE are nattering almost non-stop and laughing and chortling through the day.

One of the funny things I've noticed is that we all have different memories of various shared experiences, or perhaps that we have simialr memories but that we each remember different details.

I wonder what memories we'll all be taking away from these few days together?

Rosie and Hatty in BCN enjoying a couple of Claras -shandies (Taken with my new camera -notice the improved clarity!)

Returns

Julie came home today. I met her at the airport, caught up on her holiday news and passed on the VnG gossip. Like her cats I am really pleased to see her home - I always miss my best playmates.

This afternoon I spent a good couple of hours putting together a promotional video for  The Magic of the Camino - [great idea from Nick] complete with background music and voice-over by yours truly. Then as I tried to save it I got an error message that it couldn't be saved. Slightly miffed, to say the least, yet I'm sure my next attempt when  I return to this project will be even better. 

I also spent a bit of time 'messing about' with the programmes to create a new website, but couldn't quite catch the creative urge. Project shelved until later.  

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And to today's photo challenge. 

The prompt today is NATURAL. 

So here is one of my natural stones 

My Lemurian Crystal and a couple of others from my box of stones. 

Goodbyes

Today we said goodbye to our 'weekend guests -Jan and Lennie. although I only met them back in June, and Tony only met them a few days ago it's been like having family stay- and I mean that in the nice way. 

Yesterday evening we went to the seafront for a drink and then sat indoors listening to music and chatting whilst polishing off a bottle of Soberano. Fortunately None of us had hangovers this morning and I prepared a TulStig healthy breakfast for us all:

Soon after Jan and Lennie were on their way to do a little walking in the Pyrenees.  This evening we are missing them a little but have plenty of sayings Jan left us with - marvelous, Oh my Gosh!

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Today's photo challenge: Bright.

So I chose to take a photo of a

Big Round Incandescent Glowing Hot Thing in the sky which greets me most mornings, and is one of the reasons we moved here and love living here:

The sun - BRIGHT in the sky at seven o'clock this morning.

Oh and if you'd like t osee how others are doing with the challenge follow the links:

Michelle's Blog

Davine's Blog

A story of the day...

What a day, What a wonderful day.

This morning I had a phone call from two friends I made on my last Camino: Lennie and Jan from Holland. They were in Austria and fed up with the rain so asked if they could come stay for a few days. They are currently on their way by car, ETA sometime this weekend.

My next job of the morning was my daily trip to feed Dominic, Denzel and Doris -my current charges.  Whilst with them I spent some 'me' time reading.

Next shopping, and when I came out of the supermarket it was raining cats and dogs - a blessed relief - which has continued on and off all day. Hopefully it'll stop before Lennie and Jan get here.

MY ongoing promotion of 'The Magic of the Camino' is paying dividends. I now have 94 likes for my 'Facebook' Magic of the Camino Page, and sales are up on last month.

I've even spent some time writing for my new project, which is currently without a title. Yesterday I introduced 'The Guardian' today let me introduce Erasmus:

Some of you may recognise him as R2 one of our twins, but don't be fooled he is also Erasmus, a cat of incredible intelligence and a travelling companion for uncle Vern!


 

New, new, new experiences...

As part of our regular 'trying out new restaurants' last night we went off, with the wonderful Julie, to the new Indian restaurant at the bottom of the Rambla - The Taj Mahal.

We started with another new experience with pre-dinner drinks in a bar we hadn't used before on the Passeo Maritim - Envy.

The Indian restaurant has only been open a short while, and when we arrived we noticed the manager (owner?) was the same as the Indian restaurant that used to be in the centre of town.

The restaurant has a varied menu including pizzas and Spanish style dishes with a rather limited Indian listing, which was a little disappointing.

We started with pakora and samosas, followed by vegetable biryani and cheese nan, with lentil dahl. Whilst we were eating the chef came out to chat with us, telling us that he likes cooking for English customers as we know what curry is all about.
The food was good and the service fair and the price excellent -the three of us were full, and had a good bottle of wine all for under €40. We will go back, but with the limited choice on the menu may not be super-regular visitors.

After dinner we tried yet another new place - Sa Caleta - a new cocktail bar on the seafront- and had cocktails before returning home. now this is a place we will be returning to. The cocktails were fun and scrummy and the service excellent.

An outing with the Oliver-Diazs

John and Olga and family (The Oliver-Diazs from Sevenoaks in Kent) have been back in Olga's native Gava for the past two and a half weeks (a few more days still to go on their hols). They came to Tony's big do at the beginning of the month, and having just visited family down in Valencia they suggested we meet up yesterday., so we arranged to meet in Sitges under the church on the Passeo Maritime at seven o'clock.

We arrived in good time- Oh so English and settled down on one of the benches in the semi-shade. Just before seven Olga called to say they were on their way, but were slightly late.

