The first Sunday in December...

Normally the first Sunday of the month would see us putting up our Christmas Decorations. Not so this year. Far too much going on today.
This morning I shared a small part of a stall with Sue and Jordi at the second hand market -yes this hoarder is still clearing the clutter, and it made me a few Euros at the same time. One man's garbage is another man's treasure. Whilst on the stall I also had two enquiries about my books- follow up should achieve more sales, and an enquiry about Reiki classes.
Immediately after the market Tony and I went to a wine tasting just down the road. It was also an oil and Espigall tasting.  Espigall is a locally grown green (Cabbage family) veg that we love, an is peculiar to this region and this season. Unfortunately the tasting was very limited, with just one Espigall dish. I was hoping for a few recipe suggestions. Frankly my achievements with this veg already outstripped what I saw today (big head did someone say?)

We stayed for a short while then returned home.  I needed to catch up with the Newsletter, which I am happy to say is now winging its way around the world via e-mail.
In a short while we are heading out to the airport to pick up Sussi (remember Camino 2010- one of the Famous five) and then we will be heading straight off for dinner.
December is always a busy month in TulStig towers, and this year is going to be no different.

And this month I am back into the Fatmumslim photo challenge:

Day ONE - 8'clock - Walking with my kids- Cuddy so loves a puddle...

Day TWO - PEACE

Sunday at its best

This morning I had a relaxing walk with Cuddy and Xali. I took my new camera to see what came up for me to snap, and have put together this offering. 

And then messed about on the PC - I am pleased to say the translation of 'The Magic of the Camino' into Spanish is coming along nicely, thank to Victoria - just 10 chapters to go, and the work Victoria has put in is excellent and much appreciated.

And whilst on the subject of books - Yesterday (after a full day of teaching) I finished the final edit of 'Take Two' and it has now been released on general sale: I just need to come up with an effective method of marketing for the novels. Without the niche market that 'The Magic' has it is proving much more difficult to push the sales forward.

Later on this morning I decided I would throw together a coffee cake. (more info on my other blog page). which I have just enjoyed with a nice cuppa. What more can one need on a Sunday afternoon than a good book to read, a slice of cake and a cuppa?

So how did you spend your weekend?

Monday breakfast musings

I've decided I am going to write a daily blog post and publish it as and when I get free internet access.
Yesterday we boarded after hours of hanging around and queueing with the hordes. Cruising really isn't just for the elite any more. I guess we ourselves are proof of that, although we do try to maintain certain standards. There are some on board, however, that do not. Dress sense at dinner proved that once and for all last night! I mean, would one normally wear cut off denims and a megadeath t-shirt to a 'nice' restaurant. Yes, there we have it. The travelling snob in me is alive and well!
Our cabin is spacious and comfortable, comodious I guess one could say. And that's where I've left hubby happily snoring whilst I feast my way through a plate of hash browns and scrambled eggs, washed down with orange juice. And whilst on the subject of food let me just comment that although we did come straight (sic) onboard yesterday and grab some lunch, and enjoy a FULL dinner last night we are not hogging. Others, on.the other hand' are making the most of the availability of food and piling their plates high but sadly leaving them piled almost as high when they leave. The gluttony and waste is something I find remarkable on cruises, clearly as I have just remarked.
Today we are due to enter Bari. ( Fnaarr) We've not yet decided if we will get off (Fnaarr) or simply lounge around on deck. Quite frankly we're both a little jaded after the last few days of socialising, both here and at home in VnG so the later is a possibility. I shall apprise you of our decision later.
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And today's photo challenge.. in my fridge:

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

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.