Month: December 2022

Pic of the week 26/12/22

Mea culpa! I am a day late in writing this post – Sunday is my normal blogging day, but it is Monday that I am penning this: Boxing Day.

We had a lovely family Christmas Day yesterday – just the four of us – so all very adult, good natured and starting at a sensible hour (Becky & I were roused by hour alarm clock at 8am, Sam was the last to emerge, when his presence was demanded, at 9.30 am) We continued with our “new” tradition of breakfast bags (this is the third year, so not sure how much longer we can call it new) meaning that enormous sums hadn’t been spent and yet we all got gifts that we can use and were pleased with. Lunch was a delicious affair – and I think it does need commenting as to how Sam will now eat nearly all items off the Christmas dinner plate (the exception being sprouts) – we certainly would never have thought that possible ten years ago.

Not too much telly was watched – nothing to write home about – Becky and Sophie enjoyed Strictly, whilst I enjoyed a snooze (and Sam enjoyed another beer …) We still hadn’t reached agreement as to what film to watch in the evening and somehow, I’m still not quite sure how, Sam persuaded us to watch Trainspotting (persuaded is probably not the right word. He spotted the absence of a united front and wore us down until we gave in to his demands.) It was (is) a good film, but probably not Christmas viewing.  Becky retired to the kitchen to “tidy up”, Sophie buried herself in a book, leaving Sam and I to enjoy the movie.

Today, Becky is at work, Sam has gone out for the day with a friend (Jack), I went for a 7K run this morning, but currently Sophie and I are just loafing around the house – quite a pleasant why to spend Boxing Day.

Earlier in the week, I went over to Dad’s and meet up with him & June; Rog, Lisa +  J,N & L,; Mark, Freya & Ollie. It had been planned to meet the following day, but Jane was ill, so we met at Dad’s a day earlier, although with Becky & Sam working, and Sophie feeling poorly, it was only I that travelled to Wells for the gathering of the clan.

We have been a bit poorly this week – Covid Mary Sam returned from uni with a cough/cold/sore/throat and has passed it on to all of us. Is quite a lingering, debilitating cold – sore throat making talking difficult probably the worst symptom. We’ve all soldiered on, but we could have done without it.

Anyway, 2022 draws to a close – have reached May in my read through of this blog, perhaps I’ll get round to doing a review of the year before it is done …

Pic of the week 18/12/22

Whilst the UK froze with night time temperatures falling to minus 9 degrees, Becky and I fled to Malaga for a few days of sun, culture and la idioma espanol. A few weeks ago weeks ago we booked some cheap (circa £80is return?) RyanAir flights to Malaga, leaving on Tuesday afternoon, and returning on Friday lunchtime.

Alas, there was little sol to be had on the Costa del Sol – carry an umbrella and dodging the daily showers was the order of the day – but it was warm, and it was wonderful to get away. The city is not huge – enough to do in the few days we were there, but not so bug we’ve come away thinking we missed out on anything – but was very pretty, especially when lit up with it Christmas lights at night. A city that felt safe, welcoming and fun, it was great to amble around its streets, drink its coffee and eat its food. We visited the Pablo Picasso museum which was interesting and I enjoyed reading about the exhibits in Spanish – on the trip I came to the conclusion that my “reading Spanish” is pretty good, but my listening and speaking Spanish still needs a lot of work, although I did enjoy the opportunity to practise these skills. When I initiated a conversation – so knew what it was about – I could make myself understood and understand the replies, but tuning in to general spoken Spanish is very difficult.  However, I did find my eye being caught by Spanish TV, ads on hoardings and on the bus – I think a bit of “total immersion” for a month of just living in Spain is what I need …!

Becky’s blog give a good account of what we did, and includes plenty of photos. I have tried to think what was my favourite part of the holiday, but can’t really nail it down to one thing – I think it was just being away in a foreign country, (being a little warmer), listening to different languages, and just doing stuff: wandering the streets, eating out etc, whereas had I been at home I wonder if I would have done much. I really, really enjoyed the few days; I think going away really puts in a firebreak between work and holidays.

The flight out was bumpy and, for about 5 minutes as we descended towards Malaga, was very, very bumpy. I think we basically had to fly down through a weather front/thunderstorm that was over the region. Probably my worst flight for a long, long time! Other than that, RyanAir, the flying bus, was fine – got us there and back efficiently and cheaply.  And on our  return it was chuffing cold. It was cold before we left and the cold snap deepened while we were away.  Today the weather has begun to change, with rain and wind sweeping in, and temperatures rising to 11 degrees (it had been circa 17 – 20 in Malaga)

Sophie and Sam also came home on Friday, so we now have a full house for Christmas, with Sophie working from home for the next couple of days, and Sam working at Sainsburys for the week to earn some cash – his current sore throat permitting.

This afternoon was the World Cup Final – a great game. Argentina were the only team in town for the first 80 minutes, leading two nil, before two quick goals from France drew the game level and led to a pulsating last 10 minutes in which both sides tried to grab the glory. The second period of extra time saw Argentina edge ahead, before France drew level again and the tournament was ultimately decided on a penalty shoot-out, with the Latin American side triumphing. Was a great game to end what has proven to be an enjoyable competition.