Ten minutes later  she called again and I gave directions n how to find us.
Ten minutes later she called again to say which church? Now Sitges church is extremely famous in this region and iconic- it appears on almost everything out of Sitges.  Olga, however, had found a different church right on the northern edge of Sitges and was clearly lost. Interestingly we had been to the Sitges church a few years back with them, and Olga being from Gava, just up the coast, we were sure she would know how to find it, especially as she could easily ask for directions, speaking the local lingo!
A goodly few minutes later she called again to say John had gone off in the car to park and that she was coming soon
8.15 and a flustered Olga (kids, William and Monica. in tow) arrived. She explained roughly where John was and I set off with Wills in search.
Finding John wasn't too difficult but he had no idea where he had parked, but had taken a photo on his phone of the road name. I didn't recognise it but asked someone and soon we were back at their car, and on our way to a better parking place nearer to where we were then going to meet Tony, Olga and Monica - Cafe Montroig.
After all the kerfuffle we had a relaxing drink in Montroig - Tony and I have really got into Vermouth a  a pre-dinner drink. afterwards we went next door to 'Vikingos' for dinner.  Wills and I went for Pizzas, Monica and Tony went to Pasta, John had Sepia a la Plancha, and Olga had Bacalao in an Alioli sauce. All washed down with Sangria. After we all had ice-cream deserts before taking a last drink in the Sports bar on the seafront, where the Oliver-Diaz family delighted in watching the sights of Sitges passing along the Passeo.
So, despite a  false start we had a wonderful evening.

Surprise Surprise

Well, yesterday's surprise celebration eventually went off without a hitch.
We started off with a wander round the Fair. Andrew an I went through the 'Crazy House' which was a good giggle ad fed our inner kids!
Arriving at the cafe where we were meeting for drinks Tony's face was a picture- He just couldn't work out why sally and Michael were sitting there, until Olga and John and the kid poke their head round the corner, then when Julie, June, Sue, Christine and Jordi appeared too he got the message.
WE had a really good evening, and when we moved just down the Paseo to the restaurant (Pica Tapa) with the Birthday Balloons and sang a chorus of 'Happy Birthday' the whole restaurant joined in too, clapping and singing along with us. I'm not sure if Tony was touched but I was -isn't VnG a happy place to be.
After dinner some of us returned to the fair, and The Oliver Diaz Family along with Sally and Michael went on the carousel as we watched pulling face and making various hand signals to them!

Birthday dinner for my man

Last night we went out to dinner with our dearest friend Julie.  Tony wanted to try a restaurant that we'd only visited once before on the main Rambla here in VnG - Gilda. It's right next door to where the old Cocktail bar used to be for those of you that know our town.  

GILDA - Rambla Principal, 114-116. VNG 08800 SPAIN

Telf: 938935735

We each chose to try the 'Menu del dia'. All except one of the five starters was vegetarian, and for main course we could chose any Pizza from the main menu or one of the other choices, two of the others also being vegetarian.

To start we all had paparadella in a four cheese sauce. Thinking as it was the menu the portion would only be small we tucked into the home-made bread rolls before it arrived, only to find the portions were huge. We each followed this with pizzas of our choice- which again were huge.  There were five choices for dessert, but thinking that the ice-cream would be the smallest option we each went for that. It was chocolate ice-cream and had the delightful strong flavour of chocolate truffles. Coffee and Limoncello liqueur were also included in the menu del dia price of 12.50€ which I think you'll agree is amazing value for money.With a bottle of the house white wine, which was very drinkable -slightly fruity yet dry enough to please Julie the bill came to less than 45€ for the three of us!!

We had a table in the courtyard at the back of the restaurant which was the perfect spot on such a hot night. The background music was mellow and not too loud to be invasive, and the service from the waiters and owners friendly and helpful.

To say we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves is an understatement. Julie is always great company and we chatted easily all evening before She jumped on her scooter bound for Cubelles and we walked back up the hill.

On arriving near our barrio I rushed ahead and got Cuddy and Xali for a run around in the park in the cool midnight air. They both loved the additional outing, which for us was the perfect end to a perfect evening.

Later today I am off to the airport to pick up Jane and the whole scene will be played out once more in a different restaurant -most probably Oganquit -but for those details I will keep you hanging on until tomorrow.

Sunday Catch up

Yesterday we had a great day.
A little while back I became facebook friends with a couple we used to see a lot of when we lived back in Brockley- Bob and Tom -they too lived in Brockley.
Well a few weeks back they surprises 'Skyped' us and said they would be in Barcelona on the 29th of July (Yesterday) as part of a cruise and would we like to meet up.
Meet up we did. I picked them up off their ship and we spent the day together, reminiscing, catching up and generally enjoying hanging out again.
WE were all surprised at how subjective all our memories were as we each remembered different things of days gone by to make up a bigger picture we could all identify. Sadly we also remembered many who have since died, but we really remembered the good times- and boy do I mean GOOD!!
WE are all a bit, quite a bit older and although our bodies have the signs of ageing none of us really 'feel' any older. 
It was great to show them round our new home, bot the house and the village and area.

