Warmth, Weekend & Website updates

We had a great weekend, or at least Friday and Saturday with Caroline staying at Casa TulStig.
On Friday I walked the dogs an the blossom, as pictured on here the other day was loaded down with Bees. It was beautiful, scented and noisy with the bees buzzing- Spring is pretty much here!

Can you see the Bee top centre?

Caroline arrived in town after her conference in BCN and we had a delicious dinner at Espai Carmen, after a few pictures around town.

Saturday left some time for Caroline to do a  bit of shopping in Sitges , after breakfast out (of course), for pressies for her girls. We then had lunch in the garden, before having to drop back to the airport for Caroline's evening flight back to Murcia.

On the way back from the airport I was feeling a little off, and sure enough by the time I had been home a little while I flagged and hit my bed where I stayed for the next two days. A little bit of a chill methinks. Most of you will know that I don't react well to being unwell, and poor old Tony usually ends up taking the brunt of that. But her I am back to almost as good as new. I just need to be rid of this blessèd Sciatica, which has been hanging around for the last month now, and I'll be flying along again.

Finally can I beg of you a small favour. The other Editors and I have recently produced the new edition of The Joyful Warrior, along with some wonderful guest contributions, Please head on over there and take a look at this month's articles of JOY.

Oh and if you've a couple more spare minutes I've been busy updating our personal website too - Casa TulStig.

Comments and feedback welcome on both sites, pleeaassee.....

Just cruising along

Key word in today's title: Cruising - yup we've booked our September Cruise. We're flying out to Venice for a one night's stay in a hotel there- it's goodness how long since we were last there- we know it's an age as we actually booked the hotel by fax last time!
The return flights are booked -Vueling - the hotel in Venice is booked - The Hotel Marte- has good and bad reviews but the good outweigh the bad and it looks nice enough and is cheap and central -and the cruise, of course, is booked too - we are on the  Costa Favalosa ( I just LOVE the name -echoes of 'Round The Horne') starting in Venice, on to another stop in Italy, then Greece, including Olympus, Turkey (Istanbul and another stop) and then Croatia - Dubrovnik, returning to Venice from where we will fly back to BCN. All that's to book now is the flights for our 'babysitters' Janey and Amy and we'll be all set- I'm discussing the details with Janey on Saturday -Skyping and booking all at once. 
It's all just so Favalosa. And for the more observant of you - yes it is with the same company as last year, and yes that is the same company as the Costa Concordia which didn't fare so well just recently. We had no issues with the company at all, and trust them to deliver an excellent time again.

The Costa Favalosa

As for my writing- I've been well into the sequel today again , another thousand or so words -I'm trying to step up the production. I'm enjoying the story, and yes it is surprising me too.  As for 'The Key' it's bouncing round in my head so I'm grabbing another notebook and noting down important facts and details so hen the time comes to set that down on disc (PC) I'll be well set.

Spring is springing!!

Whilst out walking with Cuddy and Xali yesterday morning I noticed the bloom on the trees is starting to appear. The temperatures are starting to rise, and creativity is in the air. TO me that all means spring is on the doorstep, knocking and will be in soon.

Back at the Type-Face

CHAPTER ONE:
Yesterday walking the dogs I had an amazing idea for a new book. A poem popped into my head -well more of a little ditty than a poem, so I grabbed my mobile and recorded it so I wouldn't forget it. For the rest of the walk I was telling the new story aloud -I really find that helps me- and by the time I got home, dogs well walked -I had the basis for an amazing new book. I sat down almost immediately and wrote an introductory piece- well a first chapter more or less, and just to check how it read I sent a copy off to Janey with a warning not to open the file if she couldn't keep the secret. I spoke to her a little later and she said she was going to read it straight away. Within a short time I got  an e-mail reply -she loved it and is keeping the secret, but wants me to write the book ASAP. Just the reaction I was looking for.

It's a magical story that's already written, at least on the notepad in my head- I just need to get the words out... but first I have another priority...(sorry Janey) .....

TITLE
Over the past few weeks I've been writing the sequel to WINNER -I'm loving the story and the way the characters are stepping up to the plate to tell their versions of events, but I've been stumped for a title that had grabbed me.  A little while ago Tony suggested a title. I considered it and we disregarded it. Then ten minutes later I had taken it on board, and it's now set. It its ideally and a couple of the characters had their say about it too.  So I now have my title.
I've been writing today for a while and am running along with the story- Lucy's been up again and sharing her part in the events.

I love writing, I love all my characters, old and new, and am so happy to have not just one book in my head now, but another that's just waiting to burst forth. I have to say I had been stalling slightly on my writing- lazy perhaps, but now I really am all fired up. I need to tell the story of the sequel to Winner (yes I'll share the title with you all soon), and am keen to get going with the new book, which is tentatively titled 'The Key'.

OK so here's the deal. I'm going to try to have the Winner's sequel done and dusted, editing and proofing aside sometime before the end of May. I know that's limiting my time, but I know I can do it if I just settle down. I'm hoping that by setting my target down here it will inspire me even more to get down to some serious work.... as I may have said before .... Watch this space.

