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Cardiff

Pic of the week 31/10/21

On Wednesday we went to Cardiff, travelling up mid-morning, staying overnight and returning on Thursday afternoon. It was lovely to see Sam – he is clearly thriving at uni, although I do worry that the only chemistry he is doing is turning beer into urine – and to also explore the city.

We (Becky & I) spent much of the afternoon wandering along the banks of the River Taff, it felt amazingly wild and rural yet in the heart of a major metropolis. The weather was still warm and the fast flowing water of the the river contrasted with the calm serenity of the trees, whose leaves were aflame with the colours of autumn. I was delighted to see a few Jays and a Cormorant with its wings spread for drying. Becky was delighted to spot a Kingfisher, but then became increasingly despondent as she was unable to get close enough to take a good picture.  Even a few years ago, I would have been surprised to hear that we headed off first thing (after we woke at 8!) to stalk the elusive bird, but with no success, but now it is the norm to seek out mother nature for a photo shoot at any time of the day.

After abandoning our birding, we had a bite of breakfast and headed into town for some shopping. If I do have to go shopping (and I accept that, on occasion, I will have to) Cardiff is not a bad place to do it.

We met Sam for lunch, then dropped him back at his halls and headed for home for an uneventful last few days of a very full half term holiday. Back to school tomorrow.

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Majorca!

Pic of the week 24/10/21

So we are back from a few wonderful days in Majorca.

We flew out before even the sparrows were awake on Tuesday, leaving a dark, damp Bristol airport behind us, arrive two hours later to the glourious Majorcan sun and blue, blue Mediterranean skies.

We spent the late morning and afternoon wandering the city, eating pastries and drinking coffees before returning to the roof top terrace of our apartment so I could snooze in the sunshine!

The next day, we boarded a local bus and headed to Andratx, for market day – not too much to right home about, only a small market in a square, but we sat and enjoyed a coffee and zumo de naranja. I did feel I had stumbled into some of the language learning resources from the 80s & 90s that I have been using, as I listened to the stall holders try to sell their wares. I was very impressed with myself when I overheard the veg main explaining to a Spanish lady that the cabbages were the same price, whether big or small. I was pleased that, without really listening out for it, I was able to tune in and understand a real conversation in Spanish. (Before we left for Andratx, I had asked, and understood the answers, in Spanish, a couple of questions at the information desk.)

Then it was on to Port de Andratx – a very pretty port and one that harboured a lot of very expensive boats. We had an enjoyable walk around the harbour, before finding a tiny slither of beach, where we sat and soaked up the sun for a couple of hours, and I swam in the crystal clear warm sea.

We then walked round to the other side of the harbour for coffee, spotting an octopus – pulpo – swimming right where the sea met the harbour wall. A really quite impressive sight.

That evening we returned to Palma and, after eating, wandered around the ground of the Cathedral all lit up against the darkness. Very  peaceful and very beautiful.

The next day, we toured (on foot) the gardens and Cathedral grounds before walking along the sea front to Portixol where we enjoyed a leisurely, lingering lunch before walking back along the beach – with taking an obligatory dip.

And then it was Friday morning – time to get up, walk 10 minutes to the bus station, get the bus to the airport and fly home (circa 1 hour delay due to the airport being “busy”)

A wonderful few days away that felt longer. I enjoyed everything about it, Majorca is so close, yet offers so much, I am sure we will return before too long. I enjoyed practising my Spanish on native speakers – I think that they didn’t revert straight to English was a positive sign. I’m not giving up on my language learning, but I have achieved what I initially set out to do and be able to converse, albeit it falteringly, with the locals and no longer be that Brit abroad who expects everyone to speak English.

 

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Covid scare, and return of the prodigal son

Pic of the week 17/10/21

With half term rapidly approaching, and a few days in Majorca on the horizon, my world was turned to turmoil on Thursday when I was “pinged” by NHS Track & Trace as a close contact.

This meant an evening trip to Shepton Mallet for a PCR test in the walk-through centre – all done in less than 10 mins – followed by a nervous 24 hours waiting for the result. I felt fine, no symptoms, and my lateral flow tests were showing negative, but a positive on the PCR would mean isolation for 10 days and no autumnal Majorcan sun.

Then, at 5.25pm on Friday came the text: negative, all clear! Majorca here we come.

And then on Saturday we had a fleeting visit from Sam. He had gone to Bristol on Friday as it was his friend “Smithy’s” birthday, so came home to us on Saturday evening, to enjoy a big roast, a hot shower and a long sleep. And then, this morning, I drove him back to Cardiff – was nice to see where he now calls home.  Was lovely to see him last night – albeit looking v v tired, but he seems v content with his new life.

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Home Alone!

Pic of the week.

Its been a strange week in which Becky & I seem to have been like ships in the night, and have barely seen each other.

She works Monday nights, so I now have my little routine of Spanish with Daniel, followed by a swim (did 40 lengths this week) and then a jacket spud for my tea, with Becky returning gone 10pm, for a quick chat before bed.

On Tuesday she went to Cornwall to help her Dad sort her Grannie’s belongings, returning on Wednesday evening with a few bits and bobs. Thursday she was out (to Bristol, to see Edie Reader) before I got home (and I then went straight out to Somerton, to Dave Trevis’ 60th birthday)

So on Friday evening we got to see each other (and on Saturday evening I fell asleep in my chair) and then today she was at work!

What busy lives we lead.

(It is worth mentioning the wonderful weather we have had this week – warmth and sunshine, which has just made me look forward to our few days in Majorca all the more.)

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(no) Gloves

Pic of the week 3/10/21

Well, like a switch, summer has ended and autumn has begun.

Last Sunday was a beautiful day, full of sunshine and warmth, but come Monday the rains came and the temperature has dropped – it now feels distinctly cold at times.

Yesterday- like a couple of days in the week – it absolutely pelted it down with rain but today dawned bright and clear and I was pleased that it was so as I set off on my run. I was (sensibly) wearing my long sleeved base layer top under my T-shirt, but a few Ks in I was beginning to regret not wearing gloves as my hands were staying stubbornly cold. By the end of my run they were fine – its hard to note when they stopped feeling cold, I reckon it was probably about the 5 K mark.  Anyway, it was a good run, I did 10K in pretty much 48 mins on the nose, and I do feel that I have my running mojo back.

In other news, it was haircut week this week – the pic is, of course, Becky’s “before” photo. I must admit, I always feel better when I’ve had my haircut. Its fine for about 3 weeks, but the fourth week before cutting it just feels heavy and shapeless.