Painting and Pasts

Another busy day at Casa TulStig. 

I spent the morning painting the guest room, which included shifting furniture, dusting and cleaning too. BY the mid-afternoon it was all done, and so satisfying to see the finished effect. Just need to sort out which pictures are going to go on the wall eh voila!!

Gosh don't I look like Ralf Harris - Can you see what it is yet? 

This afternoon I even took some time out for myself and met up with Sue (and Lily) and had a walk down the Rambla to the seafront, where I completed a bit of secret squirrel work (Shhh) and we ahd a drink in Cafe Des Arts, where the waiter turned out to be one of my favourite students from my time at OK Idiomes in Sitges. I didn't recognise him at first as he'd grown his hair, but once he spoke  'Do you remember me' I remembered straight away. His name is Victor and he used to have lessons with another student (Gerard) and they were some of the best classes I ever did there -we had a real laugh. Happily he is working at Cafe Des Arts for the summer so we'll be seeing a lot more of him over the next few months, at least till he returns to Uni in September.  Whilst we were sitting enjoying our refreshments my phone rang- It was Bob. He and Tom are cruising round to the Med next week with a stopover in Barcelona next Sunday. We have arranged to meet up and spend the day together which will be great as we haven't seen each other face to face for about 20 years.

Campiello to Penaseita.

After being ill dufing the night I was a little later setting out this morning and still not feeling brill. However after a while walking I started to feel better. The views were incredible. The mountaintops poking out through the fog was reminiscent of walking up the Pyrenees.
Before long I came to the point where the camino split into two. Decision had to be made. According to my guidebook the hospitales route was not recommended for anyone travelling alone unless you were an experienced mountainer. So I chose the other route.
Shortly after making my mind up I met a  farmer  with a soppy golden retriever and he said I would have been fine on the other route as it was going to stay clear all day. Of course I then doubted my decision for a while.
It wasn't much longer before I was in Pola de Allende,where I decided to stop for a drink and cheese sarnie.
Suitably refreshed I started to tackle the start of the big climb which we face tomorrow too.
I am now in the albergue at Penaseita. Shorly after arriving Lennie and Jan arrived. As yet the girls haven't made it and we suspect they stopped in Pola.
I was pleased to see Lennie and Jan as they are great company and in thier mid-seventies they are amazing. Or as Jan would say marvelous. This afternoon they made tea for the three of us -so civilised, and I so rarely drink it at home.
This aftetnoon we relaxed in the bar next door where we are returning for dinner this evening. But only bocadillos because it's Sunday. Nice that some people have a relaxing day!!

The Camino ups and downs

I'm not sure where I left you yesterday so excuse me if I repeat myself.

Dinner in the albergue was excellent. A garbanzos stew followed by tortilla and salad. Washed down with red wine. And yes I slept very well aftdr that, although I was awake early again. Breakfast was in the albergue and then a late start. I left around 7.30
and was well on my way in no time. Shortly I was joined by Ari,a mexican guy from London and we walked together as far as Tineo. Along the way we were joined bya catalan guy too.
From Tineo the 3 of us walked quite a way together until I dropped back bit by bit.
I am now in Campiello in a nice clean albegue,although a little too sterile for my liking.  This afternoon I sat outside the village cafe with my new dutch friends and enjoyed a bottle of cider. We've just had dinner together, along with the 2 Canadian girls.... another 5 on the way!!! They've stayed in the bar to watch the football whilst I've come back across the road to the albergue to feed the dog scraps I nicked from the table and to cuddle him up a bit. He's a lovely old mutt.

So why ups and downs as the heading? Because all along the way today I've either been climbing up or walking down mountains,and the descents have really hurt my knees. There are mord to come so at dinner tonight my new chums convinced me to buy a couple of sticks. At just 9€ the pair I think I've got myself a bargain. I hope they help and have no idea what I'll do with them when I get to Santiago.