Carnaval Sunday

Yesterday was Comparses in VnG - an amazing spectacle, but one this year we happened to miss. We did intend to go, but after having waited for twenty minutes for a bus we decided to give up on it, and save our energies for the night's festivities in Sitges.
Sunday night is the first Carnaval Parade in Sitges (The other being on Tuesday) and we normally make an appearance, and for the last few years we've appeared in fancy dress. This year we went with Sue and Jordi, and as the carnaval was much earlier than normal -I think the authorities are trying to curb the drinking and yob element by making it earlier.
We had a great time, saw some interesting and inventive floats, met up with Paolo, saw some chums from the Pub Quiz days and all this before midnight....

Today we were up and ready for action early on. Today was to be a DIY day- the wardrobe in the bedroom was begging attention, and the room itself needed a bit of TLC before Caroline comes to stay next weekend. I am happy to report that all chores done as far as we can. We just need to do a little more purchasing at Ikea and the like and it'll be as we wish.

Today has been one good day- 

one good day amongst many. 

I love my life, and happily life loves me.

Ball de Mascarots

Yes last night we were at the Ball de Mascarots in the Town Square, after a few visits en route.

First of all we dropped in on Jordi and Maria and their son (yes Jordi too), at Cal Jordi:

From here we had a wander down the Rambla interacting with all the other disfazados. It's so much fun when you're dressed up - everyone chats to you -usually nonsensical stuff about your character, but all with bon humor! Many times Tony was stopped for a photo -He must be on many people's facebook pages today!

Our next port of call was 'Beverly Hills' - Just as in other years they had no idea who we were when we entered and took a seat at the bar. When we raised our masks they all hooted and laughed and there was much hugging, kissing and hand-shaking. Just how long have we been using this restaurant?- well probably about 25 years!

After a beer and a plate of chips, and an obligatory toilet stop- do you know how difficult it is to use the loo when you're a star-wars storm-trooper??!! - we were off to the square, where the band/orchestra were limbering up. Soon after we settled into our space it was midnight and the band started with a Beatles set piece , followed by some Abba- they must have known we were there.

After enjoying the spectacle - and I don't mean just the one on the stage, and having a bit of a dance around, and yes another beer we decided to make a break for it before we got too cold or too tired. Home again around 1.30/2 ish - the animals were pleased to see us. As for us -  Happy and Tired and SOOOO enjoying our Carnaval 2012.

Carnaval Saturday update

So last night we had a great time.
I started the evening off with a massage and acupuncture from Jordi (Sue's Jordi) and left feeling quite bruised, but within an hour or so a lot more comfortable than I ave been in days.

I met Tony outside the Rambla school building where we were meeting up with some of the other teacher's for a little party in the classroom which overlooks the Rambla Principal, where the parade would be passing soon after. 

Snacking on crisps etc and drinking a delightful white wine we watched the parade:

 Even the dogs were getting in on the act. This one was out with his vampire owners.

The streets were packed with revellers. I sometimes find it hard to believe that anyone can be at home during the night of arrivó in Vilanova.

The costumes were from the very plain, but inventive to the brightly coloured, and all worn with a sense of fun.  Some of the costume and floats were political, ridiculing the current council members and their policies of cutting services.

Many had themes, from terrorists against the cuts to outer space visitors, to nurses to Robin Hood

After watching the parade and seeing the lads and lasses from our Barrio go by on their floats we headed off to the Indian restaurant where we had a delicious and fairly spicy curry. It seemed the entertainment was going to continue as the waiter had no idea how to use a waiter's friend corkscrew and ave us moments of enjoyment as he file and fumbled his way through opening bottles of wine as different customers arrived and ordered. 

As we prepared to leave and pay our very, VERY reasonable bill, Christine and Jordi (a very popular name here) came in for dinner. Christine had had a few more than she could manage and proceeded to apologise for her condition. I'm sure the poor girl will be most embarrassed and contrite next time we meet. During our conversation Christine asked if I would teach her to cook muffins, and also how to make the beef and steak pie I made for a party once. SO we agreed to set a cook-date once we're back at school on Wednesday.

Next we had a bit of a long walk home, through the detritus of the evening, and along the way we were still entertained by various characters in their evening's outfits. As a break we dropped off at Cal Jordi, to see Jordi and Maria (yes a very popular name here). From here we wend our way up the hill arriving home later than intended.

This morning I had a couple of classes. The first class only one student turned up, so we played a game of scrabble, and after an hour he was happy to go off home again- that's the pleasure of teaching adults. This allowed me a chance to whizz round the market and get a tray of strawberries and a couple of bunches of asparagus- all for bargain prices - How I love the market- Fresh veggies for next to nothing. Over half of the second class were in attendance so we had a more or less normal class. I was teaching Homophones which always amuses me.

This afternoon we've had a quick siesta, and have tried on our costumes. We're now taking a little time to relax before we begin again.... Fancy dress ball at Midnight here we come.