Tears before bedtime

Leaving in the dark this morning may not have been such a good idea. The first thing I did was take a wronng turn which cost mme about an houts walking tinne and added about 4-5 kms to todays total.
Such a bad trip really shook my confidence and for the resst of the day I followed   that up with similar direction panics. In Cornellana I asked a hotel receptionist which way the camino went. He told me straight ahead. Affter a few minnutes i had a sense something was not right so asked a woman who sent me backand set me offf in the right direction.  So mr hotelier hold tight for your  karma.
To start the day i wasn't feeling 100% so walking at all was a bit of a trial. This I communicated to my whatsapp followers who sent me waves of energy. Janey sent me succh aa wonderfully uplifting message it brougt me to tears and for  the  next km or so I wept freely. What a wimp!! Lucky I was walking on my own at that point. Janey you really know how to get to me! Not only that I really did benefit fromm your helping hand.
Arriving in the albergue I felt love and despite being so tired that eve crossing my legs is an effort Iam feeling this places recuperative energy. And boy do I need some of that. I've already had a 2 hour siesta and am looking forward to a veggie dinner cooked by the host. With a bit of luck I'll even get a good night's sleep.
Although the day was a hard one as always I was rewardef with some sensational views, and in the last part through a forest some envigorating energy. Now I know some of this came from my amazing friends but I am sure that even the forest was helpinng me along. At one point I had a rral sense that soeone was lifting my rucksack fromm my aching shouders and with gentle hands on my back giving me a helpful push.
So  that was todays 30+ km adventure. Tomorrow I have promised mysel an easier day.

Ps... please forgive my wide range of typos in these posts. Partly down to tiredness and partly down to typing on ghis small phone screen.

Magnificence and Beauty

Has pretty much filled my day- magnificent friends and colleagues, and beauty all around.....

OMG just one day to go now then and reality is hitting- I'm going on a long walk on me own. Fear not trusty blog readers I'm not wimping out. In fact I'm kinda relishing the idea of being alone out there in the world, especially knowing that experiences, new friends and time for reflection awaits me. Who knows how I may return.

Today I had a wonderful Skype video chat with Michelle, all the way down under in Australia. Chatting to a like-minded soul and sharing our passions is beautifully reaffirming and confidence boosting, so thank you Michelle for the amazing connection this morning. Isn't it wonderful that we can connect so easily, both through the technology and from my heart to yours.

At lunchtime I had an appointment with JanWillem, the Vet who does the magic energy healing. I had decided I would top up on his brand of healing before going, just as a precaution, for I know I am going to be fine throughout the walk, in fact better than fine- I am going to be incredible, just like the paths I will be walking. I came out again feeling energised and 'floaty'.

This afternoon I went web-surfing and found some more info on places along the way. Looking at a couple of the pictures I felt a little overcome- I just know these places have something in store for me. I've also been wondering if I may get to Santiago a little ahead of schedule and then will be able to continue to Finisterre. Or perhaps I'll just find a few places along the way where I'll spend a little more time and arrive to Santiago just in time for my home flight. Whatever, I am ready, willing and able.

This evening I took my books and keys back to school, and said 'au revoir' to Iolanda and Ellen.  Ellen & I had previously spoken about putting an excerpt from 'The Magic' on the school's website, so I sent her a couple of files this morning, and she has said she will be uploading it to the school site tomorrow.

After dropping my books and keys off I met up with Sue (and Lily) for a 'see you later' drink. We always have a good old chin-wag and catch up when we meet. On the way back I dropped into the supermarket and picked up a few bits and bobs. Then a little further along the road I saw this amazing tree. Each year it's blossoming takes my breath away. Unfortunately this photo taken on my mobile doesn't quite capture its magnificence.

This evening I am spending time with my family here in Casa TulStig, as I'm sure in a few days time I will be missing them all....

Another Sunday update...

We've just returned from Julie's where we had a delicious three course lunch, needless to say we are now stuffed.  Starting with a mushroom and chive soup, followed by sweetcorn Fritters and ending with Peanut brownies and watermelon. 

 When we got in I thought I'd have a quick look to see what the weather is likely to be like in Oviedo when I arrive on Wednesday, and here's the result.

Wed 20 jun		Thurs 21 jun		Fri 22 jun		Sat 23 jun		Sun 24 jun		Mon 25 jun		Tues 26 jun		Weds 27 jun
Max 68°F	Min 50°F	Max 59°F	Min 52°F	Max 59°F	Min 54°F	Max 66°F	Min 48°F	Max 66°F	Min 48°F	Max 63°F	Min 46°F	Max 66°F	Min 41°F	Max 70°F	Min 50°F
20:00 61°F		08:00 54°F 12:00 55°F 16:00 59°F 20:00 55°F		08:00 55°F 12:00 57°F 16:00 59°F 20:00 57°F		08:00 55°F 12:00 64°F 16:00 66°F 20:00 64°F		08:00 55°F 12:00 64°F 16:00 66°F 20:00 63°F		08:00 52°F 12:00 61°F 16:00 63°F 20:00 59°F		08:00 52°F 12:00 63°F 16:00 66°F 20:00 63°F		08:00 57°F 12:00 68°F 16:00 68°F 20:00 66°F
7 mph		8 mph		7 mph		5 mph		9 mph		8 mph		9 mph		9 mph
6:42 22:06 15:24		6:42 22:06 15:24		6:42 22:06 15:24		6:42 22:07 15:25		6:43 22:07 15:24